What is Rudrabhishekam and its Benefits?

In this blog post, you will learn about the blessings and benefits of abhishekam with the Sri Rudram chant.

Scriptures mention ‘Alankaarapriyo Vishnuh, Abhishekpriyah Shivah.’ Sri Vishnu is fond of beautiful attire and ornamentation. Lord Shiva, on the other hand, loves abhishekam or ceremonial bathing. In most Shiva temples, a copper or brass pot containing water is hung above the Shiva lingam. There is a hole at the bottom of the pot from where water drips onto the lingam all the time. 

Shiva and the Abhishekam Connection

During Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean) the first thing that came out was ‘halahal’ or poison that threatened the creation. Only Mahayogi Shiva could save everyone from destruction. He drank the poison and held it in his Vishhuddhi (throat) chakra. Scriptures mention that due to the heat generated by Halahal, Lord Shiva is forever pleased to receive abhishekam, as it cools his body.

One of the powerful Vedic rituals performed to worship Lord Shiva—in his Rudra form—is Rudrabhishekam. It is performed with the potent chant of Sri Rudram.

Self Purification with Abhishekam 

‘Abhishekam,’ a Sanskrit word, means ‘sprinkling’ or ‘wetting.’ It refers to the ritual of pouring or bathing a vigraha (idol) with various ingredients such as water, milk, honey, yogurt, juices, ghee, turmeric, sugar, kumkum etc. It is done along with the chanting of mantras or prayers. All Vedic rituals connect us with the five elements (the panchamahabhutas: earth, water, fire, air and space); abhishekam invokes the water element and puts the devotee in harmony with it.

Abhishekam is not just a physical ritual. On the surface, it may seem that the devotee is bathing the idol; but at a deeper level, it is to cleanse one’s consciousness. Abhishekam is an act of self-purification so that we can create a fitting seat for the deity in our heart.

The Shiv Manas Stotram, composed by Adi Shankara, conveys this devotional sentiment. The speaker says, 'Atma Twam Girija Matih Sahachara Pranah Shariram Griham,' meaning that when the mind is united with Lord Shiva, the human body becomes His shrine—a Shiva Lingam whose consciousness is Ma Girija.

Connecting with the Shiva Tattva

While doing Rudrabhishekam the devotee becomes aware of the omnipresent, omniscient Lord Shiva. His energy—the Shiva Tattva—permeates through everything. He embodies everything manifested and unmanifested in creation. The verses of Sri Rudram convey that Shiva exists in opposites.

‘Namo jyesthaaya cha, kanishthaaya cha’

 Nama purvajaya chaparjaya cha’

                       (Namakam, Avuvaka 6) 

Salutations to the one who is older and younger, who is in the form of cause and effect.

Through rudrabhishekam the devotee prays to Rudra-Shiva as the supreme Brahman and seeks his blessings.

Rudrabhishekam on Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is the occasion of Lord Shiva’s union with Shakti (Ma Parvati). Shiva is the soul and Shakti is the kundalini. It is considered a very auspicious time for spiritual progress and removal of ignorance, negativity and obstacles. Rudrabhishekam, performed on Shivaratri, invokes the grace of Lord Shiva for protection. The divine chant of Sri Rudram heightens the spiritual vibrations that remove internal and external negativity.

This Mahashivratri, (Feb 26, 2025) experience Rudrabhishekam by performing it with Om Swami at 6.30 p.m. (IST) The event will be streamed live from Sri Badrika Ashram.

Om Namah Shivaya!