Maha Rudra Yagam
One of the grandest ways of chanting Sri Rudram where in the set pattern is repeated 1331 times is known as Maha Rudram which is extremely powerful. Maha Rudra parayana when coupled with Abhishekam, Havanam and Brahmana Bhojana makes it a Maha Rudra Yagam and is unparalled in its importance.
Sri Rudram is an ancient Vedic hymn and it beholds the Panchakshara Manthra viz., Namashivaya in its core. Through the chanting of Sri Rudram, Lord Shiva’s various aspects and attributes are invoked and worshipped. Mere words cannot express the powers and benefit of this great ritual and one is blessed a million times to just see and participate in this divine procedure. The Maha Rudram Yagya is performed for ‘Loka Kalyana’, general prosperity as well as to ensure universal peace and harmony. The Maha Rudram purifies us of all negative energies, relieves us from Karma, and protects from natural calamities
It is widely believed that chanting or mere listening to Sri Rudram confers Holistic merits, both material and spiritual and alleviates sufferings of all kinds. Recitation of Sri Rudram in its simplest form is itself an elaborate ritual where one chants the 11 Anuvaakas or Chapters of Namakam and Chamakam in a specific format.
Every step of the Maha Rudram Yagya involves Rudrabisheka for Shiva lingam that immensely pleases the lord. The Shiv Linga personifies the entire universe, therefore ablutions that cool it actually relaxes the entire universe bringing about peace and tranquility.
One of the grandest ways of chanting Sri Rudram where in the set pattern is repeated 1331 times is known as Maha Rudram which is extremely powerful. Maha Rudra parayana when coupled with Abhishekam, Havanam and Brahmana Bhojana makes it a Maha Rudra Yagam and is unparalled in its importance.
Before the start of the Maharudram Lord Shiva and other Devathas are first invoked in the Kalashas with appropriate Manthras. Mahanyasam is then chanted to invoke Lord Shiva within us. Thereafter Rudram is chanted and towards the final stages of chanting Rudra Homam is performed. It is very rare that a Yagna of this significance and magnitude can be witnessed. Equally rare is the opportunity for people to actually participate in worship. It is done particularly to wash away one’s sins and affliction, for bringing peace, prosperity and happiness for the community.
Significance of Maha Rudram
Rudra Literally means that “Fire comes from the Bowels of the earth spreading God’s Grace all over the world”. Sri Rudram chant is an ancient Vedic hymn in praise of Lord Shiva and is the oldest prayer with a listing of various names of Lord Shiva. Through the chanting of Sri Rudram, Lord Shiva’s various attributes and aspects are invoked and worshipped. Chanting the Rudram is considered to be of great benefit. The Rudram chanting can be done with or without the accompaniment of a Vedic yajna ritual. When accompanied with the Vedic fire ritual, it is called the Rudra Yajna. Sri Rudram – Comprising of Namakam and Chamakam Srirudram, is also known as Rudraprasna. It is part of the Yajur Veda and one of the greatest of the Vedic hymns for all round benefits of mankind and is known to remove all doshas and difficulties. The first part, chapter 16 of the Yajurveda, is known as Namakam because of the repeated use of the word “Namo” in it. The second part, chapter 18 of the Yajurveda, is known as chamakam because of the repeated use of the words “Chame”. Scriptures define several methods of Rudram recitation . These are summarized by Sage Satapatha who listed in his treatise “Maharnava Karma Vipaka” four types of Abhisheka procedures compatible with Vedic scriptures. Those are Rudram, Ekadasha Rudram, Maha Rudram and Ati Rudram – each being more potent than the preceding one.
Rudra Maha Yajnam is a very important form of worship of Lord Shiva, the very source of cosmic energy for the entire creation. His Divine form encompasses and extends far beyond all known and unknown galaxies and universes. Lord Shiva is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He is the conqueror of Death and an embodiment of infinite mercy, compassion and love. We owe our existence to the Divinity and must pray and worship Him constantly with gratitude for the welfare of all mankind. Lord Shiva is worshipped traditionally in the form of Linga – resembling the replica of Brahmanda. When we think of Lord Shiva invariably, we get the image of “Shiva Lingam”. Linga (meaning “mark,” or “sign,”) is a symbol for the worship of the Lord Shiva.
The use of this symbol for worship is an ancient tradition extending back at least to the early Indus Valley civilization. In temples, the Linga represents Lord Shiva with an unending top and bottom signifying the infinite Paramaatman. In this Lingam, the entire universe is personified. If this Lingam is cooled (pleased by devotion), the universe is cooled (filled with peace and love). Abhisheka is the ritual that cools the Shiva Lingam and is dearest to His heart. That is why constant abhisheka to Shiva while chanting Rudram is as an expression of our bhakti. The Rudra Yajna is the most sacred and powerful among all the Maha Yajnas encompassing two Nishkama Karmas, namely, Daiva Yajna (worship of Shiva and Other divinities), and Manushya Yajna (performed with large number of devotees who partake prasadam or grace of the Lord). Very rarely a Yajna of this significance and magnitude can be witnessed and the opportunity for the people to participate in the worship. It is also done particularly for the sake of washing away one’s sins and afflictions, for bringing peace, prosperity and family happiness.
Sahasra Lingarchana
Sahasra Lingarchana is a unique vedic ritual to worship lord Siva in the name of “Uma Pardhiveswara Swamy”. It is performed by making 1,116 mruthika siva lingas also called as Parthiva lingas that are made out of well prepared and sanctified clay. All these siva lingas are arranged in the form of Kailasa prasthara yantram which is a depiction of Siva Kailasam with 16 avaranas and 1,116 Rudra swaroopas. Siva Shakti is invoked into each Siva lingam thru vedic mantras and beejaksharas during Shodasa Aavarana puja and worshiped with great devotion and bhakti to seek the blessings of Sri Uma Pardhiveswara Swamy for health, wealth, prosperity, bliss and ultimate mukthi.
The pooja has countless blessings to the devotee.
Smt. Gayathri Devi & Sri. Ravi Ika
Smt. Janaki & Sri. Srinivas Guthikonda