Performing pUjA

1 Preparing for the pUjA

2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM

3 pUjA traditions

pUjA
nAmAvali
The transliteration froM devanAgari to English alphabets is according to ITRANS scheme as
given below.

devanAgari svaraM or vowels

a A i I u U ř e ai o au aM aH

as in

padm padm řitu vaishAl saumy govinda nama

devi dIpak durgA sUryA devi soMA
A A i a M H

devanAgari vya.janaM or consonants

k kh g gh ng
karunA sukhaM gaNapati ghaNashyAm mangala
ch chh j jh gn
chitra chhatraM janakA jhamelA gnaneshvar
T Th D Dh N
naTarAjA jyeshTha manDita karA mUDhA gaNeshA
t th d dh n
taruN maithili dayA dharmA narmadA
p ph b bh m
padmA phalguNi balarAmA bhImA manda
y r l v sh
yagna raksha lakshmi vidyA shivA
shh s h L ksh
vishhnu sarasvati hamsA pavaLaM kAmAkshi
nch
mancha

.n and .m anusvAra
.a avagraha
.h haLa.nta
H visarga
. or a vertical line I
Only a dot 0 a da.nDa
backslash with a period pUrNavirAmA
a.c and aa.c ardhachandra cat, talk
vowels are to be added after each consonant, unless a joDAksharA is required

Capitalization of devanAgari words is not done.

mantrA are in bold face; instructions, statements etc. are in normal face.
1 Preparations
One should engage in an activity with passion lest it becoMes a drudge and not satisfying.

pUjA is worshipping God. It requires to be performed with bhakti bhAvaH or with devotional
sentiments.

bhakti bhAvaH is enhanced, by preparing the body and mind to be clean and by offering to God,
clean and the best of things.

The five preparatory body and mind activities are:

snAnaM (bathing), vastra dhAraNaM (dressing), yagna upavItaM (ensuring a sacred thread is
worn froM the left shoulder down to the right hip, wearing ornaments), gandhaM (applying
vibhUti, sandalwood paste and haridrA-chUrnaM or kuMkuM on the forehead), pushpaM
(sporting flowers).

The clean body and mind lead to a behavior in consonance with the spiritual ambience, often
denoted by the word, AchAraM.

Cleanliness of the external body is easily achieved by bathing in clean water. Dressing up in
freshly washed, clean and dry clothing further enhances the ‘clean’ feeling.

Cleanliness of the insides of body is achieved by emptying the bowels and bladder, cleaning the
mouth, ears, noses, eyes, controlling the dietary intakes and by breathing clean air. As
the inside parts are out of sight, they may not get as thorough a cleaning as can be
received by the outside body.

It is clear that to preserve the achieved cleanliness, one needs to stay in clean surroundings.

Keeping the mind clean is the greatest of the tasks. The only way to cleanse the mind is to do
meditation or dhyAnaM. And to preserve the mental cleanliness, keep singing the praise
of God or do japaM. The cleaning process is well summarized in the line:

ya smaret punDarIkAkshaM, sa bhahyAbyantara shuchiH

One who sings the praise of the lotus-eyed Vishnu is, outside to inside, clean

If there is a time gap between the above cleansing activities and the start of the pUjA and if you
have been engaged in doing soMething in the meantime, then do:

Wash the front and back of the feet, wash the palms down to the wrists with water and clean the
mouth, all with water.

AchamanIyaM, is performed by cupping the right palm, keeping all fingers joined together except
the angushhThA (thumb) and tarjani (pointer finger), pouring a spoonful (using uddharaNi is
suggested) of water in the cupped palm, uttering achyutAya namaH and sipping the water through
the bottoM centre of the palm; repeating the above two more times uttering anantAya namaH and
govindAya namaH. As in the process of sipping, the mouth coMes in contact with the palm, it is
advisable to clean the palm after AchamanIyaM. So, pour a spoonful of water in the palm and
pour it away down the palm where the mouth made contact with it. An alternative is to touch the
right ear lobe with the palm; it is believed that gangA resides in the ear and therefore cleans the
palm.

When it coMes to offering clean and the best of things to God, arrange to collect and have a few
things exclusively for use in pUjA, preventing them froM being put to use before offering, thus
losing their exclusivity or cleanliness.

In worship, an idol or bimbaM is essential. So have a clean idol, or picture of the God,
traditionally used by forefathers in the family; if none is available, make a representative idol with
a lump of haridraM (turmeric powder) or chandanaM (sandalwood powder); or draw a symbolic
picture on a clean surface using rice flour and border it with haridrAchurnaM (turmeric powder
mixed with calcium hydroxide). shrI ganeshA, for pUjA at the start is normally represented with a
lumpy idol; shrI sUryamUrti is generally drawn on a platter.

Clean water and an Achamani or spoon to pour water. Keep a small cup in front of the deity to
collect the water-offerings like pAdyaM, arghyaM etc.

A clean, decorated palak or pIthaM or AsanaM for seating the idol

A clean bale of cotton for making upavItaM (sacred thread) for the idol and wicks for the lamps.

Two pieces of new red / yello (rakta / pIta ambaraM) cloth for vastraM.

Jewelry and ornaments or AbharanaM.

Sandalwood paste and vermilion or haridrAchUrNaM (turmeric powder mixed with calcium
hydroxide) to decorate the idol.

Grains of clean unbroken rice, wetted and coated with turmeric powder, shAlIAn akshhatAn. It is
coMmon practice to use them as suitable substitutes for other offering (…arthaM akshhatAn
samarpayAmi)

Fresh, clean flowers and leaves preferably dry.

Handheld dIpaM or lamp filled with liquid cow’s ghee or tila oil (sesame seed oil) and three
cotton wicks twisted and soaked in the same fuel.

Naturally scented incense, sandalwood powder sticks for dhUpaM.

