Ramanisblog

Tag: pooja procedure

  • Armour of Gods Kavacha Nyasas

    In Hinduism,  Hymns  addressed to Gods/Goddesses are numerous.

    These Hymns are classified thus.

    Stotras, addressed by a Devotee, praising the  God by perfect attributes and requesting grant of Relief/ Boons,

    Slokas or verses composed by great writers of epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, or by great poets like Kalidasa.

    Vishnu's Discus.
    Vishnu’s Discus.gif

    These slokas form a part of the narrative where the Gods are praised.

    Having been revealed/written by inspiration and impelled by creative urge these slokas are powerful and they can be recited.

    Then one has Parayana and Pooja.

    These two are the processes through which the Slokas and stotras are recited and one has to follow laid down procedures.

    Poojas are performed daily and there are standard procedures.

    Lalitha Devi

    Another is Japa when a specific` Mantra, initiated  by a Guru is chanted.

    Parayana is the recital of verses from the Puranas, like the Vishnu stuthi by Prahaladha or the Vishnu Sahasranama from Mahabharatha.

    These recitals follow some rules, like the one from Ramayana Sundarakanda.

    Then we have the Veda Mantras like the Five Sukthas, Purusha Suktham, Narayana Suktham,Vishnu Sukhtham,Sri Suktham and Durga Suktham and of course the SriRudram.

    Excepting for  Parayanas and daily Poojas, protection is necessary, though procedures for daily Poojas and Parayana are available.

    For reciting specific  Mantras, Veda Sukthas, Sri Rudram,Lalitha and Vishnu Sahasranama one has to take adequate protection for the Limbs, Anga and for organs of action.

    There are two functions for any sense organ.

    Eye has the function or act of seeing, this is called Karma function and in this aspect eye is a Karmendriya.(Organ of action)

    Eye, apart from seeing , also forms judgement based on the act of seeing, it acquires knowledge of what is seen.

    Whether it is a Right/wrong Knowledge , correct or incorrect is a different matter.

    In this function of acquiring Knowledge eyes is a Gyanendriya( Organ of Knowledge)

    Mantras being the sounds grasped from Ether by Seers, are sacred and our organs should  e purified and protected.

    -Purified from its impurities and protected from forces that are inimical to our welfare both spiritual.

    This is the reason why Anganyasa and Karanyasa are prescribed for these Mantras.

    And these form an Armour .

    This is the Armour of Gods

    In addition to this or in some cases, in place of these, are the Bandhanas  are prescribed , for example in Vishnu Sahasranama ,Lalitha Sahasranama.

    These are stated before the Dhyana Slokas.

    These Mantras also contain details of the Rishi who grasped the mantra, , the Devatha of the mantra, the meter in which the Prayer is to be chanted

    For example,

    ‘Asya Shriivishhnor-Divyasahasranaama Stotra Mahaa Mantrasya
    Shri Vedavyaaso Bhagavaan Rishhih
    Anushhtuph Chhandah
    Shri Mahaavishnuh Paramaatmaa Shriimannaaraayano Devataa
    Amritaam Shuudbhavo Bhaanuriti Bieejam
    Devakee Nandanah Srashteti Shaktih
    Udbhavah Kshobhano Deva Iti Paramo Mantrah
    Shankha-Bhrinnandakii Chakriiti Keelakam
    Shaarngadhanvaa Gadaadhara Ityastram
    Rathaangapaani Rakshobhya Iti Netram
    Trisaamaa Saamagah Saameti Kavacham
    Aanandam Parabrahmeti Yonih
    Rituh Sudarshanah Kaala Iti Digbandhah
    Shri Vishvaruupa Iti Dhyaanam
    Shri Mahaavishhnu Priityartham Sahasranaama Jape Viniyogah

    Dhyanam

    Ksheerodanvath Pradese Suchimani Vilasad Saikathe Maukthikanam
    Malaklupthasanastha Spatikamani Nibhai Maukthiker Mandithangah
    Shubrai-Rabrai-Rathabrai Ruparivirachitai Muktha Peeyusha Varshai
    Anandi Na Puniyadari Nalina Gadha Sankapanir Mukundaha…..

    Vishnu Sahasranama.

    The mantras shall be effective when these are chanted and the appropriate mudras performed.

    For more on Anaganyasa, Karanyasa, Pooja, Parayana, slokas please read my posts on these

  • Daily Worship of Five Deities Panchayatana Puja

    In Hinduism Paarayana is different from Puja.

    Paarayana is the recitation of a particular Sloka, Sahasranama, or Astothra of one Deity or any number of Deities daily.

