Shivling JalabhishekVidhi, Mantra, Benefits & Rules

Why water is offered to Shiva

Of all the gods, Shiva is the one most often worshipped with plain water. He is Ashutosh, pleased quickly and simply; he carries the Ganga in his matted hair; and he held the halahala poison in his throat at the churning of the ocean, so water poured on the lingam is understood as cooling and soothing him. A lota of water and "Om Namah Shivaya" is a complete puja — which is why jalabhishek is the one ritual almost every Shiva devotee performs.

What you need

• A lota of copper, brass or bronze — never iron.
• Clean water, with a little Ganga jal if you have it.
• Bel patra (three-leaved bilva), white flowers, chandan, akshat, and a lamp and incense.

How to do jalabhishek, step by step

1. Bathe and wear clean clothes. Morning is the best time.
2. Stand facing east or north — never facing south.
3. Hold the lota and pour the water slowly, in a thin continuous stream, on the top of the lingam. Don't splash or throw it.
4. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" all the while, or recite the snaan mantra (below) once and continue with the panchakshar.
5. After the water, offer bel patra (smooth side down, stalk towards you), chandan, flowers and akshat, then light the lamp and incense.
6. Do a half parikrama (see the rules below), then bow.

The mantra to chant

The simplest and most important is the panchakshar mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya" — "I bow to Shiva" — repeated for as long as the water flows.

In a fuller puja, the water is offered as Shiva's snaan (bath) with "Mandakinyastu Yadvari Sarvapapaharam Shubham, Tadidam Kalpitam Deva Snanartham Pratigrihyatam; Shri Bhagavate Sambashivaya Namah, Snaniyam Jalam Samarpayami" — "The auspicious water of the Mandakini (the heavenly Ganga), which removes every sin — this I have prepared for your bath, O Lord; please accept it. Salutations to Shri Samba Shiva; I offer water for your bath." For protection and health, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is also chanted during abhishek.

Benefits

• Shiva's grace, simply: jalabhishek is the most direct way to worship Shiva, and devotees believe no sincere offering to Ashutosh goes unanswered.
• Calm of mind: the slow stream of water and the steady repetition of the panchakshar make it one of the most meditative acts of daily puja.
• Peace from grahas: jalabhishek on Mondays is traditionally advised for a troubled Moon, and Shiva worship generally is prescribed to ease Shani's hardships.
• Special days, special merit: abhishek in Shravan, on Mondays, on Pradosh and on Maha Shivratri is believed to be especially fruitful.

Rules and precautions

• Only a half parikrama. Never go all the way round the Shivling. The channel through which the abhishek water drains — the jaladhari or somasutra — must not be crossed or stepped over; turn back when you reach it.
• Never offer water from a conch (shankh). Shiva slew the demon Shankhachud, from whom the conch is said to come, so it is not used in his worship.
• Don't offer milk from a copper vessel. Copper is fine for water; use a brass, silver or steel vessel for milk.
• Never use an iron vessel.
• Things not offered to Shiva: Tulsi, ketki (ketaki) flowers, haldi (turmeric) and sindoor. Offer bel patra, dhatura, white flowers and chandan instead.
• Don't face south while offering, and don't splash or fling the water — let it flow.

Best days

Monday is Shiva's day, and the whole month of Shravan (Sawan) is devoted to his abhishek. Pradosh, and above all Maha Shivratri, are the great occasions. Pair jalabhishek with the Shiva Chalisa and the Om Jai Shiv Omkara aarti.