Worshipping Goddess Shantadurga, an incarnation of Durga revered in Hinduism, is a deeply spiritual practice rooted in devotion, humility, and gratitude. As the goddess of peace and harmony, Shantadurga is especially venerated in Goa and Maharashtra. Here's a comprehensive guide to performing her worship with respect for tradition, eco-consciousness, and devotion.
1. Benefits of Worshipping Shantadurga
- Harmony and Peace: Shantadurga is revered as the goddess who mediates peace. Worshipping her is believed to bring harmony to relationships and peace in the family.
- Protection: She is seen as a powerful protector, safeguarding her devotees from negativity and adversity.
- Success and Prosperity: Devotees seek her blessings for success, personal growth, and prosperity.
- Healing: She is believed to have healing powers, aiding physical and mental health.
2. Cleanliness and Personal Preparation
- Bathing and Clothing: Take a bath before beginning the puja to purify yourself. Choose clean, fresh clothes in colors like red, yellow, or white, which are traditionally considered auspicious for Durga.
- Environment: Cleanse the puja space thoroughly. Use eco-friendly, natural cleaning agents if needed, as cleanliness is crucial to creating a pure environment.
- Mindfulness: Approach the puja with a calm, peaceful mind, leaving behind worries and distractions.
3. Time for Worship
- Morning or Evening: Shantadurga can be worshipped either in the morning after sunrise or in the evening during dusk.
- Best Days: Tuesday and Friday are considered especially auspicious, but any day is suitable if approached with devotion.
4. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Image or Idol of Goddess Shantadurga: A brass or clay idol is ideal, but a framed image also works well.
- Flowers: Fresh red hibiscus, marigold, and lotus flowers are ideal as they are sacred to the goddess. Avoid using plastic flowers.
- Incense Sticks and Camphor: Natural incense sticks, made from herbs and flowers, are best. Organic camphor is recommended for arati.
- Oil Lamp (Diya): Use a clay or brass lamp with cotton wicks and sesame or mustard oil.
- Water in a Copper Vessel: A kalash (copper vessel) filled with water for offering.
- Red Cloth: For placing beneath the idol or image, symbolizing auspiciousness.
- Eco-friendly Kumkum, Haldi, and Chandan (Sandalwood paste): Essential for tilak (marking the deity).
- Prasad (Food Offerings): Fruits (like coconut, banana), sweets like kheer or ladoo, and other sattvic (pure) foods. Prepare prasad from organic ingredients where possible.
5. Steps for Worshipping Shantadurga
- Prepare the Puja Space: Arrange all items neatly, place the idol or image on a clean, red cloth.
- Lighting the Lamp: Begin by lighting the diya to signify the presence of divine energy.
- Offering Water: Sprinkle a few drops around the idol as a form of purification.
- Applying Kumkum and Haldi: Apply these on the deity and yourself for blessings.
- Flowers and Garland: Offer flowers and a garland made of fresh flowers, ideally hibiscus, to the deity.
- Chanting Mantras: Chant the following mantra:
- "Om Shree Shantadurga Namah", meaning "Salutations to the divine Shantadurga."
- Or the longer mantra: "Om Devi Shantadurgaaye Namah"
- Offering Incense and Arati: Light incense and camphor and wave it in a circular motion before the deity. Sing a simple arati song if you know one, or just chant "Om Shantadurgaaye Namah."
- Prasad Offering: Place the prasad before the deity as a sign of gratitude and devotion.
6. Prasad Preparation
- Options: Kheer (sweet rice pudding), fresh fruits, and ladoos are traditional choices. These items should be prepared mindfully with pure ingredients.
- Serving: Offer the prasad in clean, eco-friendly containers like banana leaves or clay plates.
7. Concluding the Puja
- Final Prayers: Conclude by thanking the goddess for her blessings and asking for peace and protection.
- Shanti Path (Peace Prayer): Recite the shanti mantra:
- "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om," which calls for peace at all levels.
- Distribution of Prasad: Share the prasad with family and friends as a blessed offering.
8. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Items
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect flowers and biodegradable items, compost them if possible, or immerse them in flowing water.
- Ashes from Incense and Camphor: Dispose of ashes respectfully in soil or compost.
- Water from Kalash: Pour it at the roots of a plant or tree as an offering back to nature.
9. Importance of Worshipping Shantadurga
Worshipping Shantadurga is believed to foster inner peace, family unity, and strength in times of distress. Devotees find that her blessings help them navigate life’s challenges with patience, humility, and a harmonious heart.
By following this eco-conscious guide to Shantadurga puja, you uphold the sanctity of traditional worship and honor the environment—a reflection of the goddess's harmonious and nurturing spirit.