Symbolism of Puja

In Hinduism we come across a standard method of worship called puja or pooja. Unlike the elaborate sacrificial ceremonies, it can be performed by anyone except those that have incurred impurity due to menstruation or the demise of a family member, etc. As the preferred type of worship, «puja» is practiced in virtually each Hindu household even as we speak, either every day, occasionally on sure days in a week or month, or on important spiritual, auspicious or festive events as required by tradition. A puja can either be a simple ritual worship or a really difficult one, relying upon the way it is performed. One could perform it to beat a problem, seek divine help, or just to render devotional service to the family deities. For many individuals, puja is part of the daily sacrifice (nitya karma).

Many interpretations will be given in Hinduism to the word «puja» which consists of letters, namely, «pa» and «ja.» In line with one interpretation, «pa» means «parayana» or steady repetition of the names of God and «ja» means «japa» or steady psychological recitation of the names of God. In keeping with this interpretation «puja» is essentially a kind of Hindu worship in which each parayanam and japam are practiced by the devotees.

In a puja ceremony, Hindus supply both flowers and water to the deity. Thus from this point of view, «pu» means «pushpam» or flower and «ja» means «jal.» The letter «ja» can even mean concurrently «japam.» So in this context, puja turns into that type of Hindu worship, throughout which water and flowers are offered to God along with recitation of His names.

Lastly, puja has a spiritual dimension also. In keeping with this interpretation, puja means that form of worship by means of which we give start to or awaken the indwelling spirit in us. Here «pu’ means «purusha,» that means the everlasting self and «ja» means «janma,» meaning to offer birth to or to awaken.

In line with Hindu beliefs, during the puja the deity, which is generally an idol or a statue, involves life. This happens each outwardly in the object of worship or the deity and inwardly in the topic of worship or the devotee. The statue or the form of the deity is delivered to life externally through the chanting of mantras or special invocations, or specifically speaking, by the efficiency of ‘prana pratishta’ or establishing the life breath in it. Equally, the indwelling spirit in the worshipper is awakened because of his sincerity, focus, devotion, and divine grace which is symbolically represented as ‘prasad,» grace or blessing from above.

How puja is conducted

Hindus perform pujas in varied ways. The most common form of worship follows a well-established sequence of actions, or procedure, which is approximately similar to how a visiting visitor is customarily treated by a religious householder. In keeping with the Vedic tradition, visiting company are considered gods (athidhi devo bhava) and they’re purported to be treated with the identical respect as gods are treated during an invocation or sacrificial ceremony. Thus, although the puja ceremony is a later day development, the idea of honoring the deity by paying respects and making choices may be very much rooted in Vedic ritualism and sacrificial ceremonies.

Throughout the ceremony, step one includes uttering an invocation, mantra or prayer, inviting the chosen god to visit the place of worship, which is indicated to him by specifying the directions, the time and the place name. This is generally performed either by a mediating priest or the worshipper himself. Once it is finished, it is assumed that the deity has agreed to come and arrived at the designated place as requested. The worshipper then washes his toes with a symbolic gesture and offers him a seat with utmost respect.

These honors are extended to him as if he’s physically current in entrance of the worshipper in person. Just we offer water or a drink to a visiting guest to quench his thirst as if he has walked in the shiny sun for a very long time, the worshipper subsequent presents him water to drink by inserting a glass in front of the idol or dropping water with a small spoon or ladle. As soon as he is seated, as a mark of utmost reverence, love and self-surrender, he as soon as once more washes his feet with ceremonial water.

After that, the idol is bathed with water, milk, honey, etc., and massaged with varied perfumes and scented pastes equivalent to turmeric powder, sandal paste and curd mixed with ghee to the accompaniment of varied mantras which usually finish with «samarpayami,» that means, «I’ve offered.» After the bathing ceremony, the deity is offered new garments to wear in the course of the ceremony, which is symbolically represented either by a peace of cotton thread in easy ceremonies or real clothes in more organized ones.

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