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BIDHI
NOTE:
A Pooja can be done by simply offering the Pooja items in the correct order
even without Mantras. Even using yellow rice only. Even WITHOUT ANY
POOJA ITEMS -Manas Pooja.
For too long Devotees have been told that unless they know Pooja Mantras they
cannot do Poojas.
This is what is used to keep Hindus ignorant about Poojas and as a result they
feel that they cannot do their own Poojas, sometimes they cannot afford to call
the Pandit because of financial reasons and such, although they want to do
Poojas, they stay away from it, and even change religion.
We have kept our Hindu devotees ignorant for too long. This is the reason for
me doing such a elaborate explanation of Poojas and how to do Poojas
YOURSELF-- DO POOJAS --- YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!
A simple method of doing Poojas, just by making the offerings, following
instructions and NOT using Mantras is already prepared and available to
ANYONE, who wants them.
We are loosing many Devotees because every ritual and religious activity we do
remain a SECRET AND MYSTERY which a few CLAIM to know.
Technology have advanced, to give more and easier understanding of the universe
and its functions, but HINDUS refuse to get simplier and down to earth
meanings to our rituals and practices.
They say if the Scriptures does not say so, then we are wrong, if we say so and
so about our rites and rituals.
Ask yourself, for how many years have India been ruled by the British, the
Moguls??????? Have they influenced the Priests of those years to change the
meanings of our rites and worship????
Come on Hindus, give LOGICAL AND SENSIBLE meanings to our rites and
rituals.
Our present day Swamis from MY time of birth, starting with Swami Purnananda
of the Bharatya Sevashram Sangha, Swami Satchitananda of the Divine Life
Society, Sri Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, Sant Keshavadas, Swami
Chinmayananda, Swami Bhaskarnanda and MY own, Shri, Shri Shri Ganapathi
Sachchidananda Swami of Mysore India, are only a few of the Saints of India,
who have tried to give Vedantic and logical explanations and sequential order in
our Pooja system, rites and rituals.
Changes have been made by them, and they have made Poojas, rites and rituals
accessable to anyone who wants to perform Poojas, rites and rituals.
These mantras are just a guide to the South India Pooja system. If you know
Mantras that differ from those presented here, you decide which ones you want to
use. We have 4 Vedas, 18 Puranas, 108 Upanishads, and a host of Pooja
Paddities by Vsshista, Narad, Bhrigu, Garga, Gowtam, Sandilya and other Rishis.
Mantras have come into our Pooja System from all these sources. The main thing
is that the correct and systematic offering is done along with the relevant Mantras
that you choose, IF you know them or just offer in the order given and ask God
to please accept the offerings.
NOTE: The explanations of the Pooja as given by me, Pandit Ramkissoon Ramnarine
Sharma ( Boloji ) are given simply in order for Devotees to get a laymans, down to
earth, understanding of the activities and items that are offered in the South India Pooja
system. Remember, that there are highly Vedic explanations and meaning of the Mantras
and the offerings, which is not given here. These explanations, I repeat is ONLY for your
better understanding of South India Pooja system and to encourage and make you want
and love to do Pooja.
Remember each Pandit has his own Mantras and format of doing Poojas, some has been
handed down, from grandfather to fathers to son, no format or Mantras is wrong. Just
as each and every host will serve their guests in their own way, each Pandit will do his
Pooja in his own way. This is the simplest format of the South India Pooja system, as
taught to me by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji , with Pandit
Moorli of Mysore, South India as my Acharia ( teaching me through Sruthi----from his
mouth to my ear)
Cleansing of Srotha (Devotee doing Pooja) before beginning of Pooja. Engaging the
Srothas into the Pooja.
Srotha stands on a kush grass or mango leaf facing the Bede or Murthi.
The Pandit pours water on his/her hand, with a mango leaf, asking hin/her to wash his/
her hands, then he pours water in his right hand and ask him/ her to drink it ( three times),
then wash their hands. The washing of the hands is symbolic of the outside cleansing of
the body, the drinking of the water is symbolic of the cleaning of the inside of the body. A
kush grass or mango ring is placed in his/her ring finger. ( engaging the Srothas in the
Pooja) When someone gets engaged, that person must think of the person that they have
become engaged to only and no one else, they now surrender themselves to God until
they become disengaged. The Srotha must only think about the Pooja while engaged in
the Pooja, their THAN ,MANN oure DHAN ( thoughts, words and deeds ) must be on the
Pooja.The water must not fall on the Bede or Murthi. The Srotha remains standing, until
told to take his/her seat by the Pandit. Pandit gives each Srotha a flower ask him to hold
it in his hands , clasping his hands in form of prayer.
Sachchidananda Roopaya
Shivaya Paramatmane
Namo Vedanta Vedhyaya
Guruve Budhi Sakshini
Ganapathi Gurumekam Sachchidananda Roopam
Vibhudha Nivaha Sevyam Yoga Maargadhi Roodham
Shamanmupa Gataanaam Arta Sangaadri Vajram
Mama Hridaya Nivasam
Bhakti Namro Namami
Clasp hands and say this mantra:
SHRI GURU BHYO NAMAHA
SHRI GURU BHYO NAMAHA
SHRI GURU BHYO NAMAHA
HARIHI OM
Clasp hands and say this mantra:
OM SHRI GANESH AAYA NAMAH
SHRI SARASWATIYAI NAMAHA
SHRI PADAVALLABHA NARASIMHA SARASWATEE
SHRI GURU DATTATREYA NAMAHA
Lighting of the deya is done now---This is to let the life force come into
the murthi. If there is no light in front of the murthi it will be just as
when the soul of a person has left the body ,it become cold. The
lighted deya keeps the life force in the murthi. This is the reason for
lighting the deya at the beginning of the Pooja.
