Shiva Puja

In popular Hinduism, Shiva is often represented as a destructive aspect of Brahman and entitled 'The Destroyer.' This is merely one attribute, as there are many different groups and sects who hold Shiva, or any of his different forms and associated Deities, as the Supreme Being and attribute different titles to him. Popular Puja may take an eclectic or North Indian style, whereas more specific sects or castes may have their own specific forms. General worship of Shiva is quite diverse and can range from worshipping an anthropomorphic murti (Such as the famous Tamil Nataraja statues from the ancient Chola Kingdom), a Lingam (one of Shiva's main symbols),[1] a deified landmark (such as the Ganges or Mount Kailash) or not worshipping a symbol at all (as in the case of the Lingayats).

The Puranas are a collection of texts describing the feats of various Gods and Figures from Hindu Cosmology. The texts are organized by their focus on one of the major Devas and explore the feats and legends of those Gods. Among the most important attributed to Shiva is the Shiva Purana, which describes in various stories the mythological origins of puja implements and taboos. An example might be not offering Magnolia champaca and Pandanus odorifer flowers to Shiva, each given a justification grounded in an episode from mythology.

Shiva Abhishekam is usually performed to a Lingam, representing his manifestation as a creator of good (by destroying evil). In many temples, there is a vessel hung over the Lingam called thaara paathra that continuously drips water or other offerings onto the Lingam in deference to Shiva's desire for Abhisheka. Some of the common items used for Shiva Abhisheka are:

• Curd
• Milk/water
• Honey
• Vibhuti (holy ash)
• Panchamruta (Curd based delicacy consisting of Panch(5) items: Milk, Sugar, Ghee (clarified butter), Honey, curd)
• Sandalwood Paste
• Fragrant oils
• Bael leaves (vital importance): While selecting BAEL leaves, make sure the Chakra and the Bajra should not there. The Chakra is a white mark made by the insects on the BAEL leaves, while the Bajra is the thick portion towards the stalk. The BAEL leaves used in pooja should be of 3 leaflets even if one of the leaves gets detached from three leaves, then it is of no use.
• Flowers - AAKAMDA Flowers, DHATURA Flowers, BLUE LOTUS (or Pink Lotus/White Lotus) Flowers are auspicious.

As being stated that to Lord Shiva those things which are edible are not being offered to Lord Shiva. Also it was mentioned during Sumudra manthan Poison came out during churning of ocean.

Curd is the poison for milk. Honey is the Poison for Ghee. It means when 5 ingredient of Amrita, if mixed in a wrong proposition, then it becomes the poison.

Composition for Amrita is Honey (one part), Ghee(2 part), Sugarcane juice (4 part), Curd(8 part), Raw Milk (16 part) If this ratio of ingredient which were used to prepare Amrita were being altered, then it becomes a poison instead of becoming Amrita. Thus if we decode the ancient scriptures of Hindu Mythology, then we understand that Honey, Ghee, Sugarcane Juice, curd and Raw Milk are considered sacred food in Vedas, thus throwing them was prohibited or it was considered a great sin. Thus Lord Shiva consumed those 5 items of food which were mixed in a wrong proposition thus it became a poison.

Only Such composition of Honey, Ghee, Sugarcane Juice, Curd, Raw Milk must be offered to Lord Shiva which is not in accordance to the preparation ratio of Amrita. 

Churning of Ocean means blending 5 ingredient of Amrita so that all 5 ingredients are mixed evenly.

It was also mentioned that Giloy(Amrita) originated from the Drops of Amrita. It Means If Giloy is mixed with Amrita then such drink promotes longevity, and strengthen ours immune system and we stay alive for a long period of time.

During churning of ocean Soma came out, Actually drink of Soma was considered very auspicious as well as an important ingredient of Amrita. Soma was being prepared from the Juice of the plant of Ephedra/Som Balli was being blended along with Amrita and Giloy. Such composition of drink used to give sudden boost in energy as well as used to impart enormous strength to the Devas who consumed, rejuvenating the whole body and mind.

Shiva is associated with Night(Shiv Ratri), it means items which are offered to Shiva if consumed by Humans, then in such conditions it must only be consumed during the night time. Offerings to Shiva is considered to be of poisonous in character, thus if consumed as prasad then it was recommended to consume it only in a very small quantity, so that effect of poison could be mitigated.

AVOID - Ketaki flower, Tulsi patar (leaves) and Chempaka flower

Champaka, also known as Golden Champa or Yellow Champak, is not used in the worship of Shiva. There is an interesting story in the Shiv Purana which explains the reason why Champaka flowers are not used in Shiva Puja. On the way to Shiva Temple in Gokarna stood a beautiful Champaka tree full of flowers. Sage Narada, once on his way to temple, noticed this tree and admired it. Suddenly he found a Brahmin priest nearby. He came to pluck the flowers, but on seeing Sage Narada, he refrained from doing it. When enquired by Sage Narada, the Brahmin said that he was on his way to a nearby village and just stood there enjoying the Champaka tree.

After Narada left for the temple, the Brahmin plucked the flowers in a basket and hid them. On return from the temple, Sage Narada again met the Brahmin and this time, he said that he was going home. But suspicious about this behavior, Sage Narada went and asked the Champaka tree did anyone pluck its flowers. The Champa tree said no. But still, Sage Narada had his doubts, so he went back to the temple and found that the Shivling was covered with Champaka flowers.

