r

rmate nigamnta mah deikya nama

(glories to vedanta desika)
rmn vekaanthrya kavi trkika kesar |
vedntcrya varyo me sannidhatt sad hdi ||
(This sloka is the pranam mantra or taniyan of Vedanta Desika)

A step-by-step guide to
|| laghu bhagavad rdhana krama ||
(Short Worship System)
This document* has been prepared by
Sunder Kidambi
with the blessings of
r Raga Rmnuja Mah Deikan
His Holiness rmad avan of r Ragam
(One of the present Acaryas of the Sri sampradaya)
*This was typeset using LATEX and the skt font. Help by Chi.
Mukund Kidambi for the photographs in this document is duly
acknowledged. (Notes in brackets by Gaura Keshava das)

FOREWORD
rman Sunder Kidambi, tiruvai (devotee) of rmad
Tirukkuandai avan, is very well known to the stika
community in many continents. Over the past few years, rman
Sunder Kidambi has been serving the global stika (follower of
religion) community tirelessly through his kaikaryams to
create, populate and grow his extraordinary website
www.prapatti.com. This website has under a single roof (1) one
of the largest collection of texts of stotras in multiple languages,
(2) audio MP3 recordings of many of the above stotras and (3)
photo galleries of 108 divya deams (Vaisnava holy places) and
vintage photo images of rmad avans and Ahobila Maham
Jeeyars (Acaryas of the Sri sampradaya). The time, energy, effort
and dedication that rman Kidambi has brought to bear upon
this task is phenomenal and his yeoman service has been
recognized by stikas thirsting for such information around the
globe. All of us owe a deep sense of gratitude to rman Sunder
Kidambi for his selfless bhagavat-bhgavata kaikaryams
(Service to God and His devotees).
Most recently, rman Kidambi has put together an easy-topractise laghu rdhana kramam (Short worship system) for the
benefit of stikas who wish to learn bhagavad rdhanam
(Worship of God). It is a pleasure for me to have the privilege of
writing a foreword for this most recent release of rman
Kidambi in his www.prapatti.com website. Why is this effort so
important?
Today, akti-sampradyam-sadcram (power of traditional
practices)and prama jnam (scriptural knowledge) are
diminishing. Many vaiavas are living and working far away

from their traditional homes. They are cut off from their
moorings. Traditional routes of learning about our ancient
sampradyam at the sacred feet of sadcryas (eternal gurus) are
not available to them. There is a need for addressing these
information needs of stikas both at home and abroad. Welcome
efforts by knowledgeable vaiavas fill the information gap on
important vaidika karmas (religious works) like bhagavad
rdhanam that are to be performed every day. These efforts are
to supplement the primary efforts of sadcryas and not to
replace them.
There are two kinds of bhagavad rdhanams: (1)
tmrtham (2) parrtham. The tmrtha rdhanam is done at
home to please the Lord by those who have been blessed with
paca saskrams. The parrtha rdhanam is done at the
temples and mahams for the well being of the world (loka
kemam). Those who belong to brahmcrya, ghastha,
vnaprastha and sannysa ramams are required to perform
bhagavadrdhanam after being blessed with paca saskram
(vaisnava diksha). They perform rdhanam with veda
mantrams.
Ladies are eligible for performing viu pj in the tntric
manner. Such is the importance of bhagavad rdhanam tasmt
andi-madhyntam nityam rdhayet harim instructs Sage
vysa (Therefore we should perform rdhanam for hari
always). parara samhitai states that one should not even eat in
the villages or homes where viu rdhanam is not performed
and one should not live in such places even for a day (na kuryt
anna-pndi na tatra divasam vaset).
Such is the importance of bhagavad rdhanam. vigraha

rdhanam is the most lofty among rdhanams. There are

however a lot of difficulties faced by some in executing it.
Hence the easier slagrma rdhanam is recommended by our
sadcryas. When the slagrma mrtim of the Lord is present
in ones home with dvraka il, one has tremendous sanctity in
the house. After the rdhanam is done, perum's (Lord Visnu's)
rpda trtham (caranamrta) and tulas is received before
partaking the naivedyam presented to the Lord during the
worship.
In view of the significance of both these kinds of
rdhanams, vaiavite cryas have written authoritative
granthams on nitya rdhana kramams (puja books): Rmnujas
nitya grantham, Vangipuram Nambis krikai, smti ratnkaram,
and mumuku darpaam, Swamy Desikans pcartra raka,
Tirukkudandai Desikans hnika grantham, Srimad Injimedu
Aagiya Singars sadcra nirayam are some of those r sktis
focusing on the important nitya karmas (daily duties) like
bhagavad rdhanam.
Many vaiavas long to perform bhagavad rdhanam; they
however do not have the opportunity to learn it readily from
elders or from their cryas. Many of such aspirants live
overseas and are finding it difficult to learn the correct
procedures (kramams) for performing bhagavad rdhanam.
Further, the performance of the traditional ghana rdhanam
(long version of puja) with it's intricate kramams like bhta
uddhi (purification of the body), bhagavad and devi vhanams
(invocation of Visnu and Sri necessary for deities other than
salagrama), recitation of mantra pupam (puspanjali) with veda
mantrams with the correct svarams (vedic intonations), periya
rumurai (long version of ending prayers) is not easy for