Place left hand palms facing upwards on right hand palms facing down on left hand
and say this mantra:
MORNING & EVENING:
OM SIDDHI BUDDHI PRADAY DEVI
BHAKTI MOOKTI PRADAYANEE
MANTRA MURTI SADA DEVI
MAHA LAKSHMI NAMOOSTUTAY
MORNING & EVENING:
OM LAKSHMI KRITO KALYAANAM
AAROGAYAM API SAMPADAAM
MAMA SHATRO VINASHAYA
DEEPAM JYOTIR NAMOOSTUTAY
OM NARAYANAYA SWAHA
OM MAADHAVAYA SWAHA
OM GOVINDAYA NAMAHA
Pour a spoon of water on your right hand palm and let it run down to the ground
passing through the tip of your fingers .
OM VISHANAVE NAMAHA
Pass right hand fingers over mouth, from right hand side.
OM MADHUSOODHANAYA NAMAHA
Rub palms with right palm on top
OM TRIVIKRAMAAYA NAMAHA
Rub palms with left palm on top .
OM VAAMANAAYA NAMAHA
Pour a spoon of water on your right palm, and let it run to the ground passing
through the tip of your fingers.
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SHRI MAT
(Year)
(Sun Phase)
(Season)
(Month)
(Fortnight)
(Tithi)
SHRI MUKHA
NAAM SAMVATSARE
AYANAY
RITOU
MAASAY
PAKSHI
TITHOV
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OM VAKRA THUNDA
MAHAA KAAYA
SURYA KOTI
SAMA PRABHA
NIRVIGNAM
KURU MEY DEVA
SARVA KARYEA SHO
SARVADDHA
MANASOOBHISTA
PRARTHANAAM
SAMARPAYAMI
NOTE: KALASHA POOJA MUST BE DONE BEFORE GANESH POOJA
please shift this around --Artima to shift.
Kalasha Pooja is now done.This is done to prepare (1) Holy water to be
used in the Pooja, (2) the Kalasha for the Devatas to which Poojas are
to be done to, to take a seat on that Kalasha
ATAHA KALASHA POOJA
TADANGA KALASHYA POOJAM KARISHYEA
KAALASHAM GANDHA AKSHATA PATRA PUSHPEI RAVIARCHA
Using ring finger if right hand touch hardi and touch 4 sides of both Kalsas starting
from the southern side clockwise. Do the same for the Kum-Kum or sindoor.(This is
done to prevent any evil forces, from entering the vessels) Place a little hardi,
yellow rice and camphor, into both Kalasas, which is filled with water. One
Kalasha is with now prepared with mango leaves and a dried coconut, which is
shaped in the form of a peak, the fibre forming the peak, is where the eyes are, the
eyes are left covered, in this Kalasha one coin is placed together with three drops of
water from the other Kalasha, the water in this Kalasha is now stirred three times
with a spoon or the mango leaf, which is placed in the smaller Kalasha. A flowers is
placed in each Kalasha. A Raksha or cloth is wrapped around the neck of the
Kalasha which has the coconut on it, hardi and kum kum are placed on four sides of
the shaped coconut, as was previously done with the two Kalashas, (Say this mantra
while doing the above keeping each hand over the (1)the mouth of the smaller
Kalasha and(2) your next hand touching the coconut, which is on the next Kalasha.
OM YO DEVAHA, SAVITAA SMAAKAM, DHIYOO DHARMAADI,
GOOCHARAHA, PREERAYEETH, TASYA, YAD BHARGAHA, TAD
VAREBYAM, UPAASMAHE (Say this pray three (3) times)
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Place a flower upside down into the Kalsa mouth with your right palm and say the
following Mantra:
OM KALASHYASHYA
MUKHEY VISHNUHU
KANTHAY RUDRA
SAMA SHWREETAAHA
MOLE TATRA
STITHOU BRAMHAA
MADHYAY MATRA GANAA SMIRTHAHA
KUKSHOW TOO SAAGARATSARVEE
SAPTA DWEEPA WASUNDHARA
RIG VEDA, TA YAJUR, VEDA TA
SAMA VEDAH, HEEYATAR VARAHA
ANGAISCHA SAHITA ASARVEY
KALASAYSHU SAMA SHRITAHAA
AAYANTU DEVA PUJA ARTHAM
DURITA KSHYA KAARA KAHA
GANGAY CHA YAMUNA CHAIVA
GODAVARI SARASWATEE
NARMADA SINDHU KAAVERI
JALESHMEEN SAN NEEDHEEN KURUU
Dip the flower into the water in the kalsa,( i.e the Kalsa without the coconut) and
sprinkle on all Pooja items saying this mantra: this is done to sanctify all Pooja
items
KALAS O DEKEYNA
POOJA DRAVYANEE SAMPROKSHA
Dip flower in water and sprinkle murti and pictures saying this Mantra: this is done
to sanctify all the murtees and pictures.
DEVAM PROKSHA
Dip flower in water and sprinkle on yourself saying this Mantra: this is done to
sanctify the Srotha.
ATMA ANANCHA PROKSHA
SHESHAN VISRUJYAA
Sprinkle the whole place with water from flower by sprinkling right around you in a
circular clockwise way. This is done to sanctify the entire area.
Put flowers near murti or bedi
Now the actual Pooja begins. A Pooja is the inviting, welcoming, entertaining and
bidding farewell of the Devatas.
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Now you must officially invite the Devatas and tell them for what purpose you are
inviting them. When you invite someone to your home, you must tell them for what
purpose you are inviting them, so they can come prepared, for the occasion you are
inviting them for. You are inviting them, so you can do 16 stages of Pooja for them.
Put palms together in form of praying and say this Mantra:
ATAHA OM SHRI .. (Name of deity)
SHORA SHO OPACHARA POOJAM KARISHYAYAI
AWAWAHYAMI STAPAYAMI POOJAYAMI SANIDAPAYAMI
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MAHERANAYAA CHAKSHASAY
YO WAH SHIVATA MOO RASAHA
TASYA BAAJAYA TEHANAHA
USHA TERE WAA MAATARAHAA
YASYAKSHAYAYAA JINWATAA
AAPO JANAYATA CHANAHAA
OM SHRI (name of deity). KHUSDHO DAKA SNANAM
SAMARPAYAMI
Human beings have a biological body, their body is given a bath with
water , soap, shampoo e.t.c.. The Deities have a spiritual body, they
must be given a bath with spiritual items which are milk, dahee, ghee,
honey and sugar. The following are now done.
