The personal approach God,of treating Him as a Human being and interacting with Him as one would with a Human being is unique to Hinduism.

For Hinduism, God is not someone who wields the stick when we err or offer carrots when we are in our best behaviour.

One has to reap the consequences of one’s actions and there is no escaping from it.

Krishna Janmashtami 2017.

14 August.

Muhurtha for Pooja.

One does not and can not bribe God nor God is a Broker to intervene in the functioning of Cosmic Law.

Gods, when they take Avatars are bound by their actions as may be noticed from Rama, Krishna Avatars.

Then why do people perform Pooja?

Self realization is nothing but the rediscovering the true Nature of oneself, Sat, Chit and Ananda, Being, Consciousness and Bliss.

Human mind needs to be focussed from the myriad of Thoughts to concentrate on a Single Thought which would lead to the annihilation of Thoughts and one realizes the Self.

The Poojas are a tool to concentrate the Mind and to lead one towards Godhood.

When one connects with Reality at the emotional level, it becomes easier to practice Bhakthi Yoga.

This type of Approach is like Kindergarten and when one reaches Higher levels of Yoga and realizes BrahmanThe Self, the earlier approach of Pooja might seem silly.

But nobody can get a Doctorate without attending Kindergarten.

So performance of Poojas is vital.

In performing Poojas, there are processes of performing them ,

Five fold, Pancha Upachaara,

Shodasa Upachaara,Sixteen Fold and

Sixty four Fold.

Please read my articles on Upachaara.

I am providing the Sixteen Fold process of Pooja to be performed forcLord Krishna on Janmashtami,Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami.

One starts Poojas with Prayer to Ganesh, take right determination, Sankalpa and proceeds thus.

Dhyanam (ध्यानम्) Puja should begin with the meditation of Lord Krishna. Dhyana should be done in front of already installed Lord Krishna statue in front of you.

Following Mantra should be chanted while meditating on Lord Shri Krishna.

Om Tamadbhutam Balakam Ambujekshanam Chaturbhuja Shankha Gadadyudhayudam। Shri Vatsa Lakshmam Gala Shobhi Kaustubham Pitambaram Sandra Payoda Saubhagam॥ Maharha Vaidhurya Kiritakundala Tvisha Parishvakta Sahasrakundalam। Uddhama Kanchanagada Kanganadibhir Virochamanam Vasudeva Ekshata॥ Dhyayet Chaturbhujam Krishnam, Shankha Chakra Gadadharam। Pitambaradharam Devam Mala Kaustubhabhushitam॥ Om Shri Krishnaya Namah। Dhyanat Dhyanam Samarpayami॥

Avahanam (आवाहनं) After Dhyana of Lord Krishna, one should chant following Mantra in front of the Murti, by showing Aavahan Mudra (Aavahan Mudra is formed by joining both palms and folding both thumbs inwards).

Avahana Mantra

Om Sahasrashirsha Purushah Sahasrakshah Sahasrapat। Sa Bhumim Vishvato Vritva Atyatishthaddashangulam॥ Agachchha Devadevesha Tejorashe Jagatpate। Kriyamanam Maya Pujam, Grihana Surasattame॥ Avahayami Deva Tvam Vasudeva Kulodbhavam। Pratimayam Suvarnadinirmitayam Yathavidhi॥ Krishnam Cha Balabadhram Cha Vasudevam Cha Devakim। Nandagopa Yashodam Cha Subhadram Tatra Pujayet॥ Atma Devanam Bhuvanasya Garbho Yathavasham Charati Deveshah। Ghosha Idasya Shrnvire Na Rupam Tasmai Vatayahavisha Vidhema॥ Shri Kleem Krishnaya Namah, Saparivara Sahita, Shri Balakrishnam Avahayami॥

Asanam (आसनं) After Lord Krishna has been invoked, take five flowers in Anjali (by joining palm of both hands) and leave them in front of the Murti to offer seat to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Asana Mantra

Purusha Evedagam Sarvam Yadbhutam Yachchha Bhavyam। Utamritatvasyeshanah Yadannenatirohati॥ Rajadhiraja Rajendra Balakrishna Mahipate। Ratna Simhasanam Tubhyam Dasyami Svikuru Prabho॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Asanam Samarpayami॥

Padya (पाद्य)

After offering seat to Lord Krishna offer Him water to wash the feet while chanting following Mantra.

