Dattatreya Siva Baba says that when the world begins to remember Pradosham times and observe its rituals, it is a sign that we are moving out of the Age of Ignorance into the Age of Truth, the Golden Age.

There are three different energy levels to Pradosham depending on which day of the month that it occurs. Each energy level indicates how much karma may be released at that time. Dattatreya Siva Baba says all three levels of Pradosham are a gift from the Universe to help speed our evolution and make our lives easier and happier.

When does it occur?
All Pradoshams occur between 1-1/2 hours before and right up until the moment of sunset in the time zone where you are physically. The smaller energy level Pradoshams occur every day during this time.

The middle energy level Pradoshams occur twice each month - on the 13th moon day after the New Moon and after the Full Moon. To determine on which days these Pradoshams occur, begin your count on the actual New Moon or Full Moon day and count that day as "1". Continue the count until you reach "13".

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 the Lord 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 Lord 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. And how there is help from a higher source, especially if we will ask.

The esoteric benefits of Pradosham are outlined in part of a wonderful story of when the angels and demons in Ancient times joined together to try and get an elixir of immortality. They used a magical snake that 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 Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Hindu equivalent 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 Lord 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 Lord 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 Lord Shiva's names is Neela Kantam, or One with a Blue Throat.

What can I do to benefit from Pradosham?
Dattatreya Siva Baba 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 chant the karma busting sounds Thiru Neela Kantam highlighted on his Karma Busting CD. You can also find a modernized version of these sounds on the Dancing with Siva CD.

In addition Dattatreya Siva Baba recommends lighting a candle and showing it to his picture. If you do not have one or either of these items you can do the practice mentally as you chant Thiru Neela Kantam and make a prayer to Dattatreya Siva Baba to remove your karma.

Some of the At-Home Study videos show Dattatreya Siva Baba performing a Pradosham ritual. He and some students pour milk over a Shiva Linga as they chant Thiru Neela Kantam. This simple and powerful ancient ritual is still widely practiced in India today. The ritual is further explained in the One Minute Guide to Prosperity and Enlightenment.

Pradosham Days for 2008 (New York dates)

Saturday, January 5, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, October 25, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008