Mantra Pushpam in Thiruvaradhana is the ritual worship of Narayana on a daily basis. It is the sixth stage of worship in a Thiruvaradhana ritual.
Mantra Pushpam consists of the following steps of recital:
- Opening Rk of Vedas
- Ashtakshara from Narayana Upanishad
- Reference of Sri Rama Avatara
- Sri Krishna Avatara in the Mahabharata
- Sri Krishna’s revelation of his true form to his father
- Narayana in Vaikunta
- All creation being the form and abode of Vishnu
- Vishnu’s advent from Vaikunta to Tirumala
- One of Nammalvar’s Pasurams
Mantra Pushpam In Tirupati Balaji Temple
Mantra Pushpam recited at Tirumala is unique in that it is not what is given in Vaikhanasa and Panchratra Agamas. Neither is it what Ramanuja has prescribed in his Nityam.
Mantra Pushpam in Tirumala is said to have perhaps been arranged by Tirumalai Nambi.
A Srivaishnava spends much of his time in preparing for the worship of Narayana and his devotees. This is called bhagavata kainkarya (services and duty to God). Devotion to Narayana is continuous. This concept makes one duty bound to perform Thiruvaradhana.
Mantra Pushpam Stages
Mantra Pushpam Stages
This would involve three steps or stages. Mantra Pushpam refers to one of the 16 upacharas or services offered in Thiruvaradhana or archa murthi in the daily worship of a Srivaishnava household.
Mantra Pushpam is also recited in temples after Alankarasana – to remember the attributes of Narayana in every Veda, epic, Purana, Stotra, prabandha and notes works of Acharyas.
The first rk from each of the four Vedas are recited as the initial mantra pushpam offered to Narayana.
One shloka selected from each (of the Ramayana, the Bhagavad Gita, Bhavatha and Vishnu Purana) is recited.
The introductory Mangala Charana verses of Sri Bhashya (commentary on Brahma Stura of Badarayana) are also recited.
One stanza from stotra ratna, Varadaraja Stava, Yathiraja Vimsati or Saptathi, along with the last churnika of Vaikuntha Gadya of Ramanujacharya is also recited.
The idea behind mantra pushpam recitation is a reminder that one has to spend one’s time in gunanubhava by reciting his attributes as depicted in our knowledge texts, which are satya and not mithya.