In Hinduism, adoration (puja) is a deeply personal and spiritual act of reverence toward a deity. It can be simple or elaborate, depending on individual devotion, and usually involves offering flowers, lighting lamps, chanting mantras, and making offerings of food or incense.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to pray for adoration (puja) in Hinduism, including steps, prayers, recommended attire, and ideal deities for worship:
Steps to Perform a Simple Puja (Adoration)
Preparation:
- Select a Clean and Quiet Space: Ensure the place of worship (usually a small altar or home shrine) is clean.
- Gather Offerings: Offerings can include flowers, fruits, sweets, incense sticks, a ghee lamp, and water.
- Purify Yourself: Take a bath to cleanse the body and wear fresh, clean clothes.
Invocation of Lord Ganesha:
- Start by invoking Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to ensure that the puja proceeds smoothly.
- Mantra:
"Om Gam Ganapataye Namah"
(ॐ गं गणपतये नमः)- Translation: "Salutations to Lord Ganesha."
Lighting the Lamp (Deepam):
- Light a ghee or oil lamp and place it in front of the deity.
- Recite a small prayer to Agni (the fire god) for auspiciousness.
Offer Flowers (Pushpanjali):
- Offer fresh flowers to the deity. It signifies love and devotion.
- While offering flowers, you can chant the name of the deity repeatedly, e.g., "Om Namah Shivaya" for Shiva or "Om Namo Narayanaya" for Vishnu.
Chanting Mantras:
- Chant specific mantras for the chosen deity (some examples below).
Offering Naivedya (Food Offerings):
- Place fruits, sweets, or any vegetarian food in front of the deity as an offering (naivedya).
- After the prayer, this is distributed as prasadam, considered blessed food.
Arati (Waving of Light):
- After offering, perform Arati by waving the lit lamp in a circular motion in front of the deity.
- Sing an Arati song related to the deity.
Conclude the Puja:
- Conclude the puja by folding hands (anjali mudra) and offering final prayers for blessings.
- Chant the universal peace mantra:
"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti"
(ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः)
Clothing and Color Choices for Puja
- Men: Preferably wear traditional attire like a dhoti, or simple light-colored kurta-pajama. White or yellow is ideal, as they symbolize purity and devotion.
- Women: Sarees or salwar-kameez in white, yellow, or red are common. Red symbolizes energy and Shakti (female divine power), while yellow is for spirituality and peace.
Ideal Deities for Worship and Simple Prayers
Lord Ganesha (Remover of Obstacles):
- Mantra:
"Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" - Prayer:
"Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada."
(O Lord Ganesha, who has a curved trunk and immense body, who shines like a million suns, please remove obstacles in all my undertakings.)
- Mantra:
Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge and Arts):
- Mantra:
"Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah"
(ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः) - Prayer:
"Saraswati Mahabhage Vidye Kamalalochane, Vidyaramham Karishyami Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada."
(O Saraswati, the one who is full of knowledge and grace, I begin my studies with your blessings, may I be successful always.)
- Mantra:
Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity):
- Mantra:
"Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah"
(ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः) - Prayer:
"Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute."
(O Mahalakshmi, consort of Vishnu, you are the bestower of all blessings and welfare, I offer my salutations to you.)
- Mantra:
Lord Vishnu (The Preserver of the Universe):
- Mantra:
"Om Namo Narayanaya"
(ॐ नमो नारायणाय) - Prayer:
"Shantakaram Bhujagasayanam Padmanabham Suresham, Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam."
(Lord Vishnu, who is calm, resting on Adishesha (serpent), with a lotus on His navel, the Lord of all gods, protector of the universe, I bow to you.)
- Mantra:
Lord Krishna (The God of Compassion and Love):
- Mantra:
"Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah"
(ॐ क्लीं कृष्णाय नमः) - Prayer:
"Krishnaaya Vasudevaya Devaki Nandanaya Cha, Nanda Gopa Kumaaraya Govindaaya Namo Namah."
(I bow to Lord Krishna, son of Vasudeva and Devaki, beloved child of Nanda and the divine Govinda.)
- Mantra:
Goddess Kamakshi (A form of Goddess Parvati, Embodiment of Compassion):
- Mantra:
"Om Hreem Kamakshyai Namah"
(ॐ ह्रीं कामाक्ष्यै नमः) - Prayer:
"Kamakshi Tvam Bhaje Nityam Sarva Kamartha Siddhaye, Namaste Girijarupayai Narayani Namostute."
(O Kamakshi, I worship you daily, may all my desires be fulfilled through your grace. I bow to you, O divine Narayani.)
- Mantra:
Lord Muruga (Subrahmanya) (The God of War and Victory):
- Mantra:
"Om Saravanabhavaya Namah"
(ॐ शरवनभवाय नमः) - Prayer:
"Guhaya Namah Subrahmanya Skandaya Namah."
(I bow to Lord Subrahmanya, the son of Shiva, the protector of devotees.)
- Mantra:
Lord Hanuman (The Devotee of Lord Rama and Symbol of Strength):
- Mantra:
"Om Hanumate Namah"
(ॐ हनुमते नमः) - Prayer:
"Buddhir Balam Yasho Dhairyam Nirbhayatvam Arogata, Ajaadyaam Vaak Patutvam Cha Hanumat Smaranad Bhavet."
(By remembering Lord Hanuman, one is blessed with intellect, strength, courage, health, fearlessness, and eloquence.)
- Mantra:
Rare Facts and Relevant Insights for Puja
- Ghee Lamps are considered especially auspicious as they signify the removal of ignorance and darkness.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil) is considered sacred to Lord Vishnu and should be used in any offering dedicated to him.
- The Direction of Worship: Most deities should be worshipped facing east, as it represents the direction of light and wisdom.
- Sandalwood Paste (Chandan) and Kumkum (red powder) are often applied on the forehead of idols and worshippers to signify blessings and divine protection.
- 108 Offerings: The number 108 is spiritually significant in Hinduism, often used in mala beads and repetitions of mantras.
By following these steps and prayers, you can perform an adoration (puja) in a way that deepens your spiritual connection with the divine, bringing peace, prosperity, and well-being.