Shivanga Sadhana

Shivanga Sadhana is only for gents.

The Shivanga Kit can be bought from the below link before the initiation date https://www.ishalife.com/in/shivanga-men or from an Isha Veera near you.

First-time participants need to order the Shivanga Kit with Mala.

Repeat Shivangas, who already have the 21 Rudraksha Mala, can order the kit without the Mala.

The Shivanga Kit contains:

a) A black cloth

b) A Rudraksha mala with Dhyanalinga pendant

c) Vibhuti

d) Bhiksha bowl

e) Dhyanalinga photo

f) Mantra sheet

Those who have not received the Shivanga Kit before the initiation date can arrange a new pure cotton black cloth of size 3" X 18" inches (width and length respectively) for initiation. If the 18" black cloth does not sufficiently fit your arm, then you can use a longer cloth.

The rest of the offerings in the kit can be used after you receive the kit.

You will have to mandatorily procure a Shivanga Kit that will be used for your sadhana. You will be guided during the initiation on how to use the kit.

The minimum age requirement is 8 years.

The initiation link will be sent as part of your registration confirmation email.

The space should be conducive for sadhana, without any distractions. It is preferable but not mandatory to do the Shiva Namaskar in front of a Dhyanalinga photo or Dhyanalinga yantra.

You will be initiated into the sacred “Shiva Namaskar” process and a mantra (chant).

Yes, you can do the Shivanga Sadhana along with any other sadhana.

You can do the sadhana anytime before sunrise or after sunset. You can Google the time of sunrise and sunset at your location. It can be done twice a day. 21 cycles of Shiva Namaskar should be done at a stretch.

Yes. You can do 21, 24, 33, 42, 48, 56, 64, 84, 96 or 108 Shiva Namaskars at a stretch.

Please complete the Shiva Namaskars before other Isha practices. Guru Pooja, if properly learned, can be done before Shiva Namaskar.

Yes.

Yes, you need to wear the Shivanga Rudraksha Mala during the Shivanga Sadhana period.

This intricately designed pendant has a design of Dhyanalinga on both sides. This pendant goes through a certain process of consecration where it has been put in Dhyanalinga for a certain period of time. Use of this pendant can enhance one's receptivity. Sadhguru has designed this pendant for specifically for Shivanga Sadhana.

You can ensure the following to receive the initiation in the best possible way:

a) Ensure that there is no disturbance. 

b) Ensure you have a stable internet connection for a 1.5-hour session. It is best if you log in 15 minutes before the session starts.

c) It is best if you use a laptop.

d) Kindly do not attend to any calls or messages during the session.

e) Since you will be initiated into a Yogic practice, it is best if you have a 6 x 6 ft space around you.

No.

Please avoid them. Stimulants / intoxicants are not conducive for Shivanga Sadhana.

Recipe 1

Spread 1 cup of dry green gram (mung beans) on a tray and sunbake them in full sun for a day, or place in a low temp oven (200 degrees) for 30-40 minutes. 

Let the beans cool and then put the dried beans into a food processor and add 1/4 cup white rice. Grind the beans and rice together in the food processor until it is powdered. (Use a sieve to remove any coarser pieces as necessary.)

Mix 2 tsp of turmeric powder into the fine powder and store in a sealed container. This powder can be kept for months if stored in a cool dry place.

To use: Mix 1-2 Tbsp of fine powder with a little water to make a thin paste. Rub the paste into your skin and let it air-dry for a couple of minutes before rinsing. You can use this right away, there is no need to soak the mixture for long.

Recipe 2

Make a powder mixture base:

Green gram / mung bean powder and chickpea flour (besan) are very good to use for bathing powder. Mix both and your powder mixture base is ready. Even if one of these ingredients is available, it is okay️.

Upon availability and preferences, you can optionally add any or all of these ingredients to 1 cup of the powder mixture base.

1 tsp organic turmeric powder
1 tbsp rice flour
1 tbsp amla (Indian gooseberry) powder 
1 tbsp tulsi (holy basil)  powder
1 tbsp neem powder
1 tbsp dry lemon or orange peel powder

Mix all of the added ingredients together and put them in an airtight container.

To use: Mix 2 Tbsp of the powder with a little water to make a thin paste. Make sure there are no lumps. Rub the paste into your skin and let it air-dry for a couple of minutes before rinsing. You can use this right away, there is no need to soak the mixture for long.

Herbal hair powder (see recipe below). 

Recipe

Reetha (Soapnut), Amla (Indian gooseberry) and Shikakai (Senegalia rugata) are considered a good combination for hair cleansing and nourishment. Traditionally, they are cooked together in an iron utensil and kept overnight to apply on the next day. Since the cooked mixture has a short shelf life and the preparation process might not be practical in most of our daily lives, we can buy them in powder form and soak them in water before applying.

For best results, take the desired quantity of each powder and soak for at least an hour (or overnight). Make sure the paste is thick enough so that it doesn’t flow away easily.

Dampen your hair, gently apply the mixture and wash thoroughly. There is no need to let it rest for a longer period of time.