    In this, one need not follow very strict rules of Puja, like Dhik Bandana, Kavacham.

    This can be performed at any time , preferably in the morning or in the evening.

    A Naivedya is to be offered with Aarthi,(Naivedya and mantras  please read my post on Naivedya)

    It is recommended that either Honey ar dried Grapes be offered.

    These two are suggested for they do not have any Dosha  or deity specific.

    In a Puja strict rules are followed and normally the Puja is initiated by a Guru.

    One has to wear Pancha kachcham(How to wear a Pancha Kachcham, please read my post )

    Poojas are performed either in the mornings or evenings.

    It is recommended that Siva Pooja be performed in the evening; others may be performed either in the morning or in the evening.

    It is customary to offer a specific Naivedya for a  particular Deiy; Modhaka for Ganesha,Sarkarai Pongal for Ambika/Vishnu and Maha Naivedyam  for Siva.

    ( Maha Naivedya- Hot cooked Rice with a spoon ful of Ghee on top of it with two teaspoonful of cooked Thoordal)

    There is another specific Puja where Deities representing the Five elements of Nature, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether are worshiped daily .

    This is to be performed in the morning.

    As this Puja has Five Deities, this is called the Panchayatana Puja.

    Idols placement In Panchayatnana Pooja.image
    Panchayatnana Pooja idols placement

    This was made popular by Sri Adi Sankaracharya.

    There is a misconception that only those who worship Siva alone can perform this.

    It  is incorrect.

    The reason for the prevalent view is that people mistake the term ‘Smartha‘ means those who worship Siva.

    Smartha is One who follows the Smriti, that which is retained by Memory, as against Sruthi that which heard(Vedas)

    We have a host of Smritis,

    Narayan Smriti,

    Smarta Smriti.

    Manu Smriti,

    Sukra Smriti. Bruhaspati Smriti.

    All those who follow either of these my perform the Panchayatana Puja.

    Sankaracharya systematised the worship into Six Systems, The Shan Mathas(read my post on this)

    In the Panchayatana Puja,Subrahmanya is not included, but it may be included by having a small Silver Spear(Vel) or a small Silver Snake Idol.

    The Sankalpa depends on one’s desires.

    The best sankalpa is praying for the welfare of all beings, living and non Living.

    The mantras for each Devata may be Astothra .

    Sahasranama is  time-consuming.

    The Five elements and the represented Murthis.

    Akasa -Ether/Space-Vishnu.

    Agni-Fie-Ambika.

    Vayu, Air-Aditya.

    Prithvi, Earth-Siva.

    Jala, Water -Ganapati

    Here on may find the Vedic representation of the principles of nature.

    This may sound slightly different as Aditya  represents Vayu, while Vishnu who is normally associated with Prithvi is seen representing Space as Vishnu is an Amsa of Parama Purusha who represents Space as well.

    ‘Akasyatipo Vishnu Agnischaiva Maheswari,

    Vayo Suryah  Kshtir  Isah Jalan Nyasa Ganathipa’

    There is school of thought which prescribes different  ways of placing the idols in the Puja.

    One is:

    Shiva panchayata

    Vishnu                Surya

          Shiva

    Devi                    Ganesh

    Vishnu panchayata

    Shiva                 Ganesh

          Vishnu

    Devi                 Surya

    Surya panchayata

    Shiva                 Ganesh

     Surya

    Devi                 Vishnu

    Devi panchayata

    Vishnu                 Shiva

            Devi

    Surya                 Ganesh

    Ganesh panchayata

    Vishnu                 Shiva

              Ganesh

    Devi                     Surya

    That is to place the Murthy which one traditionally worships as prescribed by his Kula Sampradaya.

    The other method is to place the Ishta Devata, Preferred personal God in the center and  place all the others around it.

    Some use natural Stones instead of Murthis.

    For..

    Surya Crystal from Vallam Tamil Nadu.

    Ganesha  Red Sonebhadra from Sone,Bihar.

    Vishnu Saligrama from Gandaki, Nepal.

    Shiva, Bana Linga from Narmada, M.P.

    Ambika Swarnamukhi from Swarna Mukhi from Andhra Pradesh.

    if you  plan to use small Idols ensure that they are not taller than your thumb.

    Panchayatana Puja Procedure.

    Start with Ganapati, Adithya,Subrahmanya,Ambika, Shiva and Vishnu.

    Follow the Link for detailed mantras for Panchayatana Puja.

    http://viprayuva.org/joomla/index.php/puja-sangraham/149-laghu-panchayatana-puja

     

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