The month of Shravan holds unparalleled sacred significance in Hinduism, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva, who lovingly call it the month of Bhole Nath. Throughout this entire month, Shiva temples are consistently bustling with devotees at all hours.
Special Shravan Mondays
However, the atmosphere at Shiva temples on Mondays during Shravan is especially remarkable. Devotees willingly queue for hours, even from the pre-dawn hours of 3 AM to late evening at 7 PM, to offer water and Lord Shiva’s beloved bael leaves to the deity. The sheer volume of devotees, all carrying their pots of water and bael leaves, creates a truly unique and spiritual experience.
It’s said that among all the gods, Bhole Nath is the most benevolent, pleased by a simple offering of water. Expensive or special offerings do not entice him, nor does he get upset with his devotees if they can’t afford such things. Instead, he looks at the devotion in their hearts, seeing how sincerely they stand before him. Even his favorite offerings are readily available in nature—bael leaves, bael fruit, dhatura flowers, cannabis leaves, and ak flowers and leaves are all easily found around us.
The Enduring Devotion: Why Bhole Nath Resonates with Everyone
Bhole Nath, a deeply revered deity in Hinduism, is often called the “god of gods” due to his widespread devotion across all ages and genders. From children to the elderly, men and women equally hold him in high regard, with even students considering Mahadev their chosen deity.
Bhole Nath’s allure lies in his boundless embrace, a grace that knows no favor. He shows no discrimination among his followers, regardless of their qualities. To him, both sinners and the virtuous are equally devoted. Mythology frequently depicts both gods and demons worshipping Bhole Nath; interestingly, demons sometimes performed more intense penance to please him and receive boons. For instance, Ravana was known as the greatest Shiva Bhakt.
Bhole Nath is celebrated as a god who’s easily pleased, even granting wishes for unintentional acts of worship. This is beautifully illustrated by the well-known story of a hunter who received desired blessings for unknowingly performing devotion. Here is the story:
A hunter named Chitrabhanu lived in the forest and survived by hunting animals. On the day of Maha Shivratri, he went to the forest to hunt but couldn’t find any animals. He sat under a bael tree near a pond and fell asleep due to exhaustion. Some leaves from the tree fell on the Shivling, unknowingly offering worship to Lord Shiva. Due to hunger and thirst, he stayed awake all night, unintentionally worshipping the Shivling.
At dawn, Lord Shiva appeared and granted him a boon, saying that he had unknowingly observed the Maha Shivratri fast and worshipped the Shivling, which would lead him to attain liberation.
This story highlights Lord Shiva’s benevolence and how he is pleased with sincere worship, even if done unintentionally.
Significance of the Story:
- This story teaches us that sincere devotion and true-hearted worship are enough to please Lord Shiva.
- No elaborate rituals or specific methods are required to please Lord Shiva.
- Lord Shiva is pleased with genuine worship and fulfills the desires of his devotees.
Sawan and the rituals associated with this month
The Hindu month of Sawan (or Shravan) is a period of immense spiritual significance, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva. It’s a time marked by devotion, fasting, and significant pilgrimages.
The Kanwar Yatra
One of the most well-known rituals of Sawan is the Kanwar Yatra. Millions of Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, undertake this arduous journey to collect Gangajal (holy water from the River Ganga) from sacred sources. Key starting points for this pilgrimage include Haridwar, Gaumukh (the source of the Ganga), Gangotri, and Sultanganj (Bihar). The ultimate purpose of the yatra is to offer this collected Gangajal to a Shiva Lingam at a chosen temple, a ritual known as ‘Jal Abhishek.’
Sawan Vrat (Fasting) and Dietary Guidelines
During the auspicious month of Sawan, many devotees observe fasts. Some commit to fasting every Monday, while others observe a full month of fasting, consuming food only once a day.
If you are observing a Sawan fast, certain dietary precautions are crucial:
- Avoid Tamasic Foods: It’s important to avoid tamasic foods, which include meat and intoxicants. You should not consume these items or even bring them into your home during this period.
- Ayurvedic Recommendations: According to Ayurvedic principles, it’s also advisable to steer clear of leafy green vegetables and dairy products throughout the month.
- Opt for Light Foods: Instead, focus on consuming light and easily digestible foods to support your fast and well-being.
