Kali Puja
Kali Puja
Kali Puja
Purohit (priests)
Kanai L. Mukherjee – Bibhas Bandyopadhyay
Editor
Aloka Chakravarty
Publishers
Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants, USA
POBox 50032, Nashvillle, TN 37205
([email protected])
Distributor
Eagle Book Bindery
Cedar Rapids. IA 52405
Fourth Edition
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
1 08 Preliminaries http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-01-
Preliminaries-p08.mp3
2 54 Pradhan http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-02-Pradhan-
puja-p54.mp3
3 75 Havan- http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-03-Havan-and-
Conclusion conclusion-p75.mp3
4 94 Sishonashir http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-04-
Sishornashi- bakyam-p94.mp3
http://www.agiivideo.com/books/video/kali/Sishonashir-Brajomadhab-video.avi
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Global Communication
Dilip Som
Art work
Monidipa Basu
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!
Our current publications!
!
Book 1: Saraswati Puja!
Book 2: Lakshmi Puja!
Book 3: Durga Puja!
Book 4: Kali Puja!
Book 5: Satyanarayana Broto (Katha)!
Book 6: Hindu Marriage!
Book 7: Annaprasan!
Book 8: Sacred Thread!
Book 9: Grihaprabesh!
Book 10: Farewell to the soul!
!
To be continued!
!
Publishers
ISBN #
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dedication
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Foreword
Through many thousands of years of sustained Vedic culture, Hindus focused on their spiritual
approach through unique worship (puja) rituals. The priests learnt and chanted the prayers in
Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, through shruti and smriti (hear and remember). When
Sanskrit was replaced by other languages in course of time, the meaning of the chants got lost.
Yet the hum continued to bridge the individual’s soul with its Creator. It did not bother the
devotees for being ignorant of the meaning of those chants as their deep faith filled the void.
Thus a single syllable “Om” could realize the presence of the Unknown, the ekakshar (ekAxr)
within us. Today the magical effect of jap (repetitive chanting) became a part of worship for all
religions. Truly enough, the finest things of life have no language – love, kindness, compassion.
With the spread of Hinduism over the globe, the world is now inquisitive to know the meaning of
those Vedic chants which we hear during puja rituals. Our children should not feel shy to explain
to the world the thought behind those rituals howsoever it may look strange and repulsive.
History records India’s great contribution in shaping World Civilization through ages and our
coming generation has the responsibility to carry that torch.
It is so very satisfying to see that the Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants has
taken the heavy responsibility to explain the rituals followed in Purohit Darpan. They not only
transliterated the mantras but touched on their history, significance and inner meaning of these in
an understandable global language, English. It is highly commendable.
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Despite the fact that my late father was a Maharashtrian Brahmin – a community known for its
deep faith in the Hindu religion – and my mother the daughter of a Bengali priest, my family
never forced Hinduism on me in any great way. At most, I enjoyed the comics of Indian folk
stories, as well as the videos produced by my grandfather that brought these stories to life.
However, these stories served mainly as entertainment for me and I did not seek any deeper
meaning. Indeed, while my family would attend temple functions and pujas, I was never sent to
“Sunday School” nor forced to learn Indian languages. In fact, I did not receive the so-called
“Sacred Thread” in the Upanayan ceremony at the age most Brahmin boys do. And so I
proceeded through life without giving it much thought. While I would now celebrate the
opportunity to expose others to my culture, at the time I had no such desire.
However, when I was in ninth grade, my father was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with
malignant lung cancer. Over time, we learned he was beyond any medical treatment. Perhaps
feeling a sense of spiritual duty before his passing, he made it priority only weeks before his
death to arrange and perform the sacred thread ceremony for my brother and myself. He
approached my grandfather, the author of this book, to assist with this process. Thus my brother
and I received our sacred threads in a small, rushed ceremony. My father died only weeks later.
While I was then officially inducted into the Brahmin fold, I still did not feel any specific change
or desire to learn more about what had just happened. If anything, I was simply angry at
everything that had happened; the seemingly unfair nature of my father’s passing. I still did not
wear my sacred thread, for fear of seeming different from those around me. I continued to live as
a typical suburban American child among my friends – this was my culture.
However, as I grew older and reflected on my past, I became increasingly curious about the
purpose of that ceremony, and why my father had wanted it done so badly even though he had
never pushed for it during the traditionally practiced time of adolescence. I hoped to find peace
with the difficult events that transpired – a way to come to terms with the past. At the same time,
I grew increasingly interested in the religious practice of my grandfather whom so many people
in the community respected. And perhaps most importantly, I began to ask him questions –
many, many questions.
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Spending long rides in the car with both of my grandparents, I would continually inquire about
their past. These incredible individuals led multifaceted lives as both academics and as religious
leaders in their community. Through these conversations, my thirst to learn more about my
culture heightened exponentially. Once in college, I took a class on Indian mythology, but that
still did not satisfy my desire to learn more about cultural practices, and more importantly the
reasons for their existence and the origins of the ideas. I discovered a deep-seated desire to
connect the philosophical underpinnings of Hinduism with the practiced rituals. Over time, I
realized that when I was young I could not develop an interest in the practices because I did not
understand their significance. With the benefit of some small degree of emotional, intellectual,
and spiritual maturity, I then found myself to be quite fascinated with the philosophy and
associated ceremonies. While I still take part in an academic and professional community where
religion is a personal choice, I am now proud to share with my friends and colleagues the cultural
background I possess and explain the underpinnings as much as I am able. Unfortunately, my
own knowledge is limited, as are the resources available on the Internet – and so my inquisitions
of my grandfather continue. Every chance an opportunity presents itself; I spend time with him
to learn as much as I can about my past, my culture, and where I come from.
Sadly, I realize these opportunities will not last forever. For that reason I am grateful for his
incredible commitment to produce this work. Never before has such a tremendous volume been
constructed to explore the most important rituals in Hindu (or at least Bengali) culture. The line-
by-line explanations, as well as the additional historical and philosophical context, offer an
incredibly rich analysis of the ceremonies. I look forward with great anticipation to reading his
entire works – in particular that on the Upanayan, which planted the original seed of curiosity –
and I hope that you too will share in my admiration of my grandfather for this great feat.
Ashoke Khanwalkar
Grandson of the Priest
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PREFACE
(First Edition)
A series of ten books are compiled for Bengali immigrants with the goal of explaining the
history, significance, and meaning of the Sanskrit verses used in common Hindu puja rituals. A
book like this is desperately needed as both the Sanskrit language, and the Bengali script in
which the Sanskrit verses are transcribed, are often foreign to immigrants and their children.
Unlike Hindu children growing up in India, children of Hindu origin growing up in the West
are constantly challenged by their neighbors, peers, friends, and teachers to explain the basis of
Hindu faith and belief. This problem I never faced when I was growing up in India in the 1920s.
Hindu rituals had always been a part of life, no questions asked. Thus, I strongly feel I should
share my thoughts with my beloved grandchildren growing up outside India.
Priesthood was our family trade. I learned all the rituals from my father, and started to
perform puja rituals soon after receiving my sacred thread (Upanayan) at the age of twelve. But,
like many other professional priests in India, I had no knowledge of Sanskrit, the language of
Hindu puja rituals. We were trained to hear and remember (sruti and smriti) and stay away from
explaining. In addition, my childhood days were spent under British rule when Sanskrit scholars
remained obscure and learning Sanskrit was not considered progressive. So I studied science and
technology for a better future. Yet, the spirit of my ancestors never left me, and I had to perform
pujas upon request from time to time. The community was satisfied with the ignorant priest as
they devoutly watched Hindu rituals while praying in their own ways. God listened.
However, immigrants Hindus of the twenty-first century, especially the youths, are not
satisfied with this. They demand explanations of the rituals they inherited. My grandchildren are
among them. They regularly asked me about the details of Vedic traditions. Instead of simply
going through the motions, they want to understand the underlying meaning. I was overwhelmed
by their enthusiasm. This book is the outcome of that call.
Spirituality has many facets that accept the natural diversity of the human mind. Now I am
eighty seven years old. I am not worried whether my grandchildren are believers, nonbelievers,
agnostics, or atheists. But I feel immensely satisfied by telling them my own story of how I came
to depend on my Invisible Caretaker who was always beside me when I needed Him.
I am thankful to the world community of open-minded spiritual seekers, Hindus and non-
Hindus, who promoted this humble endeavor of mutual understanding. I have no words to
express my gratitude for my coauthors and reviewers whose constant support made it possible to
turn my dream into reality. In my advanced age and poor state of health I could not correct the
mistakes that I see in the final product. I am sure these will be fixed eventually by future
generations.
Third Edition
c§NÑ¡ f§S¡, 14 B¢nÄe, 1421
(October 1, 2014)
Kanai L. Mukherjee
Bibhas Bandyopadhyay
Global Bengali Hindu Priests
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CONTENTS
Preliminaries
Reviewers and associates, iii
List of publications, iv
Dedication, v
Foreword, vi
Voice of new generation, vii
Preface, ix
Content x
Part 1 Introduction, 1
Vedic rituals, 1
Common Hindu worship rituals, 2
Looking forward, 3
Introduction to Kalipuja (Bibhas Bandyopadhyay), 3
Daily puja arrangement, 5
Puja layout, 5
Basic list of requirements, 7
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Sanctification of platform, 42
Sanctification of canopy, 43
Sanctification of body, 43
Consecration of flower, 45
Seeking divine protection from all directions, 46
Establishing the holy pitcher, 47
Historical significance of cordoning, 51
Reverence to gods of background, 51
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ADDENDUM,
Puja list, i
Questions, symbols ad terminologies, iii
Offerings to vital breaths, vi
Calls for prayers, viii
Puja utensils x
Holy pitcher, xi
Puja arrangements xii
Panchadevata Navagraha, xiii
Mudras, xiv
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PART 1!
INTRODUCTION!
VEDIC RITUALS
Bibha Mukherjee
The word ‘ritual’ comes from the Latin ritus, meaning ‘a custom’ which means, “Worship
reduced to a routine or habit.” The process systemizes the religious worship in a way that
religion becomes an abiding feature for the social life of the people – almost, a social institution.
Ritual and prayer are the two expressions in act and word of man’s sense of dependence on
divine or supernatural powers and represent the practical aspect of religion, as distinguished from
the theoretical one consisting of the body of beliefs held by men regarding these powers.
Man’s unceasing effort to win happiness and to keep off trouble takes the two forms - religion
(philosophy) and magic (ritual), which are not always kept apart. The aim of the religious side of
the Vedic ritual is to enlist the goodwill of divine powers by prayer and self-sacrifice, so that
they may fulfill the wish of the worshipper. The approach here is a reverential and propitiatory
one. The magical side of the Vedic ritual is coercive; its aim is to mould the course of events on
the basis of an assumed causal connection between the means (magic) employed and the effect to
be produced.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
In the following publications we will try to elaborate various Vedic rituals, which are currently
followed by the Hindus. We have, however, primarily focused on Bengali immigrants but by and
large most other Hindus follow the same pattern. These worship rituals (pujas) of various deities
and “Dashakarmas” that celebrate life in its entirety – from birth until settling down in a new
house. Death does not come in this list and will be dealt separately.
The origin of these Vedic rituals is from the time of Rigveda, perhaps around 1500 B.C. As
interpretation of Vedas turned towards the philosophizing aspect of religion through Aranyakas
and Upanishads, so did the rituals, the magical aspect of the religion. For a householder, ritual
seems to be befitting while hermits, ascetics and monks principally favor the esoteric way of
knowledge or pure philosophy, pursued in an atmosphere of secrecy and seclusion, in virtual
opposition to the exoteric way of ritual. In this review of Vedic ritual the former will be passed
over.
Hinduism celebrates the natural cycle of life from pregnancy to house building. This
circumscribes ten different happy ceremonies called, Dashakarma.
1. Conception – punsaban;
2. Shower or prebirth – sadh;
3. Birth – jatakarma;
4. Naming – namakaran;
5. First rice feeding – annaprasan;
6. First shaving – churakaran;
7. Sacred thread or spiritual education – upanayana;
8. Home coming after education – pratyabartan;
9. Marriage – bibaha;
10. House building – shalakarma-vastupuja.
Out of these, we have chosen only five as they are currently observed in India and abroad:
1. Sadh,
2. Annaprasan,
3. Upanayana,
4. Bibaha
5. Vastupuja or Grihaprbaesh (entering new house)
Other than the aforesaid Dashakarmas, there are other rituals performed on a daily basis or
occasionally. They include,
1. Daily puja,
2. Special puja (Durga puja, Saraswati puja, etc.), and
3. Funeral rites and shradhdha (offerings to the soul).
These will be dealt in the following pages.
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Looking forward
There is a general feeling in the new generation, who believe in our ritual approach of worship,
to become a part of the puja process and understand the significance of the rituals performed and
the chants recited. They refuse to stay inert as an observer. It gives them a chance to appreciate
the contributions of their forefathers when the human civilization was in its cradle. Hence
“interactive puja” is becoming an ongoing healthy trend.
Revivalism of Sanskrit may have its academic value. The Sanskrit chant for a commoner
may remind him of his glorious past but the valuable words of prayers are lost as he does not
understand the language. So the young generation is asking for a Roman script to feel the
vibration and focus on the meaning behind the chant (not word to word translation) to touch their
heart.
The puja process varies widely. In many states of India the priest helps the householder to
perform the puja with his assistance, except initialization (placement of deity and water pitcher
or ghat). In Bengal, as I witnessed in my childhood days, the householder entrusts the priest to
do everything on his behalf. He only observes the puja ceremonies, if he has the time from his
social activities. At the end, he sits near the priest with his wife to give away the Dakshina
(priest’s reward) and receives sanctified blessed water (shantijal). In pilgrimage centers, things
get worse. The priest runs his business by chanting a few mantras to earn his dakshina while the
devotee makes his/her offering in his own language and gesture. The language does not interlink
the three – priest, devotee and god (or soul).
The goal of this book is clear. Explain the significance of the ritual and make an attempt
to convey the inner meanings of the chant. Our limitations of Sanskrit language may not be able
to give the correct translation as the Vedic Sanskrit is different from modern Sanskrit that
developed after the Upanishadic period
Kali is the Hindu goddess symbolizes epitome of “Shakti”, the power. The word “Kali” comes
from “kal”, which means time, death and Lord Shiva (Mohakal). “Kali” means “the black”.
When all colors are mixed together, at the end it produces the black one, which is completely
dark and unknowable. “Kala” means time and “I” means cause. Lord Shiva is the Kala and his
wife Kali represents cause in a time and beyond time. Her image is a source of spiritual
consciousness.
According to the legend, long time ago evils disturbed the peace in heaven. All the gods with
their powers were unable to win the battle against them. Gods went in the Himalayas, the holy
mountains, the home of Lord Shiva and Durga for help. For protection, Goddess Kali was born
from the forehead of the goddess “Shakti”, the Durga. With Dakaini and Jogini two female
escorts Goddess Kali went her way to end the war by destroying all the evils.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Kali with enormous power slaughtered the demons, made a garland for Her neck with their
heads. In that rampage of killing, she lost Her control and started killing anyone who came
across Her way. Everybody started running away with fear including the gods. Once again Lord
Shiva was asked for help. Looking at the endless slaughter of goddess Kali, Lord Shiva lay
himself down in Her path. When Goddess unknowingly stepped on Her consort’s chest she
regained her senses, stuck her tongue out with astonishment and put an end to her homicidal
rampage.
The image of Goddess Kali shows her in very dark color, in freighting mood standing with one
foot on Lord Shiva’s chest. She has four hands. In one hand she holds dagger, in second hand she
is holding a severed head of a devil and other two hands significations are protection and
blessings to all devotees. She also has a garland of human heads (demons) on her neck
representing her power against evil.
Kali Puja celebration is usually held on first new moon day (Amavasya) of fall season October /
November (Bengali month “Kartik”) every year with intense invocation and prayers done in late
evening hours on that day. In established temples all over the world, Kali puja is being held on
daily basis in an abridged fashion. An elaborate Puja of Goddess Kali usually being performed in
the same temple on annual basis on special day also.
Devotes worship Goddess Kali to ask blessings, for protection, peace, health, wealth and
fulfillments of their dreams. She is honored by all as Universal Mother “Ma Kali”. Worshipers of
Ma Kali also seek spiritual prosperity and self-realization.
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Layout
Before starting the puja, arrange the puja materials in the puja place. Following diagram may
help. Searching for the materials you need, while the puja is in progress, disturbs the puja
process. In this distraction, the purpose of the puja gets lost. Hence, go over the entire script and
check whether all materials will be available when called for.
We have listed here (referring to the provided figure), the list of things we need and their
placement. This elaborate list is modified according to your ability. Your thought is more
important than your materials.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
!!
!!! Deity on display!
1
! 7!
6 !!!! 13 14 !
!!
2 ! !! 9! 15! 21 !
!!
3!
!!
10! 20! 8!
11 ! ! !!
18
12 !
!!!!5! !! 4!
!! !!
16 ! 19!
17 !
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
(tied around wrists after puja for protection), mashkalai (black lentil, offering to spirits), wet
rice and til (oily seed) (food offerings).
19. Paper towel or gamcha for priest
20. Water conch
21. Tamrapatra – a plate to hold the offered water
A picture of God/Goddess helps to bring the mood and imagination. Remember the basic object
of Hindu puja, “God is with us and we will try to respect Her with all our senses and heart-felt
devotion.”
Photo or idol of deity,
Bottle of spring water,
Puja utensils
Pradeep, Kosha-kushi, tamrapatra – for puja offerings,
White mustard,
Mashkalai (black lentil),
Vermilion powder,
Colored powder (5 kinds),
Five whole grains (panchasashya, 5 kinds – paddy, mustard – white, black, black lentil, til,
barley, wheat etc.),
Sacred thread,
Ring and a silver coin (asan),
Bettle nut and or haritaki,
Principle pitcher (ghat).
Pitcher at the door with plants and garland decoration (welcome decoration),
Lamp, Dhoop batti and stand and camphor. Arragement for arati (panchapradeep, dhup, small
cloth or gamca, chamar or fan, flower, water conch).
