Performing pUjA

1 Preparing for the pUjA

2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM

3 pUjA traditions

4 pUjA

5 nAmAvali

The transliteration froM devanAgari to English alphabets is according to ITRANS scheme as given below.

devanAgari svaraM or vowels

a A i I u U ř e ai o au aM aH

as in

padmA padmA devi dIpak durgA sUryAřitu

devivaishAl

isoMA saumya govindaM namaH

devanAgari vya.janaM or consonants

kkarunA

khsukhaM

ggaNapati

ghghaNashyAm

ngmangala

ch chitra

chhchhatraM

jjanakA

jhjhamelA

gngnaneshvar

T naTarAjA

ThjyeshTha

DmanDita karA

DhmUDhA

NgaNeshA

t taruN

thmaithili

ddayA

dhdharmA

nnarmadA

p padmA

phphalguNi

bbalarAmA

bhbhImA

mmanda

y yagna

rraksha

llakshmi

vvidyA

shshivA

shhvishhnu

ssarasvati

hhamsA

LpavaLaM

kshkAmAkshi

nchmancha

.n and .m anusvAra.a avagraha.h haLa.ntaH visarga

Only a dot . or a vertical line I 0 a da.nDabackslash with a period pUrNavirAmA

a.c and aa.c ardhachandra cat, talkvowels are to be added after each consonant, unless a joDAksharA is required

Capitalization of devanAgari words is not done.

mantrA are in bold face; instructions, statements etc. are in normal face.

1 Preparations

One should engage in an activity with passion lest it becoMes a drudge and not satisfying.

pUjA is worshipping God. It requires to be performed with bhakti bhAvaH or with devotional sentiments.

bhakti bhAvaH is enhanced, by preparing the body and mind to be clean and by offering to God, clean and the best of things.

The five preparatory body and mind activities are:

snAnaM (bathing), vastra dhAraNaM (dressing), yagna upavItaM (ensuring a sacred thread is worn froM the left shoulder down to the right hip, wearing ornaments), gandhaM (applying vibhUti, sandalwood paste and haridrA-chUrnaM or kuMkuM on the forehead), pushpaM (sporting flowers).

The clean body and mind lead to a behavior in consonance with the spiritual ambience, often denoted by the word, AchAraM.

Cleanliness of the external body is easily achieved by bathing in clean water. Dressing up in freshly washed, clean and dry clothing further enhances the ‘clean’ feeling.

Cleanliness of the insides of body is achieved by emptying the bowels and bladder, cleaning the mouth, ears, noses, eyes, controlling the dietary intakes and by breathing clean air. As the inside parts are out of sight, they may not get as thorough a cleaning as can be received by the outside body.

It is clear that to preserve the achieved cleanliness, one needs to stay in clean surroundings.

Keeping the mind clean is the greatest of the tasks. The only way to cleanse the mind is to do meditation or dhyAnaM. And to preserve the mental cleanliness, keep singing the praise of God or do japaM. The cleaning process is well summarized in the line:

ya smaret punDarIkAkshaM, sa bhahyAbyantara shuchiH

One who sings the praise of the lotus-eyed Vishnu is, outside to inside, clean

If there is a time gap between the above cleansing activities and the start of the pUjA and if you have been engaged in doing soMething in the meantime, then do:

Wash the front and back of the feet, wash the palms down to the wrists with water and clean the mouth, all with water.

AchamanIyaM, is performed by cupping the right palm, keeping all fingers joined together except the angushhThA (thumb) and tarjani (pointer finger), pouring a spoonful (using uddharaNi is suggested) of water in the cupped palm, uttering achyutAya namaH and sipping the water through the bottoM centre of the palm; repeating the above two more times uttering anantAya namaH and govindAya namaH. As in the process of sipping, the mouth coMes in contact with the palm, it is

advisable to clean the palm after AchamanIyaM. So, pour a spoonful of water in the palm and pour it away down the palm where the mouth made contact with it. An alternative is to touch the right ear lobe with the palm; it is believed that gangA resides in the ear and therefore cleans the palm.

When it coMes to offering clean and the best of things to God, arrange to collect and have a few things exclusively for use in pUjA, preventing them froM being put to use before offering, thus losing their exclusivity or cleanliness.

In worship, an idol or bimbaM is essential. So have a clean idol, or picture of the God, traditionally used by forefathers in the family; if none is available, make a representative idol with a lump of haridraM (turmeric powder) or chandanaM (sandalwood powder); or draw a symbolic picture on a clean surface using rice flour and border it with haridrAchurnaM (turmeric powder mixed with calcium hydroxide). shrI ganeshA, for pUjA at the start is normally represented with a lumpy idol; shrI sUryamUrti is generally drawn on a platter.

Clean water and an Achamani or spoon to pour water. Keep a small cup in front of the deity to collect the water-offerings like pAdyaM, arghyaM etc.

A clean, decorated palak or pIthaM or AsanaM for seating the idol

A clean bale of cotton for making upavItaM (sacred thread) for the idol and wicks for the lamps.

Two pieces of new red / yello (rakta / pIta ambaraM) cloth for vastraM.

Jewelry and ornaments or AbharanaM.

Sandalwood paste and vermilion or haridrAchUrNaM (turmeric powder mixed with calcium hydroxide) to decorate the idol.

Grains of clean unbroken rice, wetted and coated with turmeric powder, shAlIAn akshhatAn. It is coMmon practice to use them as suitable substitutes for other offering (…arthaM akshhatAn samarpayAmi) Fresh, clean flowers and leaves preferably dry.

Handheld dIpaM or lamp filled with liquid cow’s ghee or tila oil (sesame seed oil) and three cotton wicks twisted and soaked in the same fuel.

