Latha- question for Swamiji about puja

[Guest guest]

Dear Shiva,

 

I have a question about puja. I have been doing a Shiva puja based

on the Devi Mandir Shiva Puja book. But I don't do everything that

is in the book. Many of the mudras and much of the sanskrit are so

foreign to me(I'm Western not Indian) I feel like I am praying from

long distance. To me, it's not intimate but sterile. I just start

with a mala of my Guru mantra, say some of the mantras in the

beginning(that I guess invoke the different deities), then I make

the offerings to the lingum, say the 108 names, wash the lingum and

give it Shiva's markings, and offer a mala of my Guru Mantra while

offering flowers, chant to Shiva, do japa, then meditate.

 

I leave out much that is in the book because I feel my reason for

doing the puja is to learn to love Shiva, deepen my devotion to

him. This way is more personal to me.

 

I would like to know how the outcome differs between following the

puja book exactly and the way I am worshipping Shiva.

 

Ram

[Guest guest]

ram

 

dear dear ram.

 

do what is in your heart.

 

latha says she sees people taking a leaf to give to shiva, as they

have no flowers.

 

lacking a leaf, they touch their heart and make a gesture.

 

ardis has a lingam she found in her back yard. it is a rock for one

with no eyes.

 

pranams ram! love love love to you!!!!

 

shiva

 

 

, "ramavihs11" <ramavihs11>

wrote:

> Dear Shiva,

>

> I have a question about puja. I have been doing a Shiva puja

based

> on the Devi Mandir Shiva Puja book. But I don't do everything

that

> is in the book. Many of the mudras and much of the sanskrit are

so

> foreign to me(I'm Western not Indian) I feel like I am praying

from

> long distance. To me, it's not intimate but sterile. I just

start

> with a mala of my Guru mantra, say some of the mantras in the

> beginning(that I guess invoke the different deities), then I make

> the offerings to the lingum, say the 108 names, wash the lingum

and

> give it Shiva's markings, and offer a mala of my Guru Mantra while

> offering flowers, chant to Shiva, do japa, then meditate.

>

> I leave out much that is in the book because I feel my reason for

> doing the puja is to learn to love Shiva, deepen my devotion to

> him. This way is more personal to me.

>

> I would like to know how the outcome differs between following the

> puja book exactly and the way I am worshipping Shiva.

>

> Ram