Basics of puja -- puja for others, parv, latha, nitya ma, others

[Guest guest]

Parvati, as always you are such a help. as i have never done this in

a group, i might have more questions ok?

 

it sounds like having at least one extra copy of the puja on hand

would be a help.

 

by offering the light, can you tell us what you mean, how a group

would offer the light ... is this a simple gesture, or related to

the movements sadhvi was discussing ... maybe, everyone has a candle

to offer ... (?)

 

also, bells and other sound-makers, waving incense, etc. i must call

ardis and latha for the conch brigade!

 

i like the idea of the purari ...

 

any tips on giving a blessing to others? something in words, to go

with the prasad?

 

very nice, all of it. i do want them involved. i want them to make a

racket for god if they want to, like what i read about bhajans in

nisargadatta's attic. i don't want anyone to feel self-conscious,

rather, drawn into consciousness. sound echoing into contemplation of

the primordial tone within, or real, peaceful, joy, the presence of

the goddess.

 

i wonder ... anyone else out there, on our forum -- what is your

experience doing a puja for others? ... i think sadhvi, ardis, others

have done this .. are there others like me, interesting in doing the

puja for others the first time ... ?

 

if anyone is in austin, look me up and we will do a shiva puja. arati!

 

OM!

 

peace,

 

steve

 

 

, "parvati_saraswati108"

<parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> Dear Steve,

> Swamiji has always encouraged us to share whatever

> knowledge we have with others. It is fine to read from the book.

> You may want to get the people in your satsang involved in

> some way. They could join you in chanting Shiva's mantra 108

> times at the end. You could all do arati together singing and

> each one taking a turn at offering the light.

> Another possibility to have one of your friends be the pujari

> while you read the mantras. You sit next to the person doing the

> offerings and hand them the articles. The pujari will give all the

> offerings as you instruct them.

> It is also nice to give every one a blessing at the end.

Perhaps

> you could offer a bowl of fruit to Shiva and then pass it out as

> prasad at the end. If you make charan amrit(milk, yogurt, ghee,

> honey, sugar) then you could give this out as well. Remember

> your house is a temple and you are the priest.

> As for your new house keep us informed because their are

> some special prayers you can do when moving into a new

> house.

>

>

>

>

> , "Steve Connor"

> <sconnor@a...> wrote:

> > parvati,

> >

> > that is interesting .... i have noticed some elements in

> common, i

> > have the hanuman puja book and wondered about that, even in

> the

> > chandi patah some elements in common appear.

> >

> > parvati, what do you think about a newbie doing the shiva puja

> for a

> > small group of friends. i have a few friends from inida and a

> friend

> > who is interested in chanting, etc., in general. i would of

course

> > have to refer to the book and all.

> >

> > the idea is to have all the offerings, etc. and create a sacred

> > moment in time.

> >

> > any comment? this would probably not happen right away as it

> appears

> > we might be in the midst of a move to a new house [depending

> on the

> > response to a contract offer.] but i am wondering if you think

> this

> > is a good idea or not.

> >

> > steve

> >

> >

> > , "parvati_saraswati108"

> > <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > > Last night Swamiji discussed the

> > > importance of learning the basics of any puja like the

> > beginner

> > > Shiva puja or Durga puja. Once we know the basic

> > > elements of any puja then all we have to do to worship

> another

> > > form is to substiute a few items.

> > > For example there are 5 common

> > > elements particular to each diety that will change depending

> on

> > > the deity that is worshipped.

> > > 1) Each deity has it's own gayatri mantra:

> > > Shiva's gayatri: Om sadaa sivaayaa vidmahe

> sahasraaksaaya

> > > dhiimahe tanno sambho pracodayaat

> > >

> > > Durga's gayatri: om kaatyaayanaaya vidmahe

> kanyaakumaari

> > > dhiimahi tanno durgih pracodayaat

> > >

> > > 2) Each deity has its own dhyaanam or meditation on

> > it's

> > > form and activity

> > >

> > > 3) Each deity has its own nyasa or establishment

> within.

