MY PANCAYATANA PUJA

[Note: What is given below is an outline of how I do my Pancayatana-pUjA. I have been doing
it for the past fifty years & more of course now and then there have been breaks, short and
long. I have not referred to any old manuscripts or any formal book; but what is written is
what I got from my father sixty years ago, with, of course, some compromises I had to
introduce due to my inability, over the years, to follow all rules. I do have a mss. of my father
to which I do refer now and then]
For many Sanskrit and Sanskrit-cum-Tamil words I am not giving the English meaning,
because I presume those interested in this PUjA would be familiar with such words.

Key to Transliteration of Sanskrit words

Kyoto-Harvard Convention (Modified)
Consonants:
Vowels:
a as the u in but
A or Aa or aa as the a in father
i as the i in mill
I as the ea in meal
u as the u in put
U as the u in rule
e as the ey in they
ai as the ai in aisle
o as the o in go
au as the ou in loud
R as the r in Sanskrit

gutturals k kh g gh G
palatals c ch j jh jna
linguals T Th D Dh N
dentals t th d dh n
labials p ph b bh m
semivowels y r l v
Sibilants

As in
Palatal s as in the
German word
sprechen
Shutter, shame
Sun, sand

Sanskrit Examples
Beginning of word Middle of word
Sh (or) sh
S
ISvara, darSana, paSyati, ViSvaM
Shankara, shAnti, Shiva, ShaSi (*)
Shh (or) shh
S (or) s

Sh (or) sh
S

Vishnu, Purusha, dvesha. ShhaNmukha,

samsAra, SamsAra, Satva, satva, VasanA

Note on (*): In the word ShaSi, the same palatal s is transliterated differently in the beginning
(as Sh) and in the middle of the word (as S). Another word where this situation occurs is, for
example, shuSrUshA where the first sh and the middle S represent the same palatal s.
anusvAra ---- M visarga ---- H aspiration ----- h

PujA articles needed:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Panca-pAtram + UdraNi
Akshatai just a teaspoon.
Kumkumam Sandal-paste (a tea-spoon of this to be made for each pUjA day)
An Asana for sitting. (One is supposed to sit facing East or North)
A seat (Peetham) for keeping the deities and other accessories. If there is a picture
included in your pUjA, the picture will face South or East according respectively to the
way you face, as described in No.5.
7. A PujA Bell, which usually has a nandi at its top.
8. A plate (called snAna-vedhi) for keeping the deities for the purposes of Abhishekam. It
may have a hole in the centre so that the Abhisheka-water may collect in a vessel below;
or it may have a channel-like outlet by which the abhisheka-water may flow into another
vessel. Another plate or cup (to be called arghya-pAdya-AcamanIya pAtram -- to be
shortened as apA-pAtraM , hereafter in this document).
9. Flowers for the PujA.
10. VibhUti
11. Three or four small plates, five small cups (each of which to be able to hold at least two
tablespoons of water). These five are for the so-called five kalaSas, ISAna, etc. These are
to be arranged on a plate, one in the centre, one each in the four directions of the centre.
12. Shankham, with some kind of stand for it, so that it may hold water and sit flat
13. Camphor (to be used for the karpUra-nIrAnjanaM)
14. Agarbati (to be used as a continuous light emitting fragrance throughout the pUjA as well
as for the dhUpAM part of the sixteen-part pUjA)
15. Cotton for deepam ( both for #16 below and for the deepaM part of the sixteen-part
pUjA).
16. Kuttu-vilakku or its equivalent
17. A vessel for holding about six glasses of water; and most important of all,
18. The PujA deities to be separately described, along with two or three small kerchieflike towels to be used for drying the deities after the abhisheka, these towels not to be
used for any other purpose.
Note: Metals used in the above articles should, as far as possible, avoid steel or iron. My own
compromise is: except for #17 above, all are either silver or brass or bronze.
Preferable Vedic Knowledge: To be able to recite Rudram, Camakam, Purusha-sUktam. This
much is a minimum. If Recitation can be done without the book, it will be wonderful; for, both
the hands and all your attention would be needed for the pUjA. To hold a book in one of the
hands would be most inconvenient. Anything else that you can recite would be valuable.
Daily Prerequisite: Morning Sandhyavandanam should have been done.
Do an AcamanaM and then start:

