As there are only a few days left in the holy month of Shravan or Sawan – the most auspicious month to pray to Lord Shiva, I couldn’t help but write more about Lord Shiva. Earlier, I wrote an article about who is Lord Shiva and his significance in Hinduism. Today I will write about the significance of praying to Lord Shiva as Sawan is the most auspicious month to start your spiritual sadhana of Lord Shiva.
Before praying to or doing any sadhana of Lord Shiva, you should always pray to Lord Ganesha – Shiva’s son and remover of obstacles. It is believed that any prayer to Lord Shiva is incomplete and not accepted by him if Ganesha is not invoked first. Ganesha – the elephant headed god, is the remover of obstacles and removes all the obstacles in your spiritual sadhana to Lord Shiva. His elephant head signifies the infinite spiritual wisdom he possesses and praying to him regularly grants one wisdom and success in life.
Radha Baba, a renowned saint of India, born in the early twentieth century, tells the significance of worshipping Lord Shiva through his own life story. When Radha Baba was a school going little child, there was a sports competition organized in his school and various prizes were to given in the form of medals.
But Radha Baba was a thin and small child as compared to other children and stood no chance to win in any sports related event but he also wanted a medal. So he went and prayed to Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva lingam in his village temple. He got the inspiration to memorize a bhajan – a devotional song – which he did.
Before the beginning of the sports competition, in the school assembly, a musical band was about to perform. Suddenly, Radha Baba, a small child then, standing in the back asked if he can sing a song. Perplexed by the request of the small child, the school principal asked Radha Baba to come in front and made him stand atop a table on the stage so that he can reach the mike and asked him to sing.
Radha baba went on to sing such a beautiful devotional song in his melodious voice that the school principal started crying and before the competition even began, rewarded Radha Baba with a medal.
Radha Baba attributes many successes in his life as a result of his worshipping Lord Shiva as Shiva is known as Ashutosha – the one who is easily pleased (by the worship of his devotees) and avadhardaani – the one who gives everything to his devotees.
In Ramacharitamanas, Lord Vishnu says to Muni (Sage) Narada – “Jehi par krpa na karahin puraaree. so na paav muni bhagati hamaaree.” (O Muni! Only the one who is blessed by Shiva gets my devotion). Radha Baba says that due to the blessings of Lord Shiva he got supreme devotion to Lord Krishna – an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and received supreme bliss.
Shiva gives success to his devotees in all their endeavors of life and protects them from their enemies. If you are thinking of doing Shiva Sadhana (Spiritual practice of praying to Lord Shiva) – this Sawan is the most auspicious month to do that.
May the blessings of Lord Shiva be with you. Har Har Mahadev!