Tripod and water conch,
Leaves of some fruit tree (mango branch with five leaves are traditional – you can choose leaves
that looks like mango but do not forget to include a branch of a fruit bearing tree),
Bhojya (raw vegetables (5), rice, dal, ghee, spice and salt),
Sweet,
Sugar, Milk, Yogurt, Honey, Ghee (Panchammrita)
Tirkathi,
Mirror,
Two small bowls (to keep yogurt for mashabhaktabali and madhuparka),
A new red cloth for the pitcher,
Bettle leaf and panmasala,
If Havan is planned, you need sticks, ghee, havan pot and glass with rice and supari (purnapatra).
7
PART 2
BASIC PUJA PROCEDURES
sA}Arn pUjA pÜit
Sadharan Puja Paddhati
All puja rituals start with basic invocation prayers, usually grouped under
Sadharan Puja Padhdhati (sA}Arn pUjA pÜit). The text presented here is
elaborate which can be abridged according to the convenience of the
priest/devotee. Usually in public pujas, the priest is expected to do detail
puja, as described, for the benefit of the community. The bottom line is
that the Principal Puja (pradhan puja) should be preceded by self-purification, purification of
environment, removal of ill spirits, and oblations to other Gods and Goddesses influencing our
lives in many ways. We will start with the welcoming of the priest and his helper (Tantadharak).
http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-01-Preliminaries-p08.mp3
Welcome by devotee
o^ sA}¤ vbAnAعAmÚ
mÚ |
Om Sadhu bhavanastam
Welcome Oh the pious one
Response of the priest
o^ sA}Bh mAEs |
Om sadhwaha masey
Thank you. I am comfortable
Welcome by devotee
o^ acÑiy>YAEmA vbÁ¹mÚ |
Om archayishyamo bhavantam
I would like to make offerings to you
Response of the priest
o^ acÑy |
Om archaya
Go ahead with the offering
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Welcome by devotee
Ha¡¢e gå-
gå-p¤×p-bÙ»-JE@ApbItAin o^ bÌAþNAu
þNAu ej:
Etani gandha-pushpa-vastra-yagyopabitani Om Brahmanaya namah
With humility may I offer this flower, cloth, sacred thread and others
to the honored Brahmin!
Response of the priest
Jy Øh¢Ø¹ |
Om Swasti
I accept your gift
Before sitting for the puja, wash your hands and feet and sit on the puja asan. An asan is a
designed floor mat (about 2ft x 3ft) used only for doing puja. If you cannot sit on the floor, use a
stool and cover it with the asan.
INVOCATION
Start your puja with Ganga pranam for sanctification and Vishnu
Smaran
Ganga pranam
g‰A pRNAm
Prayer for the Holy River Ganges (Sanctification)
Sprinkle a little Ganges water on your head for sanctification while chanting (if Ganges water is
not available, use any water):
sdY: pAtk sQhÁ»I sEdYA du:KibnAiSnI| suKdA EmAxdA g‰A g¯‰b prmA git:|
Sadyah pataka sanghantri sodyo dukha binashini;
Suhkoda mokhada Ganga Gangoiba parama goti.
In the name of that Almighty, Oh Holy Ganges! Who takes away all the sin, and miseries and
brings happiness. You are the only way to attain salvation.
Before starting any Hindu puja (worship) ceremony, Lord Vishnu, our preserver is remembered.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Vishnu Smaran
A¡Qje
Achman (sipping of water)
Take a spoonful of water on the palm of the right hand forming a dip like a boat. The amount of
water is said to be sufficient to immerse a mustard seed. Sip the water three times and each time
take the name of Vishnu.
Obeisance
fÌZ¡j
Pranam
Jy a¢à
a¢ào¥o¥· fljw fcjÚ, pc¡ fnÉ¢¿¹ p§lux, ¢ch£h Qr¥l¡aajÚ z Jy ¢ho¥·x, Jy ¢ho·¥x, Jy ¢ho·¥x z
Om Tadavishnu paramam padam Sada pashyanti suraya dibiba
chakshuratatam||
Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu
As the widely open eyes can see the sky clearly without any obstruction,
So the wise always see Lord Vishnu with their divine vision.
Glory to Lord Vishnu.
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Take a flower, dipped in sandalwood paste, in your right hand. Chant the mantra and
then discard it in the copper plate meant for offering (tamra patra).
Jy ¢ho·−h
¢ho·−h ejx
Om Vishnabey namah ||
My reverence to you Oh Vishnu
hw Ha°Øj Nå¡¢c
Nå¡¢c−iÉ¡
−iÉ¡ ejx z H−a
H−a Nåf¤×−f Hac¢dfa−u
Hac¢dfa−u nË£¢ho·−h
¢ho·−h ejx z
Hav pÇfËc¡e¡u f§Se£u −cha¡N−Z
−cha¡N−ZiÉ¡
−ZiÉ¡ ejx z
Bong! Etasmai gandhadibhyo namah |
Etey gandhapushpey etadhipataye Sri Vishnabey namah |
Etat sampradanaya pujaniya devataganebhyo namah ||
Uttering the primordial sound of Bong, I am offering the scented flower at the feet of
Lord Vishnu, and also offering herewith my deep respect to all the revered Gods.
The Sun is one of the primary gods of Hinduism and receives offerings at the very beginning of
most rituals. He enlightens our soul.
Pick up the kushi (spoon) with little water. Put in this a flower (preferred red in color) or dip the
flower in red sandalwood paste and put in that a little rice from the pushpapatra. Holding the
kushi, pointing side out, chant, while meditating on the rising sun:
¢hhüEa hËþZÚ i¡üE
Jy ejx ¢hhüE i¡üEa ¢ho·¥EaÑSEp SNv p¢hE
p¢hEœ p§QEu p¢hE
p¢hEœ LjÑc¡¢uE
¡¢uEe,
iNhEa nË£p§kÑÉ¡u ejx z H¢q p§oÑÉx pqpË¡wn
CcjOÑÉw iNhE wn Ea−S¡l¡−n SNvfEa z
a−S¡l¡−n SNvfE
Ae¤LÇfu j¡w iš²w Nªq¡Z¡OÑÉw ¢ch¡LljÚ zz Ho iNhEa nË£p§kÑÉ¡u ejx zz
Ho AOÑÉx iNhE
Om namah bibsaswatey Brahman bhaswatey |
Vishnur tejashey jagata sabitrey suchayey sabitrey karmadainey |
Idam arghyam bhagabatey Shri Surjaya namah ||
Ehi Surjyo sahasrangsho tejorashey jagatpatey |
Anukampaya mang bhaktam grihanarghyam divakaram |
Esha argha bhagabatey Shri Surjaya namah ||
Oh, the illUnginator of the universe, who carries the energy of Lord Vishnu (the
preserver), who inspires people to work, allow me to offer my reverence to you. Oh the Sun, the
emitter of thousands of rays of light, the reservoir of energy, the lord of the universe, I am
offering my reverence to thee, please accept it, Oh Lord, the Sun God.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Close your eyes and imagine the rising sun as you pray:
Special Note: Following is the abridged version of Gayantri chant. This is adopted by those who
are not acquainted with Sandhya which is a daily prayer for all Brahmins.
The water to be used for the puja is sanctified by calling the names of various sacred rivers of
India.
Move the kushi (spoon), sitting in the kosha (copper vessel), in a way to make waves in the water
of the kosha. Utter the mantra as you move the kushi.
Jy NN−‰
−‰ Q kj¤−e
−e °Qh −N¡c¡h¢l plü¢a ejÑ−c
−c ¢på¥ L¡−h¢l
L¡−h¢l S−m¢ØjeÚ
S−m¢ØjeÚ p¢æ¢dw L¥l¦ zz
Om Gange cha Yamuney chaiba Godavari Saraswati |
Narmadey Sindhu Kaveri jaley-asmin sannidhim kuru ||
Oh the waters of Ganga, Yamuna, Godaavari, Saraswati,
Narmada, Sindu and Kaveri, present yourselves in this place.
The seat on which the devotee sits for the prayer needs to be sanctified. Put a flower under the
asan (seat on the floor) and recite this prayer with folded hands:
12
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
This is a personal prayer of the priest. For others, this can be optional.
Sandhya means “at the junction (sandhi, siå).” It focuses on the prayer for the Goddess Gayatri.
According to ancient tradition, Sandhya is done three times a day – at the junction of
night/morning, high noon/afternoon, and at sunset (day/night). Sandhya is taught at the time of
sacred thread. The new Brahmin usually follows it for a year. Hence, it is desirable for the new-
age Brahmin to start any puja ritual by performing the Sandhya in order to fill in his undone
commitment.
Introduction to Gayatri
Gayatri mantra is a highly revered mantra based on a Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn of the
Rigveda, attributed to Visvamitra. Gayatri mantra is named for its Vedic gayatri meter. The
main principle of Vedic meter is measurement by the nUngber of syllables. The metric unit of
verse is the pada (foot), generally of eight, eleven, or twelve syllables. Others Vedic meters are
Jagati, Tristubh, Viraj, and Anustup. Each has its specific nUngber of padas and syllables.
Gayatri has 3 padas and 8 syllables. Chhandah (C¾c:) is the systematic study of Vedic meter.
Gayatri verse is interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr (sun). Hence it is often called
Savitri. Gayatri, however, has been referred in its meditation (}YAn) as a goddess. Thus some
believe that the radiation energy of the sun is considered as goddess Gayatri. From a more
scientific point of view, the energy is the basis of all creations and thus Gayatri is held on a high
position in Hindu pantheon. Gayatri Mantra is repeated and cited very widely in Vedic literature,
and praised in several well-known classical Hindu texts. The mantra is an important part of the
upanayana ceremony for young Hindu Brahmin males as part of their daily rituals. Modern
Hindu reform movements spread the practice of the mantra to include women and all castes and
its use is now very widespread.
Recital of Gayatri
By tradition non-Brahmins and women are not permitted to chant Gayatri. This, however, is
seriously challenged in modern era and is adopted worldwide because of its deep philosophical
13
Book 4: KALI PUJA
meaning. If the worshipper is not doing Sandhya, he should at least do the minimUng chant (jap)
of ten counts of Gayatri jap (gAyœIjp). Details of its meaning is given later
General Preparation
Wash your hands and feet before sitting on the asan (puja seat) to do the sandhya.
o^ â¦pdAidb mUngUcAn:, iüæ: ¨AEtA mlAidb| pUtQ pibEœNbAjYQ, aAp: öÜÁº ¯mns:||
â¦pdAidb
Om! Drupadadiba mamuchanah swinaha snato malatiba|
Putam pavitrenabahyam, apah sudhantu mainasha||
Om! As a sweated person feels soothed under the tree, as he feels clean after a bath,
as ghee always stays pure, so Oh water, wash away my sins and purify me.
o^ Vt® stY®AvIÜAq-
stY®AvIÜAq-tpEsAh}YjAyt| tEtA rAœYjAyt:, tt: smuEdRA aNÑb:||
o^ smudRAdNÑbAdi}, sQbqsErA ajAyt| aEhArAœAiN ibd}dÚ,Ú ibSB
ibSBsY im>EtA bSI||
o^ sUJÑYAc¸dRmEs± }AtA, JFApUî-Ñ mkÒyq| idb® p<iFbI: c, aÁ¹irxmÚ aEFA ü:|
Om ritancha satyancha abhiddhatat tapasohadhyajayata
Tato ratrya jaayata, tatah samudro arnabah||
Om samudradarnabadadhi, sambatsaro ajayata||
14
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Breathe control
pÊANAyAm
Pranayam
Sprinkle water around you while you imagine creating a wall to isolate
yourself from the rest of the world. Repeat the following chant while
sprinkling the water:
The seven states (Saptabyahritanam) – Bhu, Bhubha, Swya, Maha, Janah, Tapah and
Satyam (earth, universe, self, sacrifice, people, intellect and truth). The seven beats of
Samaveda – Gayatri, Unchik, Anustupa, Brihati, Pamti, Tristupa, and Jagati.
!
My oblation to the seven gods (Pranayamey biniyoga) – Agni, Bayu, Surya, Baruna,
Brihaspati, Indra, Biswadevah (Lord of the universe).
15
Book 4: KALI PUJA
The seven states (Saptabyahritanam) – Bhu, Bhubha, Swya, Maha, Janah, Tapah and Satyam
(earth, universe, self, sacrifice, people, intellect and truth). The seven beats of Samaveda –
Gayatri, Unchik, Anustupa, Brihati, Pamti, Tristupa, and Jagati.
My oblation to the seven gods (Pranayamey biniyoga) – Agni, Bayu, Surya, Baruna, Brihaspati,
Indra, Biswadevah (Lord of the universe).
I am dedicating my breath to the names of all the above Gods and to revered Gayatri, sage
Viswamitra, sum in Gayatri meter, in the name of Sabita. Prajapati, Brahma, Bayu, Agni and
Surya (Sun).
After sprinkling the water around you close the right nostril with your right thumb and inhale
through the left nostril while chanting the pranayam mantras.
Continue to press the right nostril with the right thumb and then close the left nostril with the
little finger and ring finger of the right hand. Imagine the presence of Vishnu on your heart and
chant the following describing the appearance of Vishnu:
(h©id)
h©id) o^ nIElAqpl
nIElAqpl--dlpRvQ ctuvÑujQ SÐcœ²gdApdÈhعQ gr¦#Ar©t
gr¦#Ar©tQ EkSbQ }YAynÚ|
o^ vu: o^ vub: o^ ü: o^ mh: jn: o^ tp: o^ stYQ||
o^ tq sibtuîÑ
îEÑ rNYQ vEgÑA EdbsY }Imih | i}EyA EyA n: pREcAdyAq o^||
o^ aAEpA EjYAtI rEsAhm<tQ bRþ vuvuÑb: üEr^A||
Hridi – Nilotpala dala-prabham chaturbhujam sankhachakra-gada-padma-hastam
Garura-rarurham Keshabam dhayen | Om bhuh Om bhubah Om swah Om maha
16
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Om janah Om tapah Om satyam || Om tat Sabitur varenyam bhargo devashya dhimahi | Dhiyo
yo nah prachodayat || Om apojyoti rashomritam Brahma bhur bhubasarom ||
Meditate on Vishnu (Keshava), sitting in your heart On a blue lotus. In four arms He holds –
conch, disc, mace and lotus. He sits on the heavenly bird Garura for his transportation
As one meditates on Keshava. Oh the revered Sun remove the darkness that prevails in me and
illuminate my intellect and let me be inspired by your divine illumination
that spreads out over the three worlds of this universe.
Breath control Step #3
(Exhale through the right nostril)
Release the thumb on the right nostril and allow the breath to exhale through the right nostril.
Sipping water in the name of the sun (Surya).; take a little water in your right palm chant the
mantra and sip it.
sUJÑYÕc Emit m¿sY bRþ Vi>: pRk<itÕC¾d aAEpA EdbtA aAcmEn ibinEyAg:|
o^ sUJÑYÕc mA mnuYÕc mnuYptyÕc| mnuYk<EtvY: pAEpEvYA rxÁ¹AQ||
JdRAiœyA pAp-
pAp-mkAir>Q mnsA bAcA hÙ¹AvYAQ páYAQ-
páYAQ-mudErN iSnÂA|
rAiœÙ¹dbluÇptu, Jq ik® duirtQ miy|
HdmhQ mAmm<tE>AEn± sUEJÑY EjYAiti> juEhAim üAhA||
Suryascha meti mantrasya Brahma Rishi prakritischhanda apo devata achmaney biniyoga |
Om Suryascha ma manyuscha manyopatayascha | Manyukritebhya papebhyo rakshantam ||
Jadatriya papamakarisham manasa bacha hastabhyam padmam-mudarena shishna ||
Ratristadbalaspatu, jat kincha duritam mayi |
Edmaham mamamritashonow Surey jyotshi juhomi swaha ||
In the name of the Sun as described by the sage Brahma in Prakriti meter, I am sipping this
water. With the blessings from the Sun and the sages, may I be protected from incurring sin
(ignorance). Whatever sin I have already incurred in the night by my mind and words, hands,
17
Book 4: KALI PUJA
feet and other organs, may that be excused by the God of the night. Blessed by them I may now
burn all my sins into the eternal flame of bliss as my ahuti (offering)
in order to acquire my immortal soul.
Take little water in your right palm, chant the mantra and imagine that you are blowing off your
sin through your breath.
VtimtYsY VkÚœysY aGm>ÑN Vi>- Vi>-rnuøpu CÚ E¾dA vAbb<EšA EdbtA aÕbEm}A bv<Et ibinEyAg:|
o^ Vt® stY®AvIÜAšpEsAh}YjAyt| tEtA rAœYjAyt, tt: smuEâRA aNÑb:||
o^ smuâ¡dNÑ
â¡dNÑbdi}, sQbqsErA ajAyt| aEhArAœAiN ibd}dÚ ibSBsY im>EtA bSI||
â¡
o^ sUJÑYAc¾dRmEs± }AtA JFApUbÑmkÒyq| idb® p<iFbI®AÁ¹irx mEFA ü:||
Ritamityasya riktraysya aghamarshana rishir Anupstupachando
Bhavabrito devata ashwamedha babhritey biniyogah ||
Om rritancha satyancha abhidhatapa sohadhyajayata |
Tato ratra jayata tatah samudro arnabah ||
Om samudrad-arnabadadhi sambatsaro ajayata |
Ahoratrani bidadat Viswasya mishato vashi ||
Om Surya Chandra masau dhata yatha purbam kalpayat |
Deebancha prithibincha antariksha matho swah ||
As described by Aghamarshana sage in Anustupa meter, dedicated to describe God’s creation.
In the beginning of the Creation there was no light that was watched
exlusively by His Absolute Truth then formed the sea, followed
by the intermittent day and night leading to the annual cycle of the year.