ShuklAmbaradharaM vishNum shaSi varNaM caturbhujaM /

Prasanna-vadanaM dhyAyet sarva-vighnopaSAntaye //
Guru brahmA gururvishNuH gurur-devo maheSvaraH/
Gurus-sAkshAt paraM prahma tasmai shrI gurave namaH //
prANAyAmaM.
SankalpaM: shubhe shobhane muhUrte Adya-brahmaNaH dvitIya-parArdhe Shveta-varAha
kalpe vaivasvata-manvantare ashtAvimSatitame kaliyuge prathame pAde jambU-dvipe bhAratavarshe bharatha-khaNDe meroH dakshiNe pArshve ----shakAbde asmin vartamAne vyAvahArike
prabhavAdi shhashTi-samvatsarANAM madhye ---- nAma-samvatsare ----ayane -----Ritau ---mAse ---pakshe --- tithau --- nakshatra-yuktAyAM shubha-yoga shubha-karaNa evamguNa
viSeshaNa-viSishTAyAM asyAM --- shubha-thithau mamopAtta-samasta-durita-kshayadvArA
shrI-parameSvara-prItyarthaM asmAkaM saha-kuTumbAnAM kshema-sthairya-vIrya-vijayaAyur-Arogya-aiSvaryANAM abhivRiddhyarthaM dharmArtha-kAma-moksha caturvidha-phalapurushArtha-siddhyarthaM ishTa-kAmyArtha-siddhyarthaM sarvAbhIshTa-siddhyarthaM
sarvArishTa-shAntyartham aroga-dhRDha-gAtrathA-siddhyarthaM ShrI-sItA-lakshmaNabharata-shatrughna-hanUmat-sameta shrI rAma-chandrAdi-samasta-hari-hara-devatAprasAda-siddhyarthaM sAmba-parameSvara-prasAda-siddhyarthaM
[At this point, for the past few months, I have been adding the following : asmin janmani
janmAnte bhagavat-smaraNena saha anAyAsa-maraNa-prAptyarthaM, janmAntarepi
manushya-janma-prApti-dvArA parmAtmani atyanta-bhakti-siddhyarthaM, ekAnta-bhakti
siddhyarthaM advaita-bhakti-siddhyarthaM]
sAmba-parameSvare para-brahmaNi acancalA-bhakti-siddhyarthaM yAvac-chakti deva-pUjAM
karishye. Adau deva-pUjAngaM shakti-pancAkshara mahAmantra-japaM karishye. tat-pUrvaM
mahA-gaNapati-mahA-mantra-japaM karishye.
[These two japas are now done. Obviously, the assumption is that you have been initiated into
these japas formally by some one whom you consider to be your guru for that purpose. I have
been initiated into the shakti-pancAksharI by my father and into the mahA-gaNapati mantra by
another Guru-ji]
[One is supposed to do 108 times japa of each of the mantras. This is the ideal situation.
Compromises are 54 or 32. Ten time japa is only an apology. But some of the days I confess it
turns out to be only an apology!]
KalaSa-pUjA:
kalaSa-pUjAM karishye /
[Decorate the water-filled pancapAtraM with chandan & kumkum & flowers]

kalaSasya AdhAre dvAdaSa-kalAtmane am arka-maNDalAya namaH / madhye daSa-kalAtmane

mam vahni-maNDalAya namaH / mukhe ShhoDaSa-kalAtmane um soma-maNDalAya namaH //
indrAya namaH / yamAya namaH / varuNAya namaH / somAya namaH /
tatpurushAya namaH / [This on the east of the pAtram]
aghorAya namaH [This on the south]
vAmadevAya namaH [This on the north]
sadyojAtAya namaH [This on the west]
ISAnAya namaH [This on the water in the pAtram]
Tham vam amRte amRtodbhave amRtamayAsrAvaya srAvaya
[Show the dhenu mudrA]
[Now place your right palm on the top of the panca-pAtram].
kalaSasya mukhe vishNuH kaNThe rudraH samASritAH / mUle tatra sthito brahmA madhe
mAtR-gaNAH-smRtAH /kukshau tu sAgarAs-sarve sapta-dvIpA vasundharA / Rgvedotha yajurveda sAmavedohyatharvaNaH / angaiSca sahitAs-sarve kalaSAmbu samASritAH / AyAntu devapUjArthaM durita-kshaya-kArakAH / gange ca yamune caiva godAvarI saraswatI / narmade
sindhu kAverI jale-smin sannidhiM kuru /
Mantras to be recited now, if you know: Apo vA idam sarvaM bhUrbhuvasuavroM / Also
to be recited three times to be recited: GayatrI and any other mantra to which you have been
initiated.
Shankha-pUjA:
[Now decorate the shankham with sandal and kumkum & flowers; fill it up with water from the
panca-pAtram ]
[Hold the shankham in your left palm and cover it up with the right palm]

