By Swami Krsna, Vedic Astrologer & Priest,
swami@vedicstore.com
Truth (Satyam) is God
(Shiva) and God (Shiva) is Beautiful (Sundaram).
This article though entitled
so, is my discovery over the 25 years or more of a
'Tantra' or technique to win over any odd situation in
life and achieve the boon of Lord Shiva, right here, right
now within a very short space of time, in some cases
within seven days and in some cases within four months!
This article also represents
my passion and longing for the Beauty of God in Truth, the
Beauty of Shiva, the Ultimate Truth of Realization, the
Most Gracious among the Graceful!
To Him I bow, Who is born of
none, Who is God of Gods, Who is giver of boons, Who is
the conqueror of death, Who was, is and shall be even
after eternity, Who is in me and I in Him. He's my very
own, my Super self!
Allow me to explain this as:
though, this viddhi, tantra or technique can be said
equivalent or similar to Solah Somvar Vrat, but it
is different and unique in itself! And it work wonders in
my clients, who adopted it.
Over the years, I have had the honor
of sitting on the right lap of Lord Shiva and ask for
boons. I have actually seen Lord Shiva standing in front
of me on many occasions, blessing me with boons. Because,
I used various modified ways of having him appear to me,
which I will explain as I go along.
Lord Shiva and Devi Ganga
When to start the vrat or fasting?
The first Monday after New Moon of any month, especially
the month of Phalgun (February/March). This month is known
for the Shivratri festival.
How to commence the vrat?
Early Monday morning, after your normally cleansings etc.
while going to the bath, carry a table spoonful of black
till (sesame seeds) in a small plastic pouch or envelope.
After you have bathe yourself, in the last rinse, pour
this sesame seeds in the bucket of water and stir it well.
Now rinse yourself, with this sesame seeds water from head
to toe. Then pat dry yourself. Wear clean clothes of your
choice.
The making of the sankalp or vow?
Now go to your altar or puja place. On your altar, in a
plate or thali, have the following: one lota or glass of
water with a little Ganges water with a spoon in it;
spoonful of unbroken rice; any white flower and money -
one paper currency note e.g. $ 1.00 and one twenty five
cent coin.
Sit on an Asana or Mat to make the
Sankalp: Sit on an Asana (in Lotus position if
possible) mat in front of the alter, facing Northern
direction. In your right hand, take some grains of rice, a
few drops of water, money and flower. Now, meditate upon
Lord Ganesh, your spiritual teacher (Guru), all the Gods
with the Gayatri mantra (I am sure you know this mantra);
meditate upon Devi Parvati (the consort of Lord Shiva) and
then finally upon Lord Shiva. Mention your full name,
address and the date and time etc. Talk in your mind with
Lord Shiva and tell him all your problems, concerns and
quest to achieve etc. Talk to him like you are talking
with your dear friend, your beloved friend!
Lord Shiva in lotus position
Let me share this wonderful
experience with you: One of my client (in the year
1993, he was a Carpenter, he lives in Chase Village,
Trinidad & Tobago and is a Muslim by religion) once
showed me his written Sankalp or vow. It was nearly two
pages long with his desires. On the topic of employment, I
pointed out why are you asking for employment. How long
you wish the employment to be - one month, six months, a
year? What is your choice? Why not ask for uninterruptible
supply of employment, or uninterruptible supply of new
source of money, so that you can create employment for
people in the World! Let there be a constant supply so
that you and your generations to come do not face any
hardships at all! He changed the wordings, accordingly.
Today (I met him in 2007 in Trinidad & Tobago) he is
employing nearly 80 workers in his construction company).
He never faced unemployment in his life again! I do not
see, why one cannot ask for what they want! But choose
wisely!
Another blissful experience:
This couple has been married for eight years and do not
have any children. I suggested and guided them in this
fasting/vrat. The couple commenced on the auspicious day,
time and within two four months fasting the lady got
pregnant and gave birth to a male child, who the couple
named, Nirvan. This couple is from Felicity, Trinidad &
Tobago.
FAQ's from Ladies: What
about during those monthly five days of menstruation,
should I stop my fasting/meditation? I will say
NO, you need not stop your fasting / vrat, as
this is a natural process, be blessed and feel blessed
that Nature is taking care of you. Continue with your
meditation and fasting/vrat as usual during these five
days.
Lord Shiva meditating
The Sankalpa/Vow: After you
have said what you wish or want. Drop all the ingredients
through your fingers onto the ground in front. Since you
are facing North, you are dropping the Sankalpa on the
North East. This direction is called Ishan in Sanskrit.