The universe got illuminated by His grace, reflected by the sun and the moon,
as He planned. And finally merged the whole Universe and this earth extended deep
into its core. (Recalling the Creation removes the ignorance within you)
Now throw the water on to your left on the ground imagining that you are relieved of the sin and
ready to do your worship as the pure soul (amritasya putra). Wash your hand and you are now
ready to offer your prayer to Gayatri. Now look to the east, imagining the rising sun and chant:
18
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
This prayer is dedicated to the sun in his current position on the sky. Facing the sun chant:
For the mantra that starts with the word “Chitram” (hold the image in heart), Kutsa is the seer,
Tristup is the meter, and the Sun is the God. this mantra is applied to worship of the Sun.
icœimtYsY kUqsVi>-
sVi>-iÙ»øp
u ÚC¾d: sUEJÑYA EdbtA sUEJÑYApØÛAEn ibinEyAg:|
o^ icœQ EdbAnA-
EdbAnA-mudgAdnIkQ, cxuimÑœsY br¦NsYAEgÃ: aApRA dYAbAp<iFbI aÁ¹irxQ sUJÑY aAtÈA jgtع ÙÛuJÕc||
Chitram ityasya Kutsa rishi Tristupa chandah Suryo devata Suryopasthaney viniyogah.
Om chirtram devana mudgadinikam, chaksur mitrasya Varunasyagneh, apra dyava prithivi
antariksha, surya atma jagatastasta sthujashcha.
As guided by seera Kutsa, sum in Tristupa meter, hold the image of the rising sun in your
heart, who is established by the Gods Mitra, Baruna and Agni with the consolidated illuminating
powers of all Gods and Goddesses, that Sun, who knows the inner spirit of all fixed and moving
bodies is now coming up and illuminating the three worlds –
Heaven, earth and the sky by its bright rays.
Welcome to Gayatri
gAyœI aAbAhn
Gayatri avahan
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Dhyan is the process of invoking the image of the God/Goddess on the mental screen.
Morning
o^ kUngArI-
gArI-m<gÚ EbdJutAQ bRþr©pAQ ibicÁ¹Eyq|
hQsiÙÛtAQ kuShÙ¹AQ sUJYÑ m&l-
m&l-sQiÙÛtAQ||
Om kUngarim-Rigvedajutan Brahmarupan bichintayet
Hamsasthetam kushahastam Suryamandala-sansthitam ||
In the morning meditate on Gayatri as a small girl, holding
the sacred Rigveda, looking over the universe while sitting on a
swan,
holding Kusha (the sanctified grass that captures sun’s
rays)in her hands;
while located on the divine solar system. Counting of Gayatri is done
by moving the thumb between
finger segments. Counting of
High noon 10 is shown by arrow.
Evening
20
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
In the evening, like the image of Shiva, Gayatri takes the form of an old lady riding on a
bull while located in the Solar system and holding the Samaveda in her hands.
Gayatri chant
gAyœI jp
Gayatri jap
Light is a symbol for knowledge and wisdom. Many would like to meditate on light as a formless
symbol of the Supreme divine. Gayatri mantra helps in such a meditation. The following Gayatri
prayer is mentioned in Rigveda and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. It is considered as the ultimate
vaidic prayer.
This is the short version of Sandhya or Gayatri prayer. The full version has been presented
earlier.
Say the entire sentence by touching your right hand thumb either in the spaces between the
horizontal natural markings on your finger or the tip of the finger. Repeat the same ten times.
Start the first nUngber with your right hand thumb touching on the ring finger inner aspect mid
segment then go down to the next segment and so forth as outlined in the attached figure.
21
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Conclusion of Sandhya
gAyœI-ibs‹Ñn
Gayatri bisarjan
Take a little water on your right palm, chant the following mantra and throw on the puja plate:
o^ mEhS
mEhS--bdEnAqpæA ibE>·Ah©Ñdy-
y-sñbA| bRþNA smnu@AtA gµC Edib JEFµCyA||
Om Mahesha-vadanotpanna Vishnuhridaya-sambhava |
Brahmana samnugyata gachcha Devi jatheychchhaya ||
Oh goddess Gayatri, you have come from the mouth of Shiva, reside in the heart of Vishnu, and
hold to the conscience of Brahma, now you can go anywhere you wish.
Touch the backside of your right ear with your right thumb and pray to seek the blessing of Agni
to protect you from all damers. After completion of the chant, circle water around you in
clockwise direction.
22
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Now offer water with the spoon (kushi) in the names four divinities separately:
General Offer
p¡j¡eÉ¡OÑÉ
Samanyargha
Lift up the kosha (with the kushi) with your left hand. Sprinkle little water on the floor and make
a water mark of a triangle without a break. Then draw a continuous circle outside the triangle
(see figure). The make the following sound conveying the thought – move out all the evil spirits
of this place:
gVÚ
Phat
Place the kosha on the water mark.
Put a flower, some doorba grass and a little rice on the narrow edge of the
kosha (facing to the front) and chant the following:
23
Book 4: KALI PUJA
guru is the person who gives you a second life. He introduces his
disciple to the Unknown. He/she is the spiritual teacher. So,
he/she is respected like a God.
Literal meaning of the Sanskrit word “guru”: ‘gu’ means darkness and ‘ru’ means light. Guru is a
person who represents the incandescent light of supreme consciousness which eradicates the
darkness of ignorance. In this step the spiritual teacher is remembered and woshipped. Offer a
little water on the offering plate imagining that the water is poured on the Guru’s feet (padyam).
If one does not have a spiritual guru, remember the parents.
Meditation
…r¦ }Y¡n
Gurudhyan
Take a small flower on left palm and hold it in Kurma mudra, covering with the right palm and
meditate:
Prostration
…l¦ fËZ¡j
Gurupranam
aK&-
aK&-m&lAkArQ bYçQ EJn crAcrQ tq pdQ diSÑtQ EJn t¯¥ SRI…rEb nm:|
Akhandamandalakaram vyaptam jena characharam;
Tatpadm darshitam yena tasmai Shree Gurubey namah.
Salutations to my respected Guru, who gve me the vison to look for the
Great power that pervades the entire universe.
…r¦bÑþA …r¦ibÑ>·¤ …r¦EdÑb mEhÕbr …r¦: sAxAq prQ bRþ t¯¥ SRI…rEb nm:|
Gurur Brahma gurur Vishnuh gurur devo Maheswarah|
Guruh sakshat param BrahmahTasmai shree Gurabey namah.
Salutations to my respected Guru, who exemplifies as Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara.
Who is no other than the all-pervading supreme self.
Offerings
p−®¡pcAEr p§jA
Panch0pacharey puja
Offer a small amount of rice with durba grass on the offering plate. This symbolizes welcome to a
respectable guest:
Offer a small amount of water towards the incense sticks and chant:
25
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Offer a small amount of water on the food platter (naivedya) and chant:
Offer a small amount of water, with the kushi, on the glass of water placed as achmania:
After the prayer one repeats the name of the guru several times to express respect. The process of
counting is shown in Gayatri.
jy …r¦
Jai Guru
Glory to my guru
Following japa pay obeisence to the Guru by taking a small amount of water in the right palm
and drop it off on the offering plate after chanting the mantra:
…hYAit …hYEgAp¹A tÅQ g<hANA ¥q k<tQ jpQ| isiÝvÑbt¤ tqsîÑQ tq pÊsAdAq s¤ErSÆr||
Gujyatigujyagopta twam grihana kritam japam.
Sidhir bhavatu tat sarbam tatprasadat Sureswara.
Take away my ignorance with the repeated completion of your name and
I may succeed in my endeavor by your grace, Oh the learned.
26
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
This step is eliminated if the priest does not bring Narayana Sheela
The word Narayana comes from the union of two words, nara (man or in general the jiva or any
living creature) and “ayana” which means path. In other words, man is the culmination path of
evolution who can realize Him. It is another name of Vishnu, the preserver of life.
Narayana is the family deity for many Brahmins and is in the form of saligramsheela which is a
shapeless black-colored stone.
Bath
¨An
Snan
The sheela (stone) is first given a bath before putting it on its special throne and subjected
to worship. Ring the bell while giving Narayana a bath. It is a very auspicious ceremony.
Following are the mantras used during bathing chant the following mantras:
27
Book 4: KALI PUJA
28
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
After giving bath, wipe the Naryayana with the chant of Gayatri and then put a tulsi leaf dipped
in sandalwood saying:
etq sc¾dntulsIpœQ| o^ nmEع býr©pAy ib>·Eb prmAtÈEn üAhA| o^ nEmA nArAyN nm:|
Etat sachandana tulsi patram, Om namastey bahurupey paramatmaney swaaha|
Om namah Narayanaya namah||
With my sandalwood tulsi leaf (read the story of tulsi) I prostrate to thee Oh the Supreme Lord
Who appears in so many ways.
Then put the Narayana on his throne with a sandalwood-dipped placed at the bottom.
Rigveda refers about the “Battle of ten kings (dāśarājñá)” in some of its hymns. It is
conjectured to have occurred between 1700-1000 BC after the Aryans migrated to India. It
took place near Parusni River today’s Punjab (Ravi).
These kings belonged to different tribes of northwest India. Some of the notable
names of these defeated tribes include Purus, Gandharis, Parsu (Pesian?), Bhrigus and Dasa.
The victory came to Trtsu (Indo-Aryans tribe). Three of the commanders of this battle were
Vashista, Vishvamitra and King Sudas. Many of these names appear in Ramayana and
Mahabharata the two epics of India. Recent translation (1951) of the Rigveda considers the
hymns as "obviously based on an historical event", even though all details in the hymns are
lost.
This shows that the history of India was though not formally written until later but
these mantras become a reliable source that captured Indian history by “word of mouth”.
Meditation of Vishnu
¢ho·¥dÉ¡e
Vishnudhyan
Take a white flower, keep on your head and establish the image of Narayana in your heart.
29
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Similarly repeat for arghyam (rice), dhupam (incense), deepam (lamp), falam (fruit, like raisin),
mistanyam (sweet candy or misri) and annam (flat rice in place of cooked rice), achmanium
(glass of drinking water) and punarachmanium (second glass of drinking water).
The story of Tulsi is described under Satyanarayana. Offer Tulsi three times and place on the top
of the Saligram Shila, uttering the following mantra
30
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
The place of worship need to be sanctified and protected. Thus the devotee makes a divine
boundary of the place of worship with:
Take a flower, with a touch of sandalwood paste, and place it on the holy pitcher taking the name
of each God and Goddess mentioned:
Imagine you are surrounded well protected by gods and your well-wishers. Chant with folded hands.
Ll−S¡−s (h¡−j) Jy …l¦−iÉ¡ ejx, Jy flj …l¦−iÉ¡ ejx, Jy fl¡fl …l¦−iÉ¡ ejx,
(wEÜÑ) bRþEN nm: || (j−dÉ) Jy dixNAkAlIkA¯y ejx (¢hNÌq) zz
(c¢r−Z) Jy N−Zn¡u ejx z (wEÜÑ
(On the left) Om guruvyo namah| Om parama guruvyo namah| Om parapara guruvyo namah|
(On the right) Om Ganeshaya namah | Urdhey Brahmaney namah
(At the center) Om Dakshina Kalikawai namah (or God in presence) ||
On the left I am offering my reverence to my teacher, and the teacher of highest knowledge. On
the right is the Ganesh (the obstacle remover), and at the center is goddess Kali.
On the left I pay my reverence to my guru, great guru and supreme guru. On the right is
Shri Ganesh (the remover of all obstacles). Above is the Almighty. In the front is the Kali (the
deity on the platform); I pray for their blessing and protection.
All Hindu puja rituals involve the worship of other Gods and Goddesses before focusing on the
principle deity. These Gods and Goddesses regulate our lives in many ways. These include the
group of five gods or Panchadevata (p®EdbtA), the Guardians of the directions (Dashadikpal)
and the nine planets (Navagraha) are revered and so also Vishnu’s various incarnations
(Dashavatar) which connect to our process of biological evolution.
The group of five Gods (one is Goddess) are: Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya and
Jagadhatri (Parvati) - See addendum at the end. They are worshipped in three steps – dhyan,
31
Book 4: KALI PUJA
offering and pranam. You may not repeat the worship of those Gods whom you have already
worshipped.
Ganesh
Shri Ganesh is the God of wisdom and worshipped at the beginning. He removes all obstacles.
He is always worshipped before any puja.
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Take a flower on your left palm. Hold it with the mudra for meditation (kurma). Imagine Ganesh
in your mental screen, chant the mantra and place the place the flower on the holy pitcher,
imagining that you are putting the flower on His feet.
Offerings
p§jA
Panchaupacarey puja
Offer water to wash the feet of the Lord on the offering plate:
32
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Prostration
pÊNAm
Pranam
As the worships of Ganesh and Vishnu have already been done before, we present here the
worships of Shiva, Surya and Jagadhatri.
Vishnu
ib>·¤
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Offerings
p§jA
Puja
This is explained earlier. Use the following mantra for offering each of the five things.
33
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Prostration
pÊNAm
Pranam
Shiva
¢nh
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Prostration
pÊNAm
Pranam
Obeisance to Lord Shiva! He is calm, the source of the three basic qualities (guna) of life –
truth/knowledge (sattva), greed/passion (raja and, dark/ignorance (tama),
I am submitting to you Oh Lord, I am having no other choice.
Surya (Sun)
p§kÑÉ
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Offering
p§jA
Puja
Then offer a little rice on the holy pitcher or on the offering plate:
35
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Prostration
pÊNAm
Pranam
Pray with folded hands, imagining the rising sun in front of you:
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Jy L¡m¡ï¡i¡w LV¡°r-
LV¡°r-l¢lL¥m-iuc¡w −j±¢mh−ܾc¥−lM¡w,
n´Mw Qœ²w L«f¡Zw ¢œ¢nMj¢f L°l- L°l-l¦àq¿¹£w ¢œ−eœ¡jÚ z
¢pwqúå¡¢dl©t¡w ¢œi¥
¢œi¥he-
e-j¢Mmw −aSp¡ f§lu¿¹£w,
dÉ¡−ucÚ c¤NÑ¡w Su¡MÉ¡w ¢œcn f¢lhªa¡jÚ −p¢ha¡w ¢p¢ÜL¡°jx zz
Om Kala-abhrabham katakshair-arikula-bhayadaam
mauli-baddheyndurekham shankham chakram kripanam
trishikhamapi karaih-rudwahantim trinetraam |
Sinhaskandha-adhiruddham Tribhuban-makhilam tejasa purayantim
dhyaayed Durgam Jayakhyam tridasha-paribritam sebitam siddhikamaih ||
One should meditate on Mother Durga whose another name is Jaya, who hasthe complexion of
deep dark cloud, whose mere glance can arouse fears to the enemies, tightly fastened in her
crown is the shining crescent moon, who has three eyes, who is holding conch, disc, sword, and
three-pointedweapon (trident) in her hands, Who is riding on a lion, who is energizing all
three worlds with her brilliant light, who is always surrounded by gods,
she is served by those who want success.
Offerings
p§jA
Puja
eEt gå puEÖp qÊ£w Jy c¥NÑ¡¯u ejx
ejx| zz
Etey gandhapushpey Hring Om Durgawai namah ||
In the spirit of divinity (Hring, the primordial sound for Durga)
I am offering this scented flower to you Oh Goddess Durga.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Prostration
pÊNAm
Pranam)
Jy pîÑj‰m j‰−mÉ ¢n−h phÑ¡bÑ p¡¢d−L z nl−ZÉ œÉð−L −N±¢l e¡l¡u¢Z e−j¡Ù¹¥−a zz
Om sarvamangala mangalye Shivey sarbartha sadhikey |
Smaraney trambhakey Gouri Narayani Namastutey ||
Oh the wife of Shiva, you are the benevolent peace giver of us, fulfiller of our wishes, I am
seeking your protection Oh the three-eyed fair Goddess of wealth (Narayani).
I offer my obeisance to you.
Naba is nine and graha is cosmic influencer of the living being on this earth (Bhumidevi). These
include five planets – Mamala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brahaspati (Jupitor), Sukra (Venus),
Sani (Saturn); Sun (Aditya, Rabi), Moon (som), as well as Moon’s orbital positions in the sky –
Rahu (north or ascending lunar node) and Ketu (south or descending lunar node).
Note: Lunar nodes are the orbital nodes of the moon, that is, the points where the orbit of the
moon crosses the ecliptic. The ascending node is where the moon crosses to the north of the
ecliptic. The descending node is where it crosses to the south. Eclipses occur only near the lunar
nodes.
The mantra “Adityadi (Aditya or sun and others) Navagraheybhyo namah” takes care of all the
nine planets. Worship of individual members of Nabagraha is done during Havan, described
later.
37
Book 4: KALI PUJA
(Note: separate naivedya with five mounds of rice and a small fruit on each mound makes the
nabagraha-naivedya).
Das means ten, dik is direction and pal is protection. Hence Dasdikpal means the protector of ten
directions. The deities connected to the protection of the ten directions of this earth are: Indra
(east), Agni (south-east), Yama (south), Nairiti (south-west), Varun west), Vayu (north-west),
Kuber (north), Isha (north-east), Brahma (upward) , Anant (downward). Show your respect by
offering a little water or flower or rice in the name of each deity.
Ten incarnations (avatar) of Vishnu, which relate to the evolution of human, are listed here:
Matsavatar, Kurmavatar, Barahavatar, Narsinghavatar, Vamanavatar, Parashuram, Rama,
Krishna, Buddha, Kalki. Pay your obeisance by offering a sandalwood-dipped flower to the ten
incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
eEt gå p¤EÖp dSAbtAErEi
dSAbtAErEiYA nm:
Etay gandhapushpey Om Dashavatarebhyo namah
Reverence to the ten incarnations of Vishnu
Bighnapasaran
¢hOÀ¡fp¡lZ
Removal of Hurdles
Various obstacles can interrupt Puja. So the devotee prays to God for remove those obstacles that
may come during the puja process. This is done through sound and action.
Iw
Oing
Then circle the palm of your right hand around the left palm three times and then strike the left palm
with two fingers (middle and pointing fingers) of your right hand.
AÙ»¡u gVÚ
Astrya phat
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Special offerings are made to all invisible spirits. It is believed that invisible spirits, previously
occupied the place of worship, need to be satisfied before you intrude in their domain. Show five
welcome mudras as described before (see appendix).
Take a flower (preferably red) and place it into the small container with a spoonful of yogurt,
rice and mashkalai (black lentil). This is called mashabhakta bali (j¡oiš² h¢m).
hw Ha°×j j¡oiš²hm−u ejx, H−a Nåf¤−×f Jy j¡oiš²hm−u ejx,
H−a Nåf¤−×f Jy Hac¢dfa−u Jy ¢ho·−h ejx z Ho j¡oiš² h¢mx Jy −rœf¡m¡¢ci¨aN−Z−iÉ¡ ejx z
Bam etashmai mashabhaktabalaye namah!
