Receive Lord Shani's Blessings on Saturdays

 

 

Lord Shani

 

Shani refers to the divine personification of the planet Saturn and is one of the nine Navagrahas in Hindu astrology. Shani is also a male Hindu deity in the Puranas, whose iconography consists of a black figure carrying a sword or sceptre and sitting on a crow. He is the god of karma, justice, and retribution, and delivers results depending upon one's thoughts, speech, and deeds. Shani is the controller of longevity, misery, sorrow, old age, discipline, restriction, responsibility, delays, ambition, leadership, authority, humility, integrity, and wisdom born of experience. He also signifies spiritual asceticism, penance, discipline, and conscientious work. He is associated with two consorts: Neela, the personification of the gemstone sapphire, and Manda, a gandharva princess.

 

 

How to receive Lord Shani's Blessings

 

As the day allocated to this God is today, Saturday, below is a list of some of things we can on this day to make Lord Shani happy and to receive his Blessings.

 

Donate objects made of iron to a place of worship. This act is believed to bring prosperity and improve business and wealth

 

Donate oil to someone who provides some kind of service to you to appease Lord Shani.

 

Place a cup of raw salt in the west direction of your home. The salt will absorb negative energies. When the salt has absorbed moisture, flush it down the kitchen drain without touching it.

 

Donate money to people who serve you on a Saturday and use a broom to sweep the house.

 

Donate books and study materials to an orphanage.

 

Walk barefoot on green grass for 30-45 minutes on a Saturday.

 

Visit a Shani or Hanuman Temple wearing shoes, and return home barefoot, leaving the footwear behind.

Shravan Maas 2023

 

Shravan Maas, during which the “Shravana” lunar mansion rules the sky, is considered to be the most auspicious month of the Vedic year.

 

The full moon in this month happens in the nakshatra or lunar mansion called “Shravana” ... which means ‘to listen’ and is the first step in integrating knowledge into our lives — we listen, then we bring to our memory and the knowledge then becomes integrated into our life.

 

This year Shravan Maas extends for a total of 59 days (instead of its usual 30 days) as it includes the addition of an intercalary month called Adhik Maas (extra month), which helps maintain harmony with the solar year — and is the first time to have occurred in 19 years.

 

The Gregorian calendar adds a day to February every four years (leap year) to stay synchronized with the solar cycle. The Panchang (Luni-Solar calendar) incorporates an additional month, Adhik Maas, every third year to reconcile the 10-day difference between the solar (365.2 days) and lunar (354.3 days) calendars.

 

The month of Shravan is synonymous to festivals and events. It is the best time to conduct auspicious events as most of the days of the month are promising for new beginnings.

 

In this month, every Monday is celebrated as Shravan Somvar across Temples, with Dharanatra over the Shivling, bathing it with holy water and milk throughout the day and night.

 

Lord Shiva In Shravan Somvar

According to legend, in the conflict between the Devas and the Asuras, poison emerged from the water. Lord Shiva drank the poison to rescue the human race. This incidence took place in the Shravan month. Due to this, Lord Shiva’s body temperature rose considerably. Then Lord Shiva donned the moon on his head, which helped to lowered his temperature, and the Hindu gods poured Ganga water on Lord Shiva, which is also followed today by the devotees.

 

It is also said that Lord Indra wanted the temperature of Lord Shiva to drop, and hence the rains poured excessively. That soothed Lord Shiva and eased him. Since that time, Lord Shiva is honoured and water is poured over Him during the month, especially on Mondays.

 

The entire month is filled with Divine energy and bliss and it is best to turn our mind inward to experience the mystical vibrations of the cosmos.

Aani Thirumanjanam Arunachaleswarar Temple: June 26, 2023

 

Aani Uthiram, or Aani Thirumanjanam, is an auspicious day in the Tamil Month of Aani (June-July) and is dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva). It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi.

 

The Lord's form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation. The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation; his raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection; his left hand holding fire destruction; his firmly placed foot concealment; and his other, slightly lifted, leg salvation. Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year.