many vaiavas. Two online resources for performing the ghana

rdhanam are availableat http://www.ramanujamission.org/
Content/On_Line_Resources/text_resources/aradhanam.pdf and
www.srivaishnavam.com/aradhana.htm
In view of the elaborate nature of the ghana rdhanam and
the difficulties in performing them every day in the required
manner, our compassionate cryas have devised a lighter
kramam known as laghu rdhana kramam. This can be done in
the morning by one rushing to work in the modern day world.
Sriman Sunder Kidambi has assembled this laghu rdhana
kramam for the benefit of stikas who wish to learn to perform
rdhanam for the Lord. Sri Kidambis presentation of laghu
rdhanam is easy to follow with helpful pictures on the
placement of the vessels used in worship as well as the different
mudrs used at the different stages of the rdhanam. The
Sanskrit text for the veda mantrams with the appropriate
svarams (tone markings) for recital and the clear English text on
instructions are very useful to the stikas at every level of
awareness of the kramam. Separate appendix on the taniyans for
the cryas, mudrs and the often used kramams are a valuable
adjunct to learn the laghu rdhana kramam. There are in all
thirty five steps that Sri Sunder Kidambi has focussed on to
capture the essence of laghu rdhanam. With few practise runs,
one can become familiar with the performance of nityrdhanam
(daily worship) for the divya dampatis (divine couple) and
receive their anugrahams (blessings).
Our hearty congratulations to Sri Sunder Kidambi for a
significant contribution to the world of stikas and our prayers
are to the divya dampatis and cryas to grow his kaikarya r
(devotional service) further and further.

nryaa nryaa nryaa

dsan (your servant)
oppiliappan koil varadcri saagopan

r
rmate rmnujya nama
(glories to ramanuja)
rmate nigamnta mah deikya nama
(glories to vedanta desika)
|| laghu bhagavad rdhana krama ||
1. After performing mdhyhnika sandhy vandanam (after
morning duties including, ablutions, bath, dressing, tilaka,
prayer to guruparampara, morning sandhya vandanam, and japa)
, two camanam (acamana is said twice before beginning any
ceremony) and two prymam (pranayama twice), recite
o cadi dvra plebhyo nama |
(glories to the gatekeepers canda etc)
o pracadi dvra plebhyo nama ||
(glories to the gatekeepers pracanda etc)
thus seeking the permission of the gate-keepers of vaikuham.

2. Prostrate in front of the Sanctum and recite

krmdn divya loka tad anu maimaya maapa tatra ea
tasmin dharmdi pha tadupari kamala cmara grhi ca |
viu dev vibhyudha gaamuraga pduke vainateya
senea dvra pln kumuda mukha gan viu bhaktn prapadye ||
(glories to all the eternal associates of the Lord)

3. Sit on an sanam or a platform facing north with the Sanctum

on your left. Ring the bell with your left hand, clap three times
and recite
ya vyave nama |
(vayu mantra)
vryya astrya pha |
(astra mantra)
thus opening the doors of the sanctum sanctorum. Please note
that the bell has first to be accepted with respect with your right
hand and then transferred to your left hand before ringing it.
After ringing the bell it has to be transferred to your right hand
before placing it in the assigned place.
4. Recite the suprabhtam (wake up prayers)
kausaly supraj rma prv sandhy pravartate |
uttiha nara rdla kartavya devam hnikam ||
vra saumya vibudhyasva kausalynanda vardhana |
jagaddhi sarva svapiti tvayi supte nardipa ||
5. Now recite the nysa daakam of r nigamnta maha deikan
(a prayer by vedanta desika)
aha madrakaa bharo madrakaa phala tath |
na mama rpate revetytmna nikipet budha ||1||

nyasymyakicana rman anuklo'nyavarjita |

vivsa prrthan prva tma rak bhara tvayi ||2||
svm svaea svavaa svabharatvena nirbharam |
svadatta svadhiya svrtha svasmin nyasyati m svayam ||3||
rman nabha varada tvmasmi araa gata |
etad dehvasne m tvat pda prpaya svayam ||4||
tvac cheatve sthiradhiya tvat prpty eka prayojanam |
niiddha kmya rahita kuru m nitya kikaram ||5||
dev bhaa hetydi juasya bhagavas tava |
nitya nirapardhesu kaikaryesu niyukva mm ||6||
m madya ca nikhila cetancetantmakam |
svakaikaryopakaraa varada svkuru svayam ||7||
tvad eka rakasya mama tvam eva karukara |
na pravartaya ppni pravttni nivartaya ||8||
aktyn ca karaa ktyn varjana ca me |
kamasva nikhila deva praatrtihara prabho ||9||
rmn niyata pacga madrakaa bharrpaam |
ackarat svaya svasmin ato'ham iha nirbhara ||10||
sasrvarta vega praamana ubha dg deika prekito'ha
satyakto'nyairupyairanucita caritevadya ntbhisandhi |
ni akastatva dy niravadhikadaya prrthya sarakaka tv
nyasya tvatpdapadme varada nijabhara nirbharo nirbhayo'smi ||11||

In case of lack of time to recite nysa daakam, the following

verse (in tamil) can be recited
ni arum katiyai maoill |
netuklam piai ceyta nilai kaint |

uruukkiita nilai ukant |

u cara caraeum tuivu p |
mairuy nia nilai ekkut trttu |
vavar tam vccikra varitt uai |
iarul ii eakkor paramemal |
e tiruml aaikkalam ko eai ny |
6. Prayers are offered to our guru parampar by reciting either
asmad deikam asmadya paramcryn aen gurun |
rmal lakmaa yogi pugava mah prnau muni ymunam |
rma padma vilocana muni vara ntha aha dveiam |
senea riyam indir sahacara nryaa saraye ||
(glories to the guruparampara from my guru back to the Lord
through Laksmi)

or (tamil)
euyir tantaittavaraic caraam pukku |
y aaiv avarkurukka nirai vaakip |
piarul perumptr vanta vaal |
periyanamp avantr maakkl nampi
naeiyai avarkkuraitta uyyakkor |
ntamui caakpa cai nta |
iamutat tirumaka eivarai muiu |
emperum tiruvaika aaiki |

