POOJA ( WORSHIP )

POOJA

Pooja is a very common, well known and unavoidable thing in the life of SANATHANA HINDU DHARMA disciples, but most vulnerable, unknown and frightening with superstitions. Hence we shall explore the real meaning and rituals of pooja, and it may be interesting to know that whatever be the Gods, Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Hanuman, etc. the way of doing pooja is the same or similar.

Pooja can be performed in 5 steps to 65 steps but the common practice of 16 step is widely used which is suitable for both temple and home. We shall understand first the difference of Temple and Home in concept of spirituality. In temple, the GOD is considered as a permanent resident and in Home the GOD is a guest called for a short period. The permanent resident shall have awakening, bathing, feeding, sleeping, etc as a normal human being staying with you and guest shall have limited offerings just like somebody came to stay with you for few hours.

We already discussed about 24 elements and Paramatma of Science of the GOD and its existence in every individual. So whatever offered to self is to the GOD (Maha Vishnu and Garbho Dakasayi Vishnu) also, but as discussed earlier to enlighten the good elements and worship the Paramathma (Kshiro Dakasayi Vishnu) in different forms according to the need of various energies, we are doing the pooja.

In homely atmosphere, due to lack of purity, it is better to keep the idols as it is (It contains 5 elements in stula (physical) and all the 19 elements in sookshma (sub atomic)) and bring the Paramaathma from the universe to activate the Deity and release it to the universe after the offerings.

In the temple, the premise is kept with purity and divine, hence the 24 + 1 GOD particles are always intact and activated. Hence the UCHCHADANA is not required as it warrants for homely procession.

The 5 step Pooja (Pancha Upachara)

The Preparatory Steps which are common to all Poojas
• Take bath and wear clean clothes
• Lit a lamp near the Pooja place
• Just Pray to Sri. Ganesh ( Ohm Shree Ganapathaye Namah, full Gajananam Bhootha Ganadhi Sevitham or other your favorite Ganesh STUTI, intact it will be the most effective due to your devotion)
• Offer a Pranam to your Guru or Spiritual Mentor.

1. Offer Kunkum with Manthra “Ayim PrathivyAtmanE Namah; Gandham SamarpayAmi” (I am worshipping the Panchbhootha “Earth” with Saffron).

2. Offer Flowers with Manthra “Hyim AkAsAtmanE Namah; Pushpam SamarpayAmi” (I am worshipping the Panchbhootha “Sky” with Flowers), (The selection of flowers and style of offering according to deity shall be advisable).

3. Offer Dhoopam with Manthra “Yam VayvAtmanE Namah; Dhoopam agrapayAmi” (I am worshipping the Panchbhootha “Air” with Incense)

4. Offer Deepam with Manthra “Rum AgnyAtmanE Namah; Deepam DarsayAmi” (I am worshipping the Panchbhootha “Fire” with Light/Lamp)

5. Offer Phal or Guda with Manthra “Vam amruthAtmanE Namah; Naivedyam SamarpayAmi” (I am worshipping the Panchbhootha “Water” with Fruits/Jiggery) (The selection of Phal according to deity shall be beneficial).

• The Pooja is concluded with a single line prayer to all the Panchabhootha
Offer Akshithas with Manthra “Sam sarvAtmanE Namah; sarvOpakAran SamarpayAmi” (I am worshipping the All the Panchbhootha with Yellow rice)

The 16 step Pooja (Shodasa upachara)

After the Preliminary steps as discussed above,

Step 1: DHYANA and AVAHANA:

If the Sankalpa of GOD is in Guest appearance like a Homely Pooja, you have to do the AVAHANA (Inviting) to get that form of energy to your idol or picture. If the Sankalpa is permanent like a temple atmosphere it shall be a DHYANA to awaken the energy for Pooja. It is clearly visible the priest is ringing the bell before opening the DWAR of GARBHGRAHA and entering the DEVASTHANA. It is normal that you shall get annoyed when somebody enters to your room without knocking the door. But you have to inform and make ready, that form of Paramatma for accepting the offerings.
DHYANA: Sitting before the Image or Idol of your deity, meditate on his form or make the optimum Sankalpa which you can have about that deity.
AVAHANA: Invoking the deity into the pictures or idol through prayers and transforming the object to potent and holy. The Sadhak believes that and express through Manthra that "God, I know you are everywhere. I know you are also in this Photograph/Idol; the picture or idol is the GOD sitting opposite to me and accepting my Pooja, Prayers and Offerings.