Food offering or naivedyam (shhad rasa upetaH bhojyAn or eatables with all six tastes i.e. salty,
pungent, sweet, bitter, sour, tuvarpu) consisting of:

shAlIAn annaM (washed and wet whole rice grains, can also be fresh steamed rice)
mAshha apUpaM (salted bean or dAnya cakes)
guLa apUpaM (sweet appams made with plain jaggery; plain as opposed to yellow colored
jaggery full of sulphur)
guLa pAyasaM (sweet dAnya khIr)
nArikeLa khanDa dvayaM (coconut broken in two parts, broken just before offering naivedyam)
kavitta, katali phalAni (ripe, [whole or] sliced fruits)
karpUra chUrNa (scented calcium hydroxide), pugIphala (betel nuts) samyukta nAgavalli
dalAni, (paan leaves given with) for tAmbUlaM

Camphor for nIrAjanaM.

Representative icons of chhatraM (umbrella), chAmaraM (fly whisk), vyajanaM (fan),

AndolikAM (swing) for royal treatment.

Note down s.mvatsaraM, ayanaM, řtu, mAsaM, pakshaM, tithi and nakshatraM froM the
almanac.

sa.nskrit word Contextual Meaning

pUjA worship
bhakti devotion
bhAvaH sentiment
snAnaM bath
vastraM clothing
dhAraNaM act of having, holding,
wearing,
yagna religious rite
upavItaM The sacred thread; manner of
wearing the sacred thread
froM left shoulder down to
the right hip; opposed to
prAchInAvItaM or wearing
froM right shoulder down to
the left hip
gandhaM Sandalwood paste; any nice
smelling smears
vibhUti Sacred ashes obtained froM
burning dried cow-dung
haridraM Turmeric
chUrNaM Edible calcium hydroxide;
mixed with turmeric to
render red colored paste
kuMkuM Vermilion; dried powder of
turmeric-calcium hydroxide
pushpaM Flowers
AchAraM. Behavior conducive to
performing yagna
dhyAnaM meditation
japaM Repeatedly uttering names of
Gods
ya…., sa One-who….he
smaret Thinks of (Third pers.
Present)
puNDarIkaM lotus
akshaM eyes
 bhahya outside
antara inside
shuchiH clean
puNDarIkAkshaM ShrI Vishnu
pAdyaM Water for washing the feet;
(pAdaM, foot)
arghyaM Water for washing the palms
AchamanIyaM Water offered with a spoon
for sipping
angushhThA Thumb
tarjani Pointer finger
achyutAya To vishhnu;
anantAya To vishhnu; the limitless one
govindAya To vishhnu;
namaH salutation
bimbaM Idol, figurine
chandanaM Sandalwood
Achamani spoon for picking up and
pouring water; uddharaNi
palak Flat wooden plank for sitting
on
pIThaM seat for Gods, revered ones
AsanaM Seat
AbharanaM Jewelry
shAlI Wet, moist, fresh
akshhatAn Dehusked, (whole rice)
grains
arthaM In place of
samarpayAmi (I) Offer
dIpaM lamp
dhUpaM Smoking incense
tila sesame
naivedyam Offerings to God
annaM food
mAshha A type of bean or gram or
dAnyA
apUpaM A fried foodstuff
guLa Mollases, jaggery
dAnya grain
nArikeLaM coconut
khanDaM part; nArikeLa khandaM is a
broken part of a coconut
dvayaM Two (parts)
shaD Six (prefix)
rasa Juice, taste
upetaH Having achieved; rasopetaH
having the taste
bhojyAn eatables
kavitta ripe
 katali sliced
phalAni fruits
karpUra chUrNa scented calcium hydroxide
spread on betel leaves for
chewing
samyukta Along with
nAgavalli Betel creeper
dalAni leaves
tAmbUlaM. Set of betel leaves, areca nuts
and calcium hydroxide
offered at the end of a meal
nIrAjanaM Burning of camphor
chhatraM umbrella
chAmaraM fly whisk
vyajanaM Hand-held fan
AndolikAM swing
2 pUjA sa.nkalpaM
sa.nkalpaM is making a resolution expressing the good intent to perform a rite.

It is done:
First, by meditating on shrI vishhnu (many say on shrI ganeshA)
Second, by meditating on shrI vishhnu’s creation; by chanting the praNava, sapta vyAhřiti,
gAyatri and gAyatri shiras mantraM
Third, by making a resolution mentioning the time, place and the rite being performed

Meditate on shrI vishhnu

While reciting the five names for shrI vishhnu in the following shlokaM, gently tap the temples
with the fisted knuckles, five times. The nectar or amřutA in the head is supposed to
be released flowing down and energizing the whole body.

shukla ambara dharaM vishhnuM shashi varNaM chatur bujaM prasanna vadanam dhyAyet
sarva vighna upa shAntaye

(I) meditate on (Vishnu, Who is) wearing white dress, oMnipresent, having a moon-like
coMplexion, having four arms and a pleasant mien
(Let Him) appease all hindrances

Meditate on shrI vishhnu’s creation

praNava (source) mantraM

oM

OM is said to be the sound energy froM which the universe and everything in it originated. OM
also means brahmA, the creator of the seven worlds or lokA. Towards the end, keep the lips
pursed, don’t bite the teeth, leave the buccal cavity loose and feel the vocal chords reverbarate to
the MMMM...

sapta vyAhřiti (seven worlds) mantraM

oM bhUH
oM bhuvaH
oM suvaH (pronounced as ogM suvaH)
oM mahaH
oM janaH
oM tapaH
oM satyam (pronounced as ogM satyam)

oM is the earth, the solar circle, the solar system and beyond them, the the seven worlds of the
universe