Naturally scented incense, sandalwood powder sticks for dhUpaM.

Food offering or naivedyam (shhad rasa upetaH bhojyAn or eatables with all six tastes i.e. salty, pungent, sweet, bitter, sour, tuvarpu) consisting of:

shAlIAn annaM (washed and wet whole rice grains, can also be fresh steamed rice)mAshha apUpaM (salted bean or dAnya cakes) guLa apUpaM (sweet appams made with plain jaggery; plain as opposed to yellow colored jaggery full of sulphur)guLa pAyasaM (sweet dAnya khIr)nArikeLa khanDa dvayaM (coconut broken in two parts, broken just before offering naivedyam)

kavitta, katali phalAni (ripe, [whole or] sliced fruits)karpUra chUrNa (scented calcium hydroxide), pugIphala (betel nuts) samyukta nAgavalli dalAni, (paan leaves given with) for tAmbUlaM

Camphor for nIrAjanaM.

Representative icons of chhatraM (umbrella), chAmaraM (fly whisk), vyajanaM (fan), AndolikAM (swing) for royal treatment.

Note down s.mvatsaraM, ayanaM, řtu, mAsaM, pakshaM, tithi and nakshatraM froM the almanac.

sa.nskrit word Contextual MeaningpUjA worshipbhakti devotion

bhAvaH sentimentsnAnaM bathvastraM clothing

dhAraNaM act of having, holding, wearing,

yagna religious riteupavItaM The sacred thread; manner of

wearing the sacred thread froM left shoulder down to

the right hip; opposed to prAchInAvItaM or wearing froM right shoulder down to

the left hipgandhaM Sandalwood paste; any nice

smelling smearsvibhUti Sacred ashes obtained froM

burning dried cow-dung haridraM TurmericchUrNaM Edible calcium hydroxide;

mixed with turmeric to render red colored paste

kuMkuM Vermilion; dried powder of turmeric-calcium hydroxide

pushpaM FlowersAchAraM. Behavior conducive to

performing yagnadhyAnaM meditation

japaM Repeatedly uttering names of Gods

ya…., sa One-who….hesmaret Thinks of (Third pers.

Present)puNDarIkaM lotus

akshaM eyes

bhahya outsideantara inside

shuchiH cleanpuNDarIkAkshaM ShrI Vishnu

pAdyaM Water for washing the feet; (pAdaM, foot)

arghyaM Water for washing the palms AchamanIyaM Water offered with a spoon

for sippingangushhThA Thumb

tarjani Pointer fingerachyutAya To vishhnu; anantAya To vishhnu; the limitless onegovindAya To vishhnu;

namaH salutationbimbaM Idol, figurine

chandanaM Sandalwood Achamani spoon for picking up and

pouring water; uddharaNi palak Flat wooden plank for sitting

onpIThaM seat for Gods, revered onesAsanaM Seat

AbharanaM JewelryshAlI Wet, moist, fresh

akshhatAn Dehusked, (whole rice) grains

arthaM In place ofsamarpayAmi (I) Offer

dIpaM lampdhUpaM Smoking incense

tila sesamenaivedyam Offerings to God

annaM foodmAshha A type of bean or gram or

dAnyAapUpaM A fried foodstuff

guLa Mollases, jaggerydAnya grain

nArikeLaM coconutkhanDaM part; nArikeLa khandaM is a

broken part of a coconutdvayaM Two (parts)

shaD Six (prefix) rasa Juice, taste

upetaH Having achieved; rasopetaH having the taste

bhojyAn eatableskavitta ripe

katali slicedphalAni fruits

karpUra chUrNa scented calcium hydroxide spread on betel leaves for

chewingsamyukta Along withnAgavalli Betel creeper

dalAni leavestAmbUlaM. Set of betel leaves, areca nuts

and calcium hydroxide offered at the end of a meal

nIrAjanaM Burning of camphorchhatraM umbrella

chAmaraM fly whiskvyajanaM Hand-held fan

AndolikAM swing

2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM

sa.nkalpaM is making a resolution expressing the good intent to perform a rite.

It is done:First, by meditating on shrI vishhnu (many say on shrI ganeshA) Second, by meditating on shrI vishhnu’s creation; by chanting the praNava, sapta vyAhřiti, gAyatri and gAyatri shiras mantraMThird, by making a resolution mentioning the time, place and the rite being performed

Meditate on shrI vishhnu

While reciting the five names for shrI vishhnu in the following shlokaM, gently tap the temples with the fisted knuckles, five times. The nectar or amřutA in the head is supposed to be released flowing down and energizing the whole body.

shukla ambara dharaM vishhnuM shashi varNaM chatur bujaM prasanna vadanam dhyAyetsarva vighna upa shAntaye

(I) meditate on (Vishnu, Who is) wearing white dress, oMnipresent, having a moon-like coMplexion, having four arms and a pleasant mien

(Let Him) appease all hindrances

Meditate on shrI vishhnu’s creation

praNava (source) mantraM

oM

OM is said to be the sound energy froM which the universe and everything in it originated. OM also means brahmA, the creator of the seven worlds or lokA. Towards the end, keep the lips pursed, don’t bite the teeth, leave the buccal cavity loose and feel the vocal chords reverbarate to the MMMM... sapta vyAhřiti (seven worlds) mantraM

oM bhUHoM bhuvaH

oM suvaH (pronounced as ogM suvaH)oM mahaHoM janaHoM tapaH

oM satyam (pronounced as ogM satyam)

oM is the earth, the solar circle, the solar system and beyond them, the the seven worlds of the universe

While chanting this mantraM, we meditate on the immensity of God who created them; an experience that leaves you humbled.

