Steps for Puja

[pramanisa]

 

The performance of Pooja.....

Pooja or Pujan as it is sometimes called,is the performance of Prayers in the Hindu relegion.The performance of these prayers are quite elaborate and the methodology varies according to the Gender of the diety being worshipped. The person or persons who are listening to these prayers and participating in same,must ceremonously cleanse himself before taking part in the proceedings.Having consulted with their family priest,they must get all the necessary requirements for this event and perform the ceremony with faith and devotion.

Purification of the participant is first done by the Pandit (priest) and then the proceedings will commence.The Pandit recites the correspond ing Mantras and purifies the devotee's seat.He then purifies the Samagree or the articles of worship.He washes the hands of the devotee and places a ring made from the sacred Khush Grass on the middle finger of the right hand of the devotee.Pandit Ji then solicits the blessings of the various Devtas and performs the invocation and the Pooja now officially commences.

The Vedas,the Puranas and the Shastras (the authorative texts)recommends that worship unto the Devtas(dieties) be done primarily utilizing the technique of Shodasoopchar. Shodasoopchar is the method of worship whereby which the worshipper performs a minimum of 16 steps of worship to the devtas,accompanied by the corresponding mantras. The following are for Purushshuktam or Devta worship.

Steps of worship,It provides the requirements for a complete pooja.

1. Aawahan - Inviting of the Devta
2. Aasanam -The offering of a seat to the Devta
3. Paadyam - The washing of the Devta's feet
4. Arghyam - Water for washing hands
5. Aachamaneeyam - Water for rinsing the mouth
6. Panchaamrita Snan - Bathing the murti with nectar comprising of dahee(curds),milk,ghee(cow's butter),honey and sugar.
7. Udvartan Snaan - (Devi pooja only ) Offering scented water or perfume
8. Shud Jal Snaan - Bathing the murti with purified water
9. Vastra - Offering of clothing
10. Aachamaneeyam - same as above
11. Yagyopaveetam - Offering of the sacred cord(Janew)
12. Chandan - Offering sandalpaste
12 .Sowbhagya Sutra (Devi pooja only) Offering Mangal Sutra or jewels
13. Akshat - White rice coloured with Kum
14. Kum Mala or Pushpam - Offering of garlands of flowers or just flowers
15. Durva or Doob - The offering of dew grass
16. Sowbhagya Dravya - The offering of Kajal,Haldee,sindoor and Kum Kum.This can be offered separately or all mixed together.
17. Dhoop - The offering of incence
18. Deep Daan - The performance of Aartee or the waving of lights with a deeya(earthen lamp)or any similar instrument
19. Naivedyam or Madhuparkham -Offering Prasad most acceptable to that particular Devta or made of honey,ghee and sugar
20. Aaachamaneeyam - Water for rinsing the mouth
21. Phalam - Offering sooparie,desert
22. Tambool - Offering betel-leaves(paan) with other spices for cleansing and scenting of the mouth
23. Dakshina - Offering money
24. Nirajanam - Offering a light
25. Pushpanjali - Offering flowers