Sri Rudropasana

The root of the Devata-Tree

In Soothasamhita it is said

वृक्षस्य मूलसेकेन शाखः पुष्यन्ति वै यथा

शिवे रुद्रजपात् प्रीते प्रीता एवस्य देवताः

अथो रुद्र्जपादेवः मुक्ति भुक्ति प्रसिध्यश्चतु 

Vrikshasya Moolasekena Shaakhaha Pushyanthi Vai Yatha

Shive Rudrajapaath Preethe Preetha Evasya Devathaah

Atho Rudrojapadevah Mukthi Bhukthi Prasidhyaschathu

Meaning: As by pouring water at the root of a tree, all its branches are nourished, by pleasing Sri Rudra, through Rudrajapa, all the Devas are pleased. One attains Bhukthi and Mukthi, enjoyment and freedom from the ills of the world by chanting the Sri Rudram with devotion.

Therefore, one does not have to worship many different devatas for different phalas; but by doing Shiva Japam he can get all he wants. Shiva fulfills every desire of a person because he is ‘Ashuthoshi’ – one who is easily pleased and so he bestows the wishes. Moreover the contention is not that Shiva supersedes other devatas but that every devata is none but Shiva. He is the one who is sitting, he is the one who is lying down, he is the one who is sleeping, he is the one who is awake, he is the one who is standing, he is the one who is running, he is the one who is in the midst of the sabha, he is the one who is the sabha nayaka, he is the one who is a carpenter, he is the one who is a potter, he is the one who is a hunter and he is the one who is a fisher and so on. This describes Shiva to be the one who is in many roopas. In Sri Rudram, He is variously described as having Sarveswarathwam, Sarvasareerathwam and Sarvandaryamithwam.

Shiva darshan and Panchakshari

Pratahkaala Darshana of Shiva Linga provides ‘Uttama Gati’ or Celestial Travel while the Evening Darshan bestows Yajna Phala. Like wise, Snaana or bathing from a well, or a Sarovara, a river by chanting the Panchaakshatri Mantra viz. ‘Namah Shivaya’ would nullify a ‘Brahmahatya dosha’ or one of the Maha Patakaas or the Five Great Sins.

Shivaloka Prapti

It is stated that if a person died within an easily walkable distance of a Shiva Temple, he or she would receive ‘Punya’ of performing Chandrayana Vrataas again and again. If a person died at any of the Punya Kshetras like Varanasi, Prayaga, Kedara, Kurukshetra, Prabhasa, Pushkara, Amareshwara and so on, that person would be qualified for Shiva Loka Prapti. Mere ‘darshana’ of such Sacred Tirthas is of considerable value.

Shiva as ati devata to Gayatri 

ओऽम् भूरिति भुवो लोकः। भुव इत्यन्त−रिक्षलोकः। स्वरिति र्स्वमलोकः। मह इति महर्लोक। जन इति जनोलोकः। तप इति तपोलोकः। सत्यमिति सत्यलोकः। तदति ददसौ तेजोमयं तेजोऽग्निर्देंवता। सवितुरिति सविता सविता साचित्रमादित्यौ वै। वरेण्यमित्यत्र प्रजापतिः। भर्ग हत्यापो वै भर्गः। देवस्य इतीइन्द्रो देवो द्योतत इति स इन्द्रस्तस्मात् सर्वपुरुषो नात रुद्र। धीमहीयत्नन्तरात्मा। धिय इत्यन्तरात्मा परः य इति सदाशिवपुरुषः। नो इत्यास्माकं स्वधर्मे। प्रचोदयादिति प्रचोदितिकाम इमान् लोकाम् प्रत्याश्रयते यः परो धर्म इत्येषा गायत्री।

− गायत्री रहस्योपनिषद् (Gayatri Rahasyopanishad)

Gayatri mantra has been considered the most superior to 7 crores of maha mantras. In the Gayatri mahamantra, there is the word भर्गः The devata for this mantra is sakshat Parameswara! If Parameswara Himself is the adi devata for this greatest of mantras, then He is the supreme deity above all devatas and will not escape anyone’s attention. Adi Shankara therefore points to this Maha Prabhu by the word असुलभं indicating even to devatas like Brahma and Vishnu He remains unreachable even though he stays quite close to them.

The supreme Vidya - Sri Rudropasana

In Vayu Purana it is said

विध्यासु श्रुतिक्रिष्ट रुद्रैकादशिनो श्रुत

तत्र पन्चाक्शरि तस्याम् शिव इत्यक्षरद्वयम्

Vidhyaasu Sruthikrishta Rudraikaadashino sruthou

Thathra Panchaakshari Thasyaam Shiva Ithyaksharadvayam 

Meaning: Among the Vidyas or sources of learning, the Vedas are supreme; in the Vedas the Rudra Ekadasini is supreme; in the Rudram, the Panchaakshari Mahamantram is supreme; in the Panchaakshari, the two letters si-va stand Supreme.

चमकम् नमकम् चैव पौरुषसूक्तम् तथैव च

नित्यम् त्रयम् प्रयुज्यानो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते 

Chamakam Namakam Chaiva Pourushasooktham Thathaiva Cha

Nithyam Trayam Prayujyaano Brahmaloke Maheeyathe

Meaning: A person chanting the Chamakam, Namakam and Purusha Suktam thrice daily is honored in Brahma Loka. 