7. Recite the taniyam (pranam mantra) of your crya. Taniyans

of some cryas are given in the appendix.
8. Perform three prymam. This consists of reciting the
akara mantram, i.e., o namo nryaya 28 times for each
prymam.
9. Now place the left hand (palm facing upward) over the right
thigh, cover it with the right palm and recite the sakalpam
(vow).
r bhagavadjay rman nryaa prtyartha ijykhya
bhagavad rdhana kariye |
(On the divine order and for the pleasure of Lord Narayana I
perform this puja)
This is followed by the sttvika tygam (ritual giving up of the
result of the worship).
bhagavn eva svaniymya svarpasthiti pravtti svaeataika
rasena anena tman kartr svakyai copakaraai
svrdhanaika prayojanya parama purua sarva e riya
pati svaea bhta ida bhagavad ijyrdhankhya karma
svasmai svaprtaye svayam eva krayati ||
10. Next mnasikrdhanam (mental worship) is performed. This
is done by reciting, with folded hands and contemplating on the
services offered to the Lord,
rdhaymi hdi keavam tma gehe

mypure hdaya pakaja sannivitam |

raddhnad vimala citta jalbhiekai
nitya samdhi kusumai apunarbhavya ||
sauvare sthlivarye maigaakhacite goghtktn supakvn
bhakn bhojy ca lehyn paramamatha havicoyamanna nidhya |
nnkairupeta sadadhimadhughta krapnyayukta
tmbla ctmane'smai pratidivasam aha mnasa kalpaymi ||

(These slokas mention the steps in mental worship)

11. After completing the mnasikrdhanam, bhyrdhanam

(external worship) is performed. This is begun by reciting
bhagavn puarkka hdyga tu may ktam |
tma stkuru devea bhyais tv samyagarcaye ||
12. Next ptra parikalpanam (arranging the vessels) is performed
wherein the vessels are arranged in an order shown in the Figure
1.
Figure 1: Arrangement of the vessels.
Sacred water is prepared by adding small quantities of tulas,
elaic (cardamon), karpram (food variety camphor) and kesar
(saffron) to the water in the pra kumbham (water pot) (vessel
no. 1).

13. Perform oaa (drying) dhana (burning) plvana

(nectarising) to pra kumbham (see appendix). Now take a

spoonful of water from pra kumbham (vessel no. 1) in your

left hand and position it at the level of your nose, as shown in
Figure 2. Cover the spoon with the fingers on your right hand
and recite seven times
o namo nryaya
and pour this water back into the (vessel no. 1).
Figure 2: Covering a spoonful of water from pra kumbham
and raising up to the level of the nose.
14. Pour water from the pra kumbham (vessel no. 1) into
vessels 2 through 6 such that they are only quarter full.
15. Next show surabhi mudr (dhenu mudra) (see appendix) to
vessels 2 through to 6 while reciting
o su surabhi mudryai nama |
16. Perform astra mantra (see appendix) to 2 through 6, one by
one, by reciting o vryya astrya pha |
17. Cover arghya ptra (vessel no. 2) with your right palm, as
shown in Figure 3, and recite
o namo nryaya aghya parikalpaymi |
(I prepare the arghya vessel)

Cover pdya ptra (vessel no. 3) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya pdya parikalpaymi |
Figure 3: Covering the vessel with your right palm.
Cover camanya ptra (vessel no. 4) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya camanya parikalpaymi |
Cover snnya ptra (vessel no. 5) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya snnya parikalpaymi |
Cover sarvrtha toya ptra (plain water vessel for washing the
spoon and functions other than arghya, padya, acamaniya and
snaniya) (vessel no. 6) with your right palm and recite
o namo nryaya sarvrtha toya parikalpaymi |
18. This next stage is the mantrsanam. Recite
ijy klas ttyo'yam ahnoas samupgata |
sabhrtcaiva sabhr kalpitnysanni ca ||
snndy arthni devea taveccha vartate yadi |
avalokana dnena tat sarva saphala kuru ||

tad artha saha devbhy snugais sacivais saha |

mad anugrahya kpay hyatrgantumihrhasi ||
yvaddysana mantrsannta pjyase may |
tvat snnidham atraiva kuruva puruottama ||
Offer some pupam, tulas or akata (uncooked rice mixed with
turmeric or kumkum) and meditate on the Lord seated on the
mantrsanam and recite
o namo nryaya mantrsanya nama | mantrsanam
alakuruva |
(I offer you the first stage of worship ie mantra asanam)
Offer arghya pdyam camanya plota vastra (towel) (see
appendix) to the Lord.
19. The next stage in the bhagavad rdhana is snnsana
(2nd stage of worship ie bathing). Recite
sphu kta may deva snnsanam ida mahat |
sdayu snnrtha mad anugraha kmyay ||
Offer some pupam or akata to the Lord and meditate upon His
having accepted snnsana and recite
o namo nryaya snnsanya nama | snnsanam
alakuruva |
Perform the arghya pdyam camanya plota vastra to the
Lord. Perform oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra

mantra to the plate on which you wish to place the Lord. Place
the Lord on that plate and offer the ritualistic bath with
spoonfuls of water from the snnya ptra (vessel no. 5) with
your right hand while ringing the bell with your left and reciting
the purua skta. (note the tonal markings according to Krsna
Yajur Veda Taittiriya Sakha. one vertical line for svarita, two for
dirgha svarita, horizontal line below for anudatta, udatta is not
marked)
|| hari o || sahasra r purua | sahasrka sa
hasrapt |

sa bhmi vi vato vtv

| atyatihad dagulam || 1 ||
purua eveda(g) sarvam | yad bhta yac ca bhavyam |
utmatvasyen a | yad annentirohati || 2 ||
etvn asya mahim | ato jyy( g)ca prua |
pdo'sya viv bhtni | trip dasymta div i || 3 ||
trip d rdhva udait purua | pdo'syehbhavt puna |
tato vivavyakrmat | sannaane abhi || 4 ||
tasmd vir ajyata | virjo adhi prua |
sa jto atyaricyata | pacd bhmimatho pura || 5 ||
yat puruea havi | dev yajam atanvata |
vasanto asysdjyam | gr ma idhma araddhavi || 6 ||
saptsys anparidhaya | tris sapta samidha kt
|
dev yad yaja tanvn | abadhnan purua paum || 7 ||
ta yaja barhii praukan | purua jtamagrata |
tena dev ayajanta | sdhy aya ca ye || 8 ||
tasmd yajt sarva huta | sambhta pad jyam |
pas(g)s t(g) cakre vyavyn | rayn grmy ca ye || 9 ||
tasmd yajt sarva huta | cas smn i jajire |
chand( g)si jajire tasmt | yajus tasmd ajyata || 10 ||

