Informative

Why are Monsoons so Important in Tantra? | Shravan Month Explained

The month of Shravan occurs between the July and August months of the calendar and coincides with the Indian monsoons. It’s named Shravan because the day the month begins, the sky is under the celestial sovereignty of the Shravan Nakshatra (one of the 27 Nakshatras, more on these later). In this blog, we discuss the Tantric importance of the Shravan month and important rituals you can perform to attain spiritual and material growth. 

The Gods

Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati introduced Tantra to the world. They taught us all there is to know and all there is to do in the universe and beyond. Lord Shiva is considered the Aadi Guru (the first Guru) and Maa Parvati, the amalgamation of all the Mahavidyas (The Ten Great Tantra Goddesses). Interestingly, Maha Vidya also translates to Great Knowledge. The month of Shravan is dedicated mainly to Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. This makes the month very potent for Tantra practitioners around the world. Every day in the month of Shravan is holy for worshipping Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati and performing rituals to attain their blessings. Below are a few of the most important fasts and rituals you can perform during Shravan – 

Shravan Somvar (Monday) Vrath and Katha – 

Shravan Somvar fasts began when Maa Parvati started fasting every Monday to get Lord Shiva as Her husband. Every Monday in the month of Shravan, devotees get up early morning, shower, go to a Shiva Temple and offer their prayer or pray to the Shivlinga in their homes. They then observe a full-day fast and eat at night or only consume fruits or liquids on this day. The entire day they keep meditating on Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati as they go about their daily activities. They listen to the story of Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva and offer their prayers again.

The benefits of this fast and ritual are – 

Divine Grace of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati,

Success in Career, Job, Business, and Relationships,

Removal of malefic effects of any planets,

Relief and protection against diseases and ailments,

Health, wealth and prosperity, and

Spiritual Upliftment 

Mahamrityunjay Mantra Chanting 

Lord Shiva, in His Mahamrityunjay form, is the conqueror of death. The Mahamrityunjay Mantra goes like this – 

ॐ ह्रौं जूं सः। ॐ भूर्भवः स्वः। ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्‌। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनांन्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्‌। स्वः भुवः भूः ॐ। सः जूं ह्रौं ॐ।

|Om Hraum Joom Saha| |Om Bhurbhuvah Swaha|
|Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam| |Urvarukmiva Bandhananmrityurmokshiya Maamrataat| |Swaha Bhuvah Bhooh Om| Sah Joom Hraum Om| 

This Mantra liberates the chanter from the cycle of life and death and releases any fear related to this cycle. Chanting this Mantra helps people realize the eternity of self and thus removes the fear of death. In addition, chanting the Mantra brings many more benefits like profound spiritual realization, a long and healthy life, and relief from miseries, troubles, stress, and ego. 

Besides these two rituals, there are Hariyali Teej and Naag Panchami rituals, which we will be explaining in detail in our posts in the coming weeks. 

To add to these, you can chant Om Namah Shivay every day and night during the month of Shravan and practice a sattvic lifestyle. Abstaining from intoxicants and instant gratification can help maintain focus, go deeper into Sadhana and attain spiritual powers. The good part is, any Sadhana or austerity performed during this time gives ten times more results than any other time during the year. 

We hope this blog gives you insight into Shravan Month and its Tantric importance. For any queries, please write to us at info@chamundaswamiji.com