Shankha-mUle sthito brahmA shankha-madhye saraswatI / shankhAgre sarva-tIrthAni tasmAcchankhaM prapUjayet // tvaM purA sagarotpanno vishNunA vidhRtaH kare / pUjitas-sarvadevAnAM pAncajanya-namostu te // pAnca-janyAya vidmahe pAvamAnAya dhImahi / tannaH
shankhaH pracodayAt //
[Say the GAyatrI and the pancAkshara-mantram three times ]
[Sprinkle the shankha-water three times into the panca-pAtram as well as all the accessories kept
for the pUjA. Also sprinkle it three times on yourself. Any remaining water in the shankham to
be poured into the panca-pAtraM. Now the panca-pAtram water has been purified. So pour a
little from it into the stored water-vessel No.17, so that all the water that will be used for the

pUjA would have been purified. In the course of the rest of the pUjA, as and when the water in
the panca-pAtram gets emptied, fill it up from No.17 hereafter].
[Fill up the shankham again with water from the panca-pAtram, decorate with flowers and show
the mudrAs of shankha, cakra-gadA-padma and dhenu]
pUjA of the five kalaSas ISAna etc.:
Sandal, flowers, and akshata (mixed with sandalpaste and kumkum), all to be used as offering to
each of the kalaSa with the following mantras:
naM hrAM ISAnAya Urdha-vaktrAya namaH -- for the central kalaSa, (to be called hereafter
ISAna-kalaSa).
maM hrIM tatpurushAya pUrva-vaktrAya namaH -- for the kalaSa on the east, (to be called
hereafter tatpurusha-kalaSa).
shiM hrUM aghorAya dakshiNa-vaktrAya namah -- for the kalaSa on the south (to be called
hereafter aghora-kalaSa)
vAM hraiM vAmadevAya uttara-vaktrAya namaH for the kalaSa on the north (to be called
hereafter vAmadeva kalaSa)
yaM hrauM sadyojAtAya paScima-vaktrAya namaH for the kalaSa on the west (to be called
hereafter sadyojAta-kalaSa)
[Now fill them with water from the panca-pAtraM, in the following order, with the following
mantras. If you do not know how to recite them with the proper svaras, learn it from any vedic
pundit]
[Filling up of the ISAna-kalaSa] ISAnas-sarva-vidyAnAM Isvaras-sarva-bhUtAnAM
brahmAdhipatiH brahmaNodhipatir brahmA shivo me astu sadAshivoM //
[Filling up of the tatpurusha-kalaSa] tatpurushAya vidmahe mahAdevAya dhImahi / tanno
rudraH pracodayAt //
[Filling up of the aghora-kalaSa] aghorebhyotha gorebhyo ghora-ghoratarebhyaH sarvebhyaH
sarva-SarvebhyO namaste astu rudra-rUpebhyaH //
[Filling up of the vAmadeva-kalaSa] vAmadevAya namo jyeshTAya namaH shreshTAya namo
rudrAya namaH kAlAya namaH kalavikaraNAya namo balavikaraNAya namo balAya namo
bala-pramathanAya namas-sarva-bhUta-damanAya namo manonmayAya namaH //
[Filling up of the sadyojAta-kalaSa] sadyojAtaM prapadyAmi sadyojAtAya vai namo namaH
/bhave bhave nAtibhave bhavasva mAM / bhavodbhavAya namaH //
[Now decorate the arghya-pAdya-AcamanIya-pAtram with flowers, sandal and akshatA. Then
do the PujA for the snAna-vedhi as follows]
Om dharmAya namaH / adharmAya namaH//
Om jnAnAya namaH / ajnAnAya namaH //