tasmd av ajyanta | ye ke cobha ydata |

gvo ha jajire tasmt | tasmj jt ajvaya || 11 ||
yat purua vyadadhu | katid h vyakalpayan |
mukha kim asya kau bh | kv r pdv ucyete || 12 ||
brhmao'sya mukham st | bh rj anya kta
|
r tadasya yad vaiya | padbhy(g) dro ajyata || 13 ||
candram manaso jta | cakos sryo ajyata |
mukhd indra cgni ca | prd vyur ajyata || 14 ||

nbhy sdantarikam
| ro dyaus samavartata |
padbhy bhmir dia rotrt | tath lok(g) akalpayan || 15 ||
vedham eta purua mahntam | ditya vara tamasastu pre |
sarv i rpi vic itya dhra | nmn i ktv'bhi
vadan yadste || 16 ||

dht purastd yamudjahra | akra pravidvn pradia catasra |

tam eva vidvn amta iha bhavati | nnya panth ayanya vidyate || 17 ||
yajena yajam ayajanta dev | tni dharm i prathamnysan |
nas sacante | yatra prve sdhys santi dev || 18 ||
te ha nka mahim
adbhyas sambhta pthiv yai rasc ca | vivakarmaas samavartatdhi |
tasya tva vid adhad rpameti | tat puruasya vivam jn am agre || 19 ||
vedham eta purua mahntam | ditya vara tamasa parastt |
tam eva vidvn amta ih a bhavati | nnya panth vidyate'yanya || 20 ||
prajpati carati garbhe anta | ajyamno bahudh vijy ate |

| marc n padam icchanti

tasya dhr parijnanti

yonim
vedhasa || 21 ||
|
purohita
yo devebhya tapati | yo devn
prvo yo devebhyo jta | namo rucya brhmaye || 22 ||
ruca brhma janayanta | dev agre tad abruvan |
yas tvaiva brh mao vid yt | tasya dev asan vae || 23 ||

hr ca te lakm ca patnyau | aho rtre prve |

nakatri rpam | avinau vyttam |
i a mania | amu mania | sarva mania || 24 ||

In case of lack of time to recite purua skta, each of the

following two (tamil) verses may be recited twice.
veey aainta kuutam
viaiyu pumutiyum kou
tiea ivvir uait
tyttuk kiakka no
eeyp puippaam kou
ikettaai ptum irunt
naal ariya pir
nra nra vry
krmali mi niattuk
kaa pirai ukantu
vrmali kokai yactai
macaam iya ai
pr mali tol putuvaik k
paar pir conna pal
cr mali cen tami vallr
tviai ytum ilar
20. This is followed by wiping the Lord with the plota vastra
by reciting

o namo nryaya plota vastra samarpaymi |

Pour the water collected from the bath and from the other four
vessels into the pratigraha ptra (vessel that collects bath
water)(vessel no. 7).
21. Pour water from the prna kumbha (vessel no. 1) into
vessels 2 through 6 such that they are only quarter full.
22. Cover arghya ptra (vessel no. 2) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya aghya parikalpaymi |
Cover pdya ptra (vessel no. 3) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya pdya parikalpaymi |
Cover camanya patra (vessel no. 4) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya camanya parikalpaymi |
Cover pnya ptra (vessel no. 5) with your right palm and
recite
o namo nryaya pnya parikalpaymi |
Cover sarvrtha toya ptra (vessel no. 6) with your right palm
and recite

o namo nryaya sarvrtha toya parikalpaymi |

23. The next stage in bhagavad rdhana is the alakarsana.
Recite
(3rd stage of puja dressing and decorating)
deva deva jaganntha bh srak canda ndikam |
alakrsana bhadram adhitiha ttyakam ||
Offer some pupam, tulas or akata and request the Lord to
accept alakrsana by reciting
o namo nryaya alakrsanya nama | alakrsanam
alakuruva |
Now offer arghya pdyam camanya plota vasta to the
Lord. Perform oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra
mantra to gandha (sandalwood paste). Recite
|
gndhadvr durdha ni tyapu kar ii
var( g) sarvabhtn tm i hopahvaye riyam ||
Apply the paste to the Lord by reciting
o namo nryaya divya gandh samarpaymi |
24. Perform oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra
mantra to dhpa (incense stick). Now ring the bell and move
the dhpa in a clockwise circular fashion around the Lord and
recite
dhrasi dhrva dhrvanta dhrvata yo'smn dhrvati ta

 astva devnm
asi ||
dhvaya vaya dhrvm
Now, offer the dhpa to the Lord by reciting
o namo nryaya divya dhpa ghrpaymi |