Some people will mix all five items and bathe the murthi.We do not
melt soap in a bath tub and jump into the bath tub and come back out
of the bath tub, saying we have taken a bath. What we do, is we wet
our skin with water, then rub our skin with soap, then wash out the
soap and perhaps rub our skin with shampoo and wash our skin again.
The same procedure is done in bathing the murthi. First, bath the
murthi with water then milk, then wash out the milk, then bath the
murthi with dahee, then wash out the dahee, then bath the murthi with
ghee, then wash out the ghee, then bath the murthi with honey, then
wash out the honey, then bath the murthi with sugar, then wash out
the sugar with water each time. Panch amrit (5 items-milk, dahee,
ghee, honey and sugar mixed together is used, not to bathe the
Murthi, but as a nectar for the Deity to drink and at the end of the
Pooja, to those at the Pooja, to drink, as having partaking of what was
used to bath the Deity all mixed together and a leaf of Toolsie added. It
is said that whatever touches the feet of the Lord, becomes Holy items
and we must partake of it, to get the blessings of the Lord. The same is
done with the Parsad, after offering it to the Lord, we partake of if, to
receive the blessing of the Lord.
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Offer a little Sindhoor at the base of the deity and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI (name the deity).NAMAHA
SINDHORA CHORANAM SAMARPAYAMI
We ask God to protect us by offering some kum kum or sindoor which
represents the powder of protection.
Offer whatever else is there to offer including yellow rice, money, doob grass, neem
leaves, bael leaves etc. at the base of the Murthi and say the following.
Some of the Lay mans explanations I give for some of the items mentioned are as
follows:
Yellow rice---progenity, prosperity, long livety.
Money----to thank God for providing you with money through your job and legal
earnings.
Doob grass---before the invention of foam beds and foam mattresses, grasses, cane
arrow flowers and fibres from dry coconut were used to make our pillows,
mattresses and beds, so we offer doob grass representing all these items mentioned
that God has given us to use to make our beds, pillows and mattresses at the
beginning of creation. Of course NOWwe use foam to make our beds, pillows and
mattresses, but God did provide the original natural things as mentioned.
Neem and bael leaves----REPRESENTS all the timber that God has given us to
build our houses. Of course, nowadays steel and concrete are mainly used to build
our houses, but the original thing that God provided us to build our houses, is the
trees from the forest, which we cut down to make timber, which we used to build our
houses. Remember, these meanings I am giving, are NOT Vedic meanings, these
meanings have been thought up by me in order to put some lay mans, common
sense, explanations to Pooja, and so encourage people to want to do Pooja, when
they can understand what each items is being offered for. Pooja must NOT be a
SECRET nor a SYMIDIMMY but it must be something that is SACRED and
UNDERSTANDABLE to the most illiterate person. My explanations are aimed at
that.
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NAAMA POOJA
Offer flowers or yellow rice (akshat) 108 times calling the 108 names of the deity .
Read Chalisa (s) of deity
This is to show that the Lord can take many forms. This is easily explainedeach
one of us can be called by many names---fatherhusband---son---grand son
teacherdriverForesterPanditall these names are functions of ONE
person. Therefore Naam Pooja is to tell the Lord, that we know he can take many
forms, and these many form that he takes are different forms that he will take to
help us . He will come to us in whatever form that we may need him to help us. Since
we do not know which form we may need his help, we therefore call as many forms
of his and say NAMAHA ,which means, I BOW TO THAT FORM. According to the
amount of Poojas being done, 108 names of a male Deity is called and 108 names of
a female Deity is called. Others are called in smaller amounts. The next thing that is
done, is the reading of the Chalisa, which is the life story and powers of the Deity. By
reading the first and last verses of all Chalisas for which Poojas are being done and
at least the whole Chalisa of the main Deity, or Deity of the day, it is telling the
Deities that you are aware of their life story and the powers that they have and how
they have helped others and you, the devotees are asking the Deities to help you also
or in some specific way.
During the chanting of the names, after each name is called, a flower or some yellow
rice is offered at the base of the Murthi or picture of the Deity, symbolically of
having performed full Pooja for the Deity (this will be explained later on in my
explanationas to how the offering of yellow rice can suffice for a whole Pooja )
*****
The next procedure is to ask God to remove any evil forces from your home. Now all
religions ask God to remove evil forces from their homes---the Moslems use the
smoke from the Lobhan to ask God to remove evil forces, the Christians use the
smoke from the Chalise to remove evil forces from their home and the Church,
by smoking out the home using various religious items to smoke out evil forces.
When any person feels frightened or feel some evil forces are interfering in their
home, we advice them to smoke out their homes, using Inscense sticks, in the same
way as, what is now going to be done. As a matter of fact every home, no matter
religion they belong to, should smoke out all evil forces , at least once a week. This is
now done during Pooja
ATAHA DHUPAM
Offer incense fumes to the deity, essence and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI (name the deity).
OM VANASPATI RASOO DIBYO
GANDHAR DHYO GANDHAM UTAMAHA
AGRE YAHAA
SARVAA DEVANAM OR (BHUTANAM) DHUPO YAM
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PRATI GRIHYATHAAM
SHRI (name the deity) DIVYA DHUPAM AGRAPAAYAMI
Now we have tried to offer a little bit of whatever God has given to us
as thanks giving as God has provided us with all that is required for
our survival. One of the things that we cannot get a piece to offer as
thanksgiving, is the SUN. In order to thank God for providing us with
the sunlight, which no living being can live without, we light a single
wick lite and wave this lite in front of the Diety or Murthi. This is now
done.
