In Hindu practice of observing vratas one finds definite injunctions for performing certain types of worship like the evening worship of Shiva at Pradosha and Shivaratri. The moon particularly is believed to have a direct influence on the mind. Lord Shiva is said to be the happiest at Pradosha time. Ancient Rishis experienced Pradosha time as being the most helpful and efficacious time for propitiating the deity. Tantric and yogic worshippers of lord attach great significance to this day. Yogis who seek union with the lord are aware of what transpires about him during yoga practise. It's believed that during this auspicious time all the celestial gods come down from the heavens and attend worship in their subtle forms. This Pradosha Vrata is highly recommended in the scriptures and is of great sanctity and importance to the worshippers of Shiva.
Repeatedly defeated in the war by the demons, the devas along with celestial gods and Brahma approached Shiva to bless them with a leader for the celestial hosts. They came to Shiva at the twilight on the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight and found him in the blissful company of Maa Parvati. Praised by hymns and glorified by them, Shiva immediately granted their powerful request. According to one version, Shiva assumed a form with six faces from which six divine sparks shot forth. Agni and vaayu flew with the Sparks. Ganga brought them the Shravana, the grass weeds. The Sparks turned into six babies. Six celestial nymphs cuddled the infants. Six babies merged into one as Parvati stepped closer. He is therefore known as Skanda, Parvatis Son. Saravana as the son of the goddess of forest. Kartika as Krittikas son. Kumara as the son of Ganga. Mahasena as son of Agni. Guha as Shivas son. Everyone who was responsible for bringing him up was pleased with Shivas decision to call him by different names. He killed the Rakshasa Taraka, Surapaada and Simha Mukha assuming the position of the commander in chief of celestial army. Thus asuras were vanquished.
Lord shiva performs the cosmic dance, Ananda Tandava during the Pradosha period between the horns of Nandi, Shivas celestial Bull. Shiva performed his original cosmic dance on Kailasha bringing sound into the universe through striking of his Damru, along with creation of sound. The whole universe came into being because of his dance. Much later he performed this cosmic dance in Chidambaram where he is enshrined as Natraja, King of dancers at the request of sage Pantanjali. Averring that they were not blessed enough to witness the original dance at Kailasha.
Repeatedly defeated in the war by the demons, the devas along with celestial gods and Brahma approached Shiva to bless them with a leader for the celestial hosts. They came to Shiva at the twilight on the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight and found him in the blissful company of Maa Parvati. Praised by hymns and glorified by them, Shiva immediately granted their powerful request. According to one version, Shiva assumed a form with six faces from which six divine sparks shot forth. Agni and vaayu flew with the Sparks. Ganga brought them the Shravana, the grass weeds. The Sparks turned into six babies. Six celestial nymphs cuddled the infants. Six babies merged into one as Parvati stepped closer. He is therefore known as Skanda, Parvatis Son. Saravana as the son of the goddess of forest. Kartika as Krittikas son. Kumara as the son of Ganga. Mahasena as son of Agni. Guha as Shivas son. Everyone who was responsible for bringing him up was pleased with Shivas decision to call him by different names. He killed the Rakshasa Taraka, Surapaada and Simha Mukha assuming the position of the commander in chief of celestial army. Thus asuras were vanquished.
Lord shiva performs the cosmic dance, Ananda Tandava during the Pradosha period between the horns of Nandi, Shivas celestial Bull. Shiva performed his original cosmic dance on Kailasha bringing sound into the universe through striking of his Damru, along with creation of sound. The whole universe came into being because of his dance. Much later he performed this cosmic dance in Chidambaram where he is enshrined as Natraja, King of dancers at the request of sage Pantanjali. Averring that they were not blessed enough to witness the original dance at Kailasha.
Skanda Purana narrates how Sandilya Muni presided this Vrata to a certain Brahman lady. She came to the sage with her son and orphan prince whose father was slain and the kingdom over run by enemies. Acting upon the advise of the sage, the woman and the boys performed the Pradosha Vrata with great devotion. After eighth Pradosha Vrata, lord Shiva grated their prayers and kingdom was restored to the prince. So easily and so greatly is the lord of Kailasha pleased by this Vrata.
Om Namah Shivaya ~ Jai ShivaShakti!
Om Namah Shivaya ~ Jai ShivaShakti!
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