Introduction to ganesha home puja

One could say that the Hindu form of home worship, known as puja, is unique in all the world. Quite fittingly, it arises from the magnanimous spirit of hospitality that Hindu people are famous for. All guests are received and treated as God in the Hindu home, and God is no exception. During this daily morning rite, family members gather in their well-appointed shrine room to honor God as their royal guest. They receive Him warmly, offer a seat, serve water to quench His thirst, bathe and dress Him in beautiful clothes, burn the finest incense for His enjoyment, honor Him with light and flowers and feed Him a sumptuous meal. It is an intimate, personal interaction with God. Throughout the puja, the officiant chants sweetly to the Deity in Sanskrit, describing these kindly acts and beseeching His blessings. Finally, he thanks the Deity for His presence, bids Him farewell and humbly apologizes for any errors he may have committed. It is a ritual performed daily in millions of homes. In a sense, each Hindu has a private temple right in the home, and invites God to abide there, close to the family. Mystically, it keeps open the channels to the supercon-scious, divine areas of the inner worlds, bringing peace, health, prosperity and happiness to family members. Intellec-tually, it keeps religious beliefs strong. Emotionally, it cultivates a burgeoning love of God, known as bhakti. ¶ Puja literally means “worship, adoration.” Home puja is a personal version of the public puja performed in temples by priests. The forms of puja vary widely between Hinduism’s four main denominations and its hundreds of lineages, but all puja finds its basis in sixteen offerings, shodasha upachara. These also vary somewhat, depending on the scrip-tural source that is followed, but one popular list is the following: 1) Āvāhanam, invoking; 2) Āsanam, offering a seat; 3) Pādyam, offering water for cleansing feet; 4) Argyam, offering water for cleansing the palms; 5) Āchamanīyam, sip-ping water; 6) Snānam, ceremonial bath; 7) Vastram, offering vestments; 8) Yajñopavītam, offering sacred thread; 9) Chandanam, offering sandalwood paste; 10) Pushpam, offering flowers; 11) Dhūpam, burning incense; 12) Dīpam, waving lighted camphor; 13) Naivedyam, offering food; 14) Añjali, praying with folded hands; 15) Pradakshinā, cir-cumambulation; 16) Udvasanam, farewell. Lord Ganesha is the God honored and worshiped by all Hindus, so here we present a puja for this universally beloved, boon-giving Lord of Beginnings and Ruler of Obstacles, which can be per-formed by anyone, young and old, Hindu or non-Hindu, Vaishnava or Shakta, Saiva or Smarta. It is Lord Ganesha who bridges all distinctions and unifies all peoples, and it is through His worship that we ultimately come to know all the other Gods.

Puja instructions

Inperformingthepuja,preparation is ofutmost importance—gatheringflowers,cleaningthealtarandpujatray,makingreadytheoil lamps andpreparingthefruitand/orcookedfoodoffering.ItiscommontochantaGaneshamantraorsoftlysingdevotionalsongswhileperformingthesetasks.Thisquietsthemindandbrings one’sawarenessclosetoHim.Indeed,allthispreparationisanintegralpartofworship.

Asyouseein thephotos,thereareanumberoftraditional implementsneeded forthepuja,suchasametaltray,holywa-tercupsandspoons,gheelamp,camphorlamp,aswellaspujasupplies,likeholyashand sandalwoodpaste.ThesearenowavailableatIndiangrocerystores,and onlineatwww.minimela.com.Ifyouneedhelpwithsettingupanaltar,onesourceofinformationisourfour-pageHinduismTodayEducationalInsightcalled“HinduHomeSanctuary,”availableat:www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/pamphlets/homeshrine/Beforebeginningthepuja,checkthealtartomakesureallnecessaryarticlesarethere,sothatyoudon’thavetointerrupttheflowofpujatogetamissingitem.Arrangealltheitemsthesamewayforeachpujasoyoucanreachautomaticallywhenneeded,withthosemostfrequentlyusedclosestathand.

Hold theattitudethat,aspujari,youareaservantoftheGods,achannelforthespiritualenergies.OnlythoughtsofGodareonyourmindasyouperformpuja,thusenhancingtheoutpouringofdivineblessings.Traditionprovidesacaution:youshouldneverperformpujaduringorwithin31daysofexperiencingsevereangerorotherdeepemotionalupset,butitisall

righttoattend.Also,pujaisnotperformedorattendedbywomenduringtheirmenses,orbyanyonewhohasawoundthatisbleeding.Pujaisayoga,orlink,between this and innerworlds.Therefore,youmustbeatyourbestin mood andemo-tion toassist inmakingthisconnection.Beforeperformingpuja,youshouldbefreshlydressed,cleanandundistractedbydailyconcerns.Havingbathedbeforehand,entertheshrineroomandprostrate.

Theformofprostrationdiffers formenand women.Menperform“eight-limbedobeisance,”ashtangapranama,afullyproneposeinwhich hands,chest,forehead,kneesand feet touch theground.Womenperform “five-limbedobeisance,”panchangapranama,akneelingposeinwhichhands,headandkneestouchtheground(withanklescrossed,rightovertheleft).

Wheneverythingisready,takeyourseatinacross-leggedposturein frontofand totheleftofthealtar,facingtheDeitybutturnedslightlytotheright.Closeyoureyes,sitquietly foramomentandtuneyournervesystem toGodGaneshaandthesacredpujayouareabouttoperform.Ifothersareattending,becarefulnottositdirectlyin frontoftheDeity,therebyblockingtheirview ofthealtar.Generallyoneremainsseated throughouttheritual,though insomeshrines itmaybemorecomfortabletostandduring thearatiorthroughoutthepuja.Whensmall childrenareinthehome,theshrineroom islockedsotheydonotdisturb thecontents.Ifalockableroom isnotavailable,thealtarisraisedsoas tobeoutofreach,andthepujaisperformedstandingup.Thoseattendingwillusuallysitduringmostoftheceremony,thenstandduringthefinalarati.However,thisagainmaybelefttoindividualdiscretioninconsiderationoftheheightoftheshrine.Duringtheritual,youwillbemakingmanyofferings.Mostofferingsaremadewiththerighthand,neverjusttheleft,thoughthereareoccasionswhenbothhandsareused.

Theofferingoffoodisan importantpartofpuja.TraditionallyasimpledishofcookedriceispreparedespeciallyfortheDeity,withcookingutensilsreservedforthispurposealone.Ifcooked food isnotoffered, then freshlycutfruitmaybesubstituted.Keeptheofferingcovereduntil thepointinthepujawhenthepranas(lifeenergies)ofthefoodareofferedtotheDeity.Keepingthefood coveredhelpstopreservepurityandcontain thepranas,which theGodsanddevas can see,absorb,enjoyandreflectbacktocleansetheaurasofdevotees.Afterthepuja,thefoodofferings—alongwith holyash(vib-huti),sacredwater(tirtha),sandalwoodpaste(chandana),redpowder(kunkuma)andflowers (pushpa)—arepassedoutandenjoyedasprasada.