Om vairAgyAya namaH / avairAgyAya namaH //

Om aiSvaryAya namah / anaiSvaryAya namaH //
[Now do the pUjA for the box or can in which the pancAyatana deities are kept]
Om guM gurubhyo namaH / gaM gaNapataye namaH /duM durgAyai namaH / maM
mahAlakshmyai namaH / saM saraswatyai namaH /kshaM kshetra-pAlakAya namaH /vaM
vaTukAya namaH / paM paramAtmane namaH /
[Ring or Sound the bell with the following shloka:] AgamArtham-tu devAnAM gamanArtham to
rakshasAm /kurve ghaNTAravaM tatra devatAhvana-lAncanaM //
Now you are going to open the deities-box. Before opening it learn what is supposed to be in it.
There are five deities. The deities or divinities are not in their human-like forms but in certain
symbols in the form of stones, which are nothing but certain rock-formations available in
specified locations in the country. Surya, the Sun-God is inherent in certain crystals normally
found in Vallam in Tamilnadu. Shakti is represented by the svarnamukhi stone found in the bed
of the river of that name in the Andhra region. Vishnu is the sAlagrAma stone that can be had in
plenty in the bed of the river GhanTaki in the Himalayas. GaneSa is the red Sonabhadra stone
found in the bed of the river Sone flowing into the Ganga. Finally Shiva is the BANa-linga
which is found in the Omkarakunda of the river Narmada, near the island of Mandhata. It is by
the worship of these formless deities that the devotee trains himself to take the mind from the
forms to the formless while at the same time allowing full scope for his devotional feelings.
[When you open the box, say the following]:
vedAnta-vedyAkhila-viSva-mUrte vibho virUpAksha-vikAra-rUpa /
viSveSa viSvAdhika-viSva-mUrte kavATam-udghATaya kAla-kAla //
[The deities are to be placed on the snAna-vedhi in a particular arrangment.The rule is:
AgneyyAM sUryaM niRRtyAM gaNapatiM vAyavyAm-ambikAM aiSAnyAM ca vishNum
sthApayet. That is, Surya in the south-east, gaNapati in the southwest, ambikA in the northwest,
and vishNu in the northeast, with Shiva in the centre].
atha-AtmANaM ShivAtmAnaM rudra-rUpiNaM dhyAyet - meaning, then one should meditate on
ones own Self as Shiva Himself thus:
[Note here the distinguishing characteristic of
the philosophy of advaita taking over.]
shuddha-sphaTika-sankASaM triNetraM panca-vaktrakaM /
gangAdharaM daSa-bhujaM sarvAbharaNa-bhUshitaM //
nIlagrIvaM shaSAnkAnkaM nAga-yajnopavItinaM /
nAgAbharaNa-shobhADhyaM vyAghra-carmottariyakaM //
kamaNDvalvaksha-sUtrAdi dhAriNaM ShUlapANinaM /
jvalantaM pingala-jaTAS-ShikhAmadhyoda-dhAriNaM //
vRshas-skanda samArUDhaM umA-dehArdha-dhAriNaM /
amRtenAplutaM hRshTaM divya-bhoga-samanvitaM /
digdevatA-samAyuktaM surAsura-namaskRtaM //

nityaM ca SASvataM shuddhaM dhruvam-aksharam-avyayaM //

sarva-vyApinam-ISAnaM rudraM vai viSva-rUpiNaM /
Rule: [evaM rUpiNaM eva dhyAtva dvijaH samyak tato yajanaM Arabhet : meaning, thus
should the twice-born meditate on the Form and begin his pUjA.
athAto rudra-snAnArcanA-bhishekaM vidhim vyAkhyAsyAmaH : meaning, now let us describe
the process of Abhisheka and Arcana of Lord Rudra]
Note: In what all that follows, 'akshata' means akshata (rice, whole, not broken) mixed with
sandalpaste and kumkum or turmeric powder.
Atma-pUjA :
[Sprinkling the akshata on oneself]: Atmane namaH /paramAtmane namaH / jnAnAtmane
namaH / sat-cid-Ananda-mUrtaye namaH /
deho devAlayaH prokto jIvo devas-sadAshivaH /
tyajed-ajnAna-nirmAlyaM sohambhAvena pUjayet //
Meaning: This body is said to the temple of the Gods. The Soul within is Lord shiva Himself.
Leave off the garbage of Ignorance and do the PujA with the attitude of He I am.
As you place the deities on the snAna-vedhi, recite the following five shlokas on Atma-linga-pUjA, by Shankaracharya:
ArAdhayAmi maNisannibham Atmalingam shambho tavArAdhanaM //
snAna-vedhi pUjA:
[Akshata to be sprinkled on the East of the vedhi]: pUrvadvAre dvArashriyai namaH / dhAtre
namaH, vidhAtre namaH //
[on the south of the vedhi]: dakshiNa dvAre dvArashriyai namaH / jayAya namaH, v ijayAya
namaH //
[on the west of the vedhi]: paScimadvAre dvarashriyai namaH muNDAya namaH, camuNDAya
namaH //
[on the north of the vedhi]: uttaradvAre dvArashriyai namaH / shankanidhaye namaH, padma
nidhaye namah //
indrAya namaH, surAdhipataye namaH / --- on the East side
agnaye namaH, tejodhipataye namaH / --- on the south-east
yamAya namaH, bhUtAdhipataye namaH / --- on the south
niRRtaye namaH, rakshodhipataye namaH / --- on the southwest
varuNAya namaH, jalAdhipataye namaH / --- on the west
vAyave namaH, prANAdhipataye namaH / --- on the northwest
kuberAya namaH, yakshAdhipataye namaH / --- on the north
ISAnAya namaH, vidyAdhipataye namaH / --- on the northeast

