Worshiping Guru Bhagavan (also known as Brihaspati, the planet Jupiter) is an important aspect of Hindu devotion, particularly for those seeking wisdom, knowledge, and prosperity. Guru Bhagavan is associated with the Thursday (Guruvaar) and is revered for his wisdom, intellect, and influence over one’s fortunes and spiritual growth. This guide provides a detailed step-by-step process for performing the puja (worship) at home, incorporating eco-friendly practices and traditional methods.
1. Importance of Worshiping Guru Bhagavan
Worshiping Guru Bhagavan is believed to:
- Enhance knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual growth.
- Bring prosperity, good fortune, and success.
- Help remove obstacles in education and career.
- Strengthen one’s relationship with teachers and mentors.
- Improve the benefits of Jupiter in one’s horoscope, especially for those with weak or malefic placements of Jupiter.
2. Preparation for the Puja
Before beginning any puja, it’s essential to create an atmosphere of purity, cleanliness, and devotion in your home.
Cleanliness and Preparation:
- Clean the puja area thoroughly. Wipe it down with a damp cloth using a mixture of water and a small amount of turmeric or cow dung, which is considered purifying in Hindu tradition.
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before starting the puja. Wearing fresh, unstitched, or cotton clothes is recommended.
- Use eco-friendly, natural products for puja, avoiding plastic or synthetic materials.
Best Time for Worship:
- Thursday morning is the most auspicious time to worship Guru Bhagavan.
- Early morning, after sunrise, is ideal, but the puja can be performed anytime on Thursday.
Color of Clothes to Wear:
- Yellow is the color associated with Guru Bhagavan, as it symbolizes knowledge, prosperity, and the energy of Jupiter.
- It is recommended that both men and women wear yellow-colored clothes during the puja.
3. Puja Items Required (Eco-friendly)
- Yellow flowers (marigold or any other available yellow flower).
- Turmeric powder (haldi) for tilak and offerings.
- Chandan (sandalwood paste) for application.
- Fruits (bananas or other seasonal fruits) as prasad.
- Jaggery and gram (chana) for naivedya (offering).
- Cow ghee or sesame oil for the lamp.
- Diya (lamp) made from clay, using cotton wicks.
- Incense sticks made from natural ingredients (sandalwood, jasmine, or turmeric).
- Camphor (for aarti).
- Tulsi leaves or basil plant.
- Kumkum for tilak.
- A photo or idol of Guru Bhagavan (preferably in eco-friendly material like clay).
- A kalash (water pot), ideally made of copper, filled with water for the puja.
4. Simple Steps of Puja
- Begin with a Clean Mind and Heart: Sit in a meditative posture, close your eyes, and offer a prayer to Lord Ganesha to remove any obstacles in the puja.
- Prepare the Altar: Place the idol or image of Guru Bhagavan in the center of your puja space. Light the lamp and incense sticks, symbolizing the beginning of the puja.
- Offer Flowers and Water: Sprinkle water around the puja area for purification. Offer yellow flowers to Guru Bhagavan’s image.
- Apply Tilak: Apply a small dot of turmeric or chandan on the image of Guru Bhagavan. Then, apply a tilak on your forehead.
- Naivedya (Food Offering): Offer bananas, jaggery, and gram (chana) to the deity. If available, you can prepare a simple sweet dish like boondi, besan ladoo, or chana dal halwa made with jaggery, ghee, and chana dal (use eco-friendly ingredients like clay pots for cooking if possible).
- Chant Mantras:
- Guru Bhagavan’s moola mantra:
“Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Guruve Namah”
Repeat this mantra 11, 21, or 108 times for the best results. - Another powerful prayer is the Guru Stotram:
"Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha
Gurur Sakshaat Para Brahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah"
- Guru Bhagavan’s moola mantra:
- Aarti: Conclude the puja by lighting camphor and performing aarti with the diya while chanting the mantras or singing bhajans dedicated to Guru Bhagavan. Move the diya in a clockwise direction, and offer the light to the deity.
5. Prasad to Prepare
The best prasad to offer to Guru Bhagavan includes:
- Yellow-colored sweets: Boondi, besan ladoos, or chana dal halwa.
- Fruits: Bananas or any seasonal fruits.
- Jaggery and gram: This is a traditional and simple prasad for Jupiter puja.
6. Concluding the Puja
- After the aarti, bow your head and seek Guru Bhagavan’s blessings.
- Offer water from the kalash to a Tulsi plant or in a garden.
- Distribute the prasad to family members and neighbors, sharing the blessings with everyone.
7. What to Do with the Leftover Puja Items
- Flowers: Instead of discarding flowers in water bodies, they can be composted or buried in the soil. This allows them to return to nature.
- Incense sticks and diya ashes: These can be spread in your garden or near plants.
- Prasad: Consume the prasad respectfully. Any leftovers can be distributed to animals or birds.
- Water from kalash: Pour it near plants or trees in your garden as a form of offering back to nature.
8. Mantras and Prayers
- The main mantra, Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Guruve Namah, should be chanted during the entire puja.
- Reciting Guru Ashtakam or Guru Stotram is also highly beneficial during the worship.
- You can chant the 108 names of Guru Bhagavan or play audio recordings of the Brihaspati Kavach (armor of Jupiter) during the puja for added protection and blessings.
9. Benefits of Guru Bhagavan Puja
- Increases wisdom, intellectual capacity, and clarity in life.
- Brings prosperity, financial growth, and success in one’s career or education.
- Helps overcome negative planetary influences, especially malefic effects of Jupiter in one's horoscope.
- Strengthens spiritual connections and deepens devotion.
- Improves relationships with teachers, mentors, and guides in life.
- Increases optimism, patience, and a positive attitude.
10. Eco-Friendly Worship: Respect for Nature
- Always use biodegradable materials, such as clay diyas and organic flowers, and avoid the use of plastic or synthetic items.
- Use natural ingredients for offerings, such as fresh fruits and plant-based prasad.
- Ensure that no items are disposed of in water bodies or in a manner that causes harm to the environment.
By following these steps, you can perform a simple, eco-friendly, and spiritually enriching puja to Guru Bhagavan at home, gaining wisdom and divine grace in your life while respecting nature.