Performing pUjA

1 Preparing for the pUjA 2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM 3 pUjA traditions pUjA nAmAvali

The transliteration froM devanAgari to English alphabets is according to ITRANS scheme as given belo ! devanAgari svaraM or vo els a as in padm padm itu vaishAl saumy govinda devi dIpak durgA sUryA devi soMA A A i a M devanAgari vya.janaM or consonants k karunA ch chitra T naTarAjA t taruN p padmA y yagna shh vishhnu nch mancha kh sukhaM chh chhatraM Th jyeshTha th maithili ph phalguNi r raksha s sarasvati g gh ng gaNapati ghaNashyAm mangala j jh gn janakA jhamelA gnaneshvar D Dh N manDita karA mUDhA gaNeshA d dh n dayA dharmA narmadA h m balarAmA bhImA manda l v sh lakshmi vidyA shivA h ! ksh hamsA pavaLaM kAmAkshi nama H A i I u U e ai o au aM aH

.n and .m .a .h H
. or a vertical line I bac(slash ith a period
$nl% a dot

a!c and aa!c

an"svAra avagraha ha#a!nta visarga & a da!n'a p)rNavirAmA ardhachandra

cat* tal(

vo els are to be added after each consonant* "nless a +o'A(sharA is re,"ired

-apitali.ation of devanAgari ords is not done! mantrA are in bold face/ instr"ctions* statements etc! are in normal face!

1 Preparations
$ne sho"ld engage in an activit% ith passion lest it becoMes a dr"dge and not satisf%ing! pUjA is orshipping 0od! It re,"ires to be performed ith hakti hAvaH or ith devotional sentiments! hakti hAvaH is enhanced* b% preparing the bod% and mind to be clean and b% offering to 0od* clean and the best of things! The five preparator% bod% and mind activities are1 snAnaM 2bathing3* vastra dhAraNaM 2dressing3* %agna upavItaM 2ens"ring a sacred thread is orn froM the left sho"lder do n to the right hip* earing ornaments3* gandhaM 2appl%ing vi hUti* sandal ood paste and haridrA"chUrnaM or kuMkuM on the forehead3* pushpaM 2sporting flo ers3! The clean bod% and mind lead to a behavior in consonance ith the spirit"al ambience* often denoted b% the ord* AchAraM! -leanliness of the e4ternal bod% is easil% achieved b% bathing in clean ater! 'ressing "p in freshl% ashed* clean and dr% clothing f"rther enhances the 5clean6 feeling! -leanliness of the insides of bod% is achieved b% empt%ing the bo els and bladder* cleaning the mo"th* ears* noses* e%es* controlling the dietar% inta(es and b% breathing clean air! As the inside parts are o"t of sight* the% ma% not get as thoro"gh a cleaning as can be received b% the o"tside bod%! It is clear that to preserve the achieved cleanliness* one needs to sta% in clean s"rro"ndings! 7eeping the mind clean is the greatest of the tas(s! The onl% a% to cleanse the mind is to do meditation or dhyAnaM! And to preserve the mental cleanliness* (eep singing the praise of 0od or do japaM. The cleaning process is ell s"mmari.ed in the line1 ya smaret punDarIkAkshaM# sa hahyA yantara shuchiH $ne ho sings the praise of the lot"s8e%ed 9ishn" is* o"tside to inside* clean If there is a time gap bet een the above cleansing activities and the start of the pUjA and if %o" have been engaged in doing soMething in the meantime* then do1 :ash the front and bac( of the feet* mo"th* all ith ater! ash the palms do n to the rists ith ater and clean the

AchamanIyaM# is performed b% c"pping the right palm* (eeping all fingers +oined together e4cept the angushhThA 2th"mb3 and tarjani 2pointer finger3* po"ring a spoonf"l 2"sing uddharaNi is s"ggested3 of ater in the c"pped palm* "ttering achyutAya namaH and sipping the ater thro"gh the bottoM centre of the palm/ repeating the above t o more times "ttering anantAya namaH and govindAya namaH! As in the process of sipping* the mo"th coMes in contact ith the palm* it is

advisable to clean the palm after AchamanIyaM! So* po"r a spoonf"l of ater in the palm and po"r it a a% do n the palm here the mo"th made contact ith it! An alternative is to to"ch the right ear lobe ith the palm/ it is believed that gangA resides in the ear and therefore cleans the palm! :hen it coMes to offering clean and the best of things to 0od* arrange to collect and have a fe things e4cl"sivel% for "se in pUjA# preventing them froM being p"t to "se before offering* th"s losing their e4cl"sivit% or cleanliness! In orship* an idol or im aM is essential! So have a clean idol* or pict"re of the 0od* traditionall% "sed b% forefathers in the famil%/ if none is available* ma(e a representative idol ith a l"mp of haridraM 2t"rmeric po der3 or chandanaM 2sandal ood po der3/ or dra a s%mbolic pict"re on a clean s"rface "sing rice flo"r and border it ith haridrAchurnaM 2t"rmeric po der mi4ed ith calci"m h%dro4ide3! shrI ganeshA# for pUjA at the start is normall% represented ith a l"mp% idol/ shrI sUryamUrti is generall% dra n on a platter! -lean ater and an Achamani or spoon to po"r ater! 7eep a small c"p in front of the deit% to collect the ater8offerings li(e pAdyaM# arghyaM etc. A clean* decorated palak or pIthaM or AsanaM for seating the idol A clean bale of cotton for ma(ing upavItaM 2sacred thread3 for the idol and ic(s for the lamps! T o pieces of ne red ; %ello 2rakta $ pIta am araM3 cloth for vastraM! <e elr% and ornaments or A haranaM. Sandal ood paste and vermilion or haridrAchUrNaM 2t"rmeric po der mi4ed ith calci"m h%dro4ide3 to decorate the idol! 0rains of clean "nbro(en rice* etted and coated ith t"rmeric po der* shAlIAn akshhatAn! It is coMmon practice to "se them as s"itable s"bstit"tes for other offering 2=arthaM akshhatAn samarpayAmi% >resh* clean flo ers and leaves preferabl% dr%! ?andheld dIpaM or lamp filled ith li,"id co 6s ghee or tila oil 2sesame seed oil3 and three cotton ic(s t isted and soa(ed in the same f"el! Nat"rall% scented incense* sandal ood po der stic(s for dhUpaM! >ood offering or naivedyam &shhad rasa upetaH hojyAn or eatables ith all si4 tastes i!e! salt%* p"ngent* s eet* bitter* so"r* t"varp"% consisting of1 shAlIAn annaM 2 ashed and et hole rice grains* can also be fresh steamed rice3 mAshha apUpaM 2salted bean or dAnya ca(es3 gu!a apUpaM 2s eet appams made ith plain +agger%/ plain as opposed to %ello colored +agger% f"ll of s"lph"r3 gu!a pAyasaM 2s eet dAnya khIr3 nArike!a khanDa dvayaM 2cocon"t bro(en in t o parts* bro(en +"st before offering naivedyam3

