[Chaturamnaya] [Advaita-l] Jagadguru Speaks: Siva Purana

[S Jayanarayanan]

On Monday, February 2, 2026 at 04:40:52 PM PST, Raghav Kumar Dwivedula via Advaita-l <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
 
> Namaste Jayanarayanan ji
> Monday (somavāra) is regarded as auspicious for Lord Śiva.
> 
>  I read assertions from some historians that the seven day week
> (sapta-vāra) custom is not there in the Vedic scheme and it came about only
> after Indo-Greek interaction ie., after 326 BCE. Indian pañcāngas before
> that had only the 15-day pakṣa and tithi scheme.
> 
> Do we have any Vedic references to sapta-vāra? Or in texts clearly dateable
> to before the Greek encounter?
> 
> The amazing alignment of Indian sapta-vāra with that used in Europe etc is
> intriguing. (Ie somavāra and Monday fall on the same day, Saturday and
> śanivāra are the same day - we take this for granted but how did the vāra
> cycle synchronize across civilizations which had minimal contact for
> thousands of years?)


Good questions! Not sure what to say, but a Google search for <Hindu calendar vs Roman calendar> turned up
this Q&A from Quora:
 
https://www.quora.com/Is-Roman-Calendar-copied-from-Hindu-Calendar-Because-in-Roman-calendar-there-are-7-days-as-of-Hindu-calendar
 
Is Roman Calendar copied from Hindu Calendar? Because in Roman calendar there are 7 days as of Hindu calendar.
 
"Since Indian calendar is more elaborate and periodicity division can be traced I think it is the original."
...
"Yes it is. Rome existed since the BCs. They had christianity since AD325. However, they have the Gregorian calendar only from 1581.
This was created after the age of discovery by Jesuit Priests who have visited india. This calendar also is 365 days old. So credit
goes to Indians."
 
BTW, the "Siva Purana" extract below is from the following link:
 
https://svbf.org/newsletters/wp-content/uploads/paramartha-tattvam-articles/vol2no1.pdf
 
Paramaartha Tattvam
Volume 2 Issue 1
 
 
On Mon, 2 Feb 2026 at 11:46 PM, S Jayanarayanan via Advaita-l <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:


> > (Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru
> > may be posted
> > on the Chaturamnaya list :
> > http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
> >
> >
> > Siva Purana deals extensively with a number of subjects, such as the
> > greatness of Bhagavan Paramasiva and his worship,
> > the pilgrim centres dedicated to Siva, and stories of his bhaktas or
> > devotees.
> >
> > Among Siva kshetras, Banaras has a special greatness. It is called
> > avimukta kshetra. Many sages did upasana on the Lord
> > there and attained mukti or salvation. Maharshi Markandeya became immortal
> > by the grace and blessings of Lord Siva.
> >
> > Siva's name is highly auspicious.
> >
> >   shivanaamani bhaavitentara~Nge mahatijyotiShi maaniniimayaardhe .
> >   duritaanyapayaanti duradure muhuraayaanti mahaanti ma~Ngalaani ..
> >
> >   शिवनामनि भावितेन्तरङ्गे महतिज्योतिषि मानिनीमयार्धे |
> >   दुरितान्यपयान्ति दुरदुरे मुहुरायान्ति महान्ति मङ्गलानि ||
> >
> > Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada says in this sloka that the mere remembrance of
> > Siva's name dispels all sins and bestows good.
> > Devotees should read the stotras composed by  Sri Sankara. These include
> > particularly Sivananda Lahari, Siva Bhujangam
> > and Siva Panchakshara stotras.
> >
> > Among the days specially auspicious for Siva puja, Sivaratri stands out
> > most prominently. Sastras declare that if anyone
> > keeps awake the whole night and performs Siva puja, he will attain
> > salvation.
> >
> > The bilva leaf is important in Siva puja. The puja done with devotion will
> > fulfil all desires of the worshipper.
> >
> > May all benefit by reading the Siva Purana which extols the greatness of
> > the Lord.
> >
> >   namashshashikalaakoTikalpyamaanaa~Nkurashriye .
> >   prapanna janasaMkalpa kalpavR^ikShaaya shambhave ..
> >
> >   नमश्शशिकलाकोटिकल्प्यमानाङ्कुरश्रिये |
> >   प्रपन्न जनसंकल्प कल्पवृक्षाय शम्भवे ||
> >
> > I bow down to the wish-fulfilling Lord Sambhu who spreads bliss and
> > fulfills the desires of those who seek his refuge.
> >