While chanting this mantraM, we meditate on the immensity of God who created them; an
experience that leaves you humbled.
The bhU lokaM includes the atmosphere surrounding the earth. The ecliptic and lunar planes are
the bhuva lokaM. The sages live in here. Our ancestors, pitru, live on the dark side of the moon.
FroM the solar circle to the edge of the solar system (upto Saturn) is the suva lokaM. Beyond
suva lokaM are maha lokaM and farther, jana lokaM; brahmA’s sons live in jana lokaM. Beyond
jana lokaM is tapa lokaM. Gods live in tapa lokaM. Farther is satya lokaM, the abode of brahmA
and vishhnu.

gAyatri mantraM

oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

(bhu-bhuva-suva uttered as one long word denotes the universe and all things in it)

tat savituH vareNyam

bhargo devasya dhImahi
dhiyo yo na prachodayAt

I meditate on the adorable effulgence of God who has created everything, so that it may energize
my consciousness

gAyatri shiras mantraM

oM Apo jyoti raso amrutaM brahma

bhUrbhuvassuvaH oM

OM is water, light, (earth, that produces) nutrition sustaining life, the creator and the universe

Make a resolution

Resolution is made keeping the left palm, turned upward, on the right thigh and gripping it with
the right palm, turned downward.

Chant:
mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvArA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM

(For obtaining) God’s grace by removing all the sins that I have accumulated…

Adya brahmaNaH
dwitIya parA ardhe
shveta varaha kalpe
vaivasvata manvantare
ashhTAvimshati kali yuge
prathame pade

In the reign of the present Brahma

In the second half of His lifetime
In His day of the White Turtle
 In the of Vaivasvata manvantara
In the 28th Kali Yug
In its first quarter

jambu dvIpe
bhArata varshhe
bharata khanDe
meroH dakshiNe pArshve
shaka abde
asmin vartamAna vyavahArike

In the Jambu island

In Bharata sub-division
In the part called Bharata
In the south of the Meru mountain
In the present place and time

prabhavAti shashTi sa.mvatsarANAM madhye

… nAma sa.mvatsare
uttara / dakshiNa ayane
vasanta / grIshhma / varshha / sharad / hemanta / shishira řtau
… mAse
shukla / krishhNa pakshe
prathamyAM / dvitIyAM / třtIyAM / chaturtyAM / p.chamyAM / shhashhTyAM / saptamyAM /
ashhTamyAM / navamyAM / dashamyAM / ekAdashyAM / dvAdashyAM / trayodashyAM /
chaturdashyAM / paurNamAsyAyAM / amAvAsyAyAM shubha tithau
bhAnu (Adi) / soMa / bhauma / saumya / guru / břugu / stira … vAsara yuktAyAM
… nakshatra yuktayAm

In the set of sixty years starting with Prabhava

In the year …
During the Sun’s northern / southern transit
In the spring / summer / monsoon / autumn / snow / cold season
In the month …
In the waxing / waning phase of the moon
On the auspicious lunar first / second /…full-moon / new-moon day
On Sunday / Monday …Saturday
When the moon is in line with the star …

shubhe shobhane muhUrte

shubha yoga
shubha karaNa
evam guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM
asyAM puNya tithau

On this auspicious day

 With all the auspicious qualities
In this good karana
In this good yoga
In this good and befitting time

…pUjAM karishhye

I worship …

Time slice Explanation

Adya brahmaNaH Life cycle of Brahma is one paraM or 100 Brahma years.
dwitIya parA ardhe The present Brahma is in the second half of His paraM or 51st year.
shhveta varaha Each of the 360 days in a year of Brahma is a kalpaM. The present kalpaM is
kalpe named the day of the White Turtle.
vaivasvata A kalpaM is fourteen manvantaras. We are in the manvantara named
manvantare Vaivasvata manvantaraM
Each manvantaraM is 43,20,000 years on earth. There are 1000 mahA /
ashhTAvimshati chatur (set of four) yugs in 14 manvantaras. A mahA / chatur yug consists of
kali yuge Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali yugs in sequence. Being in the 7th
manvantara, we are in the 28th Kali yug.
Kali yug is 3,60,000 years on earth. We are in the 5111th year on earth
prathame pade
(2009-10). We are in the first quarter of the present Kali yug.
A group of years named after an event or person. Presently we are in the
shhaka
1921th shhaka named shhalivAhana
sa.mvatsaraM is a year on earth. Their names (. … nAma) start with
prabhava.and repeats after every sixty years.