ArecordingofsacredchantingfromtheVedasmaybeplayedsoftlybeforethepujabegins.Atthehighpoint,asthearatiispresented,louddrumsandnagasvarasresound.Asthesacramentsarepassedoutbythepujari,thedivinemusicalragasareheardsoftlyplayedonthevina,orVedicchantingordevotionalsongsmaybeplayed.

Afterthesacramentsarepassedout,encourageeveryonetositquietlyforawhiletoenjoythesannidhya, theever-presentfeelingoftheDivine,that theGod,Gods,inner-planegurusand devassuffuseintheshrineroom.Such internalizedwor-shipnaturallyfollowsapuja.Thosewhoperformdailyjapawillfindthisanidealtimeforthatsadhana.

Internalizingworshipinthis waygives youandallmembers ofthefamilystrength tofacetheoutsideworld,itsdailychallengesand,yes,school tests.Internalizingworship is thecoreoftheSanatanaDharma.Itis theroot,stemandblossomofthehighestchakra,the1,000-petalledlotus.Itis theforcethatgivesthestrength toresisttemptation,toturnothers fromtheirbadwaysandtofaceuptoand livethroughbirthkarmas,prarabdhakarmas,thatarebroughtwithyouin this life.Itgivesthecouragetoresistmakingnew,especiallyunwanted,karmastobefaced ata laterdate. Itgivesthewillpowerneeded inthisKaliYugatosurvive.Itgivesthelovewhichprovokes theunderstandingtooverlookand forgive,thenforget.Finally,internalizedworshipgives thepeaceofmind,theshanti,inwhichall saints,sages,mahatmasandgreatseersdwell,intheirjnanaofhowthingsworkintheiruniverseofwhichweareavitalpart.

Manypeoplearehestitanttodopuja,specific,traditionalritesofworship,becausethey feeltheydon’thaveenoughtrain-ingordon’tunderstandthemysticalprinciplesbehind itwellenough.MostHindus dependontheprieststoperformthepujasandsacramentsforthem,ortotrain themtoperformhomepujaandgivethempermissiontodosothroughinitiation,calleddiksha.However,simplepujas,such asthis one,maybeperformedbyanyonewishingtoinvokegracefrom God,Mahadevasanddevas.Mothers,daughters,aunts,fathers,sons,uncles,allmayperformpujawithin theirownhome,anddo,astheHinduhomeisconsideredtobenothinglessthananextensionofthenearbytemple.

TheGaneshapujapresentedonthefollowingpagesconsistsofaseriesofSanskritchantstobeintonedwhileperformingtheindicatedactionsandvisualizations.Eachchantisgiven in threeforms,firstinSanskrit’straditionalDevanagari script,second in transliteratedforthosewhospeakEnglish,and third inafreely-renderedEnglish translation.Each translation isfollowedbydetailedinstructionstoguidethepujari’sactions.

ThechantsofthesimpleGaneshapujagivenhereareinSanskrit,Hinduism’sancientscripturallanguage.Timespentmasteringthepronunciationistimewellspent.Ideally,trainingisreceivedpersonallyfromapriest,punditorotherpersonproficientinSanskrit,sothatyoucanchanttheversesproperly.Suchateacherwillgenerallybeginbyteachingthealpha-betandwilloffertraininginreadingintheDevanagariscript,aswellasthetransliterationtohelpEnglish-speakingstu-dents.LearningSanskritisnotmandatory,andforthosewhodonothaveateacher,wehaveavoicerecordingofthisentirepujaforlearningthemantrasproperly.Itisavailableatwww.himalayanacademy.com/audio/chants/.AkeytoSanskritpro-

nunciationforthetransliterationsystemusedinthispujaisavailableonlineatwww.himalayanacademy.com/resources/sanskrit/.

DevotionDuringSacredRitualsWhilecorrectchantingisimportant,theessentialpartofanypujaisdevotion.WithoutloveofGodandtheGods,outerperformanceisoflittlevalue.Butwithtruedevotion,eventhesimplestpujacanbeaprofoundlysacredexperience.Devo-tionisfacilitatedbythebeliefthatyoureallyarecommuningwiththeDivinethroughpuja,thattheGodsanddevasdoactuallyhearyourprayers,enjoyyourintonationsandrespondbysendingblessingsthatpurifyyourauraandprotectyourhome.Thoughyoucan’tseethemwithyourphysicaleyes,theyaretherenonetheless.Asyouperformorattendpuja,visu-alizetheDeitysittingbeforeyou,acceptingyourofferings,pleasedtobeinyourcompany,delightedwithyourloveandhospitality.ThinkoftheGodasapartofyourfamily,agrandbeingwhoisconcernedwithyourwelfare.Throughstrongvisualizationandsinceredevotion,yoursensitivitytothedarshanwillgrowandyourrelationshipwiththeDeitywillbe-comestrongandclose.

Cultivatingdevotion is called bhakti yoga.SatguruSivayaSubra-mu-niyaswami stressed its importance in this way,“Bhakti yogaisloveonall levelsofconsciousness—physical,mental,emotionaland spiritual.Thegreatestinhibitingfactorinpracticingbhaktiyogaisthedoubting,cynical,intellectualmind.Doubtandskepticismhardentheheartandnarrow themind.Thebloomofbhaktisoftens theheartandrelaxestheintellect.Throughbhaktiyoga,theyogaofdevotion,thecom-bativemind becomeserased,absorbedintotheconsciousnessof theOneSelf,theBeingpermeatingallbeings.Withthehelpofdevotion,youcansoarwithin.Youcannotonlypullawaydetachedlyfromunwholesomeareasofthemind,butitispossibletokeepyourselfinaninwardstateofexpandedconsciousness.”

UseoftheShrineRoomKeep theshrinespotlesslyclean,anddecorateitforfestivalsandspecial holydays.Visityourshrinebeforeyouleavethehome,seekingblessingsand protectionasyou leaveitsshelter,andgothereagainforpurificationuponreturning.Worshipinheartfeltdevotion,sotheGods’graceflows freely toward youand lovedones.Maketheshrinearefugeforallfamilymembers,ahavenwheretheycanfind peaceandsolace,wheretheycan connectwiththeGods,offertheirpraiseandprayforpracticalneeds.Trainyourchildren toworship intheshrinebeforeeach importanteventinlife,suchas amajorexamatschoolorwhenfacedwithapersonalchallengeorproblem.

HOMEPUJAPREPARATIONANDPURIFICATION

ÇŸòº≤ºÎÅchamanam--WaterSippingBythePûjâri

F –‹º‹êŸæ —∆Ÿ“Ÿ, FÄ äéÆ≥™Ÿæ —∆Ÿ“Ÿ, F íúé®@éŸæ —∆Ÿ“Ÿ

Aumsumukhâyasvâhâ,Aumekadantâyasvâhâ,Aumgajakar∫akâyasvâhâ

Aum!HailtotheGodwhosefaceisalwaysshining!Aum!HailtotheGodwhohasonlyonetusk!Aum!HailtotheGodwithhugeelephantears!

