Why Mondays Are Sacred to Lord Shiva — The Glory of Somvar Vrat | Hamari Sanskar aur Virasat.
In a traditional Hindu family, the feeling is different on a Monday, as if the entire atmosphere has a calm, heavy feeling and an almost different smell to it as well; such as the coolness of pouring milk and placing bilva leaves one by one on a Shivalinga, and chanting Om Namah Shivaya slowly throughout the home as though you are filling the air with fresh, cool air. Children are up early in the morning; grandmothers have only a little food; the men who normally never go into the puja room will stop at the door and bow down.
This day is Somvar, the day of Soma (the Moon), the day of Chandra (the Moon) and the day of Lord Shiva.
Of all the days of the week, the second day (Monday) holds the closest relationship to Bhagavan Shiva. The Shiva Purana, The Skanda Purana and The Linga Purana all tell us the same thing regarding Somvar Vrat: the person who observes Somvar Vrat sincerely is under the protection of the Lord of Kailasa, and will accumulate merit through observing this Vrat, which is one of (if not) the most enduring ways a householder can acquire merit.
While we are currently in the month of Vaishakha, it is said that the merit acquired through observing the Somvar Vrat in this month is multiplied many times greater than any other time of the year. Today (May 4th) is one of these days.
The Chandra – Shiva Relationship – Why the Day of the Week for Sri/Shiva is the Day of the Moon
To understand the significance of the day of the week called Moon Day or Monday that is sacred to Shiva, we must look at a story in two books from Indian mythology: the Shiva Purana and the Skanda Purana. This is the story of how Chandra (the Moon) became embedded in the hair of the Great God (Lord Shiva).
Chandra was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati, each of whom represented one of the 27 Nakshatras (lunar constellations). Together, these daughters helped to carry Chandra across the night sky on a monthly basis. Of Daksha’s 27 daughters, however, Chandra was devoted to only one – Rohini, the most beautiful and gentlest of them. As a result, the other 26 Nakshatras returned to their father, Daksha, in tears. Since Daksha was known to be easily angered, he summoned his son-in-law (Chandra) to his palace. After Chandra refused to listen to his warning, Daksha placed a severe shaap (curse) on him: “You will wane and eventually die. You will lose both your light (or radiance) and form (or substance), and you will ultimately become a disappearing entity.”
Immediately after the curse affected Chandra he began to dim and; gradually dimming in tolerance of night continued till at last the tides no longer blistered nor willow trees grew. The Devas, the superior beings of the universe shared great alarm as did the Rishis and even the ocean’s waters were concerned for what would occur if Chandra’s presence became extinguished and rhythm to operate the cosmos ceased to be.
Traumatized Chandra ran away and escaped to Prabhasatirtha in western Bharata and built a shivalings or Shiva’s symbol and completed tapasya or spiritual penance for many years; fasting as well as chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra to call upon the only being that had the power to save him from the condemnation associated with Daksha’s shaap (curse).
Eventually, Bhagwan Shiva (Supreme God) came to Chandra and without any lasting effort of reuniting him with the God of Abundance, simply placed the HIV positive Chandra on the matted hair of His Lordship and gave placement of the sickly Chandra gently above His third eye at the forehead thus enabling and providing for Chandra to continue to dim and shimmer forevermore while creating a brown half moon 12. The color of; the moon represents hunger and want.
The Somnath Jyotirlinga, Which Happened At, Whom, The God Of The Moon, Chandra, Chandra, The First Of The 12 Jyotirlinga. This Is The Place Where The Moon Got Saved.
Since Then, Chandra Has Had A Blesssful Vision Of Mahadev. He Has Been A Blessing To Chandra, And The Day Of The Week, Mercury, Has Also Belonged Forever To The Lord Of The Universe.
Scriptural Foundation of Somvar’s Vrat
Astrology And Theology Are Non-Kosher Stacking Upon Each Other, As People Who Observe Mondays Are Practicing Vrat — Prayer Of Lord Shiva, As Observed Each Monday, as mandated in the Scriptures.
According To The Srivo Purana; (Vidyeshwara Samhita) There Is A Promise In The Skandha Puruana, Those Persons Who Observe Vrat On Monday, Fast And Pray With Bilva, Milk Or Bhasma In The Presence Of Shiv Linga Will Enjoy The Company Of Mahadev For Kalpas To Come. Vrat Observances Are The First Types Of Vrat And Will Break The Bad Graha Doshas For People Who Have Chandra As An Afflicted Graha In Their Janma Kundali.
The Linga Purana gives further details about the four kinds of wealth obtained through the observance of the Somvar Vrat by the person who is sincerely following it: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The Linga Purana also provides some additional details about the devotees (two groups of devotees) for whom the observance of the Somvar Vrat is most suitable: (1) The unmarried young woman praying for a husband and (2) The householder who is experiencing difficulty in the family or marriage.
Both groups of devotees receive instructions for observance of the Somvar Vrat, specifically observance is suggested through the worship of the Solah Somvar (Sixteen Mondays).
The Solah Somvar Vrat (Sixteen Mondays) is based on a well-known story told to every Hindu family.
