Shravan Mahatyam
In Hindu Calendar there are twelve months in a year. Among it Vaishaka, Shravan, Kartika, Margashirsha, and Magha months are auspicious. Shravan month is more auspicious with everyday Pooja, Abhishek, Kirtan, Sadhana, Annadaan, donations, Brahman Pooja, Spiritual discourses, Vrat, and rituals. Likewise, Purushotham month is also important and occurs every fourth year.
Shravan month is also called Nabho month which means infinity, the Sky. Shravan means to listen. It is sufficient to listen to the greatness of Shravan month from a revered person. This month conjoin with Chaturmas and devotees observe Naktha vrat for thirty days. This month has Four Mondays, Five Fridays, and Four Saturdays. The entire month is full of festivals, Pooja, and rituals. Daily Abhishek to Lord Shiva along with Shakti, Ganesh, and Skanda with Panchamurth Abhishek at Dwadasa Jyothirlinga temples across India. On full moon day, Shravan Star appears, therefore it is named Shravan month which lasts from 11/8/22 6.53 A.M. till 12/8/22 4.08 A.M. and it is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima, Upakarama, and Hayagreeva Jayanthi. The Lord Hayagreeva is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Now the point is why Lord Shiva is worshipped in Shravan. While Shravan star belongs to Lord Balaji. The reason is from Ashada Shukla Ekadashi to Kartika Shukla Dwadasi is famous as Chaturmasa. Lord Vishnu observes Yog Nidra called Sheshashasayana who sleeps on Shesh Nag an avatar of Laxman for four months.
Therefore Lord Shiva, Shakti with Shiva family rule the universe. Lord Vishnu is the Guru of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva extends his support for his Guru’s penance for four months and he looks after this universe with his family. Similarly, Lord Vishnu’s avatar is worshipped along with his Shakti. When Lord Sun is in Aries Vaishaka Mahatyam is recited., While in Leo Shravan Mahatyam is recited. If Lord Sun is in Libra Kartik Mahatyam is recited. Is Lord Sun in Mithun Margashirsha Mahatyam is recited? If Lord Surya is in Capricorn Magha Mahatyam is recited. Reciting Purushasuktham, Panchakshari, and Mrutyunjaya Mantra is important to devotees. Some devotees observe fasting on Mondays. In this digital world, people are busy with their work. Lengthy worship is not possible, therefore Skanda Purana simplifies the procedure as follows:
During Chaturmasa consuming Brinjal is forbidden. In case it is difficult to follow the above-mentioned procedure, one can give up at least one’s favorite food item for four months. Similarly, there is a procedure for Nakth Vrat on how to observe fasti for the entire Shravan month. Yati or widow or widower end their fast before sunset. Married person after sunset. Orphan, a widow with children eats after9.P M.