Etey gandhapushpey! Om mashabhaktabalayey namah!
Etey gandhapushpe etadhipatayeh Om Vishnabey namah!
Esha mashabhakta balih Khetrapaladibhutaganebhyo namah ||
Reverence to the mashabhaktabali (the container with yogurt, mashEntrancekalai and red flower
dipped in sandalwood) as I offer the scented flower to the name of Vishnu I offer this holy lentil pot
to Khetrapal and other invisible spirits.
Looking up, with folded hands, pray to the spirits. At the end of the prayer touch the mashabhakata
bali container. Invite the spirits with five welcome mudras described earlier.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Pick some white mustard seeds with your fingers and sprinkle them around the worship area
while saying the following mantra.
Jy −ha¡m¡ÕQ ¢fn¡Q¡ÕQ l¡rp¡ÕQ pl£p§f¡xz Jy AfpfÑ¿¹¥ −a i¨a¡ −k i¨a¡ i¨¢h pw¢Ùqa¡x z −k i¨a¡ ¢hOÀLšÑ¡l−Ù¹ enÉ¿¹¥
¢nh¡‘u¡ zz Jy −ha¡m¡ÕQ ¢fn¡Q¡ÕQ l¡rpÕQ pl£pªf¡x z AfpfÑ¿¹¥ −a p−hÑ Q¢äL¡−Ù»Z a¡¢sa¡x zz
Om apasarpantu tey bhuta je bhuta bhubi sansthitah | Jey bhuta vignakartarastey nashyantu
Shivagnaya || Om betalascha pishachascha rakshashascha sarisripah |
Apasarpantu tey sarbey chandika strena taritah ||
All the spirits who reside below this earth who may disturb our peace is guarded off in
the name of Shiva. All the creatures, may they be ghosts, goblins or reptiles are hereby
driven away from this place in the name of Chandi, the goddess of evil destruction.
At the end snap your fingers between the thumb and middle finger three times while circling the
hand around the head then hit the ground three times with your right heel. These jestures
symbolize the driving away the evil spirits from the place of worship. After this act you are
expected to focus on the dedicated prayer that you are about to start. This initiates granthi
bandhan (next section), an act of holding all thoughts towards divinity.
The thought behind this ritual is to bring the scattered mind into the focus of devotional thoughts. Tie
a knot at the end of the cloth that you are wearing. Hold the knot and chant:
The house is considered as a temple (Vastudevata, bAÙ¹E¤ dbtA) guarded by the Gods at the entrance.
These gods help in removing the hurdles (Ganesha) or bring good luck and wealth to the family
(Lakshmi and Kuber). Hence before the core of the puja, they are worshipped.
40
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Take two flowers dipped them in sandalwood paste and offer it to the Gods of entrance. Ask a
family member to take the flower to the entrance door and leave it on the step. The entrance is
usually decorated with water pots, marked with vermillion powder and contains banana sapling
or any green foliage. Some families decorate the floor as well which is symbolic to invitation of
divinity.
eEt
Et gå p¤EÖp o^ ÞAr EdbtAEvYA nm:|
nm:
Etey gandhapushpey om Dwaradevatabhyo namah |
I offer my scented flower to the guardians of the entrance.
Various Gods are called and worshipped at the entrance of the puja place with the request to sanctify
the place of worship. The calling of the Gods is done through five gestures, called mudras that
welcomes them and ask them to stay with the devotee during the ceremony.
Show the five hand gestures where indicated. The mudras are like expressing the feeling with
hand gestures, as it is done in case of dancing.
After the meditation take a flower, with a touch of sandalwood paste, and place it at the feet of
the Goddess Lakshmi, captured in your mental image and then put it on the holy pitcher.
41
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Vastu puja
bAÙt¤ p§jA
Worship of the House God
Sanctification of floor
Sanctification of Platform
−h¢c −n¡de
Vedi shodhan
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Look at the ceiling (or top canopy) and place a flower in the offering plate and then say
with folded hands.
Purify your hand by crushing a flower between the palms and throw the crushed flower on
your left. Circle your right palm over the left palm and make the phat sound.
gVÚ
Phat
May the evil elements leave
Body
nYAs
Nyas
Here the devotee dedicate all his body organs to the prayer of the Lord.
I am offering my different organs – heart, head, apex of my hair (shikha), arms, eyes, and my
hands to Thy prayer.
Touch the organ with the joint fingers of right arm and chant pointing the organ:
43
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Touch the heart (Gam hridayaya namah), the head (ging sirashey swaaha), the shikha - long
bunch of hair extended in the middle of the head – for Brahmins – (gam shikhayai bashat), two
eyes (left first and then right), and finally, two arms - crossing hands - (gaing kabachaya hum),
then touch the eyes (goung netretraya baushat), finally circle around the left palm with the right
palm and hit the center of the left palm with two of the right fingers-) – middle and pointing
fingers and simultaneously uttering the mantra.
Dedicate the thumb (a‰uù) by pressing the index finger or fore finger on to the thumb:
Then touch the thumb with the index finger or fore finger (tjÑin) and dedicate it by chanting the
following mantra:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Pointing finger!
Ring finger! Middle finger!
o^ ¯sQ anAimkAvY¡
anAimkAvY¡Q h^Qu |
Om saing anamikabhyam hum |
I am dedicating my ring finger to The Divine
Finally circle the right palm around the left palm which is held straight in front of the devotee
and then strikes the center of the left palm with the two fingers (joined pointing finger and
middle finger) and utter the “whoosh” sound:
Consecration of Flowers
f¤×fö¢Ü
Pushpasuddhi
The flower to be offered to the Goddess needs to be consecrated. Lovingly touch them with both
hands and chant after removing the evils.
Iy gVÚ
Owing Phat
Move out the evil spirits
Jy f¤×f−La¥ l¡S¡qÑ−a na¡u pjÉLÚ pðå¡u qÊwÊ z
Om pushpaketu rajahartey shataya samyak sambandhaya hram |
These bright beautiful flowers in plenty collected for the sacred offering
Sprinkle little water on the flowers kept for the puja and sanctify it with the following mantra
45
Book 4: KALI PUJA
The place of worship need to be sanctified and protected. Thus the devotee/priest makes a divine
boundary of the place of worship with a water lining around him. Then he takes a flower, with
touch of sandalwood paste, and place it on the holy pitcher taking the name of each God and
Goddess mentioned:
Imagine you are surrounded well protected by gods and your well-wishers. Chant with folded hands.
Ll−S¡−s (h¡−j) Jy …l¦−iÉ¡ ejx, Jy flj …l¦−iÉ¡ ejx, Jy fl¡fl …l¦−iÉ¡ ejx,
(wEÜÑ) Jy bRþEN nm: || (j−dÉ) Jy nÌ£nÌ£dixNAkAilkA¯y nm: (¢hNÌq) zz
(c¢r−Z) Jy N−Zn¡u ejx z (wEÜÑ
(On the left) Om guruvyo namah | Om parama guruvyo namah |
Om parapara guruvyo namah | (On the right) Om Ganeshaya namah |
Urdhey Brahmaney namah (At the center) Om Saraswatwai namah (or God in presence) ||
On the left I am offering my reverence to my teacher, and the teacher of highest knowledge. On
the right is the Ganesh (the obstacle remover), and at the center is goddess Saraswati.
On the leftI pay my reverence to my guru, great guru and supreme guru. On the right is
Shri Ganesh (the remover of all obstacles). Above is the Almighty. In the front is the Lakshmi
(the deity on the platform); I pray for their blessing and protection.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
The pancha mahabhuta, or "five great elements" are: Tej (energy), Ap (water), kshiti (earth),
Marut (air), Vyom (cosmos). Hindus believe that all of creation, including the human body, is
made up of these five essential elements and that upon death, the human body dissolves into
these five elements of nature, thereby balancing the cycle of nature. Life depends on these five
great elements and in the same way that we rely on God and His blessing.
! The Kalash (klS, holy pitcher) represents all the aforesaid five elements where the leaves
are the captured energy from the sun, water is filled inside the pitcher, and earth is kept under the
pitcher. The air and cosmos naturally surround the pitcher. The following hymn exemplifies the
Hindu concept of creation. It is chanted as the holy pitcher is established.
Hiranyagarbha (¢qlZÉNiÑ) literally means the 'golden womb' or 'golden egg', poetically
rendered 'universal germ'. It is the source of the creation of the Universe or the manifested
cosmos in Indian philosophy. It is mentioned in Rigveda (RV 10) and known as the
'Hiranyagarbha sukta'. It declares that God manifested Himself in the beginning as the Creator
of the Universe, encompassing all things, including everything within Himself, the collective
totality, as it were, of the whole of creation, animating it as the Supreme Intelligence.
Placement
LmnpÛ¡fe
Kalashathapan
Hold the neck of the pitcher with both hands and chant:
¢qlZÉNiÑ: pjhaÑa¡−NÊ i§apÉ S¡a: f¢a−lL Bp£a z pc¡Q¡l fª¢bh£w dÉ¡j¤−aj¡w L¯Ùj −ch¡u q¢ho¡ ¢h−dj zz
Hiranyagarbhah samabartatagrey bhutasya jatah patireka aseeta | Sadachar prithibim
dhyamuteymam kashmai devaya habisha vidhema ||
In the beginning was the Divinity in his splendor, manifested as the sole Lord of land,
Skies, water, space and that beneath and He upheld the earth and the heavens.
Who is the deity we shall worship with our offerings?
LmnpÉ j¤−M
−M ¢ho·¥: L−ã
L−ã l¦âx pj¡¢nËax z j§−m
−m aœ ¢ÙÛ−a¡
−a¡ hËþ¡ j−dÉ
j−dÉ j¡a«NZ¡x Øj«a¡x zz
L−¥r±
r± a¥ p¡Nl¡x p−hÑ pçà£f¡ hp¤¤ål¡ z G−NÄ
G−NÄcx
cx Ab kS¥−hÑcx p¡j−hcx
p¡j−hcx A¢f AbhÑZx zz
A°‰ÕQ p¢qa¡x p−hÑ Lmn¡ð¥ pj¡¢nËa¡x z Bk¡¿¹¥ −ch f§S¡bÑw c¥¢laruL¡lL¡x zz
N−‰ Q kj¤−e eÇjÑ−c
−e °Qh −N¡c¡h¢l plü¢a z eÇjÑ −c ¢på¥ L¡−h¢l S−m
S−m A¢ØjeÚ p¢æ¢dw L¥l¦ zz
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Kalashashya mukhey Vishnu kanthey Rudra samasrita | Muley tatra sthito Brahma madhey
matriganah smrita || Kukshaitu sagarah sarbey Saptadeepa basundhara | Rigvedo atha Jajurvedah
Samavedo and Atharba | Ayantu deva pujarthan durita kshayakaraka || Gameycha Yamuney
chaiba Godavari Saraswati | Narmadey Sindhu Kaberi jaley asmin sannidhim kuru ||
At the mouth of the pitcher rests Vishnu, on the neck is the Shiva, at the bottom (root) rests
Brahma (the creator), and in the middle circles various mother goddesses. The water represents
the ocean at the time of creation of earth when seven islands comprised the land of India, whent
the learned sages wrote Rigveda, Jajurveda, Samaveda and Atharbaveda. The water of all
sacred rivers - Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri may merge
in this holy pitcher of water and this pitcher is now dedicated
to the worship of God. May all the evil spirits clear off from here.
Establishment
¢Ùql£LlZ
Sthirikaran
Hold the pitcher with both hands and repeat the following mantra:
Jy aÆ¡hax f¤l©h−p¡ hu¢j¾cÊ fË−Zax z Øj¢p Ùq¡aqÑl£Z¡jÚ z Jy Ùq¡w Ùq£w ¢Ùq−l¡ih z JAbq pUjA kErAmYhmÚ|
Om twabatah purubaso bayamindra pranetah |Smasi shata-r-Harinam |
Om stham sthim sthiro bhava |Yavat puja karomyaham ||
I bow to Thee for your abundant riches in the name of Vishnu I am offering my reverence to the
gods to stay with me as long I am performing this sacred puja. Stay here firmly.
Gesture of Reverence
L«a¡”¢m
Kritanjali
Jy pîÑ−a£−bÑ¡áhw h¡¢l pîÑ−ch pj¢eÄajÚ z Cjw OVw pj¡l¦qÉ ¢aù −ch N°Zx pqx zz
Om sarbatirtha udbhavam bari sarbadeva-samanwetam |
Imam ghatam samarujhya tishta deva ganaih saha ||
The sacred rivers sanctify this holy water of the pitcher with the merger of all Gods and
Goddeses into it. Now I establish this pitcher with the appeal to the Gods and Goddesses
I plan to worship to rest here with the wards.
48
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Brahmanda Purana has described that the prehistoric India was comprised of seven islands
which today drifted to its various current locations – Malaysia, Andaman, Lanka and others.
They were named as Jambu, Plaksha, Shalmala, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaka and Pushkara. They
were surrounded by seven seas. They believed that today’s India was inhabited by sages and
people with high spiritual thoughts. Apart from this mythological account, anthropological
evidences record that during the Continental Drift, India separated out from the Gondwana
Land located in the South Pole into the present position. Geologically, the origin of the
Himalayas is the impact of the Indian tectonic plate traveling northward at 15 cm per year
towards the Eurasian continent, about 40-50 million years ago. The formation of the
Himalayan arc resulted since the lighter rock of the sea-bed of that time was easily uplifted
into mountains. An often-cited fact used to illustrate this process is that the summit of Mount
Everest is made of marine limestone. In addition, the continuing rise of Himalaya is in
support of this theory. The mystery still remains to be resolved as how our forefathers
conjectured the things happened before even the human race appeared on this earth?
The sacred pitcher is cordoned by planting four arrowhead sticks (kAäErApN, Kandatropan) on the
four corners around the pitcher and circling a red-colored thread around the sticks (sUœEbøn,
Sutrabeshtan).
On the four corners of the sacred pitcher place four sticks (3-5 mm diameter, 2 ft high) with an
arrowhead on the top of each. This is commonly known as tIrkAi[ (tirkathi). The arrowhead is
made from dry palm leaves as they are inserted into the split top of the stick, making the
appearance of the three leaved durba grass (iconic). If palm leaves are not available, use thin
wood pieces or green rough leaves, inserted into the split top of the sticks, with the attempt to
make the stick. The tIrkAi[ (tirkathi) imitate durba grass. The sticks are inserted into the mud
balls at the base (imitating earth). One can use foam cups filled with wet dirt. The mantra bears
the history of the migration of Aryans into India.
The pitcher, symbolic of the basic elements of life, is encircled by four sticks called tirkathi (tIrkAi[)
and a continuous red thread (five rounds). The tirkathi and thread appear to signify the interwoven
relationship of the family and community with the creation of the basic elements of life.
Put four bamboo sticks on four sides of the pitcher. Hold the sticks in four balls of clay (traditional)
or use four foam cups with wet dirt. The sticks are split at the top in order to hold palm leaves
49
Book 4: KALI PUJA
(traditional, or use similar stiff leaves available locally). Make a three-prone spearhead with the
leaves cut into pieces. This is symbolic of durba grass whose tip typically bears three leaves.
Jy L¡ä¡v L¡ä¡v fË−l¡q¿¹£ fl¦o fl¦oØf¢lz Hh¡−e¡ c¤−îÑ fËae¤ pq−pËZ n−ae Q z
Om! Kandat kandat prarohanti parushah parushaspari
evano durvey pratanu sahasrena shatena cha ||
I am establishing these sticks with arrow-heads (tirkathi), representing the Durba grass
that spreads all directions through roots (kandat) at the nodes and stolen (parush) or runnerstalk. I
pray for our family to spread out in all directions in hundreds and thousands Oh durba (Cynodon
dactylon)! the way your roots strikes at your nodes (“kAä”), connected by your stolens (“pr¦>”),
the same way connect us with thousands of our children and
grandchildren spreading out in all directions.
Circling of Thread
sUœEbøn
Shutrabeshtan
The continuous red thread, circled around the tirkathi, encircling the sanctified pitcher, is the icon of
the interwoven relationship of the family and community with the essence of life. Clockwise circle
the sticks (tekathi), with a red thread, five or seven times. Loop the
thread on each stick. Chant while tying the thread:
50
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
The doob grass or Cynodon dactylon is a creeper grass highly priced in India. It
practically grows anywhere under wide variety of climates and soils. It spreads quickly
with the availability of water, extending its creeping stems, called “stolons” that spread in
all directions. (Note: a stolon is a shoot that bends to the ground or that grows
horizontally above the ground and produces roots and shoots at the nodes). Hence it is
also referred as “runners”.
When the Aryans came, they wanted to spread out in India like the doob grass. The nodes
with roots and shoots they called, “kAä” (kanda) and the extending stem between the
nodes, or stolon, they called “pr¦>” (parush). So, the arrow-head sticks, planted around
the holy pitcher, are compared with the doob grass with three pointing leaves (the arrow
head) that is held on mud balls (earth). The thread is the stolon or the family joined
together by holding to each other and circles around the holy pitcher (emblem of God).
Peetha puja (pI[, peetha means seat) refers to the offerings to those Gods that form our base of
existence.
Show five welcome mudras addressing the holy pitcher (See attached figure.
o^ pI[EdbtA HhAgµCt HhAgµCt, HhAitùt HhAitùt, HhsiæE}ih|
Hh siær¦}Bü, Hh siær¦ÜY}BmÚ aœAi}øAnQ kur¦t:| mm pUjA g<h²It||
Om Pithadevata ihagachhata ihagachhata, ehatishthata ehatishthata | Iha sannirudhwashwa, iha
sannirudhwadhwam atradhishthanam kurutah | Mama puja grinhita ||
Oh pithadevata (Gods of the background) come and stay close to me and
let your presence help me to perform the puja.