 

This planet takes 365 days to complete one full circle around the sun. That duration is divided into six seasons:

 

Marghazhi-Thai—early winter

Maasi-Panguni—late winter

Chittirai-Vaikasi—early summer

Aani-Aadi—high summer

Avani-Purattasi—autumn

Aippasi-Karthikai—rainy season.

 

This six-season year of humans is said to be one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily poojas (Kaala Pooja) in temples are performed. During each of these six parts, an Abhishekam has been ordained for Lord Nataraja. One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July) is believed to be the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva.

 

Three Tamil Saivaite saints whose shrine face the Nataraja shrine inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple are revered at the same time as worship of the Lord and his Goddess, and deeparadhana is performed by priests at the shrines of the Gods and Saints, which face each other. This is known as Arakattu Utsavam and only happens at this time.

 

In preparation of the Holy Bath on Uthiram Nakshatram Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Shivakami are brought out of the Temple in procession and taken to the 1000 pillared hall where they are installed in a special shrine. It is at this place that the sacred bath (Thirumanjanam) is performed.

 

Aani Thirumanjanam Arunachaleswarar Temple Sacred Bath

It is popularly believed that it was on Aani Uthiram day that Lord Shiva appeared before Sage Manikkavachakar under a Kurundai Tree and offered upadesha (advice). Sage Manikkavachakar is the author of Thiruvachakam.

 

Sun in Gemini, 2023

 

The sun left Taurus and entered Gemini on June 15th, 2023 where it will remain until July 17th, 2023. As the sun graces the sign of Gemini, there are specific rituals that can enhance connection with its energy and derive its blessings.

 

Lord Surya

One of these rituals is the chanting of the Aditya Rudram strotram to honour the Sun. This mantra is particularly potent during the time of sunrise.

 

To chant the mantra in Sanskrit and for a transliteration and English translation, go to this page on ArunachalaSamudra.

Arunachaleswarar Temple: Pradosham June 15, 2023

 

The below photographs are from Thursday June 15, 2023 Vaikasi Maatha Amavasai Pradosham at Arunachaleswar Temple, Big Nandi, 5th Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple.

 

 

Big Nandi Abhishekam, 5th Prakaram

 

 

Aarti to Kodi Kampathu Nandi, 3rd Prakaram

 

The Five Nandis

The five Nandis at Arunachaleswarar Temple are; Pradosha Nandi, in the Moolastanam, Ratha Vilaku Nandi in the Second Prakaram, Kodi Kampathu Nandi in the Third Prakaram, Chinna Nandi in the fourth prakaram and the Periyar Nandi that stands in front of the Vallala Gopuram in the Fifth Prakaram.

 

Installation of statues at new Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine

The upcoming Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine is planning to install statues of Ganesha, Murgan and White Nandi on September 10, 2021 the day of Ganesha Chaturthi. The Nandi statue has been created in the same white marble stone as the statue of Shirdi Sai Baba.

The photographs below were taken on August 23. First the statues are immersed in water, next the statues will be kept in individual boxes and fully covered in 9 types of grain. Finally the statues will be immersed in milk.

Facing the Shrine, Ganesha will be installed at left, Murugan at right and White Nandi on plinth in front of Shrine 

Lord Ganesha immersed in water

Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan

Power of Sound—The Solfeggio Frequencies

“Concerning matter, we have been all wrong. What we have called matter is energy, whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. There is no matter.”

[Albert Einstein]

Solfeggio Frequencies are a collection of musical sounds that originated from the historical Gregorian Monks who chanted different frequency tones during religious practices.

The chanting is named after St. Gregory the Great, who was Pope from 590—604 A.D. The melodic sounds of the Gregorian era are unique with no patterns of rhyme or instrumentals. The tones range high and low and there is often no structure to how they are performed by choirs.

In 1974 Dr. Joseph Puleo studied the Solfeggio Frequencies and said the music penetrates the conscious and subconscious mind. He used a numerological technique to decipher repeating codes that were present throughout the music. The Solfeggio Frequencies are used in the present day in many forms of healing practices across the world. Each frequency tone is said to raise vibration.