The bhU lokaM includes the atmosphere surrounding the earth. The ecliptic and lunar planes are the bhuva lokaM. The sages live in here. Our ancestors, pitru, live on the dark side of the moon. FroM the solar circle to the edge of the solar system (upto Saturn) is the suva lokaM. Beyond suva lokaM are maha lokaM and farther, jana lokaM; brahmA’s sons live in jana lokaM. Beyond jana lokaM is tapa lokaM. Gods live in tapa lokaM. Farther is satya lokaM, the abode of brahmA and vishhnu. 

gAyatri mantraM

oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

(bhu-bhuva-suva uttered as one long word denotes the universe and all things in it)

tat savituH vareNyambhargo devasya dhImahidhiyo yo na prachodayAt

I meditate on the adorable effulgence of God who has created everything, so that it may energize my consciousness

gAyatri shiras mantraM

oM Apo jyoti raso amrutaM brahmabhUrbhuvassuvaH oM

OM is water, light, (earth, that produces) nutrition sustaining life, the creator and the universe

Make a resolution

Resolution is made keeping the left palm, turned upward, on the right thigh and gripping it with the right palm, turned downward.

Chant:mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvArA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM

(For obtaining) God’s grace by removing all the sins that I have accumulated…

Adya brahmaNaHdwitIya parA ardheshveta varaha kalpe

vaivasvata manvantareashhTAvimshati kali yuge

prathame pade

In the reign of the present BrahmaIn the second half of His lifetime

In His day of the White Turtle

In the of Vaivasvata manvantaraIn the 28th Kali YugIn its first quarter

jambu dvIpebhArata varshhebharata khanDe

meroH dakshiNe pArshveshaka abde

asmin vartamAna vyavahArike

In the Jambu islandIn Bharata sub-division

In the part called Bharata In the south of the Meru mountain

In the present place and time

prabhavAti shashTi sa.mvatsarANAM madhye… nAma sa.mvatsare

uttara / dakshiNa ayane vasanta / grIshhma / varshha / sharad / hemanta / shishira řtau

… mAseshukla / krishhNa pakshe

prathamyAM / dvitIyAM / třtIyAM / chaturtyAM / p.chamyAM / shhashhTyAM / saptamyAM / ashhTamyAM / navamyAM / dashamyAM / ekAdashyAM / dvAdashyAM / trayodashyAM /

chaturdashyAM / paurNamAsyAyAM / amAvAsyAyAM shubha tithaubhAnu (Adi) / soMa / bhauma / saumya / guru / břugu / stira … vAsara yuktAyAM

… nakshatra yuktayAm

In the set of sixty years starting with PrabhavaIn the year …

During the Sun’s northern / southern transitIn the spring / summer / monsoon / autumn / snow / cold season

In the month …In the waxing / waning phase of the moon

On the auspicious lunar first / second /…full-moon / new-moon dayOn Sunday / Monday …Saturday

When the moon is in line with the star …

shubhe shobhane muhUrte shubha yoga

shubha karaNaevam guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM

asyAM puNya tithau

On this auspicious day

With all the auspicious qualitiesIn this good karanaIn this good yoga

In this good and befitting time

…pUjAM karishhye

I worship …

Time slice ExplanationAdya brahmaNaH Life cycle of Brahma is one paraM or 100 Brahma years.

dwitIya parA ardhe The present Brahma is in the second half of His paraM or 51st year.shhveta varaha

kalpeEach of the 360 days in a year of Brahma is a kalpaM. The present kalpaM

is named the day of the White Turtle. vaivasvata manvantare

A kalpaM is fourteen manvantaras. We are in the manvantara named Vaivasvata manvantaraM

ashhTAvimshatikali yuge

Each manvantaraM is 43,20,000 years on earth. There are 1000 mahA / chatur (set of four) yugs in 14 manvantaras. A mahA / chatur yug consists of

Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali yugs in sequence. Being in the 7th

manvantara, we are in the 28th Kali yug.

prathame padeKali yug is 3,60,000 years on earth. We are in the 5111th year on earth

(2009-10). We are in the first quarter of the present Kali yug.

shhakaA group of years named after an event or person. Presently we are in the

1921th shhaka named shhalivAhana

shashTi sa.mvatsarANAM

madhye… nAma

sa.mvatsare

sa.mvatsaraM is a year on earth. Their names (. … nAma) start with prabhava.and repeats after every sixty years.

prabhava, vibhava, shukla, pramoda, prajApati, angirasa, shrImukha, bhava, yuva, dAtř, Ishvara, bahudAnya, pramAdi, vikrama, vřshha,

chitrabhanu, shubhanu, dhAraNa, pArthiva, vyaya, sarvajit, sarvadhari, virodhi (2009-10), vikřti, kara, nandana, vijaya, jaya, manmata, durmukha, hemalamba, vilambi, vikAri, sharvari, pLava, shubhakřt, shobhakřt, krodhi, visvAvasu, parAbhava, pLavanga, kIlaka, saumya, sadhAraNa, virodhikřt,

paridhAvi, pramAdi, Ananda, rakshhasa, anala, pingala, kAlayukta, siddhartha, roudra, durmati, dundupi, rudirodhkari, raktAksha, krodhana,

akshayauttara / dakshiNa

ayaneUttarayana (from ~ 22 December to 21 June) is the Sun’s transit above the

equator. Dakshinayana is the transit below the equator.

