Worshiping Jupiter (Brihaspati), the guru of the Devas, is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism. He is associated with wisdom, spirituality, knowledge, and wealth. Jupiter’s worship can bring prosperity, success, and growth in personal, professional, and spiritual life. The day for worshiping Jupiter is Thursday, also known as Guruvar. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to worship Jupiter with eco-friendly, traditional puja products and practices.
Preparation for the Puja
Cleanliness:
- Before starting the puja, it's essential to take a bath and wear clean clothes. Clean the puja area thoroughly.
- Maintain cleanliness in the surroundings. The purity of mind and body is crucial to connect with the divine energy of Jupiter.
Time:
- Perform the puja on Thursday morning, as the energy of Jupiter is most potent during this time.
- Early morning during Brahma Muhurta (approximately 4:00 AM - 6:00 AM) or after sunrise is considered the most auspicious time for the puja.
Attire:
- Wearing yellow clothes is considered auspicious while worshiping Jupiter. Yellow is the color associated with Brihaspati and symbolizes purity, knowledge, and abundance.
- Avoid synthetic materials. Opt for eco-friendly, natural fabrics like cotton or silk.
Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
Ensure that all materials used for the puja are natural and biodegradable to protect the environment.
- Idol/Photo of Jupiter (Brihaspati) – A small, eco-friendly clay or metal idol, or you can use a clean picture.
- Yellow Flowers – Marigold or any other yellow flower as yellow is the color of Jupiter.
- Natural Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) – Made from natural herbs, flowers, and essential oils.
- Turmeric Powder (Haldi) – For offering and tilak.
- Sandalwood Paste – For applying tilak on the forehead.
- Yellow Rice (Akshata) – Rice mixed with turmeric.
- Fruits – Preferably yellow fruits like bananas or mangoes.
- Jaggery & Ghee – For prasad preparation.
- Cow Ghee – For lighting lamps (diya).
- Panchamrit – A mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar for abhishek (ceremonial bathing).
- Betel Leaves and Betel Nuts – As an offering to Jupiter.
- Eco-Friendly Diya (Lamp) – Made from clay and using cow ghee or natural oils like sesame oil for lighting.
- Camphor (Kapur) – For the aarti.
- Clean Drinking Water – Kept in a copper or brass vessel for offering.
- Cloth for Jupiter – A yellow cloth to drape the idol or place under the image.
Simple Steps for Performing Jupiter Puja
1. Prepare the Puja Altar
- Clean the altar and set up the idol or photo of Jupiter.
- Decorate the altar with yellow flowers and place all the necessary puja items.
2. Invocation of Jupiter
- Sit in a quiet and clean place in front of the idol. Begin by chanting an invocation mantra like:
“Om Gurave Namah”
- This is a simple mantra to invoke the blessings of Jupiter.
3. Lighting the Lamp
- Light the eco-friendly clay lamp (diya) with ghee. It symbolizes the divine light and removes darkness from the mind.
4. Offering Water (Achaman)
- Offer clean water to the idol, symbolizing purification.
5. Offering Flowers
- Offer yellow flowers, symbolizing devotion. You can also offer garlands made from fresh yellow marigold flowers.
6. Applying Turmeric and Sandalwood
- Apply a tilak of turmeric and sandalwood paste to the idol and yourself.
7. Chanting Jupiter Mantras
- Chant the Jupiter (Brihaspati) mantra 108 times using a tulsi or sandalwood mala. The most popular mantra is: “Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah”
- This mantra invokes Jupiter’s blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and knowledge.
8. Offerings (Naivedya)
- Offer fruits, yellow sweets, jaggery, and ghee to the idol. You can prepare a simple Besan Ladoo, made from gram flour (besan), jaggery, and ghee, as prasad.
- Offer Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) in a small bowl.
9. Aarti
- Perform aarti using camphor and sing praises of Jupiter. You can sing the Guru Aarti or chant:
“Shri Brihaspati Devaya Namah”
- Rotate the camphor lamp in a clockwise motion three or five times.
10. Concluding the Puja
- After the aarti, fold your hands and meditate for a few minutes in silence, thanking Jupiter for his blessings.
- Bow down and offer flowers or yellow rice (Akshata) to the idol.
Prasad to Prepare
For the prasad, you can make simple, eco-friendly dishes like:
- Besan Ladoo – Made from gram flour, ghee, and jaggery.
- Chana Dal Halwa – A dish made from chana dal, ghee, and jaggery.
- Banana or Mango – As a simple fruit offering, especially yellow-colored fruits.
Make sure the prasad is prepared using organic and eco-friendly ingredients.
Importance and Benefits of Worshiping Jupiter
Worshiping Jupiter brings:
- Wisdom and Knowledge: As Brihaspati is the teacher of the Devas, his blessings can enhance spiritual knowledge, intelligence, and decision-making skills.
- Wealth and Prosperity: Jupiter is associated with growth, abundance, and financial success.
- Marital Harmony: Jupiter's grace can improve relationships, especially marital harmony.
- Protection from Evil: Worshipping Brihaspati can remove obstacles, protect against negative energies, and bring positive vibrations into life.
What to Do with Leftover Puja Items
It is crucial to dispose of leftover puja items in an eco-friendly manner:
- Flowers and Organic Offerings: Collect the flowers, rice, and other biodegradable offerings and bury them in a garden or under a tree. They will naturally decompose and enrich the soil.
- Water: Pour the water used during the puja at the base of a plant or tree, symbolizing the return of the elements to nature.
- Diya and Incense Sticks: Reuse the diya (clay lamp) after cleaning, and ensure that the incense sticks used are biodegradable.
- Food Offerings: Distribute prasad among family, friends, or the needy, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
By using eco-friendly puja products and disposing of the leftover items thoughtfully, we contribute positively to both spiritual and environmental well-being.
Conclusion of Puja
To conclude the puja, chant the peace mantra: “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti”
- This prayer invokes peace in the body, mind, and universe.
- Finally, bow down and seek the blessings of Jupiter for guidance, protection, and prosperity in all aspects of life.
By following this comprehensive, eco-friendly approach to Jupiter worship, you align not only with ancient traditions but also with modern sustainability practices, ensuring harmony with both the divine and the natural world.