Pradosham(thedaytoremovesins)

WhatisPradosham? Pradoshamliterallymeanstheremovalofsins.Thesetimesare
thewindowsofopportunitytoremovekarmaorkarmicenergiesthatlimitourpotential
inthiscurrentlife.Pradosham,whichisthethirteenthphaseofthedarkorbright
moon,isthetimedesignatedforLordShivatoremovethebadkarmaofpeople.There
aretwoPradoshamdaysinamonth.Pradoshammeanstheremovalofsinsandcan
also take place on a daily basis. This is called daily Pradosham. There is only one
temple where this daily Pradosham is very effective because of its association with
Nandi,thebullofLordShiva.Thebullwassenttotheearthplanetoinitiatethedaily
removalofsinsatthetemplecalledKoyampetnearChennai.Participantsofthedaily
karmaremovalprogramwillhaveanarchanaceremonydoneforthemondailybasis
duringthePradoshamtime(sunset).KoyampetisatemplewherePradoshamtakes
placeeveryevening.

The3LevelsofPradosham
Eachenergylevelindicateshowmuchkarmamaybereleasedatthattime.Alllevels
aredesignedtohelpspeedourevolutionandmakeourliveseasierandhappier.

FirstLevel:AllPradoshamsoccurbetween11/2hoursbeforeandrightupuntilthe
momentofsunsetinthetimezonewhereyouarelivingphysically.
HowtoobserveaDailyPradosham:APradoshaperiodisconsideredtobevery
auspicious. The name Pradosh indicates the twilight period, that is, the period just
beforesunsetandimmediatelyaftersunset.Generally,thetwilightperiodisaound1.5
hoursbeforesunset.Duringthisperiod,thedevoteesareawarethatLordShivaand
Mother Parvati are at their best cheerful mood. Anyone asking for blessings and
offeringsarehighlyblessedbythecoupleduringthePradoshamperiod.Devotees,in
large numbers, offer pujas and prayers to Lord Shiva in temples. Those devotees
staying back at home spend their day in chanting mantras devoted to the lord or
readingtheShivaPurana.Thefastbeginsatsunriseandendsintheeveningafter
offeringpujasbyconsumingtheShivaPrasad.Staunchdevoteesdonoteatanything
duringthedayandoptratherforwater.Suchdevotees,thoughbreaktheirfastwiththe
eveningPrasad,buttheyonlyresumewitheatingproperfoodonlyinthenextmorning.
Nevertheless,therearedevoteeswhoobserveapartialvratbyconsumingfruitsand
water.Suchpeoplerecommencewitheatingcookedfoodaftertheeveningprayersare
completed.ThepujaproperyoushouldfollowisasIhavegivenforthemiddlelevel
below.
***OfcoursesincethisisthedailyPradoshammanywon'tbeabletofollowthisdaily
sochoosethedaysyouwouldliketoobservethisvrat.

The Middle Level: These Pradoshams occur twice each month on the 13th
(Trayodashi)moondayaftertheNewMoonandaftertheFullMoon.