Lord Shiva is said to reside in Ishan direction. Hence,
the Sankalp is falling on feet of Lord Shiva. This
dropping of the ingredients from you palm through the
fingers on the ground begins your fasting and vow! The vow
is complete! This is the purpose of your fasting for
sixteen Mondays! This is your boon from Lord Shiva.
The 12 Jyotir-Lingams
Important: This is optional,
but highly recommended as it brings closeness between Lord
Shiva and you. You can also mention in your Sankalpa/vow
that at the end of this fasting, on the 17th Monday you
will offer a Shivlingam Puja, praising Lord Shiva to come
and to reside with you in form of His symbol - the
Shivalingam in your home or office and also offer a Havan
(fire ritual) with at least 108 or 1008 offerings in to
the fire. I have consecrated Shivalingams made of Ice, to
Silver, Gold, Crystal, Shaligram up to Parad (made of
solidified Mercury) ones.
I have performed more than 1500
Shivlingam Pujas and Havans in my life time so far. This
whole Puja takes approximately 5 hours to complete.
In your Sankalpa, you can mention any
of your desire. Please be reasonable, do not use harsh
words, do not make a vow to subjugate someone, just make a
peaceful sankalpa/vow.
After you have dropped the Sankalpa
or vow. Sit and meditate on Lord Shiva. Start focusing on
your third eye between your eye brows. Chant the mantra "Om
Namah Shivaye". Do not count your chanting. There is no
need to count your chanting. Just chant, become the chant!
Chant this mantra with no limits. Do not chant that you
have to catch a bus to go to work. Just be, sit, focus on
your breathing and upon vision on your third eye. Just
chant slowly and with total surrender. Take your time to
chant. Do not allow outside influence affect your peace.
Just be.
Now from this Monday, every day,
choose a particular time to sit and meditate for at least
30 minutes or as long as you wish and chant the Shiva
mantra. You are not making any sankalpa/vow any more.
Until you start the next set of 16 Mondays fasting.
Lord Shiva in meditation
In this Vrat do I have to abstain
from eating food once a day? No! I do not believe in
fasting, and suffering one self from food or anything. I
believe in feasting! Eat every succulent fruits and
vegetables in the world, they are made to be enjoyed to
sustain oneself in this world. I am inspired by the words
of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita, through the mouth of
my devotee I accept food. This instance inspired me to
feed my beloved Lord Shiva through my mouth. Every time I
eat a month or morsel, I say "Om Namah Shivaye Swaha,
Idam Shivaye Na Mamma". In this way, I digest my food
faster and my sugar level does not spike up!
You may be wondering what is the
meaning of the above sentence, Idam Na Mamma. It
means, this is yours, it's not mine. So every morsel, I
surrender to Lord Shiva. I feel the Lord with me everyday,
every moment, alive with me! He is me and I am Him,
inseparable!
Do I have to abstain from eating
meat and alcohol? I personally, will not say anything
about this issue. The choice is absolutely yours! However,
I would like to give you a story of one's of Lord Shiva's
devotee from South India - Kannappa Nayanar. Even Swami
Sivananda of Divine Life Society talked a great deal about
him in his book "Worshipping Lord Shiva". You can learn
more on Kannappa Nayanar from this link in Wikipedia,
click here (opens in a new page).
Kannappa Nayanar, a staunch devotee
of Lord Shiva has been my inspiration for years (since I
read about him). In one of my sixteen Monday fasting, I
choose to offer Lord Shiva my own blood instead of water
offering. One day, I asked one of my student to take out
one lota full of blood from my arm to be offered on to the
Shivalingam. While taking out this blood he (my student)
fainted. But I carried on taking out my blood filled my
lota full and offered to Lord Shiva. I said to my Lord
Shiva, I do not wish to offer you any animal blood or
animal sacrifice. I will offer you my own blood, as you
are my very own beloved Lord Shiva. I bathed the
Shivalingam with my blood.
In another instance, I offered 108
Mandaar flowers soaked in my blood in a Havan (fire
ritual) to my beloved Lord Shiva. So be inspired!
I do not drink alcohol, however, I
have very occasionally drank "Carib" beer, may be
ten-twelve beer bottles in 15 years. I have offered Carib
beer to my Lord Shiva on the Shivalingam too.
In one of my ritual I offered
Puncheon Rum to Lord Shiva in the Havan offerings. Yes, I
offered alcohol to my Lord Shiva.