Holdingthespoonwithyourlefthand,takeaspoonfulofwaterfromthecupandplaceitintherightpalmtorinsethehand,lettingtheexcessfallontothefloororatray.Putanotherspoonfulofwaterintotherighthand,intone“Aumsumukhâyasvâhâ”andsipthewater.Repeatforthesecondandthirdlines,thenrinsetherighthandagain.

⁄∆îىø¿ ¥˘Ÿ¨@≤ŸVighneßvaraPrârthanâ--GaneßaInvocation

F À‹èƒŸÄ∏¿∞¿Ä ⁄∆œ®‹Ä À⁄À∆®@Ä ò™‹∫‹@úºÎ |, ¥˘–≤Ù ∆Æ≤Ä ±æŸæ‰™Î –∆@⁄∆îÙË¥ÀŸ≥™æ‰ ||

Aumßuklâmbaradharamvish∫um,ßaßivar∫aµchaturbhujam,prasannavadanaµdhyâyet,sarvavighnopaßântaye

Aum.OLorddressedinsplendidwhite,pervadingtheuniverse,shiningradiantlylikeraysofthefullmoon,havingfourmightyarmsandacharming,happyface,wemeditateonyouthatallobstaclesmaybequelled.

SaluteLordGa∫eßabyholdinghandsinañjalimudrâ,theprayerfulpose.Then,whilerecitingtheverse,tapyourtempleslightlywithyourknucklesthreetimes,asinthephoto.Alternatively,youmaycrossyourarmsbeforeyourface,thelefthandtappingtherighttempleandviceversa.Returnyourhandstoañjalimudrâwhilerecitingthelastwordsofthechant.

–Äé≈¥ºÎSaˆkalpam,DedicationofPûjâ,StatementofPurpose

Fiveperiodsoftheday(insertoneinchant).

܌Š韃 usha˙kâla,dawn ¥Ÿ™Å 韃 prâta˙kâla,morning

º±æŸ“n韃 madhyâhnakâla,noon –ŸæóÏŸƒ sâyaˆkâla,evening

á±∆@柺韃 ûrdhvayâmakâla,night

F ÇY ¥›∆Ë@@# ä∆Äí‹®–éƒ, ⁄∆À‰Œ‰® ⁄∆⁄ÀŸæŸÄ Ç—æŸÄ À‹∫⁄™¨ŸÊ, F º“Ÿí®‰Ã¸¿Ä Ü⁄¶Õæ º“Ÿí®‰Ã¸¿¥˘¤´æ¨@Ä

º“Ÿí®‰Ã¸¿¥˘–ŸÆ⁄–ØÛ¯¨@Ä, 樟 À⁄# (nameofcity)ƉÀ‰ (periodofday), ±æŸ≤Ÿ∆Ÿ“≤Ÿ⁄Æ í®‰À¥›úŸÄ é⁄¿œæ‰ |

F Ç¥ Ü¥—¥‡Õæ

Aumadyapûrvoktaevaˆgu∫asakala,vißeshe∫avißish†âyâmasyâµßubhatithau,AumMahâga∫eßvaraµuddißyaMahâga∫eßvaraprîtyartham,Mahâga∫eßvaraprasâdasiddhyartham,yathâßakti(chantcity)deße(insertthetimeofday)dhyânâvâhanâdiGa∫eßapûjâµkarishye,Aumapaupasp®ißya

Atthisparticularlyauspiciousmoment,timeandplace,onthisauspiciousday,sothatwemayrealizethefullnessofyourgrace,tothebestofourabilitythis(inserttimeofday)Ga∫eßapûjâweshallnowperform.Aum.Bytouchingpurewaterwebecomepure.

Whilerecitingthisstatementofpurpose,takeapinchofriceandholditatchestheightinyourclosedrightpalm,withopenlefthandunderneath.Insertthetimeofdayandtheplacewhereindicated.Asyouchantthelastword,karishye,gentlytossthericetowardthebaseoftheimage.Then,withthelefthand,placeaspoonfulofwaterintoyourrightpalmandrituallywashbothhandswiththewaterbywipingthepalmstogetherafewtimesasyourecite“Aumapaupasp®ißya.”Oncethesaˆkalpamhasbeenchanted,thepûjâmustnotbeinterruptedorabandoneduntiltheconcludingmantrasarerecited.

WORSHIPANDOFFERINGSBEGIN

ÇŸ∆Ÿ“≤ºÎ ÇŸ–≤ºÎ--Åvâhanam,Åsanam--WelcomingandOfferingaSeat

±æŸæŸ⁄º | ÇŸ∆Ÿ“æŸ⁄º |, ¿´≤⁄–Ä“Ÿ–≤Ä –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

dhyâyâmi,âvâhayâmi,ratnasiˆhâsanaµsamarpayâmiWenowmeditateonyou,OLord,andinviteyoutosituponthejewel-studded,lionthronewehavepreparedforyou.

OfferapinchofricetotheDeityasyouchanteachofthethreewordsbefore“samarpayâmi.”VisualizeGa∫eßaseatedonagem-studdedthronebeforeyou,smiling,fullofblessings,waitingtobehonoredasaguestinyourhome.

Çïæ@ºÎ --Arghyam--WashingtheLord’sFeetandHands

¥ŸÆæËÅ ¥ŸYÄ –º¥@æŸ⁄º |, “—™æËÅ Çïæ@Ä –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

pâdayo˙pâdyamsamarpayâmi,hastayo˙arghyamsamarpayâmi

Wenowhumblybatheeachofyourwhitelotusfeetandgentlywasheachofyourprecioushands,LordGa∫eßa.

WithyourrighthandofferaspoonfulofpurewaterbyholdingitupbeforetheDeitymomentarilyandthenplacingitinthetîrthacup.Thisishowallwaterofferingisdonethroughoutthepûjâ.Asyouchantthefirstline,visualizeyourselfbathingthefeetofGa∫eßa.OfferasecondspoonfulofpurewaterasyouintonethenextlineandvisualizeyourselfwashingHishands.

ÇŸòº≤ºÎ--Åchamanam--OfferingWatertoQuenchHisThirst

F ∫›∫‹@∆Å –‹∆Å ÇŸòº≤¤æÄ –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

Aumbhûr-bhuva˙suva˙âchamanîyaµsamarpayâmiAum!Inallthreeworlds,wehumblyofferyoufresh,purewaterforsipping.

OfferaspoonfulofpurewatertoGa∫eßa.VisualizeHisacceptingitinHisHandandsippingit.

