Goddess Yoga Lakshmi is one of the eight forms of Lakshmi (Ashta Lakshmi), associated with spiritual wealth, well-being, and mental peace. Worshipping her is believed to bring overall prosperity, harmony, and success, particularly in personal and spiritual growth. In this guide, we will cover all aspects of the ritual to help you perform the puja in a simple, eco-friendly, and traditional manner.
1. Importance of Worshipping Yoga Lakshmi
Worshipping Yoga Lakshmi holds special significance for those seeking inner peace, mindfulness, and spiritual enlightenment. She helps devotees connect with their higher selves, balancing both material and spiritual wealth. The benefits of her worship include:
- Inner peace and mental clarity
- Spiritual growth and enlightenment
- Harmonious relationships and a balanced life
- Success in personal and professional endeavors
2. Best Time for Worship
- Day: Fridays, especially during the evening, are ideal for Lakshmi puja, as Fridays are dedicated to goddesses.
- Tithi (Lunar Date): Purnima (Full Moon day) and Amavasya (New Moon day) are also auspicious days for Yoga Lakshmi puja.
- Time: The best time is during the Pradosh Kaal, which is approximately 1.5 hours after sunset.
3. Cleanliness & Preparation
Maintaining cleanliness during the puja is crucial as it reflects purity of the mind and soul. Here's how to prepare:
- Personal Hygiene: Take a bath before starting the puja.
- Home and Altar: Clean the area where the puja will be performed. Set up a small altar with a clean cloth or mat (preferably white or yellow), where you can place the idol or image of Yoga Lakshmi.
- Eco-Friendly Decor: Use eco-friendly materials for decoration such as fresh flowers (lotus or jasmine), banana leaves, or clay idols instead of synthetic ones.
4. Dress Code: What Colors to Wear
Wearing the right colors enhances the auspiciousness of the ritual. For Yoga Lakshmi puja:
- Preferred Colors: White, yellow, or light green. These colors symbolize purity, peace, and growth.
- Avoid: Black and dark-colored clothes as they are generally considered inauspicious during pujas.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
Ensure all items used in the puja are eco-friendly and traditional. Here's a list of essential items:
- Idol or Image of Goddess Yoga Lakshmi (preferably clay or natural materials)
- Kalash (metal or clay pot) filled with water and mango leaves
- Fresh Flowers (lotus, jasmine, marigold) and garlands
- Coconut
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Incense sticks (organic)
- Earthen diya (oil lamp) with ghee or coconut oil
- Turmeric, kumkum (vermilion), and sandalwood paste
- Akshata (raw rice mixed with turmeric)
- Fruits like bananas, pomegranates, or seasonal fruits
- Organic Sweets or Prasad such as kheer, payasam, or jaggery-based laddoos
- Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee) for offering
- Camphor for aarti
6. Simple Steps to Perform the Yoga Lakshmi Puja
1. Prepare the Altar:
- Place the idol or picture of Goddess Yoga Lakshmi in the center.
- Decorate with flowers and garlands.
- Place the kalash, a diya, and other items on the altar.
2. Invocation (Dhyanam):
- Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha with the mantra "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" to remove obstacles.
- Now, invoke Goddess Yoga Lakshmi with devotion, visualizing her seated on a lotus, showering blessings of peace and prosperity.
3. Offerings:
- Offer flowers, incense, and light the diya (lamp).
- Place fruits, sweets, and panchamrit as an offering.
- Sprinkle water or a few drops of panchamrit around the idol with a mango leaf, asking for her blessings.
4. Mantras and Prayers:
- Chant the Yoga Lakshmi Mantra:
"Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Yoga Lakshmiyei Namah." - Alternatively, you can chant the traditional Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names of Lakshmi) or Sri Sukta from the Rig Veda.
5. Aarti:
- Perform the aarti by lighting camphor and waving it in circular motion in front of the goddess, while singing the Lakshmi Aarti.
7. Prasad to Be Prepared
Prepare simple and traditional prasad that is eco-friendly and healthy. Some options include:
- Kheer (rice pudding) made with milk, rice, and jaggery
- Ladoo made from sesame seeds and jaggery
- Coconut and jaggery modaks
- Seasonal fruits
Ensure that the prasad is sattvic (pure) and avoid using artificial colors or flavors.
8. How to Conclude the Puja
- After the aarti, offer a few grains of rice (Akshata) to the goddess.
- Sit quietly for a moment, meditating on Yoga Lakshmi and asking for her blessings of peace and prosperity.
- Finally, distribute the prasad to all participants and partake of it yourself with gratitude.
9. What to Do with Puja Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly Practices)
- Flowers and Leaves: Instead of throwing them away, immerse them in a small garden or compost. This is eco-friendly and provides nourishment to the plants.
- Diya Oil: If any oil remains in the diya, use it to light a small lamp in your prayer area daily until it is used up.
- Leftover Prasad: Prasad should never be wasted. If there is extra, distribute it to neighbors, friends, or those in need.
- Water from Kalash: The water from the kalash can be sprinkled around the house to purify the space or poured into plants.
10. Benefits of Yoga Lakshmi Puja
- Mental Peace: The meditation and mantras associated with Yoga Lakshmi bring tranquility and calmness to the mind.
- Spiritual Enlightenment: Worshipping this form of Lakshmi helps you balance material and spiritual wealth, aligning you with a higher purpose.
- Success and Prosperity: Regular worship opens pathways to success in all aspects of life, whether personal or professional.
- Harmony: The energy of Yoga Lakshmi fosters harmony in family and relationships, bringing balance to all aspects of life.
By worshipping Goddess Yoga Lakshmi in an eco-friendly and traditional manner, you not only bring divine blessings into your life but also practice sustainability and respect for the environment. Ensure that the puja is performed with a pure heart and devotion, and the positive energy will resonate through all areas of your life.