Ayudha Puja

This past Friday, the monastery observed Ayudha Puja in our kitchen.

"Ayudha Puja" simply translates to "implement worship," and is performed on Vijayadashami - the day immediately following the last night of Navaratri.

At this time, whatever items used to do his or her profession or other duties are cleaned well, adorned with vibhuti, chandanam, and kumkum, flowers, etc. and offered arati and incense. No matter what items are being blessed, some form of printed knowledge (books, magazines, iPad, etc) are usually included.

Any tool that is personally or professionally vital to the devotee is blessed. This could include computers, motorcycles, power saws, dish washers, calculators, musical instruments, theatre make up, farming trackers, etc.

This particular Ayudha Puja was performed in the monastery's kitchen, so things such as our blender, food processor, oven and stove, cutting boards, knifes, spoons, scouring sponge, rice paddle, pots, pans and more were worshipped.

The blessings of Goddess Saraswati are invoked, as well as Lord Ganesha.

This custom is an ancient and meaningful one, with the sentiment behind it being the acknowledgement that work is worship and that the tools we use to conduct said worship are the power, the shakti, that works behind it.

The kitchen island is bedecked with lamps, flowers and blessed utensils

even the sponge is important

This custom is an ancient and meaningful one, with the sentiment behind it being the acknowledgement that work is worship and that the tools we use to conduct said worship are the power, the shakti, that works behind it.

You can\

t forget the fridge'

Similarly, we worship the tools that the Gods themselves use, such as the Trishula and the Vel, as sacred and even a representation of that very Deity.

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