Beginner Puja –Day 3- A little theory dearie

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

So lets delve a little into what goes into the making of a puja.

Parvati, could you please review and add anything as appropriate?

Thank you.

 

Swamiji says all pujas are modular. So we can expand our puja by

increasing the modules. All that remains is for us to learn the basic

structure of a puja and then expand it according to our time and

capacity.

 

The Beginner Shiva Puja is a perfect example of a simple modular puja.

 

Here are the five basic steps in a puja

 

1) Preparation

2) Purification

3) Invitation

4) Offering and

5) Union

 

Preparation – refers to every effort that we put before we start our

pujas and also some of the actual steps in a puja. This could be

getting the altar ready, the ingredients in place, food offering yada

yada yada

 

This could also mean , for example drawing the yantra upon which we

place the pot (more on this later) or in advanced pujas drawing the

yantra on our chest and inviting the Goddess to come and reside in it

… but this is an advanced technique best left for a later class.

 

The idea is that preparation is both before and during a puja… The

more efficient we get, the more prepared we are … and the one of the

purposes of puja is to turn us into more efficient people.

 

We prepare our time, our surroundings and all the objects needed for

the puja so that we don’t divert our attention during the puja

 

 

 

The next important step is purification. This refers to the

purification that we undergo before a puja. Since we usually do a

puja in the mornings (preferably early) we try to ensure that we have

bathed and wearing clean and fresh clothes. Um, if you go to the

bathroom and er to put it politely - defecate, one of the rules at

the Mandir , is that you would have a bath immediately after. So , as

much as possible, be as pure of body as you can.

 

You would also need to ensure that your altar and surroundings are clean and pure.

 

Purification also refers to some of the steps in the puja – we purify

water, flowers, offerings and even ourselves and our surroundings.

There are specific mantras in the puja for each purification that we

will see in the next few days.

 

Invitation

 

This refers to the Gayatri mantra that we chant to invite the deity of

our choice. The Gayatri mantra is kinda like a telephone number. One

for every deity. You say the Gayatri mantra and you get the response

“Hello, Yes this Shiva, didja call me sweetie? “

 

Essentially, we have prepared ourselves, purified everything in the

puja and we are ready – for the presence of our deity . So we invoke

them to come to our altars and be there for the duration of the puja.

 

 

Offering

 

This is to me the most loving part of the puja. So our honored guest

has arrived in our altar and we have soooooo much to give our guest .

There is milk and yoghurt and ghee and honey and flowers and garlands

and clothes and ….OUR HEARTS. Its like the most beloved person has

just come in to our house and we are overjoyed to be with them again.

What will we not give them ?

 

Nothing but the best will do for you.

 

And offerings – you can give anything you want. You can start off with

water, work your way to ornaments and money and STUFF …

 

The basic puja we stick with some simple offerings … more on that later too.

 

And last but not the least

 

Union

 

This is the purpose of the puja – to unite with our beloved deity.

This we do, by chanting the names of the God, or repeating one

mantra over and over and over. Until we become one with Him /Her. The

culmination of our efforts!

 

Aaaaaahhhhh !

 

OK dear ones … your turn now. What are your questions related to today’s topic?

And I am gonna be nice today , no homework for you except to come back

with some questions on today’s topic.

 

Jai Shiva !

Nanda