4    Procedure of ‘Puja’ to Ganapati, Shiva, Chandi, Vishnu or Surya

In the context of normal Puja, the ‘Puja Mandap’ (Platform) may be arranged for worship to Dhata and Vidhata as also Ganga and Yamuna in the Dakshina (South), then to Shankhanidhi and Padma nidhi, Dwara Lakshmi, Vaastu Purusha, Adhara Shakti, Kurma, Ananta, Prithvi, Dharma, Gyana, Vairaagya, and Aishwarya. Then puja be performed to Adharma (Vice), Ajnaan (Ignorance), Avairagya (Worldly attractions), and ‘Anaishwarya’ (Extreme Poverty) by visualising the Lotus Parts of root, stem, lotus flower, kesar powder and the lotus-ears. Then worship the four Vedas, the three Gunas of Sat-Rajo-Tamas, the Shaktis viz. Vimala, Utkarshini, Jnaana, Kriya, and Yoga. Puja should be done to Prahvi, Satya, Isha, Anugraha, Durga, Sarasvati, Ganesha, Kshetrapala, Vasudeva (Samkarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha). Continue the Puja to Hridaya (heart), Shira (head), Shikha (tuft), Kavacha,(shoulders),  Netra (Eyes) etc.as also to Shankha (conchshell), Chakra (the wheel), Gada (mace), Padma called ‘Astras’; to Srivatsa, Koustubh, Vanamali and Lakshmi, Pushti, and Garuda. Puja should be performed to Dikpalakas viz. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti, Varuna, Vaayu, Kubera, Ishana, Brahma and Ananta.

Having observed the above, Ganapati Puja may be initiated to accomplish all the desires. The Anga Nyasa may commence with:

Ganamjayaya Swaha-Hridaya; Eka dumshtraaya hum-shir; Achala karniney namo namah-shikha; Gajavaktraaya namo namah-Kavacha; Mahodaraaya chandaaya namah-netra; Sudundahastaaya hum phat-Astra.

This will be followed by puja of the main petals of Lotus viz. Gana, Guru, Guru-Paduka, Shakti, Ananta and Dharma. Then, puja be performed to the nine Peetha-Shaktis viz. Tivra, Jwalini, Nanda, Bhogada, Kamarupini, Ugra, Tejovati, Satya and Vighnanaashini. ‘Asana’ of Chandana may be offered with the Beeja Mantras: ‘Yam’: Shoshaka vayu; ‘Ram’: Agni; ‘Lam’: Plava (Prithvi) and ‘vam’: Amrita. The Ganesha Gayatri may be rendered next: Om Lambodaraaya Vidmahey Mahodaraaya Dheemahey tanno dantii prachodayaat. Then the limbs of Ganesha be worshipped with the following ‘naamaas’:

Ganapati, Ganaadhipa, Ganesha, Mahodara, Gajavaktra, Lambodara, Vikata, Vishna naashana and Dhumrvarna, besides Indra and Loka paalaas. 

Shiva Puja is initiated with worship to Nandi Deva, followed by Durga, Yamuna, Shiva Ganas, Vaani, Shree, Guru, Vaastudeva, Adhara Shakti, and Dharma. Then Puja should be performed to ‘Nava Shaktis’, viz. Vaama, Jyeshtha, Roudri, Kaali, Kala-vikarini, Balavikarini, Balapramathini, Sarvabhutashamani, and Kalyanamayi Manonmayi. Shiva Puja is then commenced with the Mantra HAAM HAM HAAM SHIVA MURTAYENAMAH by Anga Nyasa of the Pancha Mukha ( Five Faces of Shiva with the Mantra viz.: HAAM ISHAANAAYA NAMAH, HEEM VAAMADEVAAYA NAMAH, HUUM  SADYOJAATAAYANAMAH, HAIM AGHORAAYA NAMAH, HOUM TATPURU -SHAAYA NAMAH/  Then worship only to Shiva by the Mantra HOUM SHIVAAYA HOUM/ ; HAAM HAUM SHIVAAYA NAMAH (Avahana) with Sthapani Mudra, Sannidhaapani Mudra, and Samnirodhani Mudra and NISHTHURAAYAI KAALKALYAYAI PHUT  with Khadga Mudra to toss away obstacles.Then perform ‘Amritikaran’by saying: Hridayaya namah (heart representing Chetana Shakti), Sirasey Swaaha (Siras representing eight-folded Ishvaryas); Shikhaayai vashath (Shikha representing Vashitva/ complete control); Kavachaaya hum (kavacha / shield representing Abhedya Teja or indestructible radiance); Netraabhyaam voushat (Shiva’s intolerable valour destroys all obstacles) and Astraaya Phut. Thus the Lord’s physical parts are distinguished with Hridayaya namah, Shirasey swaaha, Shikhaayai vashat, Kavachaaya hum, Netraabhyaam voushat, and Astraaya Phut and while uttering the words perform ‘Panchopachaaraas’ or five services viz. ‘paadya’ to his feet, ‘achamana’ with Arghya /water, Durva leaf, Pushpa, and Akshata kept on the head of the Idol             ( Linga). Then the devoteed should proceed with ‘Abhisheka’/ ‘Abhukshan’ first with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar to the ‘Pancha Mukhas’ viz. Ishana, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva, and Sadyojaata with the respective Mantras viz.


