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How To Pray For Benediction? In Hindu Religion

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In Hinduism, the act of offering a prayer for benediction (blessing) is known as seeking "Ashirvada" or "Varadanam" from the Divine. Benediction is generally sought for protection, success, health, well-being, or spiritual growth. It can be done through various pujas (ritual worship), mantras (sacred chants), and prayers.

1. General Structure for Benediction Prayers:

  • Invocation: Call upon the Divine or specific deity.
  • Offerings: Offer symbolic items such as flowers, fruits, incense, and water.
  • Mantras and Prayers: Chant specific mantras or recite prayers to invoke blessings.
  • Aarti: Conclude the ritual by waving a flame (lamp) to honor the deity.
  • Seeking Blessings: Bow with folded hands and ask for the specific blessing you desire.

2. Simple Prayers for Benediction:

Here are a few prayers (in Sanskrit and translation) that can be recited to seek benediction.

  • For General Well-Being:

    • Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
      Meaning: "May all beings be happy, may all beings be healthy, may all experience auspiciousness, may none suffer."

    Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ, sarve santu nirāmayāḥ,
    Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu, mā kaścid duḥkha bhāg bhavet.

  • For Peace and Prosperity:
    Om Shanti Mantra
    Meaning: "Om, peace, peace, peace" – this mantra seeks peace in the mind, body, and the world.

    Om dyauh śāntir antarīkṣam śāntih, pṛthivi śāntir āpah śāntir oṣadhayah śāntih.
    Vanaspatayah śāntir viśvedevah śāntir brahma śāntih, sarvam śāntih, śāntir eva śāntih.
    Mā śāntir edhi, Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

  • For Wisdom and Knowledge:
    Gayatri Mantra
    Meaning: "We meditate on the divine light of the Sun (God), may it inspire our intellect."

    Om bhur bhuvah svaha
    Tat savitur varenyam
    Bhargo devasya dhimahi
    Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

3. Puja Steps for Benediction:

A basic puja for benediction involves simple steps:

  1. Purification: Begin by purifying yourself by taking a bath or sprinkling water. Sprinkle water around the puja area and on yourself to purify the space.

  2. Invocation (Dhyana): Sit facing East or North. Begin by meditating on the chosen deity and chant "Om" or the deity's specific mantra three times.

  3. Lighting the Lamp: Light a lamp (diya) with ghee or oil and place it in front of the deity. Lighting the lamp symbolizes dispelling darkness and inviting positive energy.

  4. Offering Flowers and Fruits: Offer flowers, fruits, or sweets (prasad) to the deity. While offering, chant a simple mantra like "Om [Deity's name] Namah" (e.g., "Om Ganeshaya Namah").

  5. Reciting Mantras or Prayers: Chant mantras associated with the deity or general prayers like the Gayatri Mantra, Mangalacharan Mantras (auspicious invocations), or specific benedictory mantras like Ashtakshari Mantra ("Om Namo Narayanaya").

  6. Aarti: Perform aarti by moving a lit camphor or lamp in a circular motion in front of the deity. Sing aarti songs to express devotion.

  7. Prasad Distribution: Conclude by offering the prasad (food offerings) to everyone present as a sign of receiving the deity's blessings.

  8. Prostration (Pranama): Finally, bow down completely with hands extended forward (known as Sashtang Pranam) and ask for the specific blessings or benediction you seek from the deity.

4. Ideal Gods or Goddesses to Worship for Benediction:

In Hinduism, different deities are worshiped for specific blessings:

  • Ganesha: Known as the remover of obstacles and the bestower of success, Lord Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of any auspicious work or prayer.
  • Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to seek material and spiritual wealth.
  • Saraswati: The goddess of wisdom and knowledge, Saraswati is worshipped by students and scholars seeking intellectual growth.
  • Shiva: Lord Shiva is worshipped for blessings of health, longevity, and spiritual growth.
  • Vishnu: Lord Vishnu, the preserver, is invoked for protection, peace, and dharma (righteousness).
  • Durga/Kali: For courage, protection, and victory over adversities, worship of Durga or Kali is ideal.

5. Mantras for Specific Benedictions:

  • For Protection:
    Om Namah Shivaya (dedicated to Lord Shiva) – invokes protection and inner peace.

  • For Success:
    Om Gam Ganapataye Namah (dedicated to Lord Ganesha) – removes obstacles and brings success.

  • For Prosperity:
    Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah (dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi) – grants wealth and abundance.

  • For Peace:
    Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (a universal peace mantra) – invokes mental, physical, and cosmic peace.

6. Rare Facts about Benediction in Hinduism:

  • Sankalpa: Before starting a puja or prayer for benediction, Hindus often perform Sankalpa, where they mentally resolve and declare the purpose of their prayer, invoking cosmic energies to support their intention.

  • Prasad: It is believed that consuming the Prasad (blessed food offered to the deity) carries divine energy and grants blessings.

  • Yantras: Sometimes, in addition to mantras, Yantras (geometrical representations of divine energy) are used during worship to invoke and focus the energy of the deity.

7. Relevant Facts about Hindu Benediction Prayers:

  • Panchopachara Puja: This is a simplified form of worship involving five essential offerings to the deity: Gandha (fragrance like sandalwood), Pushpa (flowers), Dhoop (incense), Deepa (lamp), and Naivedya (food).

  • Abhishekam: In many temples and homes, the deity's idol is bathed in sacred substances like milk, honey, and ghee (clarified butter) to cleanse and empower the idol. This ritual is often part of benediction prayers, especially for deities like Lord Shiva.

  • Chanting 108 Times: Mantras are often recited 108 times during prayers for benediction, as 108 is considered an auspicious and spiritually potent number in Hinduism.

By following these steps, offering mantras, and worshiping deities associated with your desired blessings, you can effectively seek benediction in the Hindu tradition.