Step 2 ASANA:

This step is offering the God a seat. This is done by just touching the real base of idol or picture itself, as if asking God to sit. Mentally imagine each step- Like God coming and sitting in front of us etc.

Step 3 PADHYA:

In this step God's feet are washed with water. (This is a custom followed in India- where the feet of holy men are washed when they come to a house.) Washing feet of the idol is done by pouring a few drops of water before the GOD.
Step 4 ARGYA:

Water is offered to God to wash his hands. This is again done by pouring a few drops of water before the GOD.

Step 5 ACHAMANYA AND MADHUVARGA:

ACHAMANYA: Water is offered to wash his mouth and face. This is again done by pouring a few drops of water before the GOD.
MADHUVARGA: (Madhu-Honey) is a beverage made of honey and milk is offered for the God to drink. This is offered to GOD by keeping the vessel mixed with honey and milk in front of the GOD.

Step 6 ABHISHEKAM OR SNANAM:

Abishekam literally means bathing (GOD). For an Idol, a few drops of water can be poured on the idol and then dried. For a picture it is sufficient if you pour a few drops of water before the image. In addition to water, you can pour milk, rose water, water mixed with sandalwood paste etc.

Step 7 VASTRA:

It is offering of dress to the GOD including an upper garment. Usually flowers are offered in place of these. But you can also offer a piece of cloth.

Step 8 ANULEPANA or GANDHA:

Sandalwood powder and kum-kum is offered to the GOD.

Step 9 UPAVEEDA or ABHARANA:

It is putting on the sacred thread. It may also offering of ornaments made of Gold/Silver/Stones etc. While doing this, imagine putting a necklace on God and then place a flower at his feet.

Step 10 PUSHPA MALA and ARCHANA:

PUSHPAMALA: It is offering a garland of flowers in front of image or draped around the neck of idol.
ARCHANA: Flowers of various types are offered to the Lord along with the chanting of its holy names. (Different type of Archana for different purposes shall be done after the Pooja).

Step 11 DHAOOP:

Then show the LORD an incense stick. The incense (agharbathi) can be light it and circled in clockwise manner three times in front of the GOD.

Step 12 DEEPAM:

This is offering of a lighted lamp. This can be an oil lamp.

Step 13 NIVEDYA:

It is offering the GOD food - fruits or cooked food. The food offered to GOD - usually bananas, apples, oranges, sweets and freshly cooked rice, is called PRASADAM and one can eat this food right after the pooja is completed.

Step 14 ARTHI:

Light camphor and show it in front of the deity and at the same time as reciting prayers. This light can be circled in front of GOD three times in a clockwise manner, and after praying you can take from the flame by putting your hands to the tip of the flame and then to your eyes.

Step 15 NAMASKARA and PRADIKSHANA:

NAMASKARA: It is Pranama; offer flowers at the feet of God indicating your surrender to him. Then you prostrate before the deity. In home then offer all your prayers/songs etc. (It shall be Danda or Sranshtanga Namaskara for Gents and Panchanga Namaskar for ladies).
PRADIKSHANA: It is the circumambulation around the deity. In temple then offer all your prayers/songs etc.

Step 16 UCHCHATANA:

It is taking leave to the GOD; the divine energy is allowed to return to the universe in home or allow interacting with devotees in temple or to sushupthi till next offering.

The selection of flowers, food, etc shall be suitable to the deity and to your mind frame which may give ultimate satisfaction and divinity. There are THANTHRAS showing white flowers, red flowers, red cloth, yellow cloth, offering with palm towards up and down (The deity on earth – down and on the Chair like Devi RUDRA – up), etc. can learn if interested but it doesn’t matter until you are doing with your maximum dedication.

Om Sarvesham Swasti Bhavatu