kavitta# katali phalAni 2ripe* @ hole orA sliced fr"its3 karpUra chUrNa 2scented calci"m h%dro4ide3# pugIphala 2betel n"ts3 samyukta nAgavalli dalAni* 2paan leaves given ith3 for tAm UlaM -amphor for nIrAjanaM. Representative icons of chhatraM 2"mbrella3* chAmaraM 2fl% his(3* vyajanaM 2fan3* AndolikAM 2s ing3 for ro%al treatment! Note do n s.mvatsaraM# ayanaM# tu# mAsaM# pakshaM# tithi and nakshatraM froM the almanac. sa.nskrit ord pUjA hakti hAvaH snAnaM vastraM dhAraNaM %agna upavItaM -onte4t"al Meaning orship devotion sentiment bath clothing act of having* holding* earing* religio"s rite The sacred thread/ manner of earing the sacred thread froM left sho"lder do n to the right hip/ opposed to prAchInAvItaM or earing froM right sho"lder do n to the left hip Sandal ood paste/ an% nice smelling smears Sacred ashes obtained froM b"rning dried co 8d"ng T"rmeric Edible calci"m h%dro4ide/ mi4ed ith t"rmeric to render red colored paste 9ermilion/ dried po der of t"rmeric8calci"m h%dro4ide >lo ers Behavior cond"cive to performing yagna meditation Repeatedl% "ttering names of 0ods $ne8 ho=!he Thin(s of 2Third pers! Present3 lot"s e%es

gandhaM vi hUti haridraM chUrNaM kuMkuM pushpaM AchAraM! dhyAnaM japaM ya'.# sa smaret puNDarIkaM akshaM

hahya antara shuchiH puNDarIkAkshaM pAdyaM arghyaM AchamanIyaM angushhThA tarjani achyutAya anantAya govindAya namaH im aM chandanaM Achamani palak pIThaM AsanaM A haranaM shAlI akshhatAn arthaM samarpayAmi dIpaM dhUpaM tila naivedyam annaM mAshha apUpaM gu!a dAnya nArike!aM khanDaM dvayaM shaD rasa upetaH hojyAn kavitta

o"tside inside clean ShrI 9ishn" :ater for ashing the feet/ 2pAdaM* foot3 :ater for ashing the palms :ater offered ith a spoon for sipping Th"mb Pointer finger To vishhn"/ To vishhn"/ the limitless one To vishhn"/ sal"tation Idol* fig"rine Sandal ood spoon for pic(ing "p and po"ring ater/ uddharaNi >lat ooden plan( for sitting on seat for 0ods* revered ones Seat <e elr% :et* moist* fresh 'eh"s(ed* 2 hole rice3 grains In place of 2I3 $ffer lamp Smo(ing incense sesame $fferings to 0od food A t%pe of bean or gram or dAn%A A fried foodst"ff Mollases* jaggery grain cocon"t part/ nArike!a khandaM is a roken part o( a coconut T o 2parts3 Si4 2prefi43 <"ice* taste ?aving achieved/ rasopetaH having the taste eatables ripe

katali phalAni karpUra chUrNa samyukta nAgavalli dalAni tAm UlaM. nIrAjanaM chhatraM chAmaraM vyajanaM AndolikAM

sliced fr"its scented calci"m h%dro4ide spread on betel leaves for che ing Along ith Betel creeper leaves Set of betel leaves* areca n"ts and calci"m h%dro4ide offered at the end of a meal B"rning of camphor "mbrella fl% his( ?and8held fan s ing

2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM
sa.nkalpaM is ma(ing a resol"tion e4pressing the good intent to perform a rite! It is done1 >irst* b% meditating on shrI vishhnu 2man% sa% on shrI ganeshA3 Second* b% meditating on shrI vishhnu6s creation/ b% chanting the praNava* sapta vyAhiti* gAyatri and gAyatri shiras mantraM Third* b% ma(ing a resol"tion mentioning the time* place and the rite being performed Meditate on shrI vishhnu :hile reciting the five names for shrI vishhnu in the follo ing shlokaM* gentl% tap the temples ith the fisted (n"c(les* five times! The nectar or amutA in the head is s"pposed to be released flo ing do n and energi.ing the hole bod%! shukla am ara dharaM vishhnuM shashi varNaM chatur ujaM prasanna vadanam dhyAyet sarva vighna upa shAntaye &I% meditate on &)ishnu# *ho is% +earing +hite dress# oMnipresent# having a moon"like coMple,ion# having (our arms and a pleasant mien &!et Him% appease all hindrances Meditate on shrI vishhnu6s creation praNava 2so"rce3 mantraM oM $M is said to be the so"nd energ% froM hich the "niverse and ever%thing in it originated! $M also means rahmA# the creator of the seven orlds or lokA. To ards the end* (eep the lips p"rsed* don6t bite the teeth* leave the b"ccal cavit% loose and feel the vocal chords reverbarate to the MMMM..! sapta vyAhiti 2seven orlds3 mantraM oM bhUH oM bhuvaH oM suvaH 2prono"nced as ogM suvaH3 oM mahaH oM janaH oM tapaH oM satyam 2prono"nced as ogM satyam3 oM is the earth# the solar circle# the solar system and eyond them# the the seven +orlds o( the universe :hile chanting this mantraM* e meditate on the immensit% of 0od ho created them/ an e4perience that leaves %o" h"mbled!