[at the centre]:

anantAya namaH, nAgadhipataye namaH
brahmaNe namaH, lokAdhipataye namaH
vishNave namaH, sarvAdhipataye namaH
AdhAra-shaktyai namaH, mUla-prakRtyai namaH
saM satvAya namaH, raM rajase namaH, tam tamase namaH
maM mAyAyai namaH, viM vidyAyai namaH /
madhye suvarNa-maNTapAya namaH //
Now starts the sixteen-part formal pUjA : [The svaras for the vedic mantras used have to be
learnt orally from a Pundit. Without the proper svaras, the pUjA loses all its sanctity]
dhyAnaM & AvAhanaM:
Om Asatyena rajasA vartamAno niveSayan amRtam martyamca / hiraNyayena savitArathena
devo yAti bhuvanA-vipaSyan // Om CchAya-samjnA sameta shrI Surya-nArAyaNaswAminam
dhyAyAmi, avAhayAmi // [Sprinkle the akshata on the Surya deity].
Om shri gaNAnAm tvA ganapatim havAmahai kaviM kavInAm upamashravastamam /
jyeshTarAjam brahmaNAm brahmaNaspata AnashRNvan Utibhis-sIdasAdanaM / Om shrI
mahA-gaNapatim dhyayAmi AvAhayAmi // [Sprinkle the akshata on the Vinayaka deity].
Om gaurImimAya salilAni takshatyekapadI dvipadI sA catushpadI / ashTApadI navapadI
babhUvushI sahasrAksharA parame vyoman // GaurIM dhyAyAmi AvahayAmi [Sprinkle the
akshatA on the ambikA deity].
Om ISAnas-sarva-vidyAnAM Isvaras-sarva-bhUtAnAM brahmAdhipatiH brahmaNodhipatir
brahmA shivo me astu sadAshivoM // Om shrI sAmba-parameSvaram dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi
[Sprinkle the akshata on the Shiva deity].
Om sahasra-sIrshA purushaH / sahasrAkshas-sahasrapAt / sa bhUmiM viSvato vRtvA
/atyatishTad-daSAngulaM /
hiraNya varNAM hariNIm suvarna-rajatas-srajAM / candrAM hiraNmayIM lakshmIM jAtavedo
ma Avaha//
Om shrI lakshmI-nArayaNaM dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi //
[At this point, the following AvAhanAs are added according to our family custom. Each one
may follow ones own family traditions:
Om shrI sItA-lakshmaNa-bharata-shatrughna-hanUmat-sameta shrI rAmachandra parabrahmANaM dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi.
Samasta-hari-hara-devatAn dhyayAmi AvAhayAmi.
durgA-lakshmI-saraswatIm dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi.
Shri Chandra-sekharendra-mahAswAminaM dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi.
Bhagavantam RamaNa maharshiM dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi.
Aravinda-mahAyoginaM dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi
ShrImAtR-yoginIm dhyAyAmi AvAhayAmi.]
AsanaM :
Purusha evedagm sarvaM / yadbhUtaM yacca bhavyaM / utAmRtattvasyeSAnaH / yad-