Om Ishaanah Sarva Vidyaameeshwarah Sarva Bhutaanaam Brahmaadhipatirbrahmano Brahaa Shivomestu Sadaa Shivom; Om Tatpurushaaya vidmahey Maha Devaaya dhimahi, tanno Rudrah prachodayaat;Om Aghorebhyothaghorebhyah, Sarveybhyaha Sarva sarvebhoy namastestu Rudra Rupebhyah/; Om Vaamadevaaya namo Jyeshthaayanamah Shreshthaaya namo Rudraaya namah Kaalaaya namah Kalavikaranaaya namo Balavikaranaaya namo Balaaya  namo Bala Pramathanaayanamah Sarva Bhuta damanaaya namo Manonmayaya namaha; Om Sadyojaatama prapadyaami Sadyojaataaya vai namo namah, bhavey bhavey naatibhavey bhavaswa maam bhavodbhavaayanamah/

 Further bathe the Vigrah/ Linga with chandana, kesar etc.and clean it with a clean Vastra; never keep the ‘Mastaka’(top) of the Linga without flowers and perform the ‘Upacharas’ or services viz. Paadya, Achamana, Arghya, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya, Achamaneeya, Katodvartan, Tambula, Mukhavaasa/ mouth-freshener, Darpana, Durva, Akshata etc. Recite the Mula Mantrahundred and eight times and pray as follows:

Yatkinchitkurmahey Deva sadaa sukrut dushkrutam,

Tanmey Shivapadasthasya hum khah kshepaya Shankara,

Shivo daataa Shivo bhokta Shivah Sarvamidam jagat,

Shivo jayati Sarvatra yah Shivah sohameyvacha/

(Deva Shankara! We surrenderb at the most propitious feet of Yours for protection. Whatever good-bad deeds that we have so far commited may please be cancelled and discarded. HUM KSHAH! Shiva is the Daataa / donor; Shiva is the Bhokta / the acceptor; Shiva is the whole Universe; Victory be to Shiva always; whatever is Shiva is Shiva / myself! 

Surya Puja commences with worship to Nandi, Pingala, Ucchaiswara, and Aruna , followed by Prabhuta, Vimala, Soma, Prathah Sandhya and Saayam Sandhya, Para Sukha and Skanda; further followed by Pujas to Nava Shaktis viz. Deepta, Sukshma, Jaya, Bhadra, Vibhuti, Vimala, Amogha, Vidyuta and Sarnathomukhi. Then ‘Asanam’(seat) is to be arranged by the Mantra: Brahma Vishnu Shivaatmakaaya Shouraaya peethhaya namah/ Then other ‘Upachaaraas’ (Services) are offered to Surya Deva as follows: Om kham Khakholkaaya namah: Deva Suryodbhbhavaaya namah;  Om hraam hreem sah Suryaya namah-iti Puja; Om Aaam namah-hridayaaya namah; Om Arkaaya namah-sirah pujayami.

Similarly Puja should be performed to Agni: Om Bhurbhuvah swah Jwalaanyai shikhaaai namah, Om hum kavachaayai namah; om netra bhyaam namah; om rum Arkaastraaya namah. Agni puja may be followed by the Pujas to Surya’s two wives viz. Sangjna Devi and Chhaaya Devi, to Chandra, Mangal, Budhha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu along with relevant services like ‘Asana’ etc.

Vishnu Puja is initiated with offering ‘Aasanam’ by the Mantra: Om Shreem Shreem Shridharo Harih Hraam/ This would be followed by Murti Puja with the Trailokya mohana Mantras viz. Om kleem Hrishikeshaya namah and Om hum Vishnavey namah/ The Anganyasa Mantras are as follows: Om Aam Hridayaaya namah, Om eem shirasey namah, Om Uum shikhaayai namah, Om aem kavachaaya namah, Om aim netrabhyaam namah, Om Astraaya namah, Om Chakraayanamah, Om gum Gadayai namah, etc. covering Shankha, Khadga, Sharanga Dhanush, Paasha, Ankusha, Musala, Shri Vatsa, Koustubha, Vanamala, Maha Lakshmi and Garuda. This Puja would further continue with Stutis of Vishnu and Lakshmi; and relevant Mantras to: Om Gum Ganapatayenamah, Om hreem Gauryaimamah, Om Shreem Shriayai namah, Om hreem Twaritayai namah, Om Aim kleem soum Tripuraayaanamah. The Puja would contain all the relevant services including Arghya, Paadya, Achamana, Madhuparka, Snaana, Vastra, Yagnopaveeta, Abushana, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhupa, Dipa and Naivedya all dedicated to: ‘Om Namo Bhagavatey Pundarikaakshaaya.’  This kind of all- comprehensive Puja should indeed bestow the ‘Chaturvidha Purusharthas’ of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha to the devotees.



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