Sage Narada asked a man who was meditating nearby as to who offered these flowers to Shiva. The man said that an evil Brahmin daily comes and showers the Shivling with Champa flowers. Shiva is pleased with this act, and due to His blessings, the Brahmin has become very powerful in the King's court and now harasses poor people. The Sage Narada went to Shiva and asked why he was helping the bad man. Shiva said that I could not deny a devotee who worships me with Champaka flowers. Sage Narada went back to the Champaka tree and cursed it for lying to him. He said that the Champa flowers would never be accepted in the worship of Shiva. He also cursed the evil Brahmin to be born as a demon and will attain only moksha when Rama kills him.

Ketaki, known as umbrella tree or screw pine or keura in Hindi, is barred from the worship of Shiva. It is not offered during pujas and worship as it is cursed by Shiva. There is an interesting story mentioned in the Tamasic Shiva Purana that explains why Ketaki Flower is forbidden. Once, Brahma and Vishnu got into a fight over who was supreme. To sort out the issue, Shiva made His first appearance in the form of Jyotirlinga or Lingodabhavamurti (a column of fire with no end or beginning) before Vishnu and Brahma. Shiva intervened in the fight and said whoever could find out the origin or end of the Shivling was superior.

Brahma and Vishnu set off to explore the beginning and end of the mighty column of light. Vishnu went down in the form of a boar, and Brahma went up in the form of a swan. Vishnu was unable to find the base and came up and admitted defeat. Brahma, on his journey upwards, came across a Ketaki flower. Brahma again went up but was unable to find the uppermost limits. So He decided to take the help of the Ketaki flower. Brahma decided to take the Ketaki flower back to Vishnu to bear witness that he had reached the top of the pillar of light. Brahma said he found the Ketaki flower atop the Jyotirlinga, and ketaki supported it. This lie infuriated Shiva. Brahma was cursed for telling lies, and He would not be worshipped on earth by people. Similarly, ketaki was also cursed that she would never again be used in the worship of Shiva. Thus, ketaki is debarred forever from pujas and worship of Shiva.

The most important prayers to invoke and please God Shiva are done on Pradosha, the thirteenth day of every fortnight in the Hindu calendar, and on Maha Shivaratri, according to Shaivism. Herein the most powerful and popular Shiva Slokas are as below:

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra reads (IAST transliteration):

   tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
   urvāruk miva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt

In the translation of Arthur Berriedale Keith (1914):

"OM. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality."

The Panchakshara Stotra with Om:

"Om Namah Shivaya"

English translation of this mantra:

"I honor the divinity within myself." "May the elements of this creation abide in me in perfection?" "May the greatest that can be in this world be created in me, in others and in this world." "I bow to Shiva."

Sri Lingashtakam is a popular 8-canto hymn chanted during the worship of Shiva. The lyrics are as below,

Brahma Muraari Suraarchita Lingam

Nirmala Bhashita Shobhita Lingam

Janmaja Dukha Vinaashaka Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.

Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingam

Kaamadaham Karunaakara Lingam

Raavana Darpa Vinaashaka Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is the destroyer of desires, which the Devas and the sages worship, which is infinitely compassionate and which subdued the pride of Raavana.

Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam

Buddhi Vivardhana Kaarana Lingam

Siddha Suraasura Vanditha Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is lavishly smeared with variegated perfumes and scents, which elevates the power of thought and enkindles the light of discrimination, and before which the Siddhas and Suras and Asuras prostrate.

Kanaka Mahaamani Bhushitha Lingam

Phanipathi Veshtitha Shobhitha Lingam

Daksha Su yagy Vinaashaka Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, the destroyer of Dakshas sacrifice, which is decorated with various ornaments, studded with different gems and rubies and which glows with the garland of the serpent Lord coiled around it.

Kumkuma Chandana Lepitha Lingam

Pankaja Haara Sushobhitha Lingam

Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashaka Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is smeared with saffron and sandal paste, which is decorated with lotus garlands and which wipes out all accumulated sins.

Devaganaarchitha Sevitha Lingam

Bhaavair Bhakti Bhirevacha Lingam

Dinakara Koti Prabhakara Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is worshipped by the multitude of Gods with genuine thoughts full of faith and devotion and whose splendor is like that of a million suns.

Ashta Dalopari Veshtitha Lingam

Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam

Ashta Daridra Vinaashaka Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, destroyer of all poverty and misery in its eight aspects, which is the cause of all creation and which stands on the eight-petalled Lotus.

Suraguru Suravara Pujitha Lingam

Suravana Pushpa Sadaarchitha Lingam

Paraatparam Paramatmaka Lingam

Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Self, worshipped by all Suras and their preceptor (Brhaspathi), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens.

• Puja in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
• Aum Namah Sivaya, Shiva Mantra
• Shri Rudram, a Vedic chant on the early manifestation of Shiva as Rudra
• Kapalika, a sect of Saivites who worship Shiva in His Bhairava form
• History of Evolution of Saivism
• Saivism
• Aghori
• Hindu views on God and gender

• Shiva Puja Beginner, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 2001. (ISBN 1-877-79527-5)
• Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 1998. (ISBN 1-887472-62-2)

• Shiva Puja audio classes
• Shiva Sankalpa Stotram
• lingashtakam
• Why Ketaki Flower is not offered to Shiva?