Padyam Mantra Etavanasya Mahima Ato Jyayaganshcha Purushah। Padoasya Vishva Bhutani Tripadasyamritam Divi॥ Achyutananda Govinda Pranatarti Vinashana। Pahi Mam Pundarikaksha Prasida Purushottama॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Padoyo Padyam Samarpayami॥

Arghya (अर्घ्य) After Padya offering, offer water to Shri Krishna for head Abhishekam while chanting following Mantra. Arghyam Mantra.

Tripadurdhva Udaitpurushah Padoasyehabhavatpunah। Tato Vishvangvyakramat Sashananashane Abhi॥ Paripurna Parananda Namo Namo Krishnaya Vedhase। Grihanarghyam Maya Dattam Krishna Vishnorjanardana॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Arghyam Samarpayami॥

Achamaniyam (आचमनीयं) After Arghya offering, offer water to Shri Krishna for Achamana (water for sipping) while chanting following Mantra.

Achamana Mantra

Tasmadviradajayata Virajo Adhi Purushah। Sa Jato Atyarichyata Pashchadbhumimatho Purah॥ Namah Satyaya Shuddhaya Nityaya Jnana Rupine। Grihanachamanam Krishna Sarva Lokaika Nayaka॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Achamaniyam Samarpayami॥

Snanam (स्नानं) After Achamana, offer water to Shri Krishna for the bath while chanting following Mantra.

Snanam Mantra.

Yatpurushena Havisha Deva Yajnamatanvata। Vasanto Asyasidajyam Grishma Idhmashsharaddhavih॥ Brahmandodara Madhyasthaistithaishcha Raghunandana। Snapayishyamyaham Bhaktya Tvam Grihana Janardana॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Malapakarsha Snanam Samarpayami॥

Vastra (वस्त्र)

Now offer Moli (मोली) as new clothes to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Vastra Mantra.

Om Tam Yajnam Barhishi Praukshan Purusham Jatamagratah। Tena Deva Ayajanta Sadhya Rishayashcha Ye॥ Om Upaitu Mam Devasakhah Kirtishcha Manina Saha। Pradurbhutoasmi Rashtresminkirtimriddhim Dadatu Me॥ Tapta Kanchana Samkasham Pitambaram Idam Hare। Samgrihana Jagannatha Balakrishna Namoastute॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah।

Vastrayugmam Samarpayami॥

Yajnopavita (यज्ञोपवीत) After Vastra offering, offer Yajnopavita to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Yajnopavitam Mantra.

Tasmadyajnatsarvahutah Sambhritam Prishadajyam। Pashuganstaganshchakre Vayavyan Aranyan Gramyashchaye॥ Kshutpipasamalam Jyeshthamalakshmim Nashayamyaham। Abhutimasamriddhim Cha Sarvam Nirnudame Grihat॥ Shri Balakrishna Devesha Shridharananta Raghava। Brahmasutramchottariyam Grihana Yadunandana॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Yajnopavitam Samarpayami॥

Gandha (गन्ध) After Yajnopavita offering, offer scent to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Gandha Mantra.

Tasmadyajnatsarvahutah Richah Samani Jajnire। Chhandansi Jajnire Tasmat Yajustasmadajayata॥ Gandhadwaram Duradharsham Nityapushtam Karishinim। Ishwarim Sarvabhutanam Tamihopahvaye Shriyam॥ Kumkumagaru Kasturi Karpuram Chandanam Tata। Tubhyam Dasyami Rajendra Shri Krishna Svikuru Prabho॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Gandham Samarpayami॥

Abharanam Hastabhushan (आभरणं हस्तभूषण)

Now offer jewellery (Abhushana) to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Abharanam Hastabhushan Mantra Grihana Nanabharanani Krishnaya Nirmitani। Lalata Kanthottama Karna Hasta Nitamba Hastamguli Bhushanani॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Abharanani Samarpayami॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Hastabhushanam Samarpayami॥

Nana Parimala Dravya (नाना परिमल द्रव्य)

Now offer various fragrance stuffs to Lord Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Nana Parimala Dravya Mantra Om Ahiriva Bhogaih Paryeti Bahum Jayaya Hetim Paribadhamanah। Hastaghno Vishva Vayunani Vidvanpumanpumamsam Pari Patu Vishvatah॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Nana Parimala Dravyam Samarpayami॥

Pushpa (पुष्प) Now offer flowers to Lord Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Pushpa Mantra Malyadini Sugandhini, Malyatadini Vaiprabho। Maya Hritani Pujartham, Pushpani Pratigrihyatam॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Pushpani Samarpayami॥

Atha Angapuja (अथ अङ्गपूजा)

Now worship those Gods who are body parts of Shri Krishna itself. For that take Gandha, Akshata and Pushpa in left hand and leave them near to Lord Krishna Murti with right hand while chanting following Mantra(s).

