Shankaranarayana is a form of the divine that unites two major deities in Hinduism: Shiva (Shankara) and Vishnu (Narayana). This form symbolizes the unity of Shaivism and Vaishnavism and embodies the balance of creation and destruction, preservation, and dissolution. Worshiping Shankaranarayana is considered highly auspicious as it is believed to grant harmony, balance, and spiritual enlightenment.
In this guide, we will explore the method of worship, benefits, cleanliness, the best time, recommended clothing, eco-friendly puja items, prasad, mantras, and how to conclude the puja. It will also cover what to do with the leftover puja materials.
1. Benefits of Worshiping Shankaranarayana
Worshiping Shankaranarayana offers several spiritual, emotional, and material benefits:
- Spiritual Growth: Enhances the seeker’s connection to both Shiva and Vishnu, promoting spiritual unity and realization.
- Balance and Harmony: Helps balance the energies of creation, preservation, and destruction in life, bringing harmony and peace.
- Divine Protection: Worshipers are believed to receive divine protection from negative forces, inner fears, and insecurities.
- Health and Well-Being: The balance of cosmic forces symbolized by Shankaranarayana is thought to bring physical and mental well-being.
- Material Prosperity: It is believed to bless the devotee with abundance and success in worldly endeavors.
2. Cleanliness and Purity
In Hinduism, cleanliness is a crucial aspect of worship. Here’s how to ensure proper cleanliness and purity during the puja:
- Bathing: Take a bath before performing the puja. It is important to start the day fresh and pure.
- Clean Clothing: Wear clean, freshly washed clothes.
- Puja Space: Clean the area where the puja will take place, ensuring it is free from dust and clutter.
- Personal Hygiene: Maintain personal cleanliness, including washing hands before handling puja items.
3. Best Time for Worship
- Morning Hours: The most auspicious time for the worship of Shankaranarayana is during the Brahma Muhurta (around 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM), the time of spiritual energy and peace.
- Pradosha Time: The evening time (around sunset) is also considered sacred, especially for worship related to Shiva and Vishnu.
- Shivaratri or Ekadashi: Worship on these special days is particularly powerful and fruitful.
4. Clothing to Wear
Wear traditional clothing in white, yellow, or light blue, as these colors symbolize purity, devotion, and divine energy.
- Men: Dhoti or simple kurta-pajama, preferably in white or light colors.
- Women: Saree or salwar-kameez, in similar light-colored shades.
White symbolizes purity and peace (Shiva’s qualities), while yellow is associated with knowledge and wisdom (Vishnu's qualities).
5. Eco-Friendly Traditional Puja Products
Using eco-friendly and natural products aligns with the principles of purity and preservation of nature. Here is a list of essential puja items:
- Brass or Copper Kalasha: A traditional pot filled with water, symbolizing the sacred rivers.
- Eco-friendly Clay or Metal Idol: Use a Shankaranarayana idol made of eco-friendly clay, stone, or brass.
- Natural Incense Sticks: Made from flowers and herbs without chemicals.
- Fresh Flowers: Marigold, jasmine, or lotus flowers, preferably grown naturally without chemical fertilizers.
- Organic Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, and seasonal fruits.
- Turmeric, Kumkum, and Sandalwood Paste: Natural powders made from plant extracts.
- Panchamrita: A mix of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar used for abhishekam (holy bath).
- Diya (Lamp): Use a brass or clay oil lamp with ghee or sesame oil.
- Betel Leaves and Areca Nuts: Traditionally offered in Hindu pujas.
- Tulsi Leaves and Bilva Leaves: Tulsi for Vishnu, and Bilva for Shiva.
6. Simple Steps of Puja
- Prepare the Puja Area: Clean the area, set up the altar with a picture or idol of Shankaranarayana, and place all the puja items around it.
- Invoke the Divine: Light the diya (lamp) and incense sticks, and chant "Om Ganeshaya Namaha" to remove obstacles.
- Kalasha Puja: Take a brass or copper Kalasha, fill it with water, and decorate it with mango leaves and a coconut on top. Place it near the idol.
- Abhishekam: Perform a simple abhishekam (ritual bathing) using panchamrita and clean water.
- Apply Sandalwood Paste and Kumkum: After bathing the idol, apply sandalwood paste, turmeric, and kumkum to the deity.
- Offer Flowers and Leaves: Offer fresh flowers, bilva leaves, and tulsi leaves to the deity while chanting mantras.
- Offer Fruits and Naivedya: Offer fresh fruits, jaggery, and cooked prasad (like payasam or rice) to the deity as part of naivedya.
- Aarti: Light the diya and perform the aarti, moving the flame in a circular motion in front of the deity while ringing a bell.
- Mantras and Prayers: Chant mantras invoking both Shiva and Vishnu.
7. Mantras to Chant
For Shankaranarayana, the combination of both Shiva and Vishnu mantras is ideal:
- Om Namah Shivaya: The powerful Shiva mantra for peace and harmony.
- Om Namo Narayanaya: The mantra of Vishnu for protection and preservation.
- Shankaranarayanaya Namah: Dedicated mantra for this combined form.
You can chant these mantras during the puja or meditate upon them during japa (repetition of the holy name).
8. Prasad to Prepare
Traditional prasad items can be simple yet delicious and eco-friendly:
- Pongal or Sweet Rice: A dish made from rice and jaggery, flavored with cardamom.
- Coconut Ladoo: Made from grated coconut, jaggery, and ghee.
- Payasam (Kheer): A milk-based dessert made with rice or vermicelli, sweetened with jaggery or sugar.
- Seasonal Fruits: Offer fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, or apples.
All ingredients should be organic and prepared with love and devotion.
9. Concluding the Puja
- Closing Prayers: After the aarti, offer your final prayers of gratitude, asking for the blessings of Shankaranarayana.
- Prostration: Perform a full prostration (Sashtanga Namaskar) in front of the deity.
- Circumambulation: Walk around the deity (clockwise) three times as a mark of respect.
- Distribute Prasad: Distribute the prasad to all present or consume it with reverence.
10. What to Do with Leftover Puja Items (Eco-Friendly)
Eco-friendly disposal of puja items ensures that we honor nature while completing the ritual:
- Flowers and Leaves: Flowers and bilva or tulsi leaves should be collected and composted or immersed in running water (preferably a river or natural water body) without polluting it.
- Puja Water: Water used in the Kalasha or abhishekam can be used to water plants or trees, as it is considered sacred.
- Oil or Ghee Left in Lamps: If any oil or ghee remains after the lamp burns out, use it for lighting another diya later or for household purposes.
- Food Offerings: Any prasad left over should be consumed with reverence or shared with others. Never waste food offerings.
By following these eco-friendly steps, we maintain harmony with nature and preserve the environment.
11. Importance of Shankaranarayana Worship
Worshiping Shankaranarayana symbolizes the unity and balance between the destructive and regenerative forces of the universe. It reminds devotees that both Shiva and Vishnu are integral aspects of the divine cosmos, and worshiping them together brings balance, spiritual enlightenment, and harmony in life.
Shankaranarayana also represents the concept of advaita (non-dualism), where differences between deities and sects fade, leaving only the experience of oneness with the divine.
By following these simple yet profound steps, you can perform the Shankaranarayana puja in a meaningful and eco-friendly way, inviting divine grace and blessings into your life.