25. Perform oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra

mantra to dpa (lamp). Now ring the bell and move the
dpa in a circular fashion and recite

uddipyasva
jtavedo'paghnan nirti mama |
pau(g) ca mahyam vaha jvana ca dio daa ||
Now, offer the dpa to the Lord by reciting
o namo nryaya divya dpa daraymi |
26. The next stage in the bhagavad rdhana is the mantra
pupa. (4th stage of puja offering flowers with prayers) While
offering some tulas or aksata recite
(The first 4 slokas of the 4 vedas followed by an excerpt from
Narayana upanisad again note the svarams)

|| hari o || agnim e purohita

yajasya devam tvija
m | hotr a(g) ratna

dhtamam || hari o || hari o | i e tvorje tv vyavastho pyavastha devo va

savit prpayatu rehatamya karmae || hari o || hari o | agna yh i vt aye
gno havyadt aye | nihot sthsi barhii || hari o || hari o | an no devr
abhiaya po bhavantu pt aye | a yorabhisravantu na || hari o ||

om ityagre vyharet | nama iti pact | nryayetyuparit | om ityek

karam |

nama iti dve akare | nryayeti packari | etad vai nryaasykara

padam | yo ha vai nryaasykara padam adhyeti | anupabruva sarvam

y ureti | vindate prj patya(g) ryas poa gaupatyam | tato'mtatvam anute

tato'mtatvam anuta it i | ya eva veda | ityupaniat ||

icchmo hi mah bhu raghu vra mah balam |

gajena mahat''ynta rma chatrvtnanam ||
ta d atru kantra mahar sukhvaham |
babhva h vaideh bhartra pariasvaje ||
tsmvirabhcchauri smayamna mukhm buja |
ptmbara dhara sragv skn manmatha manmatha ||
vaikuhetu pare loke riy srdha jagat pati |
ste viur acintytma bhaktair bhgavatais saha ||
ea nryaa rmn krrava niketana |
nga paryakam utsjya hygato madhur purm ||
(tamil)
cel kuaiym
iruntl cikcaamm
nil maravaiym n kaalu
eum puaiym mai viakkm
pm pam pulkum aaiym
tirumkaravu
(sanskrit)
kad puna akha rathga kalpaka dhvajravindkua vajralchanam |
trivikrama tvac carambuja dvaya madya mrdhnam alakariyati ||

27. Now arcan (offering of flowers, petals, tulasi or aksata or

kumkum with names of the Lord or Goddess) is performed with
either tulas or pupam while chanting the following for
nryaa (12 main names followed by 10 avatars note NO
BUDDHA as Sri Vasnavas do not accept BUDDHAVATARA.
If there is more time 108 or 1008 names may be offered)

o vsudevya nama
o sakaraya nama
o pradyumnya nama
o aniruddhya nama
o keavya nama
o nryaya nama
o mdhavya nama
o govindya nama
o viave nama
o madhusdanya nama
o trivikramya nama
o vmanya nama
o rdharya nama
o hkeya nama
o padmanbhya nama
o dmodarya nama
o matsyya nama
o krmya nama
o varhya nama
o narasihya nama
o vmanya nama
o bhrgava ramya nama
o daaratha ramya nama
o balaramya nama
o kya nama
o kalkine nama
and for mah lakm
riyai nama
amtodbhavyai nama

kamalyai nama
candra sodaryai nama
viu patnyai nama
vaiavyai nama
varrohyai nama
hari vallabhyai nama
rgiyai nama
deva devikyai nama
sura sundaryai nama
mah lakmyai nama
r bh nl dev sameta rmate nryaya nama
28. The next stage in bhagavad rdhanam is bhojsanam (5th
stage is offering food). Offer your prayer to accept this sanam
by reciting
ma medhya sthirnnni bhakya bhojyny anekaa |
sampannni jaganntha bhojysanam upraya ||
Offer pupam or akata to present bhojysanam by reciting
o namo nryaya bhojysanya nama | bhojysanam
alakuruva |
Now offer arghya pdyam camanya plota vastra (see
appendix) to the Lord.
29. Place all the bhojya vastu (eatables) in the pj area and
place a few tulas petals on them. On items like cooked rice,
cooked lentils (dahl or sambar) and pyasam (sweet rice), add a

small quantity of clarified butter (ghee). Sprinkle a spoonful of

water from arghya ptram (vessel no. 2) and perform oaa
dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra mantra to bhojya
vastu. Recite
asatyam auci ncam apardhaika bhjanam |
alpa aktim acaitanyam anarha tvat kriysvapi ||
mma ndtya durbuddhi svayaiva kpay vibho |
ati prabhtam atyanta bhakti snehopapditam ||
uddha sarva guopeta sarva doa vivarjitam |
svnu rpa vieea sva devyo sada guai ||
tvam eveda havi ktv svkuruva surevara |
pyasnna gunna ca mudgnna uddhamodanam ||
Now offer three spoonfuls of water to the Lord from the pnya
ptram (vessel no. 5), each time reciting
o namo nryaya arhambu samarpaymi |
Ring the bell with your left hand. Configure grsa (feeding)
mudr with your right hand, as shown in Figure 4.
This is done by holding the thumb, middle and ring fingers
together and leaving the index and little fingers free. Now move
the right hand with this configuration from the cooked rice to the
Lord and recite

o namo nryaya divya anna nivedaymi | (for savory rice)

Figure 4: Configuring grsa mudr with your right hand.
and undo the grsa mudr configuration. Again configure the
grsa mudr and move from each item you wish to offer the
Lord and recite the appropriate offering mantra and undo the
grsa mudr configuration. For example,
o namo nryaya spa vyajandika nivedaymi | (for
savory liquid)
o namo nryaya pyasa bhakani nivedaymi | (for sweet
rice)
etc
While you offer the bhojya vastu, offer a spoonful of water from
the pnya ptram (vessel no. 5) from time to time by reciting
o namo nryaya pnya samarpaymi | (water while
eating)
After offering all the bhojya vastu, recite
o namo nryaya amtpidhnamasi | (mantra to end eating)
(Note that there seems to be a mantra for beginning to eat
missing, and also several feeding mantras)
Now offer a spoonful of water from sarvtha toya ptram (vessel
no. 6) and recite
o namo nryaya gaa samarpaymi | (water for rinsing

mouth)
Again offer a spoonful of water from sarvtha toya ptram
(vessel no. 6) while reciting
o namo nryaya mukha praklana samarpaymi | (water
for cleaning mouth, lips and face)
Offer another spoonful of water from sarvtha toya ptram
(vessel no. 6) while reciting
o namo nryaya hasta praklana samarpaymi | (water
for cleaning hands)
Now offer arghya pdyam camanya plota vastra to the
Lord.