When I consecrated the Parad
Shivalingam on my premises (year 1994-95). I did offered
108+ forms of liquid to Lord Shiva. Can you imagine what
were those liquids? Here's the 108+ liquids:
Ganges Water;
Chandan (Sandalwood) water, both
white and red;
Agar wood soaked in water;
Tagar wood soaked in water;
Milk, Yogurt, Ghee, Sugar
water, honey, Panchamrit (mixture of the previous five
items); Shudhodhak (mixture of milk and water);
Rose water, Kevra water, Spanish
Saffron Water;
Panchgandha - mixture of five
perfumes;
Ashtgandha - mixture of eight
perfumes;
Shodasganda - mixture of sixteen
perfumes;
Water from twelve different
rivers of the island of Trinidad and Tobago;
Sea water from the ten directions
or angles of the island of Trinidad: e.g. East (residence
of Lord Indra or Surya Dev, Sun God), Southeast (residence
of Agni Dev / God of Fire or Kartyaveer), South (residence
of Lord Yamraj, God of Death or Devi Kalika), Southwest
(Residence of Netreteya or Devi Bhuvneshwari), between
Southwest and West (Lord Anant), West (residence of Lord
Vishnu), Northwest (residence of Lord Vayu God of Wind or
Sri Hanuman), North (residence of Lord Kubera, the best
friend of Lord Shiva and also Sri Ganesh, God of all
obstacle remover), Northeast (residence of Lord Shiva in
the form of Eshan and Sri Bhairava) these angles were
calculated on the compass to specific degrees;
Rain water rain;
Water collected on the mountain
top;
Water collected on the lowest edge
of the island of Trinidad;
Water collected in the deep
jungles that was collected in plant leave or flowers of 12
varieties;
Water from the 12 ground pipes
(tube well water) this water was pulled up by electric
pumps;
Water from 12 wells from all over
the island of Trinidad, this water was hand drawn with
rope and pale;
Water from the house of 12 Shiva
devotees;
Water from 12 houses who are not
Shiva devotees;
Coconut water;
Juice from every seasonal fruit;
perhaps they were 12 or 24;
Juice from out of season fruits
(sold in cans or bottles); there were 8 to 12 different
cans;
My own tears - tears of joy and of
sadness.
The amount of water was between
one spoonful (tears) to nearly one liter.
My inspiration to you is: why
offer animal blood or sacrifice to your beloved God, why
not offer yourself!
How Lord Shiva appeared to me:
In this simple way, in 1994/95 just around Shiva Ratri
festival, I had Lord Shiva appear in front of me and spoke
to me. He asked me what I wanted for my Bhakti towards
him. I simply said Bhagwan, please accept my Bhakti as it
is. Let my actions and deeds do good to all and make the
world a better place for all!
In one of my sixteen Monday fasting,
I sat in front of my Shivlingam (of pure white shaligram).
I vowed to Lord Shiva that from today for sixteen Mondays,
I shall offer my tears of joy onto Him instead of water or
Ganges water. I used to sit in front of the Shivalingam
for a couple of hours reading various scriptures eg. Shiva
Manas puja, Shiva Chalisa, Rudra-ashtakam, and many
others. I used to offer, water with rice, black sesame
seeds etc., with Bael leaves etc., but I decided I will
not offer water, I will offer my tears, tears of joy.
The 12 Jyotir Lingams
To receive the blessings of Lord
Shiva for the benefit of Humankind, for knowledge, for
whosoever will come to me, will be blessed with his
desires, let every word I utter from my mouth be for the
benefit of the society etc. I prayed offering my tears,
tears of joy with the Mantra Om Namah Shivaye swaha,
idam Shivaye na mamma. I had Lord Shiva appeared in front
of me and seated me on His right lap. We had hours and
hours, conversation about this creation from the beginning
to the future yet to come. I saw the churning of the ocean
and many events of history.
In one of 16 Mondays, I vowed that
every Monday, I shall offer Havan (fire ritual) of ghee
from Sunrise to Sunset, without counting my offerings,
with the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaye Swaha". I must have
offered more than 20,000 ahutis / offerings of Ghee each
Monday. The fire was sustained on cow dung, instead of
mango wood. I used 2 lbs of Ghee or clarified butter on
each Monday, the spoon was made of Mango leaves.
And finally, the summary of this
Vrat/Fasting:
1. On the 1st Monday after New Moon,
bathe with one spoonful of Black Sesame seeds. Pat dry and
put on clean clothes.
