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Some special features while worshiping (puja) of Lord Shiva


(Based on pages 61 and 62 of the book ‘Shastra Ase Sangate’. A critical review by the compilers.)
Tarak_Marak_Bel_Vahane_New
  • A. ‘In the ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva neither is the conch worshipped nor is its water used to bathe Lord Shiva. If a banalinga is a part of the five fold family of deities (panchayatan) then one may sprinkle the banalinga with water from the conch. However a banalinga with a pindi (divine phallus) of Lord Mahadev should not be bathed with this water. Since the feminine principle in the form of the shalunka (base of the linga) is present in the pindi, there is no need to sprinkle water from the conch which also has a feminine principle. A banalinga however does not possess a shalunka; hence it is bathed with water from a conch. During ritualistic worship of Mahadev in a temple, worship of the conch (shankhapuja) is not performed. Blowing of the conch before the ritual of waving lit lamps (arti) is allowed and is normally done during the arti. The sound of a conch not only brings about pranayam but also alleviates distress caused by spirits, black magic, etc. in the vicinity where it is heard.
  • B. Tulsi (basil) leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva. However tulsi leaves offered to a shaligram or an idol of Lord Vishnu may be offered as Shiva is a devotee of Vishnu and He loves tulsi offered to Lord Vishnu.
  • C. It is said that on the eighth day (ashtami) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Jyeshtha, Lord Shankar and on the fourteenth day (chaturdashi), Revati is ritualistically worshipped with blue flowers. On that day blue colour has the ability to absorb the Shiva principle as much as the green bel leaves. Based on the same principle kevada (a type of fragrant flower) is offered to Shiva during the ritual of conclusion (udyapan) of the vowed religious observance of Mahashivaratri.
  • D. Bel leaves, white flowers and holy sacrament of food (naivedya) offered to a pindi of Lord Shiva are not accepted as they can induce detachment which an average individual does not desire.
  • E. People belonging to various sects such as Shaiva, Kapalik, Gosavi, Virashaiva, etc. use various lingas – earthen (parthivlinga), lingas in a silver box donned around the neck (kanthasthalinga), lingas of crystal glass (sphatiklinga), banalingas, a five stringed linga (panchasutri), stone lingas (pashanlinga), etc.
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