Guest guest Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Dear All Jaya Siyaa Raam Although these things are very common in a Hindu's lives, still I wish to confirm from Pandit and Guru just to make sure that what is a correct thing to do. (1) It is said that the worshipper should sit North facing or East facing to worship; then to which direction Bhagavaan's idols or pictures should face? (2) To light a lamp before God is a normal worship process, and normally people light only Ghee lamp before God - whether He or She is Vishnu, Shiv, Lakshmee, Ganesh or Hanumaan. But I have heard that Ghee lamp is necessary only before Lakshmee Jee; for others one can light the lamp of Til (sesame seed) oil. Is it true? Or what is the normal procedure? Is there any specific procedure for each of the gods to light special oil or Ghee lamp? (3) Normally a pot of water is kept before God before worshipping Him or Her. Normally people use a copper pot, but can it be of any other metal also? If yes, then which one? Will steel pot do the purpose? With regards Sushma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 no ghee lamp for hanuman. , " tripura_malini " <tripura_malini wrote: > > > Dear Sushma, > > //It is said that the worshipper should sit North facing or East facing > to worship; then to which direction Bhagavaan's idols or pictures should > face?// > > Obviously the idols should face West or South. If a suitable direction > is not available, just pray from wherever you can. It is the heart full > of prayers which is important. God is all pervading. > > //To light a lamp before God is a normal worship process, and normally > people light only Ghee lamp before God - whether He or She is Vishnu, > Shiv, Lakshmee, Ganesh or Hanumaan. But I have heard that Ghee lamp is > necessary only before Lakshmee Jee; for others one can light the lamp of > Til (sesame seed) oil. Is it true? Or what is the normal procedure? Is > there any specific procedure for each of the gods to light special oil > or Ghee lamp? > > Primarily a lamp signifies the light of knowledge. By this knowledge, > darkness or ignorance is dispelled. We bow to knowledge which is the > greatest wealth in our lives. Knowledge also backs our good as well as > bad actions. So, the lamp which is kept lit for all auspicious occasions > is a witness to our thoughts and actions. > > Subtle indication is that the flame is fed on the oil of clear devotion, > enlivened by the breeze of intense love of contemplation on the Lord. > The wick is our intellect strengthened by impressions of strivings to > cultivate the right values. This is the spiritual significance of a lamp > or deepam as compared to an electric light which can only remove > darkness. Like the flame burning upwards, our knowledge must take us > towards higher ideals. Also with one deepam, we can light many more > lights. But the original lamp does not diminish when helping to light > others. This means that our knowledge does not decrease when we share it > with others. > > This is what, in essence, lighting of lamp means. > > It is true that the quality of flame depends on the oil/ghee used and is > important to generate a positive energy around. The texts would talk > about cow's ghee to be used. Watching the flames of ghee deepam and > kerosene oil deepam will tell you the huge difference. Flame of a ghee > deepam is easy on eyes and arouses finer inner and nobler instincts. > Ghee is also symbolic of prosperity and we offer what is pure and best > to deities. However, a lot has been passed down to us through tradition. > A Til lamp is also acceptable. Normally, it is good to light a deepam at > the time of sandhyas (dusk and dawn). > > However, if no lamp is available, one may light a candle and pray. It is > as simple as that. Prayers are meant to make our lives simpler and not > more complicated. It is best to make use of what is available and is > affordable. If one goes into what is recommended, there would be > explanation not only on oil/ghee, but also on the no. of faces of > deepam, type of wick, no of wicks, direction of deepam, time of > lighting, etc. All such prescriptions may be followed if one is > well-versed with the procedures, when special poojas/anushthans are > being performed, or deepam is being used for a special purpose. > > Whilst lighting the lamp we pray: > > Deepajyothi parabrahma Deepa sarva tamopahaha > Deepena saadhyate saram Sandhyaa deepo namostute > > I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp, whose light is the knowledge > principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance > and by which all can be achieved in life. > > //Normally a pot of water is kept before God before worshipping Him or > Her. Normally people use a copper pot, but can it be of any other metal > also? If yes, then which one? Will steel pot do the purpose?