Offer bits of flowers or small quantities of water in the name of each God and Goddesses listed
below.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
The base of our existence, the infinite, the nature, the cosmos, the earth, the ocean, the island
from where we evolved, the crystal hall of the universe, the wishing tree (aspirations), the
jeweled stage of our activities, the honored throne of precious stones, the directional gods,
righteous thoughts, and the auspicious seat
52
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-02-Pradhan-puja-p54.mp3
PART 3
PRADHAN (PRINCIPLE) KALI
PUJA
fËd¡e L¡m£ f§S¡
This ritual attempts to seek the blessings of various Gods for the successful completion of the
prayers. Take the kushi and put in that – little water, haritaki, flower, touch of sandalwood paste,
durba (or kush) and little rice. Hold it between two palms and chant the mantra:
N−Zn¡¢c--e¡e¡−cha¡f§S¡f§hÑL, nÌ£nÌ£dixNAkAilkA
Jy LšÑ−hÉq¢ØjeÚ N−Zn¡¢c dixNAkAilkA f§S¡ LjÑ¢Z Jy f¤ZÉ¡qw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥
Jy f¤ZÉ¡qw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥ Jy f¤ZÉ¡qw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹¥ z (1)
Om kartebeyshin Ganeshadi nanadevata puja purbaka | Srisridhakinakalika puja karmani
Om punyaham bhavanto broobantu (1) ||
With the blessing of the Almighty, I have resolved to perform pujas for Lord Ganesh and other
gods, and to Goddess Dakshina Kalika, and in doing so, I seek the blessing from the assembly to
make this day be auspicious
Pratibachan
fˢahQe
Response of the assembly (devotees)
Priest and others will throw rice towards the holy pitcher in response to the wish of the devotee:
53
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Pratibachan
fˢahQe
Response of the assembly (devotees)
Take rice in your hand and offer it to the names of various Gods controlling the environment,
appealing to them to bring success in the completion of your puja offering. While chanting the
mantra throw the rice three times in the offering plate, coinciding with the last mantra (Om
swasti).
54
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
I offer my praises to the glory of Moon (Som), Varuna, Agni, Sun, Vishnu, Brahma and rihaspati;
with my prayers to mighty Indra, learned Pusha, undefeated Taksha, and the care
-taker of Gods, Brihaspati, seeking their blessings on us.
Sprinkle some water around you taken from the kosha in front of you by dipping a small flower
in the pot while chanting:
o^ Ùbit −e¡ HEßA b<ÜSRbA: Ùbit n: pU>A ibÕbEdbA:| o^ Ùbit, o^ Ùbit, o^ Ùbit|
Om swasti nah Indro bridhrashraba swasti nah Pusha bishwadeva.
Om Swasti, Om Swasti, Om Swasti.
Let lord Indra and sage Pusha give me blessings for this occasion.
Let there be sanctity everywhere.
Divine hymn
ü¢Ù¹pš
§ ²
Swastisukhta
Take rice in your hand and offer it to various Gods controlling the environment, appealing to
them to bring success in the completion of your puja offering. While chanting the matra throw
the rice three times in the offering plate, coinciding with the last mantra (Om swasti).
Divine Witnesses
sAxYm¿
Sakhyamantra
o^ sUJÑY: EsA−
EsA−m¡ Jm: kAl: sEåY i¨a¡eÉqrf¡ | fh−e¡ ¢cLÚf¢aiѨ¢jl¡L¡nw MQl¡jl¡x z
bRAþQ SAsnmAÙÛAy kÒ}Åimh siæi}mÚ| o^ tqsq| o^ aymArñ övAy vbtu|
Om Surjah somo Yahmah kalah sandhaye bhutanaha-kshapa; Pabano dikpatir bhumir-
akasham khachara marah | Bramham shasanomasthaya kalpadhwamihaa sannidhim.
Om tatsat. Om ayamarambho shubahaya Bhavatu ||
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
The Sun, the Moon, the Yama (death), the Time, the Morning, the Evening, the Twilight,
the Living creatures, the Day, the Night, the Wind, the Guardians of the directions,
the Earth, the Sky, the flying creatures, the Gods and Goddesses may you all come here to
witness my pious act, Let the beginning be auspicious.
Alternate:
The spirits in all the planets, all the visible and invisible Gods and Goddesses, whereever they
are, no matter what time it is now I pray for everybody’s presence.
Let the holy occassion begin.
Sankalpa
sQkÒ
Resolution
The mantra declares the goal of the puja after identifying the time, place and the name of the
devotee. If the priest is doing the puja, take your name and then the name of the host and at the
end say “kir>YAim” (which means I am doing for someone else). If the devotee is making the
offering himself, take your own name and at the end say, “kirE>Y” (which means I am doing it).
Take the kushi (spoon) on the left palm. Put a yellow flower, with a touch of sandalwood paste.
Place a little rice inside the spoon and (if available) a haritaki or supari – beetle nut (a dry fruit),
symbolizing the fruitfulness of the goal. Then cover the spoon with your right palm and chant:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Alternatively, if the priest is called, he says, “Puja for ____ person (host) is done by me
of Gotra ___ and name ___.
(Note: Gotra is the family identity. (In Hindu society, the gotra broadly refers to people who are
descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor, which is usually the name
of a sage – Kashyap, Bharadwaj, Agastha etc.).
After the completion of the chant, turn over the spoon (kushi) on the offering plate (tamrapatra)
and sprinkle some water on the spoon. Use your right hand forefingers to pick up water from the
pot container (kosha). Then chant the following mantra seeking His blessing to complete.
This is the prayer, seeking His grace for the successful completion of the worship.
Jy −c−h¡ −h¡ â¢h−Z¡c¡x f§ZÑ¡w ¢hhøÊ¡¢pQjÚ z EÜ¡ ¢p’dÆ j§f h¡ fªZdÆ j¡¢c−à¡ −ch Jq−a z
Om devobo dravinodah purnam bibastasicham |
Udhwa sinchadwa mupa ba prinadhwa madidwo deva ohatey ||
I seek the blessing of illustrious Agni with devotion. May he help me to fulfill my goal
by His grace. I call Him with my utmost humility.
o^ asY sóiÒtAF
sóiÒtAFÑÑsY isiÜrÙº| | o^ aymArñ övAy vbtu ||
Om asya sankalpitarthasya sidhirasthu. Om ayamarambha shubhaya bhavatu ||
In the spirit of divinity may my goal be successful.
May this be an auspicious beginning.
INVOCATION
Offer sandalwood-dipped flower on the holy pitcher along with this mantra:
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Welcome Goddess Kali by chanting the mantra and creating the five hand gestures where
indicated. The mudras are like expressing the feeling with hand gestures, as it is done in case of
dancing.
Take the stalk of a belpata (bel leaf, favorite of Shiva), touch it with the black soot paste and
draw on the first the forehead eye, the second the left eye and lastly the right eye of the deity
with these three mantra.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Bringing life into an idol made up of mud and clay and worshipping it as the most powerful
power in the Universe, is perhaps the most unique feature of Hinduism. Mind is the seat of our
action and when it focuses on the object imagined as the emblem of Divinity, all worship is
directed to that Power and we pour our heart out to enjoy this Great Union. It is beyond reality
and thus we define it as Spiritual Metaphysics,
To Godess Kali
Take kush (or durba grass) in your right hand, repeat the mulmantra ten times (Owing, \Q). Then
touch near the heart of the deity in Lelihana mudra (see figure) and pray for bringing life with
the following mantra:
Take kush (or durba grass) in your right hand touch near the heart of Lord Shiva diety in
Lelihana mudra (see figure as outlined in past) and say this mantra three times
Special Reception
ibES>AGÑ
Bisheshargha
Arghya is the jesture of respectful reception of a guest. The tip of the water conch holds durba, flower,
belpata and a little rice. The conch is then called the Bishesharghya (ibES>AGÑ), which means special
arrangement to receive the main guest, which is Dakshina Kali. The water-conch (jala sankha, jlsSÐ),
sits on a tripod on the left side of the priest.
Wash out the conch by pouring into the conch little water ant then pour it out on the tamrapatra
(offering copper plate) with the sound:
gVÚ
Phat
Get out all evil spirits
This sanctifies the conch and its contents – sandalwood-dipped flower, rice and durba grass. It is
symbolic of the greatest gift of God – the green leaves, the flowers and the food (rice).
Now touch the flower and durba and chant dedicated to the solar energy and the solar system:
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
o^ gE‰ c JmuEn ¯cb EgAdAbir srüit, nÇmÑEd isåu kAEbir, jEli¥n siæi}Q kur¦|
Om Gangeycha Jamuney chaiba Godavari Saraswati |
Narmadey Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru ||
Allow me to call the holy rivers of India (Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada,
Sindhu and Kaberi) to merge into this water.
Now remeditate on the goddess Kali (given earlier) and cover the water-conch by Abagunthana
mudra (hands turned over) with the sound of h§Q and then show the Galini mudra to the conch
uttering Eb±>TÚ. Then say with folded hands, holding a flower:
Now jap eight times with the primordial sound of Kali \Q on the water conch as you do for Gayatri.
Then sprinkle the water from the conch over all the articles kept for puja.
Lamp
dIp
Deep
Look at the lamp burning on the side and offer little water into the offering plate in its name:
o^ aigÃEjÑ
jÑYAit:
YAit: ribEjÑ
ribEjÑYAit:
YAit: c¾dREjÑ
jÑYAit
YAit ع¯Fb c|
EjYit>AmušEmA SÊIdixNAkAilEk dIpyQ pRitg<hYtAm||
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Offer a little water on the offering plate (tamrapatra) intending to wash the feet of the Goddess
Dakhina Kali
Glass of water
aAcmnIy jl
Achmania jal
Offer a glass of water to the Goddess Dahkinakali for drinking. The offer is made by putting a
little water from the kushi into the first glass of water
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
With the help of kushi offer a small amount of water on the holy pitcher with the following
chant. It meant for Her bathing:
Cloth
bÙ»|
Vastra.
Place the cloth on your left hand, put a flower on it and then cover it with your right hand and
chant:
o^ býtÁ¹u smAJu™Q p–
p– suœAid inimÑtmÚ| bAEsA EdbI suökÔ® g<hAN prEmSÅrI||
o^ býsÁ¹An sm<ÜQ riÎtQ rAgbÙ¹unA| SRIdixNAkAlI vjpRItQ bAsEÁ¹ pir}IytAmÚ|
etdÚ bÙ»Q o^ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNkAilkA¯y nm:|
Om bahutantu samajuktam patta shutradi nirmitam|
Baso devo sushuklancha grihana parameshwari||
Om bahusantan samridham ranjitam ragabastuna|
Dakhinakali bhajapritim basantey paridhiatam||
Edam bastram Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah
Please accept, Oh Lord, this cloth with nUmerous interwoven strings and decorative threads
of many colors. For your pleasure, Oh Goddess Dakhinakali wear it to oblige me.
Sacred thread
¯pEt
Poiteye
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Silver seat
rjtAsn
Rajatasan
Ring
a‰¤rI
Anguri
Silver ornament
rjtAvrN
Rajatabharan
HdQ rjtAvrNQ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:|
Etat rajatabharanam Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah
I am offering this silver ornament to Goddess Dakshinakali.
Sandalwood paste
c¾dn
Chandan
With the middle finger of your right hand pick up a little of sandalwood paste and rub it on the
holy pitcher while chanting the following:
o^ SrIrQ Et n jAnAim EcøAQ ¯nb c ¯nb c| myA inEbidtAnÚ gåAnÚ pRitg<hY ibilpYtAmÚ|
e> gåQ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:|
Om sharam tey na janami chestam naiba cha naiba cha|
Maya niveditan gandhan pratigrijya bilipatyam||
Esha gandhya Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah ||
Oh Goddess I do not know the needs of your body but I try again and again
And so I got this sandalwood paste for you Please put it on your body and oblige me.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Incense
}Up
Dhoop
Take a new incense stick (dhoop), burn it and offer to Dakshina Kali. Perform a short arati of
three cyles as you ring the bell.
Note: Before ringing the bell, offer a flower on the bell and chant.
Take a flower and offer it on the holy pitcher while chanting the following:
o^ puÖpQ mEnAhrQ idbYQ sugiå EdbI inimÑtmÚ| h©dYmÚ aáUtmÚ aAEGRyQ EdbIQ dšQ pRg<hYtAmÚ||
etdÚ puÖpQ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:|
Om pushpam manoharam divyam suganshi devi nirmitam|
Hridam adbhutam aghreyam deving dattam pragriyatam||
Etani pushpam Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah||
I am offering this beautiful flowerwhich is good smelling and heart warming
to Goddess Dakhinakali. I bow to Thee with reverence.
Take a bilva or wood-apple leaf and make the offering on the holy pitcher (Note: Bael is also known
as Bengal quince or stone apple. Its Botanical name is Aegle marmelos. It is an important religious
plant. It is a favorite of Lord Shiva and the three leaves represent His trident. The fruit has many
medicinal uses.):
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Garland
mAlÉ
Malya
Take a garland and offer it to Dakshina Kali by placing it on the holi pitcher:
o^ suEœN gRiFtQ mAlYQ nAnA puÖp sminÅtmÚ | SRIyu™Q lðmAn® gRhAN prEmÕbrI |
e> puÖpmAlYQ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm: |
Om sutreyna grathitam malyam nana pushpa samanwitam |
Shrijuktong lambamanancha grihana parameshwari ||
Esha pushpamalyam Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah ||
Stiched on thread with many beautiful flowers
Accept this long garland Oh Goddess Dakhinakali
Here is the garland I am offering with devotion.
Whole fruits
fl-mUl
Phalamula
Sweet dessert
pAEys
Payas (mikl-rice pudding)
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Dedicated the rice pudding or payas to the five vital Breaths of the body in the following
manner:
Sprinkle some water in a clockwise fashion around all the puffinh and chant this mantra
The offering is done with special gesture called, f’NË¡p j¤â¡ (Panchagras mudra) which
isdescribed in the following section. It is important that you set up in your mental picture that the
deity is taking the food from your hand as you show the moving gesture.
Take a small amount of water on your left palm. Move the fingers of your right palm from the
consecrated food towards the Goddess. The five mantras refer to five kinds of air in our body to
sustain our lives. The panchagras mudra (f’NË¡p j¤âA) is the same as the offering to the pranabayu,
explained elsewhere.
1. Get your left palm into the grassmudra (eating posture). In other words, depress the
central section of the left palm. Put small amount of water on it.
2. Then join the thumb of the right hand to the little finger and offer with the following
mantra while moving your hand towards the deitya, imagining your dream to feed her:
o^ pRANAy üAhA |
Pranaya swaha |
3. Then join the thumb with the ring finger and say,
apAnAy üAhA |
Apanaya swaha |
4. Then join the thumb with the middle finger and say,
smAnAy üAhA |
Samanaya swaha |
5. Then join the thumb with the pointing finger and say,
wdAnAy üAhA |
Udanaya swaha |
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
bYAnAy üAhA|
Byanaya swaha|
Then move your right hand (fingers joined) from the sirni container towards the deity, repeatedly
imagining in your mind that Goddess Dakhina Kali is accepting your offer. Keep chanting during
this move of offer:
Betel leaf
tAðul
Tambul
o^ flpœsmAJ¤
flpœsmAJ¤™Q
™Q kpÑUErn subAistmÚ|
myA inEbidtQ v™É
v™ÉA tAðulQ pRitg<hYtAmÚ|
etdÚ tAðulQ o^ nEmA SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:|
Om phalapatra samajuktam karpurena subasitam |
Maya niveditam bhaktya tambulam pratigrihyatam |
Etad tambulam Om namo Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah ||
I am offeringwith devotion
the fruit (supari), pan leaf with the aromatic camphor,
Please accept it Oh Goddess Shri Dakhinakali.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Invocation
nm: apibœ pibEœA bA sîÑAbÙÛAQ gEtAip bA| J: ØmErt pu&rIkAxQ s bAhYAvAÁ¹r: Suic|
Namha apabitra pabitroba sarbabashan gatopib|
Jahsmaret pundarikaksha sa bajya antarasuch||
Impure or pure, as I am, I take the name of Vishnu – Pandarikaksha,
another name of Vishnu – and let Him purify me inside out.
Flower offering
o^ kAil kAil mhAkAil kAilEk pAphAiriN| }ÇmÑkAmpREd Edib nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
mih>iGÂ mhAmAEy cAmuEÄ muÄmAilin| aAyuÑr aAErAgY ibjyQ Edih EdbI nEmAhÙº Et||
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||1
(Om Kali Kali Mahakali kalikaye papoharini|
Dharmarthakamopromodaye devi narayani nomostutaye||
Mohishagani mahamaye chamundaye mundomalini
Aaurr arogha bijoyong dehi devi nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo||1
Oh Goddess Dhakhina Kali, savier of us from all sins, you give us the guidance to our spiritual
and salvation paths, I baw my head to your on your feet. Oh Goddess Kali, destroyer of evils like
Mohishasura, protector of us from sufferings, provider of our long life and victory in life,
I am offering this flower to you.
o^ sbÑm‰l m‰ElY iSEb sbÑAFÑsAi}Ek| wEm bRþAiN Ek±mAir ibÕbr©Ep pRsId Em||
vgbit vyEµCEd kAtYAyiN c kAmEd| kAlk<tÚ Ek±iSik tÅQ ih kAtYAyiN nEmAhÙº Et||
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||2
Om sarbamongal mongolaye Shivvey saarbartha sadhiikaye| Umaye brahmani kaUmari
bishorupaye proseedonmaye|| Bahgaboti bhayochadaye katayaoni cha kamodaye|
Kalokrit kaushiki tong hi katayaoni nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo||2
I bow to you the one who does well to all and fulfill everyone’s dreams
You are also called Uma, your origin is from Lord Brahama,
your beauty is visible in everything in this World.
Please give us your blessings.
Your manifestations are in many different forms
like Bhagaboti, Katayaoni, and Kaushiki in many difficult times of your devotees.
I am offering this flower to you Oh Dakshina Kali.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
o^ pRcEÄ puœEk intYQ supRIEt surnAiyEk| kulEdYAt kEr EcAEgR jyQ Edih nEmAhÙº Et||
s<iøiÙÛit ibnASAnAQ Si™vUEt snAtin| …NASREy …NmEy nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||3||
nm:||3||
(Om prochandye putrakaye nitong supritaye suranyikaye|
Kulodhoto karaye chograye jayaong dehi nomostutay||.
Sritithiti binasanang saktibhutaye sanatani|
Gunasraye gunomoye naraoni nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo|3|
Oh Goddess Dhakhina Kali,
although you have a ferocious look, but you are kind and gentle to us, your children.
