We performed an ‘Ekadash rudrabhishek pooja’ at our house on Sunday, 7/4/2013

Bhagwan Shri Vishnu, in Ramavatar, lived as ‘Maryada Purushotham’, i.e. embodiment of a perfect and ideal human being. In Ramayan, it has been said that Bhagwan Shri Ram, before crossing the high-Sea to Lanka, established a Shiva-Lingam at Rameswaram and performed ‘Rudrabhishek Shiv pooja’ to express his devotion to Bhagwan Shiv and seek his blessings, for prosperity. This pooja where Almighty Shiv, worshiped in his ‘rudra’ form, is eloquently hailed in ancient vedic writings and by saints and sages as one of the greatest poojas - aimed at removing all ill effects and afflictions and further attaining peace, prosperity and happiness.

One of the sacred methods of worshiping of Bhagwan Shiv is ‘Ekadash rudrabhishek pooja’. In this pooja, Bhagwan Shiv is worshiped in his eleven forms of Rudra. Rudra-japam is recited 11 times. Rudrabisheka pooja is reciting of rudra-japam and pouring different ingredients (milk, honey, ghee, curd, coconut water, sugar, flowers, tulsi and bael leaves) on the sacred Shiva Lingam; following the abhishekam, the Almighty is beautifully decorated with flowers, tulsi and bael leaves. Bael leaves are very sacred and it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. The Shiva-Pooja commences with worship of Bhagwan Ganesh, followed by puja-sankalp and kalash-staapan. Following these initiations, shri rudrabhishekam is performed. This is followed by Astothara Pooja and Nivedyam. Finally Mangalarathi is performed. The pooja is followed by anna-santharpan to friends, neighbours, relatives and family members. Reciting ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Rudraya’ and ‘Om Namah Sivaya’ is very auspicious and fitting during Shiv Pooja.

We performed ‘Ekadash rudrabhishek Shiva pooja’ at our house on Sunday, 7/4/2013. Our son, Krishna did the pooja under the supervision and guidance of Sri Vinayaka Bhat, priest of Curca Nagesh temple and a team of other 3 priests. Reciting of rudra-japam took about 2 hours. Arathi was at 12:30 pm and followed by lunch. We also took this auspicious occasion to felicitate two noble personalities, viz. Dr J P Tiwari, Senior Professor and Nephrologist at the Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, and Sri M.S. Upadhyaya, progressive agriculturist and a relative from our native place, for their dedicated service to society at large. About 90 people including our close friends, neighbours and relatives graced the occasion.

 

Jayaram Bhat