řtau

Six řtu or seasons are in a s.mvatsaraM.Starting from vasanta (mEsha- řshabha mAse or ~ mid Apr- mid Jun),

grIshhma (mituna-kataka mAse), varsha (si.mha-kanyA mAse), sharad (tulA-vřshchika mAse), hemanta (dhanu-makara mAse), shishira (kumbha-mIna

mAse)

… mAsETwelve solar months; month starting from the time the sun enters a rAshi. meshha (enters in ~ Mar), řshhabha, mituna, kataka, simha, kanyA, tulA,

vřshchika, dhanu, makara, kumbha, mInashukla / krishhNa

pakshe. A pakshaM is a phase of the moon. The waxing phase is shukla (white)

pakshaM and the waning phase is křshhna (black) pakshaM.

shubha tithau

Within a solar month, the lunar day, or tithi, is used to denote a day. There are fifteen tithis in a pakshaM. As the lunar tithi and the solar day, vAsarA are of different duration each, in sa.nkalpA, we mention both the tithi and

vAsarA. The tithes are:prathamyA / dvitIyA / třtIyA / chaturtyA / p.chamyA / shhashhTyA /

saptamyA / ashhTamyA / navamyA / dashamyA / ekAdashyA / dvAdashyA / trayodashyA / chaturdashyA / paurNamAsyA / amAvAsyA

… nakshatra

Stars are twenty-seven. Each rAshi segments two-and-a-quarter stars (meshha has ashvini bharani and the first quarter of křtikA)

ashvini bharani křtikA rohini mřgashirsa Ardra punarvasu pushyami Asleshha magha pUrva-phalguNi uttara-phalguNi chitrA svAti vishakhA

anurAdha jyesthA mUlA purva-AshhadhA uttara-Ashhadha shravanA dhanishhthA shatabhishA purva-bhadrA uttara-bhadrA revati

muhUrtaM, yogaM,

karaNaM

tithi is thirty muhurtaM. Each muhurtaM is 48 minutes. A tithi is also two karaNaM. There are eleven karaNaM in a tithi. There are twenty-seven yogaM. Unlike other time slices, the names of the yogaM and karaNaM are not normally mentioned by their names in a s.nkalpaM

The names of the sa.mvatsarA, řtu, mAsA, pakshA, tithi and the nakshatrA can be found in an almanac and used in the right places in the sa.nkalpaM.

dvIpaM, varshhaM, khanDaM are geographical divisions. The earth, bhU lokaM, is supposed to consist of seven islands. jambu dvIpaM, or Asia, is in the center of bhU lokaM. dvIpaM is divided into several regions or varshhaM. We are in bhArata varshhaM, or central Asia. Mount meru is in the center of bhArata varshhaM. bharata khanDaM is a part of varshhaM, i.e. India. The region around meru is said to be heaven on earth.

The sa.nkalpam could be made more concise by saying:

mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvarA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaMguNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM

asyAM puNya tithaushubhe shobhane muhUrte

…pUjAM karishhye

3 pUjA traditions

The eighteen purAnAs compiled in the first millennium C.E., have contributed to the pUjA design of today. vaishhnavite pUjAs are based on vishhnu purAnA and bhagavata purAnA, and shaivite pUjAs on shiva purAnA and skanda purAnA.

shhoDashopachAra pUjA is the common form of worship though there are five or panchopachAraM, ten or dashopachAraM or 24-, 32-, 64-, 108-upachAraM or activities in worshiping.

shhoDashopachAra pUjA is fit for a royal; scented roses, lotus, flowers, fragrant leaves like tulasi, perfumes like kastUri, a pair of golden silk clothes, pitAmbarA, and ornaments are used in vishhnu pUjA, suited for royals. shivA is an ascetic and therefore more emphasis is laid on abhishhekaM, vedic chantings, hoMaM (fire) rituals and naivedyam in shiva pUjA. Suited to an ascetic, wild flowers, bilvaM leaves, single piece of white cloth for vastraM, ekAmbaraM, and vibhUti are used.

satyanArAyana pUjA is an interesting variant. shrI satyanArAyana is the deity in the temple at badarinAth in the himalayA. There are five idols in the sanctum sanctorum: shrI badarivishhAl, narA, nArAyanA, kuberA and ganeshA, collectively known as badrIshh pa.chAyat. satyanArAyana pUjA can be performed by anyone irrespective of caste, creed or gender. The pUjA may or may not follow the shhoDashopachAraM. Certain aspects of the satyanArAyana pUjA are unique. These are:

naivedyam is made from five ingredients all in equal proportions, sUji (broken wheat), sugar, ghI, bananas and milk.

The story of satyanArAyana pUjA contained in five chapters must be read every time and all invitees must listen to it.

The five chapters of the story tell how five different people of four castes and a woman did the satyanArAyana pUjA and were blessed.

satyanArAyana pUjA was devised to bring equality among all the four castes and between men and women.signifying a social revolution that took place in the past.

The sequence of activities in shhoDashopachAra pUjA is:

1 AvAhanaM establishing the idol for worship 2 AsanaM offering a seat3 pAdyaM offering water for washing the feet4 arghyaM offering water for washing the hands5 AchamanIyaM offering water for cleaning the mouth and for drinking followed by madhu parkaM offering a sweet for sweetening the mouth

6 snAnaM offering bath or panchAmruta abhishhekaM, ablution in nectar, followed by shuddha udaka snAnaM or clean water bath 7 vastraM offering clothes for wearing8 upavItaM offering sacred thread for male deities and AbharanaM for all deities

9 gandhaM offering sandalwood paste for applying on body

10 pushhpaM offering flowers with salutations or nAmAvali11 dhUpaM burning fragrant incense to enhance bakti bhAvA12 dIpaM lighting a lamp symbolizing enlightenment13 naivedyam offering food 14 tAmbUlaM offering betel leaves with areca nut and calcium hydroxide15 nIrAjanaM burning camphor to light up the visage of the deity 16 namaskAraM offering obeisance

16+ raja upachArAn offering treatments fit for the royals.

pUjA is to be peformed, in a sequence.