30. The next stage in bhagavad rdhanam is punar

mantrsanam. (Another mantrasana like the 1st stage of puja
offering prayers) Offer tulas for presenting punar mantrsanam
and meditate that the Lord, along with His consorts, is seated on
the sanam.
mantrsanam ida tubhya may dattam anuttamam |
krcena odhita vio punar sdaya prabho ||
Now offer arghya pdyam camanya plota vastra to the

Lord. Perform the oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr

astra mantra to the phala tmblam (plate of fruits, betel nuts
and leaves). Now offer the fruits to the Lord by reciting
o namo nryaya phala tmbldni samarpaymi |
Offer three spoonfuls of water from camanya ptram(vessel
no. 4) to the Lord, each time reciting
o namo nryaya camanya samarpaymi |
Offer the plota vastram to the Lord by reciting
o namo nryaya plota vastram samarpaymi |

31. Perform the oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra

mantra to the lamp lit by karpram (camphor) or cotton wick.
Wave the camphor light in a clockwise circular fashion with
your right hand while ringing the bell with your left and reciting
tad vio parama pada(g) sad payanti sraya | div va cakur tatam | tad

viprs o vipanyavo jgv(g)

sas samindhate
| vior yat parama padam ||

paryp ty anantaryya sarvastomo'ti rtra uttama mahar bhavati |

sarvasyptyai sarvasya jityai sarvam eva tenp noti sarva jayati ||

Offer the nrjanam or magalrati or to the Lord by reciting

o namo nryaya divya kapra nrjana samarpaymi |
Offer three spoonful of water from cananyam ptram (vessel
no. 4) to the Lord, each time reciting
o namo nryaya camanya samarpaymi |
Offer a plota vastam to the Lord by reciting
o namo nryaya plota vastram samarpaymi |
32. The next stage in bhagavad rdhanam the is cttmuai
(ending prayers mostly in tamil from divya prabhandam, usually
consisting at the very least of 2 verses from Andal's Tirupavai
and two from Periya Alvar's Tirupalanda). Recite
ciam ciukl vantunnai cvittu |
u pomarai aiy pum pru ky |
peam myttuum kulattil piantu |
n kuval ekaaik komal pktu |
iaip paai kov auk kvint |
eaikkum piavikkum |
uaumyvm uakk nm ceyvm |
maai nam kmaka mlr empvy |
vakak kaal kaainta mtavaaik kcavaai |
tika tirumukattuc cyiaiyr ceiaici |
akap paai koavai |
ai putuvaip paikamalat ta teriyal paarpir kdai coa |
cakat tamimlai muppatum tappm |
ikipparicuraippr rirau ml varait t |
ceka tirumukattuc celvat tirumll |
ekum tiruvaru peipuuvar empvy |

pallu pallu pallyirattu |

pala ki nyiram |
malla tit maiva |
ucvai cevvi tirukkppu |

aiymum nium |
pirivii yiram pallu |
vaivy nivala mrpiil |
vkia makaiyum pallu |
vaivr cti valattuaiyum |
cuariyum pallu |
paaipr pukku muakum |
appcacaiyamum pall |
sarva dea dakleva vyhata parkram |
rmnujrya divyaj vardhatmabhivardhatm | |
rmnujrya divyj prativsaram ujjval |
diganta vypin bhyts hi lokahitaii | |
rman rraga riyam anupadravmanudina savardhaya |
rman rraga riyam anupadravmanudina savardhaya | |
namo rmnujryya vedntrtha pradryine |
treya padmanbhrya sutya gualine ||
rmnuja day ptra jna vairgya bhaa |
rmad vekaanthrya vande vednta deika ||
vi irmanucap pi mtakavl vmum |
ainikamntakuru viyava |
ma maaiyum irmnuca piyamum tum paiyuraikkum cr |
vacap paracamayam mavant viy |
maupukap ptr maamukapp viy |
kacat tirumakai ukakkavant viy |
kaliyaurai kuikoa karuttuaiy viy |
cecol tamimaaika teinturaipp viy |

tirumalaiml tirumaiyyc ciakavant viy |

tacap parakatiyait tantaruv viy |
nilamun tva nmaaika kmv |
mnakari ma maaiva |
iyarka ceiyai cr tppul vtnta tcika iumoru nirum |
viyai tppul varu nikamntciriya |
viyava ptravintamalar |
viyava ktilt tmalaraik koik koirukkum ttiv nallr tira |

33. Next stage in the bhagavad rdhana is paryaksanam (6th

stage putting to rest or valediction. paryanka means lying down).
deva svmin jaganntha riy bhmy ca nlay |
jagad rakaa jgary yoga nidrm upkuru ||
Offer some tulas or pupam to present the paryaksanam and
meditate that the Lord and His consorts have graced the sanam
and recite
o namo nryaya paryaksanya nama | paryaksanam
alakuruva |
Now offer arghya pdyam camanya plota vastra to the
Lord.
34. Next recite (prayers for forgiveness of offenses)
ajnd athav jnd aubha yan maya ktam |
kantum arhasi tat sarva dsyena ca ghna mm ||
jnato'jnato vpi vihita yan may ubham |

tat sarva pram evstu prto bhava janrdana ||

upacra padeena ktna hara harmay |
apacrnimn sarvn kamasva puruottama ||
Prostrate (dandavat pranam) before the Lord. Then lagrma (or
idols used for the bhagavad rdhanam ) should be replaced in
their original box(es). This is usually done with closed eyes.
35. The last stage in the bhagavad rdhanam is the stvika
tygam. This is done by reciting (another prayer similar to the
prayer in the beginning giving up the fruit of what has just been
done back to the Lord)
bhagavn eva svaniymya svarpasthiti pravtti svaeataika
rasena anena tman kartr svakyai copakaraai
svrdhanaika prayojanya parama purua sarva e riya
pati svaea bhta ida bhagavad ijyrdhankhya karma
svasmai svaprtaye svayam eva kritavn ||
Offer all the fruits of this bhagavad rdhanam to the Lord by
reciting
sarva r krpaam astu |
(Let all of this be only for Lord Krsna)
The left over water in vessels 2 through 6 should be poured into
pratigraha ptram (vessel no. 7).
The performer must first accept the trtham (caranamrta water)
from pratigraha ptram (vessel no. 7) and then offer it to other
members in the family. (sethari or the Lord's shoes on ones head