> > > Only the bija mantra will change. EX:

> > >

> > > Shiva's nyasa: Om NAM angusthaabhyaam namah

> > > om MAH tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om SIM

> madhyamaabhyaam

> > > vasat, om VAM anaamikaabhyaam hum, om YAH

> > > kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > >

> > > Durga's nyasa: om HRAAM angusthaabhyaam namah,

> > > OM HRIIM tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om HRUUM

> > > madhyamaabhyaam vasat, om HRAIM anaamikaabhyaam

> hum,

> > > om HRAUM kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > >

> > > 4) Each deity has its own stotram or song

> > >

> > > 5) Each deity has its own pranam at the end.

> > > EX:

> > > Laksmi : om visvaruupasya bhaaryaasi padme padmaalaye

> > > subhe sarvatah paahi maam devii mahaalaksmi namo

> stu-te

> > >

> > > Shiva: om namah sivaaya saantaaya kaaranatraaya hetave

> > > nivedaayaami catmanam twam gati paramesvara

> > >

> > > The Cosmic Puja contains worship of Durga, Kali, Lakshmi,

> > > Saraswati, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh. There you

> will

> > > find each of these 5 elements particular to each deity and

> much

> > > much more. Please visit shreemaa.org website to order a

> > > copy of the Cosmic puja.

[Guest guest]

I really like the idea of your holding the book and chanting and

having someone else serve as pujari and make the offerings. When I

did it at the Mandir or at home, I chanted and served as pujari. It

is kind of hard if you do not have the puja memorized and are trying

to hold the book and do all the mudras and offerings (I kept on

having to put the book down). I think that Parvati meant for the

guests to offer the light during arati, not during the puja. They

would use a candle or ghee lamp and offer light to the murtis using a

clockwise circle, sometimes making a repeated motion at the base of

the murti. They can also sing and dance. A great arati song is Jai

Shiva Omkara. As for the blessings at the end, you can offer a tray

of light to each and they take the light to bless themselves. The

charan amrit you would spoon into their outstretched hand and they

would take it from there. You can also sprinkle water on them with a

flower.

I am sure they will feel very blessed being in your temple and feeling the divine love.

Ardis

"Steve Connor" <sconnor (AT) austin (DOT) rr.com>

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 21:21:11 -0000

Re: Basics of puja -- puja for others, parv,

latha, nitya ma, others

Parvati, as always you are such a help. as i have never done this in

a group, i might have more questions ok?

it sounds like having at least one extra copy of the puja on hand

would be a help.

by offering the light, can you tell us what you mean, how a group

would offer the light ... is this a simple gesture, or related to

the movements sadhvi was discussing ... maybe, everyone has a candle

to offer ... (?)

also, bells and other sound-makers, waving incense, etc. i must call

ardis and latha for the conch brigade!

i like the idea of the purari ...

any tips on giving a blessing to others? something in words, to go

with the prasad?

very nice, all of it. i do want them involved. i want them to make a

racket for god if they want to, like what i read about bhajans in

nisargadatta's attic. i don't want anyone to feel self-conscious,

rather, drawn into consciousness. sound echoing into contemplation of

the primordial tone within, or real, peaceful, joy, the presence of

the goddess.

i wonder ... anyone else out there, on our forum -- what is your

experience doing a puja for others? ... i think sadhvi, ardis, others

have done this .. are there others like me, interesting in doing the

puja for others the first time ... ?

if anyone is in austin, look me up and we will do a shiva puja. arati!

OM!

peace,

steve

, "parvati_saraswati108"

<parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> Dear Steve,

> Swamiji has always encouraged us to share whatever

> knowledge we have with others. It is fine to read from the book.

> You may want to get the people in your satsang involved in

> some way. They could join you in chanting Shiva's mantra 108

> times at the end. You could all do arati together singing and

> each one taking a turn at offering the light.

> Another possibility to have one of your friends be the pujari

> while you read the mantras. You sit next to the person doing the

> offerings and hand them the articles. The pujari will give all the

> offerings as you instruct them.

> It is also nice to give every one a blessing at the end.

Perhaps

> you could offer a bowl of fruit to Shiva and then pass it out as

> prasad at the end. If you make charan amrit(milk, yogurt, ghee,

> honey, sugar) then you could give this out as well. Remember

> your house is a temple and you are the priest.

