What is Pradosham?

Pradosham is a specific window of time that occurs during the day. It is believed that the energy during this time makes it easier to dissolve and release karma. Stories, sounds and rituals have been created around this time to help us better work with and understand the significance of these karma busting energies.

If you are counting from the Full Moon, Pradosham will normally occur two days before the next New Moon, and if you are counting from the New Moon Pradosham will normally occur two days before the next Full Moon.

The larger energy level Pradosham occurs when one of the 13th moon days occurs on a Saturday. The planet Saturn is considered an Archetypal Agent of Karma who delivers many of life's tougher lessons to help us refine and evolve their souls. On a Saturday Pradosham it is believed that the Archetypal Being Shiva has more influence over Saturn and can cause Saturn to loosen or release entirely some of the karmic bonds that limit us.

What is the benefit of Pradosham?

There are many levels of benefit from Pradosham. On the most immediate, practical level it is an opportunity to cleanse and release more of the karmic poisons that can limit our freedom and happiness.

On a more esoteric level it is an opportunity to think about how the poisons of life, such as anger, jealously, attachment and self-centeredness, can destroy our peace and enjoyment. It is also a time to reflect on how there is help from a higher intelligence, especially if we will focus our growth in that direction.

In the Pradosham story, a magical snake volunteered to serve as a rope to churn a magical mountain in a magical ocean of milk.

The angels pulled from the snake's tail and demons pulled from the snake's head. They worked very hard and were rewarded with many gifts that emerged from the ocean, including Archetypal Being Lakshmi (who is similar to the Greek figure of Venus). Eventually the elixir emerged. However, fate turned the moment of victory into a terrible disaster.

The snake was in so much pain from the constant pulling that it vomited poison just as the elixir emerged. The elixir and the entire area started burning from the poison. No one was able to stop the destruction so the angels and demons prayed for help.

The story continues that Shiva heard their prayers, gathered up the poison and swallowed it, saving the elixir along with everyone and everything. The poison only traveled half-way down Shiva's throat - right where most men have their Adam's Apple. His throat turned blue around the poison, as a reminder of what happened.

For this reason, one of Shiva's names is Neela Kantam, or One with a Blue Throat.

What can I do to benefit from Pradosham?

Dr. Pillai recommends several sounds and practices to make the most of the karma busting energies during Pradosham. The sounds are charged with these transformative energies and create a connection with the part of the Universe that is protecting us and helping us to evolve.

He encourages people to recite the karma busting sounds Thiru Neela Kantam. These are available in the Store in the Downloads Store in the Downloads - Audio as Sounds for Manifesting - Track 1 (Lecture), Sounds for Manifesting - Track 2 (Sound Repetition) and Sounds for Manifesting - Track 3 (Mind Process). You can also find a modernized version of these sounds in the Store in the Downloads - Audio as Dancing with Siva - Sound Music - Track 9 (Thiru Neela Kantam).

A simple and powerful ancient ritual is still widely practiced in India today involves pouring milk over a Shiva Linga as one recites Thiru Neela Kantam.

Pradosham Days for 2012 (New York dates)

Pradosham Days in India in 2012