Abhishekam means “sprinkling” or “wetting,” and refers to the ritual of pouring water or other sacred substances on a Linga while chanting Vedic mantras or shlokas. Whatever is offered in abhisheka gets charged with powerful vibrations of the chanting and the touch of the Divine symbol. Of the items that are offered, the sacred water and other substances which are edible, like sugarcane juice, coconut water, Panchamrta-Milk, honey, curd, ghee& sugar are then distributed as Tirtha or Prasad. Haldi, Kumkum, chandan, bhasma etc. are poured for gardening. Nothing is wasted.
Why is Abhisheka done?
1. To express our love and gratitude to the Lord
2. To pray to the Lord to purify our mind and bless us with more devotion, knowledge and selfless service.
3. It represents continuous flow of thoughts to the Positive& Divine.
4. Helps one to invoke Divine Grace for fulfilment of material and spiritual desires.
5. The best of substances - chandan, kumkum, haldi - are poured in devotion on Him. The best in us must be poured in HIS seva.
6. The greatest and the highest Abhisheka is to pour the waters of pure love on the Lord in one’s heart. External abhisheka leads to internal abhisheka eventually and unites one with the Lord.
#Shivaratri #mahashivaratri #abhisheka #shiva