Offering milk to Lord Shiva is a common religious practice in Hinduism. The milk is considered a devotional offering and is poured over the Shiva lingam during rituals and prayers. A question that often arises is whether the milk offered to Lord Shiva can be consumed or if it should be returned unused. There are different views on this matter based on scriptural interpretations, customary practices, and personal opinions.
Overview of Offering Milk to Shiva
Milk is considered to be a pure and sacred offering in Hindu rituals. According to beliefs, pouring milk on the Shiv lingam signifies nourishing Lord Shiva and evoking his blessings. It is an expression of devotion and faith. The Lingam symbolizes the spiritual presence of Lord Shiva and milk represents purity and nutrition.
Usually, the milk is poured from a bowl or vessel over the Lingam. It flows down the contours of the Lingam and collects in a basin or drain below. The milk abhishek or offering is done while chanting mantras and prayers to Lord Shiva. People can offer the milk themselves when they visit temples or priests can perform the ritual elaborately during worship ceremonies.
Scriptural References
Several Hindu scriptures and texts describe the practice of offering milk to Lord Shiva. They provide an understanding of the significance, procedures, and beliefs associated with this ritual.
The Shiva Purana
The Shiva Purana, one of the eighteen major Puranas, contains detailed accounts of worshipping Lord Shiva through milk offerings or abhishekam. It explains the correct way of performing the abhishekam and its spiritual benefits. As per the text, milk offered to Shiva pleases all the gods, sages, and devotees of Shiva.
The Linga Purana
The Linga Purana also discusses the ritualistic worship of the Shiva Lingam. It states that by offering milk to the Lingam, which is a manifestation of Shiva, a devotee can attain peace, prosperity, and liberation. The text endorses bathing the Lingam in milk and partaking of the offering as prasad.
The Skanda Purana
The Skanda Purana emphasizes the greatness of worshipping Shiva through abhishekam. It states that Lord Shiva is pleased when one performs abhishekam using milk and other offerings. According to the text, doing milk abhishekam provides purification, fulfillment of desires, and finally moksha.
Overall, most Hindu scriptures validate the significance of milk abhishekam and its spiritual merits for devotees.
Customary Traditions and Beliefs
In addition to scriptural accounts, customary traditions and localized beliefs also influence how milk offered to Shiva is treated by worshippers.
Common Practices
At many temples and shrines of Lord Shiva, it is a common practice to collect the milk poured over the Lingam in a vessel for distribution as prasad. Devotees consume this as teerth or holy water blessed through contact with the Lingam.
Usually, small amounts are sprinkled over devotees or served in cups for drinking. Many believers partake of this prasad with faith to receive Shiva’s grace.
In South Indian Shiva temples, the milk poured on the Lingam flows into drainage canals surrounding the shrine. Devotees collect this milk too as sacred teerth.
Local Traditions
Some specific temples and regions in India have localized traditions regarding milk offered to Shiva idols. At the Lingaraj temple in Odisha, the milk poured on the Lingam flows out through a channel and is consumed by devotees as mahaprasad.
However, at the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, the milk flows out through underground channels into wells, ponds, and groves within the temple complex. Devotees do not collect or consume this milk as per tradition.
Therefore, customary practices regarding the use of offered milk tend to vary across temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Perspectives from Spiritual Leaders
In the absence of explicit directives, perspectives from spiritual teachers, saints, and scholars also influence a devotee’s stance on partaking milk offered to Shiva.
Approving Viewpoint
Several spiritual leaders approve and endorse the practice of consuming the milk used for Shiva abhishekam. Prominent gurus like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have stated that the milk becomes sacred and pure after being offered to Lord Shiva. They advise that there is no problem in consuming this prasad and that it will purify the person partaking it.
According to them, the act of offering milk is ultimately for the benefit and blessing of the devotees. So once offered to the deity, it can be accepted back as teerth.
Disapproving Perspective
However, some spiritual teachers disapprove of partaking the milk offered for Shiva abhishekam. According to them, the milk is meant only for the Lord and not for human consumption after being offered. Once used for divine worship, it should not be reused for mundane purposes.
These gurus believe that consuming such milk goes against spiritual etiquette and may even be sacrilegious. They think devotees should avoid taking back the milk after it has been handed over as devotional offering.
Potential Concerns
In addition to varying standpoints, there are some practical concerns that may influence a person’s decision on whether or not to drink milk offered to Shiva idols.
Hygiene and Impurities
Milk offered in open containers and spilled over temple surfaces may get contaminated or polluted. Consuming such milk could be unhygienic and make people sick. Some pathogens and impurities could spread through this route.
Also, the channels transporting the used milk could get unclean over time. Drinking milk passed through such conduits can be risky from a health perspective.
Adulteration
There have been some reports about milk offered at temples being artificially adulterated to increase the quantity. Adding water, starch, urea etc. to the milk can make it harmful for consumption after the puja.