annenAtirohati //tAM ma Avaha jAtavedo lakshmIm-anapagAminIM /yasyAM hiraNyaM

vindeyaM gAmaSvaM purushAn-ahaM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / AsanaM samarpayAmi // [Sprinkle the akshatA on all the deities in the
snAna-pIThaM]
[One can understand now what is going on. We say four lines from the PurushasUktam and two
lines from the SrisUktaM and keep going on with the sixteen upacAras in that order ]
PAdyaM :
etAvanasya mahimA / ato jyAyAgmSca pUrushaH / pAdo'sya viSvA bhUtAni / tripAdasyAmRtaM
divi // aSva-pUrvAM ratha-madhyAM hastinAda-prabodhinIM / shriyaM devIm-upahvaye shrIrmA devI jushatAM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / PAdyaM samarpayAmi // [Pour an udraNi of water in the apA-pAtraM]
arghyaM:
tripAdUrdhva udait-purushaH / pAdosyehAbhavAt-punaH /tato vishhvang-vyakramat /
sASanAnaSane abhi // kAM sOsmitAM hiraNya-prAkArAM ArdrAM jvalantIM tRptAM
tarpayantIM / padme sthitAM padma-varNAM tAmihopahvaye shriyaM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / arghyaM samarpayAmi //[Pour an udraNi of water in the apA-pAtraM]
AcamanIyaM :
tasmAd-virADajAyata / virAjo adhi pUrushaH /sa jAto atyaricyata / paScAd-bhUmim-atho
puraH // candrAM prabhAsAM yaSasA jvalantIM shriyaM loke devajushTAM udArAM /tAM
padminImIM sharaNam-ahaM prapadye alakshmIr-me naSyatAM tvAM vRNe //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / AcamanIyaM samarpayAmi // [Pour an udraNi of water in the apApAtraM]
SnAnaM :
yat-purusheNa havishA / devA yajnam-atanvata // vasanto asyAsIdajyaM / grIshma idhmaSSaraddhaviH // Aditya-varNe tapaso'dhijAto vanaspatis-tava vRksho'tha bilvaH / tasya phalAni
tapasA nudantu mAyAntarAyASca bAhyA alakshmIH //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / snAnaM samarpayAmi //

[This is one of the most important mandatory part. Here one spends as much time as one
likes. The optimum standard practice is to recite Rudram, Camakam, Purusha-sUktaM, and ShrisUktaM during the abhisheka of the deities. One does not pour water or any liquid just like that.
One uses a cup with a hole at the bottom so that water, milk, honey, curd, coconutwater or any
such liquid pours down the orifice in a continuous straight thin stream. One does this as you
recite the various mantras like Rudram, etc. After this recitation is over, one pours the ISAnAdi
panca-kalaSa water one after the other, but in the reverse order. That is the order now would be
1.from the sadyojAta-kalaSa, . 2. from the vAmadeva-kalaSa 3. from the aghora-kalaSa 4. from
the tatpurusha-kalaSa and 5. from the ISAna-kalaSa , each with the corresponding mantras
associated with that kalaSa..
At the end of this one pours the Sankha water on the deities, and at this point one repeats the
mantra: yat-purusheNa havishA / devA yajnam-atanvata // vasanto asyAsIdajyaM / grIshma
idhmaS-SaraddhaviH // Aditya-varNe tapaso'dhijAto vanaspatis-tava vRksho'tha bilvaH / tasya
phalAni tapasA nudantu mAyAntarAyASca bAhyA alakshmIH // Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya
sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo devatAbhyo namaH / snAnaM
samarpayAmi // snAnAnantaraM AcamanIyaM samarpayAmi // [Pour one udraNi of water in the
apA-pAtraM].
[At the end of this snAna ritual, the pancayatana deities are dried with the towels kept for the
purpose. They are then placed in the pUjA box, in the same geometrical locations that were
prescribed for the snAna-vedhi. During this physical work of putting everything back in place,
drying up the deities, etc. one can recite the stotras that one knows on any of the deities. I for
one, invariably recite the Shiva-pancAkshara-stotra beginning with 'nAgendra-hArAya'.]
VastraM:
saptAsyAsan paridhayaH / tris-sapta-samidhaH kRtAH / devA yad-yajnaM tanvAnAH /
abadhnan purushaM paSuM // upaitu mAM devasakhaH kIrtiSca maNinA saha
/prAdurbhUtosmi rAshTre'smin kIrtimRiddhiM dadAtu me //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / vastraM samarpayAmi // [If there is no vastraM to be used for the pUjA,
say 'vastrArthaM akshatAn samarpayAmi' and sprinkle akshatAs on the deity]
AbharaNaM:
taM yajnaM barhishi proukshan / purushaM jAtam-agrataH / tena devA ayajanta / sAdhyA
RshayaSca ye // kshut-pipAsAmalAM jyeshTAM alakshmIM nASayAmyahaM / abhUtimasamRddhiM-ca sarvAM nirNuda me gRhAt //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / AbharaNAni samarpayAmi [or AbharaNArtham akshatAn samarpayAmi]
GandhaM & KunkumaM :

