Divine Mother and Shiva Pujas. OM

[Guest guest]

Articles Needed for Puja

 

pitcher of water

2 cups and small spoon

(1 for purification preceeding Shodashopachara Puja; 1 for Tirtha)

2 small dishes

(1 for paste; 1 for Sankalpa water)

2 trays (or dishes)

(1 for bathing Image; 1 for offerings)

bell

ghee lamp. oil lamp or candle

kum kum

sandalwood powder

rice

incense

flowers

food

 

rudraksha (for Shiva Puja)

green leaves (for Shiva Puja)

 

Optional articles:

perfume

cloth

stick or switch

conch

hand fan

 

If certain articles to be offered are not available,

leaves, flower petals, rice or water may be offered in

their place while mentally envisioning the intended

offering.

_______________

 

 

 

 

Divine Mother Puja

 

Before beginning the Puja there are certain purifications

that the devotee observes. First one bathes oneself,

washes the articles to be used in the worship, and cleans

the place of worship. Then the following steps are taken.

__

 

Tilak

 

The tilak is a sacred dot placed just above and

between the eyes. This area is referred to in yogic terms

as the third eye or Ajna Chakra. It is the seat of God and

Guru. The devotee invokes the Divine Presence by

placing the tilak on his/her forehead with the ring finger

of the right hand while repeating the following Mantra:

 

Om Gandha-dvaram Duradharsham

Nitya-pushtam Karishinim;

Ishvarim Sarva-bhutanam

Tamihopa-hvaye Shriyam.

 

Meaning:

Oh Divine Mother, Your grace is obtainable

by offering scented substances (sandal-

wood and kum kum paste). You are the be-

stower of abundant food, sacred cows, and

other wealth. You are the Great Goddess of

all beings. O Mother Lakshmi I invoke You.

 

_______________

 

 

 

 

Water Worship

 

Water is used throughout the worship not only as an

element of purification but also as the symbol of all-

pervasiveness. In the eastern scriptures certain rivers are

referred to as having Divine Origin and are considered

sacred. These rivers are a source of sustenance for mil-

lions of people. Countless Saints and yogis bathe in them

and use their water for devotional prayers and worship.

The following Mantras invoke the Presence and Blessings

of these rivers, thus consecrating the water for one's use.

 

 

Throughout the water worship a hand bell may be

rung with the left hand. While pouring the water to be

used for worship into a suitable container and then

offering flowers, kum kum, rice, incense, and perfume

etc. into the water, the devotee continuously repeats the

following Mantra:

 

Om Gang Gangye Namah

 

Reverential salutations to the Mother

Ganges River.

 

 

 

Next the devotee stirs the water (option: with a stick

or grass switch) while repeating the following Mantra:

 

Om Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva

Godavari Saraswati;

Narmade Sindu Kaveri

Jale'smin Sannidhim Kuru.

 

Bless us with Your Presence, O Divine Rivers

Ganges, Jamuna, Godavari, Saraswati,

Narmada, Sindu and Kaveri.

 

 

Pour some of this consecrated water into a vessel for

use in purification, seat worship, water-taking and sankalpa.

 

___________

 

 

 

Purification

 

For both inner and outer purification the devotee

repeats the following Mantra while sprinkling consecrated

water on his/her head.

 

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va

Sarva-vastham Gato 'pi Va;

Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham

Sa Bahya-bhyantarah Shuchi.

 

I sprinkle this sacred water on my head,

meditating on the Lotus-eyed Lord (Vishnu)

for both inner and outer purification. In all

conditions the sacred water purifies me.

 

______

 

 

 

Place and Seat Worship

 

The place of worship and one's asana (seat) are

very important and should be treated with great

reverence and respect. The place should be adorned

with auspicious ornamentation and it is customary to

offer flowers, kum kum, perfume etc., as well as salu-

tations to the sacred seat. To invoke Divine Blessings and

to purify the seat and surrounding area, the devotee

should sprinkle them with the consecrated water while

repeating the following Mantra:

 

Om Prithvi-tvaya Dhrita Loka

Devi Ivam Vishnuna Dhrita;

Tvamcha Dharaya Mam Devi

Pavitram Kuru-chasanam.

 

I worship Thee, O Mother Earth. You are sup-

ported by Lord Vishnu Himself. O Mother, You

uphold everyone and everything. Please

bless me and sanctify this seat and place.

