Most auspicious Sawan Mondays
Shravan maas (month), during which the “Shravana” lunar mansion rules the sky, is anyway considered to be the most auspicious month of the Vedic year. Due to Adhik maas (extra month) falling in the middle of Shravan maas, it extends Shravan maas to 59 days, an occurrence which has not happened in 19 years. This means there will be eight Sawan Mondays or Somwars instead of the usual four observed each year. The entire month is filled with divine energy and bliss and it is best to turn our mind inward to experience the still, calm and magical vibrations of the cosmos. Immerse yourself in spiritual practices and get supercharged with Shiv Tattva present in us.
Mondays – Honoring Lord Shiva
The entire month of Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva, but the Mondays in this month are considered doubly auspicious and even more so this year as we have 8 instead of 4! They are termed “Shravan Somwar”. Just offering water and milk and performing Shivlinga (symbol representing Lord Shiva) abhishekam is extremely powerful. There are many flowers and leaves which are considered sacred in worshipping Lord Shiva like Bhang/Vijaya, Gudhal, Dhatura, Madar, Aparajita, Mogra, etc.
Cannabis in Ayurveda
It is grown in Asia, Europe, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and China. It is wild in north western Indian regions.
Atharvaveda, recognises cannabis plant as one of the five sacred plants in the Vedas. Ayurvedic scripts mention cannabis or marijuana as vijaya, translated from Sanskrit. Cannabis, otherwise known as ganja, bhang is believed to have been introduced to the humankind by Lord Shiva. Citations in history write Lord Shiva, known as the lord of vijaya, once stormed off to the fields after a feud with his family. It was only then that he was enchanted by an aromatic smell, which calmed his nerves. His intriguing nature, led him to further investigation of the plant. And soon, due to the plant exhibiting properties of acting as a driver into the higher consciousness, it was also used by many great sages for their advancement in spirituality. Indian hemp, Cannabis sativa, is being cultivated since then, as a source of oil and medicine, since its non-psychcoactive constituent CBD, exhibit properties of being highly nutritious and therapeutic. It has been used for thousands of years in ayurvedic medicine to reduce pain, nausea, and anxiety, improve appetite and sleep, relax muscles, and produce a feeling of euphoria. Vetvier, organic name of cannabis grass, is hailed for its actions of that of an antidepressant, women hormones balancer, analgesic, appetizer. The cannabinoid, terpenes, in cannabis plant, is also used for it’s fragrance in the perfume industry.
It helps to balance vata and kapha doshas and aggravates pitta doshas.