shashTi prabhava, vibhava, shukla, pramoda, prajApati, angirasa, shrImukha,

sa.mvatsarANAM bhava, yuva, dAtř, Ishvara, bahudAnya, pramAdi, vikrama, vřshha,
madhye chitrabhanu, shubhanu, dhAraNa, pArthiva, vyaya, sarvajit, sarvadhari,
… nAma virodhi (2009-10), vikřti, kara, nandana, vijaya, jaya, manmata, durmukha,
sa.mvatsare hemalamba, vilambi, vikAri, sharvari, pLava, shubhakřt, shobhakřt, krodhi,
visvAvasu, parAbhava, pLavanga, kIlaka, saumya, sadhAraNa, virodhikřt,
paridhAvi, pramAdi, Ananda, rakshhasa, anala, pingala, kAlayukta,
siddhartha, roudra, durmati, dundupi, rudirodhkari, raktAksha, krodhana,
akshaya
uttara / dakshiNa Uttarayana (from ~ 22 December to 21 June) is the Sun’s transit above the
ayane equator. Dakshinayana is the transit below the equator.
Six řtu or seasons are in a s.mvatsaraM.
Starting from vasanta (mEsha- řshabha mAse or ~ mid Apr- mid Jun),
řtau grIshhma (mituna-kataka mAse), varsha (si.mha-kanyA mAse), sharad
(tulA-vřshchika mAse), hemanta (dhanu-makara mAse), shishira (kumbha-
mIna mAse)
Twelve solar months; month starting from the time the sun enters a rAshi.
… mAsE meshha (enters in ~ Mar), řshhabha, mituna, kataka, simha, kanyA, tulA,
vřshchika, dhanu, makara, kumbha, mIna
shukla / krishhNa . A pakshaM is a phase of the moon. The waxing phase is shukla (white)
pakshe pakshaM and the waning phase is křshhna (black) pakshaM.
 Within a solar month, the lunar day, or tithi, is used to denote a day. There
are fifteen tithis in a pakshaM. As the lunar tithi and the solar day, vAsarA
are of different duration each, in sa.nkalpA, we mention both the tithi and
shubha tithau vAsarA. The tithes are:
prathamyA / dvitIyA / třtIyA / chaturtyA / p.chamyA / shhashhTyA /
saptamyA / ashhTamyA / navamyA / dashamyA / ekAdashyA / dvAdashyA /
trayodashyA / chaturdashyA / paurNamAsyA / amAvAsyA
Stars are twenty-seven. Each rAshi segments two-and-a-quarter stars
(meshha has ashvini bharani and the first quarter of křtikA)
ashvini bharani křtikA rohini mřgashirsa Ardra punarvasu pushyami
… nakshatra
Asleshha magha pUrva-phalguNi uttara-phalguNi chitrA svAti vishakhA
anurAdha jyesthA mUlA purva-AshhadhA uttara-Ashhadha shravanA
dhanishhthA shatabhishA purva-bhadrA uttara-bhadrA revati
tithi is thirty muhurtaM. Each muhurtaM is 48 minutes. A tithi is also two
muhUrtaM,
karaNaM. There are eleven karaNaM in a tithi. There are twenty-seven
yogaM,
yogaM. Unlike other time slices, the names of the yogaM and karaNaM are
karaNaM
not normally mentioned by their names in a s.nkalpaM

The names of the sa.mvatsarA, řtu, mAsA, pakshA, tithi and the nakshatrA can be found in an
almanac and used in the right places in the sa.nkalpaM.

dvIpaM, varshhaM, khanDaM are geographical divisions. The earth, bhU lokaM, is supposed to
consist of seven islands. jambu dvIpaM, or Asia, is in the center of bhU lokaM. dvIpaM is
divided into several regions or varshhaM. We are in bhArata varshhaM, or central Asia. Mount
meru is in the center of bhArata varshhaM. bharata khanDaM is a part of varshhaM, i.e. India.
The region around meru is said to be heaven on earth.

The sa.nkalpam could be made more concise by saying:

mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvarA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM

guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM
asyAM puNya tithau
shubhe shobhane muhUrte
…pUjAM karishhye
3 pUjA traditions
The eighteen purAnAs compiled in the first millennium C.E., have contributed to the pUjA design
of today. vaishhnavite pUjAs are based on vishhnu purAnA and bhagavata purAnA, and shaivite
pUjAs on shiva purAnA and skanda purAnA.

shhoDashopachAra pUjA is the common form of worship though there are five or
panchopachAraM, ten or dashopachAraM or 24-, 32-, 64-, 108-upachAraM or activities in
worshiping.

shhoDashopachAra pUjA is fit for a royal; scented roses, lotus, flowers, fragrant leaves like
tulasi, perfumes like kastUri, a pair of golden silk clothes, pitAmbarA, and ornaments are used in
vishhnu pUjA, suited for royals. shivA is an ascetic and therefore more emphasis is laid on
abhishhekaM, vedic chantings, hoMaM (fire) rituals and naivedyam in shiva pUjA. Suited to an
ascetic, wild flowers, bilvaM leaves, single piece of white cloth for vastraM, ekAmbaraM, and
vibhUti are used.

satyanArAyana pUjA is an interesting variant. shrI satyanArAyana is the deity in the temple at
badarinAth in the himalayA. There are five idols in the sanctum sanctorum: shrI badarivishhAl,
narA, nArAyanA, kuberA and ganeshA, collectively known as badrIshh pa.chAyat.
satyanArAyana pUjA can be performed by anyone irrespective of caste, creed or gender. The
pUjA may or may not follow the shhoDashopachAraM. Certain aspects of the satyanArAyana
pUjA are unique. These are:

naivedyam is made from five ingredients all in equal proportions, sUji (broken wheat), sugar, ghI,
bananas and milk.

The story of satyanArAyana pUjA contained in five chapters must be read every time and all
invitees must listen to it.

The five chapters of the story tell how five different people of four castes and a woman did the
satyanArAyana pUjA and were blessed.

satyanArAyana pUjA was devised to bring equality among all the four castes and between men
and women.signifying a social revolution that took place in the past.

The sequence of activities in shhoDashopachAra pUjA is:

1 AvAhanaM establishing the idol for worship

2 AsanaM offering a seat
3 pAdyaM offering water for washing the feet
4 arghyaM offering water for washing the hands
5 AchamanIyaM offering water for cleaning the mouth and for drinking followed by madhu
parkaM offering a sweet for sweetening the mouth

6 snAnaM offering bath or panchAmruta abhishhekaM, ablution in nectar, followed by

shuddha udaka snAnaM or clean water bath
7 vastraM offering clothes for wearing
8 upavItaM offering sacred thread for male deities and AbharanaM for all deities
9 gandhaM offering sandalwood paste for applying on body
10 pushhpaM offering flowers with salutations or nAmAvali
11 dhUpaM burning fragrant incense to enhance bakti bhAvA
12 dIpaM lighting a lamp symbolizing enlightenment
13 naivedyam offering food
14 tAmbUlaM offering betel leaves with areca nut and calcium hydroxide
15 nIrAjanaM burning camphor to light up the visage of the deity
16 namaskAraM offering obeisance

16+ raja upachArAn offering treatments fit for the royals.

pUjA is to be peformed, in a sequence.