First, mahAganapati pUjA; then,navagřaha pUjAkalasha / ghanta / dIpa pUjA and finallyshhoDashopachAra pUjA for the intended deity

mahAganapati pUjA is performed first before any pUjA to remove all obstacles. shrI ganeshhA is supposed to have obtained this right to first worship from shivA as part of the settlement in His war against the devAs.

The mahAganapati pUjA follows a concise shhoDashopachAra pUjA sequence.

kalasha pUjA is performed to sanctify the water to be used in the pUjA. Later, using this water the bell, lamps, other pUjA dravyaM (materials) and the kartA (the performer) are sanctified.

4 pUjA

mahAganapati pUjA

shukla ambara dharaM vishhnuM shashi varNaM chatur bujaM prasanna vadanam dhyAyetsarva vighna upa shAntaye

oM

oM bhUHoM bhuvaH

oM suvaH (pronounced as ogM suvaH)oM mahaHoM janaHoM tapaH

oM satyam (pronounced as ogM satyam)

oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

tat savituH vareNyambhargo devasya dhImahidhiyo yo na prachodayAt

oM Apo jyoti raso amrutaM brahmabhUrbhuvassuvaH oM

mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvarA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaMguNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM

asyAM puNya tithaushubhe shobhane muhUrte

karishhyamAnasya karmaNaHavighnena pari samAptyartham

Adau shrI mahAganapati pUjAM karishhye

For completing without obstaclesall activities that need to be done

first I worship shrI mahAaganapati

A small lump of turmeric paste can be installed to the right of the main deity and pUjA performed for this idol.

asmin bimbe shrI mahAganapatiM dhyAyAmi, AvAhayAmi

I meditate upon shrI Mahaganapati, I install in this idol shrI Mahaganapati

shrI mahAganapataye namaHAsanam samarpayAmi

pAdyaM samarpayAmiarghyaM samarpayAmi

AchamanIyaM samarpayAmisnAnaM samarpayAmi

snAnAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samrpayAmivastrArtham akshtAn samarpayAmi

upavItArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi AbharaNArthaM akshtAn samarpayAmi

gandhAn dhArayAmiharidrA churNaM samarpayAmi

pushpAni pUjayAmi

OM vrAtapataye namaHOM gaNapataye namaH

OM pramatapataye namaHOM lambodaraya namaHOM ekadantaya namaH

OM vighna vinAshine namaHOM shiva sutAya namaH

OM varada mUrtaye namaH

nAnA vidha patra pushpAni samarpayAmidhUpa dIpArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi

(naivedyam)oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

tat savituH vareNyambhargo devasya dhImahidhiyo yo na prachodayAt

deva savitaH prasUvasatyaM tvartena parishhinchAmi

amřutopastaraNamasi

prAnAya svAhAapAnaya svAhAvyAnAya svAhAudAnAya svAhA

samAnAya svAhAbrahmaNe svAhA

kavitta katali phalani nivedayAmitAmbUlaM samarpayAmi

samasta raja upachArAn samarpayAmi

vakra tunDa mahA kAya sUrya koti samaprabhanir vighnaM kuru me devA sarva kAryeshhu sarvadA

Tad sat brahmArpaNamastu

Salutations to shrI MahaganapatiI offer a seat

I offer water for washing the feetI offer water for washing the handsI offer water for washing the mouth

I offer a bathI offer water for drinking after the bath

I offer grains in place of clothingsI offer grains in place of sacred thread

I offer grains in place of jewelryI apply fragrances I offer vermillion

I worship with flowers

(The eight names are froM atharvashirshhaM)

Salutations to Leader Who takes us on the just path Salutations to people’s Leader

Salutations to the Destroyer of PrideSalutations to the Big Bellied OneSalutations to the Single Tusker

Salutations to the Remover of ObstaclesSalutations to the Son of Shiva

Salutations to the Giver of Boons

I offer various types of leaves and flowersI offer grains in place of incense and light

I offer ripe sliced fruits for foodI offer betel leaves with areca nut and calcium hydroxide

I offer treatments fit for the royals

Remove all obstacles for me in all things and at all times(Mahaganapati,Thou) with a twisted trunk, huge body and a shine like ten million suns

(Let) there be universal bliss

navagřaha pUjA

Draw a square rangoli and place nine pugIphala (whole betel nuts), 3x3, to represent the navagřahaM. Offer gandhaM, akshatA, pushpaM chanting

oM sUryAya namaHoM chandramase namaH

oM bhaumAya namaHoM budhAya namaHoM gurave namaH

oM shukrAya namaHoM shanaicharAya namaH

oM rAhave namaHoM kEtave namaH

sarve gřahA shAntikarA bhavantu

Salutations to the SunSalutations to the Moon

Salutations to MarsSalutations to MercurySalutations to JupiterSalutations to VenusSalutations to SaturnSalutations to RahuDalutations to Ketu

All grahas, bring peace

kalasha pUjA

kalashaM is the vessel containing the water to be used in pUjA. A pot with wide-mouth, narrow-neck is suggested. Use a spoon, called Achamani / uddharaNi to pour / sprinkle the water from the kalashaM. Fill the kalashaM upto the neck

Apply a spot of gandhaM and haridrA-chUrnaM or kuMkuM to the outside of the kalashaM .Drop a petal of a flower or a leaf of tulasi and akshatas in the water.

