Praying for something as specific as an apartment or home is a common practice in Hinduism. The idea is to seek divine blessings for a prosperous and peaceful living space, free from obstacles and filled with positive energy. In Hinduism, different deities are invoked for blessings related to wealth, prosperity, protection, and good fortune, all of which are relevant when acquiring a new home.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to approach this prayer, including the deities to worship, mantras, simple puja steps, relevant colors, and modern-day practical tips.
1. Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship for an Apartment
When praying for an apartment or a home, you can focus on these deities:
- Lord Ganesha (Ganapati): The remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of any endeavor to ensure success.
- Goddess Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth and prosperity. She ensures that your home brings financial stability and blessings.
- Lord Vishnu: The preserver of the universe, Vishnu grants protection and harmony in the household.
- Lord Shiva: Shiva is worshiped for peace, protection, and removal of negative energy.
- Radha-Krishna: For love and harmony in relationships within the home.
- Lord Hanuman: For strength, protection, and courage to face any challenges related to acquiring or living in the apartment.
- Goddess Kubera: The deity of wealth and material prosperity. Worshipping Kubera helps with financial stability and acquisition of property.
2. Mantras for Praying for an Apartment
Lord Ganesha Mantra:
- Om Gan Ganapataye Namah
This mantra helps remove obstacles in the process of securing an apartment.
- Om Gan Ganapataye Namah
Goddess Lakshmi Mantra:
- Om Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namah
This mantra invites prosperity and wealth, ensuring financial stability in the home.
- Om Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namah
Lord Vishnu Mantra:
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
A powerful mantra for protection, stability, and peace in the household.
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Lord Shiva Mantra:
- Om Namah Shivaya
This mantra brings peace and removes any negative energy from your life and home.
- Om Namah Shivaya
Radha-Krishna Mantra:
- Om Radha Krishnaya Namah
This mantra fosters love, harmony, and joy in the home.
- Om Radha Krishnaya Namah
Lord Hanuman Mantra:
- Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi Tanno Hanuman Prachodayat
Reciting this mantra grants strength, courage, and protection for the new home.
- Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi Tanno Hanuman Prachodayat
Kubera Mantra:
- Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamruddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha
This mantra attracts wealth, financial success, and helps in property acquisition.
- Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamruddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha
3. Simple Puja Steps for Securing a Home
Here is a basic procedure for performing a simple puja at home before acquiring an apartment or home:
Items Required:
- Flowers, incense sticks, lamp (diya), ghee, and sandalwood paste.
- Kalash (a pot with water, a coconut, and mango leaves) for purification.
- Rice grains, betel leaves, and fruits as offerings.
- Idols or pictures of the deities.
Steps:
Cleanse the Space: Begin by cleaning the area where you will perform the puja. Cleanliness is important in Hindu rituals.
Lighting the Lamp: Light a lamp with ghee and an incense stick to invoke a sacred atmosphere.
Invocation of Lord Ganesha: Start by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove any obstacles in your path. Chant the Ganesha mantra (Om Gan Ganapataye Namah) 11 or 108 times.
Offerings and Aarti: Offer flowers, fruits, and rice grains to the idols or pictures of the deities you are praying to. Perform an aarti (circular motion of the diya) to honor the gods.
Chant Mantras: Chant the relevant mantras of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and other deities based on your personal preference. Each mantra can be chanted 11 or 108 times for greater effect.
Pray with a Pure Heart: Make your request to the deities, asking for their blessings to help you secure a peaceful, prosperous apartment. Be sincere and clear in your request.
Conclude with Prasad: Distribute the offerings as prasad (blessed food) to family members and others present.
4. Clothes and Color of Clothes to Wear
The colors and type of clothing worn during a puja hold symbolic meaning. Ideally, wear clean, modest, and traditional clothing during the prayer.
- White: Symbolizes purity and peace. Ideal for invoking calmness and a pure mind during the puja.
- Yellow or Saffron: Colors associated with spirituality, wisdom, and divine energy. Suitable for almost any kind of prayer or religious activity.
- Red: Associated with Goddess Lakshmi, red symbolizes prosperity and is an auspicious color for wealth-related prayers.
- Green: Represents growth, fertility, and harmony. It is a good choice if you are seeking new beginnings, such as acquiring an apartment.
Women often wear a sari or salwar kameez, while men can wear traditional attire like dhoti, kurta, or simple white garments.
5. Rare and Relevant Facts
Vastu Shastra: Hindus often consult the ancient architectural science of Vastu Shastra when buying or constructing a home. It is believed that a Vastu-compliant home brings prosperity, peace, and good energy. While not mandatory, following some basic Vastu principles is common.
Lord Ganesha’s Position: In Hindu homes, a Ganesha idol or image is often placed above the entrance to remove obstacles and bless the home.
Chanting Specific Mantras: In some traditions, chanting mantras in specific numbers, such as 11 or 108 times, is considered especially auspicious. Using a mala (prayer beads) helps keep count.
Shifting During an Auspicious Time: Hindus often check the muhurat (auspicious time) before shifting into a new home. Muhurat is based on astrological calculations and ensures positive energy in the new dwelling.
6. Practical Steps and Ideas for Modern Times
Online Puja Services: If you're unable to perform the puja yourself, many Hindu priests offer online or remote puja services, especially for home blessings and property acquisition.
Meditation and Visualization: Combine your prayer with modern techniques such as visualization and meditation. Visualize yourself living happily in the apartment, filled with peace and abundance.
Charity (Dāna): A practical step to enhance the energy of your prayer is to give charity or perform acts of kindness before your prayer. Offering food, clothes, or donations to the less fortunate is believed to bring good karma.
Digital Mantra Apps: Use apps to play recorded versions of the mantras during your prayer if you're unfamiliar with the chanting. Many mantra apps come with repetition settings that can be helpful.
Praying for an apartment or new home in Hinduism is not just about acquiring property but about ensuring that the space brings happiness, prosperity, and peace. Whether you are performing a simple home-based puja, visiting a temple, or even using online services, the key is sincerity in your devotion. Invoking deities like Ganesha, Lakshmi, Vishnu, and Kubera, using appropriate mantras, and aligning your actions with divine energy will help bring about the positive outcomes you seek.