Comprehensive Guide to Worshipping Budha Graha in Hinduism
Budha Graha (Mercury) represents intellect, communication, and business acumen in Hindu astrology. Worshipping Budha Graha can bring wisdom, improve speech, resolve issues related to communication, and enhance analytical thinking. The planet is also associated with learning, creativity, and financial prosperity.
This guide will help you perform an eco-friendly and traditional Budha Graha puja in a simple, meaningful way. The steps include preparation, mantras, puja rituals, and prasad, while keeping in mind the importance of cleanliness, sustainability, and reverence.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation
- Purification: Take a bath early in the morning to purify your body. Wear clean, preferably new clothes (or clothes washed and reserved for the puja).
- Clean the Space: Choose a clean, quiet area in your home, preferably in the northeast corner, to perform the puja. Mop the floor with water mixed with turmeric and water or holy water (like Ganga Jal) to purify the space.
- Eco-Friendly Altar Setup: Use a small wooden or clay platform covered with a clean green cloth to set up the deity image or yantra of Budha Graha.
2. Time for Budha Graha Puja
- Day: Wednesday (Budhwar) is considered the most auspicious day for worshipping Budha Graha.
- Time: The puja should ideally be performed in the morning after sunrise (6 AM to 9 AM) when the energies are considered most positive.
3. What to Wear
- Color of Clothes: The color associated with Budha Graha is green. You should wear green clothing or any light shades of green while performing this puja. These colors symbolize growth, balance, and harmony.
4. Puja Items Required (Eco-friendly)
Use traditional, eco-friendly products, avoiding plastic or non-biodegradable materials.
- Idol/Photo of Budha Graha or Mercury Yantra
- Green Cloth: Use natural cotton cloth to wrap the puja items and cover the altar.
- Clay or Brass Lamps: Use clay diyas for lighting instead of plastic or electric ones.
- Cow Ghee for Lamp: Burn the lamp using cow ghee instead of chemical oils.
- Camphor: Pure camphor for aarti, free from chemical additives.
- Green Leaves (Tulsi): Tulsi or other eco-friendly green leaves.
- Fruits: Green fruits like guava, grapes, or other seasonal fruits.
- Flowers: Green-colored flowers like marigold, jasmine, or leaves (ensure they are organic and free from chemicals).
- Betel Leaves and Nuts: Used in traditional Hindu pujas.
- Water in a Copper Kalash (Pot): For the sprinkling of holy water.
- Incense Sticks: Eco-friendly, made from natural herbs or flowers.
- Coconut, Rice, and Turmeric: Use turmeric to draw sacred symbols or rangoli on the altar.
- Sandalwood Paste: Avoid synthetic fragrances and use traditional sandalwood powder for applying tilak.
5. Simple Steps for Budha Graha Puja
- Purify Yourself: Begin by washing hands and face. Sit in a meditative posture, focusing on Mercury and its energy.
- Invoke Ganesha: Start by invoking Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, for a smooth and successful puja. Offer flowers, fruits, and chant:
- "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
- Kalash Sthapana: Place a copper or brass pot (Kalash) filled with water on the altar, representing divine energy. Place mango or betel leaves around the rim and a coconut on top.
- Offering Flowers: Offer green flowers and Tulsi leaves to Budha Graha while chanting his mantra.
- Lighting Lamp & Incense: Light the lamp with cow ghee and incense sticks, purifying the environment.
- Budha Graha Mantra: Chant the following mantra 108 times or as much as possible:
- "Om Budhaya Namaha"
- Alternative Mantra: "Priyangukalikashyamam Rupenapratimam Budham, Saumyam Saumya Gunopetam Tam Budham Pranamaamyaham"
- Offering Prasad: Place fruits (preferably green ones) or any sattvic (pure) food item like jaggery sweets, coconuts, or green moong dal (lentils) as prasad.
- Perform Aarti: Wave a lit camphor or ghee lamp in front of the idol or yantra of Budha Graha while singing a simple aarti song or repeating the mantra.
- Recite Budha Graha Stotra: If possible, recite the Budha Graha Stotra from the Navagraha stotra, invoking the blessings of Mercury.
- "So may Budha bless me with intellect, memory, and knowledge to succeed in all endeavors."
6. Prasad to be Prepared
- Green Moong Dal Prasad: Cook green moong dal with jaggery and coconut, or offer simple, sattvic fruits like grapes, pears, or guava as prasad.
- Other Eco-Friendly Prasad Options: Homemade ladoos made of besan (gram flour), coconut, jaggery, or rice.
7. Concluding the Puja
- Prayers: Offer a prayer of gratitude to Budha Graha, thanking for his guidance, intelligence, and success.
- "Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Dukha Bhakbhavet"
- Circumambulation: Perform a circumambulation (Pradakshina) around the altar 3 times while praying for wisdom and guidance.
- Distribute Prasad: Share the prasad with family and friends to conclude the puja.
8. Disposal of Puja Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly)
- Flowers & Leaves: Collect all the natural flowers, leaves, and fruits used in the puja and compost them, or immerse them in a nearby garden or sacred water body.
- Ashes from Camphor or Agarbatti: The ashes can be sprinkled around plants, as it is organic and won't harm the environment.
- Coconut, Rice, and Fruits: These can be distributed as food to the needy or fed to animals and birds, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
9. Importance and Benefits of Budha Graha Worship
- Enhanced Intellect: Worshipping Budha Graha sharpens intellect and improves communication skills.
- Business Growth: Beneficial for professionals and businessmen, bringing clarity and financial growth.
- Emotional Stability: Helps balance emotions, reduces mental stress, and enhances creativity.
- Astrological Remedies: If Mercury is weak or malefic in your astrological chart, performing this puja mitigates its negative effects and balances its energy.
10. Additional Tips
- Maintain a positive mindset and practice humility while performing the puja.
- Avoid excessive use of non-biodegradable products, as eco-friendly materials connect us more deeply with nature and the divine.
- Performing charity or helping the needy after the puja enhances its spiritual benefits.
By worshipping Budha Graha with sincerity, eco-consciousness, and devotion, you can invite wisdom, prosperity, and clarity into your life.