Siva Puja
One of our monks doing the Siva puja a few days ago was inspired to take some photos of the sacred process, without any images of Lord Nataraja of course.
Puja literally means "worship, adoration." 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 scriptural source that is followed, but one popular list is the following: 1) Avahanam, invoking; 2) Asanam, offering a seat; 3) Padyam, offering water for cleansing feet; 4) Argyam, offering water for cleansing the palms; 5) Achamaniyam, sipping water; 6) Snanam, ceremonial bath; 7) Vastram, offering vestments; 8) Yajnopavitam, offering sacred thread; 9) Chandanam, offering sandalwood paste; 10) Pushpam, offering flowers; 11) Dhupam, burning incense; 12) Dipam, waving lighted camphor; 13) Naivedyam, offering food; 14) Anjali, praying with folded hands; 15) Pradakshina, circumambulation; 16) Udvasanam, farewell.
Seers can reach Him because He is visible; worshipers, too, can see Him. But if they possess love for Him, Hara, who is the first cause of the ancient universe, will manifest Himself to their mind as light.
Tirumurai, Arputat Tiruvantati 17
5 Responses to “Siva Puja”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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March 12th, 2016 at 8:02 pm
This post comes at the right time. Two days ago I was refreshing my mind on the importance of rituals in the evolution of the people. Rituals is a language of action combining the elements of the universe in diverse ways. Each ritual is according to the skills of the pujari. But again moving from one system of living to another can only bring progress when the ego subsides, when the state if relaxation is such that the murky waters of the subconscious mind settles down to bring clarity.
March 13th, 2016 at 12:26 am
This is a beautiful post, blending the art of puja with the mystical meanings. Lord Nataraja’s mala simply emanates dharsan. Sincerest nandris for taking the time to develop this post, it is wonderful! Aum Namah Sivaya.
March 13th, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Om Namah Shivay!
March 13th, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Siva, Siva
March 17th, 2016 at 6:28 pm
This is lovely. Even though we do puja every day, it is always good to be reminded of the deep significance of every part of it. Thank you so much!
Pranams to all the monks.
Aum Namasivaya.