Shiv Prashnavali
The Shiv Prashnavali is a chakra of seven numbers. You chant "Om Namah Shivaya", hold one question in mind and touch a number. Each of the seven answers gives a direction and a remedy, from a Monday offering of water on the Shivling to the Mahamrityunjaya mantra.
Touch any number to ask your question.
- Sit facing the chart and think of Lord Shiva with a calm mind.
- Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" eleven times.
- Hold one question in mind, close your eyes and touch a number.
Mantra: ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya), say it 11 times
Touch any number to ask your question.
How does the Shiv Prashnavali work?
The chakra has just seven numbers, the fewest of any chart here. You touch one, and the answer written against it is Mahadev’s reply. Because there are only seven, each answer is fuller than on the bigger charts: it tells you where you stand, what to do next and how long things may take.
Every one of the seven comes with an upay. Two belong to Shiva himself: water and rice on the Shivling on Mondays, and "Om Namah Shivaya" with an offering of dhatura. One is the Mahamrityunjaya mantra. The others send you to Hanuman ji or Ganesh ji, the gods people pray to for courage and for a clear road.
Where does the Shiv Prashnavali come from?
The seven-number Shiva chakra is part of the same set of household charts as the Hanuman, Ganesh and Durga prashnavalis, and appears alongside them in Hindi devotional booklets and almanac pages. No scripture or author is attached to it. Some websites now offer a Shiva chart of 49 answers built from stotra lines; those are new compositions, not this chart.
We compared the seven answers across the older sources that print them. Every source gives the same seven meanings in the same order, with small differences in the remedies, such as whether rice is offered with the water. We kept what they share and wrote it in our own words.
When should you ask Lord Shiva?
Monday is Shiva’s day. Pradosh, the evening of each lunar thirteenth, and Masik Shivaratri every month are his too, and the whole month of Sawan in July and August is given to him. Mahashivratri is the biggest night of the year.
Any of those days, early in the morning or at Pradosh time around sunset, is a natural time to ask. Many devotees offer water at the Shivling first and then turn to the chart. If you need a good hour for a start, see the choghadiya for your city.
What if the answer asks you to wait two years?
Number 6 says these are days of struggle and the problem may take about two years to clear. That is hard to hear, but it does not say the outcome is bad. It asks for patience, steady prayer and the worship of Ganesh ji, the remover of obstacles.
Number 2 is the one plain warning: it says to consult someone who knows the field, because the matter could bring a loss. In both cases, Mahadev’s answer is a direction to act on, not a verdict to fear.
All 7 answers of the Shiv Prashnavali
Every number and its answer, as the chart gives them. Ask first, then read.
All 7 answers of the Shiv Prashnavali
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | Favourable: Do not slacken; keep at your work honestly. Success can come within six months, and the signs of a good time are showing.Upay (remedy): Recite the Hanuman Chalisa every Tuesday. |
| 2 | Take care: Ask someone you trust who knows the field, and do not act on impulse. The matter you asked about could bring a loss.Upay (remedy): Offer water and unbroken rice on the Shivling every Monday. |
| 3 | Be patient: Circumstances are not on your side yet. Wait a while: it will take some time for things to turn.Upay (remedy): Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" and offer dhatura to Shiva. |
| 4 | Favourable: There are clear signs of success in what you asked about. Do not rush, and ask your family what they think.Upay (remedy): Give to people in need. |
| 5 | Favourable: The work will be done with help from someone close, and your spouse will stand fully with you. Good times and gains are coming.Upay (remedy): Visit Hanuman ji for darshan every Tuesday and Saturday. |
| 6 | Be patient: These are days of struggle. The problem could take about two years to resolve. Keep up your prayers and good deeds.Upay (remedy): Worship Shri Ganesh on Wednesday. |
| 7 | Favourable: Your good time is about to begin, and the trouble on your mind will soon end. Keep helping those in need.Upay (remedy): Chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra every Monday. |
Shiv Prashnavali: frequently asked questions
Why does the Shiv Prashnavali have only seven numbers?
That is how the traditional chakra is drawn. Seven answers, each with a remedy, let every reply say more than a single line.
Is Sawan a good time for the Shiv Prashnavali?
Yes. Sawan, the monsoon month of July and August, is Shiva’s month, and its Mondays are especially kept. Many people consult the chart then.
How many times should I chant Om Namah Shivaya?
Eleven is usual, and five is the least most families keep. Chant slowly, with your attention on Shiva, and then ask.
Can I do the remedy at home if there is no Shiva temple nearby?
Yes. Water on a small Shivling or a picture of Shiva at home, offered with sincerity, keeps the spirit of the remedy.
More prashnavalis
Today’s timings for this
A prashnavali is devotional guidance, not a prediction. For decisions about health, money or law, talk to someone qualified as well.
Pictures: Ravi Varma Press prints, about 1910, public domain (Wikimedia Commons).