First, mahAganapati pUjA; then,

navagřaha pUjA
kalasha / ghanta / dIpa pUjA and finally
shhoDashopachAra pUjA for the intended deity

mahAganapati pUjA is performed first before any pUjA to remove all obstacles. shrI ganeshhA is
supposed to have obtained this right to first worship from shivA as part of the settlement in His
war against the devAs.

The mahAganapati pUjA follows a concise shhoDashopachAra pUjA sequence.

kalasha pUjA is performed to sanctify the water to be used in the pUjA. Later, using this water the
bell, lamps, other pUjA dravyaM (materials) and the kartA (the performer) are sanctified.
4 pUjA
mahAganapati pUjA

shukla ambara dharaM vishhnuM shashi varNaM chatur bujaM prasanna vadanam dhyAyet
sarva vighna upa shAntaye

oM

oM bhUH
oM bhuvaH
oM suvaH (pronounced as ogM suvaH)
oM mahaH
oM janaH
oM tapaH
oM satyam (pronounced as ogM satyam)

oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

tat savituH vareNyam

bhargo devasya dhImahi
dhiyo yo na prachodayAt

oM Apo jyoti raso amrutaM brahma

bhUrbhuvassuvaH oM

mama upAtta samasta durita kshaya dvarA shrI parameshvara prItyarthaM

guNa visheshhena vishishhTAyAM
asyAM puNya tithau
shubhe shobhane muhUrte

karishhyamAnasya karmaNaH
avighnena pari samAptyartham
Adau shrI mahAganapati pUjAM karishhye

For completing without obstacles

all activities that need to be done
first I worship shrI mahAaganapati

A small lump of turmeric paste can be installed to the right of the main deity and pUjA performed
for this idol.

asmin bimbe shrI mahAganapatiM dhyAyAmi, AvAhayAmi

I meditate upon shrI Mahaganapati, I install in this idol shrI Mahaganapati

shrI mahAganapataye namaH

Asanam samarpayAmi
pAdyaM samarpayAmi
 arghyaM samarpayAmi
AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi
snAnaM samarpayAmi
snAnAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samrpayAmi
vastrArtham akshtAn samarpayAmi
upavItArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi
AbharaNArthaM akshtAn samarpayAmi
gandhAn dhArayAmi
haridrA churNaM samarpayAmi
pushpAni pUjayAmi

OM vrAtapataye namaH
OM gaNapataye namaH
OM pramatapataye namaH
OM lambodaraya namaH
OM ekadantaya namaH
OM vighna vinAshine namaH
OM shiva sutAya namaH
OM varada mUrtaye namaH

nAnA vidha patra pushpAni samarpayAmi

dhUpa dIpArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi

(naivedyam)
oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

tat savituH vareNyam

bhargo devasya dhImahi
dhiyo yo na prachodayAt

deva savitaH prasUva

satyaM tvartena parishhinchAmi
amřutopastaraNamasi

prAnAya svAhA
apAnaya svAhA
vyAnAya svAhA
udAnAya svAhA
samAnAya svAhA
brahmaNe svAhA

kavitta katali phalani nivedayAmi

tAmbUlaM samarpayAmi
samasta raja upachArAn samarpayAmi

vakra tunDa mahA kAya sUrya koti samaprabha

nir vighnaM kuru me devA sarva kAryeshhu sarvadA

Tad sat brahmArpaNamastu

 Salutations to shrI Mahaganapati
I offer a seat
I offer water for washing the feet
I offer water for washing the hands
I offer water for washing the mouth
I offer a bath
I offer water for drinking after the bath
I offer grains in place of clothings
I offer grains in place of sacred thread
I offer grains in place of jewelry
I apply fragrances
I offer vermillion
I worship with flowers

(The eight names are froM atharvashirshhaM)

Salutations to Leader Who takes us on the just path

Salutations to people’s Leader
Salutations to the Destroyer of Pride
Salutations to the Big Bellied One
Salutations to the Single Tusker
Salutations to the Remover of Obstacles
Salutations to the Son of Shiva
Salutations to the Giver of Boons

I offer various types of leaves and flowers

I offer grains in place of incense and light
I offer ripe sliced fruits for food
I offer betel leaves with areca nut and calcium hydroxide
I offer treatments fit for the royals

Remove all obstacles for me in all things and at all times

(Mahaganapati,Thou) with a twisted trunk, huge body and a shine like ten million suns

(Let) there be universal bliss

navagřaha pUjA

Draw a square rangoli and place nine pugIphala (whole betel nuts), 3x3, to represent the
navagřahaM. Offer gandhaM, akshatA, pushpaM chanting

oM sUryAya namaH
oM chandramase namaH
oM bhaumAya namaH
oM budhAya namaH
oM gurave namaH
oM shukrAya namaH
oM shanaicharAya namaH
oM rAhave namaH
 oM kEtave namaH

sarve gřahA shAntikarA bhavantu

Salutations to the Sun

Salutations to the Moon
Salutations to Mars
Salutations to Mercury
Salutations to Jupiter
Salutations to Venus
Salutations to Saturn
Salutations to Rahu
Dalutations to Ketu

All grahas, bring peace

kalasha pUjA

kalashaM is the vessel containing the water to be used in pUjA. A pot with wide-mouth, narrow-
neck is suggested. Use a spoon, called Achamani / uddharaNi to pour / sprinkle the water from
the kalashaM. Fill the kalashaM upto the neck

Apply a spot of gandhaM and haridrA-chUrnaM or kuMkuM to the outside of the kalashaM .
Drop a petal of a flower or a leaf of tulasi and akshatas in the water.

