What is the meaning of Deer in Lord Shiva's Hand? In many images of Lord Shiva, you have noticed that his left hand is holding a beautiful deer. The symbolic representation of deer in Lord Shiva hand is that, the God has removed the Chanchalata of the mind. A deer quickly jumps from one place to another. Similarly controlling our mind is very difficult as a thousand thoughts come in to our mind one after another. With great tapas, meditation and yoga – Lord Mahadev removed the Chanchalata of the mind and attained maturity and firmness in thought process.

The Dakshinamurthy aspect represents Shiva as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom. Lord Mahadeva is also regarded as Adiyogi or Mahayogi - the great Yogi “Maha” means “great”, and “Yogi” means “one who practices Yoga”).

Soma Pradosh is the Pradosha Vrat which falls on Monday. It is regarded as an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Pradosha falls on the 13th day of a month during the two phases of the Moon – the waxing and waning. The Pradosha that occurs on Monday is known as Som Pradosh and is considered most auspicious among Prodosh vrats. This month, Soma Pradosh is on 26th May 2014, Monday.

Som Pradosh pooja are conducted on Shiva temples on this day. Generally devotees take the fasting from early morning and visit the nearby temple ofMahadev. The puja is held from between 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset. Shiva Abhishekam is usually performed to a Lingam with curd, milk, honey, tender coconut water, ghee, and panchamruta, vibhuti (holy ash), sandalwood paste, and bilwa leaves. The abhisheka items are collected and later given to devotees as prasad.

It is believed that this is the best time to worship Shiva Parvati. Any devotee asking for blessings are being granted by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati during the Pradosha period.

Lord Shiva Gayatri to remove problems and attain peace and prosperity. Chant the below Gayatri mantra of Shiva for 11 times in the morning and evening on Mondays.

Shiva Gayatri Lyrics

Aum Panchvaktraye Vidmahe
Mahadevaye Dhimahi
Tanno Rudra Prachodayat

English meaning - Om. Let us meditate on the great Lord with five faces. May that fierce Rudra inspire and illumine our mind and understanding.