23/08/2026
🙏Har Har Mahadev!
As we observe the sacred month of Sawan, we are blessed to worship Devadhidev Mahadev and perform His Abhishek with devotion and faith. This is a beautiful and auspicious practice, and we should continue it with a pure heart.
But let us remember one deeper truth:
To worship Shiva is beautiful.
But to live the values of Shiva is even more beautiful.
To offer Abhishek to Shiva is devotion.
But to bring peace, love, compassion, and kindness into our lives is also a true Abhishek of the heart.
On this sacred fourth Somvar of Sawan, 24 August 2026, let us ask ourselves:
Are we only worshipping Shiva outside, or are we also bringing Shiva into our hearts and into our daily conduct?
If we truly wish to please Mahadev, then we must try to make our family, our community, and our society reflect the spirit of the Shiv Parivar.
The Shiv Parivar teaches us that people and beings with completely different natures can still live together with love, respect, harmony, and understanding.
Maa Parvati's lion, Ganesh Ji's mouse, Kartikeya Ji's peacock, and Shiv Ji's serpent are natural opposites. Yet within the Shiv Parivar, they remain together peacefully.
What a beautiful message for humanity!
Harmony does not mean that everyone must be the same.
Harmony means learning to love and respect one another despite our differences.
Serve All. Love All. See Shiva in All.
If we want to please Shiva, let us remember:
Serve all.
Love all.
Help those who are in need.
Respect everyone.
Because God resides in every heart.
God is Love. Shiva is Love.
When we serve someone who is suffering, when we help someone who has no support, when we speak kindly to someone who is lonely, when we forgive someone who has hurt us, we are not merely performing a good deed—we are offering our love at the feet of Mahadev.
We should learn to see Shiva in every human being.
The person standing before us may be rich or poor, powerful or powerless, educated or uneducated, respected by society or living on its margins.
But beyond all these identities is the same Divine presence.
Shiva resides in every heart.
Therefore, let us never look down upon anyone.
Let us not ask, “What can this person give me?”
Instead, let us ask:
“What can I do to bring a little peace, dignity, hope, or happiness into this person's life?”
That is also worship.
The Love and Compassion of Shri Ram
Our Sanatana Dharma gives us another beautiful example through Bhagwan Shri Ram, who is so beloved of Mahadev.
We find in the Ramayana that Shri Ram did not restrict His love to those who belonged to the powerful or privileged sections of society. He lovingly embraced and honoured those who were living outside the mainstream of society.
He accepted the love and devotion of Nishad Raj Guha, and He gave the same heartfelt respect to Mata Shabari.
Shri Ram saw devotion where society might have seen status, caste, poverty, or social position.
This is the greatness of Divine love.
And when we remember that Shiva Himself worships and loves Shri Ram, we understand that the teachings of Shiva and Ram lead us toward the same truth:
Love. Compassion. Humility. Service. Respect. Dharma.
So, yes, let us worship Shiva.
Let us perform Rudrabhishek.
Let us offer Bel Patra.
Let us chant Om Namah Shivaya.
But after leaving the temple, let us carry Shiva with us.
Let us carry His compassion into our homes.
Let us carry His peace into our workplaces.
Let us carry His kindness into our communities.
Let us carry His love toward those who are suffering and those who have been forgotten.
That is when worship becomes transformation.
What Does the Bel Patra Teach Us?
We lovingly offer Bel Patra to Mahadev.
Let that Bel Patra also remind us to remove the inner impurities from our own lives:
Ahankar — ego.
Kapat — deceit.
Irshya — jealousy.
Dvesh — hatred.
Krodh — anger.
Swarth — selfishness.
Let us clean the temple of our heart.
Because when the heart becomes pure, we can truly invite:
“Mahadev, please come and reside within me.”
The Bhagavad Gita beautifully teaches:
“Adveshta sarva-bhutanam maitrah karuna eva cha,
Nirmamo nirahankarah sama-duhkha-sukhah kshami.”
One who has hatred toward no living being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from ego and possessiveness, balanced in happiness and sorrow, and forgiving—is dear to the Divine.
This is the very spirit we should bring into our lives.
When the Halahala poison emerged and threatened the universe, Mahadev drank it for the protection of creation.
He accepted the suffering so that others could live.
The serpent around His neck reminds us that difficulties, fear, negativity, and challenges will come into our lives.
But Shiva teaches us:
Do not be afraid.
Do not lose your peace.
Do not abandon Dharma.
Remain steady.
Remain compassionate.
Continue to serve.
We may encounter many forms of “poison” in life—anger, hatred, jealousy, criticism, disappointment, betrayal, and hardship.
Let us learn from Shiva how to hold these difficulties with awareness without allowing them to poison our hearts.
Let This Sawan Change Us
Therefore, this Sawan, let our Abhishek be more than a ritual.
Let every drop of water offered to Mahadev wash away our anger.
Let every Bel Patra remind us to surrender our ego.
Let every chant of Om Namah Shivaya awaken compassion.
Let every Darshan teach us to see God in every heart.
Let every act of service become an offering to Shiva.
Let us serve all, love all, help those in need, and respect all, knowing that the Divine resides within everyone.
If someone is hungry, feed them.
If someone is suffering, help them.
If someone is lonely, give them your time.
If someone has fallen, help them rise.
If someone is rejected by society, give them dignity.
And if someone is different from us, do not respond with hatred—respond with understanding and love.
This too is Shiva Puja.
This too is Rudrabhishek.
This too is Bhakti.
Because ultimately, the greatest temple is the human heart.
And the greatest offering is pure love expressed through selfless action.
On this sacred fourth Somvar of Sawan, 24 August 2026, let us pray together:
“Hey Mahadev,
make my heart peaceful like Yours. Remove my ego, anger, jealousy, and hatred. Give me the strength to serve those in need.
Give me the wisdom to respect every human being. Help me see Your Divine presence in every heart. Let my family be filled with love. Let my society be filled with compassion. Let my actions bring peace where there is conflict,
hope where there is despair,
and love where there is hatred.
May I not only worship You, Mahadev, but also live the love and compassion that You teach us.”
Join Us for Evening Rudrabhishek
With devotion and love, I warmly invite all devotees and families to join us for an Evening Rudrabhishek on the Parad Shivling at:
Shiv Shakti Ashram, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Monday, 24 August 2026 — Fourth Somvar of Sawan
Come with your family. Come with devotion. Come with an open heart.
Let us worship Mahadev together, and let us also make a sincere resolve to live His message of love, compassion, service, peace, and Dharma.
To confirm your participation, please call or message asap:
+63 917 185 1825
+63 962 253 1032
Gurudev Healing Priest Acharya Prem “Maharaj Pandey”
Serving globally — Based in Manila since 2002
Har Har Mahadev!
Om Namah Shivaya!
Serve All • Love All • See Shiva in All