The hU lokaM incl"des the atmosphere s"rro"nding the earth! The ecliptic and l"nar planes are the huva lokaM! The sages live in here! $"r ancestors* pitru* live on the dar( side of the moon! >roM the solar circle to the edge of the solar s%stem 2"pto Sat"rn3 is the suva lokaM! Be%ond suva lokaM are maha lokaM and farther* jana lokaM- rahmA6s sons live in jana lokaM! Be%ond jana lokaM is tapa lokaM. 0ods live in tapa lokaM! >arther is satya lokaM* the abode of rahmA and vishhnu! gAyatri mantraM oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH 2 hu" huva"suva "ttered as one long ord denotes the "niverse and all things in it3 tat savituH vareNyam bhargo devasya dhImahi dhiyo yo na prachodayAt I meditate on the adora le e((ulgence o( .od +ho has created everything# so that it may energi/e my consciousness gAyatri shiras mantraM oM Apo jyoti raso amrutaM brahma bhUrbhuvassuvaH oM 0M is +ater# light# &earth# that produces% nutrition sustaining li(e# the creator and the universe Ma(e a resol"tion Resol"tion is made (eeping the left palm* t"rned "p ard* on the right thigh and gripping it ith the right palm* t"rned do n ard! -hant1 mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvArA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM &1or o taining% .od2s grace y removing all the sins that I have accumulated' Adya rahmaNaH d+itIya parA ardhe shveta varaha kalpe vaivasvata manvantare ashhTAvimshati kali yuge prathame pade In the reign o( the present 3rahma In the second hal( o( His li(etime In His day o( the *hite Turtle

In the o( )aivasvata manvantara In the 45th 6ali 7ug In its (irst 8uarter jam u dvIpe hArata varshhe harata khanDe meroH dakshiNe pArshve shaka a de asmin vartamAna vyavahArike In the 9am u island In 3harata su "division In the part called 3harata In the south o( the Meru mountain In the present place and time pra havAti shashTi sa.mvatsarANAM madhye ' nAma sa.mvatsare uttara $ dakshiNa ayane vasanta $ grIshhma $ varshha $ sharad $ hemanta $ shishira tau ' mAse shukla $ krishhNa pakshe prathamyAM $ dvitIyAM $ ttIyAM $ chaturtyAM $ p.chamyAM $ shhashhTyAM $ saptamyAM $ ashhTamyAM $ navamyAM $ dashamyAM $ ekAdashyAM $ dvAdashyAM $ trayodashyAM $ chaturdashyAM $ paurNamAsyAyAM $ amAvAsyAyAM shu ha tithau hAnu &Adi% $ soMa $ hauma $ saumya $ guru $ ugu $ stira ' vAsara yuktAyAM ' nakshatra yuktayAm In the set o( si,ty years starting +ith :ra hava In the year ' During the ;un2s northern $ southern transit In the spring $ summer $ monsoon $ autumn $ sno+ $ cold season In the month ' In the +a,ing $ +aning phase o( the moon 0n the auspicious lunar (irst $ second $'(ull"moon $ ne+"moon day 0n ;unday $ Monday ';aturday *hen the moon is in line +ith the star ' shu he sho hane muhUrte shu ha yoga shu ha karaNa evam guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM asyAM puNya tithau 0n this auspicious day

*ith all the auspicious 8ualities In this good karana In this good yoga In this good and e(itting time 'pUjAM karishhye I +orship ' Time slice E4planation Adya rahmaNaH #ife c%cle of Brahma is one paraM or 1&& Brahma %ears! d+itIya parA ardhe The present Brahma is in the second half of ?is paraM or C1st %ear! shhveta varaha Each of the 3D& da%s in a %ear of Brahma is a kalpaM! The present kalpaM is kalpe named the da% of the :hite T"rtle! vaivasvata A kalpaM is fo"rteen manvantaras. :e are in the manvantara named manvantare )aivasvata manvantaraM Each manvantaraM is E3*2&*&&& %ears on earth! There are 1&&& mahA ; ashhTAvimshati chatur 2set of fo"r3 %"gs in 1E manvantaras! A mahA ; chatur %"g consists of kali yuge Sat%a* Treta* ' apara and 7ali %"gs in se,"ence! Being in the Fth manvantara* e are in the 2Gth 7ali %"g! 7ali %"g is 3*D&*&&& %ears on earth! :e are in the C111th %ear on earth prathame pade 22&&H81&3! :e are in the first ,"arter of the present 7ali %"g! A gro"p of %ears named after an event or person! Presentl% e are in the shhaka 1H21th shhaka named shhalivAhana sa.mvatsaraM is a %ear on earth! Their names 2. ' nAma3 start ith pra hava!and repeats after ever% si4t% %ears! shashTi sa.mvatsarANAM madhye ' nAma sa.mvatsare pra hava# vi hava# shukla# pramoda# prajApati# angirasa# shrImukha# hava# yuva# dAt# Ishvara# ahudAnya# pramAdi# vikrama# vshha# chitra hanu# shu hanu# dhAraNa# pArthiva# vyaya# sarvajit# sarvadhari# virodhi &4<<="><%# vikti# kara# nandana# vijaya# jaya# manmata# durmukha# hemalam a# vilam i# vikAri# sharvari# p!ava# shu hakt# sho hakt# krodhi# visvAvasu# parA hava# p!avanga# kIlaka# saumya# sadhAraNa# virodhikt# paridhAvi# pramAdi# Ananda# rakshhasa# anala# pingala# kAlayukta# siddhartha# roudra# durmati# dundupi# rudirodhkari# raktAksha# krodhana# akshaya Uttarayana 2from I 22 'ecember to 21 <"ne3 is the S"n6s transit above the e,"ator! Dakshinayana is the transit belo the e,"ator! Si4 tu or seasons are in a s.mvatsaraM! Starting from vasanta 2m?sha" sha ha mAse or I mid Apr8 mid <"n3* grIshhma 2mituna"kataka mAse3* varsha &si.mha"kanyA mAse%* sharad &tulA"vshchika mAse%* hemanta &dhanu"makara mAse%* shishira &kum ha" mIna mAse% T elve solar months/ month starting from the time the s"n enters a rAshi! meshha 2enters in @ Mar%# shha ha# mituna# kataka# simha# kanyA# tulA# vshchika# dhanu# makara# kum ha# mIna ! A pakshaM is a phase of the moon! The a4ing phase is shukla 2 hite3 pakshaM and the aning phase is kshhna 2blac(3 pakshaM!