TrayodashiDates2015
PradoshaPujaTime
02 January (Friday) PradoshVrat (S) 18:56to20:57
18 January (Sunday) PradoshVrat (K) 18:55to21:00
01 February (Sunday) PradoshVrat (S) 18:50to20:57
16 February (Monday) SomaPradoshVrat(K) 18:38to20:51
02 March (Monday) SomaPradoshVrat(S) 18:24to20:41
18 March (Wednesday)PradoshVrat (K) 18:06to18:57
01 April (Wednesday)PradoshVrat (S) 17:49to20:17
16 April (Thursday) PradoshVrat (K) 17:32to20:05
01 May (Friday) PradoshVrat (S) 17:17to19:55
15 May (Friday) PradoshVrat (K) 17:06to19:49
30 May (Saturday) ShaniPradoshVrat (S) 17:13to19:45
14 June (Sunday) PradoshVrat (K) 16:58to18:39
29 June (Monday) SomaPradoshVrat (S) 17:02to19:49
13 July (Monday) SomaPradoshVrat (K) 17:08to19:53
29 July (Wednesday)PradoshVrat (S) 17:17to17:52
11 August (Tuesday) BhaumaPradoshVrat(K) 17:25to20:03
27 August (Thursday) PradoshVrat (S) 17:34to20:07
10 September (Thursday) PradoshVrat (K) 17:41to20:10
25 September (Friday) PradoshVrat (S) 17:49to20:12
10 October (Saturday) ShaniPradoshVrat(K) 17:58to20:16
25 October (Sunday) PradoshVrat (S) 18:08to20:20
08 November (Sunday) PradoshVrat (K) 18:19to20:27
23 November (Monday) SomaPradoshVrat (S) 18:31to20:35
08 December (Tuesday) BhaumaPradoshVrat(K) 18:43to20:45
22 December (Tuesday) BhaumaPradoshVrat(S) 19:20to20:53
(K)KrishnaPakshaPradosham//(S)ShuklaPakshaPradosham

Pradosha vrata is a vrata (Fast) of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. The Pradosha
worship is done in the evening twilight on the Trayodashi of both lunar fortnights
(ShuklaandKrishnaPaksha).Thesearethe13thtithi,orlunardays,fromtheNew
Moon(Amavasya)andFullMoon(Purnima).Theperformanceofthevratainvolvesa
fastfollowedbyavigil.AbathistakenonehourbeforesunsetandLordShiva,Mother
Parvati,ShreeGanesha,LordSkanda(Muruga),andNandiareworshipped.Following
this,LordShivaisinvoked.ThePradoshakathaisreadoutaftertheformalworshipis
concluded.
ProdoshaVrataByShreeSwamiShivanandaji
(AFewadditionsbyNarottamDas)
ALLTHINGSinthisvastcreationfunctionupondefinitecosmiclawsorlawsofGod.
Thereisalwaysabeautifulsystemandsoundrationalegoverningeveryphenomenon
and process, mundane or mystical. Just as the gross elements and physical forces
operatedifferentlyunderdifferentstatesandconditions,soalsothesubtlerandhigher
forces respond and react in the inner mystic planes, and in the purely spiritual
processes like meditation, prayer, worship, etc. Therefore, you will find definite
injunctions for performing certain types of worship in the morning, certain other
injunctions for themidday prayers, andstill others for theevening worship. Again,
someobservancesaremeanttobeperformedduringcertainphasesofthemoon,some
whenaparticularstarisintheascendant,oratthetimeofaparticularconjunctionof
planets.
ThePradoshaworshipistobedoneintheeveningtwilightonthethirteenthdayof
each lunar fortnight. It is the worship of Lord Shiva for victory and success in all
undertakings,andthefulfilmentofallyourheart'scherisheddesires.Whenyoudesire
to obtain a favour from a superior person, don't you naturally approach him at a
momentwhenheislikelytobeinaverypleasantframeofmind?Youwillperhapssee
himafterhehashadagooddinnerandishappilychattingwithafriendinahearty,
expansive mood. Even so, the Hindu, especially the Hindu who is engaged in the
motivated type of worship, usually selects the most pleasant aspect of God for his
worship.HeperformsitatatimewhichtheancientRishisexperiencedasbeingthe
mosthelpfulandefficaciousinpropitiatingtheDeity.ThePradoshaworshipisbased
onsuchmysticpsychology.
PradoshaistheworshipofLordShivaandMotherParvatiwhentheybothareinan
extremely propitious mood. Repeatedly worsted in war by the demons, the devas
approachedLordShivatoblessthemwithaleaderfortheircelestialhosts.Theycame
totheLordattwilightonthethirteenthdayofthelunarfortnightandfoundhiminthe
blissfulcompanyofhisconsort,MotherParvati.Hymnedandglorifiedbythem,Lord
Shivaimmediatelygrantedtheirprayerfulrequest.Hence,theextremeauspiciousness
oftheperiod.