—≤Ÿ≤ºÎ --Snânam--RitualBathing

F –‹¿⁄–≥∞‹–ºŸ≤¤™Ä –‹∆®@éƒÀ⁄—¨™ºÍ |, —≤Ÿ≤Ÿ¨@Ä í‡“¯™ŸÄ ÀΩ∫Ë –⁄ƒƒ~ ⁄∆ºƒ~ í®‰À ||

íóÓŸ—≤Ÿ≤Ä –º¥@æŸ⁄º

Aumsurasindhusamânîtamsuvar∫akalaßâsthitam|snânârthaµg®ihyatâmßambhosalilamvimalamga∫eßa||gaˆgâsnânamsamarpayâmi

Wenowbatheyou,belovedLordGa∫eßa,thepureone,withthewaterthatwasbroughtfromtheGangesinthegoldenpot.WehavebathedyouinsacredGaˆgâwater.

Whileringingthebellandrecitingthisverse,dipaflowerintothetîrthawaterandgentlysprinkletheDeity.Dothisthreetimesormore.Holdtheflowerinyourrighthandinthem®igimudrâ,thestembetweenyourthirdandfourthfingers.Ifthealtarde-signallows,youmaypourwateroverthemûrti,ratherthansprinklingitduringthischant.

ǃóÏŸ¿ºÎ --Alaˆkâram--AdornmentandOfferings

∆—&Ÿ¨@Ä ºóÓƒŸ’™Ÿ≤Î –º¥@æŸ⁄º, Ü¥∆¤™Ÿ¨@Ä ºóÓƒŸ’™Ÿ≤Î –º¥@æŸ⁄º

F í≥∞~ 퇓Ÿ® –‹¿⁄∫º≥∞韖‹¿–›Æ≤ |, é‹ñÍ鋺⁄Æ–ºŸæ‹#~ 鋃Ÿòƒ⁄≤鉙≤ ||

⁄Æ…æ ¥⁄¿ºƒ ⁄∆∫›⁄™ ò≥Æ≤ é‹Ä鋺ºÎ –º¥@æŸ⁄º

vastrârthammaˆgalâkshatânsamarpayâmi,upavîtârthammaˆgalâkshatânsamarpayâmiAumgandhaµg®ihâ∫asurabhimandhakâsurasûdana,kuˆkumadisamâyuktaµkulâchalaniketanadivyaparimalavibhûtichandana,kuˆkumamsamarpayâmi

Wegiveyouthisauspiciousunbrokenrice,ourmagnificentLord,thatyoumayenjoyresplendentclothing.Wegiveyouaus-piciousunbrokenrice,LordGa∫eßa,thatyoumaybehandsomelyadornedwithawhite,cottonsacredthread.Aum.OLord,thedestroyerofthedemonAndhakâsura,youwhoresidesintheHimâlayas,pleaseacceptthegoodsmellingchandana withkuˆkuma andchoiceofferings.

DresstheDeity.Offerapinchofunbrokenricewhilechantingeachofthefirsttwolines.RepeatthethirdandfourthlinesoverandoverasyoudecoratetheDeitywithflowers.Thelastlineisrecitedoncewhileapplyingvibhûti(holyash),chandana(san-dalpaste)andkuˆkuma.(redpowder).

¥‹œ¥AºÎ --Pushpam--OfferingFlowers

™Æ‹¥⁄¿ ºóÓƒŸ’™Ÿ≤Î –º¥@æŸ⁄º |, ¥›úŸ¨@Ä ≤Ÿ≤Ÿ⁄∆∞¥& ¥‹œ¥Ÿ⁄® –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

taduparimaˆgalâkshatânsamarpayâmi,pûjârthamnânâvidhapatrapushpâ∫isamarpayâmi

Wenowofferthisauspiciousun-brokenrice.Andforthefulfillmentofourdevotion,weoffermanykindsoffresh,bloom-ingflowers,ourpeerlessLord.

Apinchofriceisofferedwiththefirstline.Ahandfulofflowersisofferedwiththesecond.

∞ ›¥ºÎ--Dhûpam--OfferingIncense

F ∆≤—¥´æ‹Øˆ∆ÊÅ ⁄Æ…æÊÅ ≤Ÿ≤Ÿí≥∞–º⁄≥∆™ÊÅ |, ÇŸî˘‰æ∞›¥Æ¤¥AŸ≤ŸÄ ∞›¥ËÉæ~ ¥˘⁄™í‡“¯™ŸºÎ ||

ÆÀŸóÓÄ í‹ì틃Ÿ‰¥‰™~ –‹í≥∞~ –‹º≤Ë“¿ºÎ |, ÇŸî˘‰æÅ–∆@Ɖ∆Ÿ≤ŸÄ ∞›¥Ÿ‰Éæ~ ¥˘⁄™í‡“¯™ŸºÎ ||

∞›¥ºŸî˘Ÿ¥æŸ⁄º ∞›¥Ÿ≤≥™¿ºŸòº≤¤æ~ –º¥@æŸ⁄º, ºóÓƒŸ’™Ÿ≤Î –º¥@æŸ⁄º

Aumvanaspatyudbhavai˙divyai˙,nânâgandhasamanvitai˙,âghreyadhûpadîpânâmdhûpo-yampratig®ihyatâm.daßâˆgamguggulopetamsugandhansumanoharam,âghreya˙sarvadevânâmdhûpo-yampratig®ihyatâm.dhûpamâghrâpayâmi,dhûpânantaramâchamanîyamsamarpayâmi,maˆgalâkshatânsamarpayâmi

Thefinestincense,ofmagicalqualities,offullandvariedfragrances,LordGa∫eßa,wesetaflameandoffertoyouinthis,ourhome.Incenseofthefinestresinsandperfumes,incomparableinsweetnessandaroma,tobeinhaledandenjoyedbyyouandalltheGodsanddevas,weoffertoyouinthis,ourhome.Eagerlyweoffertoyou,ourresplendentLord,fineresinin-cense,ofheavenlyodor,bewitchingtothemind,risingoutofaghee-fedflame.Weofferittoyouinthis,ourhome.Thisfineincensewehavedulyofferedforyourpleasure.Andweagainofferyoucool,sweetwaterforsippingandauspiciousun-brokenrice.

Duringthischant,makethreecirclesbeforetheDeitywithlightedincenseheldinyourrighthandwhileringingthebellwithyourlefthand.CompletethethirdcircleandtraceanAumasyouchantthefifthline,dhûpamâghrâpayâmi.Atthatpointraisethe

incensehigherandringthebelllouder.Puttheincensedown,andrecitethenexttwolines.Withthefirst,waterisoffered,withthesecond,apinchofrice.