uttara $ dakshiNa ayane tau

' mAs? shukla $ krishhNa pakshe

shu ha tithau

' nakshatra

muhUrtaM# yogaM# karaNaM

:ithin a solar month* the l"nar da%* or tithi* is "sed to denote a da%! There are fifteen tithis in a pakshaM. As the l"nar tithi and the solar da%* vAsarA are of different d"ration each* in sa.nkalpA* e mention both the tithi and vAsarA. The tithes are1 prathamyA $ dvitIyA $ ttIyA $ chaturtyA $ p.chamyA $ shhashhTyA $ saptamyA $ ashhTamyA $ navamyA $ dashamyA $ ekAdashyA $ dvAdashyA $ trayodashyA $ chaturdashyA $ paurNamAsyA $ amAvAsyA Stars are t ent%8seven. Each rAshi segments t o8and8a8,"arter stars &meshha has ashvini harani and the first ,"arter of ktikA% ashvini harani ktikA rohini mgashirsa Ardra punarvasu pushyami Asleshha magha pUrva"phalguNi uttara"phalguNi chitrA svAti vishakhA anurAdha jyesthA mUlA purva"AshhadhA uttara"Ashhadha shravanA dhanishhthA shata hishA purva" hadrA uttara" hadrA revati tithi is thirt% muhurtaM. Each muhurtaM is EG min"tes! A tithi is also t o karaNaM! There are eleven karaNaM in a tithi! There are t ent%8seven yogaM! )nli(e other time slices* the names of the yogaM and karaNaM are not normall% mentioned b% their names in a s.nkalpaM

The names of the sa.mvatsarA# tu# mAsA# pakshA# tithi and the nakshatrA can be fo"nd in an almanac and "sed in the right places in the sa.nkalpaM! dvIpaM# varshhaM# khanDaM are geographical divisions! The earth* hU lokaM* is s"pposed to consist of seven islands! jam u dvIpaM* or Asia* is in the center of hU lokaM! dvIpaM is divided into several regions or varshhaM! :e are in hArata varshhaM# or central Asia! Mo"nt meru is in the center of hArata varshhaM! harata khanDaM is a part of varshhaM* i!e! India! The region aro"nd meru is said to be heaven on earth! The sa.nkalpam co"ld be made more concise b% sa%ing1 mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvarA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM asyAM puNya tithau shu he sho hane muhUrte 'pUjAM karishhye

3 pUjA traditions
The eighteen purAnAs compiled in the first millenni"m -!E!* have contrib"ted to the pUjA design of toda%! vaishhnavite pUjAs are based on vishhnu purAnA and hagavata purAnA* and shaivite pUjAs on shiva purAnA and skanda purAnA! shhoDashopachAra pUjA is the common form of orship tho"gh there are five or panchopachAraM* ten or dashopachAraM or 2E8* 328* DE8* 1&G8upachAraM or activities in orshiping! shhoDashopachAra pUjA is fit for a ro%al/ scented roses* lot"s* flo ers* fragrant leaves li(e tulasi* perf"mes li(e (astUri* a pair of golden sil( clothes* pitAm arA* and ornaments are "sed in vishhnu pUjA* s"ited for ro%als! shivA is an ascetic and therefore more emphasis is laid on a hishhekaM# vedic chantings* hoMaM 2fire3 rit"als and naivedyam in shiva pUjA! S"ited to an ascetic* ild flo ers* ilvaM leaves* single piece of hite cloth for vastraM* ekAm araM# and vi hUti are "sed! satyanArAyana pUjA is an interesting variant! shrI satyanArAyana is the deit% in the temple at adarinAth in the himalayA! There are five idols in the sanct"m sanctor"m1 shrI adarivishhAl# narA# nArAyanA# ku erA and ganeshA# collectivel% (no n as adrIshh pa.chAyat! satyanArAyana pUjA can be performed b% an%one irrespective of caste* creed or gender! The pUjA ma% or ma% not follo the shhoDashopachAraM! -ertain aspects of the satyanArAyana pUjA are "ni,"e! These are1 naivedyam is made from five ingredients all in e,"al proportions* sUji 2bro(en heat3* s"gar* ghI* bananas and mil(! The stor% of satyanArAyana pUjA contained in five chapters m"st be read ever% time and all invitees m"st listen to it! The five chapters of the stor% tell ho five different people of fo"r castes and a oman did the satyanArAyana pUjA and ere blessed! satyanArAyana pUjA as devised to bring e,"alit% among all the fo"r castes and bet een men and omen!signif%ing a social revol"tion that too( place in the past! The se,"ence of activities in shhoDashopachAra pUjA is1 1 AvAhanaM establishing the idol for orship 2 AsanaM offering a seat 3 pAdyaM offering ater for ashing the feet E arghyaM offering ater for ashing the hands C AchamanIyaM offering ater for cleaning the mo"th and for drin(ing follo ed b% madhu parkaM offering a s eet for s eetening the mo"th D snAnaM offering bath or panchAmruta a hishhekaM# abl"tion in nectar* follo ed b% shuddha udaka snAnaM or clean ater bath F vastraM offering clothes for earing G upavItaM offering sacred thread for male deities and A haranaM for all deities H gandhaM offering sandal ood paste for appl%ing on bod%