You are beautiful and revered by all Gods. You bring glory by victory over evil.
You have the power to create, preserve or destroy the universe.
I offer my reverence to you the one who provides shelter to the righteous people
and owns all rightful qualities
Allow me to offer flowers to Thee, Oh Dakshina Kali, with utmost humility.
Pronam mantra
pRNAm m¿
Prostration
o^ kAil kAil mhAkAil kAilEk pAphAiriN| }ÇmÑAFÑ EmAxEd Edib nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
Om Kali Kali mahakali kalikaye papoharini.
Dharmartha mokhodaye devi narayani nomostutaye|
Oh Goddess Dhakhinakali, also known as Mohakali, the one who takes away all our sins.
You help us attain the goal of human life –
Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (principle of life, wealth, aspirations and relief from all)
Oh the Goddess, bearing the female form of Vishnu (Narayani).
I bow unto you.
Sacrifice
bildAn
Balidan
Though Balidan or sacrifice meant the offering of “self” to the Goddess, it took a turn amongst
those who were meat eaters (Bengalis), prior to the Buddist era (500 BC). Thus “sacrifice of
animals” became an integral part of Kali Puja. In modern time, however, animal lovers have
prohibited public sacrifice of animals. Thus the baby lamb (or goat) was replaced by whole fruit
like banana or vegetables like cucUmbers or pUmpkins. The rituals continue. We have chosen
here the banana for the sacrifice.
Wash the banana, wipe with a paper towel and mark with vermillion paste (powder mixed with
ghee or oil). Do the same with the knife. The vermillion represents the blood. Put a flower on the
knife and chant:
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
¢ho·¥−ly −cÉaÉ¡¢c ----- EgAœ SRI ----- EdbSmÑN nË£SRIdixNAkAilkAipRitkAm Cjw lñ¡ gm h¢mw
−ly¡ avpv A−cÉaÉ
A−cÉaÉ¡¢c
nË£SRIdixNAkAilEdib a¥iÉjqw O¡a¢uoÉ¡¢j (fl¡−bÑ
(fl¡−bÑ O¡a¢u−oÉ)
O¡a¢u−oÉ)
Vishnurom tat sat adetyadi --- gotra Shri ---- devasharmana
Shri Sri Dakshinakalipritikamo imam rambha fala balim
Shri Sri Dakshinakalidevi tubhyamaham ghatayishyami
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Prostration
pRNAm
Pronam
73
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Kamandalu!
Offering sticks!
Kosha-kushi!
Ghee !
Water conch
Tamrapatra!
Pushpa patra
Script!
Priest’s seat!
Paper towel
HAVAN ARRANGEMENTS
Fire worship in Kali Puja is optional in Bengalis. This is done in public pujas only.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Fire worship is perhaps as old as human civilization. Since fire was put into use during Early
Stone Age, 70000 years ago, humans dominated over other animals in many ways. Its ferocious
face when uncontrolled and the friendly use in our daily lives, made the fire or Agni as the
leading God of Hindu pantheon. Offerings to the fire found a direct link with the Lord Almighty.
Thus fire worship becomes an essential component of many Puja rituals.
Havan in public places in USA is restricted due to fire hazard. It is the law. Hence, with
considerable thoughts, it is modified in order to accommodate legal parameters. Thus the open
fire is replaced by using canned fuel (Sterno). The fuel-gel is taken out with a spoon and placed
on the sand layer spread on the havan kunda. Decorative sticks are used to offer ghee (quick dip
in ghee, or concentrated butter) and then put into the fire along with the mantra. The thin stick
does not allow soaking of excess ghee and thus the fire is fully under control. All procedures of
traditional Havan is followed except the fire does not have a flame until the ghee-dipped stick is
offered. No Havan Samagri is offered in the flame. It may start the smoke alarm.
Preparatory Arrangement
• If available, use havan (or hom) kunda and spread on it a layer of sand.
• Keep ghee (concentrated butter) in a metal pot and pack of sticks for the offering.
• Keep one glass overflowing with rice on a plate with a supari and a coin at the top. This is
called p§Np
Ñ Aœ (purnapatra).
• Put a cover on head and tilak mark on the forehead.
• The devotee/priest must take simple vegetarian food on the previous night.
Take the kushi with water, flower, durba, little rice, a flower and haritaki on left hand. Cover the
kushi with your right hand and declare the goal of the fire worship. After completion of the
resolution, turn over the kushi in the offering plate (tamrapatra), ring the bell that declares the
beginning of the fire worship ritual.
¢ho·¥−l¡jÚ avpc AcÉ Aj¥−L j¡¢p Aj¤−L f−r Aj¤L ¢a−b± Aj¤L −N¡œx nË£Aj¤L −chnjÑ¡ pîÑfµR¡¢¿¹ f§îÑL −p±i¡NÉ hÜÑe
j−e¡Na¡¢iø ¢p¢Ü nÊ£dixnAkAlI fÊ£¢aL¡j: f§S¡ LjÑ¡‰£i¨a −q¡j LjÑ¢Z Jy hRIQ nË£w nÊ£dixnAkAlI ü¡−q¢a j−¿»Z HtYAidnA
p¡SÉiblBpœ EhAmmhQ L¢l−pÉ (fl¡−bÑ L¢lpÉ¡¢j)z
Aø¡¢hwn¢a (28) pwML p¡SÉiblB
Vishnurom tatsad adya amukey mashi amukey pakshey amuk tithou amuka
gotrah Shri ---- devasharma sarbapashanti purbaka soubhagya bardhana manogatabhista
Shri Dakshina Kali preetikama puja karmangibhut homa karmani Om Hrim Shrim Shri
Dakshinakali swabeti mantrena ityadina ashtabingshati (28) Sankhaka sajyah billopatra
homa-aham karishey (pararthey karishyami)||
In the name of Vishnu, on this auspicious day ---, fortnight of ---,
on the day of --- I --- gotra Mr. ---- In the dedication and to please Goddess Kali while
performing the fire worship (havan) dedicated to Goddess Kali and
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
as part of the havan will be offering 28 sticks with ghee wih the mantra of
Kalikawai Swaha
(if doing for your own puja say “karishey” and “karishyami” when you do for others and before
ending mention the name – gotra and name –
of the person for whom you are performing the havan)
Rekha pat
−lM¡f¡a
Marking the Fire Place
Traditionally the Havan kunda is prepared, filled with sand and its borders are marked with the
ring finger while the thumb touching the ring finger. These markings describe the color of the
fire. Make four marking on the four sides of the havan kunda, on the sand, and one in the center
(see ankusha mudra).
Now take out a pinch of the sand and throw out side the havan kunda with a kush while chanting
the following mantra:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Agnisanskar
aigÂsQØkAr
Establishing the Fire
Agni namakaran
A¢NÀ e¡jL¡lZ
Naming the fire
At this time the fire is given a specific name to correspond to the occasion.
Note: In early days fire was kept burning in the house and was available for any occasion. This
avoided creating the fire each time when needed. But for each occasion different names are
given. For example, in marriage the name “Yoyaka” is given signifying union. Similarly in
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Annaprasan it is Suchi, in any happy occasion it is “Shobhanah,” for peace havan it is ‘Baradah”
and for pujas (like Satyanarayana) “Balada.”
Give the name of Balada to the burning fire by throwing a stick into the fire:
Jy ¢f‰ï©nÈn˦−Ln¡rx f£e¡‰SW−l¡ql¦Zx
R¡NÙÛx p¡rp§−œ¡q¢NÀx pç¡¢µQÑx n¢š²d¡lLx z
Om pingabhrushma keshakshah peenanga jatha aroharunah
Chchagasthah sakhsha sutrohagnih saptarchih shaktidhrakah ||
Whose brows are like the bow, who has scattered hairs humry stomach
With great humility (lamb) I am bowing the fire
which has such great power ||
Then, welcome the new fire by showing the five welcome mudras(see illustration appendix):
Offer five things (minimUm) to the fire by sprinkling a little water on each item:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Sit on your knees and create a water-marked boundary around the havan kunda (fire place) with
the help of kamandalu (water vessel with spout). Chant the mantra while making the mark. The
four mantras are for the four sides of the fire place. The idea (in sense of early days) is to prevent
the fire from spreading out.
Gritasamskar
Oªapwú¡l
Consecration of Ghee
Take the pot of sacrificial ghee. Put in that a kush in it. Move the kush in the center, chanting:
Jy fËS¡f¢aGÑ
¡f¢aGÑ¢oNÑ
¢oNÑ¡uœ£µR¾c BSÉw −cha¡ B−SÉ¡fh−e ¢h¢e−u¡Nx z
Prajapatirrishir-gayatri-chand
ajyam devata ajyopabaney biniyogah |
In the name of sage Prajapati, singing in Gayatri meter, this God of melted (or clarified) Ghee,
I am placing here for its offer.
Then, throw a little ghee with the kush into the fire, chanting.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Brahmasthapan
hÊþÙÛ¡fe
Establishing divine spirit
Place few kush grasses on the floor beside the Havan kundu:
Then place a kamandalu with a flower in it on the grass you spread out. (alternatively, put a glass
of water with a kush grass and a flower in it). The Kamandalu represents Brahma who is looking
over the Havan ceremony.
fËS¡f¢aGÑ¢o anuøp
u CE¾
CE¾dA A¢NÀ−cÑha¡
a¡ hË−þ¡f−hn−e ¢h¢e−u¡Nxz
Jy A¡h−p¡x pc−e p£c zz
Prajapati rishi agnirdevata Brahma upabeshaney viniyogah |
Om abaso sadaney seeda ||
Following the directions of sage Prajapati, in reverence to the Fire God (Agni devata), I have
the task of establishing Brahma here.
Nabagraha Hom
nbgÊh EhAm
Offerings to Nine Planets
Make your fire offerings (ghee-dipped sticks) to the nine planets as given below. Details of
Nabagrahahas is available in Addendum.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Dikpal Hom
idkpAl EhAm
Offerings to Directional Gods
Make offerings to the fire by dipping a stick in ghee and throwing in the fire. Repeat this twenty
eight times, each time take the name of Goddess Dhakhinakali while offering the ghee.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Now offer ghee (dipped in stick) for all the deities displayed – Ganesh, Lakshmi, Vastudeva etc.
(Say “namah” in the beginning and “swaha” at the end while making the ghee offering to each
individual deity).
Birupaksha jap
¢hl¦f¡r Sf
Prayer to the Lord Almighty
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Mahabyariti hom
jq¡hÉ¡q©¢a −q¡j
Offerings to Great Utterances
Jy i¨x ü¡q¡ z
Om bhuh swaha
The earth,l the gross, the physical plane of existence
Jy i¥hx ü¡q¡ z
Om bhuvah swaha
The atmosphere, the ether, the subtle, the astral plane
Jy üx ü¡q¡ zz
Om swaha swaha
The heaven, the swarge, the causal, the celestial plane
The mantra of Mahavyahrti (great utterance) involves the highly revered mantra of Gayatri, a
hymn of the Rigveda, chanted in Gayatri metre. The verse can be interpreted to invoke the deva
Savitr, often called Savitri, The formula bhur, bhuvah and svah, are known as the mahavyatri.
Udichya karma
wdIcY-kÇmÑ
Benidictory Prayer
Sprinkle water around the havan kunda with the following chant:
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
The fire is given a new name (Mriragni, m<#AigÃ) before it is turned off. Mrirah means ocean that
gave birth to this earth that came out of ocean.
Welcome the new fire along with the five mudras for the welcome (described earlier):
Jy jªse¡j¡−NÀ ejx z Cq¡ NµR Cq¡ NµR, Cq ¢aù Cq ¢aù, Cq p¢æ−c¢q, Cqp¢æl¦dÉü,
Aœ¡¢dù¡ew L¥l¦, jj f§S¡w Nªq¡Z zz
Om Mriranamagney Eha gachcha eha gachcha, eha tishtha, eha tishtha, eha sannidehi, Eha
sannirudhyaswa, atradhishtanam kuru, mam pujam grihana ||
Oh the fire with the name of Mrirah (ocean) you are cordially welcome, come close to me, stay
close to me and after establishing, accept my oblations.
Then put flower on the base of the Havan Kunda with each offering (or sprinkle water or rice):
Then put a little ghee with the spoon or on the stick chanting:
Ho q¢h°eÑ−hcÉjÚ
−hcÉjÚ Jy jªse¡j¡NÀ
e¡j¡NÀ−u ejx
Etat habir naivedyam Om Mriranamagnaey swaha ||
I am puttiing the ghee as the naivedya to your honor, Oh Mriragney.
Purnahuti
p§NÑAýit
Final Offering
The jajaman (host) and his wife, along with the priest, stand up and give their last offering to the
fire. This is called p§NÑAýit (purnahuti). While standing, pour a spoonful of ghee on the fire while
chanting the following:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Purnapatradan dan
pUNp
Ñ Aœ dAn
Offering Full vessel (Overflowing Tumbler)
After offering the purnahuti, sit down and take the purnapatra (Purnapatra: A tUmbler placed
on a plate and is overfilled with rice. On the top holds a coin and a supari at the top; a ripe
banana on the side) on your left hand and put a flower on it and sprinkle a little water while
chanting.
eEt gå puEÖp et¯ØmY pUNp Ñ Aœ anukÒ EvAjYAy nm:| eEt gå puEÖp etdi}ptEy
etdi}ptEy SRIib>·Eb nm:|
eEt gå puEÖp etdÚ sÇpRdAnAy bRþEN nm:|
Etey gandhapushpey etashmai purnapatra anukalpa bhojyaya namah |
Etey gandhapushpey etatadhipataye Shri Vishnabey namah ||
Etey gandha pushpey etad sampradanaya Brahmaney namah||
With the scented flower (dipped in sandalwood) I sanctify this raw food for the dinner.
I am offering this, with the scented flower, to my Lord Shri Vishnu with humility, I am offering
this, with this scented flower, to the Brahmin with humility.
ib>·
ib>·uErAmÚ tq
tqsddY
sddY am¤Ek mAis am¤Ek pEx am¤k itEF± am¤k EgAœ: am¤kEdbSmÑA
Vishnurom tatsaddaya amuke masi amuke pakshey
Amukam tithou amuk gotra amuka devasharmana
(Name and identification of host)
am¤kEgAœ: am¤kEdbSmÑA
Amuk gotra amuka devasharma
(Name and identification of the priest/Brahmin)
etdÚ sÇpRdAnAy bRþEN nm:|
Etat sampradanaya Om Brahmaney namah ||
Vishnurom tatsat adya ___ (identification of day) ___ (identification of the person offering) to
____ (identification of the Brahmin) offering this bhojya (raw food for dinner) in the name of
Lord Almighty.
The Brahmin, together with the devotee, will empty the purnapatra on the fire (that also helps in
its extinguishing), along with the coin, banana and supari.
Pick up the kamandalu (Brahma), sprinkle some water around the fire and beg apology for any
mistake incurred.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Jy hËþeÚ rjü
Om Brahmana khamashya
Pardon me Oh Brahman (Lord of the Universe)
Then beg apology to the mother earth that endured the heat of the fire during its worship:
Finally pour the rice of the purnapatra. Along with supari, banana, flower and coin, on the fire
which helps in turning it off without smoke and fire splatter. Note: Before the rice is poured on
the fire, take out a little ash for tilak in a small alUminUm bowl that contains small amount of
ghee so that the ash sticks to the forehead. After pouring the rice sprinkle a little water (careful,
do not splatter the fire which is caused by its sudden outburst). This is followed by pouring
yogurt on the fire and make sure that the fire is totally put off.
Finally extinguish the fire by pouring yogurt over it (repeat three times)
Please note: During the process of havan use few pieces of wood to produce ash in order to give
bhasma tilak. Say the following mantras while putting the ashes (bhasma tilak).
On the forehead:
Jy LnÉfpÉ œ¡u¤ojÚ z
Om Kashyapashya trausham ||
Like rishi Kashyap wish you have a long life ||
On the neck:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Jy Sjc−NÀ
Sjc−NÀÙÉ» ¡u¤ojÚ zz
Om Jamadagney trausham ||
Wish you attain the power of Jamadagni
(one of the great sages of ancient India,
father of Parashuram, who was one of the incarnations of Vishnu) ||
On the shoulders:
Jy k−Ÿh¡e¡w
k−Ÿh¡e¡w œÉ¡u¤ojÚ zz
Om jadevanam trayusham ||
Wish you for divine characters ||
On the heart:
Jy a−šqÙ¹
a−šqÙ¹¥ œÉ¡u¤ojÚ
Om tateyhastu trayusham ||
Wish you for youthfulness with long life ||
Arati is a form of adoration for the deity. Its sequence indicates that the devotee treats Goddess
as his divine guest and his rituals justify that sequence. Show the lamp for the guest to come to
the house (panchapradeep), washing the feet (jalasankha), wiping the wet feet (cloth), honor
(flower, or pushpa), look at face (mirror), put fragrance in the air (dhoop, dhuno and camphor)
and finally let Him/Her rest with waving of fan (chamar).
The ritual is to circle clockwise each item for least three times. While doing arati, all Gods and
Goddesses in presence should be honored by the same jesture. Always start the arati with the
holy pitcher and then move to the main deity and others. The house and cosmos (see through the
window) are included in this arati process.
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Additional information:
• Following the lamp adoration, allow the lamp to circle around the attending devotees to
feel the heat of the lamp, imagining the warmth of the deity the Goddess Kali expresses
Her presence through heat and light energies.
• While using the water conch (jalasankha) pour a little water on the offering plate
(tamrapatra) after the completion of each circle.
• Move the cloth with the jesture of wiping off the body.
• Show the flower with appropriate hand jesture of decorating the deity.
• All incenses are circled in front of the deity and then circled in different directions.
• The fan is moved up and down like faning a person.
Pronam
fËZ¡j
Salutation
o^ pRcEÄ puœEk intYQ supRIEt surnAiyEk| kulEdYAt kEr EcAEgR jyQ Edih nEmAhÙº Et||
s<iøiÙÛit ibnASAnAQ Si™vUEt snAtin| …NASREy …NmEy nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||3||
Om prochandye putrakaye nityam suprite suranyikaye |
Kulodyota karey chogrey jayam Dehi nomostutay ||.
