The sacred month of Sawan: Celebrations and spiritual practices
Tribune Herald columnist Mahesh Bang is a Vedic astrologer, palmist, feng shui and Vastu expert.
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According to Hindu scriptures, there are four of the most holy months in the year. Together they are called Chaturamas.
It starts with Shravan and it ends with the Kartik month.
The month of Shravan, popularly known as Sawan, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The festival of Sawan or Shravan will begin on July 11 and continue until August 9.
For some communities, like the Gujarati, Marathi etc, it will start a few days later or earlier as per their calendar and custom.
Legends and stories:
1. According to legend the churning of oceans took place in this month.
2. Nag Panchami is celebrated on July 29 in the month of Sawan. On this day in India, snake charmers can be found in the Shiva temples. Devotees worship Lord Shiva and offer milk to the snakes. Astrologically, if one does this it helps to get rid of snake dreams and minimises the negative effects of the planets Rahu and Ketu. As some species of snakes are considered sacred for Lord Shiva and Vishnu devotees, if anyone kills a snake due to ignorance, then this fast will help to overcome the after effects.
3. This day is also very important as Lord Krishna defeated the serpent Kaaliya and saved the people of Vrindavan.It is believed that out of all the Gods, Lord Shiva can be easily pleased and he grants boons easily. Worship of the Shivalinga is considered the prime worship for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
In Sawan month, immense blessings are gained and wishes can be fulfilled quicker by doing the following:
1. It is best to be vegetarian this month. The main days to observe fast are on Mondays and Saturdays that fall in this month. Devotees who want to observe Sawan fast completely for one month, should start from July 10 (Guru Purnima).
2. No other Mondays in the year are so greatly honoured. These Sawan Mondays are extremely auspicious and observed by many to get quick results. Astrologically, unmarried girls must also observe this fast to get their desired husband and have a happy married life. Many devotees observe 16 Mondays (Solah Somvar) fasting from the first Monday of Sawan month.
3. Married women, especially, observe this fast and perform Shiva prayer with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as Maa Gauri, one who bestows marital bliss and a long and prosperous married life.
4. Astrologically, it would be greatly beneficial, if a married couple observes this month of Sawan to attain blessings.
On August 5, a couple who want to have a child should pray to the almighty and refrain from eating grains. If one does with dedication it leads to an astrologically divine child. The day is called Putrada Ekadashi.
5. Varalakshmi Vratam: It will be observed on August 8. Those who pray and fast on this auspicious day will please Mother Lakshmi easily.
6. If all Saturdays in this month are observed it will help to escape from the bad influence of Lord Shani (planet Saturn).
Do the following to get greater astrological results in a short time:Light a mustard oil diya at the Peepal tree.
Read the Sunderkand or Shree Hanuman Chalisa under a peepal tree or nearby one.Take a lotta filled with water and offer it to the roots of the Peepal tree.It is extremely beneficial for society if temples include a program on this day.Circumambulate the tree seven times.
7. Lord Shiva fulfils the wishes of his devotees without them asking if he is worshipped with bel leaves (bilva-patra) especially during Sawan month and on Maha Shivaratri.
It is believed that just by offering bel leaves with stalks on Shivalinga, sins of three births are removed.
NB. The upper side of the leaf should be placed on the Shivalinga while offering.
8. If the bel leaves are not available then one should offer Panchamrit.
9. If the above cannot be done, water can be offered to the Shivalinga. You can do 'mansik puja' and offer the above on the Shivalinga. Mansik puja is when a devotee mentally offers items and dedicates everything to the Lord.
10. One should chant “Om Namah Shivaya” as much as possible during this month.
11. Another very powerful mantra to be chanted in this month is “Mahamritunjaya” mantra: “Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pustivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”.
12. There are many fasts that are recommended for females during this month to get marital bliss. One of them is Mangala Gauri Vrat, which is observed by married women on each Tuesday in the Hindu month of Shravan. Women, especially newlyweds, observe it to seek conjugal bliss from Goddess Gauri.
13. According to Hindu scriptures every day of Sawan is important therefore I am unable to explain all the benefits in detail in this column. It is of utmost importance for one to observe and pray in this sacred month. Any prayer done in this month will give you manifold benefits.
14. Lord Shiva is called Ashutosh as he pleases so easily and quickly. He grants wealth, health, prosperity, longevity, marital bliss and happiness to his devotees. So pray to Lord Shiva to open your way astrologically .
“Namah Shivaya”