The different Solfeggio Frequencies are:-
174 Hz: For the relief of Pain and Stress
285 Hz: Heals Tissues and Organs
UT 396 Hz: Eliminates Fear
RE 417 Hz: Wipes out Negativity
MI 528 Hz: Repairs DNA and Brings Positive Transformation
FA 639 Hz: Brings Love and Compassion
SOL 741 Hz: Repairs Cells and Organs
852 Hz: Awakens Intuition and Raises Energy at Cellular Level
963 Hz: Connects to Higher Self


All Solfeggio Frequencies are said to have a positive outcome by eliminating negativity and promoting higher connections to the Self.


Below is a video of all 9 Solfeggio Frequencies that promote emotional and physical healing. Wishing all the Blessings of Arunachala Grace and Light.

Nakshatra Pujas

It is often mentioned in Skandapurana that the Lord favours devotees who undertake pradakshina, tapas and austerities at Arunachala and that wheresoever the Arunachaleswarar Linga is worshipped; physical or mental ailments will not be experienced.

 

Offerings during 27 Nakshatras

Depending upon the ruling star, it is appropriate to make different offerings to Arunachaleswarar; and this precise specification of offerings, has a scientific basis. For example, on the day ruled by Krittika (i.e. Moon in Krittika), which is an incendiary or fiery constellation in consonance with the Yajur Vedic hymn, “Agnirnahpaatu Krittikaaha . . . “ evocative of light and fire, an offering of lamps (deepams) is suggested.

It is therefore in the fitness of things that we offer exactly what is ordained as it greatly increases the significance of the worship as Nakshatras function as sensory organs of the Lord.

The below table, based on the Skandapurana, is a guide to these specific and appropriate offerings:-

 

 Day ruled by Nakshatra                               Nature of Offering

1.  Aswini                                                       Vastram (Cloth)

2.  Bharani                                                     Abharanam (Jewels)

3.  Krittika                                                      Deepam (Lights)

4.  Rohini                                                       Thaapyam (Hot Offerings)

5.  Mrigasira                                                   Srigandham (Sandalpaste)

6.  Aridra                                                        Harichandanam (Red Sandalpaste)

7.  Punarvasu                                                Kasturi

8.  Pushyami                                                  Karpuram (Camphor)

9.  Asiesha                                                     Kesari (Saffron)

10. Makha                                                      Pachakarpuram in water

11.Pubba                                                        Thambulam

12.Uttara                                                         Dhoopam (Incense)

13.Hastha                                                       Kaalaaguru (A Scent)

14.Chitta                                                          Anulepanam

15.Swati                                                          Scents

16.Vishaka                                                      Chaamaram (Traditional Fans)

17.Anuradha                                                   Swetachatram (White Umbrella)

18.Jyeshta                                                      Go-ghritam (Cow’s Ghee)

19.Moola                                                         Pearl Necklace

20.Purvashada                                                Kireetam (Crown)

21.Uttarashada                                               Nava-ratnams (9 Precious Stones)

22.Sravana                                                     Bhadraasanam (as Peeta)

23.Dhanishta                                                  Gold

24.Satabhisha                                                Fine Articles

25.Purvabhadra                                             Enjoyable (Bhogya) ones

26.Uttarabhadra                                             Horse

27.Revati                                                        Golden Chariot

 

The Seva-Kartas (devotees who offer) receive special grace from Arunachaleswarar by devoutly adhering to specified offerings.

For heavenly enjoyments and eventual satisfaction, according to Nandikeswara, there is no greater place of sanctity than Arunachala. The remembrance of Arunachala purifies the mind—learning about its greatness perfects the ears—and, extolling its greatness sanctifies the tongue.

Arunachala excels the celebrated 7 kshetras: Ayodhya, Mathura, Maaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwaraka. Those born at Arunachala are assured of material comforts and final liberation. Ceremonies (like Shraddha) performed at Arunachala [even for sinners who die outside] will receive blessings.