// > > I do not understand what do you mean by `normally'? Which > worship are you talking about, a bhajan, an aarti, a mantra/stotra or > any specific puja/anushthan? Water for a puja is needed for many > different purposes. Are you talking about a KALASH? It is not just that > you fill a pot of water to be thrown away later. Please clarify. > > However, while copper posts are recommended for several reasons, one can > use brass, earthern or even steel pots/vessels if not required for a > specific purpose. > > Hope this helps. > > Best Wishes > Tripura > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Dear Tripura Ji and Naresh Mintri Ji hank you both for replying me. Tripura Ji, You gave good explanations of my querries. I understood them well. In fact we always keep water before Gid's image on every festival or even in daily Poojaa. When we go to do Poojaa, we take Rolee, rice grains, some sweets (even sugar if nothing else is there) water and flower along with Dhoop and Deep. Then we start our Poojaa. I was talking about that Poojaa pot or Kalash whatever you name it. But I have understood this also so you need not to explain it again, because we just use it to bathe the image and offer water to Him or Her. The remaining water we pour in Tualsee plant or in the roots of some tree. Thans Tripura Ji With regards Sushma , " tripura_malini " <tripura_malini wrote: > > > Dear Sushma, > > //It is said that the worshipper should sit North facing or East facing > to worship; then to which direction Bhagavaan's idols or pictures should > face?// > > Obviously the idols should face West or South. If a suitable direction > is not available, just pray from wherever you can. It is the heart full > of prayers which is important. God is all pervading. > > //To light a lamp before God is a normal worship process, and normally > people light only Ghee lamp before God - whether He or She is Vishnu, > Shiv, Lakshmee, Ganesh or Hanumaan. But I have heard that Ghee lamp is > necessary only before Lakshmee Jee; for others one can light the lamp of > Til (sesame seed) oil. Is it true? Or what is the normal procedure? Is > there any specific procedure for each of the gods to light special oil > or Ghee lamp? > > Primarily a lamp signifies the light of knowledge. By this knowledge, > darkness or ignorance is dispelled. We bow to knowledge which is the > greatest wealth in our lives. Knowledge also backs our good as well as > bad actions. So, the lamp which is kept lit for all auspicious occasions > is a witness to our thoughts and actions. > > Subtle indication is that the flame is fed on the oil of clear devotion, > enlivened by the breeze of intense love of contemplation on the Lord. > The wick is our intellect strengthened by impressions of strivings to > cultivate the right values. This is the spiritual significance of a lamp > or deepam as compared to an electric light which can only remove > darkness. Like the flame burning upwards, our knowledge must take us > towards higher ideals. Also with one deepam, we can light many more > lights. But the original lamp does not diminish when helping to light > others. This means that our knowledge does not decrease when we share it > with others. > > This is what, in essence, lighting of lamp means. > > It is true that the quality of flame depends on the oil/ghee used and is > important to generate a positive energy around. The texts would talk > about cow's ghee to be used. Watching the flames of ghee deepam and > kerosene oil deepam will tell you the huge difference. Flame of a ghee > deepam is easy on eyes and arouses finer inner and nobler instincts. > Ghee is also symbolic of prosperity and we offer what is pure and best > to deities. However, a lot has been passed down to us through tradition. > A Til lamp is also acceptable. Normally, it is good to light a deepam at > the time of sandhyas (dusk and dawn). > > However, if no lamp is available, one may light a candle and pray. It is > as simple as that. Prayers are meant to make our lives simpler and not > more complicated. It is best to make use of what is available and is > affordable. If one goes into what is recommended, there would be > explanation not only on oil/ghee, but also on the no. of faces of > deepam, type of wick, no of wicks, direction of deepam, time of > lighting, etc. All such prescriptions may be followed if one is > well-versed with the procedures, when special poojas/anushthans are > being performed, or deepam is being used for a special purpose. > > Whilst lighting the lamp we pray: > > Deepajyothi parabrahma Deepa sarva tamopahaha > Deepena saadhyate saram Sandhyaa deepo namostute > > I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp, whose light is the knowledge > principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance > and by which all can be achieved in life. > > //Normally a pot of water is kept before God before worshipping Him or > Her. Normally people use a copper pot, but can it be of any other metal > also? If yes, then which one? Will steel pot do the purpose?