Ƥ¥ºÎ--Dîpam--OfferingTheLight

F –Ÿùæ∆⁄™@&æË¥‰™~ ¥˘ŸùæºóӃƟæé~ |, Ƥ¥~ ¥Õæ Æ柿ŸÀ‰ Ƥ≤∏≥∞Ë ≤ºËÉ—™‹ ™‰ ||

FÄ ÇŸ∆Ÿ⁄“™ŸªæÅ –∆Ÿ@ªæË Æ‰∆™ŸªæË ≤ºÅ |, ⁄Æ…æ ºóӃƤ¥~ –≥ÆÀ@æŸ⁄º |

Ƥ¥Ÿ≤≥™¿ºŸòº≤¤æÄ –º¥@æŸ⁄º |, ºóÓƒŸ’™Ÿ≤Î –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

aumsâjyavartitrayopetamprâjyamaˆgaladâyakam,,dîpampaßyadayârâßedînabandhonamo-stute.aumâvâhitabhya˙sarvabhyodevatabhyonama˙,divyamaˆgaladîpaµsandarßayâmi,dîpânantaramâchamanîyaµsamarpayâmi,maˆgalâkshatânsamarpayâmi

OtheCompassionate,thefriendofdevotees!Seethislampofferedwhichislightedwithgheeandthreewicksandwhichistheproviderofabundantauspiciousness.Salutationstoyou!Aum!SalutationstoalltheGodsinvoked!Thisdivine,auspiciouslightweoffertoyou.Afterthat,weofferyoupurewaterforsippingandauspiciousunbrokenrice.

OffertheoillighttoLordGa∫eßaandringthebellasyouchantthishymn.Aswiththeincense,circlethreetimesthendrawtheAumwiththeflame.Thenraisetheflameandringthebelllouder,thenstopringing.Offerwater,thenaflowerorapinchofrice.

≤ Ê∆ ‰Ø¯ºÎ--Naivedyam--OfferingFood

–´æ~ ´∆™@‰≤ (chantinmorning) , à™Ä ´∆Ÿ –´æ~‰≤ (chantifevening) ¥⁄¿⁄ŒZŸŸ⁄º |

F Ǻ‡™º—™‹ Ǻ‡™Ë¥—™¿®º⁄– —∆Ÿ“Ÿ |, FÄ í®‰ÀŸæ —∆Ÿ“ŸiI | FÄ í®‰ÀŸæ —∆Ÿ“ŸiI |

FÄ í®‰ÀŸæ —∆Ÿ“ŸiI |

satyaµtvartena (chantifinmorning)®itaµtvâsatyena (ifevening)parishiñchâmiAumam®itamastuam®itopastara∫amasisvâhâ.Aumga∫eßâyasvâhÁ,Aumga∫eßâyasvâhÁ,Aumga∫eßâyasvâhÁ

WeaddTruthtoTruth.Aum.Maythissweetandpungentfoodbetransformedintonectar.Wehumblyoffertoyouthisfood.

Whilerecitingthefirstpartofthemantra,uncoverthefoodoffering.Then,whilechantingthelastlineandringingthebell,circleaspoonfulofwateroverthefoodandofferittotheDeity.Whileringingthebellsoftly,gentlywaftthearomaandvitalessencesofthefoodorfruittowardtheDeity.Dothisbysweepingtherighthandoverthefoodwithaflowerheldbetweenyourfingers,stemupward.Thepalmisfacingdownwardasitmovesoverthefood,thenrotatesupwardasthesweepapproachestheDeity,bringingthearomaandprâ∫atowardHisnoseandmouth.Asyoucompletethethirdline,gentlytosstheflowertowardthefeetoftheDe-ityattheendofthesweepwithalltheloveinyourheart.

F ÇŸ∆Ÿ⁄“™ŸªæÅ –∆Ÿ@ªæË Æ‰∆™ŸªæË ≤ºÅ |, ≤Ÿ≤Ÿ⁄∆∞º“Ÿ≤Ê∆‰Y~ ⁄≤∆‰ÆæŸ⁄º |

樟À⁄#–º⁄¥@™º“Ÿ≤Ê∆‰YºÎ é‚¥æŸ —∆¤é‹¡ |

Aumâvâhitâbhya˙sarvâbhyodevatâbhyonama˙,nânâvidhamahânaivedyaµnivedayâmi,yathâßaktisamarpitamahânaivedyamk®ipayâsvîkuru

Aum!SalutationstoalltheGodsinvoked!Becauseweareofferingyouourverybest,LordGa∫eßa,inallsincerityandlove,pleaseconsidertheessenceofthisfoodasamongthefinestmealsyouhaveeverreceived.Tothebestofourabilityintheworshipofyou,weofferthisfoodandhumblybegthatyouwillreceiveit.

Ringingthebellloudlyasyourecitetheabovechant,pickupaflowerorapinchofriceandholditatchestheightinthefingertipsoftherighthand.Asthelastwordisspoken,gentlyreleasethericeorfloweratthefeetoftheDeity.ThenputdownthebellandraiseyourhandsaboveyourheadindevoutprayerthatGa∫eßawillacceptthemeal.Whileyourhandsareraised,closeyoureyesandvisualizeGa∫eßaacceptingandpartakingofthemeal.Afteramoment,loweryourhandsandintoneAumquietly.

⁄∆îىø¿Ÿœ¢Ë%¿ À™≤ŸºŸ∆⁄ƒÅ Vighneßvarâsh†ottaraÍatanâmâvali˙--ChantingGa∫eßa’s108 Names

Inthissectionofthepûjâ,chantthe“garlandofGa∫eßa’s108 names.”Asyouintoneeachname,offerwithyourrighthandaflower,someflowerpetalsorapinchofrice.ThenamesareattributesoftheDeity,eachdelineatinganaspectofHiswondrousnature.EachnameisprecededbythemantraAumandfollowedbynama˙,meaning“obeisance,adorationorhomageto.”ThusthefirstlineischantedAumVinâyakâyaNama˙(pronounced,“na-ma-ha”).

⁄∆≤ŸæéŸæ Vinâyakâya theremover(ofobstacles)