The Skanda Purana relates how Sandilya Muni prescribed this Vrata to a certain
Brahminlady.Shecametothesagewithtwoboys,herson,Suchivrata,andanorphan
prince,Dharmagupta,whosefatherwasslaininbattleandthekingdomoverrunby
enemies.
Actingupontheadviceofthesage,thewomanandtheboysperformedtheVratawith
greatdevotion.Afterfourmonths,thatis,intheeighthPradosha,Suchivrataobtained
apotofnectaranddrankthedivineambrosia.PrinceDharmaguptawonthehandofa
celestialprincessand,asorderedbyLordShiva,withthehelpofthecelestial king
himself,hisenemieswereslainandhiskingdomrestoredtohim.ThenDharmagupta
attainedtheLord'ssupremeabode.Soeasily,andyetsogreatlyistheLordofKailash
pleasedbythisVrata.
OnewhotakesthisVratafastsonthatday,andkeepsvigilatnightafterthefastis
over. Bathing an hour before sunset, the worshipper first performs a preliminary
worship of Lord Shiva, together with all the others of His divine family, namely,
Parvati, Ganesha, Skanda and Nandi. After the worship (offer incense, lamp and
flowers.OffertheseitemsseventimesinaclockwisedirectionaroundLordShivaand
family.Thenofferkheer(sweetrice).NowLordShivaisinvoked,takeabetelleaf,betel
nut,rice,a5ccoinandflowerpetalsandpraytoLordShiva(withthemantraOm
shivabhagavaanaavaahayaameesthapayameeinthespecialkalasha(lota/claypot)
placedonasquaremandalawithalotusdrawninit(optionalifyoucandrawthelotus)
andspreadoverwithdarbha(kusha)grass.PraytoLordShivaaskingLordShivato
pleaseenterinthelota/chumbhu/claypotandacceptyourprayers.
Thepujaproper.Nowchantthefollowing:
1)OmswagatamsuswagatamOmShivayenamah
(SwagatammeansOLordShivaIwelcomeyou.)
Thenofferflowerorflowerpetals.(Pushpam=flowers)
2)OmidampushpamOmShivayenamah
Thenofferincense(Dhoopam=incense)
3)OmtatodhoopamaghraapayaamiOmShivayenamah
Thenofferlamp(Deepam=lamp)
4)OmpratyakshadeepamdarshayaamiOmShivayenamah
YouoffertheaboveitemsbyturningtheitemsseventimesaroundtheKalash.
5)OmnaivedyamsamarpayaamiOmShivayenamah
(OffercutfruitNaivedyam=food)
6)Offerprayersforforgiveness
Omyaanikaanichapaapaanijanmaantarakritaaneecha,taanisarvaanivinashyanti
pradakshinaapadepade//
ThenofferyourpersonalprayerstoLordShivaandhisfamily.AskLordShivaandhis
familyforwhateveryoudesireandtheybeingsomercifulwillgrantwhatyoudesire.
Butbecarefulwhatyoudesirefor.
Aftertheformalworshiphasbeencompleted,aPradoshakathaisread(whichisgiven
below) and heard by the devotees. This is followed by the recitation of the Maha
MrityunjayaMantra108times.Intheendthesacredkalashawaterispartakenof,the
sacredashisappliedtotheforehead,andthewaterwhichwasusedtobathetheLord,
isdrunk.Agiftofapot,aclothandanimageoftheLordisgiventoaBrahminto
concludetheworship(thisisoptional).
A very important point to be remembered in this connection is that during this
auspicious period all the hosts of celestial beings and devas come down from the
heavens and attend the worship in their subtle forms. This adds immensely to the
sanctityoftheworship.
This Vrata is highly lauded by our scriptures and is of very great sanctity and
importance to worshippers of Lord Shiva. The mere sight of the Deity in a temple
duringthisperiodwilldestroyallsinsandbestowbountifulblessingsandGraceupon
the fortunate beholder. Even a single bael leaf offered to the Lord at this unique,
auspiciousmomentequalsahundredMahapujas.Itisusualtohavespecialadditional
lightsintheshrineduringthePradosha.Tolightevenasinglewickatthisjunctureis
highlymeritoriousandproductiveofuntoldbenefits,spiritualaswellasmaterial.Most
fortunateandblessedisthepersonwhoperformsthePradoshaVrata,foruponhim
LordShivashowersHischoicestGraceandblessingsinaveryshorttime.