Cover the mouth of the kalashhaM with the right palm and chant

kalashasya mukhE vishhnu, kanthE rudrAH samAshrItAHmUle tatra stito brahmA madhye mAtřgaNAH smřtAH

kukshaudu sAgarAHsarvE sapta dvIpAva vasundarAH

řgvedota yajurvedaH sAmavedObya atharvaNaH angaichcha sahitAH sarve kalashhAmbu saMAshhritAH

gangecha yamunechaiva godAvari sarasvati narmade sindhu kAveri jale asmin s.nnidhiM kuru

Vishnu resides in the mouth and the Rudras in the neck of the vessel At the bottom is Brahma and in the middle are the (water) goddesses

Kukshaudu (?) seasAll seven islands on this earth

Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana vedas with all veda-angas are present in the water in the vessel

Let the waters of Ganga, Yanuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Sindhu and Kaveri be present in this (water)

Sprinkle the water on all pUjA material on your head, chanting:

AyAntu pUjArtham durita kshaya kArakAH

Be present, for performing the puja, the significant remover of all sins (i.e. water)

Another version of kalasha pUjA:

varuNAya namaH, kalasha devatAbyo namaH

sakala pUjanArthe gandAkshata pushpAni samarpayAmi

Salutations to Varuna and the Gods of the water containerIn worshiping, I offer scents, grains and flowers

kalashaH kIrtiM AyushhyaM pragnyAM mEdhAM shrIyaM balaMyogyatAM pApAhAni cha puNyaM vřddhiM cha yachchhati

The water (from the pot) bestows reputation, longevity, consciousness, intellect, wealth, health(Has the) ability to remove sins and to grow in virtuosity

sarva tirthamayo yasmAT sarva deva mayo yataHato hari prito asi tvaM purNa kumbha namo astu te

Filled with waters and surrounded by GodsYou are dear to Vishnu; salutations to the water pot

The kalasha pUjA is followed by the ghantA or the bell pUjA

ghantA pUjA

Ring the bell, reciting:

AgamanArthaM tu devAnAM gamanArthaM tu rakshasAMkurvE ghantAravaM tatra devatAhvAna lakshaNaM

As an indication of the arrival of gods and goddesses and the departure of the demons, And as summons from the Gods

Make ringtones

ghantAyai namaHgandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to the bellI offer scents, grains and flowers

dIpa pUjA

dIpa dEvatAbhyO namaHsakala pUjArthE

gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to the Gods of the lampsAs a token of worship

I offer scents, grains and flowers

shhoDashopachAra pUjA

AvAhanaM

First close the eyes, imagine the deity in the mind, and recite a slokaM that personifies the deity

Like this slokA from atharvashirshhaM for shrI ganeshhA

eka dantaM chatur hastaM pashaM angkusha dhariNaMradam cha varadam hastai bibhrANaM mUshhaka dhvajaM

raktam lambodaraM shUrpa karNakaM rakta vAsasaM rakta gandhAnu liptAngaM rakta pushhpai supUjItaM

Having a single tooth, four arms, holding a rope and a goad Holding a dumpling in one hand and blessing with another, having mounted a mouse

Red in complexion, having a big belly and large ears and wearing red clothesSmeared with red fragrabt paste, worshipped with red flowers

Then pointing to the selected idol with upturned palms held close together, say:

asmin bimbe shrI…. dhyAyAmi, AvAhayAmi

I meditate upon …, I install in this idol…

prANa pratishhtha or breathing life into the idol

nyAsAM or setting up the self

oMasya shrI prANa pratishhthA mahA mantrasya

(place the right palm over the head in salutation)brahmA vishhnu maheshvarA řshhayaH

(place the right palm with the pointer finger touching the upper lip in salutation)řg yajur sAma atharvANi chhandAmsi

(place the right palm over the heart in salutation)

sakala jagad sřshhti stiti s.mhAra kAriNI prANa shaktiH parAdevatA

AM bIjaMhrIM shaktiHkroM kIlakam

prANa pratishhthApanE viniyogaH

AM angushhtAbyAM namaHhrIM tarjanIbhyAM namaH

kroM madhyamabhyAM namaH

AM anAmikAbyAM namaHhrIM kanishhtikAbhyAM namaH

kroM karatala karaprushtAbhyAM namaH

AM hřdayAya namaHhrIM shirase svAhA

kroM shikAyai vashat

AM kavachAya huMhrIM netra trayAya vaushat

kroM astrAya phat

bhUrbhuvassuvarOM iti digbandhaH

OMThis mantra for breathing ltfe into the idol (has)Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara as its authors

The four Vedas are the hymns (and is addressed to)

the creative, maintaining and destroying forces of the universe as the Goddess

AM is the core of the mantraHrIM is its force

KroM is its anchor

The mantra is spread over the limbs

AM; salutation to the thumbsHrIM; salutations to the pointer fingersKroM; salutations to the middle fingers

AM; salutation to the ring-fingersHrIM; salutations to the little fingers

KroM; salutations to the palm and the back of the hand

AM; salutation to the heartHrIM; salutations to the head

KroM; salutations to the hairs

AM; the protective sheath HrIM; the third eyeKroM; the weapons

I bond with the universe and all things in it

dhyAnaM

raktAMbudhi sta bodha ullasa taruNa sarojAtirUdAkarAbjaiH pAshaM kodandaM ikshuta bhavamaLi

guNamapyankushampancha bANAn bibrAsbruk kapAlam

trinayana lasitaapIna vaksha uru hatya

devI balArka varNAbhavatu sukakarI prANa shaktiH paranaH

Red sea is …shine young seated on lotusIn the hands rope sugarcane

Five weapons …. SkullBeautified with three eyes

…Breast, thigh…young-sun colored goddess

be causing pleasures, Life Force

AM hrIM kroMkroM hrIM AM

ya ra la va sha shha sa ha ksha oM

ha.msa sohaMsohaM ha.msaH

asyAM mUrtau sarveNdriyAnimanas tvak chakshUH shrotrA jivhA agrAna

vAk pANi pAda pAyuupasthAgpAniprANabAna vyAnodAna samAnAshAgatya

sukam chiram tishhtantu svAhA

Take in right palm, flowers, akshata and a spoonful of water and offer it to the bimbaM