2. Sit on an Asana/Mat (this mat
can be a multi colored or red colored woolen blanket, please do not sit on a mat
of one flat color e.g. black, blue or brown etc., in a local Dollar store I
saw a multi colored door mat 100% wool, I bought one), in front of an altar
facing North or Northern Direction. On this altar, keep a
plate with a tea spoonful of: unbroken rice, black sesame
seeds, money ($ 1.25) and one flower. Next to this plate,
have a glass of water with one or two drops of Ganges
Water in it and one spoon. This altar can be made in a
spare room in your house. It can be made of a coffee
table, a box covered with clean cloth. So when you sit in
front of this altar, you are facing North direction.
3. Take a pinch of rice, black sesame
seeds, $ 1.25 and the flower on your right hand palm, put
some of the Ganges water also. Maintain this in your palm.
4. Meditate on Lord Ganesh, Your Guru
(spiritual master), All the Gods (by thinking of the
Gayatri Mantra), Devi Parvati (the consort of Lord Shiva)
and then Lord Shiva. Mentioning your name, parents name,
address, the date and time etc.
5. You are making a Sankalpa/Vow,
whatever you wish to accomplish and achieve by doing this
fasting. Let this Sankalpa/vow be something peaceful.
Please do NOT use this to subjugate someone e.g. a woman, man
etc., for your sexual gratification etc. I believe in
karmic retribution for such an action. So please be
peaceful.
6. Talk to Lord Shiva as your best
friend and explain every thing in your Sankalpa/vow, just
as you speak to your best friend.
7. After you have said all in your
Sankalpa/vow drop this on the ground on the North Eastern
angle. This Northeastern is called Ishan the abode of Lord
Shiva. Therefore, this Sankalpa/vow falls at the feet of
Lord Shiva. This completes your Sankalpa/Vow. You need not
make this or any other vow again. You only make one
Sankalpa/vow in one set of 16 Mondays fasting and that is
only on the 1st day.
8. In this sankalpa/vow also mention
that you will consecrate a Shivlingam on the 17th Monday,
this gesture is to say that my beloved Lord Shiva please
reside with me forever, in the form of this Shivlingam for
my praying to you purpose and for my salvation. I welcome
you in my life, please accept my humble prayers.
9. Sit in a comfortable position e.g.
lotus position with your legs crossed, spine is straight,
and your breathing is normal. Close your eyes, focus on
your third eye or between your eyebrows. Breathe normal
and chant the mantra "Om Namaha Shivaye". Chant for 30
minutes at least. This chanting to be silently in your
mind and not audible. I do not want you to chant in such a
way so loud to wake your neighbors. Please be peaceful.
10. After you have chanted the
mantra, offer it to Lord Shiva on the altar, like you are
offering flowers to Him. Ask for forgiveness. Ask Him to
accept your humble prayers. Enjoy the peace.
11. Conclusion: take a drop or two of
water (from the glass with Ganges water) with the spoon,
and drop it underneath the asana/mat. Touching this drop
of water with your right hand ring finger, put a dot or
tilak of this water on your forehead or between your eye
brows. This gesture is to make sure no one snatches away
your devotion, you just did. Read about this at the end of
this page, below.
12. From now on, every day, sit in
front of this altar, just have a glass of water with a
drop of Ganges water with a spoon in it. You will be using
this water for putting underneath the asana/mat, purpose
only.
13. You need not bathe with Black
Sesame Seeds anymore. You need not make any more
Sankalpa/vow. Sankalpa/vow is only made once, in the
beginning for one set of 16 Mondays fasting.
14. Take out time every day for 16
weeks, one fixed time, if it's 7am then it's 7am every
day. If it's 10 am then it's 10 am every day. Chant the
mantra, "Om Namaha Shivaye" focused on your eyebrow. Make
this as a routine. A way of life for 16 weeks.
16. Enjoy and Celebrate your
achievements for I have seen changes within one week!
17. During this period of time, you
can eat everything, as you would normally do. I am not
asking to abstain from food, salt, sex or whatever. Enjoy
life peacefully!
18. FAQ: What to do with the $ 1.25,
rice, sesame seeds and the flower you used on the 1st day?
Keep all this on a plate on the altar and leave it there.
After you have done your 17th Monday, deposit this in your
bank account.
If you need any further clarification
or inspiration, please contact me. See details at the end
of this page. Thank you.