Sritithiti binasanam saktibhutey sanatani|
Gunasraye gunamoye narayani nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo |3 |
Oh Goddess Dhakhina Kali, although you have a ferocious look, but you are kind and gentle to
us, your children. You are beautiful and revered by all Gods. You bring glory by victory over the
evil. You have the power to create, preserve or destroy the universe I offer my reverence to you
the one who provides shelter to the righteous people And owns all rightful qualities
Allow me to offer flowers to Thee, Oh Dakshina Kali, with utmost humility.
o^ kAil kAil mhAkAil kAilEk pAphAiriN| }ÇmÑAFÑ EmAxEd Edib nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
Om Kali Kali mahakali kalikaye papoharini.
Dharmartha mokhodaye devi narayani nomostutaye|
Oh Goddess Dhakhinakali, also known as Mohakali, the one who takes away all our sins |
You help us attain the goal of human life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (principle of life,
wealth, aspirations and relief from all) Oh the Goddess, bearing the female form of Vishnu
(Narayani) I bow unto you.
Dakshina
c¢rZ¡
Honorarium to priest
Give the purna patra (over flowing rice glass) to the priest with the coin.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
The mantra or name may be spoken softly, or mentally without any sound. Here we will
repeatedly mutter the primordial sound associated with Goddess Kali – Jy hRIQ nË£w – for ten times.
Jy hRIQ nˣw
Om Hrim shrim
Jy …qÉ¡¢a…qÉ −N¡ç¡ aÆw Nªq¡Z¡Øjv L«aw SfjÚ z ¢p¢ÜiÑha¥ −j −ch£ avfËp¡c¡v p¤−¤ lnÄl£ zz
Om gujhati gujha goptri twam grihanasmat kritam japam |
Siddhir-bhavatu mey devi tatprasadat sureswari ||
Staying in my utter ignorance, I am offering you your name with reverence so that I can be
successful by your grace.
IMMERSION CEREMONY
Bisharjan bidhi
¢hpÑSe ¢h¢d
Immersion of the image
Reverence to Remains
inmÑAlYbAisn£l f§S¡
Nirmalyavasinir puja
The remains of the worship (flowers, rice etc.) left behind after the puja process was performed
with great respect. You treat the remains as a part of the Goddess. Take a flower, chant the
following mantra and place it on the raised platform where the deity was kept.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
o^ inmÑAlYbAis¯nY nm:|
Om nirmalya vasinai namah|
Reverence to the puja remains.
Offer the special sweet, called dadhikaramba, to Goddess Kali before she departs. It is made up
of gur (molasses), yogurt (dadhi), flat rice (chipitak), murki (sweet puffed rice), sweet (sandesh)
and banana (kadali) – …#, di}, icipTk (ic^E#), m§§#kI, imøAæ o kdlI (klA). Offer chanting the
following mantra three times and each time sprinkle water on the dadhikarma preparation.
H−a
−a Nåf¤−×f Ha¢dfa−u nË£¢ho·−h ejx z
pÇfËc¡°eÉ Hav −p¡fLlZ ¢jø¡æ c¢dLlð °e−hcÉw hRIQ nË£w dixNAkAlIkA¯y ¢e−hcu¡¢j z
Etey gandhapushpey etadhipataye Shri Vishnbey namah ||
Sampradanyai etat sopkarana mishtanna dadhikaramba naivedyam Om Hrim Shrim
Dhakhinakalikaoi nivedayami ||
I am sanctifying this with flower offered in the name Lord Vishnu. I am offering the special sweet
preparation, the dadhikaramba naiveday (to Goddess Kali).
Paniajal
f¡e£u Sm
Offering drinking water
Then take a little water with the kushi and discard it in the first glass of water (achmania)
offering plate with the following mantra:
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Immersion Process
Take the mirror that was placed at the feet of the image after giving bath to the reflection of Goddess
Durga. The mirror has (hRIQ) mantra written on it with vermilion paste. Immerse it under the sanctified
water.
The sacred holy pitcher was used for all offerings. It represented the basic elements of our lives.
Moving of the holy pitcher heralds the completion of the puja rituals. Hold the sacred pitcher
with both hands and gently move while chanting the following mantra. At this time all puja
related sounds are pitched in – Sankha, drUms, metal beat and others.
Pour some water in Kushi in front Holy Pot and say this
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Peace Chant
p¡jEhc£u n¡¢¿¹j¿»|
Shantijal or shantipath (samavedya).
Hold the holy water pitcher on the palm of your left hand. Take out the leaves and dip into the
consecrated water. Then shake the dripping holy water on the heads of the attending devotees.
Keep chanting the following mantra while sprinkling.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Prayer of Forgiveness
xmAivxA|
Khamaviksha
Then take a little water in our right palm, chant the mantra and discard in the offering plate with
devotion:
Take a coin, put on the floor, put some water on it and a flower. Then touch it with left hand,
palm upward, and chant:
¢ho¤·−ly¡ avpc AcÉ Aj¥−L j¡¢p Aj¤−L f−r Aj¤L ¢a−b± Aj¤L −N¡œ: nÊ£Aj¥L −chnÇjÑ¡ pîÑfµR¡¢¿¹ f§îÑL −p±i¡NÉ hÜÑe
j−e¡Na¡¢iø ¢p¢Ü nÊ£dixnAkAlI fÊ£¢aL¡jx L¡®e
¢aL¡jx Aj¤L −chnÇjÑ¡ f§S¡LÇjÑZ: p¡‰a¡bÑw c¢rZ¡¢jcw L¡®
j§mÉw a¤iÉjqw pwfÊc−c zz
Vishnurom tatsad ____ mashi ____ pakshey (Krishna or shukla) _____ tithou (the day) ____
debasharma (identification of the host/devotee) sarbapashantipurbaka soubhagya bardhana
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
manogata abhishishta siddhi Shri Dakhinakali preeti kamah _____ gotra ____ devasharma
(identification of the priest) pujakarmanah sangatartham dakshina midam kanchana mulyam
tubhya aham sampradadey ||
In the name of Lord Vishnu, on this auspicious month of (month and tithi), I of ____
Gotra (Gotra is the family identityname) ____ born by the grace of God (devasharmana) with
help of the priest completed this Kali puja for happiness, success and peace with disappearance
of all difficulties in daily life, and for completion I am offering these coins to the priest.
RECONCILIATORY PRAYER
http://www.agiivideo.com/books/audio/kali/Audio-04-Sishornashi- bakyam-p94.mp3
¢n−n¡e¡¢nl h¡LÉj See£ ah j¿»j fËk¢fa¤jÚ ¢L−n¡−l ¢hcÉ¡u¡jÚ ¢hoj ¢ho−u ¢aù¢a jex z
Cc¡¢ew ¢Qv¢i−a¡ j¢qo NmO¾V¡ OehÑ¡ ¢el¡m−ð¡ m−ð¡dl See£ Ljk¡¢j ØjlZjÚ zz1zz
*
¢nöL¡−m h¢m−a f¡¢l¢e Lb¡,
¢Rme¡ fË¡bÑe¡ −j¡l j−e z
−k±h−e ¢Rm¡j hÉÙ¹ ¢hcÉ¡ ASÑ−e z
¢ho−u Bpš² q−u, L¡¢l L¡¢l de ¢e−u
h¡dÑ−LÉ H−pC i£a hªoO¾V¡l ¢ee¡−c z
J−N¡ m−ð¡cl See£, Ll −j¡−l lr¡, f−s¢R ¢hf−c zz
*
Shishonashir bakyam Janani taba mantram prajapitUm Kishore vidyayam bishama
bishayey tishthati manaha | Idaning chittbhito Mahishagalaghanta ghanarba
Niralambo lambodar janani Kamajami sharanam ||
When I was an infant I could not speak and I could not utter your prayers
When I was youm I was busy with my studies and my mind was focused on worldly things.
But now I am afraid as I hear the bells of Yama’s bull (approaching death).
Oh the mother of Ganesha (Lambodara) where can I go for my shelter other than you? .
fª¢bhÉ¡jÚ f¤œ¡−ÙÛ See£ hqhqp¿¹£ plm¡, hljÚ −aÉp¡w j−dÉ c¤¢lap¢q−a¡uÉjÚ ah p¤a
¤ z
j¢c−uÉ¡ujÚ aÉ¡Nx pj¤¢Qa¢jcjÚ −e¡ ah ¢n−h, L¥f−¤ œ¡ S¡−uax LÅ¢Qc¢f L¥j¡a¡ e ih¢a zz2zz
*
ah na iš² j¡−T H el¡dj lu, f¡−R −j¡−l Ll aÉ¡N l−u−R pwnu z L¥fœ¤ A−eL qu, L¥j¡a¡ LM−e¡ eu zz
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
*
Prithivyam putrashtey janani bahabahasanti saralah
Baram tesham madhyey duritasahitoyam taba suta |
Madiyoyam tyagaha samuchitamidam no taba shivey
Kuputro jayeta kwachidapi kUmata na bhavati ||
You have hundreds of obedient children in this world
but out of them this son of yours is the worst.
If you leave me, Oh the wife of Lord Shiva,it will not be right.
There could be a bad son but there can never a bad mother.
SNcð ¢h¢Qœjœ¢LjÚ
¢h¢Qœjœ¢LjÚ, f¢lf§ZÑ¡ Ll¦Z¡¢Ù¹ ¢QeÈ¢u
Afl¡d fljfl¡¢hËajÚ, e¢q j¡a¡ pj¤−fÉr−a p§ajÚ zz8zz
*
See£, SNcð¡, HC ¢hnÄ ¢eLl, ah L«f¡u f¢lf§ZÑ SNa pwp¡l z
r−j¡ jj Afl¡d, See£ −kj¢a, Li¥ e¡¢q L−l aÉ¡N a¡yq¡l p¿¹¢a z
*
Jagadamba bichitramatrakimParipurna karunaasti chinmayi Apraradha paramparabritam
Nahi mata samupekhshatey sutam
Oh Goddess of the universe (Jagadamba)!
In this world of multitude, you are wholesome, kind and compassionate.
Pardon my faults as no mother will ever leave her child uncared.
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
jvp−j¡ f¡a¢L e¡¢Ù¹ f¡f¢OÀ avpj¡ e¢q, ChjÚ ‘É¡aÅ¡ jq¡−ch£ kb¡−k¡NÉjÚ ab¡ L¥l¦
*
jj pj f¡a¢L −eC H ¢hnÄ j¡T¡l, h−m c¡J ¢L L¢l−m a¢lh pwp¡l zz
*
Matsamo pataki nastee papaghni twatsama nahi
Ibam gyantma Mahadevi! Yathayogyam tatha kuru ||
In this world there is no one moe sinful than me, Oh Mother! And no one will pardon my
faults like you. Knowing this, Oh Goddess, do what you feel to be appropriate.
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PART 4
• LOKPUJA (−m¡Lf§
−m¡Lf§S¡)
• Abridged Version of
KALIPUJA (sQExp
sQExp kAlI p§jA
jA pÜit)
LOK PUJA
Worship for individual family
−m¡Lf§S¡
Lokpuja
Families attendng Kali Puja approach the priest to perform puja for their own individual family.
In a big gathering this may be time consuming and exhausting. The following steps may help to
satisfy individual families seeking the blessing of Durga. Explanation of the mantras is available
in the main text.
Take the names (name and gotra) of all individual families (their members) while holding the
kushi with water, rice and haritaki (as done in case of sankalpa). Then perform the rest of the
process as “mass offering”. Sanctification and invocation are not done during Lokpuja.
Mantras for all the following steps are available with the Abridged Version.
Jy hRIQ nË£w nÌ£nÌ£dixNAkAilkA¯y nm: |
Om namah Shri shridhakinakalikaoi namah|
Glory to Goddess Srisridhakinakali.
Alternatively, if the priest is called, he says, “Puja for ____ person (host) is done by me
of Gotra ___ and name ___.
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Flower offering
o^ kAil kAil mhAkAil kAilEk pAphAiriN| }ÇmÑkAmpREd Edib nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
mih>iGÂ mhAmAEy cAmuEÄ muÄmAilin| aAyur aAErAgY ibjyQ Edih EdbI nEmAhÙº Et||
e> puÖpAÎil SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||1||
(Om Kali Kali Mahakali kalikaye papoharini|
Dharmarthakamopromodaye devi narayani nomostutaye||
Mohishagani mahamaye chamundaye mundomalini
Aaurr arogha bijoyong dehi devi nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo||1
Oh Goddess Dhakhina Kali, savier of us from all sins, you give us the guidance to our spiritual
and salvation paths, I baw my head to your on your feet. Oh Goddess Kali, destroyer of evils like
Mohishasura, protector of us from sufferings, provider of our long life and victory in life,
I am offering this flower to you.
o^ sbÑm‰l m‰ElY iSEb sbÑAFÑsAi}Ek| wEm bRþAiN Ek±mAir ibÕbr©Ep pRsId Em||
vgbit vyEµCEd kAtYAyiN c kAmEd| kAlk<tÚ Ek±iSik tÅQ ih kAtYAyiN nEmAhÙº Et||
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||2||
Om sarbamongal mongolaye Shivvey saarbartha sadhiikaye| Umaye brahmani kaUmari
bishorupaye proseedonmaye|| Bahgaboti bhayochadaye katayaoni cha kamodaye|
Kalokrit kaushiki tong hi katayaoni nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo||2
I bow to you the one who does well to all and fulfill everyone’s dreams
You are also called Uma, your origin is from Lord Brahama, your beauty is visible in everything
in this World, please give us your blessings. Your manifestations are in many different forms like
Bhagaboti, Katayaoni, and Kaushiki in many difficult times of your devotees. I am offering this
flower to you Oh Dakshina Kali.
o^ pRcEÄ puœEk intYQ supRIEt surnAiyEk| kulEdYAt kEr EcAEgR jyQ Edih nEmAhÙº Et||
s<iøiÙÛit ibnASAnAQ Si™vUEt snAtin| …NASREy …NmEy nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||3||
Om prochandye putrakaye nityam suprite suranyikaye |
Kulodyota karey chogrey jayam Dehi nomostutay ||.
Sritithiti binasanam saktibhutey sanatani|
Gunasraye gunamoye narayani nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo |3 |
Oh Goddess Dhakhina Kali, although you have a ferocious look, but you are kind and gentle to
us, your children. You are beautiful and revered by all Gods. You bring glory by victory over the
evil. You have the power to create, preserve or destroy the universe I offer my reverence to you
the one who provides shelter to the righteous people And owns all rightful qualities
Allow me to offer flowers to Thee, Oh Dakshina Kali, with utmost humility.
99
Book 4: KALI PUJA
Prostration
pRNAm m¿
Dakhin Kali PronUm.
100
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
ABRIDGED VERSION OF
KALIPUJA
sQExp kAlI p§jA
jA pÜit
Sankhep puja paddhati
Vishnu is our preserver. Two others in the trinity are Brahma, the creator and Shiva, the
destroyer. Thus, our life depends on Vishnu. This is why all Hindu prayers start with the
obeisance to Lord Vishnu. The goal of this ritual is to purify the inside of the body with the
sanctified water, the basic element of life, with the name of Lord Vishnu, Our Preserver. All
auspicious work starts with reverence to Lord Vishnu, our preserver.
After the last sip, wipe your lips – right to left, with your right thumb. Wash the fingers with
little water allowing the washed water to get soaked into the padded paper kept on the right for
this purpose. Then offer your sensory organs in His prayers. Join the four fingers of the right
hand (exclude thumb) and touch the various organs with the fingertips in the following manner.
First the right nostril and then the left (smell), right eye and then left eye (sight), right ear and
then left ear (hearing). Finally touch the naval button (the starting point of your physical body)
and wash the fingers again in the same way as described above. Wipe your right hand with dry
paper towel. Join the fingers again and touch your heart and right shoulder and then left shoulder.
adÚib−o·¡
Jy adÚ b−o·¡ fljw fcjÚ, pc¡ fnÉ¢¿¹ p§lux, ¢ch£h Qr¥l¡aajÚ z
Jy ¢ho·¥x, Jy ¢ho·¥x, Jy ¢ho·¥x z
Om Tadavishnu paramam padam sada pashyanti suraya dibiba chakshuratatam|
Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu! Om Vishnu!
As the widely open eyes can see the sky clearly without any obstruction, so the wise people
always see Lord Vishnu on His Highest Place with their divine vision.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Gayatri chant
gAyœI jp
Gayatri jap
Say the entire sentence by touching your right hand thumb either in the spaces between the
horizontal natural markings on your finger or the tip of the finger. Repeat the same ten times.
Start the first nUmber with your right hand thumb touching on the ring finger inner aspect mid
segment then go down to the next segment and so forth as outlined in the attached figure.
The Sun is one of the primary gods of Hinduism and receives offerings at the very beginning of
most rituals. He enlightens our soul.
Take the kushi (the small spoon that sits inside the kosha, water holder kept in front of the priest)
with little water. Put in that a touch of red sandalwood paste and a red flower. Add a bit of rice
(kept in the pushpapatra) into the kushi. Hold the kushi with narrower side pointing outward.
Meditate on the rising sun coming in front of you and you are looking at it. Chant:
Jy ejx ¢hhü−a hËþZÚ i¡ü−a ¢ho·¥−aS−p z SNv p¢h−œ p§Q−u p¢h−œ LjÑc¡¢u−e,
CcjOÑÉw iNh−a nË£p§kÑ¡u ejx z H¢q p§kÑ pqpË¡w−n¡ −aSl¡−n SNvf−a z
102
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Obeisance to Guru
…l¦ fËZ¡j
Gurupranam
With folded hands, in front of your chest say these three mantras.
aK&-
aK&-m&lAkArQ bY¡
bY¡çQ EJn crAcrQ| tq pdQ diSÑtQ EJn t¯¥ SRI…rEb nm:||
Akhanda-mandalakaram vyaptam jena characharam;
Tat padm darshitam yena tasmai Shree Gurave namah.
(My) Salutations to respected Guru, who showed me the stature whose form pervades
the entire sphere of the universe.
a@An-
a@An-itimrAåsY @AnAÎn-
@AnAÎn-SlAkyA|
SlAkyA| cxur¦nÈIiltQ EJn t¯¥ SRI…rEb nm:||
Ajnaana-timirandhasya jnaananjanashalakaya;
Chaksur-urmilitam yena tasmai Shree Gurabe namah.
