Worshipping Goddess Triambika, a three-eyed form of the Divine Mother, is a sacred practice in Hinduism. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of a traditional, eco-friendly puja for Goddess Triambika, focusing on spirituality and environmental mindfulness.
1. Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Triambika
- Divine Protection: Known for her powers to remove fears, negative influences, and obstacles.
- Health & Prosperity: Worshippers often receive blessings of good health, wisdom, and prosperity.
- Spiritual Growth: Strengthens the inner self and aids in meditation and spiritual practice.
- Harmony & Peace: Brings mental peace, emotional stability, and harmony in relationships.
2. Preparation and Cleanliness
- Clean the Puja Space: Clean the puja area with water and natural purifiers like rose water or neem-infused water.
- Personal Hygiene: Take a bath and wear clean clothes. It’s recommended to avoid leather items during the puja.
- Eco-Friendly Setup: Use eco-friendly materials like copper or brass for utensils and organic, unpolished rice for rituals. Avoid plastics or synthetics.
3. Best Time to Worship
- Morning or Evening: Early mornings (Brahma Muhurta) or evenings are ideal for puja, as these are considered spiritually potent times.
- Days of Worship: Tuesdays, Fridays, and during Navratri are particularly auspicious for Goddess Triambika’s worship.
4. Color of Clothes
- Preferred Colors: Wear red, yellow, or white, which are considered auspicious and pleasing to the goddess.
- Eco-Friendly Fabrics: Use natural, eco-friendly fabrics like cotton or silk to align with traditional practices.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Flowers: Red hibiscus, jasmine, lotus (choose seasonal, biodegradable flowers)
- Fruits: Fresh, locally sourced fruits (bananas, apples, pomegranate)
- Diyas (Lamps): Use clay or brass diyas with cotton wicks and ghee or coconut oil.
- Incense and Dhoop: Use natural, hand-rolled incense sticks made of sandalwood or vetiver.
- Puja Thali: Brass, copper, or silver plates and bowls for water, rice, and other offerings.
- Rice and Turmeric: Unpolished, natural rice grains and organic turmeric powder.
- Other Items: Betel leaves, natural sandalwood paste, and eco-friendly camphor.
6. Simple Steps of Puja
- Sanctify the Puja Area: Light the diya, place the kalash (pot) filled with water, and sprinkle water around to purify.
- Invoke the Deity: Invite Goddess Triambika to bless the space by placing an idol or image of her.
- Offer Flowers and Fruits: Offer fresh flowers and fruits, accompanied by chants, while visualizing divine blessings.
- Apply Sandalwood Paste and Turmeric: Place a small mark of sandalwood paste and turmeric on the deity’s image or idol.
- Light Incense and Dhoop: Offer the fragrance to purify and sanctify the space further.
- Chanting Mantras: Chant the Triambika Mantra or any Durga stotras like “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche” to invoke blessings.
7. Prasad to Be Prepared
- Sweet Offerings: Prepare simple, homemade sweets like kheer (rice pudding), laddoo, or halwa using jaggery, coconut, and natural ingredients.
- Satvik Food: Include fresh fruits, coconuts, or any vegetarian food items made without onion or garlic.
8. Mantras and Prayers
- Main Mantra: “Om Triambikaye Vidmahe, Mahadurgaaye Dheemahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat”
- Additional Chants: Chant Durga Chalisa, Devi Mahatmyam, or other shlokas dedicated to the Divine Mother.
9. Concluding the Puja
- Offering Aarti: Conclude by performing the aarti using camphor or ghee diya, waving it clockwise in front of the deity.
- Seek Blessings: Place your hands over the flame, symbolically receiving the goddess’s blessings, and touch them to your forehead.
- Pranams and Silent Meditation: Offer pranams (bow) to the deity and meditate for a few minutes in silence, connecting with the goddess’s presence.
10. Importance of Worshipping Goddess Triambika
- Worshipping Goddess Triambika is believed to invoke divine energies, providing protection, wisdom, and strength to face challenges in life. It enhances inner peace, well-being, and a sense of gratitude for blessings. Triambika puja is also essential in invoking Shakti (energy) within oneself.
11. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Leftovers
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect used flowers and organic items in a separate container, and compost them instead of throwing them in water bodies.
- Water and Offerings: Dispose of any sacred water (like in the kalash) by pouring it in a garden or at the base of a tree.
- Cloth and Puja Materials: Reuse cloth and non-biodegradable materials where possible; use sustainable, non-toxic colors for future pujas.
This approach ensures that worship remains not only a spiritual ritual but also respectful of nature. The eco-friendly choices align with the traditional principles of revering and protecting nature, making the worship of Goddess Triambika holistic and mindful.