Importance of Rudra Abhishek

Introduction:

“Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya” – the chant that energizes the ambiance of the Rudra Abhishek Puja. The literal meaning of the chant is, “I bow down to Lord Rudra.” A simple mantra to fulfill all your desires and attain your ultimate goal of liberation or “Moksha”. That’s right. Adi Shankaracharya has mentioned that Shri Rudram is the one who can help you attain the acmes of both the material world and the spiritual realm.

But what is Rudra Abhishek, why is Rudrabhishek done, and what is its importance? We will tell you about it in this blog.

What is Rudrabhishek?

Rudrabhishek or Rudra Abhishek is a ritual for worshipping Lord Rudra. This tradition is to pay obeisance to Lord Rudra, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, and invoke His blessings in life. Rudra is one of the 108 names of Lord Shiva, meaning “tempest”. In Rudra form, Lord Shiva is fierce and is the destructor. He destroys evil and paves the path for new creation.

Abhishek literally means “wetting” or “spraying”. It signifies the auspicious bath of a deity.Rudra Abhishek implies the holy bath of the Shivling with the Panchamrit.

Importance of Rudra Abhishek:

Rudra Abhishek symbolizes the acceptance of Shiva Tattva as the all-pervading energy of the Universe. Every living and non-living being in the Universe harbors this energy that science has now identified as a “God Particle.” The Rudra mantra states that the Shiva Tattva lies within us all. This energy manifests in all living beings including the esteemed sages and even the thieves and dacoits and even within inanimate objects. Hence, the Rudra Abhishek ritual signifies the realization of this eternal Truth. By paying respect to this incessant omnipresent energy, this ceremony signifies the harnessing of this magnanimous energy for the goodness of self and all other forms of creation.

Rudra Abhishek seeks to pay obeisance to the Destroyer of the immoral and pay tribute for maintaining the balance and protecting the virtuous.

Benefits of Rudra Abhishek:

Rudra Puja is considered to be one of the most auspicious rituals in Vedic texts.

The Rudrabhishek Puja aids believers in achieving all of their goals and rewards, such as overall material success. It offers a defense against negativity, foes, and evil. One can achieve happiness, prosperity, and excellent health. The Rudra Abhishek Puja generates positive vibes within oneself and in the surrounding ambiance. It invokes a sensation of bliss and joy that is everlasting and not dependent on external factors.

The numerous benefits of the Rudra Abhishek ritual include –

1. Protects one from negative energies, curses, and evil eye
2. Helps one to break free from past Karma
3. Removes doshas from one’s horoscope
4. Frees oneself from their past sins
5. Promotes spiritual growth
6. Fulfills the wishes of the one who sincerely prays for something
7. Prevents physical illness and suffering
8. Promotes inner strength so one finds the confidence to tackle difficult situations in life
9. Increases concentration and sharpens mental abilities
10. Enhances leadership qualities
11. Helps one remain calm, hence, find solutions efficiently
12. Promotes good mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being
13. Strengthens intuition by increasing spiritual receptivity
14. Brings inner peace and a feeling of contentment
15. Removes the malefic effects of Ashlesh Nakshatras, Pushya, and the Punarvasu

Variations in Rudra Abhishek:

There are six types of Rudra Abhishek rituals that Shiva devotees perform to attain their desired goals –

• Jal Abhishek –

Jal Abhishek means sacred ritualistic bath of the Shiva Linga with water, usually, water from the River Ganga. Jal Abhishek ensures prosperity in Life.

• Dudh Abhishek –

Devotees offering milk during sacred Shivalinga bath enjoy long lives.

• Shahad Abhishek –

Shahad Abhishek or Abhishek with honey frees individuals from trials and trifles of life.

• Ghee Abhishek –

Offering sacred purification of the Shivalinga with clarified butter prevents illness.

• Dahi Abhishek –

Childless couples perform Dahi Abhishek or Abhishek with yogurt to fulfill their dreams of begetting a child.

• Panchamrit Abhishek –

Lord Shiva rewards devotees who do Panchamrit Abhishek with wealth and success. The Panchamrit mixture comprises five elements namely, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and jaggery.

When should Rudra Abhishek be done?

Rudra Abhishek can be done every day as part of a regular homage offering to the Shivalinga. However, the most auspicious days for performing Rudrabhishek include Mondays of the Shravan month, Shivaratris, and Mahashivaratris.

The Shiva Tattva is a subtle energy. It is not possible to harness this energy for common people who are not involved in any kind of spiritual practice. However, during the auspicious days mentioned above, this energy manifests itself in a grosser form. It is then possible for devotees to tap into this energy and channel it for their greater purpose in life.

Significance of Rudra Abhishek:

Rudra Abhishek ritual magnifies the message of Unity among all. Thus, when you do Rudra Abhishek, you are not praying for yourself. Instead, you pay tribute to the Universe and pray for its well-being.

You can perform Rudrabhishek either at home or at a temple.

Join devotees at Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir for Shiv Rudrabhishek every Monday between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm to attain spiritual liberation and make progress in your spiritual journey. Our experienced Pandits will guide you through the correct ritualistic approach and teach you the meaning and correct pronunciation of chants and mantras.