tasmAd-yajnAt sarva-hutaH / sambhRtaM pRshadAjyaM / paSUgmstAgmScakre vAyavyAn /

AraNyAn grAmyASca ye // gandha-dvArAM durAdharshAM nitya-pushTAM karIshiNIM
/ISvarIgM sarva-bhUtAnAM tAmihopahvaye shriyaM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / gandhAn dhArayAmi; gandhasyopari haridrA-cUrNaM samarpayAmi//
akshatAn :
tasmAd-yajnAt sarvahutaH / Rcas-sAmAni jagnire / ChandAgmsi jagnire tasmAt /yajus-tasmAdajAyata // mahAlakshmI ca vidmahe vishNu-patnI ca dhImahi / tanno lakshmIH pracodayAt //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / gandhAnAM upari akshatAn samarpayAmi //
pushpArcanA:
tasmAd-aSvA ajAyanta / ye ke cobhayAdataH / gAvo ha jagnire tasmAt / tasmAjjAtA ajAvayaH //
manasaH kAmamAkUtiM vAcas-satyam-aSImahi /paSUnAgm rUpamannasya mayi shrIH
shrayatAgm yaSaH /
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / pushpaiH pUjayAmi//
[One spends as much time as one can, at this step. This is the second mandatory part. You can
use all the ashTottaras and sahasranAmas that you can manage. You can also plan them to suit
the different days of the week, or the different festival days that occur. But always precede all of
them by a minimum arcanA of the five pancayatana deities, as follows]
Om mitrAya namaH / Om ravaye namaH / Om sUryAya namaH / Om bhAnave namaH / Om
khagAya namaH / Om pUshNe namaH /Om hiranya-garbhAya namaH / Om marIcaye namaH /
Om Adityaya namaH / Om savitre namaH / Om arkAya namaH / Om bhAskarAya namaH //
Om sumukhAya namaH / Om eka-dantAya namaH / Om kapilAya namaH / Om gaja-karNikAya
namaH / Om lambodarAya namaH /Om vikaTAya namaH / Om vighna-rAjAya namaH / Om
gaNAdhipaya namaH / Om dhUmaketave namaH /Om gaNAdhyakshAya namaH /Om phAlacandrAya namaH /Om gajAnanAya namaH / Om vakra-tunDAya namaH / Om SUrpa-karNAya
namaH /Om herambAya namaH /Om skanda-pUrvajAya namaH / Om siddhi-vinAyaka-swAmine
namaH //
Om bhavasya devasya patnyai namaH / Om sharvasya devasya patnyai namaH / Om ISAnasya
devasya patnyai namaH / Om paSupater devasya patnyai namaH / Om rudrasya devasya patnyai
namaH / Om ugrasya devasya patnyai namaH / Om bhImasya devasya patnyai namaH / Om
mahato devasya patnyai namaH //

Om bhavAya devAya namaH / Om sharvAya devAya namaH / Om ISAnAya devAya namaH / Om

paSUpater devAya namaH / Om rudrAya devAya namaH / Om ugrAya devAya namaH / Om
bhImAya devAya namaH / Om mahate devAya namaH //
Om KeSavAya namaH / Om nArAyaNAya namaH / Om MAdhavAya namaH / Om GovindAya
namaH / Om vishNave namaH / Om MadhusUdanAya namaH / Om trivikramAya namaH / Om
VAmanAya namaH / Om ShrIdharAya namaH / Om RshIkeSAya namaH / Om PadmanAbhAya
namaH / Om dAmodarAya namaH //
DhUpaM :
yat-purushaM vyadadhuH / katidhA vyakalpayan / mukhaM kimasya kau bAhU / kAvUrU
pAdAvucyete // kardamena prajA bhUtA mayi sambhava kardama / shriyaM vAsaya me kule
mAtaraM padma-mAlinIM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / dhUpaM AghrApayAmi// dhUpAnantaraM AcamanIyaM samarpayAmi//
[Pour one udraNi of water in the apA-pAtraM].
dIpaM :
brAhmaNo'sya mukham-AsIt / bAhU rAjanyaH kRtaH / urU tadasya yad-vaiSyaH / padbhyAgm
SUdro ajAyata // ApaH sRjantu snigdhAni ciklIta vasa me gRhe / nica devIM mAtargm shriyaM
vAsaya me kule //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / deepaM darSayAmi // deepAnantaraM AcamanIyaM samarpayAmi// [Pour
one udraNi of water in the apA-pAtraM].
naivedyaM : (This is the third mandatory part. One is supposed to offer the deities, freshly
cooked rice with a sprinkling of ghee on it, a little dholl, pAyasaM, any other sweets done
specially for the offering, fruits of all kinds, coconuts, etc. In short you offer to the Lord
whatever you plan to eat that day -- keeping in mind all the restrictions on food that ShAstras
prescribe.)
candramA manaso jAtaH / cakshos-sUryo ajAyata / mukhAd-indraS-cAgniSca / prANAd-vAyurajayata // ArdrAM pushkariNIM pushTiM suvarNAM hema-mAlinIM / sUryAM hiraNmayIM
lakshmIM jAtavedo ma Avaha //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / ..... phalAni nivedayAmi// naivedyAnantaram AcamanIyaM samarpayAmi /
[Pour one udraNi of water in the apA-pAtraM]
tAmbUlaM :