Cover the mouth of the kalashhaM with the right palm and chant

kalashasya mukhE vishhnu, kanthE rudrAH samAshrItAH

mUle tatra stito brahmA madhye mAtřgaNAH smřtAH

kukshaudu sAgarAH
sarvE sapta dvIpAva vasundarAH
řgvedota yajurvedaH sAmavedObya atharvaNaH angaichcha sahitAH sarve kalashhAmbu
saMAshhritAH

gangecha yamunechaiva godAvari sarasvati narmade sindhu kAveri jale asmin s.nnidhiM kuru

Vishnu resides in the mouth and the Rudras in the neck of the vessel
At the bottom is Brahma and in the middle are the (water) goddesses

Kukshaudu (?) seas

All seven islands on this earth
Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana vedas with all veda-angas are present in the water in the vessel

Let the waters of Ganga, Yanuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Sindhu and Kaveri be present in this
(water)

Sprinkle the water on all pUjA material on your head, chanting:

 AyAntu pUjArtham durita kshaya kArakAH

Be present, for performing the puja, the significant remover of all sins (i.e. water)

Another version of kalasha pUjA:

varuNAya namaH, kalasha devatAbyo namaH

sakala pUjanArthe gandAkshata pushpAni samarpayAmi

Salutations to Varuna and the Gods of the water container

In worshiping, I offer scents, grains and flowers

kalashaH kIrtiM AyushhyaM pragnyAM mEdhAM shrIyaM balaM

yogyatAM pApAhAni cha puNyaM vřddhiM cha yachchhati

The water (from the pot) bestows reputation, longevity, consciousness, intellect, wealth, health
(Has the) ability to remove sins and to grow in virtuosity

sarva tirthamayo yasmAT sarva deva mayo yataH

ato hari prito asi tvaM purNa kumbha namo astu te

Filled with waters and surrounded by Gods

You are dear to Vishnu; salutations to the water pot

The kalasha pUjA is followed by the ghantA or the bell pUjA

ghantA pUjA

Ring the bell, reciting:

AgamanArthaM tu devAnAM gamanArthaM tu rakshasAM

kurvE ghantAravaM tatra devatAhvAna lakshaNaM

As an indication of the arrival of gods and goddesses and the departure of the demons,
And as summons from the Gods
Make ringtones

ghantAyai namaH
gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to the bell

I offer scents, grains and flowers

dIpa pUjA
 dIpa dEvatAbhyO namaH
sakala pUjArthE
gandha akshata pushpaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to the Gods of the lamps

As a token of worship
I offer scents, grains and flowers

shhoDashopachAra pUjA

AvAhanaM

First close the eyes, imagine the deity in the mind, and recite a slokaM that personifies the deity

Like this slokA from atharvashirshhaM for shrI ganeshhA

eka dantaM chatur hastaM pashaM angkusha dhariNaM

radam cha varadam hastai bibhrANaM mUshhaka dhvajaM
raktam lambodaraM shUrpa karNakaM rakta vAsasaM
rakta gandhAnu liptAngaM rakta pushhpai supUjItaM

Having a single tooth, four arms, holding a rope and a goad

Holding a dumpling in one hand and blessing with another, having mounted a mouse
Red in complexion, having a big belly and large ears and wearing red clothes
Smeared with red fragrabt paste, worshipped with red flowers

Then pointing to the selected idol with upturned palms held close together, say:

asmin bimbe shrI…. dhyAyAmi, AvAhayAmi

I meditate upon …, I install in this idol…

prANa pratishhtha or breathing life into the idol

nyAsAM or setting up the self

oM
asya shrI prANa pratishhthA mahA mantrasya

(place the right palm over the head in salutation)

brahmA vishhnu maheshvarA řshhayaH

(place the right palm with the pointer finger touching the upper lip in salutation)
řg yajur sAma atharvANi chhandAmsi

(place the right palm over the heart in salutation)

sakala jagad sřshhti stiti s.mhAra kAriNI prANa shaktiH parAdevatA
 AM bIjaM
hrIM shaktiH
kroM kIlakam

prANa pratishhthApanE viniyogaH

AM angushhtAbyAM namaH
hrIM tarjanIbhyAM namaH
kroM madhyamabhyAM namaH

AM anAmikAbyAM namaH
hrIM kanishhtikAbhyAM namaH
kroM karatala karaprushtAbhyAM namaH

AM hřdayAya namaH
hrIM shirase svAhA
kroM shikAyai vashat

AM kavachAya huM
hrIM netra trayAya vaushat
kroM astrAya phat

bhUrbhuvassuvarOM iti digbandhaH

OM
This mantra for breathing ltfe into the idol (has)
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara as its authors
The four Vedas are the hymns
(and is addressed to)
the creative, maintaining and destroying forces of the universe as the Goddess

AM is the core of the mantra

HrIM is its force
KroM is its anchor

The mantra is spread over the limbs

AM; salutation to the thumbs

HrIM; salutations to the pointer fingers
KroM; salutations to the middle fingers

AM; salutation to the ring-fingers

HrIM; salutations to the little fingers
KroM; salutations to the palm and the back of the hand

AM; salutation to the heart

HrIM; salutations to the head
KroM; salutations to the hairs
 AM; the protective sheath
HrIM; the third eye
KroM; the weapons

I bond with the universe and all things in it

dhyAnaM

raktAMbudhi sta bodha ullasa taruNa sarojAtirUdA

karAbjaiH pAshaM kodandaM ikshuta bhavamaLi
guNamapyankusham
pancha bANAn bibrAsbruk kapAlam
trinayana lasita
apIna vaksha uru hatya
devI balArka varNA
bhavatu sukakarI prANa shaktiH paranaH

