Power of Pradosham

Pradosham is a day of importance for Shiva and is an opportunity given to mankind to remove negative karma. Pradosham occurs twice in a month, once during the waxing moon and the other during the waning moon. Praying to Lord Shiva sincerely during this auspicious time is believed to free a person from his sins; hence the name Pradosha has an inner meaning. 'Pra' means remover 'Dosha' means inauspicious things or Karma.

There are many auspicious Pradosham such as Shani Pradosham (Pradosham that occurs on Saturday) and Somavara Pradosham (Pradosham that occurs on Monday). Saturn pradosham and Somavara Pradosham are also called Maha Pradosham.

Saturn Pradosham implies:

Saturn is one of the most powerful Planets. He moves slowly through the zodiacs. He remains in each zodiac for a period of 2 1/2 years, so His influence on that particular zodiac or house is felt very intense. The grace of Saturn can change the destiny of a person. He can make a pauper into a king and vice versa. Saturday is the day ruled by Saturn and He is another form of Shiva. When Pradosham falls on a Saturday which is quite rare, helps a person to remove his karma that is caused by the negative infliction of planets and at the same time bestows a person with the grace of Lord Saturn and Lord Siva.

Somavara Pradosham:

One of the names of Lord Shiva is Soma, Lord Someshwara means the one who adores the Crescent Moon (the Soma) on His matted hair. Soma means – Saha Uma (Goddess Parvathi). Somavara (Monday) is not only very auspicious for Lord Shiva but for Goddess Parvathi too. Hence offering poojas on all Monday Pradosham not only helps a person to gain abundant blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi but also enables a person to negate the malefic effects caused by Chandra Dosha (afflicted or debilitated Moon).

Another fierce form of Shiva is Rudra. The grace of Rudra can eliminate disease, enemies and destroy negative force or energy or karma within a person and from outside elements. In order to obtain the blessings of Rudra the rituals done on a Saturday Pradosham or Monday Pradosham is said to be extremely auspicious.

Time to observe Pradosham Vrat

A person's deadly enemy is his tongue which is the cause of all miseries and the mind which does not allow a person to think of Shiva. So by observing a fast on Pradosham both body and mind comes under control and the thought of divine enters into the consciousness which helps a person to remove the negative karma and make him pure.

On the 13th day of both Krishna Paksha (waning moon i.e. full moon to new moon) and Shukla Paksha (waxing moon i.e. new moon to full moon) otherwise known as Triyodashi and the time is between 04.30 pm to 06.00 pm. When a person observe fast on this day would appease the Lord.

There is an important way to worship Lord Shiva (circumbulating the Prahara or Corridor) called Soma Sutra Pradakshina. When a person follows some small method of worship thus would melt the heart of Shiva who is always finding a way to bless His devotee.