POOJA VIDHI - English version

POOJA VIDHI - Sri Paraasakthi

Brief Introduction - Panchopachaara Pooja means 5 types of offerings / serving to God viz: Ghandham-Thilak, Pushpam-Fragrent flowers, Dhoopam-Incense, Dheepam-Divine Light, Nivedhyam-Various type of Food.

Parasakthi accepts offers through various forms of God. When worship is offered in the form of Male deity it is known as Paramapurusha-Sadhasiva and in the form of Female deity it is known as MoolaPrakruthi-Parasakthi. It does not matter whichever form you worship. According to Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam She said one can worship Her in many ways that includes Form and Formless besdies other 12 approach.

How to do the pooja is given below:

Stage - 1
1. Namaskar (Prostration) before the Pooja Sannadhi - Photoghraph / Lamp etc.
2. Adore Raksha (Vibhoothi, KumKum, Chandan etc) between eye brow
3. Take a deep Praanaayaama
4. Chant Gayathri Mantra 5 times or Gurumanthra
5. Lit the lamp by chanting “Om Parasakthyai Nama”
6. Meditate Guru Paadam on your center of head
7. Offer “Maanasa Pushpam” to your Guru
8. Seek Guru’s permission / blessings for conducting pooja and assume ‘Anuvadham’. Those who don't have manthropadesa Guru may consider their parents or Sun God as Guru.
9. Fill pure water in to a Pancha/Kalasa Pathram by chanting Gayathri or Gurumanthram and initiate Kalasa Pooja by invoking / manifesting the 6 Sakhti Devathas into the Kalasa Pathram (Ganapathy, Soorya, Agni, Maha Vishnu, Maha Devan & Sri Devi) and then recite “Gangecha Yanumechaiva Godhavareecha Saraswathi, Narmadhe Sindhu Kaaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru” . Please learn Aavahana Mudra from learned ones. For Aavahanam/Invoking hold few flowers + Akshatham + Little Water in both hands and after Aavahanam offer those dravyaas / articles into the water filled Pancha Pathra.

10. Do AsthraManthra Prayogam (Futt) by sprinkling the holy water taken out from the Kalasam to oneself as well as all articles to be involved in the pooja. This is to ensure that all dravyaas brought in for the pooja gets eligibility to do so.


Stage - 2
1. Ganapathy Dhyanam
2. Saraswathy Dhyanam
3. Sadh Guru Dhyanam
4. Chart Pancha-brahmasana Nyasam (Please learn this function from known people. This is my own creation hence you may not find in other scholars teachings).


Stage - 3
1. Sankalpam 1: Suklaambaradharam Vishnum Sasi Varnam Chathurbhujam, Prasanna Vadhanam Dhyaayeth Sarva Vigno-pasaanthaye .. Om Paraaskathyai Namaha; Thadeva Lagnam Sudhinam Thadheva, Thaaraabalam Chandrabalam Thadheva, Vidhyaabalam Dhaivabalam Thadheva, Om Paraasaktheem Amgriyugam Smaraami.

2. Praanaayamam: Om Bhoo:, Om Bhuva, Ogum-Suvaha, Om Mahaha, Om Janaha:, Om Thapaha: Ogum Sathyam; Om , Bhoorbhuva-suvaha, Thath Savithur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dheem-mahi, Dhiyo Yo Na Prachodhayaath.

3. Sankalpam 2: Mamopattha Samastha Dhuritha-Kshayadwaara Sri Parameswara Parameswari Preethyartham, Subhe Sobhane Muhoorthe, ----- Naama Samvathsare, ---- Ayane, ----- Rithow, ---- Mase, ---- Pakshe, ---- Thidhow, ---- Vaasara Yukthaayaam, ---- Nakshthra Yukthaayaam; Subha Yoga Subha Karana, Yevamguna Viseshana Visishtaayaam, Asyaam, Subha-thidhow; Manasa Vaachaa, Karmanaa, Samastha Paapakshayaartham, Sarva Jana Kshemaartham, Samastha Mangala Praapthyartham, Chathurvidha Purushaartha Sidhyartham, Mama Ishtakaamyaartha Sidhyartham, Navagraha Dhosha Nivarthyartham, Asmad Kula-devatha, Aachaarya-devatha, Pithru-devatha, Griha-devatha, Grama-devatha, Upasana-devatha, Adithyadi Navagraha-devatha Preethyartham, Sri Lalitha Parameswari Preethyartham, Sri Lalitha Sahasranaamaa (vali) Japa (Paraayana) Panchopachaara Poojaam Karishye.

