Praying in Hinduism is about devotion, intent, and creating a spiritual connection with the divine. To invoke a quick response from the divine, it is believed that the alignment of energy, timing, and devotion plays a key role. Here’s a guide on how to pray for an immediate answer, including simple prayers, steps for puja, colors, and mantras to use for invoking specific gods and goddesses known for their unique blessings.
1. Setting Your Intention Clearly and Spiritually Preparing
- Intention: Approach prayer with a clear mind, free from negative thoughts, and with a pure intention.
- Mental Preparation: Spend a few moments in silence before prayer to center your thoughts.
- Physical Purification: Bathe or wash hands and feet to signify internal purification.
2. Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship for Specific Blessings
Each deity in Hinduism represents different aspects of life. Here are some key gods and goddesses to approach, depending on your need:
- Ganesha: For removing obstacles and beginning new endeavors.
- Lakshmi: For financial prosperity, abundance, and general blessings.
- Dhanvantari: For health and healing.
- Saraswati: For wisdom, education, and creativity.
- Shiva: For transformation, protection, and inner peace.
- Hanuman: For strength, courage, and protection from negativity.
- Bhairava: For protection against evil and misfortune.
- Krishna: For love, devotion, and inner joy.
- Durga: For power, courage, and protection against adversities.
- Veerabhadra: For strength, fearlessness, and overcoming challenges.
- Vishwakarma: For success in work, craftsmanship, and creativity.
3. Puja Steps for Immediate Divine Attention
- Prepare an Altar: Place idols or pictures of the chosen deity on a clean, preferably raised platform.
- Light a Lamp and Incense: Light a diya (oil lamp) and incense to purify the space. It is believed to attract divine energies.
- Offer Flowers: Use fresh flowers (ideally matching the deity's color preferences).
- Offering Water and Sweets: Offer water in a small copper or silver vessel and place fruits or sweets as prasad.
- Chant the Mantra: Chant the mantra of the chosen deity with full concentration. Use a mala (rosary) for focus.
- Express Your Wish Clearly: State your prayer or wish aloud or mentally, focusing on your intent.
- Final Prayers and Aarti: Perform a short aarti (waving of light) to conclude the puja and thank the deity for listening.
4. Colors of Clothes to Wear
- Ganesha: Red or yellow for invoking positivity and removing obstacles.
- Lakshmi: Bright red, pink, or green for prosperity.
- Dhanvantari: White or yellow for healing energies.
- Saraswati: White for wisdom and clarity.
- Shiva: Light blue or white for peace and spirituality.
- Hanuman: Red or orange for strength and courage.
- Bhairava: Black or dark blue for protection.
- Krishna: Yellow or blue for love and joy.
- Durga: Red for power and protection.
- Veerabhadra: Black or red for strength.
- Vishwakarma: Yellow or orange for creativity and success in work.
5. Simple Prayers and Mantras for Quick Results
- Ganesha (Obstacle Remover):
- Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
- Lakshmi (Wealth and Prosperity):
- Om Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namah
- Dhanvantari (Health and Healing):
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrutha Kalasha Hastaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinashaya Sarva Roga Nivaranaya Trayambakaye Namah
- Saraswati (Wisdom and Knowledge):
- Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
- Shiva (Transformation and Protection):
- Om Namah Shivaya
- Hanuman (Strength and Courage):
- Om Hanumate Namah
- Bhairava (Protection):
- Om Bhairavaya Namah
- Krishna (Love and Joy):
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
- Durga (Strength and Protection):
- Om Dum Durgaye Namah
- Veerabhadra (Warrior Protection):
- Om Veerabhadraya Namah
- Vishwakarma (Success in Work):
- Om Vishwakarmaya Namah
Repeat each mantra at least 11, 21, or 108 times for best results.
6. Practical Tips for Modern Times
- Regular Routine: Make prayer and simple puja a part of your daily routine. Consistency enhances spiritual strength.
- Use of Technology: You can play recorded mantras to keep the environment charged with divine energy.
- Portable Puja Kits: If you are traveling or away from home, carry a small kit with essentials like a small idol, a diya, and a few incense sticks.
- Digital Mantras: You can set reminders on your phone to chant mantras at specific times of the day, even if for a few minutes.
- Mindful Meditation: Even if puja or rituals aren’t possible every day, practicing mindful meditation with the deity’s mantra can help you stay connected.
7. Rare Facts and Additional Ideas
- Moon Phases: In Hinduism, certain moon phases like the full moon (Purnima) and new moon (Amavasya) are considered powerful for spiritual practices. Prayers during these times are believed to yield faster results.
- Sankalpa (Resolve): Taking a sankalpa, or a sacred resolve, before starting a prayer or mantra recitation is believed to strengthen the intent and result.
- Deep Meditation: Visualize the deity blessing you or removing obstacles as you chant. Visualization creates a mental connection that enhances the power of prayer.
- Mantra Intensity: The potency of a mantra increases with devotion. Repeated chanting with focus amplifies the vibration, helping to manifest the desired results.
Praying with devotion, simplicity, and a clear mind is the essence of Hindu practices. Adapting these practices to your daily life, regardless of circumstances, strengthens your spiritual bond and aligns you with divine blessings.