The mantras AM hrIM kroM energise the bimbaM. oM opens the gates of energy. AM channelizes it. hrIM breaths it into the body. kroM modifies the mind. ya ra la va and the five sibilants sha shha sa ha ksha energise the body and mind of the bimbaM.

I am He, He is IHe is I, I am He

haMsa sohaM gives soul to the bimbaM.

This idol, having acquiredAll senses

Mind, skin, eyes, ears, tongue, nose…Voice, hands, feet, …

(Let it) dwell for ever happy

indriyaM are eleven. Mind is one; senses are five [gnAnendriyaM : skin, eyes, ears, tongue, nose]; motor actions are five [karmendriyaM: voice, hands, feet, …., upasthA (middle portion of lower limbs; lap)]

asUnite punarasmAsuchakshH punaH prANamihano dehi bogaM

jyogpashyema sUrya muchcharanta manumate mruLayAnaHswasti

AvAhito bhavastApito bhava

sa.nnihito bhavasa.nniruddho bhavaavakundito bhava

suprIto bhavasuprasanno bhava

sumukho bhavavarado bhava

prasIda prasIda

svAmin sarva jagannathayAvat pUjA vasanakaM

tAvatvam prIti bhavena bimbesmin sa.nnidhim kuru

Offer some naivedyaM

Asanam

The bimbaM is usually placed (seated) such that the worship can start. Therefore the offer is perfunctory.

aneka ratna kachita suvarNa simhAsanaM pratigřuhyatAM ShrI ….ai namaH

Asanam samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …

I offer a seatBe seated on this many-gem-studded gold throne

pAdyaM

Symbolic offering of water for washing the the dirt off the feet is a reverential act

gandha pushpa samanvitaMbaktyA dattaM mayA pAdyaM gřuhANa

ShrI ….ai namaHpAdyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer water for washing the feet

Please accept the water, scented with flowers, and offered by me with devotion

arghyaMgandha pushpa akshatairyutaM

suvarNa kalasha stitaM arghyaM gřuhANaShrI ….ai namaH

arghyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer water for washing the hands

Please accept the water, mixed with flowers and grains and Kept in the gold water pot

AchamanaM

Offering of water for cleaning the mouth and drinking, as soon as a guest arrives, is a custom in all households.

nirmalaM shItalam jalaMkurushhvAchamanaM mayA baktyA samarpitaM

ShrI ….ai namaHAchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer water for drinking

Drink the clean and cool water, Offered by me with devotion

Immediately following, offer sweet something made by mixing cow’s milk, ghee honey and fruits

tatyAjya madhu samyuktaM phala ksIra samanvitaM madhuparkam gřuhANaShrI ….ai namaH

madhuparkam samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …

I offer …Have the ghee-honey-fruits-milk mix,

Then offer a nectar made by mixing cow’s milk, curds, sugar and honey

payO dadhi krutOpetaM sharkarA madhu samyutaM panchAmrutam gřuhANaShrI ….ai namaH

panchAmrutaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer panchmrutam

Have the milk-curds-sugar-honey mixed panchamrutam

snAnaM

gandha pushpa akshatairyutai gangAdi puNya tirthaistvaM snAnaM kurushvashrI ….ai namaH

snAnaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer a bath

In the sacred waters of the Ganga, mixed with scented flowers and grains

snAnAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

After the bath, I offer water for drinking

vastraM

rakta vastra dvayaM (for Gods)divyAmbara yugaM sukshmaM ka.chukaM cha manoharaM

gřuhANashrI ….ai namaH

vastrM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer clothings

Two-piece red clothings (for Gods) Pair of fine, divine garments and bodice so beautiful (for Goddesses)

upavItaM (for Gods) / AbharanaM for all deities

rAjataM brahma sUtraM cha kAnchanaM cha uttatIyaMgřuhANa

shrI ….ai namaHupavItaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer a upavitam

Accept the silver brahma sutram and a golden outer garment

mAngalya maNi samyuktaM mugdA vidruma samyutamdattam mangala sUtraM

ArNavodruta ratnAdyaM karNa bhushAdi bhushaNaM ratna tAtanga kEyura hAra ka.kaNa bhUshhanAni mahArhANi cha gřuhANa

shrI ….ai namaHkantha sUtraM AbharaNaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer a necklace and jewellery

Accept the auspicious necklace studded with auspicious gems and Offered by me

gandhaM(for Gods)

karpUra chandana upEtam kastUri ku.kuma anvitaMvilEpanam pratigřuhyatAM

shrI ….ai namaHgandhAn dhArayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I apply fragrances

Accept the camphor- sandalwood paste followed by musk and saffron

(for Goddesses)karpUra chandanOpEtam kastUri ku.kumAnvidaM

sarva gandhaM anjana sindUra saubhAgya dravyam akilam gřuhANashrI ….ai namaH

gandhAn samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer fragrances

Accept the camphor- sandalwood paste followed by musk and saffron All fragrances, eyeshade, vermillion and all auspicious materials

pushpaM offering flowers with salutations or nAmAvali

The flowers are offered chanting ‘oM ….namaH’. There are usually 108 chants or ashtOtra nAmAvali or string of the various names of the deity depicting godliness. nAmAvali is the most

important part of pUjA because the mantras are contained only here. The nAmAvali can be preceeded by 18..24 chants of anga pUjA or worship of the deity’s body parts. The flowers should never be dropped at the feet or thrown at the deity.but placed reverentially about it. Flowers and akshtas can be offered together.

shrI ….ai namaHpushpAni pUjayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I worship with flowers

OM……namaH (1)...