// > > I do not understand what do you mean by `normally'? Which > worship are you talking about, a bhajan, an aarti, a mantra/stotra or > any specific puja/anushthan? Water for a puja is needed for many > different purposes. Are you talking about a KALASH? It is not just that > you fill a pot of water to be thrown away later. Please clarify. > > However, while copper posts are recommended for several reasons, one can > use brass, earthern or even steel pots/vessels if not required for a > specific purpose. > > Hope this helps. > > Best Wishes > Tripura > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Dear Raja Ji Jaya Siyaa Raam If no Ghee lamo for Hanumaan, then which type of lamp should be lit for Hanumaan and Shiv Ji. I know for Vishnu Bhagavaan and Lakshmee Ji and peraps Ganesh Ji it is of Ghee. Thanks With regards Sushma , " Raja " <desi.raja wrote: > > no ghee lamp for hanuman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Dear Sushmaji, I am not a Pundit or a Guru, but a Bhakta, yes. Let me reply in short what is my take on this. Mahalakshmi temple in Bombay, Mumbadevi temple in Bombay, ISCKON Temple in Bombay, and Babulnath temple in Bombay, all these famous temples have their idols facing the East. There is one Swaminarayan temple just below the Mahalakshmi temple where the idol is facing the west, and only a handful of visitors you will find visiting there. Thats known as Vastu and its effects. When you sit at home face the East while doing Japa or whatever. Forget procedures but stick to faith, shraddha and devotion , as you are a householder and not a Karma Kandi pundit. DFonot waste time in formalities and its intracasies. Normally a Ghee lamp is the best for all Deities at Pooja done at home. But in temple of Hanumanji and Shanidev one carries tel and not gheee. In case you have akhand deepak at home which has to be lit for 24 hours into 365 days, and cannot afford ghee, then use tel. The point is Jal,prithvi,vayu ,agni and akaash have to be saakshi ( Witness) when you are doing a Pooja. Again using of Copper pots is done for Surya Pooja done at home, whhile vessels of silver are used for Bhoga and deepak and prasad. But again the primary requisite for us householders is , as I said, shraddha, and Bhakti, all rest go into the background. Life is too short, spend it in accumlating lots of number of Japas, rather than going into formalities of Japa. Theres a very good book for all of us available at temples of ISCKON- " A Beginners guide to Krishna consciousness ". Dont get mistaken that this is for beginners and not for us, it is a must for all of us to keep and read a number of times. best wishes, Bhaskar. , "bhagvatjee" <bhagvatjee wrote:>> Dear All> Jaya Siyaa Raam> > Although these things are very common in a Hindu's lives, still I > wish to confirm from Pandit and Guru just to make sure that what is a > correct thing to do.> > (1) It is said that the worshipper should sit North facing or East > facing to worship; then to which direction Bhagavaan's idols or > pictures should face?> (2) To light a lamp before God is a normal worship process, and > normally people light only Ghee lamp before God - whether He or She > is Vishnu, Shiv, Lakshmee, Ganesh or Hanumaan. But I have heard that > Ghee lamp is necessary only before Lakshmee Jee; for others one can > light the lamp of Til (sesame seed) oil. Is it true? Or what is the > normal procedure? Is there any specific procedure for each of the > gods to light special oil or Ghee lamp?> (3) Normally a pot of water is kept before God before worshipping Him > or Her. Normally people use a copper pot, but can it be of any other > metal also? If yes, then which one? Will steel pot do the purpose?> > With regards> Sushma> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Oil lamp is lit for Hanumaan. For other god/godess, ghee lamp. , " bhagvatjee " <bhagvatjee wrote: > > Dear Raja Ji > Jaya Siyaa Raam > If no Ghee lamo for Hanumaan, then which type of lamp should be lit > for Hanumaan and Shiv Ji. I know for Vishnu Bhagavaan and Lakshmee Ji > and peraps Ganesh Ji it is of Ghee. > Thanks > With regards > Sushma > > , " Raja " <desi.raja@> wrote: > > > > no ghee lamp for hanuman. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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