Stage - 4
Dhyaanam: Sindhooraaruna Vigrahaam……………Smared Ambikaam

Aavaahanam: Om Sri Lalithaa Maha Thripura Sundaryai Namaha, Samastha Angadevatha sahitha saparivaaram asmin Chitrapate (Kumbe, Hrudayam, Haridra Bimbe, Chakre, Sri Lalitha Parameswarim Aavaahayaami, Idha Aasanam samarpayaami.
Paadhyam samarpayaami: (Offer water at the lotus feet of Sri Devi)
Arghyam samarpayaami (Sprinkle water on the head of Sri Devi)
Aachamaneeyam samarpayaami (Offer water 3 times to sip, individually)
Snaanam samarpayaami (Give Sri Devi a decent full bath/shower or at least both padams)
Aachamaneeyam samarpayaami (Offer water 3 times to sip)
Vasthram samarpayaami (Dress with Red/White/Yello/Green color silk saree)
Uthareeyam samarpayaami (Offer towel in advance to wipe water as and when require)
Sarvathra Suvarnnaabaranam Samarpayaami1 (Offer several gold ornaments to wear all over the body including ‘Yekavalli White Pearl chain)
Sarvathra Aayudham Samarpayaami (Offer 4 important weapons - Ankusam, Pancha Pushpa Bhaanam, Paasam, Chaapam and request her to show Abhaya & Varadha Mudra for your own security purpose)
Nanavidha Sugandha Pushpa Haaram Samarpayaami (Offer a Haram with fresh, colorful & high fragrant flowers)
Nanavidha Parimala Gandham Prokshyaami (Spray fragrance/scent on her precious body)

Stage - 5 (Upachaaram 1)
Lam - Prithwi Thathwaathmikaayai Sri Lalithaambikaayai : Kasthoori / Thripundra / Oordwapundra Thilakam Gandham Dhaarayaami (Assume this earth is a Thilak on her forehead)
Haridraa Choornam Samarpayaami (Offer red color sacred Kum-Kum on forehead
Gandhsyopari Akshthaan Pushpaani Samarpayaami (Offer full grain rice quoted with turmaric powder and few flowers)

Stage - 6 (Upachaaram 2)

Ham - Aakaasa Thathwaathmikaayai Sri Lalithaambikaayai : Purshpaani Samarpayaami; Thadha Sri Lithasahasranama Japa Sugandha Pushpaarchanam Karishyaami

Chant Sri Lalitha Sahasranaama Sthothram or Namavali and offer pushpam (flower) each time at the lotus feet of Sri Devi. Pick-up the flowers with the help of Thump & Ring finger only and run through the hand from Mooladhaaram to Sahasraaram (or atleast upto Anaanatha-Heart chakram) then offer the flower to Sri Devi.

At the end, offer flowers to your Kula Devatha, Kula Guru Devatha, Aachaarya Devatha, Pithru Devatha (Swadha Devi), Navagraha Devathas and Swa Aathma Devatha.

Stage - 7 (Upachaaram 3)

Yam - Vaayu Thathwaathmikaayai Sri Lalithaambikaayai : Dhoopam Aagraapayaami (Offer Pancha Sugandha Dhoop {mix of Kundhurukkam, Akil, Karpooram, White Sandle Powder and Gul-gulu} / Agarbathi from Paadham to top head and stay for a while at Hrudhayam for few seconds. Then, pick-up few flowers and circle the dhoopam and offer it to Sri Devi. While do so, feel the fragrance within your body).

Stage - 8 (Upachaaram 4)
Ram - Agni Thathwaathmikaayai Sri Lalithaambikaayai : Dheepam Sandharsayaami (Offer the brilliance of Single face ghee/oil lamp to Sri Devi from Paadam to top head and stay for a while at Hrudhayam. Then, pick-up few flowers and circle the dheepam and offer it to Sri Devi. While do so, see that your inner heart is filled with absolute brilliannce of solar power)

Aavahithabhya Sarvabhyo Devathabhyo Namo Namaha, Doopa - Deepanantharam Aaachamaneeyam Samarpayami (Offer pure cold water to sip three times individually)

Stage - 9 (Upachaaram 5)
Vam - Amrutha Thathwaathmikaayai Sri Lalithaambikaayai : Amrutha Maha Naivedhyam Nivedhayaami. (Offer Varieties of Naivedhya Annam & special Aahaaram to Sri Devi. Make sure few drops of pure Cow Ghee on top of the Naivedhyam. Before feeding food, wash her Padam, Hands, Mouth and offer little water to drink, do the same after having food. All Naivedhya vessals should be kept only on the right side. Naivedhya are three types 1- Annahaara, 2 - Nalikeram, 3 - Thamboolam )