ATAHA DEEPAM
Offer a single wick light to deity and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI (name the deity)..
OM SAAJYAANTRI WARTAY, SAN YUKTAM
WANHINA YOJITAM MAYA GRIHANAM
MANGALAM , DEEPAM, TRILOKYAM , TIMIRAPAHA (name the deity)
EKARTI DEEPAM DARSHAYAMI
Hold container of single wick in left hand, place flower and rice and drop of water at
the end of container in left hand and fan flames of single wick with palm of right
hand towards deity and all other murti and pictures. At the end, offer two drops of
water on flower. This is done to tell the Deity that we need sunlight for the survival,
of all living things, but not too much to burn up every thing, so two drops of water is
now offered.
Touch flame with hand and touch both of your eyes saying this Mantra: (name of
deity) This is to show that the sun is the source of ALL energy and without the sun,
we cannot see, we may say that we use electricity to see, using a bulb, but that form
of electricity is not sustainable, eventually we will have to return to solar energy.
DUPA DEEPA AANANTARAM ARCHAMANIYEEYAM SAMARPAYAMI
Now, when anyone is invited to your home, you must offer them some
food to eat. Naivedyam, is FOOD. Why we prepare different naivedyam
for each Deity, is simple, in our own homes, father may like a certain
food, wife may not like that food, so whatever he likes is prepared for
him ,whatever she likes, we prepare it for her. In the same way each
member of the family, whatever each one likes, is prepared for each
one. When you invite someone to your home, it is your duty to prepare
whatever they like, in order to ensure that they enjoy that visit to your
home. Prepare whatever they like and they will definitely be happy on
their visit to your home.
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ATAHA NAVEDYAM
Place in plate with parsad two paan leaves, two sooparees, flowers, rice, water and
toolsie leaves. Hold plate up. Touch plate with parsad to your head and heart then
to the feet of the deity or bedi three times saying this Mantra: Then place plate in
front of deity.
OM SHRI (name of deity)
OM VISHWA MITRA RUSHIHI GAYATRI CHANDAHA NIVEAADANNEY
VINIYOGAHAA
OM YO DEVAHA, SAVITA SMAKAM, DHYO DHARMAADI, GOOCHARAHA
PREERAYEET, TASYA, YAD BHARGAHA, TAD VARENYAM, UPASMAHE.
The following is now done to show that the food being offered is clean.
Just as you would wash a mango or banana or apple before eating it,
you symbolically pass water around the Tharia with the Navediam
( flood ) to show that it is clean.
Take a little water in your right hand and circle your hand with the water clockwise
around the plate with the parsad three times. Then let the water fall through the tip
of your fingers on the outside of the plate and say this prayer:
MORNING:
OM (name the deity) SATYAM TWARTE NA PARISHENCHAMI
EVENING:
OM (name of deity) . RITAMTWA SATYENA PARISHENCHAMI
This one drop of water symbolically means that the Naivediam is
prepared like nectar, but, should in case the Deity needs anything
extra to make it taste better for its liking, whatever,
it be, more
sugar, salt or pepper or whatever, this one drop of water, represents
whatever else the Deity may need, to ensure that the Deity is fully
satisfied with the Naivedyam ( food ), that you are serving.
Place one drop water from blessed Kalsa into the parsad and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI (name of deity)
OM AMRITA MASTOO, AMRITO PASTARA NAMASI SWAHA .
Before you eat, normally, you will wash your hands, similarly you will
wash your hands, before you feed the Deity. The passing of your hands
from the plate to the base of the Murthi, represents, your feeding of
the Deity yourself, with your own hands. The passing of your open
palm from the food to the Deity, is symbolic of feeding the
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KARPOOR ARTI
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Offer lighted camphor (Karpoor) in container to the deity waving it from left to
right at the base of the deity saying this Mantra , doing arti.
OM SHRI..OM HIRANYA PAATRAM, MADHO-O-PURNAM,
DADHATI MADHAVYO SA NETI, EKA HARATI, EKA DAIVA,
YAJAMANA, AYUSTEJU, DADATI.
Hold container with burning camphor in left hand, place flowers, rice and water
saying at the base of container in left hand, fan flame with right palm towards deity
saying this Mantra:
OM SHRI..(name of deity)
KARPOORA MANGALAM NIRAAJANAM SAMARPAYAMI
(Then turn around clockwise once with camphor and show camphor Arti to the
audience while turning around) say with them:
By doing this, you are also asking God to reduce the EGO and karma of all those
who are witnessing the Pooja
HARA, HARA, NAMA PARVATI PATEYE, HARA, HARA, MAHADEV.
Place container on the ground. Take a flower and pass it clockwise around the flame,
touch your eyes with the flowers. Place the flower at the base of the deity and say
this Mantra: This is to indicate that you are making this request with humblinest
and love.
OM SHRI(name of deity)
NIRAAJANAM ANNANTARAM ARCHAMANEEYAM SAMARPAYAMI
Place two drops of blessed water on the flowers on container with camphor and say
this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
ARCHAMANEEYAM ANANTARAM PARIMALA PATRA PUSHPANI
SAMARPAYAMI
Remember God can grant you any wish, that you may ask for, once it
is something you selflessly desire. At this time, you may ask God to
help you, but remember that a Pooja is not only done to ask for help,
but also to thank Him for whatever He has given to you. So this is your
time to ask him for help and to THANK him. Also ask to reduce lust,
greed, anger, hatred, and malicekaam, krodh, madh, lobha aur
ahankarathe inner enemies of the body from you.
