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Mahanyasa Puja Of Shiva

The Mahanyasa ritual, particularly associated with Rudrabhishekam in Shiva Puja, is a deeply intricate and spiritually significant practice. The entire process is an elaborate sequence of steps aimed at establishing a connection between the worshipper and Mahadeva Shiva by invoking various aspects of Rudra-Shiva into one's own body. This identification is considered essential before the commencement of the actual worship.

The ritual begins with customary preliminaries, such as acamana (ceremonial sipping of water) and sankalpa (religious resolve), where the worshipper articulates their intention and outlines the procedure. The subsequent steps involve nyasas, with rituals like pancamukhanyasa, where different aspects of Rudra-Shiva are invoked into specific parts of the worshipper's body. This process helps in creating a deep sense of identification with Shiva himself.

The dasanga and shodasanga raudrikarana follow, wherein Rudra-Shiva is invoked to be established in specific limbs, such as the forehead, ears, eyes, and face. The sadanganyasa involves six limbs, like the heart and head, accompanied by Vedic mantras like the Purushasukta.

Once Shiva is invited for worship, the worshipper proceeds to offer various upacharas, including asana (seat), padya (water for washing the feet), and arghya (water for washing the hands). Following these preparations, the snana (bathing) phase takes place with scented water, holy ash (bhasma), and waters infused with gold, rudraksha beads, and durva grass.

A crucial element of the Mahanyasa ritual is the rudrabhisheka, wherein the Shivling is bathed with pure water. This is performed while chanting all the mantras of the Rudraprashna (Rudra or Namaka) and the Camaka. It is emphasized that the flow of water over the linga during this process must be continuous and uniform.

Subsequently, Vedic suktas and mantras like Purushasukta, Srisukta, Sadyojata (from the Mahanarayanopanishad), Dasashanti, and Ghoshashanti are chanted, further enriching the spiritual ambiance of the ritual.

Offering of cloth, bilva leaves, rice-grains with sesame seeds, garland of rudraksha, some specified flowers, incense, lighted lamp and food are the main offerings.

The whole ritual closes with pradakshina (circumambulation) and namaskara (obeisance).

The teertha (holy water) and prasada (consecrated food) are then distributed among the devotees.

In essence, Mahanyasa is not just a physical act of worship; it is a profound journey of self-identification with the divine, culminating in the sacred Rudrabhisheka that symbolizes the purification and invigoration of the spiritual connection between the worshipper and Mahadeva Shiva.