Performing A Pooja
Performing A Pooja
Performing A Pooja
2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM
3 pUjA traditions
pUjA
nAmAvali
The transliteration froM devanAgari to English alphabets is according to ITRANS scheme as
given below.
a A i I u U ř e ai o au aM aH
as in
k kh g gh ng
karunA sukhaM gaNapati ghaNashyAm mangala
ch chh j jh gn
chitra chhatraM janakA jhamelA gnaneshvar
T Th D Dh N
naTarAjA jyeshTha manDita karA mUDhA gaNeshA
t th d dh n
taruN maithili dayA dharmA narmadA
p ph b bh m
padmA phalguNi balarAmA bhImA manda
y r l v sh
yagna raksha lakshmi vidyA shivA
shh s h L ksh
vishhnu sarasvati hamsA pavaLaM kAmAkshi
nch
mancha
.n and .m anusvAra
.a avagraha
.h haLa.nta
H visarga
. or a vertical line I
Only a dot 0 a da.nDa
backslash with a period pUrNavirAmA
a.c and aa.c ardhachandra cat, talk
vowels are to be added after each consonant, unless a joDAksharA is required
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.
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:
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 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.
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)
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.
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
Note down s.mvatsaraM, ayanaM, řtu, mAsaM, pakshaM, tithi and nakshatraM froM the
almanac.
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 mantraM
Third, by making a resolution mentioning the time, place and the rite being performed
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 dhyAyet
sarva 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
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...
oM bhUH
oM bhuvaH
oM suvaH (pronounced as ogM suvaH)
oM mahaH
oM janaH
oM 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)
I meditate on the adorable effulgence of God who has created everything, so that it may energize
my consciousness
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 brahmaNaH
dwitIya parA ardhe
shveta varaha kalpe
vaivasvata manvantare
ashhTAvimshati kali yuge
prathame pade
jambu dvIpe
bhArata varshhe
bharata khanDe
meroH dakshiNe pArshve
shaka abde
asmin vartamAna vyavahArike
…pUjAM karishhye
I worship …
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.
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.
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.
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 dhyAyet
sarva vighna upa shAntaye
oM
oM bhUH
oM bhuvaH
oM suvaH (pronounced as ogM suvaH)
oM mahaH
oM janaH
oM tapaH
oM satyam (pronounced as ogM satyam)
oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH
karishhyamAnasya karmaNaH
avighnena pari samAptyartham
Adau shrI mahAganapati pUjAM karishhye
A small lump of turmeric paste can be installed to the right of the main deity and pUjA performed
for this idol.
OM vrAtapataye namaH
OM gaNapataye namaH
OM pramatapataye namaH
OM lambodaraya namaH
OM ekadantaya namaH
OM vighna vinAshine namaH
OM shiva sutAya namaH
OM varada mUrtaye namaH
(naivedyam)
oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH
prAnAya svAhA
apAnaya svAhA
vyAnAya svAhA
udAnAya svAhA
samAnAya svAhA
brahmaNe svAhA
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 namaH
oM chandramase namaH
oM bhaumAya namaH
oM budhAya namaH
oM gurave namaH
oM shukrAya namaH
oM shanaicharAya namaH
oM rAhave namaH
oM kEtave namaH
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
kukshaudu sAgarAH
sarvE 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
Let the waters of Ganga, Yanuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Sindhu and Kaveri be present in this
(water)
Be present, for performing the puja, the significant remover of all sins (i.e. water)
The water (from the pot) bestows reputation, longevity, consciousness, intellect, wealth, health
(Has the) ability to remove sins and to grow in virtuosity
ghantA pUjA
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 namaH
gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi
dIpa pUjA
dIpa dEvatAbhyO namaH
sakala pUjArthE
gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi
shhoDashopachAra pUjA
AvAhanaM
First close the eyes, imagine the deity in the mind, and recite a slokaM that personifies the deity
Then pointing to the selected idol with upturned palms held close together, say:
oM
asya shrI prANa pratishhthA mahA mantrasya
(place the right palm with the pointer finger touching the upper lip in salutation)
řg yajur sAma atharvANi chhandAmsi
AM angushhtAbyAM namaH
hrIM tarjanIbhyAM namaH
kroM madhyamabhyAM namaH
AM anAmikAbyAM namaH
hrIM kanishhtikAbhyAM namaH
kroM karatala karaprushtAbhyAM namaH
AM hřdayAya namaH
hrIM shirase svAhA
kroM shikAyai vashat
AM kavachAya huM
hrIM netra trayAya vaushat
kroM astrAya phat
OM
This 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
dhyAnaM
AM hrIM kroM
kroM hrIM AM
ha.msa sohaM
sohaM ha.msaH
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 I
He is I, I am He
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 punarasmAsu
chakshH punaH prANamihano dehi bogaM
jyogpashyema sUrya muchcharanta manumate mruLayAnaH
swasti
AvAhito bhava
stApito bhava
sa.nnihito bhava
sa.nniruddho bhava
avakundito bhava
suprIto bhava
suprasanno bhava
sumukho bhava
varado bhava
prasIda prasIda
Asanam
The bimbaM is usually placed (seated) such that the worship can start. Therefore the offer is
perfunctory.