Angapuja Mantra.

Om Shri Krishnaya Namah। Padau Pujayami॥ Om Rajivalochanaya Namah। Gulphau Pujayami॥ Om Narakantakaya Namah। Januni Pujayami॥ Om Vachaspataye Namah। Janghai Pujayami॥ Om Vishvarupaya Namah। Urun Pujayami॥ Om Balabhadranujaya Namah। Guhyam Pujayami॥ Om Vishvamurtaye Namah। Jaghanam Pujayami॥ Om Gopijana Priyaya Namah। Katim Pujayami॥ Om Paramatmane Namah। Udaram Pujayami॥ Om Shrikantaya Namah। Hridayam Pujayami॥ Om Yajnine Namah। Parshvau Pujayami॥ Om Trivikramaya Namah। Prishthadeham Pujayami॥ Om Padmanabhaya Namah। Skandhau Pujayami॥ Om Sarvastradharine Namah। Bahun Pujayami॥ Om Kamalanathaya Namah। Hastan Pujayami॥ Om Vasudevaya Namah। Kantham Pujayami॥ Om Sanatanaya Namah। Vadanam Pujayami॥ Om Vasudevatmajaya Namah। Nasikam Pujayami॥ Om Punyaya Namah। Shrotre Pujayami॥ Om Shrishaya Namah। Netrani Pujayami॥ Om Nandagopapriyaya Namah। Bhravau Pujayami॥ Om Devakinandanaya Namah। Bhrumadhyam Pujayami॥ Om Shakatasuramardhanaya Namah। Lalatam Pujayami॥ Om Shri Krishnaya Namah। Shirah Pujayami॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Sarvangani Pujayami॥ Dhupam (धूपं) Now offer Dhupa to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra. Dhupa Mantra Vanaspatyudbhavo Divyo Gandhadyo Gandha Uttamah। Balakrishna Mahipalo Dhupoyam Pratigrihyatam॥ Yatpurusham Vyadadhuh Katidha Vyakalpayan। Mukham Kimasya Kau Bahu Kavuru Padavuchyete॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah।

Now Chant Krishna Astotram and offer flowers.

Deepam (दीपं) Now offer Deep to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Deepam Mantra Sajyam Trivarti Samyuktam Vahnina Yojitum Maya। Grihana Mangalam Deepam, Trailokya Timirapaham॥ Bhaktya Deepam Prayashchami Devaya Paramatmane। Trahi Mam Narakat Ghorat Deepam Jyotirnamostute॥ Brahmanosya Mukhamasit Bahu Rajanyah Kritah। Uru Tadasya Yadvaishyah Padbhyam Shudro Ajayata॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Deepam Darshayami॥

Naivedya (नैवेद्य) Now offer Naivedya to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Naivedya Mantra Om Krishnaya Vidmahe Balabhadraya Dhimahi। Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah॥ Nirvishi Karanarthe Tarksha Mudra। Amriti Karanarthe Dhenu Mudra। Pavitri Karanarthe Shankha Mudra। Sanrakshanarthe Chakra Mudra। Vipulamaya Karanarthe Meru Mudra। Om Satyantavartena Parishinchami। Bhoh! Swamin Bhojanartham Agachchhadi Vijnapya। Sauvarne Sthalivairye Manigana Khachite Goghritam Supakvam Bhakshyam Bhojyam Cha Lehyanapi Sakalamaham Joshyamna Nidhaya Nana Shakairupetam Samadhu Dadhi Ghritam Kshira Paniya Yuktam Tambulam Chapi Shri Krishnam Pratidivasamaham Manasa Chintayami॥ Adya Tishthati Yatkinchit Kalpitashchaparamgrihe Pakvannam Cha Paniyam Yathopaskara Samyutam Yathakalam Manushyarthe Mokshyamanam Shariribhih Tatsarvam Krishnapujastu Prayatam Me Janardana Sudharasam Suvipulam Aposhanamidam Tava Grihana Kalashanitam Yatheshtamupabhujjyatam॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Amritopastaranamasi Svaha। Om Pranatmane Narayanaya Svaha। Om Apanatmane Vasudevaya Svaha। Om Vyanatmane Sankarshanaya Svaha। Om Udanatmane Pradyumnaya Svaha। Om Samanatmane Aniruddhaya Svaha। Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Naivedyam Grihyatam Deva Bhakti Me Achalam Kuruh। Ipsitam Me Varam Dehi Ihatra Cha Param Gatim॥ Shri Krishna Namastubhyam Maha Naivedyam Uttamam। Sangrihana Surashreshtha Bhakti Mukti Pradayakam॥ Om Chandrama Manaso Jatah Chakshoh Suryo Ajayata। Mukhadindrashchagnishcha Pranadvayurajayata॥ Om Ardram Pushkarinim Pushtim Suvarnam Hemamalinim। Suryam Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Naivedyam Samarpayami॥ Sarvatra Amritopidhanyamasi Svaha। Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Uttaraposhanam Samarpayami॥

Tambulam (तांबूलं) Now offer Tambula (Paan with betel nuts) to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Tambulam Mantra.