However, at well-managed temples with trustworthy priests, such risks may be lower.
Personal Preferences
Some people may refrain from consuming such milk merely out of personal preference or distaste. They may be uncomfortable at a psychological level drinking something already offered to a deity or spilled on a temple surface, even if it allowed from a religious viewpoint.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are conflicting viewpoints on whether devotees should drink the milk offered to Lord Shiva during abhishekam rituals. Scriptures seem to sanctify the practice but customs vary across temples. Some spiritual masters approve of it while others denounce it.
Much depends on individual perspective and faith ultimately. Consuming the sanctified milk is seen as a blessing by many. But some avoid it out of personal reservations or concerns about hygiene and health risks involved.
Temple administration practices regarding handling of the offerings also determine whether drinking the milk can be safe and hygienic for devotees. Proper care needs to be ensured to mitigate adulteration or contamination issues.
Overall, the practice of offering milk to Lord Shiva continues to be an important and sacred aspect of Hindu worship. Devotees can make their personal choice on consuming the offered milk based on faith, customary norms, and practical considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it forbidden to drink milk offered to Lord Shiva?
There are no universal prohibitions regarding drinking milk offered to Lord Shiva. Scriptures and most Hindu Acharyas approve of partaking it as teerth. However, some gurus discourage reuse while certain temples prohibit collecting the offerings.
Does the milk change after being offered to Shivling?
There are no material or chemical changes in the milk after it is poured on the Shivling. However, the milk is believed to be instilled with divine blessings and spiritual potency after being offered to Lord Shiva.
Is it ok for anyone to drink the Shivling milk?
Most temples freely allow devotees to partake a little of the offered milk as prasad. But people having contagious illnesses or infections should avoid direct contact, to prevent transmitting diseases. Non-Hindus may also refrain out of respect.
What is the spiritual benefit of drinking Shivling milk?
As per Hindu beliefs, drinking the consecrated milk gives Shiva’s blessings, purifies mind and body, fulfils desires, and helps attain moksha eventually. The teerth is considered spiritually uplifting.
Is it safe to drink milk that has fallen on the floor?
It is best to avoid drinking milk that has spilled on the ground directly, due to risks of contamination. One should collect only milk that flows through designated channels into containers, for safety.
| Perspective | View on drinking milk offered to Shiva |
|---|---|
| Scriptures | Approve it as sacred teerth |
| Customary practices | Vary across temples and regions |
| Spiritual leaders | Differing viewpoints |
| Hygiene aspect | Risk of contamination if milk falls on floor |
| Personal choice | Depends on individual faith and beliefs |
Importance of Milk in Hindu Worship
Milk holds special significance in Hinduism and is integral to worship rituals because:
- It represents purity, nourishment, and prosperity
- Pouring milk is a symbolic way to nourish and bathe the deity
- The white color depicts purity and sattva
- It is regarded as one of the purest offerings to the gods
- Scriptures endorse milk for abhishekam and sacred bathing
- Giving milk pleases the deities and evokes their blessings
Thus, milk is valued in Hinduism for both its material and symbolic importance. However, moderation is advisable while using milk for religious rituals.
Recommended Practices for Temples
To maintain safety, purity and sanctity of milk used in Shiva abhishekam, temples can adopt these practices:
- Use designated stone vessels to pour milk over idols
- Ensure proper drainage channels to collect outflow
- Close open oil lamps during ritual to avoid contamination
- Priests can collect milk in hygienic containers post-worship
- Provide small disposable cups to devotees for drinking prasad
- Keep premises clean; sanitize drainage areas periodically
- Avoid adding anything extra to milk for abhishekam
- Ensure purity through checks and CCTV monitoring if possible
Following good practices and discipline enhances the sanctity, divinity, and safety of worship rituals for devotees.
Personal Practices for Devotees
Devotees can keep the following in mind when receiving milk offered to Shiva idols:
- Check that milk flows from designated outlets only
- Avoid collecting milk that has spilled onto the floor
- Receive prasad in small quantities in disposable cups
- Do not touch mouth directly to taps or cups
- Pour only into your own cup or hands
- Chant Shiva’s name and mantras while partaking prasad
- Do not partake if you have infections or feel unwell
- Feel blessed, not entitled, to receive the sacred teerth
Following discipline, hygiene and care ensures devotees get maximum spiritual benefit from partaking such prasad.
Conclusion
To conclude, the practice of offering milk to Lord Shiva has deep religious significance in Hinduism. Consuming this milk as sacred teerth is approved in scriptures but local customs vary. From a hygiene perspective, care must be taken by temples and devotees while handling milk that has been offered.
Most spiritual leaders endorse partaking a small amount of such prasad. Ultimately, faith and individual conscience guide the devotee’s personal choice. Receiving the consecrated milk is seen as a blessing by most worshippers.
With precautions and discipline, partaking milk poured on the Shivling can become a spiritually enriching act for devotees.