> As for your new house keep us informed because their are

> some special prayers you can do when moving into a new

> house.

>

>

>

>

> , "Steve Connor"

> <sconnor@a...> wrote:

> > parvati,

> >

> > that is interesting .... i have noticed some elements in

> common, i

> > have the hanuman puja book and wondered about that, even in

> the

> > chandi patah some elements in common appear.

> >

> > parvati, what do you think about a newbie doing the shiva puja

> for a

> > small group of friends. i have a few friends from inida and a

> friend

> > who is interested in chanting, etc., in general. i would of

course

> > have to refer to the book and all.

> >

> > the idea is to have all the offerings, etc. and create a sacred

> > moment in time.

> >

> > any comment? this would probably not happen right away as it

> appears

> > we might be in the midst of a move to a new house [depending

> on the

> > response to a contract offer.] but i am wondering if you think

> this

> > is a good idea or not.

> >

> > steve

> >

> >

> > , "parvati_saraswati108"

> > <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > > Last night Swamiji discussed the

> > > importance of learning the basics of any puja like the

> > beginner

> > > Shiva puja or Durga puja. Once we know the basic

> > > elements of any puja then all we have to do to worship

> another

> > > form is to substiute a few items.

> > > For example there are 5 common

> > > elements particular to each diety that will change depending

> on

> > > the deity that is worshipped.

> > > 1) Each deity has it's own gayatri mantra:

> > > Shiva's gayatri: Om sadaa sivaayaa vidmahe

> sahasraaksaaya

> > > dhiimahe tanno sambho pracodayaat

> > >

> > > Durga's gayatri: om kaatyaayanaaya vidmahe

> kanyaakumaari

> > > dhiimahi tanno durgih pracodayaat

> > >

> > > 2) Each deity has its own dhyaanam or meditation on

> > it's

> > > form and activity

> > >

> > > 3) Each deity has its own nyasa or establishment

> within.

> > > Only the bija mantra will change. EX:

> > >

> > > Shiva's nyasa: Om NAM angusthaabhyaam namah

> > > om MAH tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om SIM

> madhyamaabhyaam

> > > vasat, om VAM anaamikaabhyaam hum, om YAH

> > > kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > >

> > > Durga's nyasa: om HRAAM angusthaabhyaam namah,

> > > OM HRIIM tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om HRUUM

> > > madhyamaabhyaam vasat, om HRAIM anaamikaabhyaam

> hum,

> > > om HRAUM kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > >

> > > 4) Each deity has its own stotram or song

> > >

> > > 5) Each deity has its own pranam at the end.

> > > EX:

> > > Laksmi : om visvaruupasya bhaaryaasi padme padmaalaye

> > > subhe sarvatah paahi maam devii mahaalaksmi namo

> stu-te

> > >

> > > Shiva: om namah sivaaya saantaaya kaaranatraaya hetave

> > > nivedaayaami catmanam twam gati paramesvara

> > >

> > > The Cosmic Puja contains worship of Durga, Kali, Lakshmi,

> > > Saraswati, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh. There you

> will

> > > find each of these 5 elements particular to each deity and

> much

> > > much more. Please visit shreemaa.org website to order a

> > > copy of the Cosmic puja.

/

<?subject=Un>

Terms of Service

<> .

[Guest guest]

Dear Steve,

Having more than one copy of the puja is helpful and others

can chant along with you. As Ardis said, the offering of the light

at the end of arati can be offered one by one.

When you give the prasad (charan amrit), put a spoonful in their

right hand and say:

om sarva shanti karo bava

OM

sarva-all

shanti-peace

karo-make it

bava-to be

 

 

 

 

, "Steve Connor"

<sconnor@a...> wrote:

> Parvati, as always you are such a help. as i have never done

this in

> a group, i might have more questions ok?

>

> it sounds like having at least one extra copy of the puja on

hand

> would be a help.

>

> by offering the light, can you tell us what you mean, how a

group

> would offer the light ... is this a simple gesture, or related to

> the movements sadhvi was discussing ... maybe, everyone

has a candle

> to offer ... (?)

