Holy month of ‘Shravan’ going on; know more mythological stories about the month.

The holy month of ‘Shravan’ is going on. Hindus around the world celebrate the holy month of Shravan as a pious dedication to Lord Shiva. During the period of four weeks, each Monday is celebrated as a Shivratri and devotees observe fast and perform special ‘abhishek’. In Hinduism, the meaning of ‘Shravan’ is described as ‘to hear’. Supporting this, several Puranas and Upanishads advise that a person should engage in listening over speaking. One should listen, and observe the knowledge from inspiring talks, spiritual discourses and sermons, during this period, which would give many advantages.

Story of Markandeya – There’s a small story from the ancient scriptures that I would share with you here. Once sage Mrikandu rishi and his wife Marudmati went into strict meditation to appease Lord Shiva for a child; impressed with their noble intention and effort, Shiva blessed them with a boon to either have highly-intellectual son with short life or a child with low intelligence but a longer life.

Both Mrikandu and Marudmati, chose a child with gifted qualities and short life; hence Markandeya was born. Since his childhood days, Markandeya had a strong devotion towards Lord Shiva. When he was informed about Shiva’s boon, which would see him dying in early age, he too started deeply meditating as a penance to Lord Shiva in front of a shivlinga.

It is said, Markandeya started the penance on the day, Yamdoots were supposed to take his life. Unable to interfere with his penance, Yamdoots failed to take him along, and after 30-days. Lord Yama appeared himself to take Markandeya along with him.

Lord Shiva punishes Yama – Just as Lord Yama sprung the noose of the rope towards Markandeya’s neck, unfortunately, the noose landed on Shivlinga. This angered Lord Shiva and he immediately appeared in front of him attacking him for this offence of harming Shiva’s devotee in his devotional act.

Therefore, this period of Shravan is believed to be the time when Lord Shiva dearly listens and helps all those who surrender themselves to him. Therefore, Shravan is observed as period of 30-days, during which a devotee performs strict reverence, giving up on all the luxuries.

According to Shastras, during this period, one must religiously follow the rules and rituals mentioned in shivpurana. As we all know, the major things to give up during this month is Non-veg and liquor, apart from hatred and negative thoughts, today we are going to tell you about these vegetarian foods, which should be avoided during Shravan Month:

Brinjal – Abstain from eating brinjals amid this month. This is not a superstitious conviction, but rather has more to do with the earth. Amid storms, vegetables like brinjals are inclined to bother sullying than in different seasons.

Dairy products – During the monsoon season, the Vatta segment of our body controlling the blood stream, breathing and senses usually expand. Dairy products such as raw milk, curd, paneer, etc, create a disbalance in all these segments, thus, leading to Vatta dosha (affecting our health, scientifically). Instead, all these must be offered Lord Shiva or shivlinga.

Green vegetables – Hindu sacred texts clarify that in order to perform deep meditation and devotion, one must have a well-balanced Vatta. Leafy vegetables during monsoon, carry components (insects and unseen bacteria) that result in boosting the bile content in our body. In simple terms, foods that interfere with our Vatta component must be avoided at all costs.