Shiv |
Shukra Pradosha Vrat - 10th-November-2023, Friday / शुक्रवार
- Shukra Krishna Pradosha Vrat on Friday, November 10, 2023
- Pradosha Puja Muhurat - 05:30 PM to 08:08 PM
- Duration - 02 Hours 38 Mins
Shukra Pradosha
Pradosha Vrat is observed on both Trayodashi Tithis, i.e. Shukla Paksha Trayodashi and Krishna Paksha Trayodashi, in a lunar month. For Pradosham Vrat, the day is fixed when Trayodashi Tithi falls during Pradosha Kala which starts after Sunset. The time window after Sunset when Trayodashi Tithi and Pradosha time overlaps is auspicious for Shiva Puja. When Pradosham Day falls on Friday, it is known as Shukra Pradosha.
Pradosham (Before dosham/that which removes dosha-defect) is the period just before night every day It is also called Rajani Mukha ie the face of night. It is normally observed between 4.30 Pm to 6.00 Pm on the Shukla paksha (bright half)Trayodasi(13th phase of moon) day and Krishna Paksha (dark half).
Pradosha time is propitious to pray to Lord Shiva and invoke his blessings. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on Pradosh day will relieve sins and give Moksha. Among the poojas performed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, the Pradosha puja is considered to be more auspicious. It is believed that during the Pradosha period, all the universal beings and Gods came down to earth and attended the worship. The importance of observing Pradosha is described in Pradosha Mahatmyam from Shiva Purana and hence Shiva devotees observe Pradosha Pooja with high sanctity. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.
History of Pradosha Vrat or Why Observing Pradosham?
According to Hindu Puranas, the gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) were stirring the milky ocean to extract amirtam (nectar), with Vasuki (the serpent king) as a rope. As Vasuki underwent severe scratches due to the churning, she emitted a powerful poison which is capable of destroying the world. The helpless celestials pleaded with Lord Shiva to save them. In order to save them, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison. Goddess Parvati stopped the poison in the Lord’s throat and it is believed that his throat turned blue. As a result of this, Lord Shiva came to be known as Thiruneelagandan or Neelakandan (the one with Blue Throat).
It is said that on the Trayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) day, the gods and demons realized that they had committed the sin of not praying the God and prayed for forgiveness. Lord Shiva Shankar forgave them and danced in between the horns of the Nandhi’s (Celestial Bull) forehead. This time is called Pradhosham. It is believed that if anybody prays to Lord Shiva in that time, he fulfills their wishes and gives them mukthi.
Legend of Narasimha and Pradosham:
One of the greatest incarnations of the universal preserver or maintainer Vishnu is Lord Narasimha, the Man-Lion Avatar, to save the world from the demon Hiranyakashyapu. The Siddhas give a metaphorical explanation for this avatar. Hiranya represents the ego at its peak. When your ego is super inflated, you act rashly and with less prudence. Archetypal Being Vishnu decided to teach a lesson to the human beings on the limits that one shouldn't exceed as far as EGO is concerned. So he is depicted as having torn the demon who was an epitome of EGO, in the form of Narasimha. This event happened during Pradosham time.
How to observe pradosham
Pradosha Vrata is observed on the 13th day of a fortnight and there are two Pradosham in a Hindu month. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in the evening during twilight on this day. In some regions, the day is dedicated to Nataraja form of Shiva. The fasting on this day is observed for success, peace and fulfillment of desires. It is said that mere darshan of any of the one form of Shiva removes ignorance.
Pradosham is observed when the Trayodashi Tithi is there during the twilight period. This is important. The importance of Pradosha Vrata and how to observe it is narrated in the Skanda Purana. There are two methods of fasting on the day. Some people observe a 24-hour fast which includes not sleeping during night. Another method is fasting from sunrise till sunset and after Shiva puja in the evening the fast is broken. Pradosham is the twilight period just before sunset and after sunset. Pujas and prayers are performed during this period. Many people during this period spend the time in a Shiva temple or listening to the glory of Shiva.In the evening, an hour before sunset the devotee takes bath and prayers are offered to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Ganesha, Kartik and Nandi. After the initial prayers, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Kalasha (sacred pot). The Kalasha filled with water is covered with darbha grass and a lotus is drawn on the pot.
Another form of worship is the puja of Shivling. The shivling is bathed with water and Bilva leaves are offered. Some people use a painting or picture of Shiva for worship. It is said that offering Bilva leaves on Pradosham is highly auspicious. After this people listen to the Pradosha Vrata Katha or story or read chapters from Shiva Purana. Then the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is recited 108 times.
After this, the water used in the puja ceremony is given as ‘Prasad’ along with sacred ash. The ash is applied on the forehead. It is said that just lighting a single lamp during Pradosham period is enough to please Lord Shiva and the act is highly rewarding. The majority of Shiva devotees have a darshan of Shiva during Pradosham in a nearby temple
Importance of Pradosham
The Shiva Purana states that one who undertakes fasting on Pradhosha will be blessed with wealth, children, happiness, and honor. The fasting and worship are specially undertaken by women who long to have children. It is said that those praying to Shiva during the auspicious time of Pradhosha will be freed from sins.
Offering Bael or Bilva leaves during the period to Lord Shiva is considered auspicious.
There are Shiva devotees who observe fast on both Pradosha days in a month. Some only fast during the waning phase of the moon.
Staunch devotees opt for water-only fasting and will only eat the ‘prasad’ offered in the evening. Such devotees only eat cooked from next day morning.
Another method of fasting is by eating fruits and such devotees eat cooked food on the day after the evening prayers. The strictness of the Pradosha fasting is usually decided by the devotee.
Some devotees do not fast but worship Shiva during the period or visit temples.
Since Monday is dedicated to Shiva, the Pradosha falling on Monday is referred to as Soma-Pradosha and is considered highly auspicious. Pradosha falling on Saturday during the waning phase of the moon is also auspicious.
Lord shiva |
During pradosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful.
- Milk Gives a Long Life.
- Ghee gives Moksha.
- Curd gives good children.
- Honey gives a melodious voice.
- Rice powder is free from debts.
- Sugar cane juice gives good health.
- Panjamrutham gives wealth.
- Lemon removes the fear of death.
- Sugar removes enmity.
- Tender coconut gives enjoyment.
- Cooked rice gives (Annam) gives majestic life.
- Sandal gives Lakshmi’s grace.
- Vibuthi gives purity.