>

> also, bells and other sound-makers, waving incense, etc. i

must call

> ardis and latha for the conch brigade!

>

> i like the idea of the purari ...

>

> any tips on giving a blessing to others? something in words, to

go

> with the prasad?

>

> very nice, all of it. i do want them involved. i want them to make

a

> racket for god if they want to, like what i read about bhajans in

> nisargadatta's attic. i don't want anyone to feel self-conscious,

> rather, drawn into consciousness. sound echoing into

contemplation of

> the primordial tone within, or real, peaceful, joy, the presence

of

> the goddess.

>

> i wonder ... anyone else out there, on our forum -- what is your

> experience doing a puja for others? ... i think sadhvi, ardis,

others

> have done this .. are there others like me, interesting in doing

the

> puja for others the first time ... ?

>

> if anyone is in austin, look me up and we will do a shiva puja.

arati!

>

> OM!

>

> peace,

>

> steve

>

>

> , "parvati_saraswati108"

> <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > Dear Steve,

> > Swamiji has always encouraged us to share whatever

> > knowledge we have with others. It is fine to read from the

book.

> > You may want to get the people in your satsang involved in

> > some way. They could join you in chanting Shiva's mantra

108

> > times at the end. You could all do arati together singing and

> > each one taking a turn at offering the light.

> > Another possibility to have one of your friends be the

pujari

> > while you read the mantras. You sit next to the person doing

the

> > offerings and hand them the articles. The pujari will give all

the

> > offerings as you instruct them.

> > It is also nice to give every one a blessing at the end.

> Perhaps

> > you could offer a bowl of fruit to Shiva and then pass it out

as

> > prasad at the end. If you make charan amrit(milk, yogurt,

ghee,

> > honey, sugar) then you could give this out as well.

Remember

> > your house is a temple and you are the priest.

> > As for your new house keep us informed because their

are

> > some special prayers you can do when moving into a new

> > house.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > , "Steve Connor"

> > <sconnor@a...> wrote:

> > > parvati,

> > >

> > > that is interesting .... i have noticed some elements in

> > common, i

> > > have the hanuman puja book and wondered about that,

even in

> > the

> > > chandi patah some elements in common appear.

> > >

> > > parvati, what do you think about a newbie doing the shiva

puja

> > for a

> > > small group of friends. i have a few friends from inida and a

> > friend

> > > who is interested in chanting, etc., in general. i would of

> course

> > > have to refer to the book and all.

> > >

> > > the idea is to have all the offerings, etc. and create a sacred

> > > moment in time.

> > >

> > > any comment? this would probably not happen right away

as it

> > appears

> > > we might be in the midst of a move to a new house

[depending

> > on the

> > > response to a contract offer.] but i am wondering if you think

> > this

> > > is a good idea or not.

> > >

> > > steve

> > >

> > >

> > > ,

"parvati_saraswati108"

> > > <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > > > Last night Swamiji discussed the

> > > > importance of learning the basics of any puja like the

> > > beginner

> > > > Shiva puja or Durga puja. Once we know the basic

> > > > elements of any puja then all we have to do to worship

> > another

> > > > form is to substiute a few items.

> > > > For example there are 5 common

> > > > elements particular to each diety that will change

depending

> > on

> > > > the deity that is worshipped.

> > > > 1) Each deity has it's own gayatri mantra:

> > > > Shiva's gayatri: Om sadaa sivaayaa vidmahe

> > sahasraaksaaya

> > > > dhiimahe tanno sambho pracodayaat

> > > >

> > > > Durga's gayatri: om kaatyaayanaaya vidmahe

> > kanyaakumaari

> > > > dhiimahi tanno durgih pracodayaat

> > > >

> > > > 2) Each deity has its own dhyaanam or meditation

on

> > > it's

> > > > form and activity

> > > >

> > > > 3) Each deity has its own nyasa or establishment

> > within.