1& p"shhpaM offering flo ers ith sal"tations or nAmAvali 11 dhUpaM b"rning fragrant incense to enhance akti hAvA 12 dIpaM lighting a lamp s%mboli.ing enlightenment 13 naivedyam offering food 1E tAm UlaM offering betel leaves ith areca n"t and calci"m h%dro4ide 1C nIrAjanaM b"rning camphor to light "p the visage of the deit% 1D namaskAraM offering obeisance 1DJ raja upachArAn offering treatments fit for the ro%als! p)+A is to be peformed* in a se,"ence! >irst# mahAganapati pUjA- then* navagaha pUjA kalasha $ ghanta $ dIpa pUjA and finall% shhoDashopachAra pUjA for the intended deit% mahAganapati pUjA is performed first before an% pUjA to remove all obstacles. shrI ganeshhA is s"pposed to have obtained this right to first orship from shivA as part of the settlement in ?is ar against the devAs. The mahAganapati pUjA follo s a concise shhoDashopachAra pUjA se,"ence. kalasha pUjA is performed to sanctif% the ater to be "sed in the pUjA! #ater* "sing this ater the bell* lamps* other pUjA dravyaM 2materials3 and the kartA 2the performer3 are sanctified.

E pUjA
mahAganapati pUjA shukla am ara dharaM vishhnuM shashi varNaM chatur ujaM prasanna vadanam dhyAyet sarva vighna upa shAntaye oM oM bhUH oM bhuvaH oM suvaH 2prono"nced as ogM suvaH3 oM mahaH oM janaH oM tapaH oM satyam 2prono"nced as ogM satyam3 oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH tat savituH vareNyam bhargo devasya dhImahi dhiyo yo na prachodayAt oM Apo jyoti raso amrutaM brahma bhUrbhuvassuvaH oM mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvarA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM asyAM puNya tithau shu he sho hane muhUrte karishhyamAnasya karmaNaH avighnena pari samAptyartham Adau shrI mahAganapati pUjAM karishhye 1or completing +ithout o stacles all activities that need to e done (irst I +orship shrI mahAaganapati A small l"mp of t"rmeric paste can be installed to the right of the main deit% and pUjA performed for this idol! asmin im e shrI mahAganapatiM dhyAyAmi# AvAhayAmi I meditate upon shrI Mahaganapati# I install in this idol shrI Mahaganapati shrI mahAganapataye namaH Asanam samarpayAmi pAdyaM samarpayAmi

arghyaM samarpayAmi AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi snAnaM samarpayAmi snAnAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samrpayAmi vastrArtham akshtAn samarpayAmi upavItArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi A haraNArthaM akshtAn samarpayAmi gandhAn dhArayAmi haridrA churNaM samarpayAmi pushpAni pUjayAmi !M vrAtapataye namaH !M gaNapataye namaH !M pramatapataye namaH !M lambodaraya namaH !M ekadantaya namaH !M vighna vinAshine namaH !M shiva sutAya namaH !M varada mUrtaye namaH nAnA vidha patra pushpAni samarpayAmi dhUpa dIpArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi &naivedyam% oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH tat savituH vareNyam bhargo devasya dhImahi dhiyo yo na prachodayAt deva savitaH prasUva satyaM tvartena parishhinchAmi amutopastaraNamasi prAnAya svAhA apAnaya svAhA vyAnAya svAhA udAnAya svAhA samAnAya svAhA brahmaNe svAhA kavitta katali phalani nivedayAmi tAm UlaM samarpayAmi samasta raja upachArAn samarpayAmi vakra tunDa mahA kAya sUrya koti samapra ha nir vighnaM kuru me devA sarva kAryeshhu sarvadA Tad sat rahmArpaNamastu

;alutations to shrI Mahaganapati I o((er a seat I o((er +ater (or +ashing the (eet I o((er +ater (or +ashing the hands I o((er +ater (or +ashing the mouth I o((er a ath I o((er +ater (or drinking a(ter the ath I o((er grains in place o( clothings I o((er grains in place o( sacred thread I o((er grains in place o( je+elry I apply (ragrances I o((er vermillion I +orship +ith (lo+ers &The eight names are (roM atharvashirshhaM% ;alutations to !eader *ho takes us on the just path ;alutations to people2s !eader ;alutations to the Destroyer o( :ride ;alutations to the 3ig 3ellied 0ne ;alutations to the ;ingle Tusker ;alutations to the Aemover o( 0 stacles ;alutations to the ;on o( ;hiva ;alutations to the .iver o( 3oons I o((er various types o( leaves and (lo+ers I o((er grains in place o( incense and light I o((er ripe sliced (ruits (or (ood I o((er etel leaves +ith areca nut and calcium hydro,ide I o((er treatments (it (or the royals Aemove all o stacles (or me in all things and at all times &Mahaganapati#Thou% +ith a t+isted trunk# huge ody and a shine like ten million suns &!et% there e universal liss navagaha pUjA 'ra a s,"are rangoli and place nine pugIphala 2 hole betel n"ts3* 343* to represent the navagahaM. $ffer 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 k"tave namaH sarve gahA shAntikarA havantu ;alutations to the ;un ;alutations to the Moon ;alutations to Mars ;alutations to Mercury ;alutations to 9upiter ;alutations to )enus ;alutations to ;aturn ;alutations to Aahu Dalutations to 6etu All grahas# ring peace kalasha pUjA kalashaM is the vessel containing the +ater to e used in pUjA. A pot ith ide8mo"th* narro 8 nec( is s"ggested. )se a spoon* called Achamani ; uddharaNi to po"r ; sprin(le the ater from the kalashaM! >ill the kalashaM "pto the nec( Appl% a spot of gandhaM and haridrA"chUrnaM or kuMkuM to the o"tside of the kalashaM ! 'rop a petal of a flo er or a leaf of tulasi and a(shatas in the ater! -over the mo"th of the kalashhaM ith the right palm and chant