On the thirteenth lunar day nature assists the worshipper in waking up from his
mentaldeepsleep.TheYogiwhopractiseshisYogaonthePradoshadaygetsthese
experiencesofLordShivaquitereadily.
Ifwethusanalysetherationaleofourholydays,wediscoverthatourancientstook
particularcaretoeffectasynthesisofYogaKarma,JnanaandBhakti.
At the Shivananda Ashram inIndia, a special havan andan elaborateworship are
conducted for the long life, health, success and prosperity of all. The Lord's sacred
prasadissenttodevoteesallovertheworld.
th
PradoshaVratKatha:SrimadBhagavatamMahaPurana7Canto

***(DonotethatthePradoshaVratkathaismentionedinmanyPuranasbutwechose
thekathafromtheSrimadBhagavatamMahaPuranawhichistheMahaspotless
Purana.)
SrilaShukadevaGoswamiMaharajasaid:'TheSuras(thedevas)invitedthekingofthe
snakes,Vaasuki,promisinghimashareandwoundhimaroundthemountaintoserve
asachurningrope.Thereuponcommencedtheyingreatgleewiththejoboftryingfor
thenectar,obestoftheKurus.LordHaritookhimfirstbytheheadandthegodly
followed His example. The daitya (demon) leaders didn't like the arrangement and
thought to the mature and outstanding knowledge of their study, their birth and
experience:'Noneofuswilltrythetailoftheserpentbecausethatistheinferiorpart'.
SeeinghowconsequentlytheDaityaskeptsilent,smiledtheSupremePersonality.He
gaveupthefrontportionandgraspedwiththedevastherearend.Thussettlingthe
positionsforwheretohold,didthey,thesonsofKashyapa[devasanddemoniac],with
greatzealchurntogetthenectarfromtheoceanofmilk.Astheywerechurningsankof
itsweight,havingnosupport,thathilldowninthewaterdespiteofitbeingcapturedby
thestrong,osonofPandu.Heavilydisappointed,driedallofthebeautyoftheirfaces
upastheysawhowtheireffortsbythestrongerwillofGodwereoverruled.WhenHe
sawhowbydivineinterventionthemountainsank,expandedtheInfallibleController
whosewaysandpowersaresoinscrutable,Himselfintothewondrousbodyofagiant
tortoise,enteredHethewaterandKurmalifteditup.
ObservingitbeingliftedcheeredupaswellSuraasAsuratochurnthebodythatasa
big island ontopofanotheronestretchedout onHis backfora hundred thousand
yojanas.Therotatingofthemountainmovedbythestrongarmsofthesuraandasura
leaders,mybest,wasbytheoriginaltortoisewhoboreitonHisbackconsideredan
infinitely pleasant scratching. Thereafter, to encourage them and increase their
strengthandvigor,enteredLordVishnutheAsurasintheformoftheirownquality
[that of passion], infused He the godly with divinity [the mode of goodness], and
assumedHetheformofignorancewiththekingoftheserpents.Ontopofthebig
mountain as another mountain grasping Mandara with one hand, exhibited He
thousandsofhandswhilefromtheskyLordBrahmaandLordShivaheadedbyLord
IndraofferedHimprayersandshoweredHimwithflowers.Aswellasontopasbelow,
as with themselves, with the mountain and with the rope having entered as the
Supreme,wastheoceanthatwithgreatstrengthvehementlywaschurned,seriously
agitated by the great rock, and were all the alligators disturbed. The serpent king
heavilybreathinginalldirections,spittedbythethousandsofhimfireandsmokeand
thusaffectedwiththeheatofhisradiationtheAsurasheadedbyPauloma,Kaleya,Bali
andIlvalawhoallbegantolooklikesaralatreesscorchedinaforestfire.