 

______________

 

 

 

Water-taking

(Achamana)

 

Achamana purifies the body, mind, and spirit. The

devotee holds a spoon of consecrated water with the

right hand and, chanting the Mantra with devotion, takes

the water by tossing it into the mouth (without touching

the spoon to the mouth). Repeat this process with each of

the following Mantras:

 

 

Om Hrim Atmatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to seek truth.

 

Om Hrim Vidyatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to seek wisdom.

 

Om Hrim Shivatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to seek God.

 

Om Hrim Sarvatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to know the truth of everything.

 

 

 

Note:

Hrim is the Bija or Seed Mantra of Shakti. It may

also be written as Hring; either 'm' or 'ng' is a

correct ending for Bija Mantras.

 

____________

 

 

 

 

Pranayama

 

The practice of pranayama (breath exercise) con-

trols the breath. Control of the breath leads to the

control of Prana (subtle vital energy), which automati-

cally controls the mind. Pranayama should be prac-

ticed only after receiving personal guidance from a

qualified teacher or Guru. There are three main types of

pranayama:

 

1. Nadi Shodhana: slow deep alternate breathing

through each nostril.

 

2. Puraka. Kumbhaka. and Rechaka: inhalation,

retention, and exhalation. This is done in a time ratio

1:4:2.

 

3. Bhastrika: bellows breathing.

 

___________

 

 

 

Purification of the Elements

(Bhuta Shuddhi)

 

Om Bhuta-shringatat Shiraha Sushumna-

patena

Jiva-shivam Parama-shiva-pade Yojayami

Swaha

Om Yam Linga-shariram Shoshay Shoshay

Swaha

Om Ram Sankocha-shariram Daha Daha

Swaha

Om Parama-shiva Sushumna-patena Mula-

shringatam-

Ullasa Ullasa Jwala Jwala Prajwala Prajwala

So'ham Hamsah Swaha.

 

Om. By means of the Sushumna pathway

connecting the junction of being (Muladhar

Chakra) to the crown of the head

(Sahasrar), I offer my individual self to unite

with Supreme Shiva.

 

Om. Yam (Bija Mantra of air element), Dry!

Dry up this subtle body (i.e, dry up the

impurities)! Swaha (an offering of surrender).

 

Om. Ram (Bija Mantra of fire). Burn! Burn up

this causal body (i.e. burn up the impurities)!

Swaha.

 

Om. Supreme Shiva, by the Sushumna path-

way from the Muladhar upwards-Shine,

shine! Blaze, blaze! Blaze forth, blaze forth!

 

That I am. I am That. Swaha

 

____________

 

 

 

 

Nyasa

 

Nyasa is a system of using Seed Mantras to invoke

and install Divine Powers in the hands and various parts

of the body. Through this process the devotee is iden-

tified with the Mantra and brought under the protection

of the Mantra Deity. He/she is purified both externally

and internally and is Infused with Divine Energy. This

process dedicates the parts of the body so as to be

instruments of the Lord's work.

 

 

1. Kara-nyasa: Invoking and Installing particular

Mantras on the hands. Repeat:

 

Om Hram Hrim Hrum Hraim Hraum Hrah

 

Om Hram Angushthabhyam Namah

 

While repeating, the thumb of each hand should be

touched with the index finger of the same hand.

 

 

Om Hrim Tarjanibhyam Namah

 

While repeating, the index finger of each hand

should be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

 

 

Om Hrum Madhyamabhyam Namah

 

While repeating, the middle finger of each hand

should be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

 

 

Om Hraim Anamikabhyam Namah

 

While repeating, the ring finger of each hand should

be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

 

 

Om Hraum Kanishthikabhyam Namah

 

While repeating, the little finger of each hand should

be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

 

 

Om Harah Karatala Karaprishthabhyam Namah

 

While repeating, the palm and back of each hand in

turn should be touched with the other hand.

 

 

 

2. Anga-nyasa: Invoking and installing particular Man-

tras on the body. In Anga Nyasa the parts of the body

are touched with all the fingers of the right hand joined

together.

 

 

Om Hram Hridayaya Namah

 

While repeating, touch the heart.

 

 

Om Hrim Shirase Swaha

 

While repeating, touch the top of the head.

 

 

Om Hrum Shikhayai Vashat

 

While repeating, touch the head at the back of the

crown.

