Rudra Jaagya at Dwadash Jyotirlinga of Bhimeswar Panchadhara Shiva Dham, Guwahati by Brahmon Sobha on Maha Shivaratri

Sri Sri Bhimeswar Dwadas Jyotirlinga Panchadhara Shiva Dham, Pamohi, Gorchuk, Guwahati-35

Brahmon Sobha performs Rudra Jaagya on Shivaratri

Brahmon Sobha

                          
                        

Rudra Jaagya- Rituals of offering oblations in the holy fire place by Brahmon Sobha

Jyotirlinga: Devotees paying homage, their obeisance to the Lord Shiva on offering bel (wood apple) leaves, water, milk, clarified butter (ghee), sandalwood paste, flowers, honey, saffron, dhatura (thorn apple) etc. on the Shivalinga as a mark of their reverence.      

Rudra Yaagya in progress

The Brahmon Sobha, a registered society of the Brahmins performs Rudra Jagna at Sri Sri Bhimeswar Dwadas Jyotirlinga Panchadhara Shiva Dham at Daini Bama (Dakini Pahar), Pamohi, Gorchuk, Guwahati-35  on 20^th February, 2012 on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. The exact location of Dakini is debated. The Shiva Purana and the Koti Rudra Samhita refer to Bhimashankar Jyotirlingam in Dakini. Daini Bama at Pamohi is interpreted by the devotees to be one of the Dwadas Jyotirlinga.  It is said that Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Bhima here when he was about to strike the Lingam with a sword. The Lingam was worshipped by His devotee Kamarupeshwar who was imprisoned by Bhima. Bhima, the son of Kumbhakarna and Karkati did severe penance and became very powerful by a boon of Sri Brahma. The sweat from his body forms the river. On the request of his devotees Sri Shiva stayed there as the Bhimashankar Jyotirlingam.

Rudra Jaagya in progress

Rudra Yaagya in progress

Singing 'Naam' in progress

Devotees throng to Jyotirlinga

Rudra Jaagya in progress

Offerings at Jyotirlinga in progress

Vaishnavite 'Naam'  being sang as worship with pomp and gaiety stating  the Lord Shiva as one of the trinities 

 

Red thread being tied in the hand

Shri Laksman Chandra Bhattacharjee, President of the Brahmon Sobha acted as ‘Dharok’ in the Rudra jaagya with 6 other priests drawn from different parts of Assam acted as ‘Hota’. Shri Dhiren Ingty the president of the Dham along with thousands of devotees performed other rituals including ‘Nama’. 

Long Queue of devotees at Dham

Genesis of Rudra Yaagya at various places

The term 'Rudra' refers to the fierce form of Lord Shiva. Rudra Yaagya is performed to worship Shiva,which is called Rudra Yaagya. In 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, "Rudra Yaagya" are performed. It is the most sacred and powerful among all the Maha Yaagya.  

Vedic yaagya ritual is optional for chanting the Rudra. When accompanied with the Vedic fire ritual, it is called the Rudra yaagya. 

The Rudra Yaagya is the most sacred and powerful among all the Maha yaagya's which consists of Deiva Yaagya (worship of Shiva and Other deities), and Manushya yaagya (performed with many devotees seeking the grace of the God. 

It is performed to wash away all the sins and afflictions,to maintain peace, prosperity and happiness, and family togetherness. It is believed that after the demon Bhimasura was killed, Lord Shiva performed the Tandav Nritya (dance) and Rudra Yaagya for the betterment of Human. 

Atirudra Abhishek

Atirudra consists of eleven recitations of Maha Rudra.One Maha Raudra consists of Eleven recitations of Laghu Rudra. One Laghu Rudra is eleven rounds of Ekadash.One Ekadash is eleven Anuvakas and One Anuvaka consists of eleven Shri Rudra Patam. Everyday One Maharudram is completed and in eleven days an Atirudra Mahayaagya is completed. Thus in the Atirudra Mahayaagya,the Srirudram hymn is chanted in all 14,641 times in 11 days. The Maha Rudra Yagna involves 56 highly learned Vedic pandits, in one place. Shukla Yajurved system is practiced in Northern India,however,Krishna Yajurved system is followed in Southern parts of India. Continuous recitation of Rigved, Saamved,Yajurved and Atharva Ved, also Ramayan of Tulsidas,Bhagwad Gita, and Shivpuran in original Sanskrit,is done,in front of respective dieties of the temple where this great yagna is performed. This Atirudra is an Abhishek,which is a process of continuous pouring of milk on the Shivling,sanctified by Vedic rituals with Jal-shayan(water),Anna-shayan(food),Pushpa-shayan(flowers) etc before starting the Atirudra ritual.

Maha Mrityunjay Mantra: 

It is the Death-Conquering mantra.This great mantra which is dedicated to Lord Shiva,as Mrityunjay is found in the Rig Veda,having  many names and forms. It is named as Rudra mantra,in view of the furious aspect of Shiva.Also called as the Tryambakam mantra, refering to Shiva's three eyes. And its is also known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra,because it is the "life-restoring" practice given to the sage Shukra, after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity.The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is hailed by the sages as the heart of the Veda, which holds the highest place among the mantras.

                              In Roman script:

        OM. Tryambakam yajaamahe,

        Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam,

        Urvarukamiva bandhanan,

        Mrityor mukshiya ma mritat ll

 Meaning

Aum ! We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, Shiva ! You are the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive.Please free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.
Aum Nomoh Shivaya