should be offered after taking caranamrta and then also for the
family)
36. If time permits, you could recite r deika magalam while
offering the trtham to others. (another prayer by vedanta desika)
rmal lakmaa yogndra siddhnta vijaya dhvajam |
vivmitra kulod bhta varadryam aha bhaje ||
sarva tantra svatantrya sihya kavi vdinm |
vedntcrya varyya vekaeya magalam ||
nabhasyamsi roy avatrya sraye |
vivmitrnvayystu vekaeya magalam ||
pit yasynanta sri puarkka yajvana |
pautro yastanayastotrambystasya magalam ||
vekaevatro'ya tad ghao'thav bhavet |
yatndro'thavetyeva vitarkyystu magalam ||
r bhyakra panthna tman darita puna |
uddhartum gato nna ityuktystu magalam ||
yo blye varadryasya prcryasya par daym |
avpya vddhi gamita tasmai yogyya magalam ||
rmnujry dtreyt mtult sakal kal |
avpa viatyabde ya tasmai prjya magalam ||
ruta prakik bhmau yendau parirakit |
pravartit ca ptreu tasmai rehya magalam ||
ssktbhir drmibhi bahvibhi ktibhir jann |
yas samuj jvaymsa tasmai sevyya magalam ||
ya khyti lbha pjsu vimukho vaiave jane |
krayaya da prpta tasmai bhavyya magalam ||

yasmdeva may sarva stram agrhi nnyata |

tasmai vekaanthya mama nthya magalam ||
pitre brahmopadere me gurave daivatya ca |
prpyya prpakystu vekaeya magalam ||
ya kta varadryea vedntcrya magalam |
ste'nudina so'pi bhaven magala bhjanam ||
bhdrapada msagata viu vimalarke
vekaa mahdhrapati trthadina bhte |
prdura bhavaj jagati daitya ripu gha
hanta kavi trkika mgendra gurum rty ||
sa akha cakra lnchana sad rdhvapura maita
sa kaha lagna sat tulasyanargha padma mlika |
sitntarya sttarya yaja stra obhita
mamvirastu mnase guru sa vekaevara ||
ananta sri snave'bhinandyamna vaibhavd
diganta vdihasa jaitraklamegha deikt |
uptta sarvasanya hanta vara viatau
puna punar namaskriy'stu vekaea sraye ||
kavitrkika kalabhavraja kabalktisiha
kamalpati karurasa parivardhita bodham |
yatinyaka pada pakaja yugal para tantra
bhaja mnasa budha vekaa pati deikam aniam ||
kalaye satata karu jaladhi karu viaya kamaldhipate |
kali vairi ahri vaco rasika kavitrkika kesari sri gurum ||
gurau vdi hasmbudcrya iye
jan bhakti hn yatndrpriy syu |
yatndrpriy viu kruya dr
kuto muktivrt hi td g vidhnm ||
vede sjta khede munijana vacane prpta nityvamne
sakre sarva vare sati tad anugue niprame pure |

myvde samode kalikalua vacchnyavde'vivde

dharma trya yo'bht sa jayati bhagavn viu ghavatra ||
kavi trkika sihya kalya gua line |
rmate vekaeya vednta gurave nama ||
vdi dvipa irobhaga pacnana parkrama |
rmn vekaa nthrya cira vijayat bhuvi ||

Appendix

Procedure for performing

oaa dhana plvana
or
oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra mantra
to the item under consideration
Either imagine the word ya written on your right palm or
scribe the word ya, in the script you are comfortable with, on
your right palm with your left index figure, as shown in Figure
5.
Figure 5: Scribing ya on your right palm with the left index
finger.
Show the right palm to the item under consideration (IUC) and
recite
ya vyave nama oaymi |
(Yam, I dry this up by the power of the wind)
Now, again imagine the word ra written on your right palm
with the left index finger. Show the right palm to the IUC and
recite
ra agnaye nama dhaymi |
(Ram, I burn this up by the power of fire)
Now imagine the word va written on your left palm or scribe
the word va, on your left palm with your right index finger, as

shown in Figure 6.
Show the left palm to the IUC and recite
va amtya nama plvaymi |
(Vam, I nectarise this by the power of the nectar)
Figure 6: Scribing va on your left palm with the right index
finger.
Develop the surabhi mudr on your hands as shown in Figure 7.
This is done by touching your left little and right ring fingers,
left ring and right little fingers, left index and right middle
fingers, and left middle and right index fingers.
Figure 7: Configuring surabhi mudr with the right hand.
Show this posture to the IUC and recite
o su surabhi mudryai nama |
Now snap with your hand over the IUC, as shown in Figure 8
while moving your hand in a clockwise circular fashion and
recite
vryya astrya pha |

