Philosophy of Abhisheka

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Philosophy of Abhisheka

Salutations and adorations to the blissful Lord Siva, the lover of Uma or Parvati, the Lord of
all beings (Pasupati).
“Alankarapriyo Vishnuh, Abhishekapriyah Sivah—Lord Vishnu is very fond of Alankara
(fine dress, beautiful ornaments, etc.); Siva is fond of Abhisheka.” In Siva temples, a pot made up of
copper or brass with a hole in the centre is kept hanging over the image or Linga of Siva, and water
is falling on the image throughout day and night. Pouring over the Linga, water, milk, ghee, curd,
honey, cocoanut water, Panchamrita, etc., is Abhisheka. Abhisheka is done for Lord Siva. Rudra is
chanted along with the Abhisheka. Lord Siva is propitiated by Abhisheka.
Lord Siva drank the poison that emanated from the ocean and wore the Ganga and moon on
His head to cool His head. He has the fiery third eye. Constant Abhisheka cools this eye.
The greatest and the highest Abhisheka is to pour the waters of pure love on the Atmalinga
of the lotus of the heart. The external Abhisheka with various objects will help the growth of 

devotion and adoration for Lord Siva and eventually lead to internal Abhisheka with pure abundant
flow of love.
Abhisheka is a part of Siva Puja. Without Abhisheka, worship of Siva is incomplete. During
Abhisheka Rudra, Purushasukta, Chamaka, Maha-mrityunjaya Japa, etc., are chanted in a
particular rhythm and order. Monday is very important day for Lord Siva and the thirteenth day of
the fortnight (Pradosha) is very sacred. On these days, devotees of Siva worship Him with special
Puja, Abhisheka with Ekadasa-Rudra, Archana, offering plenty of Prasad, and illumination.
In Ekadasa-Rudra Abhisheka, every Rudra is chanted with distinctive articles for
Abhisheka. Ganga water, milk, ghee, honey, rose-water, cocoanut water, sandal paste,
Panchamrita, scented oil, sugarcane juice and lime juice are made use of for Abhisheka. After every
Abhisheka, pure water is poured over the head of Siva. When Rudra is repeated once, the different
articles of Abhisheka are made use of after every stanza of the Rudra. The Abhisheka water or other
articles used for Abhisheka are considered very sacred and bestow immense benefits on the
devotees who take it as the Lord’s Prasad. It purifies the heart and destroys countless sins. You must
take it with intense Bhava and faith.
When you do Abhisheka with Bhava and devotion, your mind is concentrated. Your heart is
filled with the image of the Lord and divine thoughts. You forget your body and its relation and
surroundings. Egoism gradually vanishes. When there is forgetfulness, you begin to enjoy and taste
the eternal bliss of Lord Siva. Recitation of Rudra or Om Namassivaya purifies the mind and fills it
with Sattva.
If you do Abhisheka with Rudrapatha in the name of a person suffering from any disease he
will be soon freed from that disease. Incurable diseases are cured by Abhisheka. Abhisheka bestows
health, wealth, prosperity, progeny, etc. Abhisheka on Monday is most auspicious.
By offering Panchamrita, honey, milk, etc., to the Lord, thoughts of your body diminish.
Selfishness slowly vanishes. You derive immense joy. You begin to increase your offerings unto
the Lord. Therefore, self-sacrifice and self-surrender come in. Naturally, there is an outpouring
from your heart, “I am Thine, my Lord. All is Thine, my Lord”.
Kannappa Nayanar, a great devotee of Lord Siva, a hunter by profession, did Abhisheka
with the water in his mouth for the Linga at Kalahasti in South India and propitiated Lord Siva. Lord
Siva is pleased by pure devotion. It is the mental Bhava that counts and not the outward show. Lord
Siva said to the temple priest: “This water from the mouth of Kannappa, my beloved devotee, is
more pure than the water of the Ganga”.
A devotee should be regular in doing Abhisheka for the Lord. He should get by heart Rudra
and Chamakam. Ekadasa Rudra is more powerful and effective. In Northern India, every man or
woman takes a lota of water and pours it on the image of Siva. This also causes beneficial results
and brings about the fulfilment of one’s desire. Abhisheka on Sivaratri day is very effective.

May you all recite Rudrapatha which describes the glory of Lord Siva and His
manifestations in every living being, in every animate and inanimate being! May you do Abhisheka
daily and thus obtain the grace of Lord Siva! May Lord Visvanatha bless you all!