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How To Worship Nara Narayana in Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

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Who are Nara and Narayana?

Nara and Narayana are two twin deities in Hinduism who represent the perfect balance between action (karma) and renunciation (jnana). Nara represents the human aspect, while Narayana represents the divine. They are believed to be incarnations of Lord Vishnu and are often worshipped for peace, protection, and balance in life.

Importance of Worshiping Nara Narayana

Worshiping Nara Narayana is believed to bring harmony, discipline, and spiritual growth. Devotees seek blessings for:

  • Physical and mental balance.
  • Guidance in performing righteous actions (dharma).
  • Freedom from ignorance and obstacles in the spiritual journey.
  • Attaining peace and tranquility.

Benefits of Worshiping Nara Narayana

  1. Blessings for a balanced life: Helps balance material responsibilities with spiritual progress.
  2. Peace and Calm: Reduces anxiety and stress, promoting inner peace.
  3. Protection from Negative Forces: Grants protection from negative influences.
  4. Spiritual Growth: Promotes clarity, self-awareness, and detachment from material desires.

Guidelines for Worship

Cleanliness and Purity

  • Bathing: Before starting the puja, take a bath to purify your body and mind.
  • Clothing: Wear clean and simple clothes. Ideally, choose eco-friendly and organic fabrics like cotton, silk, or khadi.
  • Place: The area where the puja is conducted should be clean and clutter-free.

Best Time for Worship

  • Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta): The most auspicious time for worship is early morning, preferably between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
  • Evening: If mornings are not possible, evening during twilight (Sandhya time) is another good time for puja.

Clothing Colors to Wear

  • Yellow or White: Yellow is considered auspicious as it is associated with Vishnu, and white represents purity and peace. Avoid black as it is considered inauspicious in Hindu worship.

Items Required for Nara Narayana Puja (Eco-Friendly)

All items should be biodegradable or reusable to honor Mother Earth.

  1. Eco-friendly Clay or Metal Idols of Nara and Narayana (Avoid plastic idols).
  2. Brass or copper diya (lamp) with ghee or oil for lighting.
  3. Cotton wicks (preferably organic).
  4. Natural incense sticks made from bamboo or eco-friendly ingredients.
  5. Fresh Flowers: Marigold, Tulsi (holy basil), lotus, and hibiscus.
  6. Eco-friendly Sandalwood Paste.
  7. Fruits for offering: Bananas, coconuts, pomegranates.
  8. Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar).
  9. Water in a copper kalash for sprinkling and purification.
  10. Camphor (natural and organic) for aarti.
  11. Tulsi leaves as an offering to Narayana.
  12. Organic rice grains (Akshat) for offering.
  13. Betel leaves and areca nuts.
  14. Cloth: Eco-friendly fabric like cotton for offering.

Simple Steps for Nara Narayana Puja

  1. Prepare the altar: Place the idols of Nara and Narayana on a clean cloth or wooden pedestal.
  2. Purify the space: Sprinkle water from the copper kalash around the puja area to purify it.
  3. Light the diya: Light the brass/copper diya with ghee or oil, and place it in front of the idols.
  4. Invoke the deities: Close your eyes, chant “Om Namo Narayanaya” three times, and invite the deities into your heart and home.
  5. Offer flowers: Place fresh flowers, preferably marigolds or lotus, in front of the idols.
  6. Offer incense: Light eco-friendly incense sticks and wave them in a clockwise motion in front of the idols.
  7. Apply sandalwood paste: Apply a small amount of sandalwood paste to the foreheads of the idols and yourself.
  8. Offer fruits and prasad: Place bananas, coconuts, or any seasonal fruits as offerings. You can also prepare simple prasad like panchamrit or kheer (rice pudding) using eco-friendly ingredients.
  9. Recite mantras and prayers:
    • Nara Narayana Gayatri Mantra:
      "Om Nara Narayanaya Vidmahe, Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat"
    • Chant this mantra 11 or 21 times, depending on your time and devotion.
    • Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra: You can also recite the 1000 names of Vishnu, or the shorter Narayana Ashtakam.
  10. Perform Aarti: Light camphor on a small plate and perform aarti (circular motion) in front of the idols while chanting Om Namo Narayanaya.

Prasad to be Prepared

  • Kheer (Rice Pudding): Made with rice, milk, sugar, and ghee, this is a traditional and simple offering.
  • Panchamrit: A sacred mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee.
  • Fruits: Banana, coconut, and other seasonal fruits are simple yet effective prasad.

How to Conclude the Puja

  1. Prayers of Gratitude: Thank Nara and Narayana for their blessings and guidance in your life.
  2. Prostrate (Namaskara): Perform a full or half prostration in front of the deities, showing reverence and humility.
  3. Distribute Prasad: Share the prasad with your family and visitors as a blessing from the divine.

Mantras and Prayers

  • "Om Namo Narayanaya": This is a universal mantra to invoke Lord Narayana.
  • Nara Narayana Stotra: You can recite traditional hymns dedicated to Nara and Narayana, often found in texts like the Mahabharata.

Eco-friendly Disposal of Puja Items

  1. Flowers and Organic Offerings: Compost flowers and biodegradable items like fruits or leaves, or immerse them in flowing water like a river or pond, ensuring it is done in an eco-friendly manner.
  2. Water from the Kalash: Use the water to water plants or sprinkle it around the house for purification.
  3. Diya and Incense Ash: The ash from the incense and diya wicks can be sprinkled on plants as it acts as a natural fertilizer.
  4. Puja Cloth: If a cloth was used, you can reuse it for future pujas or donate it.

Summary of Key Aspects of Nara Narayana Puja

  • Cleanliness and simplicity are essential.
  • The best time for puja is early morning or evening.
  • Wear white or yellow clothes, representing purity and auspiciousness.
  • Use only eco-friendly traditional puja items.
  • Follow simple steps of worship including lighting a lamp, offering flowers and fruits, and reciting mantras.
  • Panchamrit and Kheer are common prasad items.
  • Conclude with aarti, gratitude, and by distributing prasad.
  • Dispose of puja materials responsibly by composting or using natural methods.

By performing the Nara Narayana puja with sincerity and devotion, you can attain peace, balance, and divine protection.