Red sea is …shine young seated on lotus

In the hands rope sugarcane
Five weapons …. Skull
Beautified with three eyes
…Breast, thigh…
young-sun colored goddess
be causing pleasures, Life Force

AM hrIM kroM
kroM hrIM AM

ya ra la va sha shha sa ha ksha oM

ha.msa sohaM
sohaM ha.msaH

asyAM mUrtau sarveNdriyAni

manas tvak chakshUH shrotrA jivhA agrAna
vAk pANi pAda pAyuupasthAgpAni
prANabAna vyAnodAna samAnAshAgatya
sukam chiram tishhtantu svAhA

Take in right palm, flowers, akshata and a spoonful of water and offer it to the bimbaM

The mantras AM hrIM kroM energise the bimbaM. oM opens the gates of energy. AM channelizes
it. hrIM breaths it into the body. kroM modifies the mind. ya ra la va and the five sibilants sha
shha sa ha ksha energise the body and mind of the bimbaM.
 I am He, He is I
He is I, I am He

haMsa sohaM gives soul to the bimbaM.

This idol, having acquired

All senses
Mind, skin, eyes, ears, tongue, nose…
Voice, hands, feet, …
(Let it) dwell for ever happy

indriyaM are eleven. Mind is one; senses are five [gnAnendriyaM : skin, eyes, ears, tongue, nose];
motor actions are five [karmendriyaM: voice, hands, feet, …., upasthA (middle portion of lower
limbs; lap)]

asUnite punarasmAsu
chakshH punaH prANamihano dehi bogaM
jyogpashyema sUrya muchcharanta manumate mruLayAnaH
swasti

AvAhito bhava
stApito bhava
sa.nnihito bhava
sa.nniruddho bhava
avakundito bhava
suprIto bhava
suprasanno bhava
sumukho bhava
varado bhava
prasIda prasIda

svAmin sarva jagannatha

yAvat pUjA vasanakaM
tAvatvam prIti bhavena bimbesmin sa.nnidhim kuru

Offer some naivedyaM

Asanam

The bimbaM is usually placed (seated) such that the worship can start. Therefore the offer is
perfunctory.

aneka ratna kachita suvarNa simhAsanaM pratigřuhyatAM

ShrI ….ai namaH
Asanam samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
 I offer a seat
Be seated on this many-gem-studded gold throne

pAdyaM

Symbolic offering of water for washing the the dirt off the feet is a reverential act

gandha pushpa samanvitaM

baktyA dattaM mayA pAdyaM gřuhANa
ShrI ….ai namaH
pAdyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer water for washing the feet
Please accept the water, scented with flowers, and offered by me with devotion

arghyaM
gandha pushpa akshatairyutaM
suvarNa kalasha stitaM arghyaM gřuhANa
ShrI ….ai namaH
arghyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer water for washing the hands
Please accept the water, mixed with flowers and grains and
Kept in the gold water pot

AchamanaM

Offering of water for cleaning the mouth and drinking, as soon as a guest arrives, is a custom in
all households.

nirmalaM shItalam jalaM

kurushhvAchamanaM mayA baktyA samarpitaM
ShrI ….ai namaH
AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer water for drinking
Drink the clean and cool water,
Offered by me with devotion

Immediately following, offer sweet something made by mixing cow’s milk, ghee honey and fruits

tatyAjya madhu samyuktaM phala ksIra samanvitaM madhuparkam gřuhANa

ShrI ….ai namaH
madhuparkam samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
 I offer …
Have the ghee-honey-fruits-milk mix,

Then offer a nectar made by mixing cow’s milk, curds, sugar and honey

payO dadhi krutOpetaM sharkarA madhu samyutaM panchAmrutam gřuhANa

ShrI ….ai namaH
panchAmrutaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer panchmrutam
Have the milk-curds-sugar-honey mixed panchamrutam

snAnaM

gandha pushpa akshatairyutai gangAdi puNya tirthaistvaM snAnaM kurushva

shrI ….ai namaH
snAnaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer a bath
In the sacred waters of the Ganga, mixed with scented flowers and grains

snAnAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

After the bath, I offer water for drinking

vastraM

rakta vastra dvayaM (for Gods)

divyAmbara yugaM sukshmaM ka.chukaM cha manoharaM
gřuhANa
shrI ….ai namaH
vastrM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer clothings
Two-piece red clothings (for Gods)
Pair of fine, divine garments and bodice so beautiful (for Goddesses)

upavItaM (for Gods) / AbharanaM for all deities

rAjataM brahma sUtraM cha kAnchanaM cha uttatIyaM

gřuhANa
 shrI ….ai namaH
upavItaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer a upavitam
Accept the silver brahma sutram and a golden outer garment

mAngalya maNi samyuktaM mugdA vidruma samyutam

dattam mangala sUtraM
ArNavodruta ratnAdyaM karNa bhushAdi bhushaNaM ratna tAtanga kEyura hAra ka.kaNa
bhUshhanAni mahArhANi cha gřuhANa
shrI ….ai namaH
kantha sUtraM AbharaNaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer a necklace and jewellery
Accept the auspicious necklace studded with auspicious gems and
Offered by me

gandhaM
(for Gods)
karpUra chandana upEtam kastUri ku.kuma anvitaM
vilEpanam pratigřuhyatAM
shrI ….ai namaH
gandhAn dhArayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I apply fragrances
Accept the camphor- sandalwood paste followed by musk and saffron

(for Goddesses)
karpUra chandanOpEtam kastUri ku.kumAnvidaM
sarva gandhaM anjana sindUra saubhAgya dravyam akilam gřuhANa
shrI ….ai namaH
gandhAn samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer fragrances
Accept the camphor- sandalwood paste followed by musk and saffron
All fragrances, eyeshade, vermillion and all auspicious materials

pushpaM offering flowers with salutations or nAmAvali

The flowers are offered chanting ‘oM ….namaH’. There are usually 108 chants or ashtOtra
nAmAvali or string of the various names of the deity depicting godliness. nAmAvali is the most
important part of pUjA because the mantras are contained only here. The nAmAvali can be
preceeded by 18..24 chants of anga pUjA or worship of the deity’s body parts.

