Puja is a form of ritual worship used in Hinduism. I have written the following primarily for Westerners interested in learning about Hinduism and Hindu worship that can be practiced by the average follower. Here is a simple puja ritual that I often perform at home.

Items Needed for Puja:

Bell, incense, deepa (lamp), extra oil for the lamp, sandalwood paste, kumkum, vibhuti, scented oils, dish for tray for a food offering, camphor spoon, camphor, 2 towels (one for drying the Deity, one for drying your hands), bowls/containers for bathing the deity, garland or jewelry for adorning the Deity, matches, flowers (optional), Deity statue or symbol or picture, two water cups with a small spoon for offering water, addition oil lamps or candles to decorate the room, taped music, list of 108 names and other mantras to be used in the puja

Make a check list of all the items you will need for the ritual. It is disrupting to the flow of energies to stop the ritual to search for any missing item.

It is typical for the pujari (the person performing the service) to bath and put on clean clothes before the puja. If this is not possible a minimal washing of the hands and feet is acceptable.

The Room:

The room used for puja should be clean and attractive. If you have a temple room in your home, this is an ideal location. Alternatively, you can perform the puja where you meditate or outside. Place the altar for the Deity along the East wall, or if you prefer in the center of the room. Placing the altar in the center of the room allows for circumambulation of the Deity before or during the ritual. A simple altar can be made from a table covered with an altar cloth. Place all items to be used during the puja to the right side side of the altar. After use, you can place them on the left side. Once a deity is set up on an altar you should enter the room and prostrate before the Deity.

Puja

After prostrating to the Deity sit slightly to the right side of the altar and take a few moments to mediate and attune yourself to the energies of Deity. You should never preform puja is you are in a bad mood or angry, etc. Alternatively, play a tape or CD of some bhajans (devotional songs).

Begin by ringing a bell held in the right hand several times and chanting �OM....OM...OM...�

The recite the following mantras to invoke Lord Ganesha, your Guru, and Devi Saraswati.

�Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.�

�Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah.�

�Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah.�

Shanti Mantras

Om Saha Naavavatu

Sahanau Bhunaktu

Saha viryam karvaavahai

tejasvi naavadheetamastu

Ma vidhishaavahai

Om shanti, shanti, shanti

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam

Purnat Purnamudachyate

Purnamevaavasishyate

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Abishekam-- bathing the Deity

Mentally perform this if you are using a Deity picture.

Remove the garment or decoration with you right hand and place them on the left side of the altar. Using a spoon pour water over the Deity while repeating it�s mantra.

Vastram--using a clean cloth �dress� the Deity or picture. You can also decorate the Deity with flowers garlands or jewelry. Dry the Deity with a clean towel and place the Deity on a dry plate or piece of cloth on the altar. Anoint the Deity�s forehead with vibhuiti, kumkum, and chandana. Offer flowers placing the at the Deities feet or if you have a large amount of flowers offer one with each mantra during the archana.

Archana--Chanting 108 names of the Deity or Guru

Dhoopa-- Offering of Incense to the Deity

Wave a stick of lit incense before the Deity.

Deepa-- Offering of Light to the Deity

Naivedya-- Offering of Food

Aarati--waving of camphor flame before the Deity

Light the camphor in the camphor spoon on a plate. Wave the plate before the Deity. Sing or play a taped version of an aarati song. After aarati is completed, partake of the flame by passing your hands three time through the flame and lightly touching you eyes. The aarati plate may be carried clockwise around the room. It is first offered to any person of respect attending the ritual such as your Guru, teachers, or your parents and elders. After aarati, prostrate before the altar.

Prasad--the food offered to the Deity now has become blessed food. Offer the food to guests again following a clockwise motion before partaking of it yourself. Blessed food is charged with energy and has healing powers.

Meditation--after the puja take a few moments sit and meditate. Extinguish all lights except the ones the altar. When the meditation period is finished, chant OM three times, or the Gayatri, or another mantra.

Bibliography:

Guru Puja, By N.V. Karthikeyan

Loving Ganesa, by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Puja, Mata Amritanandamayi Center

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