Do Nivedhanam by saying the following manthras:
Samastha Asudha, Drushti Nivaaranaartham Idham Pushpasya Nivarthayathe
Om Bhoor-Bhuva-Suva (Sprinckle water on to Nivedhyam)
Thath Savithur Varenyam , Bhargo Devasya Dhem-mahi, Dhiyo Yona Prachodhayaath, Om Bhoor-Bhuva Suvaha, Deva Savitha: Prasoova, Sathyam Twartthena Parishinchyami , Aavahithabhyo Sarwabhyo Devathaabhyo Namo Nama, Amrutham Bhavathu, Amruthopastharanamasi. (Circle water around Nivedhyam and finally drope the water to her footrest).
Om Praanaaya Swaahaa (Connect Thump +Index fingures and offer food)
Om Apaanaya Swaahaa (Connect Thump+Index+Middle fingures and offer)
Om Vyaanaya Swaahaa (Connect Thump+Index+Ring fingures and offer)
Om Udhaanaya Swahaa (Connect Thump+Index+Little fingures and offer)
Om Samanaya Swaahaa (Connect all the five fingures and offer)
Om Brahmane Swaahaa (Mix all food and give it at one)

Avahithabhyo Sarvabhyo Devathabhyo Namo Namaha, Divyannam cha nanavidha maha nivedhyam Nivedhayami, Aachameeyam Samarpayani.

Nalikera Ganda Dwayam (if broker coconut is served), Kadalee Bhalam (banana), Nanavidha Cha Sarvam Maha Nivedhyam Nivedhayami, Madhye Madhye Amrutha Paaneeyam Samarpayaami. Brahmani Aathmaa Amrutham Thathwaaya, Amruthapidhaanamasi, Uthara Bhojanaartham Hastha Prakshalanam Samarpayami, Paadha Prakshalanam Samarpayaami, Aachamaneeyam Samarpayaami.

Bhoogeebala Samaayuktham Naagavallee-Dhalairyutham, Karpoora Choornna Samyuktham Thamboolam Pathigruhyathaam. Karpoora Thamboolam Nivedhayaami (if bethel leaf is served). While offering bethel leaf allow Sri Devi to chew and swallow therefore chant few manthraas and make her happy. Thereafrer, Uthra thamboolaanantharam Aachameenayam Samarpayaami, Samasth bhojanopachaaraan Samarpayaami. Take few flowers and circle all nivedhyam and offer to her foot rest.



Pick one or two flowers from her lap / lotus feet (already offered ones) and put it in the nivedhyam to make the already offered food as Prasadham and say Om Sri Lalitha Parameswari Prasadha Sidhirasthu. Therefore, remove the vessels and clean the floor by sprinling pure water or it can be kept as it is until the pooja gets over.


Stage - 9
Alankaara Panchamukha Dheepam Sandharsayaami, Rakshaam Dhaarayaami. Move and circle the lamp from foot to head; pause for a while at the heart / anaahatha chakra (Pick up few flowers and circle the lamp and offer those flowers to the lotus feet of Sri Devi. Show Five face lamp from Paadam through Sahasraara Pathmam. These five face lights represent five element principle & bhoothaas in creation. Use bell during this function). Please ensure the bell should always ring in couple which represent let the good comes in and bad gets out.

Karpoora Deepam Sandharsayaami, Rakshaam Dhaarayaami (Pick up few flowers and circle the fire/lamp and offer those flowers to the lotus feet of Sri Devi. Show camphor lamp from Paadam through Sahasraara Pathmam and pause for a while at heart / anaahatha chakra. This function indicates & confirm that all your sins are being burned off in front of Sri Devi / Almighty as the way camphor losing its existence. The fire represents Sri Devi’s grace, with that you are washing all your sins or karma. Use bell during this event)


After this, the devotee must do one Aachamanam for himself; if female, she should hold her right palm close to right ear and say Govindha, Govindha, Govindha. Then continue next step.


Stage - 10
(Part of 16 upachaara pooja)
Manthra Pushpam offering: Yopam Pushpam vedha, pushpavaan prajavan pasuman bhavathi. Chandrama va apaam pushpam, pushpavaan prajavaan pasuman bhavathi. Aavahithabhyo Sarvabhyo Devathabhyo Namo Nama: Vedhoktha Manthrapushpam Samarpayami - Offer flowers as substitute for Manthraas.