Also the godly were affected in their luster by his fiery breath that smoked their
dresses,finegarlands,armamentandfaces;underthedirectionoftheSupremeLordit
thenprofuselyrainedwhilebreezesblewcloudsofvaporfromthewavesoftheocean.
WhentheoceantothebestabilityofthegodlyandAsuraswasdulychurnedbutno
nectarappeared,begantheInvincibleOneHimselftochurn.Asdarkasacloud,in
yellowsilks,withlightningearringsonHisears,withHisgleaminghaironHishead
disheveled,withHisgarland,reddisheyesandvictoriousarmssecuringtheuniverse,
churnedHe,aftertakingthesnake,thechurningrodforwhichthemountainwasused
andassumedHeforthatpurposeasizeasbigasthatofamountainHimself.Afterfirst
highlyagitatingallkindsoffish,sharks,snakes,allsortsoftortoises,whales,water
elephants, crocodiles and timingilas [Sharkeating whales], appeared, with all the
churninggoingon,fromtheoceanaverystrongpoisoncalledHaalahala.Thatpotent
unbearablepoison,unstoppablespreadinginalldirectionshighandlow,scaredallthe
peoplewhotogetherwiththeirleadersfoundnorest,omybest,sothatthey,notbeing
protected,soughttheshelterofLordShiva'slotusfeet.Whentheysawhimwhoforthe
welfareofthethreeworldstogetherwithhiswifesatonhismountain[Kailasa],he,the
bestofthedevashailedbythesaintswhoinausteritywalkthepathofliberationin
service,offeredtheyhimtheirobeisances.
Theleadersofmankindsaid:'OLordofLords,oMahaadeva,osoulofeach,oloveofall,
deliverus,whotooktoyourlotusfeet,fromthispoisonburningthethreeworlds.You
aloneinthewholeuniversearethelordandmasteroverbondageandliberation,you
aretheoneweworshipaspersonsseekingthefortune;youarethespiritualmasterto
mitigatealldistress.Bythemodesofmatter,byyourownpotency,doyouexecutethe
creation,maintenanceandannihilationofthismaterialworld,omightyone,whenyou
manifest yourself, o greatest, as Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva. You are the Brahman
Supreme,theconfidentialofthecauseandtheeffectofallthevarietiesofcreation;you
withallyourpotenciesmanifestedaretheSupersoulandtheControlleroftheuniverse.
Youarethesourceofthe[spiritual,vedic]sound,theoriginoftheuniverse,theSoul,
the life breath, the senses and the elements, the modes of nature and the self
realization, the eternal time, the determination and the religiousness of the truth
[satya] and truthfulness [rita]; it is unto you that one utters the original syllable
consistingofthethreeletters[AUM].Fire,yourmouth,representsthecompleteofall
divinesouls;thesurfaceoftheglobeonedoesknow,oloveofallworlds,asyourlotus
feet;timeistheprogressoftheaggregateofyourdevas;thedirectionsareyourears
andthecontrollerofthewaters[Varuna]isyourtaste.Withtheskyasyournavel,the
airasyourbreath,thesunglobeforyoureyes,thewaterindeedasyoursemen,the
moonasyourmindandthehigherworlds,oLord,asyourhead,isyourselftheshelter
ofalllivingbeingshighandlow.Withtheoceansasyourbelly,themountainsasyour
bones,theplants,creepers andherbs asyourhairs andthemantras asyourseven
layers[koshas],are,oVedasinperson,allthereligionsthecoreofyourheart.Thefive
optionsofphilosophy[calledTatpurusha,Aghora,Sadyojata,Vamadeva,andIshana]
areyourfaceswiththethirtyeightimportantmantrasthatascertaintherealityofthe
Supersoul,therealityofyouoLord,celebratedasShivainthepositionofyourself
illumination.Thewavesofirreligion[lust,anger,greedandillusion]constitutebutyour
shadow,theshadowonthebasisofwhichtherearesomanytypesofcreation;your
threeeyesarethegoodness,thepassionandthedarkness;yoursimplyglancingover
broughtabouttheanalyticscripturesofthesoul,oLordfullofverses,ogodofthevedic
literaturesandtheirsupplements.Noneofthedirectorsoftheworld,oRuleronthe
Mountain,notBrahma,notVishnu,northekingoftheSuras[Indra],canfathomyour
supremeeffulgence,theimpersonalspiritequaltodevasandman,whereinthemodes
ofpassion,ignoranceandgoodnessarenotfound.
