Significance of Pradosham: There are a few reasons why pradosham dates are so important for spiritual seekers.
Pradosham
Pradosham is a specific window of time that occurs during the day. It is believed that the energy during this time makes it easier to dissolve and release karma. Stories, prayers and rituals have been built around this time to help us better work with and understand the significance of these karma busting energies.
There are three different energy levels to Pradosham depending on which day of the month that it occurs. Each energy level indicates how much karma may be released at that time. Pradosham
are a gift from the Universe to help speed our evolution and make our lives easier and happier.
When does it occur?
All Pradoshams occur between 1-1/2 hours before and right up until the moment of sunset in the time zone where you are physically. The smaller energy level Pradoshams occur every day during this time.The middle energy level Pradoshams occur twice each month-on the 13th moon day after the New Moon and after the Full Moon. To determine on which days these Pradoshams occur, begin your count on the actual New Moon or Full Moon day and count that day as "1". Continue the count until you reach "13".
If you are counting from the Full Moon, Pradosham will normally occur two days before the next New Moon, and if you are counting from the New Moon Pradosham will normally occur two days before the next Full Moon.
The larger energy level Pradosham occurs when one of the 13th moon days occurs on a Saturday. The planet Saturn is considered the Lord of Karma who delivers many of life's tougher lessons to help us refine and evolve their souls. On a Saturday Pradosham it is believed that Lord Shiva has more influence over Saturn and can cause Saturn to loosen or release entirely some of the karmic bonds that limit us.
Pradosham and God Realization
The purpose of our human life is God realization. This is an often repeated statement. But Siddhas tell you that you can get to your life purpose only when your karma has been wiped clean, and the time is ripe for grace to flow to you. When that happens an intense flowering happens, and both the material and spiritual worlds open up for you. You have a choice then on the abundance that you are presented with.
Whether you take the spiritual or material route, one thing is certain: you have to completely eliminate your karma to even to get there. Pradosham rituals give a great opportunity to build a road to prosperity and true happiness. On the 13th Moon Pradosham days, special poojas are offered to Lord Shiva who eliminates your karma and helps to bring light into your life.
There are many levels of benefit from Pradosham. On the most immediate, practical level it is an opportunity to cleanse and release more of the karmic poisons that can limit our freedom and happiness.
On a more esoteric level it is an opportunity to think about how the poisons of life, such as anger, jealously, attachment and self-centeredness, can destroy our peace and enjoyment. And how there is help from a higher source, especially if we will ask.
The esoteric benefits of Pradosham are outlined in part of a wonderful story of when the angels and demons in Ancient times joined together to try and get an elixir of immortality. They used a magical snake that volunteered to serve as a rope to churn a magical mountain in a magical ocean of milk.
The angels pulled from the snake's tail and demons pulled from the snake's head. They worked very hard and were rewarded with many gifts that emerged from the ocean, including Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Hindu equivalent of Venus. Eventually the elixir emerged. However, fate turned the moment of victory into a terrible disaster.
The snake was in so much pain from the constant pulling that it vomited poison just as the elixir emerged. The elixir and the entire area started burning from the poison. No one was able to stop the destruction so the angels and demons prayed for help.
The story continues that Lord Shiva heard their prayers, gathered up the poison and swallowed it, saving the elixir along with everyone and everything. The poison only traveled halfway down Lord Shiva's throat. His throat turned blue around the poison, as a reminder of what happened.
The science behind Hindu myth: during Pradosham time Amrita, the nectar of Life is passing brain region and pineal gland in particular. It makes all the spiritual prcatices we do during that day stronger and deeper. So, please take advantage and meditate!
Aum Sivaya Namaha.