Raajadhi Raajaya Prasahya Saahine, Nano Vayam Vayi Sravanaaya Koormahe; Sa me kaaman kaama kaamaaya mahyam, Kameswaro Vayi Sravano Dhadhathu; kuberayavai sravanaaya mahaa rajaya nama: Suvarna pushpam samarpayami, paarijatha pushpam samarpayami - Offer flowers with supreme color of state and offer flowers as the supreme in flowers.


Nanaavidha Parimala Pushpam Samarpayaami Offer various flowers with highest frangrance Chatrham Samarpayaami - Offer golden umberlla a symbol of supremecy Chaamaram Samarpayaami - Offer hand fan made out of Peacock feathers Nrutham, Vadhyam, Ghosham, Sangeerthanam, Upanyaasam, Veda Paraayanam, Chathu-Shashti-\Kalaa Vidhyaa Prakatanam Samarpayaami. -(Offer/show Divine Dance, Play divine instruments, Praise or Propaganda, Bajan, Discourse, Chant Vedas, Offer 64 arts play) Samastha Raajopacharaan Samarpayaami - Offer all sort of supreme services Idhamarghyam Idhamarghyam Idamarghyam…. Offer water for Wash, Aachamanam & Drink

Aaseervadha Manthram: Swasthi prajabhya: Paripaalayantham Nyaayena Maarghena Maheenma Easa, Go-brahmanebhya: suba masthu nithyam; loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu. Om Santhi Santhi Santhi-hi.


Prarthana Namaskaram Samarpayami: Ya Devi Sarva Bhootheshu (Vidhya, Gnaana, Sradha bakthi, Thrupthi and Sarva) Roopena Samsthitha Namasthasai Namasthasai Namasthasai Namo Nama: (The Almighty in any form may listen to my prayer and fulfill my desires in the form of my request. I prostrate to that power again & again)

Pradhakshinam: Yani Kani Cha Paapaani Janmaanthara Kruthaanicha, Thaani Thaani Vinasyanthi Pradhakshina Padhe Padhe Prakrushta Paapanaasaaya Prakrushta Bhalasiddhaye, Pradhakshinam Karomeesa Prasedha Parameswari.


Pray for self and family then , Pray for the universal peace.

Samarpanam: Kaayena Vaacha Manasendra Yairva Bhudhyaathmanaava Prakruthe Swabhaavaadh Karomi Yadhyath Sakalam Parasmai Sri Man Naaraayaanayethi Samarpayaami. (Being Kalu Yuga - Sriman Lakshmi Narayanan is incharge of all good and bad deeds of being in this universe - hence everyone must conclude pooja under his guidence only - This is the order of Sri Parasakthi; especially those who resides in the Bharatha Varsham - Bharatha Khandam).


Manasa Vaacha Karmana yithi samastha paapa kshayaartham samastha kshmaaparaartham anantha koti pradhakshina namaskaraan yidham pushpaani manasa roopena samarpayaami. (I surrender to the lotus feet of Supreme Power, who the reason for my existence to parden my mistakes done through acts, word of mouth, mind, indriyaas, brain, by nature & vasanaas and the same is being deposited with Sri Great Naaraayana)

Aachamaneeyam Samarpayaami - (Offer water to sip, 3 times)

Upasthaanam: Om Sri Lalitha Parameswari Panchopachaara poojopasthanam karishye
Om Sree Moola Devatha sahitha samastha parivaara angadevatha yadhaa sthaanam prathishtaapayaami. (Conclude the 5 special serving pooja and send-off the invoked supreme power from where you have envoked i.e. Mahaa Kailaasam or Sun or Moon etc)

Om thath Sath Brahmaarpanamasthu: (Realize that the Om is the ultimate truth hence surrender all your good & bad to Superme Brahman i.e. Aadi Paraasakthi). Take a tea spoon of water in your right palm and drop it through the little finger to the lotus feet of Paraasakthi / Deity whom you invoked.

Notes:
· Using the bell & conch during pooja is to ward-off the evil spirits.
· During Aachamanam, Padhyam , Arghyam & Amritha Paneeyam etc drop a tea-spoon of water in a small cup kept under Sri Devi’s right leg - this holy water become real Theertham after the pooja

Class notes prepared for devotees: R.V.Venkiteswaran, Palakkad, 1st April, 1999

== Subham ===============================