kalashasya mukh? vishhnu# kanth? rudrAH samAshrItAH mUle tatra stito rahmA madhye mAtgaNAH smtAH kukshaudu sAgarAH sarv? sapta dvIpAva vasundarAH gvedota yajurvedaH sAmaved0 ya atharvaNaH angaichcha sahitAH sarve kalashhAm u saMAshhritAH gangecha yamunechaiva godAvari sarasvati narmade sindhu kAveri jale asmin s.nnidhiM kuru )ishnu resides in the mouth and the Audras in the neck o( the vessel At the ottom is 3rahma and in the middle are the &+ater% goddesses 6ukshaudu &B% seas All seven islands on this earth Aig# 7ajur# ;ama# Atharvana vedas +ith all veda"angas are present in the +ater in the vessel !et the +aters o( .anga# 7anuna# .odavari# ;arasvati# ;indhu and 6averi e present in this &+ater% Sprin(le the ater on all pUjA material on %o"r head* chanting1

AyAntu pUjArtham durita kshaya kArakAH 3e present# (or per(orming the puja# the signi(icant remover o( all sins &i.e. +ater% Another version of kalasha pUjA1 varuNAya namaH# kalasha devatAbyo namaH sakala pUjanArthe gandAkshata pushpAni samarpayAmi ;alutations to )aruna and the .ods o( the +ater container In +orshiping# I o((er scents# grains and (lo+ers kalashaH kIrtiM AyushhyaM pragnyAM m?dhAM shrIyaM alaM yogyatAM pApAhAni cha puNyaM vddhiM cha yachchhati The +ater &(rom the pot% esto+s reputation# longevity# consciousness# intellect# +ealth# health &Has the% a ility to remove sins and to gro+ in virtuosity sarva tirthamayo yasmAT sarva deva mayo yataH ato hari prito asi tvaM purNa kum ha namo astu te 1illed +ith +aters and surrounded y .ods 7ou are dear to )ishnu- salutations to the +ater pot The kalasha pUjA is follo ed b% the ghantA or the bell pUjA ghantA pUjA Ring the bell* reciting1 AgamanArthaM tu devAnAM gamanArthaM tu rakshasAM kurv? ghantAravaM tatra devatAhvAna lakshaNaM As an indication o( the arrival o( gods and goddesses and the departure o( the demons# And as summons (rom the .ods Make ringtones ghantAyai namaH gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to the ell I o((er scents# grains and (lo+ers dIpa pUjA

dIpa d"vatAbhy! namaH sakala pUjArth? gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to the .ods o( the lamps As a token o( +orship I o((er scents# grains and (lo+ers shhoDashopachAra pUjA AvAhanaM >irst close the e%es* imagine the deit% in the mind* and recite a slokaM that personifies the deit% #i(e this slokA from atharvashirshhaM for shrI ganeshhA eka dantaM chatur hastaM pashaM angkusha dhariNaM radam cha varadam hastai i hrANaM mUshhaka dhvajaM raktam lam odaraM shUrpa karNakaM rakta vAsasaM rakta gandhAnu liptAngaM rakta pushhpai supUjItaM Having a single tooth# (our arms# holding a rope and a goad Holding a dumpling in one hand and lessing +ith another# having mounted a mouse Aed in comple,ion# having a ig elly and large ears and +earing red clothes ;meared +ith red (ragra t paste# +orshipped +ith red (lo+ers Then pointing to the selected idol ith "pt"rned palms held close together* sa%1 asmin im e shrI=! dhyAyAmi# AvAhayAmi I meditate upon '# I install in this idol' prANa pratishhtha or breathing life into the idol nyAsAM or setting "p the self oM asya shrI prANa pratishhthA mahA mantrasya &place the right palm over the head in salutation% rahmA vishhnu maheshvarA shhayaH &place the right palm +ith the pointer (inger touching the upper lip in salutation% g yajur sAma atharvANi chhandAmsi &place the right palm over the heart in salutation% sakala jagad sshhti stiti s.mhAra kAriNI prANa shaktiH parAdevatA

AM IjaM hrIM shaktiH kroM kIlakam prANa pratishhthApan? viniyogaH AM angushhtA yAM namaH hrIM tarjanI hyAM namaH kroM madhyama hyAM namaH AM anAmikA yAM namaH hrIM kanishhtikA hyAM namaH kroM karatala karaprushtA hyAM namaH AM hdayAya namaH hrIM shirase svAhA kroM shikAyai vashat AM kavachAya huM hrIM netra trayAya vaushat kroM astrAya phat hUr huvassuvar0M iti dig andhaH 0M This mantra (or reathing lt(e into the idol &has% 3rahma# )ishnu and Mahesh+ara as its authors The (our )edas are the hymns &and is addressed to% the creative# maintaining and destroying (orces o( the universe as the .oddess AM is the core o( the mantra HrIM is its (orce 6roM is its anchor The mantra is spread over the lim s AM- salutation to the thum s HrIM- salutations to the pointer (ingers 6roM- salutations to the middle (ingers AM- salutation to the ring"(ingers HrIM- salutations to the little (ingers 6roM- salutations to the palm and the ack o( the hand AM- salutation to the heart HrIM- salutations to the head 6roM- salutations to the hairs

