Indrani, also known as Shachi, is the consort of Lord Indra, the king of the Devas (gods). She is revered as the goddess of beauty, power, and fertility, symbolizing feminine strength and authority. Worshipping Indrani is believed to bring success, protection from negative energies, prosperity, and fertility. This guide will help you perform a traditional, eco-friendly puja in her honor.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation
Before starting any puja, cleanliness is crucial both physically and mentally:
- Personal Hygiene: Take a bath and wear fresh, clean clothes.
- Puja Area: Clean the puja area thoroughly. If you’re conducting the puja at home, wipe the space with water and organic materials like cow dung or turmeric water (known for its antiseptic properties).
- Spiritual Preparation: Meditate for a few moments to calm your mind and body. Invoke peace and serenity before starting the worship.
2. Best Time to Worship Indrani
- The most auspicious time to worship Indrani is during the early morning or Brahma Muhurta (around 4:30–6:00 AM), when spiritual energies are at their peak.
- Indrani is also traditionally worshipped during festivals like Navratri and Ashad Navratri, though she can be worshipped at any time of the year.
3. Color of Clothes to Wear
Indrani is associated with power and royalty, so wearing red, yellow, or bright shades is considered auspicious. These colors symbolize strength, fertility, and the energy of the goddess.
4. Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
When performing an eco-friendly puja, ensure you use sustainable, natural, and traditional products:
- Brass or copper puja thali (plate) for arranging all items.
- Earthen diyas (lamps) and ghee (clarified butter) for lighting.
- Organic incense sticks or dried herbs (like sandalwood or camphor).
- Fresh flowers (use local, biodegradable flowers like marigold, jasmine, or rose).
- Fresh fruits and organic dry fruits (banana, coconut, or seasonal fruits).
- Turmeric powder (haldi) and vermillion powder (kumkum).
- Sandalwood paste (chandan) for applying on the deity and forehead.
- Betel leaves and nuts, for offerings.
- Water in a copper pot (kalash).
- Unbroken rice grains (akshat), symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
- Eco-friendly diya wicks made from cotton.
- Puja bell (ghanti) for ringing during the aarti.
- Sweets (homemade, organic sweets made with natural ingredients, like ladoos or halwa).
5. Simple Steps to Perform Indrani Puja
Step 1: Purification
- Sprinkle some water on yourself and the puja space using mango leaves or tulsi (basil leaves) while chanting the mantra:
"ॐ अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा।
यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः॥"
Step 2: Invoking Indrani
- Close your eyes and meditate on Goddess Indrani’s form. Offer a prayer, requesting her presence.
Step 3: Offering of Flowers and Chandan
- Apply sandalwood paste on her image or statue and place flowers (preferably red or yellow) at her feet while reciting:
"ॐ इन्द्राणी नमः।"
Step 4: Offerings (Naivedya)
- Offer fresh fruits, sweets, and dry fruits to the goddess. Remember to only offer clean, organic items.
Step 5: Lighting the Diyas
- Light the eco-friendly diyas and place them in front of the deity while reciting the mantra:
"ॐ दीपज्योति नमस्तुभ्यं स्वर्णरुपेण देवते।
शरणं मे प्रयच्छ त्वं त्राहि मां भास्करप्रिया॥"
Step 6: Chanting Indrani Mantras
- Chant the following mantra dedicated to Goddess Indrani:
"ॐ इन्द्रायै नमः।
ॐ महिषासुरमर्दिन्यै नमः।"
You can also repeat the Gayatri mantra if you are familiar with it.
Step 7: Aarti
- Perform the aarti by waving the lit diya in front of the deity in a circular motion while ringing the puja bell. Recite the Indrani aarti or a general goddess aarti.
6. Prasad to be Prepared
- Simple homemade sweets like besan ladoo, coconut ladoo, or kheer (made of rice, milk, and sugar) can be offered as prasad.
- Ensure these offerings are made using eco-friendly, natural ingredients (like jaggery instead of processed sugar, cow’s ghee instead of synthetic oil).
7. How to Conclude the Puja
After the main puja is over, offer gratitude and seek blessings for protection, prosperity, and well-being:
Offer Aachaman: Sip water from a copper pot to symbolize inner purification.
Offer a final prayer of gratitude, and request the goddess to accept your worship:
"कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा, बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात्।
करोमि यद्यत् सकलं परस्मै, नारायणायेति समर्पयामि॥"Fold your hands and bow down, requesting the goddess to leave after accepting your offerings.
8. Importance and Benefits of Worshipping Indrani
- Success and Prosperity: Worshipping Indrani brings wealth, success, and recognition in personal and professional endeavors.
- Protection: She protects devotees from negative energies and harmful influences.
- Fertility and Marital Bliss: She blesses her worshippers with fertility, family happiness, and a harmonious married life.
- Empowerment: As a goddess of strength and feminine power, Indrani empowers her devotees with confidence, inner strength, and resilience.
9. What to Do with Puja Leftover Items
- Flowers: Offer used flowers in a river or under a tree (ensure they are biodegradable and natural).
- Fruits and Sweets: Distribute the prasad among family members and neighbors.
- Ash and Residues from Diyas: Sprinkle the ash in the garden or at the roots of a tree, as they are rich in nutrients.
- Water from Kalash: Use the water from the kalash to water plants.
By practicing these eco-friendly methods, you help maintain a balance with nature and preserve the environment, which is an integral part of Hindu worship.
Worshipping Goddess Indrani is a powerful way to seek divine blessings, success, and protection. Following an eco-friendly approach helps align the spiritual practice with the principles of respect for nature and sustainability, which are foundational to Hinduism. By performing this simple yet meaningful puja with sincerity and devotion, you can strengthen your connection with the divine feminine energy of Indrani.