Abhishekam
Question:
Please inform me as to the order of Abhishekam for Shivaratri. There are milk, yogurt, honey and ghee baths. What time of day or night do they occur?
Swamiji Says:
The order is correct. We will perform four times. The first will start at 5 PM. We start early because of the number of people who will attend. It could be at 6 PM. Second will be at 10 PM. Third at 1 AM. Fourth at 3 AM. Mangal Arati at 4 AM, and then we will be ready for the first morning puja by 5 AM.
Question:
Are the times for doing the abhishekams traditionally fixed or is it okay to space them out as one sees fit? I know that the Mandir does the first one is early because of how many people come, but I was curious as to why I see so many places do one at 1 AM instead of at Midnight. Same with 3 AM instead of 4 AM?
Swamiji Says:
The four praharas are 6, 9, 12, and 3. Anyone can improvise according to local traditions or needs.
Footnote: In Hindu belief, time is a cyclical rather than linear concept. The day is divided into eight sections of three hours each called prahar in Sanskrit.
Question:
What are the items that can be mixed with milk for the Maha Abhishekam and what stuti/stotra is best during this Maha Abhishekam?
Swamiji Says:
Often they read the fifth chapter of Rudrastadyayi, along with continuous pouring of milk. Sometimes they mix the paran, ground rice with milk, nuts, raisins, sugar to taste.
Offerings
Question:
For Shivaratri, do you melt the ghee when you offer it for an abhishekham?
Swamiji Says:
You will want to keep it warm. You could melt it before bringing it to pour over the lingam.
Question:
Can I offer all the four ingredients (milk, yoghurt, honey and ghee) for all the four pujas ? Can I do the beginner Shiva puja four times – one each during the special puja times through the night?
Swamiji Says:
Yes.
Question:
Why do we at the Mandir only offer 4 out of the 5 offerings of Panchamrit during Shivaratri? Why do we not offer sugar?
Swamiji Says:
Traditionally there are four pujas. We offer the sugar at the end, when we collect all the ingredients and make them into the completed prasad, called Paran. We use this to break the fast.
Bhajans
Question:
In Your opinion, if one is going to engage in all night ceaseless bhajan on Maha Sivaratri, is it most appropriate to only chant/sing Siva Bhajans or to allow for bhajans to Ram and Devi/Sakti as well?
Swamiji Says:
Just sing about God!