AM- the protective sheath HrIM- the third eye 6roM- the +eapons I ond +ith the universe and all things in it dhyAnaM raktAM udhi sta odha ullasa taruNa sarojAtirUdA karA jaiH pAshaM kodandaM ikshuta havama!i guNamapyankusham pancha ANAn i rAs ruk kapAlam trinayana lasita apIna vaksha uru hatya devI alArka varNA havatu sukakarI prANa shaktiH paranaH Aed sea is 'shine young seated on lotus In the hands rope sugarcane 1ive +eapons '. ;kull 3eauti(ied +ith three eyes '3reast# thigh' young"sun colored goddess e causing pleasures# !i(e 1orce AM hrIM kroM kroM hrIM AM ya ra la va sha shha sa ha ksha oM ha#msa sohaM sohaM ha#msaH asyAM mUrtau sarveNdriyAni manas tvak chakshUH shrotrA jivhA agrAna vAk pANi pAda pAyuupasthAgpAni prANa Ana vyAnodAna samAnAshAgatya sukam chiram tishhtantu svAhA Ta(e in right palm* flo ers* a(shata and a spoonf"l of ater and offer it to the im aM The mantras AM hrIM kroM energise the im aM! oM opens the gates of energ%! AM channeli.es it! hrIM breaths it into the bod%! kroM modifies the mind! ya ra la va and the five sibilants sha shha sa ha ksha energise the bod% and mind of the im aM!

I am He# He is I He is I# I am He haMsa sohaM gives so"l to the im aM! This idol# having ac8uired All senses Mind# skin# eyes# ears# tongue# nose' )oice# hands# (eet# ' &!et it% d+ell (or ever happy indriyaM are eleven! Mind is one/ senses are five @gnAnendriyaM 1 s(in* e%es* ears* tong"e* noseA/ motor actions are five @karmendriyaM1 voice* hands* feet* =!* "pasthA 2middle portion of lo er limbs/ lap3A asUnite punarasmAsu chakshH punaH prANamihano dehi ogaM jyogpashyema sUrya muchcharanta manumate mru!ayAnaH s+asti AvAhito hava stApito hava sa.nnihito hava sa.nniruddho hava avakundito hava suprIto hava suprasanno hava sumukho hava varado hava prasIda prasIda svAmin sarva jagannatha yAvat pUjA vasanakaM tAvatvam prIti havena im esmin sa.nnidhim kuru $ffer some naivedyaM Asanam The im aM is "s"all% placed 2seated3 s"ch that the orship can start! Therefore the offer is perf"nctor%! aneka ratna kachita suvarNa simhAsanaM pratiguhyatAM $hrI %#ai namaH Asanam samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI '

I o((er a seat 3e seated on this many"gem"studded gold throne pAdyaM S%mbolic offering of ater for ashing the the dirt off the feet is a reverential act gandha pushpa samanvitaM aktyA dattaM mayA pAdyaM guhANa $hrI %#ai namaH pAdyaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er +ater (or +ashing the (eet :lease accept the +ater# scented +ith (lo+ers# and o((ered y me +ith devotion arghyaM gandha pushpa akshatairyutaM suvarNa kalasha stitaM arghyaM guhANa $hrI %#ai namaH arghyaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er +ater (or +ashing the hands :lease accept the +ater# mi,ed +ith (lo+ers and grains and 6ept in the gold +ater pot AchamanaM $ffering of ater for cleaning the mo"th and drin(ing* as soon as a g"est arrives* is a c"stom in all ho"seholds! nirmalaM shItalam jalaM kurushhvAchamanaM mayA aktyA samarpitaM $hrI %#ai namaH AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er +ater (or drinking Drink the clean and cool +ater# 0((ered y me +ith devotion Immediatel% follo ing* offer s eet something made b% mi4ing co 6s mil(* ghee hone% and fr"its tatyAjya madhu samyuktaM phala ksIra samanvitaM madhuparkam guhANa $hrI %#ai namaH madhuparkam samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI '

I o((er ' Have the ghee"honey"(ruits"milk mi,# Then offer a nectar made b% mi4ing co 6s mil(* c"rds* s"gar and hone% pay0 dadhi krut0petaM sharkarA madhu samyutaM panchAmrutam guhANa ;hrI '.ai namaH panchAmrutaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er panchmrutam Have the milk"curds"sugar"honey mi,ed panchamrutam snAnaM gandha pushpa akshatairyutai gangAdi puNya tirthaistvaM snAnaM kurushva shrI %#ai namaH snAnaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er a ath In the sacred +aters o( the .anga# mi,ed +ith scented (lo+ers and grains snAnAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi A(ter the ath# I o((er +ater (or drinking vastraM rakta vastra dvayaM &(or .ods% divyAm ara yugaM sukshmaM ka.chukaM cha manoharaM guhANa shrI %#ai namaH vastrM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er clothings T+o"piece red clothings &(or .ods% :air o( (ine# divine garments and odice so eauti(ul &(or .oddesses% upavItaM 2for 0ods3 / AbharanaM for all deities rAjataM rahma sUtraM cha kAnchanaM cha uttatIyaM guhANa

shrI %#ai namaH upavItaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er a upavitam Accept the silver rahma sutram and a golden outer garment mAngalya maNi samyuktaM mugdA vidruma samyutam dattam mangala sUtraM ArNavodruta ratnAdyaM karNa hushAdi hushaNaM ratna tAtanga k?yura hAra ka.kaNa hUshhanAni mahArhANi cha guhANa shrI %#ai namaH kantha sUtraM A haraNaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er a necklace and je+ellery Accept the auspicious necklace studded +ith auspicious gems and 0((ered y me

gandhaM 2for 0ods3 karpUra chandana up?tam kastUri ku.kuma anvitaM vil?panam pratiguhyatAM shrI %#ai namaH gandhAn dhArayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I apply (ragrances Accept the camphor" sandal+ood paste (ollo+ed y musk and sa((ron