The flowers should never be dropped at the feet or thrown at the deity.but placed reverentially
about it. Flowers and akshtas can be offered together.

shrI ….ai namaH

pushpAni pUjayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I worship with flowers

OM……namaH (1)
.
.
.
OM……namaH (108)

The nAmAvali are given in the last chapter.

Before performing the next upachAraM, clear a space for keeping the naivedyaM, sprinkle the
space with sanctified water and keep the naivedyaM in that space.

dhUpaM

dasha dravya samAyuktaM dhUpaM sugandhaM cha manOharaM

gřuhANa tvaM
shrI ….ai namaH
dhUpaM AgrApayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer fragrant incense
Accept the fragrant incense made of ten materials and smelling nice

dhUpAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

After the incense, I offer water for drinking

dIpaM

sAjyaM trivarti sa.yuktaM vahninA ujjitaM gřuhANa mangalam dIpaM

shrI ….ai namaH
dIpaM darshayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I shine the light
Accept the light fueled with cow’s ghee and three-wicks lit up with fire

dIpAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

 After shining the light, I offer water for drinking

naivEdyaM

Break the coconut in two, collect the coconut water and keep them with the naivEdyaM.
Circle a spoonful of the sacred water over the naivedyaM and pour away, chanting

oM bhUrbhuvassuvaH

tat savituH vareNyam

bhargo devasya dhImahi
dhiyo yo na prachodayAt

deva savitaH prasUva

satyaM tvartena parishhinchAmi
amřutopastaraNamasi

prAnAya svAhA
apAnaya svAhA
vyAnAya svAhA
udAnAya svAhA
samAnAya svAhA
brahmaNe svAhA

(Mention only those that arebeing offered)

shrI ….ai namaH

shAlyaNNaM
mAshha apupa
guLa apupa
laddukAni
modakAni
pAyasaM
kavitta, kataLI phalani
nArikELa khanda dvayaM
bahu bakshya samAyuktaM nana phala samanvitaM shad rasOpEtaM
etat sarvaM mahA naivEdyaM nivEdayAmi

nivEdanAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

pAnIyaM pAvanaM shreshhThaM gangAdi saritAhřudaM

hasta prakshALanArthAya paNiyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer all these grand foods
All these eatables, various fruits with all six tastes
Wet rice grains
Salted cakes
Sweet cakes
 Laddus
Modaks
Khir
Ripe, sliced fruits
Two peieces of a (broken) coconut
After food, I offer water for drinking

I offer water for cleaning the hands

Pure, best waters from the source of river Ganga

tAmbUlaM
pugIphala samyukta nAgavalli dalairyutaM
karpUra chUrNa samyukta tAmbUlaM pratigřuhyatAM
shrI ….ai namaH
tAmbUlaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I offer Tambulam
Accept betel leaves with areca nut
Accompanied with scented lime

nIrAjanaM
nIrAjanaM karpUra kalitaM mayA gřuhANa
shrI ….ai namaH
nIrAjanaM samarpayAmi

nIrAjanAnantaraM AchamanIyaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I shine light witrh flames leaping like lotus petals
Accept flames from burning camphor

After Nirajanam, I offer water for drinking

namaskAraM
shrI ….ai namaH
pushpAnjaliM samarpayAmi

yopAM pushpaM veda

pushpavAn prjAvAn pashumAn bhavati
chandramAvA apAM pushpaM
pushpavAn prjAvAn pashumAn bhavati
mantrapushpaM samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I pay obessance by offering flowers
 He who understands the flowers of water,
Is blessed with flowers, heirs and cattle.
Moon is the flower of water,
(He who understands this)
Is blessed with flowers, heirs and cattle.
I offer flowery chants

Circle around the deity starting to go from left (or space not permitting, Atma pradakshiNA or
turning clockwise a full circle where one stands) chanting

yAni kAni cha pApAni

janmAntara křutAni cha
tAni tAni vinashyanti
pradakshiNa padE padE

All sins
Committed in this birth
Are washed away
With every step of circling

Prostrate before the deity

shrI ….ai namaH
pradakshiNa namaskArAn samarpayAmi

Salutations to shrI …
I circle and prostrate in front

Pray with folded hands

shrI ….ai namaH
varam dEhi

Salutations to shrI …
Grant me boons

rAja upachArAn
chhatraM samarpayAmi
chAmaraM samarpayAmi
vyajanaM samarpayAmi
gItaM shrAvayAmi
nřutyam darshayAmi
vAdyaM ghoshhayAmi
AndolikAM samarpayAmi
samasta rajopachArAn samarpayAmi

I offer an umbrella
I offer a fly whisk
I offer a fan
 I make heard music
I arrange for dances
I sound musical instruments
I offer a swing
I offer all royal treatments

Mix a spoonful of milk in water and offer arghyaM, three times chanting

adya pUrvokta evam guNa visheshhEna vishishhtAyAM asyAM shubha tithau shrI … prItyarthaM
pUjA phala sampUrNata siddhyarthaM kshIra arghya pradhanaM karishhye

shrI ….ai namaH

IdaM arghyaM
IdaM arghyaM
IdaM arghyaM

anena arghya pradhanena shrI…. prIyatAM

Tad sat brahmArpaNamastu

I offer milk mixed with water

Today, the auspicious day and time, as previously said
For shrI …’s satisfaction and for realizing fully the benefits of the Pooja

Salutations to shrI …
This is the offering
This is the offering
This is the offering

Be satisfied with this water offering

(Let) there be universal bliss