Pugiphalam Satambulam Nagavalli Dalairyutam। Tambulam Grihyatam Krishna Yela Lavanga Samyuktam॥ Om Shri Balakrishnayanamah। Pugiphala Tambulam Samarpayami॥

Dakshina (दक्षिणा).

Now offer Dakshina (gift) to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra. .

Achamana Mantra .

Hiranya Garbha Garbhastha Hemabija Vibhavasoh। Ananta Punya Phalada Athah Shantim Prayachchha Me॥ Om Shri Balakrishnayanamah। Suvarna Pushpa Dakshinam Samarpayami॥

Maha Nirajan (महा नीराजन) Now offer Nirajan (Aarti) to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Maha Nirajan Mantra.

Om Shriyai Jatah Shriya Aniriyaya Shriyam Vayo Jaritribhyo Dadati Shriyam Vasana Amritattvamayan Bhavanti Satya Sa Mithamitadrau Shriya Evainam Tat Shriyamadadhati Santatamricha Vashatkrityam Santatyai Sandhiyate Prajaya Pashubhih Ya Evam Veda॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Mahanirajanam Deepam Samarpayami॥

Pradakshina (प्रदक्षिणा) Now offer symbolic Pradakshina (circumambulate from left to right of Shri Krishna) with flowers while chanting following Mantra.

Pradakshina Mantra.

Om Nabhya Asidantariksham Shirshno Dyauh Samavartata। Padabhyam Bhumirdishah Shrotrat Tatha Lokan Akalpayan॥ Ardram Yahkarinim Yashtim Pingalam Padmamalinim। Chandram Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha॥ Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantara Kritani Cha। Tani Tani Vinashyanti Pradakshine Pade Pade॥ Anyatha Sharanam Nasti Tvameva Sharnam Mama। Tasmat Karunya Bhavena Raksha Rakhsa Ramapate॥ Om Shri Balakrishnayanamah। Pradakshinan Samarpayami॥

Namaskar (नमस्कार) Now pay homage to Shri Krishna while chanting following Mantra.

Namaskar Mantra.

Namo Brahmanya Devaya Gobrahmanahitaya Cha। Jagadishaya Krishnaya Govindaya Namo Namah॥ Krishnaya Vasudevaya Haraye Paramatmane। Pranatakleshanashaya Govindaya Namo Namah॥ Namastubhyam Jagannatha Devakitanaya Prabho Vasudevatmajananda Yashodanandavardhana Govinda Gokuladara Gopikanta Namostute Saptasyasan Paridhayah Trissapta Samidhah Kritah। Deva Yadyajnam Tanvanah Abadhnanpurusham Pashum॥ Tam Ma Avaha Jatavedo Lakshmimanapagaminim। Yasyam Hiranyam Vindeyam Gamashvam Purushanaham॥ Namah Sarva Hitartaya Jagadadhara Hetave। Sashtangoyam Pranamaste Prayatnena Maya Kritah॥ Urusa Shirasa Drishtva Manasa Vachasa Tatha। Padbhyam Karabhyam Janubhyam Pranamoshtangam Uchyate॥ Shatyenapi Namaskaran Kurvatah Shrangapanaye। Shata Janmarchitam Papam Tatkshanadeva Nashyati॥ Om Shri Balakrishnaya Namah। Namaskaran Samarpayami॥

Kshamapan (क्षमापन) After Namaskar, seek pardon from Shri Krishna for any known-unknown mistakes done during Puja while chanting following Mantra.

Kshamapan Mantra Aparadha Sahasrani Kriyante Aharnisham Maya। Dasoayamiti Mam Matva Kshamasva Purushottama॥ Yantu Deva Ganah Sarve Pujam Adaya Parthivim। Ishta Kamyartha Siddhyartham Punaragamanaya Cha॥

॥Shri Krishnarpanamastu॥

Mantra citation and source.

http://www.drikpanchang.com/dashavatara/lord-krishna/janmashtami/puja-vidhi/krishna-janmashtami-puja-vidhi.html