⁄∆îÙ¿ŸúŸæ Vighnarâjâya therulerofobstacles

íÈ¿¤¥‹&Ÿæ Gaurîputrâya thesonofGaurî

í®‰Ã¸¸¿Ÿæ Ga∫eßvarâya thelordofcategories

—é≥ÆŸí˘úŸæ Skandâgrajâya Skanda’selderbrother

Ç…ææŸæ Avyayâya theinexhaustibleone

¥›™Ÿæ Pûtâya thepureone

Æ’Ÿæ Dakshâya thedexterousone

DZ撟æ Adhyakshâya thegreatpresider

⁄ظú⁄¥˘æŸæ Dvijapriyâya wholovesthetwice-born

Ç⁄ì≤í∆@⁄ôöƉ Agnigarvacçhide whodestroyedfire’sego

Ñ≥Æ˙Ã˘¤¥˘ÆŸæ IndraßrîpradâyawhorestoredIndra’swealth

∆Ÿ®¤¥˘ÆŸæ Vâ∫îpradâya whogiveseloquence

Ç…ææŸæ Avyayâya theinexhaustibleone

–∆@⁄–⁄ØÛ¥˘ÆŸæ Sarvasiddhipradâya giveroffulfillment

–∆@™≤æŸæ Sarvatanayâya thesonofÍiva

À∆@¿¤⁄¥˘æŸæ Íarvarîpriyâya lovedbyPârvatî

–∆Ÿ@´ºéŸæ Sarvâtmakâya thesoulofall

–‡⁄é&‰AA@ S®ish†ikartre thecreator

Ɖ∆Ÿæ Devâya theresplendentone

Ç≤‰éŸ⁄ò@@™Ÿæ Anekârchitâya worshipedbymultitudes

⁄À∆Ÿæ Íivâya theauspiciousone

À‹ØÛŸæ Íuddhâya thepureone

∏‹⁄ØÛ⁄¥˘æŸæ Buddhipriyâya wholovesintelligence

ÀŸ≥™Ÿæ Íântâya thepeacefulone

∏˘“˜òŸ⁄¿®‰ Brahmachâri∫e thecelibateone

íúŸ≤≤Ÿæ Gajânanâya theelephant’sfaced

ظʺŸ™‹¿Ÿæ Dvaimâturâya whohastwomothers

º‹⁄≤—™‹™Ÿæ Munistutâya whoispraisedbysages

∫è™⁄∆îÙ⁄∆ ≤ŸÀ≤Ÿæ Bhaktavighnavinâßanâyawhodestroysdevotees’obstacles

äéÆ≥™Ÿæ Ekadantâya whohasonetusk

ò™‹∏@Ÿ“∆‰ Chaturbâhave whohasfourarms

ò™‹¿Ÿæ Chaturâya theingeniousone

À⁄è™–~æ‹™Ÿæ Íaktisaµyutâya unitedwithpower

ƒ~∏ËÆ¿Ÿæ Lambodarâya whohasalargebelly

À›¥@鮟@æ Íûrpakar∫âya withfan-likeears

“¿æ‰ Haraye destroysevilwithlion-likecourage

∏“˜⁄∆Æ‹%ºŸæ BrahmaviduttamâyaforemostknowerofGod

韃Ÿæ Kâlâya themasterofdestiny

í˘“¥™æ‰ Grahapataye lordofplanets

éŸ⁄º≤‰ Kâmine whoislove

–˺–›æŸ@⁄íÙ ƒËò≤Ÿæ Somasûryâgnilochanâyawhoseeyesarethemoon,sunandfire

¥ŸÀŸñÍé‹ÀÙ ∞¿Ÿæ Pâßâˆkußadharâyawhoholdsanooseandagoad

ò©•Ÿæ Cha∫∂âya whoisfierce-looking

í‹®Ÿ™¤™Ÿæ Gu∫âtîtâya whotranscendsqualities

⁄≤¿†Ú≤Ÿæ Nirañjanâya whoiswithoutblemish

Çé≈ºŒŸæ Akalmashâya whoiswithoutimpurity

—∆æ~⁄–ØÛŸæ Svayaµsiddhâya self-fulfilled,perfect

⁄–ØÛŸ⁄ò@™ ¥ÆŸΩ∏‹úŸæ Siddhârchitapadâmbujâyawhoselotusfeetsagesworship

∏¤ú¥›¿ ∂ƒŸ–號æ Bîjapûraphalâsaktâyawhoisfondofpomegranates

∆¿ÆŸæ Varadâya theboongiver

ÀŸÃ¸™Ÿæ Íâßvatâya theeternal,unchangingone

é‚⁄™≤‰ K®itine theskillfulone

⁄ظú⁄¥˘æŸæ Dvijapriyâya fondofthetwice-born

∆¤™∫æŸæ Vîtabhayâya whoisfearless

í⁄Æ≤‰ Gadine whowieldsthemace

ò⁄$®‰ Chakri∫e whowieldsadiscus

Ñ’‹òŸ¥∞‡™‰Ikshuchâpadh®itewhoholdsasugarcanebow

Ã˘¤ÆŸæ Írîdâya thebestowerofwealth

ÇúŸæ Ajâya theunbornone

Ü´¥ƒé¿ŸæUtpalakarâyawhoholdsaproudbluelotusflower

Ã˘¤¥™æ‰ Írîpataye theLordofwealth

—™‹⁄™“⁄Œ@™Ÿæ Stutiharshitâya whodelightsinpraise

鋃Ÿ⁄Æ˙∫‡™‰Kulâdribh®itewhosupportsHimâlaya,Hisfamily’smountain

ú⁄¢ƒŸæ Ja†ilâya whohasmattedhair

é⁄ƒé≈ºŒ ≤ŸÀ≤ŸæKalikalmasha-nâßanâyathedestroyerofsinsintheKaliyuga

ò≥Æ˙ò›•Ÿº®æ‰Chandrachû∂âma∫ayewhowearsamoonuponhishead

éŸ≥™Ÿæ Kântâya thebeloved,lovingone

¥Ÿ¥“Ÿ⁄¿®‰ Pâpahâri∫e theconsumerofsins

–ºŸ⁄“™Ÿæ Samâhitâya absorbedinmeditation

ÇŸ⁄Ã˘™Ÿæ Åßritâya whoisourrefuge

Ã˘¤é¿Ÿæ Írîkarâya whomanifestsprosperity

–ÈΩæŸæ Saumyâya theamiableone

∫è™∆Ÿ⁄°ö™ ÆŸæéŸæBhaktavâñçhitadâyakâyathegrantorofdevotees’desires

ÀŸ≥™Ÿæ Íântâya thepeacefulone

éÁ∆≈æ –‹êÆŸæKaivalyasukhadâyabestowerofunsulliedliberation

–⁄ôòÆŸ≤≥Æ ⁄∆í˘“ŸæSacchidânandavigrahâyaembodimentofexistence-knowledge-bliss

◊Ÿ⁄≤≤‰ Jñânine thegreatwisdom

ÆæŸæ‹™Ÿæ Dayâyutâya fullofcompassion

ÆŸ≥™Ÿæ Dântâya whohasself-control

∏˘“˜Ø¸‰Œ ⁄∆∆⁄ú@™ŸæBrahmadveshavivarjitâyawhoisfreefromaversiontoknowledge

¥˘º%ÆÊ´æ ∫æAÆŸæPramattadaityabhayadâyawhobringsterrortodemons

Ã˘¤é©§Ÿæ Írîka∫†hâya withbeautifulthroat

⁄∆∏‹∞‰Ã¸¿Ÿæ Vibudheßvarâya LordoftheWise

¿ŸºŸ⁄ò@@™Ÿæ Râmârchitâya worshipedbyRâma

⁄∆∞æ‰ Vidhaye whoisthedestinyofall

≤Ÿí¿Ÿú æ◊Ë¥∆¤™∆™‰Nâgarâjayajñopavîtavatewhosesacredthreadisakingcobra

—¨›ƒé©§Ÿæ Sthûlaka∫†hâya ofstoutneck

—∆æÄ é&‰AA@ Svayaµkartre whoisself-created

–ŸºîËŒ⁄¥˘æŸæSâmaghoshapriyâyawholovesthesoundofSâmaVeda

¥¿—ºÊ Parasmai whoissupreme

—¨›ƒ™‹©•Ÿæ Sthûlatu∫∂âya whohasastouttrunk

Çí˘©æ‰ Agra∫ye theleader

∞¤¿Ÿæ Dhîrâya thecourageousone

∆Ÿí¤ÀŸæ Vâgîßâya theLordofspeech

⁄–⁄ØÛÆŸæéŸæ Siddhidâyakâya bestoweroffulfillment

Æ›∆Ÿ@⁄∏≈∆ ⁄¥˘æŸæDûrvâbilvapriyâyawholovesdûrvâgrassandbilvaleaves

Ç…æ虺›™@æ‰AvyaktamûrtayethemanifestationoftheUnmanifest

ÇÆÍ∫‹™º›⁄™@º™‰ Adbhutamûrtimate ofwondrousform

Àʃ‰≥Æ˙™≤‹úË´–óÓ ê‰ƒ≤Ë´–‹éºŸ≤–ŸæÍailendratanujotsaˆgakhelanotsukamânasâya

whoishappytoplayinthelapofHismother,Pârvatî,daughterofthemountainLord

—∆ƒŸ∆©æ–‹∞Ÿ–Ÿ¿⁄ú™ º≥º¨⁄∆í˘“ŸæSvalâva∫yasudhâsârajitamanmathavigrahâya

…whodefeatedManmatha,theGodoflove,byHissweetbeauty

–º—™ úíÆŸ∞Ÿ¿ŸæSamastajagadâdhârâyathesupporterofalltheworlds

ºŸ⁄æ≤‰ Mâyine thesourceofillusorypower

º⁄›Œé∆Ÿ“≤Ÿæ Mûshikavâhanâya whoridesthemouse

„Ÿæ H®ish†âya thejoyfulone

™‹Ÿæ Tush†âya thecontentedone

¥˘–≤ÙŸ´º≤‰ Prasannâtmanethebrightkindly-souledone

–∆@⁄–⁄BÛ ¥˘ÆŸæéŸæSarvasiddhi-pradâyakâyathegrantorofallfulfillment

º≥& ¥‹œ¥ºÎ--MantraPushpam--WorshipWithFlowers

F æiËÉ¥ŸÄ ¥‹œ¥UÄ- ∆‰ÆI |, ¥‹œ¥i∆Ÿ≤Î ¥˘UúŸ∆ŸIi≤Î ¥Àu‹ºŸ≤Î ∫I∆⁄™ |, òU≥Æ˙ºŸU∆Ÿ ÇU¥ŸÄ ¥‹œ¥ºIiÎ |

¥‹œ¥i∆Ÿ≤Î ¥˘UúŸ∆IiŸ≤Î ¥À‹uºŸ≤Î ∫I∆⁄™ |, æ äu∆Ä ∆‰ÆI | æËAAIÉ¥ŸºUŸæ™i≤UÄ ∆‰ÆI |, ÇUŸæ™I≤∆Ÿ≤Î ∫∆⁄™ ||

F Ã˘¤ º“Ÿí®‰Ã¸¿Ÿæ ≤ºÅ, º≥&¥‹œ¥Ÿ°ú⁄ƒ~ –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

Aumyò-pâmpushpäµvedà,pushpàvânpräjâvâºnpaßümânbhàvati,chändramÄvâäpâmpushpamº,pushpàvânpräjâvâºnpaßümânbhàvati,yaëvaµvedà,yò-pâmÄyatànäµvedà,Äyatànavânbhavati.

AumÍrîMahâga∫eßvarâyanama˙,mantrapushpâñjaliµsamarpayâmi

TheonewhounderstandsthebeautyofthebloomingpowersoftheSupremeBeingisblessedwithbeautiful,bloominglife,progenyandcattle.Themooniscertainlythebloomofthosepowers.Onewhorealizesthequalitiesofthemoon,whicharenothingbutthebloomingdivinepowers,isblessedwithablooming,beautifullifeofperfection,progenyandcattle.Onewhorealizesthisprincipleandrealizesthesourcefromwhomallthesepowershavecomehimselfbecomestheabodeofthosedivinepowers.Aum,salutations,LordMahâga∫eßa,werespectfullyofferyouthisflowermantra.

Whilechantingthismantra,holdahandfulofflowersbeforeyouinañjalimudrâ,handscuppedlooselyaroundtheflowersatchestheight.Recitetheverseswithadoration.Asyouintonethelastword,samarpayâmi,loweryourhands(asshowninthephoto)andtosstheflowersintotheairabovethemurti,sendingashowerofblossomsupontheGodwithfeelingsofgratitudeandlovingdevotion.

ÇŸ¿™¤--Åratî--WorshipWithFlame

F –ŸùÒ~ ⁄&∆⁄%@–~æ‹#~ ∆⁄“n≤Ÿ æË⁄ú™~ ºæŸ |, 퇓Ÿ® ºóÓƒŸ¿⁄™Ä ÖÀ¥‹& ≤ºËÉ—™‹ ™‰ ||

FÄ ÇŸ∆Ÿ⁄“™ŸªæÅ –∆Ÿ@ªæË Æ‰∆™ŸªæË ≤ºÅ |, ⁄Æ…æºóӃƤ¥~ –≥ÆÀ@æŸ⁄º |

ÇŸòº≤¤æÄ –º¥@æŸ⁄º |, ºóÓƒŸ’™Ÿ≤Î –º¥@æŸ⁄º |

aumsâjyaµtrivartisaµyuktamvahninâyojitaµmayâ,g®ihâ∫amaˆgalâratimîßaputranamo-stute.aumâvâhitâbhya˙sarvâbhyodevatâbhyonama˙,divyamaˆgaladîpaµsandarßayâmi,âchamanîyaµsamarpayâmimaˆgalâkshatânsamarpayâmi

OGa∫apati,SonofGodÍiva,pleaseacceptthisauspiciousâratîpreparedbymewithghee,threewicksandfire.Mysaluta-tionstoyou!Aum!SalutationstoalltheGodsinvoked!Thisdivine,auspiciouslightweoffertoyou.Afterthat,weofferyoupurewaterforsippingandauspiciousunbrokenrice.

Duringthischant,holdthelitoillamporcamphorburnerinyourrighthandandthebellinyourleft.Whileringingthebellandslowlyrecitingtheâratîmantra,makethreecirclesclockwisebeforeGa∫eßawiththeflame.Stopatthetopofthethirdcircle,lowerthelampslightlyandtracethesymbolofAuminSansk®itorinyournativelanguage.ThenlifttheflameslightlyabovetheAumthatyouplacedintheâkâßicetherandringthebelllouderforallthreeworldstohear.Keepringingloudlywhilechantingtheabovetwo-linesalutationtothedevas(“âvâ-hitâbhya˙…sandarßayâmi”).Putdownthebellandthelampandthen,withtheflamestillburning,offeraspoonfulofwaterwith“âchamanîyaµsamarpayâmi,”thenapinchofricewith“maˆgalâshatânsamarpayâmi.”

¿’∞Ÿ¿®ºÍ--Rakshadhâra∫am--PrayerforProtection

Ñ≥Æ˙ —™ËºI‰≤¥ZŸÆUÀ‰≤U , º±æ⁄ºÆ~ ∆Ÿ™‰I≤U –í¿I‰® , ¿’ ¿’Ÿ~ ∞Ÿ¿æŸU⁄º |

indra-stomènapañchadäßenä,madhyamïdaµvâtènäsagarè∫a,raksharakshâµdhârayÄmiOIndra,Lordofmaterialandspiritualprosperity,pleaseprotectthespacebetweentheheavensandearthaswellasthemindbetweenthebodyandthesoulwiththehelpoffifteennoblepowersandvirtues(fiveprâ∫as,fivejñânendriyasandfivekarmendriyas).Yourprotectionandblessingssustainme.

Asyourecitethismantra,makethreecirclesabovetheburningflamewithaflowerheldintherighthand,stemupward(photonextpage).Withthelastwords,tosstheflowergentlytowardtheDeityandplaceyourhandsinañjalimudrâwhilefacingthealtar.Nowoffertheflameatchestleveltoallpresent,allowingeachtodrawbothhandsthroughitandlightlytouchtheeyesthreetimes(photonextpage,upperright).TheGodsanddevascanseeusthroughtheflameandsendblessings.Ifespeciallyhonoredpersonsarepresent,suchasone’sguru,parentsorteacher,taketheflamefirsttothem.Thenproceedclockwisetotheothers.Insomecases,thepujârîmaystandnearthealtarwhiledevoteescomeforwardtoreceivetheflame.Ifnooneisattendingthepûjâ,youmayper-sonallydrawblessingsfromtheflame,butnototherwise.Finally,presenttheflameoncemoretotheDeity,thenex-tinguishitwithawaveoftherighthandorbysnuffingitoutwithaflower.

Ç¥@®ºÍ--Arpa∫am--FinalConsecration

Ç≤æŸ æ¨Ÿ À⁄# é‚™,(stateperiodofday), ¥›úæŸ ∫í∆Ÿ≤Î –∆@ Ɖ∆Ÿ´ºéÅ, Ã˘¤ º“Ÿí®‰Ã¸¿Ÿ: –‹¥˘¤™Å

–‹¥˘–≤ÙË ∆¿ÆË ∫∆™‹

anayâyathâßaktik®ita(stateperiodofdayfromlistonpageI-4),pûjayâbhagavânsarvadevâtmaka˙ßrîmahâga∫eßvara˙suprîta˙,suprasannovaradobhavatu

Tothebestofourabilitywehaveperformedthis(statetimeofday)pûjâandworshipedyou,dearLord,thebrightestofalltheGods.Mayitpleaseyou.Mayitbeenjoyedbyyou.Surroundedbyyourpresence,weplaceourselvesinyourcare,lovingGa∫eßa.

Beforerecitingtheaboveverse,placeapinchofriceinyourleftpalm,thentransferittotherightpalm.Addtothericethreespoonfulsofwaterandclosethehand(leftphoto).HoldthericebeforeyouasyoufacetheDeity,thelefthandundertherighthand,andrecitethemantra.Asyouintonethelastwords,letthericeandwaterfallintothetîrthacup(rightphoto).Thesacra-mentsmaythenbegivenoutinthefollowingorder:holyash,blessedwater,sandalpaste,redpowder,foodandflowers.Ifnooneisattendingthepûjâ,youmaypartakeofthesacramentsyourself,butnototherwise.Ifmanydevoteesareattending,asecondper-sonmayhelppassoutthesacraments,exceptfortheholyash,whichisalwaysgivenbythepersonwhoperformedthepûjâ.

⁄∆–ú@≤ºÍ--Visarjanam--FarewellandApologies

F ÇŸ∆Ÿ“≤Ä ≤ úŸ≤Ÿ⁄º ≤ úŸ≤Ÿ⁄º ⁄∆–ú@≤ºÎ |, ¥›úŸ°òÊ∆ ≤ úŸ≤Ÿ⁄º ’Ωæ™ŸÄ ¥¿º‰Ã¸¿ ||

º≥&“¤≤~ ⁄$染¤≤ºÍ ∫⁄#“¤≤~ –‹¿‰Ã¸¿ |, æ™Î ¥›⁄ú™Ä ºæŸ Ɖ∆ ¥⁄¿¥›®@Ä ™Æ—™‹ ™‰ |

Ç≥樟 À¿®ºÎ ≤Ÿ⁄—™ ´∆º‰∆ À¿®ºÎ ºº |, ™—ºŸ™Î 韡©æ∫Ÿ∆‰≤ ¿’ ¿’ í®‰Ã¸¿ ||, F ™™Î –™Î F

Aumâvâhanaµnajânâminajânâmivisarjanam,pûjâñchaivanajânâmikshamyatâmparameßvara.mantrahînaµkriyâhînambhaktihînaµsureßvara,yatpûjitammayâdevaparipûr∫amtadastute,anyathâßara∫aµnâstitvamevaßara∫ammama,tasmâtkâru∫yabhâvenaraksharakshaga∫eßvara.AumtatsatAum.

OLord,wedonotknowthepropermeansofinvitingyouor,whentakingourleave,howtowishyoufarewell.Afullknowl-edgeofpriestlyriteshasnotbeenimpartedtous,soyoumustoverlookandforgiveanymistakesoromissions.Weknowlittleofmantrasorpiousconduct,andwearestrangerstotruebhakti.Nonetheless,pleaseforgiveusandregardourat-temptsasexactandcomplete—becauseyouareouronlyrefuge.Withyourcompassionatenature,LordGa∫eßa,webeseechyou,pleaseprotectthosewhopray.ThatwhichisTruthisAum.

Thisconcludingapologyisrecitedwithhandsinañjalimudrâ.Itisaformalanddevoutendtotheworshipservice.Asthefinalwords,“AumtatsatAum,”arespoken,itiscustomarytoclapyourhandstogetherthreetimes.Allmaynowprostrate.

Itistraditionalandmostupliftingtomeditateforafewminutesafterthepûjâ,ratherthanrushingoffertodailyduties.Thereisgreatpersonalbenefitinsuchinternalizedworship,eyesclosed,mindstill,following,deepwithinyourself,theprâ∫asthatthepûjâhascreated.Externalizedworshipisthebhaktipath;internalizedworshipistheyogapath.Bothtogethermakethecompletecirclethatsustainsdevoteesintheirspirituallife,makingthemstrongandkindlyinmovingtheforcesoftheworldintheirdailylife.Thisdual-prongedefforttowardsself-transformationandrightlivingistheveryfoundationforthefinalgoalofallseekers:moksha,freedomfromrebirth.