Shiva and Ardra

Vidyeshwara Samhita of Shiva Purana mentions that worship of Shiva is especially significant during:

- Ardra Nakshatra or MahaArdra of that of aśvin kṛśṇa caturdaśī;

- MahaArdra of jyeṣṭha caturdaśī;

- Ardra Nakshatra of any tithi of margaśīrṣa.

The period of Ardra Nakshatra (Moon transiting Ardra Nakshatra) comes at least once in a solar month.

MahaArdra is the period of Ardra Nakshatra coinciding with Surya Sankranti (transit of Sun from one zodiac sign / rasi to next).

According to Vidyeshvara Samhita, Shiva appeared as a Pillar/Column of Light in the month of margaśīrṣa during the period of Ardra Nakshatra.:

यत्पुनः स्तम्भरूपेण स्वाविरासमहं पुरा।

स कालो मार्गशीर्षे तु स्यादार्द्राऋक्षमर्भकौ॥

Shiva says (Ref: Vidyeshvara Samhita, Shiva Purana) that whosover sees me and Uma on this day and seeks (refuge in) my insignia is dearer to me than even Guha (Kartikeya, Shiva’s son):

आर्द्रार्यां मार्गशीर्षे तु यः पश्येमामुमासखम्।

मद्वेरमपि वा लिङ्गं स गुहादपि मे प्रियः॥

Ardra-Darshana is observed during the month of margaśīrṣa during the period of Ardra Nakshatra.

Kalabhairava Ashtami

Kalabhairava Ashtami is observed on the 8th day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) of the month of Mrigashira/Margasheersha.

 According to ShataRudra Samhita of Shiva Purana,
Parameshvara appeared in form of Bhairava the Krishna Ashtami of Margashirsha month.

कृष्णाष्टम्यां तु मार्गस्य मासस्य परमेश्वरः।
आविर्बभूव सल्लीलो भैरवात्मा सताम्प्रियः॥


The ShataRudra Samhita states:

विश्वंभर्त्तुं समर्थोऽसि भीषणद्भैरवः स्मृतः।
त्वत्तो भेष्यति कालोऽपि ततस्त्वं कालभैरवः॥

You are capable of sustaining the world, “terrifying” – thus, remembered as Bhairava
of You will be terrified the Kaala too, thus will You be eulogized as Kalabhairava.

In accordance with the Shiva Purana, Vrata for Kalabhairava can be observed on Shukla Ashtami of Mrigashira month. Worship of Kalabhairava can be observed on all Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithis or even Tuesdays.

Shiva - The Mysterious One

आत्मसंस्थं शिवं त्यक्तवा बहिःस्थं यः समर्चयेत्।
हस्तस्थं पिण्डमुत्सृज्य भ्रमते जीविताशया॥

abnegating the Shiva stated within the Self, worshipping that which is without;
(one) discards the body in hand, (and) wanders deluded in hope of staying alive.
                                                                                              
- Shiva Samhita:5(71)

Nataraja Abhisheka

Nataraja Abhisheka is performed during the period of Ardra Nakshatra (Moon transiting Ardra Nakshatra), which happens at least once in a solar month.

Vidyeshwara Samhita of Shiva Purana mentions that worship of Shiva is especially significant during:


- Ardra Nakshatra or MahaArdra of that of Ashvin Krishna Chaturdashi;

- MahaArdra of Jyeshtha Chaturdashi;

- Ardra Nakshatra of any tithi of Mrigashira/Mrigasheersha.


...to be updated...

Guru and Healer

गुरुवे सर्व लोकानां
भेषजे भव रोगिणां।
निधये सर्व विद्यानां
दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः॥

(the One who is the)
Guru of all realms
Remedy to the ailment of mundane existence;
Treasure of All Knowledge
Obeisance to (that) Dakshinamurty.

Essence of Pranava

ॐ नमः प्रणवार्थाय
शुद्धज्ञानैक मूर्तये।
निर्मलाय प्रशान्ताय
दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः॥

Obesiance to the Essence of Pranava
(and) the one and only Embodiment of Pure Knowledge;
(the one who is) Immaculate (and) Tranquil
Obeisance to (that) Dakshinamurty.

Gurumurti Dakshinamurty

यस्यैव स्फुरणम् सदात्मकमसत्कल्पार्थकं भासते
साक्षात्तत्त्वमसीति वेदवचसा यो बोधयत्याश्रितान्।
यत्साक्षात्करणात्भवेन्न पुनरावृत्तिर्भवाम्भोनिधौ
तस्मै श्री गुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥

             - Dakshinamurty Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya: stanza ॥3॥

owing to the Radiance of Whom, the Real Self manifests as the Ostensible Universe,
(and) the direct experience of the Vedic words, tat-tavam-asi, is appercieved by those who have sought refuge (in Him);
"That", Whose Realisation, becomes instrumental cause, of revisitation into the ocean of worldly existence,*
unto Him, the manifestation of Guru, Shri Dakshinamurty, is our obeisance.

[*until “That” (as in “tattvamasi” = "thou art That") is Realised,
the cycle of rebirth into (that ostensible) world continues.]

Adept in Yoga

योगरन्धितकर्मणो यं प्रपश्यन्ति योगिनः।
योगसम्भाविते चित्ते योगेशं त्वां नता वयं॥

- Shiva Purana: Rudra Samhita:Sati Khanda Chapter XV: Shloka 63

whose karma have ceased by Practice of Yoga, unto those yogis is the Supreme perceptible;
Revered in the minds of (those) Yogis, unto You O’ Lord of (Adept in) Yoga we bow.

Light of the Soul

नम आत्मप्रदीपाय निर्वाणसुखसम्पदे।
ज्ञानात्मने नमस्तेऽस्तु व्याप्कायेश्वराय च॥

- SP: Rudra Samhita:Sati Khanda Chapter XV: Shloka 46

Obeisance to the Light of the Soul, the Abundance of the Bliss of Liberation;
We bow to the very Form of Knowledge and to the OmniPervasive Lord.