How to do Shivlingam Puja on the
16th or 17th Monday to complete your fasting/vrat or do
Vrat Uddyaapana?
Here's a very simple version of
Shivlingam Puja in English
Click here
Here's the full version of Shivlingam
Puja in Sanskrit.
Click here
Which Shivlingam Puja should I do?
Whatever method Puja ingredients,
time and facility are available to you, just do that one.
Remember love in the puja matters and not necessarily how
you do the puja! Be Blessed! Welcome to the sanctuary of
Lord Shiva!
|
What
are the auspicious date to start this 16 Monday Vrat in
the year 2010? The following table will assist
you to understand this timing, remember the formula is the
1st Monday after New Moon, simple!
Monday November 28, 2011
|
Monday June 25, 2012
|
Monday December 26, 2011
|
Monday July 23, 2012
|
Monday January 23, 2012
|
Monday August 20, 2012
|
Monday February 27, 2012
|
Monday September 17, 2012
|
Monday March 26, 2012
|
Monday October 15, 2012
|
Monday April 23, 2012
|
Monday November 19, 2012
|
Monday May 21, 2012
|
Monday December 17, 2012
|
How to make sure your Bhakti /
Devotion benefit or fruit is not snatched away by
anyone: This is a secret which I would like to reveal
to you, my dear friend. What is this?
I am sure, you must have heard of
Lord Indra. He is always worried that someone will take
over his kingdom of Heaven and ousted him, which happened
many times before. Once demon Kamsa, the uncle of Lord
Krishna, ousted him and ruled the heaven for ages.
Once, in the heavens, Lord Indra, was
sitting on his throne, worrying, that Narada Muni happened
to pass by. Seeing Lord Indra in such a state of mind, he
asked what is the cause of His worry as he is the king of
Gods, he should not have any reason for worries.
Lord Indra revealed his state of
mind, upon this Narada Muni encouraged Lord Indra to
worship to Lord Shiva with this 16 Mondays fasting and
initiated him with the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaye".
Lord Indra worshipped Lord
Shiva. Pleased with his devotion Lord Shiva appeared and
ask Lord Indra to ask for a boon. Lord Indra asked, that
let he be blessed to snatch everyone's fruit of bhakti/devotion,
because he fear that someone will take over his Kingdom by
winning a boon from any God.
Lord Shiva persuaded him to ask for
something else, because not everyone is seeking to ousted
Lord Indra. Upon his (Lord Indra's) persistence Lord Shiva
and he came upon an agreement, that if anyone, in eternity
is sitting doing any devotion, it be Japa, Tarpan, Marjan,
Homa/Havan, Shradha or any rites, if the person stands up
from his asana/mat and leave. Then the fruit or benefit of
that ritual or undertaking will go to Lord Indra.
But if the person or devotee puts a
drop or two of water underneath the asana/mat and touch
this water, with his ring finger puts a tilak or puts a
dot of that water on his forehead or between the eyebrows,
the benefit or fruit of that particular ritual, sadhana or
devotion will remain with the devotee. Lord Indra will not
be able to snatch the fruit of that devotion.
This simple act keeps the fruit of
your devotion with you! No one can snatch the benefit from
you, not even Lord Indra.
That's why many a times, I have been
asked why is that one is praying to God for so long with
no benefit or fruit of that devotion. Why God is not
listening? Well, when I explain the above story to them,
it raises their eyebrows. When they adopt this simple act,
they start seeing results! The benefit or fruit of their
devotion remain with them, forever!
I give this secret to you, my friend.
Dear Friend, if you have any
question, please do not hesitate to call or email me, I
will be at your humble service at all times. I take phone
calls from 9 am to 9 pm, CST.
Sincerely and Humbly
Swami Krsna, Vedic Astrologer
and Priest of India
Telephone:
(972) 514-7080
Email:
swami@vedicstore.com
;
vedicstore@yahoo.com
My Websites:
www.vedicstore.com
; www.aapkesitare.com
; www.dfwswami.com ;
www.sripitambaradham.org ;
www.devibaglamukhi.com ;
www.devibagalamukhi.com
Address: 4058 N Belt Line Road
# 134, Irving, TX 75038, USA.
Surrendered to all, for the benefit of Humankind! With all
my love, welcome to the Sanctuary of Lord Shiva!
Keeping Traditions alive! Serving the One World Commune
under the auspice of Sanatan Dharma!
Sri Krsna Arpanam, Aum.
Satyam Shivam
Sundaram 