> > > > Only the bija mantra will change. EX:

> > > >

> > > > Shiva's nyasa: Om NAM angusthaabhyaam namah

> > > > om MAH tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om SIM

> > madhyamaabhyaam

> > > > vasat, om VAM anaamikaabhyaam hum, om YAH

> > > > kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > > >

> > > > Durga's nyasa: om HRAAM angusthaabhyaam namah,

> > > > OM HRIIM tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om HRUUM

> > > > madhyamaabhyaam vasat, om HRAIM

anaamikaabhyaam

> > hum,

> > > > om HRAUM kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > > >

> > > > 4) Each deity has its own stotram or song

> > > >

> > > > 5) Each deity has its own pranam at the end.

> > > > EX:

> > > > Laksmi : om visvaruupasya bhaaryaasi padme

padmaalaye

> > > > subhe sarvatah paahi maam devii mahaalaksmi namo

> > stu-te

> > > >

> > > > Shiva: om namah sivaaya saantaaya kaaranatraaya

hetave

> > > > nivedaayaami catmanam twam gati paramesvara

> > > >

> > > > The Cosmic Puja contains worship of Durga, Kali,

Lakshmi,

> > > > Saraswati, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh. There

you

> > will

> > > > find each of these 5 elements particular to each deity

and

> > much

> > > > much more. Please visit shreemaa.org website to order

a

> > > > copy of the Cosmic puja.

[Guest guest]

Parvati that is just perfect, thank you very much. My wife also

liked it, the part about the parasad and the light. I have started

seeking out my participants ... sent out an e-mail invite to a real

nice couple i know, Monideepa and Shriram. Moni also gave me the

location of the best local Indain store for the articles.

 

steve

 

, "parvati_saraswati108"

<parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> Dear Steve,

> Having more than one copy of the puja is helpful and others

> can chant along with you. As Ardis said, the offering of the

light

> at the end of arati can be offered one by one.

> When you give the prasad (charan amrit), put a spoonful in their

> right hand and say:

> om sarva shanti karo bava

> OM

> sarva-all

> shanti-peace

> karo-make it

> bava-to be

>

>

>

>

> , "Steve Connor"

> <sconnor@a...> wrote:

> > Parvati, as always you are such a help. as i have never done

> this in

> > a group, i might have more questions ok?

> >

> > it sounds like having at least one extra copy of the puja on

> hand

> > would be a help.

> >

> > by offering the light, can you tell us what you mean, how a

> group

> > would offer the light ... is this a simple gesture, or related to

> > the movements sadhvi was discussing ... maybe, everyone

> has a candle

> > to offer ... (?)

> >

> > also, bells and other sound-makers, waving incense, etc. i

> must call

> > ardis and latha for the conch brigade!

> >

> > i like the idea of the purari ...

> >

> > any tips on giving a blessing to others? something in words, to

> go

> > with the prasad?

> >

> > very nice, all of it. i do want them involved. i want them to

make

> a

> > racket for god if they want to, like what i read about bhajans in

> > nisargadatta's attic. i don't want anyone to feel self-

conscious,

> > rather, drawn into consciousness. sound echoing into

> contemplation of

> > the primordial tone within, or real, peaceful, joy, the presence

> of

> > the goddess.

> >

> > i wonder ... anyone else out there, on our forum -- what is your

> > experience doing a puja for others? ... i think sadhvi, ardis,

> others

> > have done this .. are there others like me, interesting in doing

> the

> > puja for others the first time ... ?

> >

> > if anyone is in austin, look me up and we will do a shiva puja.

> arati!

> >

> > OM!

> >

> > peace,

> >

> > steve

> >

> >

> > , "parvati_saraswati108"

> > <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > > Dear Steve,

> > > Swamiji has always encouraged us to share whatever

> > > knowledge we have with others. It is fine to read from the

> book.

> > > You may want to get the people in your satsang involved in

> > > some way. They could join you in chanting Shiva's mantra

> 108

> > > times at the end. You could all do arati together singing

and

> > > each one taking a turn at offering the light.

> > > Another possibility to have one of your friends be the

> pujari

> > > while you read the mantras. You sit next to the person doing

> the

> > > offerings and hand them the articles. The pujari will give all

> the

> > > offerings as you instruct them.

> > > It is also nice to give every one a blessing at the end.

