Ashwini Kumaras, the twin deities of health and medicine, are revered in Hinduism as celestial healers and patrons of wellness. They are associated with physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual upliftment. Worshiping them can promote good health, well-being, and protection from ailments.
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to worship the Ashwini Kumaras, focusing on traditional, eco-friendly practices.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation
- Personal Cleanliness: Before starting the puja, take a bath and wear fresh, clean clothes. Maintain a calm and focused mind.
- Puja Area: The space where the puja will be conducted should be cleaned thoroughly. Wipe down all surfaces and remove any clutter. A clean environment is essential to maintain the sanctity of the ritual.
- Eco-friendly Materials: Ensure that all items used in the puja are natural, biodegradable, and eco-friendly to honor nature, which the Ashwini Kumaras represent. Avoid plastic, synthetic items, and non-recyclable materials.
2. Time of Worship
- The ideal time to worship the Ashwini Kumaras is at sunrise, which is believed to be the time when their divine energy is most active. Early morning is a time of renewal and healing, aligning with their nature as deities of health.
- Days: Sundays or Tuesdays are considered auspicious days for their worship, though they can be worshipped daily if desired.
3. Clothing
- Wear white, yellow, or light blue clothes during the puja, as these colors are associated with purity, healing, and peace.
- Wearing simple, natural fabrics like cotton or silk is recommended for comfort and eco-friendliness.
4. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Clay or copper idol or photo of Ashwini Kumaras.
- Eco-friendly clay diya (lamp) with cotton wicks and sesame or ghee for lighting.
- Fresh flowers: Jasmine, marigold, or lotus, ideally from a local or home garden.
- Natural incense: Made from herbs or sandalwood, avoiding chemical-based sticks.
- Coconut: A symbol of purity and offering.
- Turmeric, kumkum (vermilion) for tilak.
- Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee) for abhishekam (offering).
- Fresh fruits and homemade sweets for prasad (offering).
- Tulsi (holy basil) leaves, which are sacred and associated with healing.
- Natural water: Preferably from a river or clean source, for the rituals.
- Organic sandalwood paste for offering.
- Betel leaves for offerings, symbolizing gratitude.
5. Simple Steps of Puja
Step 1: Dhyana (Meditation)
Begin by sitting calmly in front of the idols or images of Ashwini Kumaras. Close your eyes, meditate on their forms, and chant the following mantra:
Mantra for Dhyana:
- "Om Ashwinau Vaishnavau Bhavatah, Ashwini Devasya Namah."
Visualize their divine energy filling you with strength and health.
Step 2: Lighting the Diya
- Light an eco-friendly diya with sesame oil or ghee to signify the removal of darkness and ignorance.
Step 3: Sankalpa (Resolution)
- Take a small amount of water in your right hand and mentally make a resolution (Sankalpa) for the puja. State the purpose of your worship—be it for health, peace, or general well-being.
Step 4: Invocation
Offer flowers and Tulsi leaves to the deities while chanting the following mantra:
Invocation Mantra:
- "Om Ashwinau Devatabhyaam Namah."
This invocation invites the deities to be present and receive your offerings.
Step 5: Abhishekam (Bathing the Deity)
- Perform abhishekam using Panchamrit. After this, use pure water to cleanse the deity.
Step 6: Offering
- Offer fresh flowers, sandalwood paste, fruits, and the coconut to the Ashwini Kumaras.
- Light natural incense and wave it in front of the deities in a clockwise motion.
Step 7: Mantra Recitation
Chant the following mantra 11, 21, or 108 times to invoke their blessings:
Main Ashwini Kumaras Mantra:
- "Om Ashwinikumara Devatabhyo Namah."
Another popular mantra is:
- "Om Ashvibhyam Namah."
Step 8: Aarti (Lighting and Waving the Lamp)
- Perform the Aarti by lighting the diya again and waving it in circular motions while chanting prayers in praise of the deities.
6. Prasad Preparation
- Prepare simple, eco-friendly prasad such as:
- Fruits like bananas, apples, or oranges.
- Homemade sweets like kheer, halwa, or coconut laddus.
- Panchamrit, the sacred mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee.
7. Concluding the Puja
After offering the prasad and chanting the mantras, conclude the puja by praying for the well-being and protection of yourself, your family, and the world.
Offer a final prayer to thank the deities for their presence.
Concluding Prayer:
- "Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niraamayaah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Maa Kashchit Dukh Bhak Bhavet."
(May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see auspiciousness, and may no one suffer in any way.)
8. Disposal of Puja Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly)
- Flowers and organic materials: These can be composted or placed in a garden or under a tree. Avoid throwing them into water bodies.
- Coconut and fruits: Distribute among family, friends, or the needy.
- Water used for abhishekam: This sacred water can be poured onto plants or in the garden.
- Incense ashes: Mix them into the soil or use them as compost material.
9. Importance and Benefits of Worshiping Ashwini Kumaras
- Worshiping Ashwini Kumaras is believed to:
- Bestow health, vitality, and physical strength.
- Aid in quick recovery from ailments and promote overall well-being.
- Bring mental clarity and peace.
- Invoke divine protection from diseases and negative influences.
10. Additional Tips
- Maintain a positive and peaceful environment throughout the puja.
- Use all-natural, non-toxic products for every aspect of the ritual.
- Avoid food wastage by preparing prasad in small quantities.
- After concluding the puja, spend a few moments in silent gratitude.
By following these steps with sincerity and devotion, one can invite the healing energies of the Ashwini Kumaras into their life. Using eco-friendly materials not only aligns with their divine nature but also contributes to a healthier planet, reinforcing the importance of health and sustainability in daily life.