Puja Vidhi

Vighneshwara Dhyana

Shuklaam baraDHaram VishuNum

ShashivarNam chathurBHujam
Prasanna vadanam DHyaayeth
SarvaviGhnopa shaanthaye

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 1

 Puja Vidhi
Summary of these sessions

16 sessions of 60 minutes each

Religious & spiritual concepts

Practical 16 steps puja method (Shodashopachara)

Ritual with scientific meaning

Common alankara slokas for Puja Vidhi

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 2

 Puja Vidhi
Learning Objectives
What, When, Why, Where, How of Puja?
Who performs Puja?
To whom do you perform Puja?
Know Puja Vidhi practically
Learn Puja Vidhi alankara slokas
Understand Bhakthi and Upasana
Understand everyday worship or Nitya Puja

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 3

 Puja Vidhi
Competence Gained
Performance of:
Shodashopachara Nitya Puja (16 steps)
Ritual meaningfully (not unmindfulfly, incompetently)
Recitation of 21 puja vidhi slokas with meaning
Be a role model to your child/children (managing mind)
Ability to clarify questions about puja and teach slokas to
children
Clarity of life purpose/goal

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 4

 Puja Vidhi
Competence Gained (continued)

Develop Shraddha , Bhakthi, and Upasana (Karma and

Jnana)
Knowledge of guna and akara of Brahman (God)
Ability to invoke spiritual/divine energy
Enhanced samskrita vocabulary with meanings (Phala,
Sankalpa, Upachara, Athithi Satkara, Bhakthi, Shraddha, )
Skill of performing puja as a mental exercise*

* BG Ch VII Verse 1
Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 5
 Puja Vidhi
Competence Gained (continued)
Verse 1, Bhagavad Gita Chapter VII

Mayy aasaktha manaH paartha yogam yunjana madh aashrayaH

Asamshyam samagram maam yaTha jnyaasyasi thath shruNu

Hear Partha, how with (your) mind intent (focused) on me, practicing
yoga (total integrity), and taking refuge (abiding) in me (Pure
Consciousness) you will know (be) me (Pure Consciousness) fully without
any doubt

Summary: Focus, paying attention, or being mindfully aware is the key

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 6

 Puja Vidhi
Concept of Athithi
Thithi = Finite or Anticipated Time

Athithi = Uncertain or unanticipated person

God in incognito form

Reverence and hospitality

Appeasement

Await or ask for blessings

Athithi Devo Bhava ! (Guest is a divine flow or divinity)

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 7
 Puja Vidhi
Guest Hospitality (Ancient Village Style)*
Wash hands and legs outside the house
Offer a seat
Offer a glass of water
Offer some interim sweets (panaka)
Have praise-worthy discussions
Perhaps overnight stay
Offer lunch/dinner, bedding, and other comforts
Offer a bath, new clothing, etc.
In return, the guest might exchange a token of gratitude
* Athithi Upachara
Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 8
 Puja Vidhi
Guest Hospitality (Continued)
Athithi Sathkaara*
Sathkara = Sath + kaara = Essential (sincere or heartfelt) + action

Mindful

Respectful

Clear intent

Focused attention (no distractions)

Consciously competently

* Normally head of the house, considered reverential, an Upachara

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 9
 Puja Vidhi
Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi
Shodashopachara = Shodasha + Upachara

Shodasha = Shat + Dasha = 6 + 10 = 16

Upachara = Hospitality (Offering, service, being near to serve)

Others = Panchopachara (5), Chathushshashtiopachara (64)

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 10

 Puja Vidhi
Shodashopachara Puja Steps
1. Avahanam (Welcome) 1 99. Gandham (Sandal paste, Prithvi)
2. Aasanam (Seating) 10. Akshathaam (Sacred Rice)
3. Paadhyam (Feet wash) 11. Pushpam (Flowers, Akasha)
4. Arghyam (Hand wash) 12. Dhoopam (Incense, Vaayu)
5. Aachamanam (Drink Water) 13. Deepam (Lamp, TejaH)
6. Snaanam (Bath) 2 14. Naivedyam (Water, ApaH)
7. Vastram (Dress) 15. Taamboolam
8. Upaveetham (Janeev) 3 16. Neerajanam (Camphor) 4

1 Dhyaanam 4 Vandanam or PradakshiNa

2 Madhuparkam Two Additional Steps:
3 AbharaNam PradakshiNa, Mantra Pushpam

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 11

 Puja Vidhi
Puja Vidhi using Purusha Sooktha Mantra
PUJA STEP PURUSHA SOOKTHA VERSE
1. Avahanam Sahasra Sheersha PurushaH
2. Aasanam Purusha evedagam sarvammm
3. Paadhyam Etaavaanasya mahima
4. Arghyam Tripaadoordva udaith punaH
5. Aachamanam Thasmaadh viraadajaayatha
6. Snaanam Yath purusheNa havishaa
7. Vasthram Sapthaasya san paridhayaH
8. Upaveetham Tham yagnam barahishiprokshann
9. Gandham Thasmaath yagnaath sarvahuthaH
10. Akshatham/AbharaNam Thasmaath yagnaath sarvahuthaH

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 12

 Puja Vidhi
Puja Vidhi using Purusha Sooktha Mantra
PUJA STEP PURUSHA SOOKTHA VERSE
11. PushpaaNi Thasmaadhashva ajaayantha
12. Dhoopam Yath purusham vyadhadhuhu
13. Dheepam BraahmaNosya mukhamaseeth
14. Naivedyam Chandrama manaso jaathaH
15. Thamboolam Naabhya aaseedhantariksham
16. Neerajanam Vedahametham purusham mahaantham
17. PradakshaNa Namaskaram Dhaatha purasthaath dhyamujarahara
18. Mantra Pushpam Yagnena yagna mayajantha devaaH

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 13

 Puja Vidhi
Variations of the Vidhi

Loka Rudi dependent

Additional slokas welcome

Modifications welcome

Being open (inclusive, non-judgmental, accepting, tolerant)

Jul 14, 2013 Puja Vidhi kp Session 1 14