ALL THINGS in this vast creation function upon definite laws. There is always a beautiful system and sound rationale governing every phenomenon and process, mundane or mystical. Just as gross elements and physical forces operate variously under different sorts of states and conditions, so too the subtler and higher forces respond and react in the inner mystic planes and in the purely spiritual processes like worship, prayer, meditation, etc. Therefore, you will find definite injunctions for performing certain types of worship in the morning, certain other injunctions for the midday prayers and still others for the night worship. Again, some observances are meant to he done during certain phases of the moon, some when a particular star is in the ascendent, or at the time of a particular conjunction of planets.

The Pradosha worship is to he done in the evening twilight on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight. It is the worship of Lord Shiva for victory and success in all undertakings and the fulfillment of all your heart's cherished desires. When you wish to propitiate a superior person to obtain some favour from him, don't you naturally approach him at a moment when he is likely to be in a very pleasant frame of mind? You will perhaps see him after he has had a good dinner and is cheerfully chatting with a friend in a hearty, expansive mood. Even so, the Hindu, especially the Hindu who is engaged in the motivated type of worship usually selects the pleasant aspect of God for his worship. He performs it at a time which the ancient Rishis experienced as being the most efficacious in propitiating the Deity. The Pradosha worship is based on such mystic psychology.

Pradosha is the worship of Lord Shiva and Parvati in an extremely propitious mood. Repeatedly worsted in war by the demons, the gods approached Lord Shiva to bless them with a leader for their celestial hosts. They came at twilight on the 13th day of the lunar fortnight and found the Lord in the blissful company of His consort, Parvati. Hymned and glorified by them, Shiva immediately granted them their prayerful request. Hence the extreme auspiciousness of the period.

The Skanda Purana relates how Sandilya Muni prescribed this Vrata to a certain Brahmin lady. She came to the sage with two boys, her son Suchivrata and an orphan prince named Dharmagupta whose father was slain in battle and the kingdom overrun by enemies.

Acting upon the sag's advice, the woman and the boys performed the Vrata with great devotion. After four months, that is, during the eighth Pradosh, Suchivrata obtained the nectar pot and drank the ambrosia. The prince Dharmagupta won the hand of a celestial princess and, with the help of the celestial king Lord Shiva, his enemies were slain and his kinngdom restored to him. Dharmagupta then attained the Lord's supreme abode. So easily, and yet so greatly is the Lord of Kailas pleased by this Vrata.

One who takes this Vrata fasts on that day, and keeps vigil at night after the fast is over. Bathing an hour before sunset the worshipper first performs a preliminary worship of Lord Shiva together with all the others of the divine family, namely, Parvati, Ganesha, Skanda and Nandi. After the Ganesha worship, Lord Shiva is invoked in the special kalasha placed on a square mandala with drawn lotus spread over with darbha grass. After the formal worship has been completed, the Pradosh story is read out and heard by the assembled devotees. This is followed by the recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times. In the end the sacred Kalasha water is taken, the sacred ash is applied to the forehead and the sacred water which was used to bathe the Lord is drunk. A Gift of a pot, a cloth and an image of God is given to a Brahmin to conclude the worship.

A very important point to be remembered in this connection is that during this auspicious period, all the hosts of celestial being and gods come down from the heavens and attend the worship in their subtle forms. This adds immensely to the sanctity of the worship.

This Vrata is highly lauded by the scriptures and is of very great sanctity and importance to the worshippers of lord Shiva. The mere sight of the Deity in a temple during this period will destroy all sins and bestow bountiful blessings upon the fortunate beholder. Even a single bael leaf (leaf taken from the wood-apple tree) offered to the Lord at this unique auspicious moment equals a hundred Mahapujas. It is usual to have special additional lights in the shrine during the Pradosha. To light even a single wick at this juncture is very meritorious and productive of untold benefits, material as well as spiritual. Most fortunate and blessed is the person who performs the Pradosha Vrata, for upon him Lord Shiva showers His choicest Grace and blessings in a very short time.