Worshiping Goddess Arupa Lakshmi, a unique and formless aspect of Lakshmi in Hinduism, is rooted in honoring her formless, all-pervading energy that brings blessings of prosperity, purity, and spiritual wealth. Worshipers venerate her to seek blessings for prosperity and inner peace, understanding that true abundance stems from simplicity and harmony with nature. Here is a detailed guide to performing her worship with devotion, mindfulness, and eco-friendly traditional practices.
Benefits of Worshiping Goddess Arupa Lakshmi
- Spiritual Prosperity: Enhances inner peace and clarity, helping devotees align with universal energies.
- Material Abundance: Invokes blessings for prosperity, good fortune, and financial stability.
- Mental Clarity and Purity: Provides mental calmness, focus, and a sense of purpose.
- Environmental Harmony: Promotes eco-consciousness by encouraging the use of natural products and environmentally friendly practices.
Preparation for Worship
Cleanliness:
- Begin with personal hygiene—bathe and wear clean, simple clothes.
- Clean the worship area and avoid any synthetic or artificial materials in the setup.
- Keep the mind calm and focused, which prepares you to connect spiritually.
Time:
- Early morning (preferably during Brahma Muhurta, 4:00-6:00 a.m.) is considered auspicious.
- Alternatively, evenings (sandhya kala) are also favorable.
Color of Clothes:
- White, green, or light yellow clothes are recommended as these colors are associated with purity, peace, and growth—qualities aligned with Lakshmi’s blessings.
Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
- Flowers: Lotus, jasmine, or marigold (use fresh, naturally grown, and unscented flowers).
- Fruits: Fresh seasonal fruits like bananas, mangoes, or coconuts.
- Leaves: Betel leaves and mango leaves, as they are considered auspicious.
- Earthen Diya: Ghee or oil lamp made of clay.
- Incense Sticks: Use natural, handmade incense.
- Camphor: Natural camphor for aarti.
- Water: Pure water in a copper or brass kalash (pot).
- Turmeric and Kumkum: Eco-friendly organic turmeric and kumkum powder.
- Rice Grains: Plain, unbroken rice grains for offering.
Steps to Perform Arupa Lakshmi Puja
Setup: Arrange the puja items on a clean, natural cloth or mat. Place an image, symbol, or a formless representation (such as a kalash filled with water and mango leaves) of Goddess Arupa Lakshmi.
Lighting the Lamp: Begin by lighting an earthen diya with ghee, symbolizing the light of wisdom dispelling ignorance.
Invocation (Avahana): Place your hands in front of your chest in a prayer position and mentally invite Goddess Arupa Lakshmi, asking her to bless the space.
Offering Water: Pour a small amount of water from a brass or copper vessel as a form of purification.
Offering Flowers and Leaves: Offer fresh flowers and betel leaves to the deity, symbolizing devotion and respect.
Offering Fruits: Place the fruits near the image or kalash, symbolizing abundance.
Offering Kumkum and Turmeric: Sprinkle a small pinch of turmeric and kumkum at the deity's feet or near the kalash.
Chanting Mantras:
- Lakshmi Mantra: “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyei Namah” (108 times or as many times as possible).
- For Goddess Arupa Lakshmi, mentally recite: "Om Arupa Lakshmi Namaha" while visualizing her divine, formless energy enveloping you in prosperity and peace.
Aarti: Perform aarti with a diya and camphor, circling it in front of the deity three times while singing a devotional hymn or prayer, such as the Lakshmi Aarti.
Prasad: Offer homemade prasad such as kheer (rice pudding), coconut laddoo, or any simple sweet made with organic ingredients, symbolizing gratitude.
Silent Meditation: Sit quietly, close your eyes, and meditate on the goddess’s blessings, envisioning her energy filling your life with abundance, peace, and purity.
Concluding the Puja
- Offer your gratitude to Goddess Arupa Lakshmi with folded hands.
- Seek forgiveness for any mistakes in the process and ask for continued blessings.
- Offer water as a symbolic closing gesture, thanking the divine presence.
What to Do with the Puja Leftover Items
- Flowers and Leaves: Return them to nature by composting or placing them under a tree.
- Prasad: Share the prasad with family, friends, or anyone in need to spread the blessings.
- Ashes from Diya: Collect the diya ashes and sprinkle them in a garden or potted plants as a natural offering back to the earth.
Using eco-friendly, traditional materials not only respects the natural world but aligns with the goddess’s energies, as Lakshmi is closely associated with prosperity in harmony with nature. By practicing mindful and eco-friendly worship, you honor the deity while promoting sustainability.