Worshiping Lakshmi Narayan (the divine couple of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi) is an auspicious ritual in Hinduism for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of a household. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, while Narayan (Vishnu) represents sustenance, protection, and dharma. Here’s a detailed guide on how to perform this puja with eco-friendly, traditional practices.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation
Before beginning any puja, cleanliness is paramount. Clean both the body and the surroundings.
- Personal Hygiene: Take a bath, wear clean clothes, and ensure that your mind is calm and focused.
- Puja Space: The puja area should be cleaned thoroughly. You can sprinkle water mixed with Ganga Jal (holy water) to purify the space.
- Time: Lakshmi Narayan puja is ideally performed during the early morning hours (Brahma Muhurta) or in the evening after sunset, especially on Thursdays, Fridays, and special occasions like Ekadashi, Purnima, and Diwali.
2. Clothes to Wear
- Men: White or yellow dhoti and kurta.
- Women: Red, pink, or yellow sarees or salwar suits.
- Light, traditional, eco-friendly cotton garments are preferred to honor the purity of the ritual.
White symbolizes purity, yellow represents prosperity, and red is considered auspicious for Lakshmi puja.
3. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
Use only eco-friendly, traditional items to maintain harmony with nature and preserve cultural authenticity.
Basic Puja Items:
- Photos/Idols of Lakshmi Narayan: Made of brass, clay, or eco-friendly materials.
- Puja Thali: A copper, brass, or steel plate.
- Kalash (pot): Copper or clay pot with a coconut and mango leaves.
- Eco-friendly Incense sticks, Camphor, and Diyas: Made of natural ingredients.
- Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar.
- Flowers: Lotus for Lakshmi, tulsi (holy basil) for Narayan, along with other seasonal flowers. Avoid artificial flowers.
- Fruits and Fresh Leaves: Banana, betel leaves, and seasonal fruits like apple, pomegranate, and coconut.
- Pure Water (preferably Ganga Jal): For offering and purification.
- Turmeric, Kumkum (vermilion), Sandalwood Paste: Natural and biodegradable.
- Rice (Akshata): Untouched, raw rice mixed with turmeric for offering.
- Offerings (Naivedya): Homemade, vegetarian food, usually including sweets like laddoo, kheer, or modak.
4. Simple Steps for Lakshmi Narayan Puja
Invoke the Deities (Avahanam):
- Place the idols or photos of Lakshmi and Narayan on a clean, decorated altar.
- Light the lamp and incense.
- Recite the Dhyana Sloka to invite the deities:
- Om Shree Lakshmi Narayanaya Namah (for both)
- Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyai Namah (for Lakshmi)
- Om Namo Narayanaya (for Narayan)
Offering of Panchamrit and Abhishekam:
- Pour the Panchamrit over the idols and rinse with clean water. This symbolizes purification.
Dress and Decorate the Deities:
- Adorn the idols with fresh flowers and sandalwood paste. Offer kumkum and turmeric to Lakshmi, and apply tilak of sandalwood and kumkum to Narayan.
Offer Flowers, Akshata, and Fruits:
- Offer flowers, Akshata, and fruits to the deities, while chanting:
- Om Shree Lakshmi Narayanaya Namah repeatedly, offering one flower or a few grains of Akshata with each chant.
- Offer flowers, Akshata, and fruits to the deities, while chanting:
Lighting the Diya:
- Light the eco-friendly diya and place it in front of the deities. Chant the following mantra to invoke their blessings:
- Om Deep Jyotir Parabrahma Deep Jyotir Janardhana, Deepo Haratu Me Papam Deep Jyotir Namostute.
- Light the eco-friendly diya and place it in front of the deities. Chant the following mantra to invoke their blessings:
Recite Mantras and Offer Prayers:
- Chant Lakshmi Narayan Mantras:
- Lakshmi Mantra: "Om Shreem Hreem Shree Mahalaxmiyai Namah."
- Narayan Mantra: "Om Namo Narayanaya."
- Recite the Lakshmi Ashtotram and Vishnu Sahasranama for deeper devotion.
- Chant Lakshmi Narayan Mantras:
Naivedya (Food Offering):
- Offer the prasad (sweets, fruits, and rice) to the deities. Place a tulsi leaf on Narayan’s offering and a lotus on Lakshmi’s.
Aarti:
- Perform aarti by rotating the lit camphor or ghee diya in front of the idols in a circular motion while singing the Lakshmi Narayan Aarti:
- Om Jai Lakshmi Narayan, Swami Jai Lakshmi Narayan (sing or play the recorded version).
- Perform aarti by rotating the lit camphor or ghee diya in front of the idols in a circular motion while singing the Lakshmi Narayan Aarti:
5. Prasad Preparation
For prasad, prepare simple and eco-friendly vegetarian dishes:
- Sweet Dishes: Kheer, laddoo, modak, or sheera made with pure ghee and jaggery.
- Fruits: Offer seasonal fruits like bananas, pomegranates, and coconuts.
6. How to Conclude the Puja
- Pradakshina (Circumambulation): Walk around the altar three times, symbolizing reverence.
- Final Prayer: Conclude the puja with a prayer for prosperity, happiness, and well-being, while requesting forgiveness for any errors during the puja.
- Mantra: "Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet."
- Udvasana (Closing the Ritual): Offer water to the deities and request them to return to their divine abode.
7. Importance and Benefits of Lakshmi Narayan Puja
- Wealth and Prosperity: Worshiping Lakshmi Narayan invokes blessings for financial stability and abundance.
- Spiritual Growth: Regular devotion helps cultivate dharma (righteousness) and spiritual progress.
- Peace and Protection: The puja removes obstacles and protects the household from negativity, bringing peace and harmony.
- Health and Happiness: This worship strengthens emotional and physical well-being, bringing happiness to the family.
8. What to Do with Leftover Puja Items (Eco-friendly Disposal)
- Flowers and Organic Items: After the puja, collect flowers, tulsi leaves, and other organic items and compost them or place them under trees as an offering to nature.
- Water: Any water used in the puja, including water from the Kalash, can be sprinkled in the garden or plants.
- Prasad: Share the prasad with family and neighbors. Do not waste any food items.
- Diya Remnants: Use eco-friendly cotton wicks and pure ghee. Once the diya has finished burning, dispose of any ash or remains in a respectful manner by burying it in the soil.
By following this simple, eco-friendly, and respectful approach to worshiping Lakshmi Narayan, you can honor the deities, bring peace and prosperity into your life, and maintain harmony with the environment.