PERSONAL PRAYER
Take flowers, yellow rice, and water hold it in clasp hand and pray. This is your time
for your personal prayer. Also pray for others and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
OM YO VEDA, DOW SORO PROCTO, VEDANTECHAA, PRATISHTI TAHA,
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PRADAKSHANA
Stand up and turn around clockwise three times saying this Mantra:
OM YANI KANI, CHA PAA PANI,
JAN MANTARA, KRITANI CHA,
TAANI TAANI, VINASHANTEE,
PRADHAKSHINAM, PADE PADE,
NAMASKARANE, VIGNESHA,
SARVA VIGNA HARO BHAWAH,
SHIGRAM MAMA, VARAM DEHI,
PRATHANACHA POORNAGATIM.
Touch the ground with your right hand, then touch your hand to your head and
heart and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI(name of deity)
PRADAKSHINA NAMASKARAM SAMARPAYAMI
OM SHRI(name of deity) ATAHA PUNAH POOJA
******Now in a Pooja there are many things that are supposed to be
done but because of lack of time, circumstance and place, everything
cannot be done in Pooja. So in place of doing some things, yellow rice
is offered, in its place. Some of these things arekeeping an umbrella
over the head of the Deity, to prevent sun and rain from from burning
or wetting the Deity when you are taking the Deity around your village,
providing a comfortable seat, singing, dancing, providing a vehicle to
take the Deity around (long ago there were no cars, elephants and
horses were the means of transportso we say providing elephants
and horses ). That is the reason for using yellow rice in our Poojas--yellow rice can replace anything that is NOT available. That is the
reason, we can use yellow to offer every thing we need to offer in
Poojas, including Naivedyam or food, also known as parsad. In
our homes we always have rice and saffron, so we can use the saffron
to make the rice yellow and that will suffice for everything . We can use
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yellow rice alone to do a WHOLE Pooja. BUT, this should only be done
only in emergencies and when some items are NOT available.
Offer yellow rice and say the Mantra each time, offering rice at the end of each
Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity) DEEBA CHATRAM SAMARPAYAMI
OM SHRI.(name of deity) CHAAMARAM VIJAYAMI
OM SHRI.(name of deity) GEETAM GAAYAMI
OM SHRI.(name of deity) NAATYAM NAATAYAMI
OM SHRI.(name of deity) ANDHO-LIKAAM ARO HAYAMI
OM SHRI.(name of deity) ASHRAM ARO HAYAMI
OM SHRI.(name of deity) GAJAAM ARO HAYAMI
You now say to the Deity that you have treated the Deity like a king,
which means, if someone of a high stature, such as a king, were to
come to your home, you would rush to provide him with the best of
things that you have and is available and what you can afford. That
means that you have tried your best to please him , from your heart.
You are asking him to please accept all that you have offered to him.
This is the best that I can afford.
Offer flowers with yellow rice and water at the end of this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
OM SAMASTA RAJO OPACHARA
SHAKTIYO OPACHARA
BHAKTIYO OPACHARA
POOJAM SAMARPAYAMI
Now you are saying that IF there was any mistakes, be it in the
preparations, offerings or even in the chanting of the Mantras by the
Pandit, please forgive us.
Offer flowers, yellow rice and water at the end of this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
ATAHA PRAISHITA MANTRAM
OM YAS YAS SMRUITYA CHANA MAKTIYA, TAPAH POOJA
KRIYA DE SHOO, NUNAM SAMPOORNATAM YANTE SATYO VANDE
TAM ACHUTAM, MANTRA HINAM KRIYA HINAM
BHAKTI HINAM JANARDANA, YAT KRITANTO MAYO DEVA(or devi)
PARI POORNAM TADASTO ME.
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Now we say to the Deity, that do wait for my next Pooja to come to my
home, I will always need your help. I may be sick, in an accident,
under an operation, unconscious, I may not be able to call your name,
Lord, please be there ALL the time to help me, please be there to help
me, please be there to help me.
Offer flowers, yellow rice and water at the end of this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
OM ANNAYA MAYA KRITENA POOJA VIDHANEY
NAA CHA, SARVAM SHRI.(name of deity) NAHA SOPRITA,
SO PRASANNA, WARADO BHAVANTOTAY, MADYE MADYE
MANTRA TANTRA, SWARA VARNA DHYANA NIYAMA,
NUNATIRIKTA, LOPADOSHA PRAYAS CHITARAM, NAMA TRAYA
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
MANTRA JAPAM, KARISHYAY
Now you ask God to bless these hands
Touch index finger, middle finger and ring finger with thumb (both hands) three
times saying this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
OM ACHUTAYA NAMAHA, OM ANANTAYA NAMAHA
OM GOVINDAYA NAMAHA (3 times)
After last time do it once more and bow with clasp hands. Say this Mantra:
OM ACHUTA ANANTA GOVINDAY BHYO NAMAHA
Now you say the closing Prayer-----God---you are my motheryou are
my father--------Clasp hands in form of prayer and say this Mantra:
OM SHRI.(name of deity)
TWAMEVA MAATA PEETA TWAMEVA
TWAMEVA BAANDHU SAKA TWAMEVA
TWAMEVA VIDYA DRAVINAM TWAMEVA
TWAMEVA SARVANG MAMA DEVA DEVA
KAYENA VAACHA MANA SENDREYERVA, BOODHYAAT MANAVA,
PRAKATE SA BHAVAT, KAROMEE YAGYAT, SAKALAM PARASMAI,
NARAYANA YETEE, SAMARPAYAMI.
Now you ask for forgiveness for all your bad deeds and short comings,
by crossing your hands and touching you ears
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Touch both ears with hands on each sides and say this Mantra:
ACHUTAM, KESHAVAM, RAMANARAYANAM, SHRI DHARAM,
MADHAVAM, KRISHNA DAMOODHARAM, ACHUTAM, KESHAVAM,
RAMANARAYANAM, SHRI DHARAM, MADHAVAM, GOPIKA VALAVAM.
Fill your hands with flowers, place a few grains of yellow rice and few drops of
water, clasp hands and prayer saying this Mantra:
HARI RAM, HARI RAM, RAM RAM HARI HARI
HARI KRISHNA, HARI KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARI HARI
RAM RAM, HARI HARI, KRISHNA KRISHNA, HARI HARI
RAM RAM, HARI HARI, KRISHNA KRISHNA, HARI HARI
Now you pray not for yourself alone but for the welfare of ALL.