Salutations to shrI …
I offer a seat
Be 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
Salutations to shrI …
I offer water for washing the feet
Please accept the water, scented with flowers, and offered by me with devotion
arghyaM
gandha pushpa akshatairyutaM
suvarNa kalasha stitaM arghyaM gřuhANa
ShrI ….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.
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
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
Salutations to shrI …
I offer panchmrutam
Have the milk-curds-sugar-honey mixed panchamrutam
snAnaM
Salutations to shrI …
I offer a bath
In the sacred waters of the Ganga, mixed with scented flowers and grains
vastraM
Salutations to shrI …
I offer clothings
Two-piece red clothings (for Gods)
Pair of fine, divine garments and bodice so beautiful (for Goddesses)
Salutations to shrI …
I offer a upavitam
Accept the silver brahma sutram and a golden outer garment
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 anvitaM
vilEpanam pratigřuhyatAM
shrI ….ai namaH
gandhAn 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 gřuhANa
shrI ….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
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.
Salutations to shrI …
I worship with flowers
OM……namaH (1)
.
.
.
OM……namaH (108)
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
Salutations to shrI …
I offer fragrant incense
Accept the fragrant incense made of ten materials and smelling nice
dIpaM
Salutations to shrI …
I shine the light
Accept the light fueled with cow’s ghee and three-wicks lit up with fire
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
prAnAya svAhA
apAnaya svAhA
vyAnAya svAhA
udAnAya svAhA
samAnAya svAhA
brahmaNe svAhA
shAlyaNNaM
mAshha apupa
guLa apupa
laddukAni
modakAni
pAyasaM
kavitta, kataLI phalani
nArikELa khanda dvayaM
bahu bakshya samAyuktaM nana phala samanvitaM shad rasOpEtaM
etat sarvaM mahA naivEdyaM nivEdayAmi
Salutations to shrI …
I offer all these grand foods
All these eatables, various fruits with all six tastes
Wet rice grains
Salted cakes
Sweet cakes
Laddus
Modaks
Khir
Ripe, sliced fruits
Two peieces of a (broken) coconut
After food, I offer water for drinking
tAmbUlaM
pugIphala samyukta nAgavalli dalairyutaM
karpUra chUrNa samyukta tAmbUlaM pratigřuhyatAM
shrI ….ai namaH
tAmbUlaM samarpayAmi
Salutations to shrI …
I offer Tambulam
Accept betel leaves with areca nut
Accompanied with scented lime
nIrAjanaM
nIrAjanaM karpUra kalitaM mayA gřuhANa
shrI ….ai namaH
nIrAjanaM samarpayAmi
Salutations to shrI …
I shine light witrh flames leaping like lotus petals
Accept flames from burning camphor
namaskAraM
shrI ….ai namaH
pushpAnjaliM 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
All sins
Committed in this birth
Are washed away
With every step of circling
Salutations to shrI …
I circle and prostrate in front
Salutations to shrI …
Grant me boons
rAja upachArAn
chhatraM samarpayAmi
chAmaraM samarpayAmi
vyajanaM samarpayAmi
gItaM shrAvayAmi
nřutyam darshayAmi
vAdyaM ghoshhayAmi
AndolikAM samarpayAmi
samasta rajopachArAn samarpayAmi
I offer an umbrella
I offer a fly whisk
I offer a fan
I make heard music
I arrange for dances
I sound musical instruments
I 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
Salutations to shrI …
This is the offering
This is the offering
This is the offering