Fasting (Vrata) is an important aspect of Hindu spirituality, symbolizing devotion, self-discipline, and purification. After fasting, prayers are considered especially potent, as the mind and body are more receptive to divine energy. Here's a guide on how to offer prayers after fasting in the Hindu tradition, along with some simple prayers, puja steps, and mantras dedicated to various deities like Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, and Durga.
Steps to Perform Puja After Fasting:
Cleanse Yourself: After fasting, it's essential to take a bath to purify yourself physically and spiritually. This is an act of purifying the body before the sacred act of worship.
Prepare the Puja Area:
- Light an oil lamp (diya) and incense sticks.
- Arrange flowers, fruits, sweets, and water (in a Kalash or any vessel) as offerings to the deities.
- Decorate the altar with fresh flowers and place pictures or idols of the deities.
- Place a small offering of food (Naivedya) prepared without onion and garlic, as this is considered sattvic and pure for fasting rituals.
Invoke Lord Ganesha: Begin the prayer by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles and ensure the success of your spiritual practice.
Mantra for Ganesha: "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
Meaning: "Salutations to the remover of obstacles, Ganesha."
- Chant this mantra 11 or 21 times, visualizing Ganesha seated on his divine vahana (mouse), blessing you with wisdom and strength.
Offer Prayers to the Main Deity: Depending on the occasion of the fast, you may have a specific deity in mind for the puja. You can choose the deity that resonates with the reason for your fasting.
Prayers and Mantras for Various Deities:
For Goddess Lakshmi (For Wealth and Prosperity):
Lakshmi Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah"
Meaning: "Salutations to Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of prosperity."
You can offer white flowers and light a ghee lamp while chanting this mantra. Pray for abundance, financial well-being, and spiritual wealth.
Simple Lakshmi Prayer:
"Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike,
Sharanye triyambake gauri Narayani namostute."
Meaning: "Salutations to the most auspicious one, the consort of Lord Shiva, who grants all wishes."
For Goddess Saraswati (For Wisdom and Knowledge):
Saraswati Mantra: "Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah"
Meaning: "Salutations to Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and learning."
Offer white flowers and recite this mantra to seek blessings in your educational pursuits and creativity.
Simple Saraswati Prayer:
"Saraswati namastubhyam varade kama-rupini,
Vidyarambham karishyami, siddhir bhavatu me sada."
Meaning: "O Saraswati, the giver of boons, I offer my prayers to you. Bless my learning and studies always."
For Lord Vishnu (For Protection and Harmony):
Vishnu Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
Meaning: "Salutations to the Lord, who dwells in all beings as the supreme soul."
This mantra helps in maintaining peace, harmony, and balance in life. Offer a yellow cloth and tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu.
Simple Vishnu Prayer:
"Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham,
Vishwadharam Gaganasadrusham Meghavarnam Shubhangam."
Meaning: "Salutations to the peaceful Lord Vishnu, who rests on the serpent, whose navel sprouts the lotus of creation."
For Lord Shiva (For Spiritual Growth and Transformation):
Shiva Mantra: "Om Namah Shivaya"
Meaning: "I bow to Lord Shiva, the embodiment of supreme consciousness."
You can offer Bilva leaves and chant this mantra to remove negativity and bring spiritual transformation.
Simple Shiva Prayer:
"Mahadevaya cha Vidmahe, Rudramurtaye cha Dheemahi,
Tanno Shiva Prachodayat."
Meaning: "We meditate on Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer of ignorance. May he guide our intellect."
For Lord Krishna (For Devotion and Love):
Krishna Mantra: "Om Krishnaya Namah"
Meaning: "Salutations to Lord Krishna, the source of love, compassion, and joy."
Offer butter or sweets like laddoos and chant this mantra to invoke feelings of divine love and connection.
Simple Krishna Prayer:
"Vasudeva Sutham Devam, Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam,
Devaki Paramanandam, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum."
Meaning: "Salutations to Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, the delight of Devaki, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanoora."
For Goddess Durga (For Strength and Protection):
Durga Mantra: "Om Dum Durgayei Namah"
Meaning: "Salutations to Goddess Durga, the invincible one who protects from all harm."
Offer red flowers and fruits to Durga while chanting this mantra to seek her divine protection and strength.
Simple Durga Prayer:
"Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu, Shakti Rupena Samsthita,
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai Namo Namah."
Meaning: "Salutations to the Goddess who dwells in all beings as power and energy. We bow to her again and again."
Concluding the Puja:
After offering prayers and mantras, sit in silence for a few moments, absorbing the energy and peace of the puja. You can meditate or recite the universal peace mantra:
"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti"
Meaning: "Peace in the heavens, peace on earth, peace in the waters, peace in all beings."
Offering Naivedya:
- After the mantras and prayers, offer the food (Naivedya) to the deity, and then distribute it as prasadam (holy food) to everyone present.
Significance of Fasting and Prayer:
- Purification: Fasting helps cleanse the body and mind, making one more receptive to divine vibrations.
- Focus and Discipline: By abstaining from food, the mind is trained to focus on spiritual goals, fostering a deeper connection with the divine.
- Tradition: Various fasts are observed throughout the year, such as Ekadashi for Lord Vishnu, Shivaratri for Lord Shiva, or Navaratri for Goddess Durga. Each fast has its significance and associated rituals.
Rare Facts:
- Ekadashi Fasting: The Ekadashi fast is highly revered and is associated with Lord Vishnu. It is believed that fasting on Ekadashi cleanses both body and mind of negative karmas.
- Shivaratri Fasting: Fasting on Shivaratri is particularly potent, as it is believed to enhance spiritual awakening and facilitate self-realization.
- Navaratri Fasting: During Navaratri, fasting is observed to honor the nine forms of Goddess Durga. It’s believed that fasting during this period invites divine feminine energy into one's life.
- Tulsi Leaves for Vishnu: It is said that offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu or Krishna increases the spiritual merit (punya) of the devotee.
After fasting, the prayers offered with devotion and sincerity have profound spiritual benefits. Whether you are praying to Ganesha, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, or Durga, the key is to perform the rituals with a heart full of faith and gratitude.