Shiva

Questions people ask about the shiva

Which shivling is best for home?

For most homes, a Narmadeshwar: formed by the river, takes a full abhishek and needs no pran pratishtha. Sphatik suits a meditation practice. Parad is held most sacred in the rasa texts but needs careful handling and water-only abhishek. Size matters more than material: keep it under four inches.

Metal, stone or parad: what is the difference?

Metal (ashtadhatu, brass) and Narmada stone take every offering, milk and honey included, and last for generations. Polished stone and sphatik take water only, because milk and acids dull them. Parad is a solidified mercury alloy: heavy, silver-grey, water only, never drink or serve the abhishek water, and keep it away from gold.

Can a Shivling be kept at home?

Yes. Keep one, not several, in the puja room or the north-east, with the jalhari spout pointing north, and offer water daily if you can. A Shivling is not meant to be left dry for long stretches.

What is offered to Shiva, and what is not?

Water, milk, honey, curd, ghee and sugar in the abhishek; bel patra, white flowers, dhatura, chandan, bhasma and akshat after it. Not offered: tulsi, haldi, kumkum, ketaki flowers, and coconut water is poured but the coconut itself is not broken on the lingam.

Which rudraksha should I wear?

If no one has prescribed one, the 5 mukhi: it is the bead for daily japa and daily wear, and the least likely to be faked when it comes with an X-ray report. 1 and 14 mukhi beads are rare and expensive; be suspicious of cheap ones.

When are Shiva's days?

Every Monday, the Pradosh evenings twice a month, Masik Shivratri in each waning fortnight, the whole month of Shravan, and Mahashivratri in February or March. The Sawan Somvar and Solah Somvar vrat guides in the journal walk through the Monday puja step by step.