Why don't we do complete Pradaxina of lord Shiva - Shivalingam?

In a Shiva temple from a panditjee over there I've heard that we can't do complete Pradaxina of Shivalingam because he is Ardhanaareshvar. Later I came to know about the story of how lord Shiva known as Ardhanaareshvar, but my question remains there only.

I've read many blogs but didn't get answer about this.

  • As we can't cross from the top of 'Abhishek' water small canel as it's a pavitra. This would be the main reason behind it. We can't cross from top of any pavitra things. – pixelbyaj Sep 12 '16 at 7:08

The Shastras prescribe only a half pradkashina for Shiva.That is why we do not complete the pradakshina.

For the Pancha Devata Deities the rules(for pradakshina ) are as follows:

Eka Chandaya Raveh Sapta Tirstra Karya Vinayake||

Hareschatarstrah Kartabyah Shivasya ardha Pradkshina||

(For Durga(Chandi) (one should do) 1 pradkshina,for Surya(Ravi) 7,for Ganesha(Vinayaka) 3,for Vishnu(Hari) 4 & for Shiva only 1/2.

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Refer to image above.The pradakshina should not go beyond the "Gomukhi".As the holy water constantly drips and gets collected there(this is the most rational reason i can think of).

By half pradakshina is meant a "SomaSutra Pradakshina" as stated in the next Sloka:

Shivam PradaksiniKurvan Somasutram na Langhayeth,Iti Vachanantaraat.

(While doing Shiva Pradakshina the order(of Shastras) is that one should not break the Somasutra).

By Somasutra is meant the Half Moon like curve that is traced out in the process.

enter image description here

  • Thanks for it! Didn't even aware about that.. but what is the reason behind that? There must be some story or legend behind that.. why only half a pradaxina? can you provide information about that? – Paritosh Oct 10 '16 at 3:14
  • @Paritosh I have added a bit more information in my answer for better clarification. – Rickross Oct 10 '16 at 6:06
  • I guess that's what @Abjo was pointing to. Can you provide reference from where you've got the 2nd shloka - 'Somasutram na Langhayeth'? I need it before I mark this one as answer - quotations of scripture references?, meta.hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/242/… – Paritosh Oct 12 '16 at 13:12
  • That sloka is from a Achara Samhita book. – Rickross Oct 13 '16 at 9:06

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