The procedure of doing oaa dhana and plvana to the

IUC will be referred to as oaa dhana plvana to that

IUC, for brevity. Similarly the procedure of doing oaa

dhana plvana to the IUC, showing the surabhi mudr to
the IUC and performing the astra mantram over the IUC will be
referred to as oaa dhana plvana surabhi mudr astra
mantra to that IUC, for brevity.
Figure 8: Snapping above the vessel.
Procedure for offering
arghya pdyam camanya plota vasta
to the Lord
Hold a spoonful of water from the arghya ptram (vessel no. 2)
in your right hand while ringing the bell with your left hand and
offer it to the Lord while reciting
o namo nryaya arghya samarpaymi |
Visualize His having accepted your offering in His right hand
and pour this water into the pratigraha ptra (vessel no. 7).
Hold a spoonful of water from the pdya ptra (vessel no. 3). in
your right hand while ringing the bell with your left hand and
offer it to the Lords feet while reciting
o namo nryaya pdya samarpaymi |
This must be done twice. Now, hold a spoonful of water from
the camanya ptram (vessel no. 4). in your right hand while

ringing the bell with your left hand and offer it to the Lords
right hand while reciting
o namo nryaya camanya samarpaymi |
This must be done three times. Show plota vastram (a piece of
sanctified cloth used exclusively for the Lord or slagrma) to
the Lord and recite
o namo nryaya plota vastra samarpaymi |
This combination of offering of water from the arghya ptram
(vessel no. 2) once, from the pdya ptram (vessel no. 3) twice
and from camanya ptram (vessel no. 4) three times followed
by showing plota vastram will be referred to as the process of
offering arghya pdyam camanya plota vastam to the Lord,
for brevity.
(This is not the shortest puja system available including the 6
asanas or steps. If you want an easier shorter system please write
to me at gregjay@bluebottle.com. Gaura Keshava das)

Taniyans (Pranam mantras) of some cryas of

r raga r avan ramam
r vednta rmnuja mah deikan
rmad vednta ramnuja muni karulabdha vednta yugmam
rmad rvsa yogvara guru padayor arpita svtma bharam |
rmad r raganthhvaya muni kpay prpta mokrama ta
rmad vednta rmnuja munimapara saraye deikendram ||
r rnivsa rmnuja mah deikan
rmat rvsa yogvara muni karulabdha vednta yugmam
rmat vednta rmnuja guru padayor arpita svtmabhram |
rmat rutyanta rmnuja yati npate prpta mokrama ta
rmat rvsa rmnuja muni saraye jna vrdhitam ||
r raga rmnuja mah deikan
vednta lakmaa munndra kptta bodham
tat pda yugma sarasruha bhga rjam |
trayyanta yugma ktabhri parirama ta
r raga lakmaa muni araa prapadye ||

Taniyans of some cryas of

ahobila maham
r vra rghava ahakopa yatndra mah deikan
rmat r raga pthvvara ahari pu sayamndraa da
nyasttmna nsihe narahari ahajit yoginetu prasdta |
prja r raga kri prabhava yatipate prpta lakm nsih
sthna seve yogndra sakala gua nidhi vra raghv chahrim ||
r vednta deikan yatndra mah deikan
r ragantha ahakopa yatndra da
lakm nsiha ahajit karuaika ptram |
r raga vra raghur ahakopa hdya
vednta deika yatndram aha prapadye ||
r nryaa yatndra mah deikan
rmad raga ahri sayami varl labhgamnta dvayam
rmad vra raghudvahdya ahajit pdravindrayam |
rmad vadavatasa deika yate kruya vkspadam
seve raga dhura sanavaa nryaa yoginam ||

Taniyans of some cryas of

agnihotra tta deikan sapradyam
r ailrya samudbhuta vtsalydi guravam |
sundarrya vande vednta dvaya deikam
r ailrya tan bhavasya tanaya r veda cguro
rmat sundara tta deika pada dvandvraya nirmalam |
ntiknti gukara munivard vednta rmnujt
saprpta tri rahasya sra hdaya r vekaea bhaje ||
rvsa tta mahivarya kptta mantra
tte agnihotra nirattmani ttayrya |
nyasttmabhra amala paripra bodha
rmnujrya guruvaryam aha prapadye ||

Taniyans of some cryas of

pauarka pura avan ramam
rmad rnivsa mah deikan
r nryaa yogndra varadrya kprayam |
rageapda vinata rnivsa muni bhaje ||
rmad r ragantha mah deikan
dya r nidhi yogi labdham anurt rvsa rmnujt
saprptkana mantrajt amapara rvsa yogvart |
prptntrama veda mauli yugala tenrpita rpatau
jnbdhi sugukara munivara r ragantha bhaje ||
rmad gopla deika mah deikan
rvsa raga parakla muni traypta
lakmtma rakaa yatitva yuggamntam |
crya bhakti paripta anargha lam
gopla deika muni guru rayma ||

Taniyans of some cryas of

parakla maham
rmad abhinava ragantha brahma tantra parakla mah deikan
r ka brahma tantrottama guruvpta cakrka bhyam
vairgycra vrdho varada padmuke lakmae nyastabhram |
rvgttaturya aharipu yatir veda crya mrtim
ntna r ragantha kaliripu managha brahma tantra rayma ||
r turagavadana pdusantatapari caraa mtra paramtha |
jayatu rmn abhinava ragendra brahma tantra parakla ||
rmad abhinava rnivsa brahma tantra parakla mah deikan
r ka brahma tantrbhidha kali mathanl labdha cakrka bhyam
navya rragathe kali mathana gurv arpittmya bhram |
tad dk labdha turya hayavadana pada tra sevdhuram
dhyyeya brahma tantra kali mathana guru rnivsa navnam ||
rmal lakm hayagrva pduk divya sevako va |
jyn navya rnivsa parakla guruttama ||
rmad abhinava rmnuja brahma tantra parakla mah deikan
ntna r raganthgnim pada kalijil labdha cakrkan
r trayyanta dvandva tatva tad anadha caraa nyastabhra yatndrt |
pratyagra rnivst samadhi gata turyrama sarayma
navya rmnujkhya kali mathana guru brahma tantra svatantram ||
lakm haysya pd viravasyai knta mnasas satatam |
jayatu rmad abhinava rmnuja yogndra parakla ||
rmad abhinava vga brahma tantra parakla mah deikan
rman nutana ragantha yatirdt ptma vidylayam
rman ntana lakmarya yatirjat samprpya turyramam |
rvdendra kaka santata sudh lakytmaye gcitam
rman ntana vgadhayamina bhaktraymo gurum ||
navya vgayogndra haysya pada sevinam |
brahma tantra svatantrrya bhajmas svtma sampadam ||