Inthisworldwhich,havingoriginatedfromyou,isbeingdestroyedbythesparksofthe
firefromyoureyesatthetimeofannihilation,haveyouburnedtoashesTripura,the
sacrificesofdesire,thepoisonoftime,andmanyotherformsoftroubletotheliving
beings;butthesemattersdo,becauseyoukeepthisworldoutofyourmind,notserve
thepraiseofyou.Peoplewhobytheselfsatisfiedspiritualmasterswithintheirhearts
thinkof your twolotus feet asmovingwithUma your consort do, lateronintheir
penance, criticize your acts and consider you in the crematorium not always a nice
person; they indeed being of such a shameless attitude do not understand your
activities.Forthereasonofthatbeingtranscendentallysituatedabovethemovingand
thenonmoving,areyoudifficulttounderstand;andwhenitisnotpossibleforeven
LordBrahmaandtheonesbelongingtohimtocomprehendyourrealityasitis,ogreat
one,howmuchwouldn'tthatbetrueforus?Eventhoughwearebutcreationstothe
creation[thatisofLordBrahma]dowe,toourability,offeryouourprayers.Withall
thingstranscendentalwecannotseetheactualsupremepositionofyouwhoindeedare
thereforthehappinessofthemanifestedworld,ogreatcontrollernotknowninyour
activities.'
SrilaShukadevaGoswamiMaharajasaid:'Seeingtheirperniciouspredicamentspoke
he,Mahadeva,thefriendofalllivingbeingsoutofhiscompassionforthegreatsorrow
tohisconsortSati.LordShivasaid:'DearBhavani,howpitiablethissituationofallthe
livingbeings,justseehowthreateningthepresentsituationisbecauseofallthepoison
producedfromthechurningoftheocean.FeelingresponsibleforalloftheirlivesmustI
indeeddosomethingfortheirsafety;consideredtheirmasterisitmydutytoprotect
theonessuffering.Devoteesprotectwiththeirownlifeotherlivingbeingswhotime
bound,bewilderedbytheexternalenergy,areofenmitywithoneanother.Doinggood
toothersogentleone,istheSoulofAll,theLord,pleasedandbecausetheSupreme
Personality of the Lord is pleased are also I and all other moving and nonmoving
entitieshappy;letmethereforedrinkthispoisonsothattherefrommewillbethewell
beingofallcreatures.'
SrilaShukadevaGoswamiMaharajasaid:'LordShiva,thewellwisheroftheuniverse,
thiswayaddressingBhavanithenbegan,withthepermissionofherknowingthebest
ofhim,todrinkthepoison.MahadevatheretotookthewidespreadHaalahalapoisonin
his hand and drank it compassionately for the good of all living beings. To him
exhibitedthatpoisonfromthewateritspotencybygivinghisneckabluishline,the
linethatintheeyesofthesaintlypersonisanornament.Thesaintsasgoodasalways
voluntarilytakeuponthemthesufferingsofthecommonpeople;thatactionoftheirsis
truly the highest form of worship of the original person, the complete of the soul.
HearingofthatactofLordShiva,thedevaofdevas,thegracefulone,washehighly
praisedbyallthepeople,bythedaughterofDaksha,andbyLordBrahmaandtheLord
ofVaikunthha.Andtothelittlebitthatwasscatteredhereandthereashedrankfrom
thepalm,attendedsomeotherknownlivingcreatureslikescorpions,cobrasandother
poisonousanimalsandplants.
It is said that on the Trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) day, the devas and demons
realizedthattheyhadcommittedasinofnotprayingtolordShiva andprayed for
forgiveness.LordShivaforgavethemanddancedinbetweenthehornsoftheNandis
forehead.ThistimeiscalledPradhosham.It'ssaidthatifanybodypraysLordShivain
thistime,he/shefulfillstheirwishesandgivesthemmukti.

