Worship of Goddess Anumati in Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide
Goddess Anumati, a Vedic goddess mentioned in the Rig Veda, is revered for her grace and blessings. She is associated with the waxing moon and is seen as a provider of prosperity, children, long life, and wisdom. Worshipping Anumati is traditionally believed to be most effective on specific moon phases, particularly on the Anumati tithi (day), which is typically the 14th day of the waxing fortnight, just before the full moon.
1. Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Anumati
- Wealth and Prosperity: Devotees often seek Anumati's blessings for material well-being.
- Health and Longevity: She is believed to bestow good health and a long life upon her worshippers.
- Children: Couples praying for children may perform this puja with particular reverence.
- Wisdom and Clarity: Goddess Anumati blesses her devotees with wisdom, clarity, and calmness of mind.
2. Preparation and Cleanliness
- Personal Cleanliness: Bathing and wearing clean clothes is essential before the puja. The mind should also be calm and pure.
- Place Cleanliness: Clean and purify the worship area thoroughly. Sprinkle Ganga Jal (holy water from the Ganges) or water infused with turmeric for purification.
- Eco-Friendly Puja Setup: Use only natural and biodegradable items to ensure eco-friendly worship.
3. Timing for Worship
- Worship of Anumati is particularly beneficial on the 14th day of the waxing fortnight and the full moon day.
- Ideally, puja is conducted in the evening when the moon is visible, as she is connected with lunar energy.
4. Dress Code
- Wearing white, yellow, or pastel colors is recommended, as these colors symbolize peace, serenity, and are aligned with lunar energies.
- Cotton and eco-friendly fabrics are preferred to maintain a natural and respectful approach.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly and Traditional)
- Fruits (preferably seasonal and organic)
- Flowers (white jasmine, lotus, or any locally available flowers, without synthetic decoration)
- Earthen Diyas (lamps) with ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil
- Incense Sticks (natural scents like sandalwood or camphor)
- Holy Water (Ganga Jal or fresh water infused with a few drops of rose water)
- Akshat (unbroken rice grains, ideally organic and unpolished)
- Haldi and Kumkum (turmeric and vermilion powder)
- Betel Leaves and Betel Nuts
- Milk and Curd (organic)
- Honey and Sugar
- Cotton Wick (for lighting diyas)
- Bhojan Prasad (food offering prepared at home)
6. Steps for Performing Goddess Anumati Puja
Step 1: Purification and Setup
- Clean the altar and place a small, clean cloth on it.
- Set up a picture or idol of Goddess Anumati or place a diya to symbolize her.
- Arrange the puja items neatly and light a diya for purity.
Step 2: Invocation of Goddess Anumati
- Close your eyes, join hands, and invoke the presence of Goddess Anumati. Mentally or verbally invite her into your space with respect.
Step 3: Offerings and Recitation
- Offer flowers, rice grains (Akshat), and betel leaves.
- Light incense sticks and wave them in a clockwise motion in front of the deity.
- Offer milk, curd, honey, and sugar in small amounts as a symbolic panchamrit (five nectars).
- Light the diya with ghee or sesame oil as a symbol of divine light.
Step 4: Chanting Mantras
- Recite the following mantra with devotion:
- "Om Anumate Namah"
- Repeat this mantra 11 or 21 times, focusing on the blessings you seek.
Step 5: Offering Prasad
- Offer fruits, cooked rice (organic and plain), or a simple homemade sweet as prasad. A common prasad includes rice kheer (sweet rice pudding) made with milk, rice, and sugar.
Step 6: Concluding the Puja
- Conclude with an aarti, offering light from the diya in a circular motion.
- Express gratitude to the goddess for her blessings and silently pray for her continued grace.
- Bow down with folded hands and end the puja with respect.
7. Mantras and Prayers
- Primary Mantra: "Om Anumate Namah" – for invoking blessings.
- Vedic Hymns: For those familiar with Vedic chanting, verses from the Rig Veda dedicated to Anumati can be recited for enhanced devotion.
- Silent Prayer: A moment of silent prayer to seek guidance and blessings.
8. Prasad Preparation
- Offer simple and traditional sweets like rice kheer, coconut laddoo, or fruits.
- Ensure that the prasad is homemade and prepared with purity and devotion.
9. Disposal of Puja Leftover Items
- Flowers: Compost them or offer them to a nearby tree as a respectful way of returning them to nature.
- Water: If any holy water remains, pour it at the base of a tree or into running water, respecting eco-friendly principles.
- Diya and Incense Ashes: Place these in a natural area, ideally around plants, as they are biodegradable.
- Prasad: Share the prasad with family or community members as a way of spreading blessings.
10. Importance of Worshipping Goddess Anumati
- Spiritual Balance: Goddess Anumati represents lunar energy, bringing balance, calmness, and clarity to the mind.
- Connection to Nature: By observing lunar cycles and the moon’s subtle energies, devotees align their lives with natural rhythms.
- Environmental Consciousness: Anumati’s worship using eco-friendly items encourages a respectful approach to nature, aligning with her role as a goddess of prosperity and well-being.
This simple yet meaningful puja is a way to seek blessings while honoring the environment and traditional practices. Through dedication and respect, Goddess Anumati’s blessings bring prosperity, peace, and fulfillment into one’s life.