WHAT IS PRADOSHAM?

WHAT IS PRADOSHAM?

Pradosham literally means the removal of sins. These times are the windows of opportunity to remove karma or karmic energies that limit our potential in this current life. Pradosha, also spelled Pradosh or Pradosham, falls on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) during the waxing and waning phase of moon in the Hindu lunar calendar. Occurring between 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm on Trayodashi, the Pradosha time is propitious to pray Lord Shiva and invoke his blessings. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva at Pradosh day will relieve from sins and gives 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 Pradosha period all the universal beings and Gods come down to earth and attend the worship. The importance of observing Pradosha is described in Pradosha Mahatmiyam 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.

Pradosha Vrat or Observing Pradosham

According to Hindu Puranas, the gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) were stirring the milky ocean to extract amrutam (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 Lord Shiva to save them. In order to save them, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison. Goddess Parvati stopped the poison in Lord’s throat and it is believed that his throat turned to blue. As a result of this, Lord Shiva came to be known as Thiruneelakandan 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 a 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 Lord Shiva during that time, He fulfills their wishes and gives them mukthi.

Shani Pradosham and Maha pradosham

Mahaa Pradosh Kalam comes yearly during the month of Maagh/Maashi before Mahaa Shiv Raatri. If the Mahaa Pradosha comes on Saturday, it is called Shani Mahaa Pradosha. Saturday is the day when Lord Shiva swallowed poison and this is called Shani (Sthira in Samskritam) Pradosha. It is categorized into three categories of importance depending upon the month on which Pradosha falls:

1) Uttama Sthira Pradosha - Maximum power - The Sthira Pradosha that comes during the months of Medam, Yedavam, akh,Karkadikom, Vruschikam, during the Growing Lunar Cycle (Shukla Paksha), i.e from New to Full moon period.

2) Madhyama Sthira Pradosha - Normal power - The Sthira Pradosha that comes during the months of Medam, Yedavam, akh,Karkadikom, Vruschikam, during Diminishing Lunar Cycle (Krishn Paksha), ie Full to New moon period.

3) Adhama Sthira Pradosha - Minimum power - All the other Sthira Pradosha. The Pradosh that falls on any Saturday is called MahaA Pradosha (Sthira Pradosh).

It is believed that each day of the week has different benefits during Pradosh time:

Sunday (Bhaanu Vaara Pradosha)
Peace to all (Mangalam to all)

Monday (Indu Vaara Pradosha)
Positive (perception) thinking

Tuesday (Bhauma Vaara Pradosha)
No Poverty (Prosperity to all)

Wednesday (Saumya Vaara Pradosha)
Blessings with progeny, Knowledge and education

Thursday (Guru Vaara Pradosha)
Divine blessings through the Pitru's, all dangers will be eliminated

Friday (Bhrgu Vaara Pradosha)
Nullifying (negativeness) opposition

Saturday (Sthira Vaara Pradosha)
Elevation (promotion) getting back the lost wealth.

Shani Pradosham and Soma Pradoshams occurs when one of the 13th moon days occurs on a Saturday or a Monday respectively. The planet Saturn is considered an Agent of Karma who delivers many of life's tougher lessons to help us refine and evolve our souls. Pradosham time are measured by the phases of the Moon.

Significance of Sani Pradosham

According to Hindu mythology, the day Saturday is dedicated to Lord Shani or Shaneeshwara, one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial gods. Lord Shani or Sani has always been related with troubles and ill effects. Moreover, all Hindus believing in astrology dread the effects of Shani over a person’s life. To overcome and avoid the adversities and misfortunes of Lord Shani, people observe fasts on Shanivar or Saturday. And when a Pradosh falls on a Saturday, it is termed as Shani Pradosh. To overcome the bad influence of Shani, devotees observe a vrat on Shani Pradosh and offering prayers to Shiva during the day.

The fast is observed from sunrise to sunset and ends with the evening puja. Since the name Pradosha literally means ‘a period just before sunset and after sunset’, the Pradosha period for prayers is from 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset. While most of the devotees prefer observing a strict fast by refraining from food and drinking only water, some devotees practice a partial fast by consuming fruits and water. Nonetheless, the strictness of the fast totally depends on the devotees. Even after offering the evening prayers, devotees eat only the Prasad and recommence with eating proper food only in the next morning. During the day of the fast, devotees visit Shiva temples and offer pujas and chant mantras.

Shanidev is karmarak.Shani is very powerful as he is son of Surya God and he is very powerful on Saturday evenings. Chaturthi and Tayadashi rahu is very powerful. Shaitarodayashi earlier one used to pray to Lord Shiva by which our earlier karmas in earlier birth gets cleaned up. Mahashivrati coming on Tuesday is very luck and auspicious as on Saturday Triyadashi means Shanipradosh. On this day one must donate Til to Shani God. As Shiv is Shanis favorite god so Mastor oil is poured on Shani Idol to reduce the effect of shanipradosh. Also praying to shani dev all evil things get reduced peace and calmness is formed in us. All bad karmas get removed and peaceful mind and memory is formed. By following all prayers to Shani god on Saturday night he fulfills our desires and wishes. On Sunday Surya God rearranges all the good effects on him.During Shanipradosh Black Til and White Til should be given to Shani God.

The mere sight of the Deity in a temple during this period will destroy all sins and bestow bountiful blessings and Grace upon the fortunate beholder. Even a single bilva leaf (leaf taken from the wood-apple tree) offered to the Lord at this unique, auspicious moment equals a hundred Mahapujas. It is usual to have special additional lights in the shrine during the Pradosha. To light even a single wick at this juncture is highly meritorious and productive of untold benefits, spiritual as well as material. Most fortunate and blessed is the person who performs the Pradosha Vrata, for upon him Lord Shiva showers His choicest Grace and blessings in a very short time.

Om Namah Shivay