Jyeshta Devi is a lesser-known yet significant deity in Hinduism, symbolizing the elder sister of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is often worshipped for alleviating poverty, misfortune, and to maintain harmony in the household. Worshiping Jyeshta Devi involves simple yet respectful steps, keeping in mind cleanliness, proper time, dress code, and eco-friendly practices. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you perform the puja properly:
1. Cleanliness and Preparation
Before beginning any puja, cleanliness is of utmost importance:
- Body Purification: Take a bath before the puja, preferably with turmeric or sandalwood paste, as it signifies purification.
- Altar Setup: Choose a clean and peaceful spot for the puja. Clean the space using eco-friendly cleaning solutions such as water mixed with turmeric or neem. Spread a clean white or yellow cloth on a wooden platform (Chowki) where you will place the idol or image of Jyeshta Devi.
- Eco-Friendly Items: Use natural, non-plastic materials for decorations and puja items. This can include earthen lamps, copper/brass vessels, cloth flowers, and leaves.
2. Time of Worship
Jyeshta Devi is typically worshipped on Friday, especially during the Jyeshta Nakshatra or Jyeshta month in the Hindu calendar. The best time for her puja is either in the morning, after sunrise, or in the evening during sunset.
3. Dress Code - What to Wear
- Color of Clothes: It is recommended to wear yellow, red, or white clothes while worshipping Jyeshta Devi. Yellow represents auspiciousness and red denotes devotion and energy.
- Material: Use cotton or silk clothes, which are considered pure and eco-friendly in Hindu traditions.
4. Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
- Idol or Picture of Jyeshta Devi – Traditionally made from clay or brass.
- Puja Kalash – Copper or brass pot filled with water, betel leaves, a coconut placed on the top, and a few mango leaves surrounding it.
- Diya (Lamp) – Use earthen or brass lamps filled with eco-friendly ghee or sesame oil.
- Incense sticks – Made from natural ingredients like sandalwood or camphor.
- Flowers – Use biodegradable flowers like marigold, lotus, or jasmine.
- Fruits and Prasad – Include seasonal fruits like bananas, coconuts, and jaggery-based sweets.
- Panchamrit – A mix of milk, honey, yogurt, ghee, and sugar for bathing the idol (Abhishek).
- Betel Leaves, Rice, Kumkum, Haldi (Turmeric) – Use natural, non-chemical varieties.
5. Simple Steps of the Puja
Invoke Jyeshta Devi: Begin by invoking Jyeshta Devi with a simple prayer of your choice. You can chant “Om Jyeshtaya Namah” thrice.
Prana Pratishtha: Meditate and invite the presence of the goddess into the idol or image by chanting her name.
Abhishek (Bathing the Idol): Bathe the idol with Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar). Then, rinse with clean water. After the abhishek, wipe the idol gently with a clean cloth.
Offering Flowers: Offer fresh, natural flowers like marigold, lotus, or jasmine, chanting mantras such as “Om Jyeshtaya Namah” or any specific stotra dedicated to her.
Lighting the Lamp: Light an earthen or brass lamp filled with ghee or sesame oil, symbolizing divine light.
Chant Mantras: Recite the Jyeshta Devi mantra, which is:
“Om Jyeshta Lakshmya Namah”
Or recite her stotra:“Om Jyeshta Devi Namastubhyam Shubhade Nitya Mangale, Dhanada Dhana Sampanna Patni Premabhivardhani”
Offering Naivedyam: Offer eco-friendly prasad like fruits (bananas, coconuts), jaggery, honey, or sweet rice kheer.
Aarti: Perform Aarti using the lit lamp, moving it in a clockwise direction around the deity, followed by the chanting of:
Om Jyeshtaya Namah, Jyeshtaya Namah, Jyeshtaya Namah
The Aarti should be accompanied by the ringing of a small bell.
6. Prasad Preparation
You can prepare simple and eco-friendly prasad such as:
- Sweet Pongal or Rice Kheer – Made with jaggery, rice, and coconut.
- Coconut and Jaggery Laddoos.
- Fruits like bananas, coconuts, and seasonal fruits.
7. Concluding the Puja
- After completing the Aarti, sit silently for a few minutes, focusing on gratitude.
- Offer your final prayers and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.
- Distribute the prasad to all attendees, ensuring to do so respectfully and consciously.
8. What to do with the Puja Leftover Items
- Flowers and Leaves: Instead of discarding them, collect them and place them in a compost pile or a garden. Do not throw them in water bodies, as it harms the ecosystem.
- Panchamrit: Offer this sacred mixture to family members or sprinkle it in plants.
- Ash from Diya: The ash from the lamps can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants.
- Offerings and Prasad: Consume the prasad and distribute it to family and neighbors, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
9. Importance of Worshiping Jyeshta Devi
Worshiping Jyeshta Devi holds significance in alleviating poverty, ill-fortune, and discord within the family. As the elder sister of Goddess Lakshmi, she brings attention to the value of humility, sacrifice, and spiritual prosperity. Regular worship is believed to remove obstacles, prevent financial hardships, and bring harmony to relationships.
10. Benefits of Jyeshta Devi Puja
- Spiritual Prosperity: Helps cultivate humility, wisdom, and self-awareness.
- Financial Stability: Alleviates poverty and brings stability to one's economic life.
- Household Harmony: Promotes peace and unity within families, preventing discord.
- Protection from Misfortune: Removes negative influences and protects the household from misfortune.
Jyeshta Devi’s worship is a practice of devotion, simplicity, and mindful eco-friendly practices. By following these guidelines, you can perform a meaningful and conscious puja that honors tradition while respecting nature.