The worship of Gandharvas in Hinduism is rooted in acknowledging them as celestial beings known for their musical abilities, ethereal beauty, and their role as messengers between the divine and human realms. Gandharvas are often associated with joy, creativity, and the arts, and worshipping them is believed to invite their blessings for happiness, harmony, and artistic inspiration. Here's a complete guide to performing a simple, eco-friendly Gandharva Puja.
Benefits of Worshipping Gandharvas
- Enhances Creativity: Gandharvas are patrons of the arts and music. Their blessings are believed to enhance creativity and help individuals excel in artistic fields.
- Promotes Inner Peace and Joy: Worshipping these celestial beings is said to bring inner harmony, peace, and joy.
- Improves Communication Skills: Gandharvas are known for their eloquence and are considered messengers between gods and humans, so their worship can enhance verbal expression and communication.
- Blesses with Divine Love and Unity: They are associated with harmony in relationships and can be worshipped to promote love and unity within families and communities.
Preparation for Worship
Cleanliness and Dress Code
- Cleanliness: Begin with a thorough cleaning of the space where the puja will be conducted. Traditionally, the area is swept, sprinkled with Ganga Jal (holy water), and decorated with flowers.
- Clothing: Light, pastel-colored clothing such as white, yellow, or light green are preferred as they are associated with purity, harmony, and peace, which align with Gandharva qualities.
Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
- Organic Incense Sticks or Cones: Made from natural ingredients like sandalwood or jasmine.
- Earthen Oil Lamp (Diya): Use oil lamps made from clay and light them with eco-friendly cotton wicks and sesame or mustard oil.
- Fresh Flowers: Choose locally sourced flowers like jasmine, lotus, or marigold, which are often used in Gandharva worship.
- Seasonal Fruits and Fresh Coconuts: As an offering to the Gandharvas.
- Organic Ghee and Milk: For offering during the puja.
- Eco-Friendly Plate and Bowl (Thali): Use a copper or brass plate to hold offerings, avoiding plastic.
- Tulsi or Basil Leaves: Tulsi leaves are commonly offered as they are sacred in Hinduism.
- Natural Clay or Metal Idol/Photo Frame of Gandharvas: Avoid plastic or synthetic material.
Simple Steps of Gandharva Puja
1. Set up the Altar
- Place the clay or metal idol or picture of Gandharvas on a clean altar.
- Surround the altar with fresh flowers and light an earthen diya (oil lamp).
2. Purify the Space
- Sprinkle Ganga Jal (holy water) around the altar and light incense sticks to purify the environment.
3. Begin the Puja
Begin with a prayer of invocation, inviting Gandharvas to bless the space with their presence. Chant the following mantra:
"Om Gandharvaya Namah"
- Repeat this mantra 11 or 21 times, focusing on welcoming the Gandharvas.
4. Offer Flowers and Fruits
- Offer fresh flowers to the deity, imagining peace and harmony spreading throughout your surroundings.
- Present fruits and a coconut to the Gandharvas as a sign of gratitude and devotion.
5. Light Incense and Lamp
Light the incense and the diya, allowing the fragrance to create a serene ambiance. Chant:
"Om Gandharva Veeraya Swaha"
6. Offer Prasad
- Prepare a simple prasad (holy food) of seasonal fruits or sweets made from natural ingredients like jaggery and coconut. A popular option is a coconut and jaggery mixture known as "Churma."
Mantras and Prayers
Main Invocation Mantra:
- "Om Gandharvaya Namah"
Prayer for Blessings:
- "O Celestial Gandharvas, bestow upon us your blessings of joy, creativity, and harmony. May your music and beauty inspire us to live harmoniously and in tune with the divine."
Mantra to Conclude:
- "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti" – Recite this at the end of the puja to signify peace.
Concluding the Puja
Aarti: Conclude the puja by performing a simple aarti (ritual of waving the flame in a circular motion) with the diya. This final act represents the culmination of worship and the spreading of divine light.
Thank the Deity: Offer a final prayer of gratitude, thanking the Gandharvas for their blessings.
Distribute Prasad: After the puja, share the prasad with family members and neighbors as a way of spreading the blessings of the Gandharvas.
What to Do with Puja Leftover Items
- Flowers and Leaves: Compost any leftover flowers or leaves used in the puja, or immerse them in a garden or tree base, giving back to nature.
- Diya Oil and Incense Ash: Ash from incense and oil from the diya can be respectfully disposed of near plants, as they enrich the soil and are biodegradable.
- Unused Prasad: Share leftover prasad with others or offer it to animals like cows, as it is believed to spread blessings and joy.
Importance of Gandharva Worship
Gandharva worship holds a significant place in Hinduism, symbolizing the celebration of art, harmony, and divine love. Worshipping Gandharvas encourages a life of beauty and harmony, helping devotees align their lives with these celestial qualities. By honoring Gandharvas, devotees invite a spirit of creativity and positive communication, and the blessings of the Gandharvas are believed to foster inner peace and joy. Through an eco-friendly approach, the worship also honors the natural world, respecting the environment as sacred.
In conclusion, Gandharva puja can be a simple yet powerful practice, cultivating an atmosphere of joy, creativity, and divine harmony within and around the devotee's life.