SARVECHA, SUKHINA SANTU
SARVE SANTU, NIRAMAYAHA
SARVE BHADRANI, PASHYANTU
MAA KASCHIT, DHUKHA BHAGA BHAVET
OM SHRI GANESHAYA NAMAHA
SHRI SARASWATEYAI NAMAHA
SHRI PADAVALLABHA
NARASIMHA SARASWATEE
SHRI GURU DATTATREYA NAMAHA
(Call the name of the deity and as many other deities especially those whose murtis
and pictures are within puja area)
SHRI..JAISHRI.JAI.JAI
Offer flowers at base of deity
OM TAT SAT
SHRI KRISHNA ARPANAM MASTOO
SHRI GURU BHYO(3 times) NAMAHA HARIHI OM
Now the offerings of clothing and flags are done.
The Srotha is told to hold all the cloth, that he wants to offer, all the
flags, including the nau graha flags, the large flags of the Deities, some
flowers, some money and any other offerings. The Sankalpha, as said
at the beginning of the Pooja is repeated once more, replacing the last
word KARMA KAARISHYEAA ,with the words DWIJA AUR VASTRAM
SAMARPAYAMI
The Srotha is now told to touch all that he has in his hand, to his head,
heart and the base of the Murthi or the Bede, three times.
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The meaning of the Sankalpaha .is the same as given earlier on, when
the 1st Sankalpaha was done.
The reason for the offering of clothes simple means, the offering of
clothes as a thanks- giving to God, for our ability to have clothes to
wear through His grace only. There are countries that are suffering
from floods, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, sunamis, hurricanes e.t.c.
and they have no homes, to live in, far more for clothes to wear. We
who are fortunate to have lots of clothes to wear, should offer some of
that clothes as a thanks giving to God in all our Poojas
The Flags represents victory. Pooja is similar to a war! Why do I say
that ? On Divali day we say VICTORY of GOOD OVER EVIL ! If at
Divali, we say victory of good or evil, then every Pooja, not only Divali
is a war! So, at the end of every Pooja, just as at the end of every WAR,
the army that wins the war, raises a flag, similarly, we have to show
that we have won this WAR with GOD as the commander of this army.
Each flag hoisted, represents the Deity ( commander of a platoon of
this army of Gods protective forces)
The Nau Graha flags, to be hoisted on the Bede, represents the rulers
of the various Planets, Surya( Sun )Chandrama( Moon)Mangala
(
)---Budh(
) Guru(
) ----Sukra (
) Shani(
)
---Rahu (
)---and Ketu(
)
Now there is need to explain a few points about Nau Graha--You do not have to wait until your Patra tells you that you will have a
Grah, at every Pooja, Grah Pooja should be done! Why? The Planets
affect our lives EVERY DAY! How?
I will give a few examples--On Fullmoon, day, usually there is rain, the tides in the seas becomes
rough and sometimes high, sometimes winds become strong, all
because of the FULL moon! Do you what? The FULLmoon means that
the moon is nearest to the earth on full moon days, and such, it will
affect the gravitational inner pull of the Earth. When this happens, the
water from the seas rise and vaporize, as it rises as it vaporizes, it gets
into cooler atmosphere and form droplets of water, which becomes
heavy and eventually falls as rain. Insects are disturbed, this is the
reason that many insects, especially cockroaches are flying around on
and around full moon time. Even fishermen express their ability to get
a better catch of fish around full moon time. Farmers also give their
preference to get seeds to sprout fast when sown after full moon.
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Now if at full moon , the dirt is affected, then our FLESH, which is dirt is
affected, the waters, which is the BLOOD is affected, the wind, which is
the NERVES in our body is affected, some people as we hear
sometimes behave as were wolf during Full moon time. So we see
from that example, once the Planets are affected WE, OUR BODIES are
affected. This example is shown as how the MOON affects our lives,
what about all the other PlanetsPlutoMercurySaturnUraneus--Mars e.t.c., all of which are rotating and revolving around the sun and
constantly coming closer and further to the Earth at different times .
Now each Planet has good things and bad things which each individual
get differently affected. We do not know when good things or bad
things are going to affect us. You may think that your Patra is correctly
read ,and you know exactly when a Grah is about to affect you. I have
known especially some old and some educated religious persons, who
only recently discovered that their time and some case their date of
birth IS NOT CORRECT, yet they have been told ,based on their
incorrect time and date of birth of ALL THEIR GRAHS
Now to avoid any mistakes, and anyhow there is no harm in doing Grah
Poojas , Iinsist that in ALL my Poojas, Grah Pooja must be included
Therefore the Nau Grah flags are put on the Bede according to there
correct positions, before going outside to install the Deity flags.
Now the procedure I use to install the Diety flags. The putting up of the
Deity flags, is actually the INSTALLATION of Deities, in the form of
FLAGS, outside of the home. The flags are usually placed on the north
eastern corner of the house or in front of the house, preferably on the
right hand of the house.
Procedure for Putting Up or Installation of the Jhandi---A Tharia with the kalasha of holy water, a coin for each hole, flowers
for each hole, some ghee in a deya with wick, matches, two blocks of
camphor, saffron, kum kum or sindoor, Pakka dhar, if Durga flag is to
be put up, other dhar as recommended, milk for other dhar, items for
offering to the Dee Devtaone plastic or styrotex cup with milk, one
plastic or styrotex cup with water, a plstic or styrotex or leaf with some
Parsad, if Durga Pooja is done, include a pair of Lapse and Soharie and
any other Parsad.
The Installation of the Flags is actually a whole Pooja, but in a very
simple format. Instead of doing a shor a shopachara (16 stages of
Pooja), you just have to do a Parch opachara (5 stages of Pooja). The 5
items to be offered are tied in the small piece of cloth or Langote.