nAbhyA AsId-antarikshaM / ShIrshNordyaus-samavartata / padbhyAM bhUmir-diSas-shrotrAt /

tathA lokAgm akalpayan // ArdrAM yah-kariNIM yashTiM pingalAm padma-mAlinIM /
candrAM hiraNmayIm lakshmIM jAtavedo ma Avaha //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / karpUra-tAmbUlaM samarpayAmi //
KarpUra-nIrAjanaM :
[This is the fourth mandatory part].
vedAhametaM purushaM mahAntaM / Aditya-varNaM tamasastu paare /sarvANi rUpANi vicitya
dhIraH /nAmAni kRtvA'bhivadan yadAste / / tAM ma Avaha jAtavedo lakshmIm-anapagAminIM
/ yasyAM hiraNyaM prabhUtaM gAvo dAsyo'shvAn vindeyaM purushAnahaM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / karpUra-nIrAjanaM darSayAmi// nIrAjanAnantaraM AcamanIyaM
samarpayAmi / [Pour one udraNi of water in the apA-pAtraM]
PradakshiNa-namaskArAn :
[This is the fifth and last mandatory part].
dhAta purastAd-yamudAjahAra / shakraH pravidvAn pratiSaS-catasraH / tamevaM vidvAnamRta iha bhavati /nAnyaH panthA ayanaya vidyate // vishNupatNIm kshamAM devIM
mAdhavIM mAdhava-priyAM / lakshmIM priya-sakhIm devIm namAmy-acyuta-vallabhAM //
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / pradakshiNa-namaskArAn samarpayAmi //
Mantra-pushpaM :
Om sAngAya sa-parivArAya sAmba-parameSvarAya namaH / AvAhitAbhyas-sarvAbhyo
devatAbhyo namaH / vedokta-mantra-pushpaM samarpayAmi // samastopacArashhoDaSopacArAn samarpayAmi // All the remaining flowers to be offered to the Lord at this
point; if convenient, all the members of the family can gather together, recite the mantrapushpaM portion from the scriptures and offer flowers at the feet of the deities.
Om shankha-madhye sthitaM toyaM bhrAmitaM shankaropari / anga-lagnaM manushyANAM
brahmahatyAdhikaM dahet // [Thus the water in the shankha is emptied into the abhisheka
water-collection]
Om tatpurushAya vidmahe mahAdevAya dhImahi / tanno rudraH pracodayAt // [ With this
mantra one udraNi of the abhisheka water-collection is sprinkled over the nandi on top of the
Bell] 'iti nandikeSvaraya namaH, baliM nivedayAmi' -- With this mantra a morsel of the food
already offered to the Lord is offered to Nandi.

Now we take one or two or a handful of flowers already offered to Lord Shiva in the PUjA box,
and offer them to Nandi by putting them on the back of the Nandi in the form of a bull -- while
we recite "ISAnas-sarvavidyAnAM ISvaras-sarva-bhUtAnAM brahmAdhipatir
brahmaNodhipatir brahmA shivo me astu sadAshivOM --hara OM, hara Om hara'.
And the finale:
AvAhanaM na jAnAmi na jAnAmi visarjanaM / pUjAvidhiM na jAnAmi kshamasva
parameSvara // aparAdha-sahasrANi kriyante'harniSaM mayA / dAso'yam iti mAM matvA
kshamasva purushottama // anAyAsena maraNaM vinA dainyena jIvanaM / dehi me kRpayA
shambho tvayi bhaktim-acancalAM //
akAla-mRtyu haraNaM sarva-vyAdhi-nivAraNaM / samasta-pApa-kshayakaraM shrI vishNupAdodakaM shubhaM // With this one drinks one sip of the abhisheka water-collection.