The Ritual of Abhishekam

In the grand ocean of Sanatana Dharma, one needs absolute focus, or else it is
very easy to get lost in a maze. A single thread of thought can unveil so many
different dimensions that a seeker is lost and disillusioned by the vastness of what
is there to learn. But be disciplined, follow your thought with diligence, the
Universe provides you with the answers you are looking for, connects you to the
right thread. It is not an artificially concocted algorithm. It is the all-pervading
divine connecting to the divinity within.
A train of thoughts was triggered within when a friend asked, ‘Why waste so
much milk on Abhishekam, when there are many people starving?’ Well, all these
questions do crop up doing Shivratri and other major festivals now a days and
that too from people who are so called activists sitting in an air-conditioned room,
without an inkling about what Sanatana Dharma is all about. The disheartening
part is they are fixated on the western ideals and do not even wish to do simple
research before voicing out their judgements and ironically the West has started
to understand our culture. But I am not writing for them, I am writing for the
fence sitters who wish to unlearn and relearn, who wish to experience and
question, who wish to move towards faith albeit through a different path but
believe in the marvel of the immense wealth of knowledge our ancestors have
bequeathed upon us, without brushing it off as some religious mumbo jumbo, in
spite of the proof which science provides us today. We are limited in our
knowledge, in our mental faculty to understand the limitless and sometimes it is
faith which leads us to the truth.
Medicine has seen many advancements in the modern era, but we still have to
deal with pandemics. However, there is a branch of medicine called Siddha
treatment in Tamil Nādu which cures many a disease if treated properly. So, who
are these Siddhars? Sidhars are holy men who transcended the barriers of space
and time through spiritual practices and attained mystical powers. They were
devotees of Lord Shiva and were saints, doctors, alchemists, and mystics rolled
into one. Sage Agastya is considered to be the first Siddha in a line of 18 Sidhars
who walked this earth at different timelines. One of the most important and
popular Sidhars is Bhogar who lived near the Palani hills in Tamil Nadu. He created
a statue out of 9 poisons known as Navapashaana, which is believed to have
curative property for all kinds of diseases. Bhogar along with Pulipani sidhar, used
different herbs with the 9 poison and made a statue of Lord Muruga. The
Abhishekam water of this iconic sculpture is of great medicinal value. According
to ancient literature, Bogar made the idol with a mixture of nine poisonous
metals. He then harnessed the poisonous nature of all these metals, hardened it
like granite and converted it into a beneficial amalgam with medicinal and
curative values. The exact calculation by Bogar is still unknown, but substances
that touch the idol are believed to acquire healing powers. The Palani Muruga is
just one example of many wonders that exist all over this sacred land called
Bharat. So, coming to the crux of the story, the Abhishekam.
A simple google search will reveal the Samudra Manthan story, and how Shiva
drank the poison and had to be cooled down to balance the effects of the poison
and hence Abhishekam is done with the products obtained out of the milk of the
sacred cow. Now let us take a look at the ritualistic practice and the meaning
associated with it. Apas, water, is the best transmitter of energy, since
approximately 70% of the earth is water and 60% of the human body is water.
When a deity is consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple, the priest
infuses life into the deity, by mantras and rituals, depending on the energy
configuration of that place. This is known as Prana Prathishta in simple terms.
Akin to a real-life situation, wherein, if a revered guest arrives at our house after
travelling a long distance, in older days at least, his feet would be washed, and
water and fruits would be offered to him, after he has a snaan. He would be fed
well and requested to rest. Similarly, when a deity becomes a divine presence,
there are certain rituals observed. The deity is washed with water and different
items like milk, curd, honey, ghee curd etc. is poured on the Linga/deity to cool
down the sanctum which would have heated up due to the rush of energy and
also due to the mantras and Vedic chants in front of the fire altar. Apas is the best
transmitter of this energy to the environment. As more and more people visit the
energy gets depleted and the Abhishekam are performed to sanctify and also so
that the divinity is transferred easily to the general public from the consecrated
space.
There is of course one more significance that we must really delve into. When we
start doing rituals, we are actually surrendering ourselves to the moment and the
all-pervading God, we forget our ego, our pride and try to channelize the divinity
into us. But we are too engrossed in the external that it becomes impossible to
look within. This is exactly where the rituals help us. What starts as a mindful
procedure of rituals, slowly becomes a habit, and a strict adherence to the
process brings a discipline in us and we realize the peace within. At a later stage,
the rituals can even be done away with, but the rituals are the first step we can
take to come closer to perceiving the divine. Abhishekam is one such ritual which
done mindfully surrendering ourselves to the process, one can feel the positivity
emanating from our environment. Consumption of the Abhishekam prasad
purifies us internally when taken in moderation and hence they are distributed to
all the devotees, who partake it with faith for their internal cleansing. The milk is
thus not wasted but it is distributed to the people who throng to the temples
during such rituals. To comment that it is a waste, is thus totally negated if one
really explores deep into the reason behind it and the way the abhisheka
ingredients are utilized thereafter.
Some common types of abhishekams performed in temples and the benefits are:

 Milk Abhishekam – Removes all sins

 Honey Abhishekam – Removes all sorrows and problems in life
 Ghee Abhishekam – Get rid of all illness
 Panchamrutham Abhishekam – Panchamrutham is a mixture of five
ingredients: honey, sugar, cow milk, curd, and ghee
 Gingely Oil Abhishekam – Increases Knowledge
 Sandal Paste Abhishekam – Increases luck and gets good health
 Turmeric Abhishekam – Increases wellness
 Tender Coconut Water Abhishekam – Increases overall wellness of family
 Vibhuti Abhishekam – For better Job Prospects
 Lemon Abhishekam – Get rid of fear of death

Abhishekam is one of those sacred rituals which has a deep significance to the
external environment as well as our internal and spiritual wellbeing. It is up to the
seeker to decide whether he/she wishes to surrender to the divine and accept
with faith or question the relevance and the reason behind such ritualistic
practices. That is the beauty and sacredness of this all-encompassing Sanatana
Dharma.
Prema Ravikumar
Seeker