 

 

Om Hraim Kavachaya Hum

 

While repeating, touch the right shoulder with the

fingers of the left hand and vice versa.

 

 

Om Hraum Netra-trayaya Vaushat

 

While repeating, touch both eyes.

 

 

Om Harah Astraya Phat

 

While repeating, the right hand should be taken

round the head counter-clockwise from the front to back

to front and then the fingers snapped. Then the palm of

the left hand should be struck with the index and middle

fingers three times.

 

_____________

 

 

 

 

Sankalpa

 

Sankalpa means that one is making a commitment

to do something in the Name of God at a given month.

day and year. This devotional commitment has tremen-

dous value. Insert the information relevant to your own

present situation where there are brackets ( ) in the

Sankalpa. Hold a spoonful of consecrated water (option:

on top of a stick or qrass switch) in the right hand and

repeat the Sankalpa. Then dump the water (option: over

the stick or switch) into the tray.

 

Sankalpa:

 

Hari Om Tat Sat

Hari Om Tat Sat

Hari Om Tat Sat

 

Om Adyashri Brahmane Dvitiya Parardhe

Shri Shveta Varaha Kalpe,

(country) Deshe,

(state) Khande,

(month) Mase,

(date) Pakshe,

(day of the week) Divase,

(year),

Aham (name),

Shri Durga Pritipurvakam,

(* ),

Shri Durga Puja Aham Karishye**.

 

* One may state a particular purpose for which

the Puja is being done.

 

**If the Puja is being done for someone else,

Karishyami should be substituted for Karishye at

the end.

 

______

 

 

 

 

Shodashopachara Puja

(16 Forms of Worship)

 

 

1. Welcoming and Invoking the Presence of the Divine

Mother.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Avahanam Samarpayami

 

 

2. Offering a seat to the Universal Mother.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Asanam Samarpayami

 

 

3. Offering water for washing the feet.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Padyam Samarpayami

 

 

4. Offering water for the washing of the hands.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Arghyam Samarpayami

 

 

5. Offering water for sipping and cleaning the mouth.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Achamanam Samarpayami

 

 

6. Offering water for bathing.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah ( * ) Snanam Samarpayami

 

 

* If the Panch Amrita offering is being made, one

adds Panch Amrita (five nectars) to the Mantra.

The Panch Amrita mixture consists of milk (Payas),

yogurt (Dadhi), ghee (Ghrita), honey (Madhu),

and sugar (Sharkara).

 

 

7. Offering wearing cloth.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Vastram Samarpayami

 

 

8. Offering a paste of sandal and kum kum. Also,

perfume (Gandha) may be offered at this time.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Chandanam Samarpayami

 

 

9. Offering rice to the third eye.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Akshatam Samarpayami

 

 

10. Offering flowers.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Pushpam Samarpayami

 

 

11. Offering Incense.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Dhupam Samarpayami

 

 

12. Offering light.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Dipam Samarpayami

 

 

13. Offering food and water. Sacred water may be

sprinkled on the food before the offering.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Naivedyam Samarpayami

 

 

The following food prayer may be recited before the

offering:

 

Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam

Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam .

Brahmakarma Samadhina

 

God is the offering, the one who offers, and

the fire that consumes. Only by actions

done with the awareness that all is God will

one reach God.

 

14. Waving lights and singing the Arati, for example:

 

Jai Ma, Jai Ma (repeat)

 

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnur

Gurur Devo Maheshvarah :.

Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma

Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

 

The Guru is Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu

(the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Destroyer).

The Guru is the Supreme Reality Manifest.

Salutations I offer Thee.

 

 

At the beginning of Arati, one may choose to ring a bell

and blow a conch.

 

 

15. Offering flower petals with the singing of Mantra.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Mantra Pushpam

Samarpayami

 

Repeat the following invocation eleven times, suc-

cessively inserting a different mantra (a -k) after each

repetition:

 

Esha Gandha Pushpam...

 

With this scented flower I offer salutations

 

 

a. Om Hrim Namah

 

b. Om Hrim Shrim Dum Durgayai Namah

 

c. Om Krim Kalyai Namah

 

d. Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche

 

e. Om Hrim Chandikayai Namah

 

f. Om Shrim Shriyai Namah

 

g. Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah

 

h. Om Baum Brahmane Namah

 

i. Om Klim Vishnave Namah

 

j. Om Shivaya Namah

 

k. Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah

 

 

 

 

Closing:

 

Sarva Mangala Mangalye

Shive Savartha Sadhike;

Sharanye Tryambake Gauri

Narayani Namo'stu Te.

