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Preparatory Sadhana for Mahashivratri

Offered by Sadhguru, the Mahashivratri sadhana allows one to become more receptive to the possibilities of Mahashivratri.

Anyone over the age of 8 can participate.

Why Should You Do This Sadhana

  • Experience heightened levels of energy.

  • Inculcate discipline with an intense sadhana routine.

  • Prepare for Mahashivratri, a night of great possibilities.

  • Enhance your receptivity to Adiyogi’s grace

  • Establish emotional and mental balance

  • Create a strong physical and psychological basis for inner exploration

You can do this sadhana for a duration of 40, 21, 14, 7 or 3 consecutive days, as per your convenience, leading up to Mahashivratri, 8 March 2024.

Anyone over the age of eight can participate in the sadhana.

Sadhana Guidelines

Introduction

A black cloth should be worn

  • Men can tie it on the upper right arm.

  • Women can tie it on the upper left arm.

Any black cloth that is 12 inches in length and 1 inch wide can be used.

Daily Routine

  • Take a bath or shower twice a day using herbal bathing powder. Herbal bathing powder is available at Isha Life.

  • Light an oil lamp once in the morning and once in the evening. If a lamp is not available, you can use a candle.

  • Chant the Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya chant twelve times each in the morning and evening after lighting the lamp. It is best to do this sadhana during the 40-minute sandhya kalas.

Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya

Sandhya kalas - Spiritually significant times in the day, such as 20 minutes before to 20 minutes after both sunrise and sunset.

  • Do 12 cycles of Shiva Namaskar on an empty stomach. Chant the Sarvebhyo Chant thrice. This should be done once a day, before sunrise or after sunset

Sarvebhyo Chant

Soak 8-10 peppercorns along with 2-3 vilva or neem leaves in honey, and a handful of groundnuts in water, overnight. After the Shiva Namaskar and chanting, chew the leaves, consume the peppercorns after mixing them with lemon juice, and eat the groundnuts as well.

If neem or vilva leaves are not available, please take neem powder balls. Neem powder is available at Isha Life.
Before consuming these, ensure you finish your regular sadhana such as Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya.

Apply vibhuti on the following points:

  • Agna – between the eyebrows

  • Vishuddhi – pit of the throat

  • Anahata – just beneath where the rib cage meets

  • Manipuraka – just below the navel

  • Have only 2 meals a day. The first meal should be after 12 noon.

If you feel hungry before that, you can drink the peppercorn-honey-lemon juice and water mixture again.

Culminate at Isha Yoga Center

Picture of the statue of Nandi at Isha Yoga Center

Culmination of Sadhana is on Mahashivratri for everyone. It is best to culminate the sadhana at Isha Yoga Center on Mahashivaratri.

  • It is essential to remain in jagarana (awake) the whole night.

  • Chant the Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya chant 112 times.

  • Offer food or money to 3 people in need.

  • Offer a vilva leaf / neem leaf / leaf with 3 or 5 petals to a photo of Dhyanalinga. You can find the photo in the Sadhana Kit.

  • Remove the black cloth from your arm and tie it near Nandi in front of Dhyanalinga. The process of tying the cloth in front of Dhyanalinga offers the possibility to dissolve karmic impressions, even after one has left the space.

  • Circumambulate (parikrama) of 112-foot Adiyogi

Culmination at Home

Picture of Dhyanalinga

You can also culminate the sadhana at home on Mahashivratri, if you cannot visit Isha Yoga Center.

  • It is essential to remain in jagarana (awake) the whole night.

  • Chant the Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya chant 112 times.

  • Offer food or money to 3 people in need.

  • Offer a vilva leaf / neem leaf / leaf with 3 or 5 petals to a photo of Dhyanalinga. You can find the photo in the Sadhana Kit.

  • Remove the black cloth from your arm, burn the cloth and smear the ashes on your forearms and legs after completing the culmination process described above.

Guidelines for Food

Picture of typical food served at the Ashram
  • For breakfast, soak 8-10 peppercorns together with 2-3 vilva or neem leaves in honey, and a handful of groundnuts in water, overnight. After the Shiva Namaskar and chanting, chew the leaves, consume the peppercorns after mixing them with lemon juice, and eat the groundnuts as well.

  • If neem or vilva leaves are not available, please take neem powder balls. Neem powder is available at Isha Life. Have only 2 meals a day. The first meal should be after 12 noon.

  • Before consuming these, ensure you finish your regular sadhana such as Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya.

Please Note

Please note:

  • Avoid smoking, consuming alcohol and eating non-vegetarian food.

  • Wear only white or light-colored clothing.

  • Pregnant ladies are advised NOT to do Shiva Namaskar.

  • Ladies can do Shiva Namaskar during their menstrual periods.

  • People with hernia are advised to do the variations of Shiva Namaskar by using a cushion or a chair.

Download the Free Sadhana Kit

This sadhana kit includes...

  • Sadhana Guidelines

  • Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya Chant - Lyrics

  • Sarvebhyo Chant - Lyrics