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Which is tied to above the fifth joint of the bamboo, after you have
Teekeyed the bamboo.
Procedure in Teekeying the bamboo
Remember you are actually doing a small Pooja to Install the flags,
which is the Dieties in your yard. You now ask the Diety to come onto
the bomboo, by saying ( name of Deity ) AWAHAYAMI, STAPAYAMI,
POOJAYAMI, SANNIDAPAYAMIwhich means ( Deity) please come onto
this bamboo, so that I can do Pooja for you. You then symbolically
touch five joints of the bamboo beginning from the bottom end, to
symbolically washing the feet of the five elements that go to form a
human bodyEarth,Water, Ether, Air and Firethese are the elements
that God put together to make a Human body---we are now asking God
to put together these elements together in this bamboo, to make it into
a living Diety. Each joint represents one of the elements mentioned
before. Another drop of water is then offered to wash hands---another
to wash mouth another to bathe --symbolically the ghee represents
milkdaheegheehoneyand sugarthe five nectars used to bathe
the Deities, the clothes is the flag, medicine as a thank you to the
Dieties , saffron is touched on each knot of the bamboo, kum kum or
sindoor, asking for protection from the Diety. All other of the five major
offerings are tied in the langote one coin, one soparee, two cloves
,some yellow rice and a flower. After teeking the bamboo, one coin
and a flower is placed in the hole, where the Jhandi is to be placed. The
Dhar for each Deity is now offered, while the Pandit again repeats the
Sankalpha, with the last word being SAMARPAYAMI, as changed during
the Sankalpha of the clothes and flags just before coming outside to
Install the Jhandi. Each Jhandi is now placed in their respective holes,
accompanied with the jai jai call ( e.g.Durga Maata ki---JAI ). A canphor
is now lit in front of the Installed Jhandis in order to ask the Deities that
you have done Poojas for, to help you burn out your Karmas.
The offering of the items for the Dee is now done .The Dee offerings is
to beg God in the form of Dee Baba, to protect your property, your
family and yourself. This offering is done by many religious leaders, in
their own way.
This procedure has been given to me by my Guru, Shri Shri Shri
Ganapthi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore, India. His procedure as
given to me , is as follows
Light a deya with ghee, two agarbatti ( inscence sticks ), place
offerings next to the deya, milk, take some water , pour a little in your
right hand, put down cup with the rest of water next to the one with
the milk, pass the water that is in your hand around everything that is
being offered, three times. Take a flower in your hands in the form of
praying. Then say the words OH DEE BABA, OH DEE BABA, OH DEE
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BABA, please accept this offering, this is ALL I HAVE TO OFFER, please
protect my property, please prevent any accidents, incidents, fires,
floods, earthquakes e.t.c. Please protect my family, please prevent any
deaths, sickness, illness e.t.c. Please give us health, wealth, children,
longgivity ask for anything you want to ask for, e.t.c. Please accept this
offering, THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO OFFER. Then place the flower on the
ground, next to the offering, and touch your right hand to the ground,
then touch in to your head, then to your heartthree times.
If you offered any blood sacrifice before, such as fowl, goat or pig, a
pair of DOSTI roti is made, separate the two skins of roti, place each
skin of roti on a plate, paste some honey throughout the inner skins of
the roti, sprinkle some sugar on the honey, peel a banana, place the
banana on the middle of one skin of the roti, place the next skin of the
roti, with the honey and sugar, with the inner side with the honey and
sugar, on top of the peeled banana, which is now on the first skin of
the roti.
Now wrap the two skins of the rotis, with the banana in it, and tie them
with a piece of thread. This is to make a sort of SATTWIC body, which
will be offered, instead of the animal sacrifice. A knife will be taken
outside, together with all the already mentioned items for the DEE.
Some people carry biscuits and butter, in pairs, this is SATTWIC and
can be done as usual
The procedure, as told to me by SWAMIJI, since 1986 I have been
making my DEE offerings without any hindrances, even I was told, by
well learned Hindu Pandits, that I must CONTINUE the same way that
my father used to make his offerings, with fowl, rum, cigarette, candle
and biscuits, before which I continued to offer fowl, Iwas told that if I
stopped the offerings as my father started, that terrible things,
including death would occur in my family. Luckly, since 1986, I have
changed over to offering the DEE as instructed by SWAMIJI and no
untowards incidents have happened to any members of my family .
SWAMIJIs instructions were as follows
Carry two plastic or styrotex plates, one to be left with some of the
offerings on the ground and the other to bring back inside, with the
remaining of the offerings, to be eaten, a little of it, by ALL members
of the immediate family.
Take a knife and cut off a piece of the wrapped roti and banana, as if
you are cutting off a head of a fowl. Leave that cut piece on one plate,
together with one or two pairs of biscuits paced with butter.
Remember all that was told to you, is said, if this format of offering is
done. (see above for what was told to be said )
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Normally before we eat solid food, we would drink some liquid, first.
Therefore liquid, in the form of Ghee is offered first.