2for 0oddesses3 karpUra chandan0p?tam kastUri ku.kumAnvidaM sarva gandhaM anjana sindUra sau hAgya dravyam akilam guhANa shrI %#ai namaH gandhAn samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er (ragrances Accept the camphor" sandal+ood paste (ollo+ed y musk and sa((ron All (ragrances# eyeshade# vermillion and all auspicious materials pushpaM offering flo ers ith sal"tations or nAmAvali The flo ers are offered chanting CoM '.namaH2. There are "s"all% 1&G chants or asht0tra nAmAvali or string of the vario"s names of the deit% depicting godliness. nAmAvali is the most

important part of pUjA beca"se the mantras are contained onl% here! The nAmAvali can be preceeded b% >5..4D chants of anga pUjA or orship of the deit%6s bod% parts! The flo ers sho"ld never be dropped at the feet or thro n at the deit%!b"t placed reverentiall% abo"t it! >lo ers and a(shtas can be offered together! shrI %#ai namaH pushpAni pUjayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I +orship +ith (lo+ers 0M''namaH &>% . . . 0M''namaH &><5% The nAmAvali are given in the last chapter! Before performing the ne4t upachAraM* clear a space for (eeping the naivedyaM* sprin(le the space ith sanctified ater and (eep the naivedyaM in that space! dhUpaM dasha dravya samAyuktaM dhUpaM sugandhaM cha man0haraM guhANa tvaM shrI %#ai namaH dhUpaM AgrApayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er (ragrant incense Accept the (ragrant incense made o( ten materials and smelling nice dhUpAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi A(ter the incense# I o((er +ater (or drinking dIpaM sAjyaM trivarti sa.yuktaM vahninA ujjitaM guhANa mangalam dIpaM shrI %#ai namaH dIpaM darshayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I shine the light Accept the light (ueled +ith co+2s ghee and three"+icks lit up +ith (ire dIpAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

A(ter shining the light# I o((er +ater (or drinking naiv"dyaM Brea( the cocon"t in t o* collect the cocon"t ater and (eep them ith the naivEd%aM! -ircle a spoonf"l of the sacred ater over the naivedyaM and po"r a a%* chanting oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH tat savituH vareNyam bhargo devasya dhImahi dhiyo yo na prachodayAt deva savitaH prasUva satyaM tvartena parishhinchAmi amutopastaraNamasi prAnAya svAhA apAnaya svAhA vyAnAya svAhA udAnAya svAhA samAnAya svAhA brahmaNe svAhA &Mention only those that are eing o((ered% shrI %#ai namaH shAlyaNNaM mAshha apupa gu!a apupa laddukAni modakAni pAyasaM kavitta# kata!I phalani nArik?!a khanda dvayaM ahu akshya samAyuktaM nana phala samanvitaM shad ras0p?taM etat sarvaM mahA naiv?dyaM niv?dayAmi niv?danAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi pAnIyaM pAvanaM shreshhThaM gangAdi saritAhudaM hasta prakshA!anArthAya paNiyaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er all these grand (oods All these eata les# various (ruits +ith all si, tastes *et rice grains ;alted cakes ;+eet cakes

!addus Modaks 6hir Aipe# sliced (ruits T+o peieces o( a & roken% coconut A(ter (ood# I o((er +ater (or drinking I o((er +ater (or cleaning the hands :ure# est +aters (rom the source o( river .anga tAmbUlaM pugIphala samyukta nAgavalli dalairyutaM karpUra chUrNa samyukta tAm UlaM pratiguhyatAM shrI %#ai namaH tAm UlaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I o((er Tam ulam Accept etel leaves +ith areca nut Accompanied +ith scented lime nIrAjanaM nIrAjanaM karpUra kalitaM mayA guhANa shrI %#ai namaH nIrAjanaM samarpayAmi nIrAjanAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I shine light +itrh (lames leaping like lotus petals Accept (lames (rom urning camphor A(ter Nirajanam# I o((er +ater (or drinking namaskAraM shrI %#ai namaH pushpAnjaliM samarpayAmi %opAM p"shpaM veda p"shpavAn pr+AvAn pash"mAn bhavati chandramAvA apAM p"shpaM p"shpavAn pr+AvAn pash"mAn bhavati mantrap"shpaM samarpa%Ami ;alutations to shrI ' I pay o essance y o((ering (lo+ers

He +ho understands the (lo+ers o( +ater# Is lessed +ith (lo+ers# heirs and cattle. Moon is the (lo+er o( +ater# &He +ho understands this% Is lessed +ith (lo+ers# heirs and cattle. I o((er (lo+ery chants -ircle aro"nd the deit% starting to go from left 2or space not permitting* Atma pradakshiNA or t"rning cloc( ise a f"ll circle here one stands3 chanting yAni kAni cha pApAni janmAntara kutAni cha tAni tAni vinashyanti pradakshiNa pad? pad? All sins Eommitted in this irth Are +ashed a+ay *ith every step o( circling Prostrate before the deit% shrI %#ai namaH pradakshiNa namaskArAn samarpayAmi ;alutations to shrI ' I circle and prostrate in (ront Pra% ith folded hands shrI %#ai namaH varam d?hi ;alutations to shrI ' .rant me oons rAja upachArAn chhatraM samarpayAmi chAmaraM samarpayAmi vyajanaM samarpayAmi gItaM shrAvayAmi nutyam darshayAmi vAdyaM ghoshhayAmi AndolikAM samarpayAmi samasta rajopachArAn samarpayAmi I o((er an um rella I o((er a (ly +hisk I o((er a (an

I make heard music I arrange (or dances I sound musical instruments I o((er a s+ing I o((er all royal treatments Mi4 a spoonf"l of mil( in ater and offer arghyaM# three times chanting adya pUrvokta evam guNa visheshh?na vishishhtAyAM asyAM shu ha tithau shrI ' prItyarthaM pUjA phala sampUrNata siddhyarthaM kshIra arghya pradhanaM karishhye shrI %#ai namaH IdaM arghyaM IdaM arghyaM IdaM arghyaM anena arghya pradhanena shrI'. prIyatAM Tad sat rahmArpaNamastu I o((er milk mi,ed +ith +ater Today# the auspicious day and time# as previously said 1or shrI '2s satis(action and (or reali/ing (ully the ene(its o( the :ooja ;alutations to shrI ' This is the o((ering This is the o((ering This is the o((ering 3e satis(ied +ith this +ater o((ering &!et% there e universal liss