The simplest god to please
Shiva is called Ashutosh, "quickly pleased". His worship needs very little: water poured with devotion on the Shivling, a bel leaf, and his five-syllable name. The Shivling itself is his formless form, and the base it stands on (the jalaheri) is Parvati, so a Shivling puja honours both.
When to do it
- Monday, his day, especially the Mondays of Shravan. See Monday Shiva Bhakti.
- Pradosh: the Trayodashi tithi of each fortnight, at dusk.
- Masik Shivratri every month, and above all Mahashivratri, with worship through the night.
What you will need
- A Shivling (or a picture of Shiva)
- A copper or brass lota of water, with Gangajal; raw milk for abhishek
- Bel patra (three-leaf bilva sprigs), dhatura, aak flowers, white flowers
- Sandalwood paste, bhasma (sacred ash), akshat
- A ghee lamp, incense, camphor
- Naivedya: fruit, or a simple sweet
- A rudraksha mala
Step by step
- Prepare. Bathe, wear clean (preferably white) clothes, and sit facing north or east.
- Ganesh first. Offer a flower to Ganesha.
- Sankalpa. With water in your right hand, state your name and prayer, then let the water fall.
- Jalabhishek. Pour water in a thin, steady stream on the Shivling while chanting Om Namah Shivaya. The full method is in Shivling Jalabhishek.
- Milk and water. Pour raw milk, then clean water again.
- Sandal and bhasma. Apply sandalwood paste and draw three lines of bhasma (tripundra).
- Bel patra. Offer bel leaves with the smooth side touching the Shivling, then dhatura and white flowers.
- Lamp, incense, naivedya. Show the lamp and incense, and offer fruit or a sweet.
- Mantra. Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times on the rudraksha mala, or the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for health and protection.
- Path. Read the Shiva Chalisa, or a stotra: Shiva Panchakshara, Rudrashtakam or Lingashtakam.
- Aarti. Sing Om Jai Shiv Omkara.
- Half parikrama. Walk around the Shivling clockwise only as far as the spout of the jalaheri, then turn back. The water that flows from it is not crossed.
What not to offer Shiva
- Tulsi (it belongs to Vishnu).
- Ketaki flowers, which Shiva rejected in the Puranic story of the endless linga.
- Haldi and kumkum on the Shivling; use sandal and bhasma instead.
- Water from a conch (shankh).
- Broken or torn bel leaves; a three-leaf sprig should be whole.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Shivling be kept at home?
Yes. A small Shivling, no larger than about the size of a thumb, is kept in many homes, with water offered to it daily. It should never be left without worship.
Why is only half a parikrama done?
The water and offerings flowing from the Shivling's spout are considered too sacred to step over, so devotees turn back at the spout instead of completing the circle.
What is the best day for Shiva puja?
Monday, Pradosh and Mahashivratri, with the whole month of Shravan especially dear to him.
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