Next, using a metal spoon, pour one drop of Ghee in the fire after each
of the following Mantras
OM SHRI AGIN DEVTA BHYO NAMO NAMAHASWAHA, AGIN DEVTA
IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI MAHAA GANAPATAYE NAMAHASWAHA, MAHAA
GANAPATAYE IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI MAHAA SARASWAT-YAI---SWAHA, MAHAA SARASWAT-YAI
IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI GURU DEVATAA BHYO NAMAHASWAHA, GURU DEVATAA
BHYO IDAM NAMAMA
OM NAMO NAARAAYANAYA NAMAHASWAHA, NAARAAYANA BHYO
IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI LAKSHM-YAI NAMAHASWAHA, LAKSHM-YAI BHYO IDAM
NAMAMA
OM SHIVAYA NAMAHASWAHA, SHIVAYA IDAM NAMAHA
OM SHRI GOWRAA PARVAT-YAI NAMAHASWAHA, GOWRAA PARVATYAI IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI BHAASKARAAYA NAMAHASWAHA, BHAASKARAAYA IDAM
NAMAMA
OM SHRI CHANDRAMASE NAMAHASWAHA, CHANDRAMASE IDAM
NAMAMA
OM SHRI BHOWMAAYA NAMAHASWAHA, BHOWMAYAAYA IDAM
NAMAMA
OM SHRI BUDDHAAYA NAMAHASWAHA, BUDDHAAYA IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI GURUVE NAMAHASWAHA, GURUVE IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHUKRAYA NAMAHASWAHA, SHUKRAYA IDAM NAMAMA
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Now we begin the offering of solid food. The Tharia with the mixture, as
mentioned earlier is properly mixed and a little is offered into the fire,
from the palm of your hands onto the tips of your finger, just as if you
are feeding someone, in this case you are putting these offerings into
the mouth of Agin Devta (the fire ), as you would feed a small child, a
little at a time.
Using your hands, preferably, except at weddings, where you can use a
spoon, offer a little after each Mantra--OM SHRI AGIN DEVTA NAMAHASWAAHAA, AGIN DEVTA IDAM
NAMAMA
OM SHRI MAHAA GANAPATAYE NAMAHSWAAHAA, MAHAA
GANAPATAYE IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI MAHAA SARASVAT-YAI NAMAHSWAAHAA, MAHAA
SARASVAT- YAI IDAM NAMAMA
OM SHRI GURU DEVATAA BHYO NAMAHSWAAHAA, GURU DEVTA
IDAM NAMAMA
OM NAMO NAARAAYANAAYA NAMAHSWAAHAA, NAMO
NAARAAYANAAYA IDAM NAMAMA
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Now some water is taken from the blessed Kalasha in the Shrota
right hand and passed clockwised around the Homa Kund three
times.
A flower is now taken and the fire is fanned east three times,
west three times, north three times, south three times, up three
times and down three times, while the following Mantra is being
said--OM AGIN DEVTA VISARGANAT
This Mantra is actually thanking Agin devta for accepting the
Havan offerings , and bidding Agin Devta farewell.
ARTI
IS NOW DONE.
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ALL are asked to stand up, sing along and clap, while Arti is in
progress.
Appropiate Arti Bhajans are sung, in relation to the Diety, for
whom Pooja is being done. The Pandit gives directives as to how
Arti is done, clockwise, three times, touching the persons feet at
the end of the Arti, of each person.
The Shank, Bell and Ghanti is sounded and rung during the Arti.
These are done, to ward off all evil forces while making the
sound OM, which also is also a pleasing sound for the Deities.
This is the reason, why each Mantra begins with OM. It is said
that the greatest Mantra is simply OM.
At the end of Arti for all persons, the
pass the Arti, waving it in a clockwise
house. This is done to ask God God
time in this house, and let there be no
As the main Srotha returns from performing Arti for the house,
everyone is asked to take their seats.
The Srothas are asked to take off their kush grass or mango
leaf made rings and loosen them, and place them on the Bede
or in front of the Murthi or Deity. This is done to indicate that,
the Srothas are now disengaging themselves from Pooja.
Remember at the beginning of the Pooja, they were given these
rings to be engaged in Pooja, now they are disengaged.
Flowers, yellow rice, and water from the specially prepared
Kalasha, are given to each Srotha, they clasp their hands and
join in the final prayer.
Each Srotha is asked to pray for what they want, whether it be
health problems, family problems, business problems, studying
problems, work problems, financial problems or any other
problems. Remind them that Pooja is also a thanks giving
service, and they must thank God for what they have received ,
health wise, family wise, business wise, study wise, work wise,
financial wise and any other wise.
Remind them to ask God to reduce the inner enemies --Lust,
Greed, Anger, Hatred and Malice from their bodies.
The Mantras I use in closing my Poojas are as follows
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TWAMEWA
TWAMEWA
TWAMEWA
TWAMEWA
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HARI OM.
Shrotas are asked to place flowers on the Bede or base of the
Murthi.
This is to show, that all that was offered to the Deity, was
offered with LOVE.
Each one at a time is asked to prostrate-- Male, full length, with
hands outstretched in front of them, clasping them, in the form
of pray, and right leg cross on top of left leg. Females, will go
on their knees, and place their head on the ground
This is to show that the Devta is always above us. Our head
and whole body is placed below the level of feet of the Devta.
The Pandit blesses each Srota, while they are prostrated, by
showering yellow rice on their heads, saying appropriate Mantras,
Panch amrit is given to each Srota, accompanied by the
appropriate Mantras, and someone from the audience is asked to
distribute to all members of the audience.
Panch amrit, which is the mixture of the five nectars, which was
used to bathe the Murthi, is blessed items, and everyone gets
the chance to receive this blessings
Parsad is given to each Srota, accompanied by the appropriate
Mantras, and someone from the audience is asked to distribute
to all members of the audience.
It is said, whatever has been offered to the Devatas, the Srotas
and members of the audience, if they want to get the blessings
of the Devatas, MUST PARTAKE of what was offered to the
Devatas.
Arti and Essence.
audience.
are
sent
around
to
all
members
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of
the
Materials:
One Havan Kundie the vessel to perform the Havan, pitch pine or
mango wood (dried off course), camphor, matches, a metal bowl with
liquid ghee, a metal spoon, the specially prepared Kalsa, with holy
water, with a mango leaf or small spoon in it ,( paan leaves one,
soparee, some cloves, a nutmeg, cotton- these items are for preparing
a simple Purnahuti or final offering ) flowers, sacred mixture, in a
Tharia or glass bowl ie two ounces of white rice two ounces of sugar,
one ounce of googol, half ounce of tille, two ounces of prasaad, one or
two ilaichee, a few drops of essence and some ghee to saney ( Mix) the
ingrediants.
END OF POOJA.
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