PROPER WORSHIP
BY: SWAMI SIVANANDA MAHARAJ
|
PROPER WORSHIP BY: SWAMI SIVANANDA MAHARAJ |
THE POOJA ROOM
The pictures of our Gods and Goddesses could face the east,while that of Durgaamsaa could face the south. A special place should be alloted to the Kuladevata. In the case where the picture of the Kuladevata is not available, apply manjal and kumkum to a spot in the pooja room. Regard it as the place where the Kuladevata resides. Offer milk daily.
The pooja room should have fewer things in it. Place the pictures and idols of the Gods and Goddesses on a platform, or on a cardboard, or on a plank. Never place them on bare ground.
If you cannot afford a separate room for pooja, then have the alter in a cupboard or in a corner covered by a screen. Clean up the room daily, if not once a week. Drawing kolams and waving the deepam brings good fortune.
Daily light up a deepam in the room and offer Naivedyam to the Lord. Offering fruits mid precious things to the Lord first, brings prosperity.
Those having mensus are to refrain from entering the
pooja room for at least five days. Children and men in the family could
do the pooja. Train your children to say prayers before eating their meals
and also before leaving the house. The elders in the family should set
the example. Having congregational prayers in the family does a lot of
good to the family.
KULADEVATA
The deity worshipped by a certain family, generation after generation is called the Kuladevata. In times of danger the Kuladevata comes to the rescue. It helps the family to prosper. It even paves the way to attain Jnana.
It is of utmost importance that the family does a
proper pooja to the Kutadevata at least a year. If possible offer milk
daily to the Kutadevata. If not, then on Tuesdays and Fridays.
A family that offers prayers to its deceased forefathers and parents prospers, If this obligation is neglected, however wealthy a family might be, it will find much of its wealth dwindling. The Kuladevata is non other than the Supreme Lord.
During Amavasya the souls of the deceased come to the respective house. Seeing the prayers offered to them, they give their blessings. The family prospers. If nothing is offered to them, they return with disappointment. There will be much hardship in such families. By just offering to them freshly prepared food on Amavasya, fortune comes to the family.
