10

Why don't we do complete Pradaxina of lord Shiva - Shivalingam?

In a Shiva temple from a panditjee over there I've heard that we can't do complete Pradaxina of Shivalingam because he is Ardhanaareshvar. Later I came to know about the story of how lord Shiva known as Ardhanaareshvar, but my question remains there only.

I've read many blogs but didn't get answer about this.

2
  • As we can't cross from the top of 'Abhishek' water small canel as it's a pavitra. This would be the main reason behind it. We can't cross from top of any pavitra things.
    – pixelbyaj
    Sep 12, 2016 at 7:08
  • What to do if I have done 6-7 parikrama of shivling in childhood even after being told not to... How to repent to shiv
    – user31421
    Oct 9 at 9:47

1 Answer 1

7

The Shastras prescribe only a half pradkashina for Shiva.That is why we do not complete the pradakshina.

For the Pancha Devata Deities the rules(for pradakshina ) are as follows:

Eka Chandaya Raveh Sapta Tirstra Karya Vinayake||

Hareschatarstrah Kartabyah Shivasya ardha Pradkshina||

(For Durga(Chandi) (one should do) 1 pradkshina,for Surya(Ravi) 7,for Ganesha(Vinayaka) 3,for Vishnu(Hari) 4 & for Shiva only 1/2.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Refer to image above.The pradakshina should not go beyond the "Gomukhi".As the holy water constantly drips and gets collected there(this is the most rational reason i can think of).

By half pradakshina is meant a "SomaSutra Pradakshina" as stated in the next Sloka:

Shivam PradaksiniKurvan Somasutram na Langhayeth,Iti Vachanantaraat.

(While doing Shiva Pradakshina the order(of Shastras) is that one should not break the Somasutra).

By Somasutra is meant the Half Moon like curve that is traced out in the process.

enter image description here

4
  • Thanks for it! Didn't even aware about that.. but what is the reason behind that? There must be some story or legend behind that.. why only half a pradaxina? can you provide information about that?
    – Paritosh
    Oct 10, 2016 at 3:14
  • @Paritosh I have added a bit more information in my answer for better clarification.
    – Rickross
    Oct 10, 2016 at 6:06
  • I guess that's what @Abjo was pointing to. Can you provide reference from where you've got the 2nd shloka - 'Somasutram na Langhayeth'? I need it before I mark this one as answer - quotations of scripture references?, meta.hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/242/…
    – Paritosh
    Oct 12, 2016 at 13:12
  • That sloka is from a Achara Samhita book.
    – Rickross
    Oct 13, 2016 at 9:06

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .