Puja - help please

[pujaD]

Dear All,

Last weekend I attended a Puja at my masi's house. I found this really interesting but few of my relatives could really explain the significance and meaning behind the ceremony. Being a young Hindu - I want to learn more.

I would appreciate any help and information on all the different types of Puja and what is involved. Also, Is there an English Translation which explains all this?

Thank you

[sanjaya]

Dear All,

Last weekend I attended a Puja at my masi's house. I found this really interesting but few of my relatives could really explain the significance and meaning behind the ceremony. Being a young Hindu - I want to learn more.

I would appreciate any help and information on all the different types of Puja and what is involved. Also, Is there an English Translation which explains all this?

Thank you

May I ask what sort of puja it was? I'm somewhat familiar with the Sri Satyanarayana Puja (but by no means an expert!). On anything else though, I'm pretty ignorant.

[sambya]

literally puja may be translated as worship . it is a set of rituals in accordance with definite rules , having a large influence of tantra shastra and dravidian practises that sprang up from later vedic era when the importance of maha-yagnas steadily declined . a puja is usually offered to a personal god . in a puja the deity to ve invoked is treated as the most honourable guest to the household and offered all the items of comfort that was offered to a speciall guest in ancient india .

first the purohit or preist cleanses himself both physically and mentally by bathing and matras respectively . then he calms his mind through pranayam and recognises the inherently devine nature of his self through complex mantric procedures known as nyasa and bhutasuddhi . then he offers the sixteen items to god(a place to sit , welcome song , water for washing feet , argha , water for washing mouth , mudhuparka as a sweet , water for bathing , new clothes , jwellery , perfumed sandal paste , flowers, lamp , incense , food offerings and pranaam accompanied by hyms and praises . then the pujari is supposed to surrender all his belonging to the deity and finish of the proceeding with an arati .

this is a very short description of a puja . of course , the exact method vary between each region . local influences and customs also play a very important part in it . the idea is to reach the supreme through loving devotion and respect .......

[sanjaya]

literally puja may be translated as worship . it is a set of rituals in accordance with definite rules , having a large influence of tantra shastra and dravidian practises that sprang up from later vedic era when the importance of maha-yagnas steadily declined . a puja is usually offered to a personal god . in a puja the deity to ve invoked is treated as the most honourable guest to the household and offered all the items of comfort that was offered to a speciall guest in ancient india .

first the purohit or preist cleanses himself both physically and mentally by bathing and matras respectively . then he calms his mind through pranayam and recognises the inherently devine nature of his self through complex mantric procedures known as nyasa and bhutasuddhi . then he offers the sixteen items to god(a place to sit , welcome song , water for washing feet , argha , water for washing mouth , mudhuparka as a sweet , water for bathing , new clothes , jwellery , perfumed sandal paste , flowers, lamp , incense , food offerings and pranaam accompanied by hyms and praises . then the pujari is supposed to surrender all his belonging to the deity and finish of the proceeding with an arati .

this is a very short description of a puja . of course , the exact method vary between each region . local influences and customs also play a very important part in it . the idea is to reach the supreme through loving devotion and respect .......

Thank you for that explanation. I've learned several new things from reading it. I didn't know that a puja is meant to symbolize the honor that ancient Indians used to pay to guests.

[pujaD]

Thank you so much for your explanation, very interesting. They have just moved into a new house - therefore the puja was in regards to this. Does this help make my question somewhat clearer?

[sambya]

well , the puja that u r talking of is probably grihapravesh--the ceremony before starting to reside in a new home .

this is done to remove the 'impurities' that may be present in the enviornment . several deities are worshipped in this ritual including vishnu and shiva . this is done with a idea to ensure long lasting peace and prosperity to the owner and members of the new house .

this is sakama puja -- the puja with a material wish . such puja generally falls within the scope of material activities .
the other variant is nishkama puja--puja without desires . such puja is done out of devotion only without any hidden motive . earning the grace of lord or desire of bhakti falls under nishkama catagories also . such puja helps in ultimate liberation in the end .