 

O Thou, most auspicious of all, Thou the

source of all goodness, Thou the fulfiller of all

prayers, Thou the sole refuge of all, To Thee,

O spouse of Shiva, Mother of the three

worlds, Goddess of light, our salutations to

Thee, O Narayani.

 

 

 

Sing:

 

Jai Durge Jai Durge Jai Durge Kali

Jai Mata Jai Mata Jai Mata Kali

 

The Divine Mother may be fanned during the singing.

 

 

16. Salutations are offered.

 

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Namaskaram

Samarpayami

 

Now the water that was used for the bathing may

be given out. As it has been purified and Divinely

Charged by contact with the Deity, it is considered

sacred. This water is called Tirtha. It is poured into the

right hand of recipients who then sip it or sprinkle it over

their head. The flowers offered may also be distributed

and the food which was offered may also be given out.

This food is called Prasad.

 

 

___

 

 

 

Worship of Various Aspects of God

for Blessings

 

1. Ganesh Worship:

 

One mala may be repeated.

 

Om Gam Ganeshaya Namah

 

Gam or Gang is the Bija of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh

is the Aspect of God who removes obstacles and

grants success to the undertaking.

 

 

 

2. Guru Worship:

 

One mala may be repeated.

 

Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah

 

Gum or Gung is the Bija Mantra of the Guru. God

is worshiped through the Guru; God assumes that

Form to make spiritual knowledge available to the

seeker.

 

 

 

3. Sun Worship:

One mala may be repeated.

 

Om Hrim Suryaya Namah

 

Surya is the sun. In this form God is worshiped as

the Cosmic Source of all energy-both physical and

psychic. It is God shining therein, who is the Light of

lights, who is to be thought of in this worship.

 

 

 

3. Shiva Worship:

 

One mala may be repeated.

 

Om Namah Shivaya

 

Shiva is the primordial Guru.

 

 

 

4. Universal Mother Worship:

 

One mala may be repeated.

 

Om Hrim Durgayai Namah

 

The Divine Mother is called Durga. The Power of

Her Manifestation in the human body is sometimes

referred to as Kundalini Shakti. Durga is often en-

visioned as riding on a lion and holding various

weapons in Her multiple Hands. The lion is a symbol

of strength and courage. When the Kundalini is

awakened within a person, She roars (like a hungry

lion) and consumes the weaknesses (flesh) of the

devotee. The weapons of the Mother wage war on

the various passions which are hindering spiritual

advancement, killing them one by one. She gives

birth to super intellect, the knowledge of Truth, and

Spiritual Illumination.

 

 

 

During the sixteen offerings of Mother worship,

Shodashopachara Puja, one may simultaneously

make the same offerings to one's Guru and other

aspects of God on the shrine.

 

______________

 

 

 

Shiva Puja

 

The beginning of the Shiva Puja is identical with the

Divine Mother Puja. Use the Divine Mother Puja until

reaching the Sankalpa section. Then follow

the text below for the remainder of the Shiva Puja.

____

 

 

 

 

Sankalpa

 

Sankalpa means that one is making a commitment

to do something in the Name of God at a given month.

day and year. This devotional commitment has tre-

mendous value.

Insert the information relevant to your own present

situation where there are brackets ( ) in the Sankalpa.

Hold a spoonful of consecrated water (option: on top of

a stick or grass switch) in the right hand and repeat the

Sankalpa. Then dump the water (option: over the stick or

switch) into the tray.

 

Sankalpa:

 

Hari Om Tat Sat

Hari Om Tat Sat

Hari Om Tat Sat

 

Om Adyashri Brahmane Dvitiya Parardhe

Shri Shveta Varaha Kalpe,

( country) Deshe,

(state) Khande,

( month) Mase,

( date) Pakshe,

(day of the week) Divase,

(year),

Aham (name).

Shri Shiva Pritipurvakam,

(* ),

Shri Shiva Puja Aham Karishye * *.

 

* One may state a particular purpose for which

the Puja is being done.

**If the Puja Is being done for someone else,

Karishyami should be substituted for Karishye at

the end.