The order of Rudrabhisheka as per Krishna Yajurveda

प्रथमम् ग़न्धतैलम् च द्वितीयम् पन्चगाव्यकम्
पन्चामृतम् त्रितीयम् च चतुर्थम् घृतमेव च
पन्चमम् पयसा स्नानम् दध्ना स्नानम् तु षष्टकम्
सप्तमम् मधुना स्नानम् अष्टमम् च इक्षुदन्डजम्
नवमम् निम्बतोयम् च दशमम् नालिकेरजम्
एकादशम् ग़न्धतोयम् अथ कुम्भाभिषेचनम्

Prathamam Gandhathailam Cha Dwitheeyam panchagavyakam
Panchamritham Thritheeyam Cha Chathurtham Ghrithameva Cha
Panchamam Payasaa Snaanam Dadhna Snaanam Thu Shashtakam
Sapthamam Madhuna Snaanam Ashtamam Cha Ikshudandajam
Navamam Nimbathoyam Cha Dashamam Naalikerajam
Ekadasam Gandhathoyam Atha Kumbhabhishechanam

1. Fragrant oil
2. Panchagavyam*
3. Panchamritam*
4. Ghee*
5. Milk*
6. Curd*
7. Honey
8. Sugarcane juice
9. Lemon juice
10. Tender coconut water
11. Sandalwood paste in rose water (Chandana Kalabham)

* Cow's milk and its bye products.

Mere touch and fondling of a Shivalinga is hundred times better than dharsan; abhisheka of Shivalinga with water is hundred times better; abhisheka with milk is thousand times better; far better is the abhisheka with curd; with honey it is regarded as better still and even better would be the abhisheka by ghee.

Abhisheka dravyas used for mahabhishekam in temples and their benefits

1. Cow's Milk – All-round happiness;
2. Cow's curd – health;
3. Cow's ghee – financial prosperity;
4. Sugarcane juice – destruction of sorrow;
5. Honey – Tejo Vriddhi;
6. Coconut water – Sarv Sampadaa Vriddhi;
7. Bhasm – Destruction of great sins; 
8. Sandal wood water – Sons' prosperity;
9. Pushpodak – Bhoo Laabh;
10. Bilvajalam – Bhog and Bhagya;
11. Doorvodakam – Nasht Dravya Praapti; 
12. Sesame Oil – Apa Mrityu Haram;
13. Rudrakshodak – Mahaa Aishwaryam;
14. Gold water – Destruction of Daridra;
15. Rice – Raajya Praapti;
16. Grape Juice- Sakal Kaarya Jayam;
17. Dates (Khajoor) juice – destruction of both internal and external enemies;
18. Black Apples – Renunciation;
19. Kasturi Water – Kingdom;
20. Nav Ratan Jal – Dhaanya, Griha development;
21. Mango Juice – Destruction of long ailments;
22. Turmeric water – Mangalprad

Sesame oil, Dravya powder in water, Rice flour in water, Milk, Curd, Panchamritam, Honey, Lemon juice, Tender coconut water, Vibuthi, Chandana kalabham are the commonly used dravyas in temples during pradosham.

Bilva patram (trifoliate)

त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रयायुधम् ।

त्रिजन्मपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ।। 

– Bilvashtakam, Sloka 1

Meaning: I am offering to Shiva the bel which is trifoliate, like three components, like three eyes, three weapons and which destroy the sins of three births.

While offering bilva patram, place them upside down, with the stalk towards the worshiper.

Rudrabhishekam at Home

Size of the murti(s) should not exceed one's thumb or the breadth of three right hand fingers joined together. Rudrabhishekam is to be done thrice daily which may not be feasible for all gruhastas. He has to allocate approximately 40 minutes for nithyakarma and pooja. The abhishekam done with snaan-powder in water, milk and sandalwood paste in rose water (chandana kalabham), cleaning the murtis and alankaram (with sandalwood paste, kumkum and bilva patram - trifoliate), can be completed while chanting Lagunyasam, Rudram, Chamakam, Purusha Suktam, Durga Suktam, Sri Suktam and Mantrapushpam in approximately 20 minutes. It is also easy to clean the murtis if abhishekam is restricted to the above items. Those having time and interest can do abhishekam with more dravyas.

Naivedhyam (Supplication): Freshly cooked raw rice is offered as maha naivedhyam. Dry grapes (kismis) is also offered as maha naivedhyam in lieu of cooked raw rice.

Purify water for pooja

Water from a river or well is ideal for doing abhishekam. But in today's living conditions, we are left with no option than to use water from overhead tank which may be stored for days together. Moreover, in a flat system, the same overhead tank water may be used in toilets and by ladies during their menstrual period. Then how to ensure that the water used for abhishekam is pure?... The solution is simple - put a bilva patram in the water meant for abhishekam or holding both the ends of a dharba, with its mid-section, push the water forward thrice stored in the vessel to purify it for abhishekam.

Collated from:
My guru Brahmasri Vasudeva Sastrigal
https://sivanandalahari.wordpress.com
https://vedadhara.com/archive-details.php?id=5825

http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/1976/March/v2.21

http://www.athirudram.net/athirdra-maha-yajna/attachment---athirudram