Worship of Goddess Sharika is a revered practice in Hinduism, particularly within the Kashmiri tradition, where she is considered an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. She is symbolized as a manifestation of divine energy, protector, and source of spiritual power. Here’s a comprehensive guide to worshipping Goddess Sharika with a focus on eco-friendly practices, simplicity, and reverence for nature.
1. Importance of Worshipping Goddess Sharika
Goddess Sharika is believed to be the guardian deity of Kashmir, representing the embodiment of power, protection, and wisdom. Devotees seek her blessings for inner strength, courage, prosperity, and protection from negative energies. Her worship is considered beneficial for achieving spiritual clarity, fulfilling desires, and gaining resilience against life's challenges.
2. Cleanliness and Preparation
- Personal Cleanliness: Bathe thoroughly and wear fresh clothes before beginning the worship.
- Altar Cleanliness: Clean the worship space and altar area, ensuring it is tidy and clutter-free.
- Eco-Friendly Setup: Use natural, biodegradable products for decoration and offerings, such as flowers, leaves, and earthen lamps, to minimize environmental impact.
3. Time and Auspicious Days for Worship
- Best Days: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Navratri days are considered highly auspicious for Goddess Sharika’s worship.
- Time of Day: Perform the puja in the morning or early evening during the Sandhya Kaal (twilight hours), as this time is energetically powerful and ideal for spiritual practices.
4. Attire and Colors to Wear
- Traditional Attire: Wear simple, clean, and traditional clothes. White, yellow, and red are considered auspicious colors while worshipping Goddess Sharika, as these colors signify purity, positivity, and divine energy.
- Avoid Synthetic Fabrics: Opt for natural fabrics like cotton or silk, which are environmentally friendly and comfortable.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Idol or Picture of Goddess Sharika (use natural materials like clay if possible).
- Incense Sticks and Camphor (eco-friendly, non-toxic varieties).
- Earthen or Brass Diya (Lamp) and pure ghee for lighting.
- Fresh Flowers (marigold, lotus, or jasmine; avoid synthetic decorations).
- Natural Kumkum (Red Powder), turmeric, rice grains.
- Sandalwood Paste.
- Fresh Fruits (like apples, bananas, or seasonal fruits).
- Betel Leaves and Betel Nuts.
- Eco-Friendly Plates made from natural leaves or brass.
6. Simple Steps of Puja
- Meditation and Grounding: Begin by sitting calmly in front of the deity, closing your eyes, and grounding yourself through deep breathing.
- Invocation (Dhyana): Focus on Goddess Sharika’s image and visualize her divine form. Invoke her presence by chanting “Om Aim Hreem Shreem Sharikaye Namah” three times.
- Lighting the Lamp: Light the ghee diya, symbolizing the light of knowledge and purity.
- Offering Flowers: Offer fresh flowers, symbolizing devotion and purity. Each flower represents an offering of love and respect.
- Applying Kumkum and Sandalwood: Apply kumkum and sandalwood paste to the idol or picture as a symbol of reverence.
- Offering Fruits and Sweets: Place fresh fruits and sweets as offerings before the goddess. You can also offer homemade prasad.
- Chanting of Mantras: Recite “Om Sharikaye Namah” 108 times. You can also recite the Sharika Stuti (a traditional prayer to Goddess Sharika) if familiar.
- Prayers and Personal Wishes: Offer your prayers, express gratitude, and seek blessings for yourself and loved ones.
- Aarti (Devotional Song): Conclude with an aarti, singing or chanting the name of Goddess Sharika, moving the diya in a clockwise direction before the deity.
7. Preparing Eco-Friendly Prasad
- Prepare simple, sattvic (pure) food items as offerings, such as kheer (sweet rice pudding), halwa (semolina dessert), or fresh fruits.
- Use minimal spices, and avoid artificial colors or flavors.
- Avoid Plastic Wrapping: Serve prasad in banana leaves or natural plates that can decompose.
8. Concluding the Puja
- Offer Prasad: Distribute the prasad among family members and friends as a blessing from the goddess.
- Thank the Goddess: Conclude by expressing gratitude and mentally seeking forgiveness for any unintended errors during the worship.
- Remove the Diya: Extinguish the diya, if necessary, by using a flower (do not blow it out with breath, as this is considered disrespectful in Hindu tradition).
9. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Items
- Flowers and Leaves: Return used flowers, leaves, and natural items to nature by composting them or placing them respectfully under a tree. Avoid disposing of them in water bodies to prevent pollution.
- Ashes and Incense Sticks: Collect the ashes from burnt incense sticks and camphor, and either scatter them in your garden or place them in a composting area.
- Prasad Leftovers: Consume leftover prasad within the household or share it with others. Avoid throwing it away, as it’s considered sacred.
10. Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Sharika
- Spiritual Clarity and Calmness: Worship helps foster mental peace, clarity, and emotional resilience.
- Protection and Strength: Goddess Sharika is invoked for protection against negativity, and for courage and strength in adversities.
- Prosperity and Fulfillment: She blesses her devotees with prosperity, fulfillment of desires, and improved well-being.
- Environmental and Spiritual Harmony: By using eco-friendly items, devotees respect both nature and the deity, achieving a balance of spiritual and environmental consciousness.
Mantras and Prayers
- Primary Mantra: “Om Aim Hreem Shreem Sharikaye Namah” – This mantra invokes Goddess Sharika’s divine energy.
- Sharika Stuti: If familiar with the stuti, this prayer further honors and pleases the goddess with praises, describing her qualities and compassion.
Final Notes
Worshipping Goddess Sharika with reverence and simplicity aligns with the essence of Hindu spirituality. By keeping the rituals eco-friendly and using natural items, devotees not only honor the goddess but also contribute positively to the environment.