TheSupremeLevel:ShaniPradoshamandSomaPradoshamsoccurswhenone
ofthe13thmoondaysoccursonaSaturdayoraMondayrespectively.TheplanetSaturn
isconsideredanAgentofKarmawhodeliversmanyoflife'stougherlessonsto helpus
refineandevolveoursouls.PradoshamtimearemeasuredbythephasesoftheMoon.
ShaniPradoshamWhen13thMoondayfallsonSaturday
Lord Shiva has more influence over Saturn (Shanidev) on this day and can cause
Saturntoloosenorreleasesomeofthekarmicbondsthatlimitus.Itisalsothought
thatthefirstPradoshamwasonaSaturdayandobservingthistimetransportsusback
totimeoftheChurningoftheMilkyOcean.
2015ShaniPradoshamdates:30thMay,10thOctober.
HowtoobserveaShaniPradosham:WhenaPradoshfallsonaSaturday,itistermed
asShaniPradosh.ToovercomethebadinfluenceofShani,devoteesobserveavraton
ShaniPradoshandofferingprayerstoLordShivaduringtheday.Thefastisobserved
fromsunrisetosunsetandendswiththeeveningpuja.Thepujaproperyoushould
followisasIhavegivenforthemiddlelevel.SincethenamePradoshaliterallymeans
aperiodjustbeforesunsetandaftersunset,thePradoshaperiodforprayersisaround
1.5hoursbeforesunset.Whilemostofthedevoteespreferobservingastrictfastby
refrainingfromfoodanddrinkingonlywater,somedevoteespracticeapartialfastby
consumingfruitsandwater.Nonetheless,thestrictnessofthefasttotallydependson
thedevotees.Evenafterofferingtheeveningprayers,devoteeseatonlythePrasadand
recommencewitheatingproperfoodonlyinthenextmorning.Duringthedayofthe
fast,devoteesvisitLordShivatemplesandofferpujasandchantmantras.
SomaPradoshamWhen13thMoondayfallsonMonday.
A Pradosha occurring on a Monday is known as Som Pradosh or Soma Pradosha.
Monday, also known as Somwar, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, hence, the name Som
Pradosh.Alsoitisthedayruledbyhisconsort,MotherParvatiwhorulesoverthe
Moon.TheMoonrulesemotionsandemotionsinfluencethought.Karmaiscreatedby
thought.ObservingafastonaMondayisassociatedwithofferingprayerstothelord
askingforagoodandloyalspouse.Alsothevratassistsinattainingprosperityanda
peacefulfamilylife.
2015SomaPradoshamdates:16thFeb,2ndMarch,29thJune,13thJuly,23rdNovember.
HowtoobserveaSomaPradosham:APradoshafallingonaMondayisconsideredto
beveryauspicious.ThenamePradoshindicatesthetwilightperiod,thatis,theperiod
just before sunset and immediately after sunset. Generally, the twilight period is
around1.5hoursbeforesunset.Duringthisperiod,thedevoteesareawarethatLord
ShivaandMotherParvatiareattheirbestcheerfulmood.Anyoneaskingforblessings
andofferingsarehighlyblessedbythecoupleduringthePradoshamperiod.Devotees,
inlargenumbers,offerpujasandprayerstoLordShivaintemples.Thosedevotees
staying back at home spend their day in chanting mantras devoted to the lord or
readingtheShivaPurana.Thefastbeginsatsunriseandendsintheeveningafter
offeringpujasbyconsumingtheShivaPrasad.Staunchdevoteesdonoteatanything
duringthedayandoptratherforwater.Suchdevotees,thoughbreaktheirfastwith
the evening Prasad, but they only resume with eating proper food only in the next
morning. Nevertheless,there aredevotees who observe a partial vrat by consuming
fruitsandwater.Suchpeoplerecommencewitheatingcookedfoodaftertheevening
prayersarecompleted.ThepujaproperyoushouldfollowisasIhavegivenforthe
middlelevel...
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