All About Rudraabhishek Puja

The Origin of Rudra – Lord Shiva

Shiva is thought to have originated from Rudra, an ancient god during the Vedic period in the Indus Valley. Rudra was a storm god and a hunter. In the Vedic Pantheon, he was one of the main deities. The Lord Brahma was Rudra’s father, and Usha, Dawn’s goddess, was his mother. He didn’t get a name when he was born, so he started to cry. His dad begged for his name and was given “Rudra”, which means weeping or howling. “Rudra” is often translated as “the howler” because of the tremendous powers he exhilarates as a storm god. He has sometimes been known by euphemism as “shiva,” an adjective that means “kind.” Gradually, the name “Rudra” and the modern “Shiva” became interchangeable.

The names of the eleven Rudras
1. Kapali
2. Pingal
3. Bheem
4. Virupaksha
5. Vilohit
6. Shastra
7. Ajapaad
8. Ahirbudhnya
9. Shambhu
10. Chand
11. Bhav

What is Rudrabhishek?

In the holy month of Sawan, Rudraabhishek is performed in Shiva temples at different places. It is believed that by the Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva, the desired fruit will be obtained, and also, one would get rid of planet-borne defects and diseases soon.

Lord Shiva is also known as Rudra, which depicts his most ferocious form. The Rudraabhishek of Shiv refers to the Shiv Lingam Ritual Bath. It is one of Lord Shiva’s most important and popular ceremonies and is regarded as the greatest spiritual puja in the Vedic scriptures. This puja offers good health, prosperity, and happiness and protects enemies, negativity, and evil.

The word Rudra is spoken in the Vedas, which is believed to focus on Lord Shiva’s frightening, aggressive and destructive aspect. The dance of Rudra Tandav is an example of the pitiless nature of Lord Shiva. There are numerous stories about the name of Shiva as Rudra. Rudrabhishek is one of Mahashivratri’s important rituals.

How to do Rudrabhishek Puja?

Rudraabhishek Puja is made to please Lord Shiva. First, Lord Rama led this auspicious puja at Rameshwaram before crossing the sea to Lanka to release goddess Sita from evil Ravana. Lord Shiva, in the form of Rudra, is worshipped here. Rudra is called fire or Agni.

Rudraabhishek Puja is regarded as one of Hinduism’s purest rituals. Rudraabhishek Puja is performed by providing Lord Shiva with a sacred bath and flowers and sacred puja materials.

Lord Shiva is worshipped as a Shiva Lingam found in temples and puja places at home. Lord Shiva has many names, and Rudra is one of them, revered throughout the world. Lord Shiva’sShiva’s Rudra manifestation is fierce and the destroyer. Worshipping Abhishekham is one of the ways of worshipping him, which is considered to be Lord Shiva’s favourite. The meaning of Rudraabhishek is a holy bath that includes sacred liquid mixed such as milk, gangajal (Ganga River water), honey, curd, sugar cane juice, sandalwood pulp, belpatra (wood tree leaves), flavours of oils, flowers (Dhatura, Akand/Rui).

Mantras/hymns chanting is an integral part of the Shiv Rudraabhishek performance. Among Hindu, Rudraabhishek is considered to be extremely important. Positive energies and vibrations are dispersed in the atmosphere, which we are also a part of Rudraabhishek puja.

During Rudraabhishek haldi, kumkum, tulsi leaves, coconut water, and kewda/Champa (white flower) are the items that must be avoided strictly.

Significance & Benefits of Lord Shiva's Rudrabhishek

After the ritual Rudraabhishek puja, as described in old Hindu texts, Lord Shiva’s blessings and grace prevail in every aspect of life. Even in his Rudra rupa, Lord shiva is extremely generous. The puja Rudraabhishek takes negative energy out of life. Thus, it helps wash away sins, release from past karmas, and spiritual growth.

Rudraabhishek Samagri : What ingredients are needed for Rudrabhishek Puja

The Vedic Puja rituals use all five elements. Follow Rudrabhishek Puja’s below procedure step-by-step to perform Rudraabhishek at home:

• 1. Abhisheka liquids-water mixed with Rosewater, Gangajal, fresh cow milk, sugar, and ghee.
• 2. Panchamrit is a mix of fresh cow milk, yoghurt, honey, sugar, and ghee.
• 3. Water mixed with Ganges water in an Achamani pot with Kusha grass for sprinkling and spoon.
• 4. Ghee lamp, dhoop, camphor, incense stick.
• 5. Perfume for offering sandal paste, aromatic oils.
• 6. Akshat – Unbroken rice grains.
• 7. Offerings – bel fruit, coconut, sweets, clothes, bel Patra (wood apple tree leaves), datura, paan (betel leaves), betel nut, flowers, fruits.

Rudrabhishek Puja Procedure & Benefits

A step-by-step guide helps to do Rudraabhishek at home, as per the Vedic rituals of this puja procedure given below. The Mantra of Rudrabhishek must be chanted carefully.

Speaking of rudrabhishek puja benefits, the procedure should then be detailed so that the maximum benefits are obtained from Shiv Rudraabhishek.

Set Lingam to the north, facing the yoni, and devotee facing the west side of Lingam. The devotee must sit on the wool/kusha asan.
1. Smearing ash (bhasma) on the forehead
2. Wearing rudraksha bead mala while worshipping Lord Shiva.
3. Water should be sprinkled over all items of puja chanting and over yourself.
4. Light Ghee Lamp
5. Achamani- place water on the right hand with a spoon of Achamani and sip after
each of these three mantras

“Om Keshavaya Namaha”
Om Narayana Namaha
Om Madhavaya Namaha”

Rudra Abhishek Mantra

Moving to Rudraabhishek mantra, devotees can chant the Rudra mantra to strengthen their body, mind, and spirit when they feel their energies are drained. Rudra mantra can relieve harmful planetary influences and bring peace and stability to people’s lives.

The mantras recited with every step of Rudraabhishek Puja have meaning, and every Vedic Mantras has healing properties when recited with clear pronunciation. Shiv Mantras which can be chanted, are the main Shiv Rudrabhishek Mantras:

1. “Om Namah Shivaye”
2. Mahamrritunjaya Mantra
3. “ Rudram Namakam Chamakam”

Types of Rudrabhishek Puja

There are six kinds of puja of Rubraabhishek that devotees can do. Based on Vedic texts, the symbolism and holiness of every Rudraabhishek ingredient are important, and the devotee can choose between or all Rudraabhishek kinds. The following list of types of Rudrabhishek clearly shows the advantages of each.

• 1. Jal Abhishek – Abhishek with water, especially with water of river Ganga, for the fulfilment of desires.
• 2. Dudh Abhishek – Abhishek with fresh cow milk, for the blessing of the longevity of devotee.
• 3. Shahad Abhishek – Abhishek with honey, life becomes happy and trouble-free
• 4. Panchamrit Abhishek – Abhishek with cow milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghee for prosperity and wealth.
• 5. Ghee Anhishek – Abhishek with clarified butter for getting protection from disease and ill-health.
• 6. Dahi Abhishek – Abhishek with curd for beneficial outcomes.