> > Perhaps

> > > you could offer a bowl of fruit to Shiva and then pass it

out

> as

> > > prasad at the end. If you make charan amrit(milk, yogurt,

> ghee,

> > > honey, sugar) then you could give this out as well.

> Remember

> > > your house is a temple and you are the priest.

> > > As for your new house keep us informed because their

> are

> > > some special prayers you can do when moving into a new

> > > house.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > , "Steve Connor"

> > > <sconnor@a...> wrote:

> > > > parvati,

> > > >

> > > > that is interesting .... i have noticed some elements in

> > > common, i

> > > > have the hanuman puja book and wondered about that,

> even in

> > > the

> > > > chandi patah some elements in common appear.

> > > >

> > > > parvati, what do you think about a newbie doing the shiva

> puja

> > > for a

> > > > small group of friends. i have a few friends from inida and

a

> > > friend

> > > > who is interested in chanting, etc., in general. i would of

> > course

> > > > have to refer to the book and all.

> > > >

> > > > the idea is to have all the offerings, etc. and create a

sacred

> > > > moment in time.

> > > >

> > > > any comment? this would probably not happen right away

> as it

> > > appears

> > > > we might be in the midst of a move to a new house

> [depending

> > > on the

> > > > response to a contract offer.] but i am wondering if you

think

> > > this

> > > > is a good idea or not.

> > > >

> > > > steve

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ,

> "parvati_saraswati108"

> > > > <parvati_saraswati108> wrote:

> > > > > Last night Swamiji discussed the

> > > > > importance of learning the basics of any puja like the

> > > > beginner

> > > > > Shiva puja or Durga puja. Once we know the basic

> > > > > elements of any puja then all we have to do to worship

> > > another

> > > > > form is to substiute a few items.

> > > > > For example there are 5 common

> > > > > elements particular to each diety that will change

> depending

> > > on

> > > > > the deity that is worshipped.

> > > > > 1) Each deity has it's own gayatri mantra:

> > > > > Shiva's gayatri: Om sadaa sivaayaa vidmahe

> > > sahasraaksaaya

> > > > > dhiimahe tanno sambho pracodayaat

> > > > >

> > > > > Durga's gayatri: om kaatyaayanaaya vidmahe

> > > kanyaakumaari

> > > > > dhiimahi tanno durgih pracodayaat

> > > > >

> > > > > 2) Each deity has its own dhyaanam or

meditation

> on

> > > > it's

> > > > > form and activity

> > > > >

> > > > > 3) Each deity has its own nyasa or establishment

> > > within.

> > > > > Only the bija mantra will change. EX:

> > > > >

> > > > > Shiva's nyasa: Om NAM angusthaabhyaam namah

> > > > > om MAH tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om SIM

> > > madhyamaabhyaam

> > > > > vasat, om VAM anaamikaabhyaam hum, om YAH

> > > > > kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > > > >

> > > > > Durga's nyasa: om HRAAM angusthaabhyaam namah,

> > > > > OM HRIIM tarjaniibhyaam svaahaa, om HRUUM

> > > > > madhyamaabhyaam vasat, om HRAIM

> anaamikaabhyaam

> > > hum,

> > > > > om HRAUM kanisthikaabhyaam vausat

> > > > >

> > > > > 4) Each deity has its own stotram or song

> > > > >

> > > > > 5) Each deity has its own pranam at the end.

> > > > > EX:

> > > > > Laksmi : om visvaruupasya bhaaryaasi padme

> padmaalaye

> > > > > subhe sarvatah paahi maam devii mahaalaksmi namo

> > > stu-te

> > > > >

> > > > > Shiva: om namah sivaaya saantaaya kaaranatraaya

> hetave

> > > > > nivedaayaami catmanam twam gati paramesvara

> > > > >

> > > > > The Cosmic Puja contains worship of Durga, Kali,

> Lakshmi,

> > > > > Saraswati, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh. There

> you

> > > will

> > > > > find each of these 5 elements particular to each deity

> and

> > > much

> > > > > much more. Please visit shreemaa.org website to order

> a

> > > > > copy of the Cosmic puja.