 

_______

 

 

 

Shodashopachara Puja

(16 Forms of Worship)

 

This puja may be expanded by the addition of an

offering of welcome and an offering of a seat. Make

these two offerings before proceeding with the sixteen

forms.

 

Welcoming and invoking the Presence of Shiva.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Avahanam Samarpayami

 

 

Offering a seat to Shiva.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Asanam Samarpayami

____________

 

 

16 Forms of Worship

 

 

1. Offering water for washing the feet.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Padyam Samarpayami

 

 

2. Offering water for sipping and cleaning the mouth.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Achamanam Samarpayami

 

 

3. Offering water for bathing.

 

Om Namah Shivaya ( * ) Snanam Samarpayami

 

* If the Panch Amrita offering is being made, one

adds Panch Amrita (five nectars) to the Mantra.

The Panch Amrita mixture consists of milk (Payas),

yogurt (Dadhi), ghee (Ghrita) , honey (Madhu),

and sugar (Sharkara).

 

 

4. Offering wearing cloth.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Vastram Samarpayami

 

 

5. Offering rudraksha.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Rudraksham Samarpayami

 

 

6. Offering red powder.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Sindhuram Samarpayami

 

 

7. Offering sandal paste. Also, perfume (Gandha) may

be offered at this time.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Chandanam Samarpayami

 

 

8. Offering rice to the third eye.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Akshatam Samarpayami

 

 

9. Offering flowers.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Pushpam Samarpayami

 

 

10. Offering Incense.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Dhupam Samarpayami

 

 

11. Offering light.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Dipam Samarpayami

 

 

12. Offering of food and water. Sacred water may be

sprinkled on the food before the offering.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Naivedyam Samarpayami

 

 

The following food prayer may be recited before the

offering:

 

Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam

Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam

Brahmakarma Samadhina

 

God is the offering, the one who offers, and

the fire that consumes. Only by actions

done with the awareness that all is God will

one reach God.

 

 

13. Waving lights and singing the Arati, for example:

 

Om Bhagavan, Om Bhagavan, Om Bhagavan,

Shiva Shankar Bhagavan (repeat)

 

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnur

Gurur Devo Maheshvarah,

Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma

Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

 

The Guru is Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu

(the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Destroyer).

The Guru is the Supreme Reality Manifest.

Salutations I offer Thee.

 

At the beginning of Arati, one may ring a bell or

blow a conch.

 

 

14. Offering betel leaves.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Tambulam Samarpayami

 

 

15. Offering flower petals with the singing of Mantras.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami

 

 

 

Repeat the following invocation thirteen times, suc-

cessively inserting a different mantra (a -m) after each

repetitIon:

 

Esha Gandha Pushpam…

 

With this scented flower I offer salutations,...

 

 

Mantras:

 

a. Om Hrim Namah

 

b. Om Hrim Shrim Dum Durgayai Namah

 

c. Om Krim Kalyai Namah

 

d. Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche

 

e. Om Hrim Chandikayai Namah

 

f. Om Shrim Shriyai Namah

 

g. Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah

 

h. Om Baum Brahmane Namah

 

i. Om Klim Vishnave Namah

 

j. Om Gam Ganeshaya Namah

 

k. Om Shivaya Namah

 

I. Om Joom Sah Sah Joom Om Swaha

 

m. Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah

 

 

 

Closing:

 

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam.

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityor-mukshiya Mamritat.

 

Om. O three-eyed Lord Shiva, I take refuge

in Thee, grant me well-being and immor-

tality. Release me from the grasp of death,

just as a cucumber is cleaved from its vine.

 

 

16. Salutations are offered.

 

Om Namah Shivaya Namaskaram Samarpayami

 

 

Now the water that was used for the bathing may be

given out. As it has been purified and Divinely Charged

By contact with the Deity, it is considered sacred. This

Water Is called Tirtha. It is poured into the right hand of

recipients who then sip it or sprinkle it over their head.

The flowers offered may also be distributed and the food

which was offered may also be given out. This food is

called Prasad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________

Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*

http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

[Guest guest]

Maa Khali

 

We are greatfull that you could share the way of

your Puujaa.... May I know what Path or Sampradaya

does this Puujaa come from?

 

Normally most Puujaas has guru Puujaa First then

start with of the Istha Puujaa. What is the

significance that the Guru Puujaa Is towards the

end....

 

Why a guru Mantra is used for Arathi?

 

Please inlighten this fool...

 

 

 

Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.

http://mailplus.