Comprehensive Guide to Worshiping Ashok Sundari in Hinduism
Ashok Sundari, the daughter of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is a lesser-known goddess in Hindu mythology but is revered for her beauty, grace, and connection to peace and prosperity. Worshiping Ashok Sundari is believed to bless devotees with serenity, freedom from sorrow, and material and spiritual prosperity. This guide will provide an eco-friendly approach to worshiping her, emphasizing cleanliness, simple steps, and sustainable practices.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation for the Puja
Cleanliness is an integral part of any Hindu ritual. A clean environment symbolizes purity, which allows positive energy to flow freely.
- Personal Hygiene: Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes before beginning the puja.
- Clean Puja Space: Ensure that the area where the puja is performed is clean and free from dust. Sweep the floor and sprinkle water to purify the space.
- Eco-friendly Setup: Use natural and eco-friendly decorations like fresh flowers, banana leaves, and clay or brass lamps. Avoid synthetic materials or plastics.
2. Best Time to Perform the Puja
The ideal time to worship Ashok Sundari is during dawn or dusk, as these are the most auspicious hours for divine energy. However, Fridays or during any special festival days linked to Goddess Parvati (such as Navaratri) are considered especially auspicious.
3. Clothing to Wear
Wear clean, modest, and traditional clothing. Preferably, devotees should wear colors like white, yellow, or light green, as these are considered pure and peaceful colors representing the goddess. White symbolizes purity, yellow represents wisdom and joy, and green signifies growth and harmony.
4. Eco-friendly Puja Items Required
- Brass/Kumkum tray: To hold the items.
- Clay/Brass Diya: For lighting.
- Pure Ghee (Clarified Butter): For lighting the diya.
- Eco-friendly Incense Sticks: Made from natural materials.
- Fresh Flowers: Jasmine, marigold, or hibiscus. Avoid artificial flowers.
- Fruits: Organic fruits such as bananas, coconuts, and seasonal fruits.
- Fresh Leaves: Betel leaves, banana leaves for offerings.
- Water: In a copper or brass vessel for abhishekam.
- Turmeric and Kumkum: Natural powders for the tilak.
- Sandalwood Paste: For applying on the deity.
- Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar): For the abhishekam.
- Eco-friendly idols: Use a clay idol of Ashok Sundari, as they are biodegradable and respectful to the environment.
5. Simple Steps for Ashok Sundari Puja
Step 1: Sankalp (Taking the vow)
Before beginning the puja, sit in a meditative posture and offer your prayers to Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles. Then take a sankalp (vow) by saying your intentions for performing the puja.
Step 2: Aavahan (Invocation)
Light the diya (lamp) with ghee and offer prayers to Ashok Sundari by inviting her divine presence. Recite:
"Om Ashok Sundari Devi Namah Aavahanam Samarpayami."
This mantra symbolizes inviting the goddess to reside in the idol or picture.
Step 3: Offering Items (Upacharas)
- Water (Achaman): Offer clean water to the deity.
- Flowers (Pushpanjali): Offer fresh flowers while chanting the goddess’s name.
- Incense (Dhoop): Light eco-friendly incense sticks and wave them before the deity in a circular motion.
- Lamp (Deepam): Wave the lit diya in a clockwise direction before the goddess.
- Fruits and Sweets (Naivedya): Offer fruits, homemade sweets like jaggery-based laddoo or kheer, and coconut.
Step 4: Chant Mantras or Prayers
Chant mantras dedicated to Ashok Sundari, invoking her blessings for peace and prosperity:
"Om Shreem Hreem Ashok Sundariyai Namah"
"Om Parvati Sutaye Namah"
These mantras honor her as the daughter of Goddess Parvati and invoke her divine energies.
You can also recite Devi Stotra or prayers dedicated to Goddess Parvati, as Ashok Sundari is closely associated with her mother.
Step 5: Perform Aarti
Conclude the puja by performing the aarti (ritual of waving the lamp in front of the deity) while singing the Ashok Sundari Aarti or general Devi aarti.
6. Prasad to be Prepared
- Kheer (Rice pudding): This is a common offering to most goddesses and can be made with milk, rice, and jaggery. It is considered simple and auspicious.
- Coconut-based sweets: Coconut laddoos, made with grated coconut and jaggery.
- Seasonal Fruits: Fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, and oranges.
Always offer pure, satvik (vegetarian) food without onions, garlic, or excessive spices.
7. How to Conclude the Puja
After the aarti, offer heartfelt prayers and seek forgiveness for any mistakes committed during the puja.
Sprinkle the holy water (preferably from a copper vessel) on yourself and the members of your family.
Distribute the prasad (sacred offerings) to family members and neighbors, sharing the blessings of Ashok Sundari.
Recite:
"Om Ashok Sundari Devi Namah Samarpanam Samarpayami"
(Meaning: I offer all my humble offerings to Ashok Sundari with devotion).
8. Importance and Benefits of Worshiping Ashok Sundari
- Freedom from Sorrow: Ashok Sundari’s name itself implies freedom from "Ashoka" (grief). Worshiping her helps alleviate sorrows and provides peace of mind.
- Prosperity: She bestows material wealth and prosperity, enhancing overall well-being.
- Family Harmony: Being a divine form connected to family values, she blesses with harmony in familial relationships.
- Spiritual Growth: Her worship also aids in spiritual growth, helping devotees attain inner peace and contentment.
9. Eco-friendly Disposal of Puja Items
After the puja, it is crucial to responsibly handle leftover items in an eco-friendly manner:
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect flowers, leaves, and other biodegradable offerings. Instead of discarding them into water bodies, compost them in a garden or bury them in the soil.
- Coconut Shells: Use coconut shells in gardening or as compost material.
- Water and Panchamrit: The water used for abhishekam (ritual bathing) and panchamrit can be sprinkled on plants.
- Clay Idol: If you used a clay idol, immerse it in a bucket of water and use the dissolved clay for plants or gardens, allowing a sustainable dissolution.
10. Final Thoughts
Worshiping Ashok Sundari is a serene practice that brings peace, prosperity, and spiritual strength. This eco-friendly approach not only aligns with ancient Hindu traditions but also respects nature, ensuring a harmonious balance between spirituality and the environment. By following these simple yet meaningful steps, you can perform a puja that honors both the goddess and the earth.