OM……namaH (108)

The nAmAvali are given in the last chapter.

Before performing the next upachAraM, clear a space for keeping the naivedyaM, sprinkle the space with sanctified water and keep the naivedyaM in that space.

dhUpaM

dasha dravya samAyuktaM dhUpaM sugandhaM cha manOharaM gřuhANa tvaM

shrI ….ai namaHdhUpaM AgrApayAmi

Salutations to shrI …

I offer fragrant incense Accept the fragrant incense made of ten materials and smelling nice

dhUpAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

After the incense, I offer water for drinking

dIpaM

sAjyaM trivarti sa.yuktaM vahninA ujjitaM gřuhANa mangalam dIpaM shrI ….ai namaHdIpaM darshayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I shine the light

Accept the light fueled with cow’s ghee and three-wicks lit up with fire

dIpAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

After shining the light, I offer water for drinking

naivEdyaM

Break the coconut in two, collect the coconut water and keep them with the naivEdyaM.Circle a spoonful of the sacred water over the naivedyaM and pour away, chanting

oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

tat savituH vareNyambhargo devasya dhImahidhiyo yo na prachodayAt

deva savitaH prasUvasatyaM tvartena parishhinchAmi

amřutopastaraNamasi

prAnAya svAhAapAnaya svAhAvyAnAya svAhAudAnAya svAhA

samAnAya svAhAbrahmaNe svAhA

(Mention only those that arebeing offered)

shrI ….ai namaH

shAlyaNNaM mAshha apupa

guLa apupa laddukAnimodakAni pAyasaM

kavitta, kataLI phalaninArikELa khanda dvayaM

bahu bakshya samAyuktaM nana phala samanvitaM shad rasOpEtaM etat sarvaM mahA naivEdyaM nivEdayAmi

nivEdanAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

pAnIyaM pAvanaM shreshhThaM gangAdi saritAhřudaMhasta prakshALanArthAya paNiyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer all these grand foods

All these eatables, various fruits with all six tastesWet rice grains

Salted cakesSweet cakes

LaddusModaks

KhirRipe, sliced fruits

Two peieces of a (broken) coconutAfter food, I offer water for drinking

I offer water for cleaning the handsPure, best waters from the source of river Ganga

tAmbUlaMpugIphala samyukta nAgavalli dalairyutaM

karpUra chUrNa samyukta tAmbUlaM pratigřuhyatAMshrI ….ai namaH

tAmbUlaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I offer Tambulam

Accept betel leaves with areca nut Accompanied with scented lime

nIrAjanaMnIrAjanaM karpUra kalitaM mayA gřuhANa

shrI ….ai namaHnIrAjanaM samarpayAmi

nIrAjanAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I shine light witrh flames leaping like lotus petals

Accept flames from burning camphor

After Nirajanam, I offer water for drinking

namaskAraMshrI ….ai namaH

pushpAnjaliM samarpayAmi

yopAM pushpaM vedapushpavAn prjAvAn pashumAn bhavati

chandramAvA apAM pushpaMpushpavAn prjAvAn pashumAn bhavati

mantrapushpaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I pay obessance by offering flowers

He who understands the flowers of water,Is blessed with flowers, heirs and cattle.

Moon is the flower of water,(He who understands this)

Is blessed with flowers, heirs and cattle.I offer flowery chants

Circle around the deity starting to go from left (or space not permitting, Atma pradakshiNA or turning clockwise a full circle where one stands) chanting

yAni kAni cha pApAnijanmAntara křutAni cha

tAni tAni vinashyantipradakshiNa padE padE

All sinsCommitted in this birth

Are washed awayWith every step of circling

Prostrate before the deity shrI ….ai namaH

pradakshiNa namaskArAn samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …I circle and prostrate in front

Pray with folded handsshrI ….ai namaH

varam dEhi

Salutations to shrI …Grant me boons

rAja upachArAnchhatraM samarpayAmi

chAmaraM samarpayAmivyajanaM samarpayAmi

gItaM shrAvayAminřutyam darshayAmi

vAdyaM ghoshhayAmiAndolikAM samarpayAmi

samasta rajopachArAn samarpayAmi

I offer an umbrellaI offer a fly whisk

I offer a fan

I make heard musicI arrange for dances

I sound musical instrumentsI offer a swing

I offer all royal treatments

Mix a spoonful of milk in water and offer arghyaM, three times chanting

adya pUrvokta evam guNa visheshhEna vishishhtAyAM asyAM shubha tithau shrI … prItyarthaM pUjA phala sampUrNata siddhyarthaM kshIra arghya pradhanaM karishhye

shrI ….ai namaHIdaM arghyaMIdaM arghyaMIdaM arghyaM

anena arghya pradhanena shrI…. prIyatAM

Tad sat brahmArpaNamastu

I offer milk mixed with waterToday, the auspicious day and time, as previously said

For shrI …’s satisfaction and for realizing fully the benefits of the Pooja

Salutations to shrI …This is the offeringThis is the offeringThis is the offering

Be satisfied with this water offering

(Let) there be universal bliss