When Maa Parvati determined that only Bhagavan Shiva would be her consort, she did not shed tears nor did she stop her tapasya. Instead, she travelled to the Himalayan Mountains and commenced a tapasya that was so drastic it actually caused the snow around her to melt. Her intake during that tapasya consisted of bilva leaves, water, and air (her energy source was Prana). Each of the tapasyas that were required of her during that period of austerity contained the observance of the Somvar Vrat (sixteen weeks of fasting, japa, and worship of the Shivalinga on Monday).
Finally, when Bhagavan Shiva arose from his state of trance and accepted the energy of the Divine Mother, the Devas questioned Shivaji about the nature of her endeavour: “Bhagavan, what is the nature of the tapasya of the Mother? How did She attain You?”
Bhagavan replied: “Through the Somvar Vrat. Any jivas wishing for a successful marriage, a prosperous family or a positive life situation should observe sixteen mondays (Somvars) as did Parvati; the same grace bestowed upon her will be given to them.”
This is known as Solah Somvar. It begins on a Monday in the shukla paksha (bright) fortnight of an auspicious month. The most auspicious months to start the Solah Somvar are Shravana, Vaishakha, and Kartika. The vrat is continued for a total of sixteen mondays (Somvars) without interruption. On the seventeenth monday, the Udyapan, or ending ceremony is performed.
If a person begins their Solah Somvar in Vaishakha, they will be able to complete the vrat in the following Shravana season which is the most auspicious month for Bhagavan Shiva. Many Acharyas also believe that the fruitfulness of the Solah Somvar is increased because it is started in Vaishakha and completed in Shravana.
Why Mondays in Vaishakha Have Special Importance
Vaishakha is considered one of the four holiest months of the Hindu year according to the Puranas; The Skanda Purana gives a full mahatmya to it, called the “Vaishakha Mahatmya”, which emphasises the special merit from even minor acts of devotion that take place on the Mondays of Vaishakha.
Three conditions converge during Vaishakha for this increased merit. First, the Sun enters Aries and therefore the length of the day gives the widest opportunity for sadhana. Second, between Vaishakha’s months, the Hindu sacred rivers of Bharat (such as the Ganga, Narmada and Godavari) have their waters most charged, making a Monday submergence in one of their waters equal to many simple religious observances. Lastly, there is a great natural response with the coming of heat during the summer months: it is customary to worship the Shivalinga with milk, water and bilva leaves, and this custom of “ritu-anukula” (in accordance with the season) is the best response to help alleviate the increasing heat of Vaishakha.
In the case of devotees who are unable to travel to a tirtha, the Puranas state clearly that one lota of water poured on a Shivalinga at their home with pure feelings during Vaishakha each Som has sufficient merit.
Vidhi—How to Perform the Somvar Vrat.
The Somvar Vrat is a mild vrat in regard to its outward activities, but perhaps one of the most powerful vratas for transforming one’s inner being. The vidhi outlined below is in accordance with the Shiva Purana as well as the general practice among Acharyas throughout Bharat.
Sunday evening: The devotee shall take one single sattvic meal no later than sunset, completely avoiding grains that have a lot of tamas (darkness), as well as onions and garlic, but including intoxicants. Go to bed early.
Monday morning: Awake in the Brahma Muhurta hours a little before sunrise. Bathing should be performed using cool (not cold) water; again, many families add a little Ganga jal to their bathing water. Clean clothes must be worn; white clothing is preferred for performing the vrat. Take the sankalpa (a silent vow to the Shivalinga) to keep the vrat for that time period and with full fidelity until performing the parana on Tuesday morning.
The Pooja: Approach a Shivalingam and perform Abhishekam at least once with the following items (in this order): Clean water, raw cow’s milk, dahi, ghee, honey, sugarcane juice (if available), clean water. Once you have completed the Abhishekam, you adorn the Shivalingam with Bhasma {tripundra (three horizontal equal lines)} and then adorn your forehead with the same. Offer Bilva patra (tree leaves) – 3 leafs facing the Shivalingam, and white flowers. Light a Ghee Deepa and a stick of pure Sandal Dhoop. Read/recite the following: Rudrashtakshara, Shiva Tandava Stotram, or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra as time allows.
During the day: You must maintain your fast, during the day; If you choose to maintain the Phalahari (fruits/milk/water); the Nirjala will be the most difficult fast to maintain until evening. You must not sleep during the day. Japa of the Panchakshamara will be taken/place on your breath as you go through daily duties/obligations.
In the evening: Worship Shivalingam for a second time at twilight and listen/read Somvar Vrat Katha and eat a single meal (sattvic food) usually sabudana khichadi, singhare ke aate ka halwa or fruit/milk; No grain/lentil/salt other than sendha namak.
Tuesday Morning: You will bathe, perform a short puja, and then feed either a Brahmana or the poor and give them “Dakshina”, or donation, before resuming your usual food routine. Close your fast with the same level of sincerity in silence as you opened it.
Mantras for the Somvar Vrat
The Panchakshara Mantra:
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
Om Namah Shivaya
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra:
॥ ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam |
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat ||
The Bija Mantra of Shiva:
॥ ॐ ह्रीं नमः शिवाय ॥
Om Hreem Namah Shivaya
A mala — 108 repetitions — of any one of these mantras during the morning puja and another at twilight is the householder’s measure for an ordinary Somvar. For the Solah Somvar, the count is doubled.
Recommended recitations through the day: the Rudrashtakam of Tulsidas, the Shiva Tandava Stotram of Ravana, the Bilvashtakam, and any one chapter of the Shiva Mahapurana.