(My) Salutations to respected Guru, who opened the eyes of the one, who is blind due to
darkness of ignorance with the flame of knowledge.
Shri Ganesh
Ganesh is the God of wisdom and worshipped at the beginning. He removes all obstrucles.
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Take a flower on your left palm. Hold it with the mudra for meditation (kurma). Imagine Ganesh
in your mental screen, chant the mantra and place the place the flower on the holy pitcher,
imagining that you are putting the flower on His feet.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
o^ KîÑQ ÙÛultnu
ltnuQ gEj¾dRbdnQ lEðAdrQ su¾drQ
pRs¾dnÈdgå-
gå-luì-m}up-bYAElAl-
bYAElAl-g&ÙÛlQ|
dÁ¹AGAt-
GAt-ibdAirtAir-
ibdAirtAir-r¦i}¯r: is¾dur-ESAvAkrQ|
bE¾d ¯SlsutA- A-sutQ gnpitQ isiÜpRdQ kAmdQ|
es sc¾dnQ puÖpAÎil nm: gEnSAy nm:||
Om kharba sthula tanUm gajendrabadanam lambodaram sundaram |
Prasanna ananda gandhalubdha madhupa balyola gandastalam
Danta aghata bidari arirudhirai sindur shobhakaram\
Vandey sGloryasuta sutam Ganapati siddhipradam kamadam |
Esha sachandana pushpanjali namah Ganeshaya namah ||
Oh the short structured, heavy-bodied, elephant-headed beautiful God, with long trunk and
happy face emitting fragrance ,who has strong cheek and whose task pierced open the enemy’s
body and drippingblood, making it beautifully red. May I worship him, the son of the mountain’s
daughter (Parvati, daughter of Hemabat),
the leader of the people, may my wish be fulfilled.
Offerings
pE®ApcAEr p§jA
Panchaupacarey puja
Offer water to wash the feet of the Lord on the offering plate:
Prostration
pÊNAm
Pranam
104
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Shiva
¢nh
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
Resolution
s´kÒ
Sankalpa
Take the kushi (spoon) on the left palm. Put a yellow flower (marigold), with a touch of
sandlewood paste. Place a little rice inside the spoon and (if available) a haritaki or supari or
beetle nut (a dry fruit), symbolizing the fruitfulness of the goal. Then cover the spoon with your
right palm and chant:
ib>·¤ErAmÚ tqsq adY ---- (mAs,itiF) am¤k EgAœ:
(pUjArIr nAm, EgAœ), jIbbEdtq ØÛulSrIrAibErAn sbÑpAµCAiÁ¹pUbÑk }n}ANY atul \SBJYÑ }ÇmÑ
SÊI ---- amukEdbSmÑA (pU
aFÑ kAm EmAx ctuîgÑ Ñ isiÜ kAm: SRImÀmhAkAl ¯vrb siht spirbAr SRImàixNAkAil pUjn, jp, EhAm JFASi™
عb p[n kmÑAhQ kirE>Y (prAEFÑ-“amuk EgAœsY amukEdbSÑN:” - “kir>YAim”)|
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Vishnurom tatsat adya (month and tithi) amuka gotra Shri amuka devsharma ____
(name of the priest) gotra _____ (family identification of the priest) Shri amuka devasharma
______ (name of the priest) jibobdeytath sthuloshariraabirono sarbopaschaintipurbok
dhayadhayana atulo oisarjo dhrama kamo mokho choturbarga shidhi kamo sri monmahakal
bhirobha sohit saparibar Srimadhdhakhinakali pujono, jopo, homo jathashakahti sthabo
pathano karmahong korishye.(If the host (devotee) is doing the puja himself for his family,
the name of the priest eliminated and the mantra ends as karishyey (instead of karishyami).
In the name of Lord Vishnu, on this auspicious month of (month and tithi), I of ____
Gotra (Gotra is the family identity: In Hindu society, the gotra broadly refers to people who are
descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor, which is usually the name
of a sage – Kashyap, Bharadwaj, Agastha etc.), name ____ born by the grace of God
(devasharmana) personally doing this Kali puja for happiness, success and peace with
disappearance of all difficulties in daily life .
Alternatively, if the priest is called, he says, “Puja for ____ person (host) is done by me
of Gotra ___ and name ___.
After the completion of the chant, turn over the spoon (kushi) on the offering plate (tamrapatra)
and sprinkle some water on the spoon. Use your right hand forefingers to pick up water from the
pot container (kosha). Then chant the following mantra seeking His blessing to complete.
Meditation
}YAn
Dhyan
106
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Welcome Goddess Kali by chanting the mantra and creating the five hand gestures where
indicated. The mudras are like expressing the feeling with hand gestures, as it is done in case of
dancing.
o^ vuv¤Ñb:
b: ü: SRSRIdixNAkAlI EdbI HhAgµC HhAgµC, HhAitù HhAitù, HhsiæE}ih, Hh siær¦}Yü,
aœAi}øAnQ kur¦, mmpUjAQ g<hAN|
o^ ÙÛAQ ÙÛIQ iÙÛErA vb, JAbv
JAbv pUjAQ kErAmYhmÚ | aAgµC mdg<Eh Edib aøAiv Si™iv: sh: |
pUjAQ g<hAN ibi}bq sbÑ klYAn kAirin ||
Om Bhurbhubaswa bhagabati Shri Shri Dakhina Kali Devi
Eha agachya, eha agachya (abahani, welcome) |
Eha tishtha, eha tistha (sthapani, sit),
Eha sannidehi (sannidhapani, settle down)
Eha sannirudhaswa (sannirodhani, come close),
Atradhisthanam kuru (sammukhikarana, establishing),
Mama pujan grihana (pray with folded hands) ||
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Lamp
dIp
Deep
Look at the lamp burning on the side and offer little water into the offering plate in its name:
o^ aigÃEjÑ
jÑYAit:
YAit: ribEjÑ
ribEjÑYAit:
YAit: c¾dREjÑ
jÑYAit
YAit ع¯Fb c|
EjYit>AmušEmA SÊIdixNAkAilEk dIE dIEpAyQ pRitg<hYtAm||
e> dIp: o^ SRISRIdixNkAilkA¯y nm:||
Om agnijyoti rabijyoti chandrajyoti tathaibacha|
Jyotishamuttamo Shri Dakshinakalikey deepohyam pratigijyatam||
Esha deepah Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah ||
Bearing the illumination of the fire, of the sun and the moon I am offering this lamp that will be
more bright by the grace of goddess Dakhinakali please accept this lamp.
Offer a little water on the offering plate (tamrapatra) intending to wash the feet of the Goddess
Dakhina Kali
With the middle finger of your right hand pick up a little of sandalwood paste and rub it on the
holy pitcher while chanting the following:
o^ SrIrQ Et n jAnAim EcøAQ ¯nb c ¯nb c| myA inEbidtAnÚ gåAnÚ pRitg<hY ibilpYtAmÚ|
e> gåQ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:|
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Incense
}Up
Dhoop
Take a new incense stick (dhoop), burn it and offer to Dakshina Kali. Perform a short arati of
three cyles as you ring the bell.
Note: Before ringing the bell, offer a flower on the bell and chant.
Flower
puÖp
Take a flower and offer it on the holy pitcher while chanting the following:
o^ puÖpQ mEnAhrQ idbYQ sugiå EdbI inimÑtmÚ| h©dYmÚ aáUtmÚ aAEGRyQ EdbIQ dšQ pRg<hYtAmÚ||
etdÚ puÖpQ o^ nm: SRISRIdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:|
Om pushpam manoharam divyam suganshi devi nirmitam|
Hridam adbhutam aghreyam deving dattam pragriyatam||
Etani pushpam Om Shri Shri Dakhinakalikaoi namah||
I am offering this beautiful flowerwhich is good smelling and heart warming
to Goddess Dakhinakali. I bow to Thee with reverence.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Glass of water
aAcmnIy jl
Achmania jal
Offer a glass of water to the Goddess Dahkinakali for drinking. The offer is made by putting a
little water from the kushi into the first glass of water
o^ kAil kAil mhAkAil kAilEk pAphAiriN| }ÇmÑkAmpREd Edib nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
mih>iGÂ mhAmAEy cAmuEÄ muÄmAilin| aAyuÑr aAErAgY
aAErAgY ibjyQ Edih EdbI nEmAhÙº Et||
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||1
(Om Kali Kali Mahakali kalikaye papoharini|
Dharmarthakamopromodaye devi narayani nomostutaye||
Mohishagani mahamaye chamundaye mundomalini
Aaurr arogha bijoyong dehi devi nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo||1
Oh Goddess Dhakhina Kali, savier of us from all sins, you give us the guidance to our spiritual
and salvation paths, I baw my head to your on your feet.
Oh Goddess Kali, destroyer of evils like Mohishasura, protector of us from sufferings, provider
of our long life and victory in life, I am offering this flower to you.
o^ sbÑm‰l m‰ElY iSEb sbÑAFÑsAi}Ek| wEm bRþAiN Ek±mAir ibÕbr©Ep pRsId Em||
vgbit vyEµCEd kAtYAyiN c kAmEd| kAlk<tÚ Ek±iSik tÅQ ih kAtYAyiN nEmAhÙº Et||
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||2
Om sarbamongal mongolaye Shivvey saarbartha sadhiikaye| Umaye brahmani kaUmari
bishorupaye proseedonmaye|| Bahgaboti bhayochadaye katayaoni cha kamodaye|
Kalokrit kaushiki tong hi katayaoni nomostutaye||
Esha puspanjali Sreemoddh Dakhinakalikaoi nomo||2
I bow to you the one who does well to all and fulfill everyone’s dreams
You are also called Uma, your origin is from Lord Brahama, your beauty is visible in everything
in this World, please give us your blessings. Your manifestations are in many different forms like
Bhagaboti, Katayaoni, and Kaushiki in many difficult times of your devotees. I am offering this
flower to you Oh Dakshina Kali.
o^ pRcEÄ puœEk intYQ supRIEt surnAiyEk| kulEdYAt kEr EcAEgR jyQ Edih nEmAhÙº Et||
s<iøiÙÛit ibnASAnAQ Si™vUEt snAtin| …NASREy …NmEy nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
e> puÖpAÎil: SRImdÚdixNAkAilkA¯y nm:||
(Om prochandye putrakaye nitong supritaye suranyikaye|
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Prostration
pRNAm m¿
Dakhin Kali PronUm.
o^ kAil kAil mhAkAil kAilEk pAphAiriN| }ÇmÑAFÑ EmAxEd Edib nArAyiN nEmAhÙº Et|
Om Kali Kali mahakali kalikaye papoharini.
Dharmartha mokhodaye devi narayani nomostutaye|
Oh Goddess Dhakhinakali, also known as Mohakali, the one who takes away all our sins |
You help us attain the goal of human life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (principle of life,
wealth, aspirations and relief from all)
Oh the Goddess, bearing the female form of Vishnu (Narayani) I bow unto you.
Arati is a form of adoration for the deity. Its sequence indicates that the devotee treats Goddess
as his divine guest and his rituals justify that sequence. Show the lamp for the guest to come to
the house (panchapradeep), washing the feet (jalasankha), wiping the wet feet (cloth), honor
(flower, or pushpa), put fragrance in the air (dhoop, dhuno and camphor) and finally let Him/Her
rest with waving of fan (chamar).
The ritual is to circle clockwise each item for least three times. While doing arati, all Gods and
Goddesses in presence should be honored by the same jesture. Always start the arati with the
holy pitcher and then move to the main deity and others. The house and cosmos (see through the
window) are included in this arati process.
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Book 4: KALI PUJA
Benedictory Prayer
pRNAm
PronUm
http://www.agiivideo.com/books/video/kali/Sishonashir-Brajomadhab-video.avi
112
Part 5
ADDENDUM
Puja List
¢p¾c¥l Vermillion
¢am Sesame seed
q¢laL£ Haritaki (a kind of nut)
−nÄap¢lo¡ White mustard
j¡oLm¡C Black lentil
f’npÉ Five grains
f’laÀ Five jewels (metals)
f’…y¢s Five colored powders
jd¤, Honey
°fa¡ Sacred thread
jd¤fLÑ A bowl of five things (honey, ghee, yogurt,
sugar and milk)
LfѨl Camphor
a£lL¡¢V Sticks with three arrow-heads for Holy pitcher
−aL¡W¡ A triangle made of sticks
cfÑZ Mirror
Bma¡ Red liquid
Q¨h¢s Basket
Qy¡cj¡m¡ Decorative garland
Bpe¡‰¥l£ Seat and ring
−c¡u¡a Inkpot
Lmj Pen
d§f Insence
fËc£f Lamp
à¡lOV Pitcher at the door
f¤Öf Flower
a¥mp£ Tulasi
c§îÑ¡ Durba
¢hmÄfœ Bel leaf (wood apple)
f¤Öf j¡m¡ (hs) Garland (big)
f¤Öf j¡m¡ (−R¡V) Garland (small)
BjË fõh Mango leaves
X¡h h¡ e¡l−L¡m Coconut (ripe or unripe)
¢jø¡æ Sweets
j¤sL£ Sweet rice
i
ADDENDUM
ii
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
What is Om?
Om or Aum is the basis of all sounds, the universal symbolic word for divinity. Hence every
mantra begins with Om, connecting our thoughts with divinity.
Aum became the sacred word in Vedas, Hum of the Tibetans, Amin of the muslems, and Amen
of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Jews and Christians. Amen in Hebrew means “Sure” and
“Faithful”. Aum is the all-pervading sound emanating from the Invisible Cosmic Vibration (Holy
Ghost of Christians), God in His aspect of Creator; the “Word” of the Bible, the voice of the
creation, testifying the divine presence in every atom. Aum can be heard within you (Anahata) as
you plug your ears and close your eyes focusing on the sound that is vibrating within your body.
In biological terms, it is the sound of the inner function of the body that includes the heartbeat.
In the imagination of the prehistoric sages, Om originated as the primordial sound, the sound that
took place at the time of the Creation of the Universe, which the scientists of the modern era call
“Big Bam” in the theory of creation by Sir James Jeans.
By tradition, the priest faces east for all deities. In case of Goddess, facing north is
recommended. The author, however, believes that the above tradition may be not be emphasized
on a global scale in the new age. A convenient location is all that is needed with a sincere heart
to serve the Lord.
Havan
Havan is a ritual of fire worship in Hindus. Fire was discovered (or, more precisely, the
controlled use of fire) probably about 70,000 years ago (Early Stone Age); although its
opportunistic use can be traced to 400,000 years back. Discovery of the controlled use of fire
marked the dominance of humans over other animals. Because of its numerous use and use in
our daily lives, fire or Agni, became one of the most important Gods of the Hindus.
Deep (lamp)
A lamp is an earthen saucer like container, filled with ghee or butter with a twisted cotton tape
immersed in it. It is lighted in every Hindu household and temple in India. The cotton tape keeps
sucking the ghee to yield a cool bright light, a flame. In nature the flame is considered to be the
source of infinite energy of positive currents. In early days lamp was the only source of light to
see in darkness. Great emphasis is also placed on performing “Aarati” in India during worship of
any deity. The aarti flame is moved around the idol for the devotees to have a good look of the
iii
ADDENDUM
deity, and then the devotees put out their palms to receive the aarti aura for their good health and
prosperity.
During worship or rituals, leaves from some select trees (mango, betel leaf, banana) are used as
essential accessories, but among them Betel Leaf enjoys a place of pride in India. During
marriage, the bride appears with covered eyes, using betel leaves before she takes her first look
at the groom. The use of betel leaf is considered as a noble trait and on all auspicious
celebrations; betel leaf has become a symbolic item denoting freshness and prosperity. The
Skanda Purana says that the Betel Leaf was obtained during the ocean churning
(Samudramanthan) by the Gods and demons. It has many rich herbal properties.
While performing Satyanarayana puja the Bengalis place five betel leaves on the platform or on
the side with betel nut (supari), sweet and coin. This is called mokama. At the end of the puja
this is given to five married women to receive their blessing for the host family. Most common
use of betel leaf is as after-dinner treat for chewing Areca nut (Areca catechu) or betel nut
(supari) wrapped in it. The betel nut is a mild stimulant which can be further promoted by the use
of tobacco products that contributes nicotine.
!
Tilak, Dot and Bindi
It is the display of the position of the wearer. Vermillion powder is put on the forehead of
women in order to display their marital status of the woman. Wearing of the vermillion powder
or sindur is considered as auspicious for married women. It can also be used as a beauty spot
(bindi). Ancient Indian had an indomitable urge to communicate his thoughts and so symbols
were developed to communicate the religious denomination, sect or ideology. The commonly
used materials for putting the mark are sandalwood paste, vermillion (sindur), lime, turmeric,
saffron, musk, agar, sandal and ash (bibhuti) for men and women.
Swastik Mark
The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit word suastika (su means good and asti means well-
being), meaning any lucky or auspicious object. Its origin probably dates back to the Indus
Valley Civilization. It is a sacred symbol of good luck and eternity in many other ancient
civilizations. The Aryans adopted the Swastik as a symbol for the good of humanity. Then the
Hindus added some more arms to the Swastik to denote happiness in married life and worldly
successes. The holy pitcher carries the mark of swastik.
iv
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
Sacred Thread
JE@ApbIt
Yajnopavita
Sacred thread is a bunch of cotton threads, with nine cords in three bunches of three, all of same
length. The sacred thread is worn by conservative Brahmins and some other castes. It normally
hams from the left shoulder down under the right shoulder (see picture). This position of the
sacred thread is called Upaviti. At the performance of some inauspicious ceremonies (like death
or tarpan) one should be Prachnaviti when the sacred
thread should ham from the right shoulder. At times
the! sacred thread is chamed to Niviti position when
the sacred thread is worn round the neck like a
garland.
Wearing of the sacred thread signifies that the
Brahmin is initiated to the spiritual knowledge
through the ceremony of Upanayana. The thought
behind the Upanayana is followed by other religions
also. Short background information may not be
inappropriate.
A Brahmin takes birth twice – dwija (twice-
born). The first birth is from the natural mother and
father like any other animal. The second birth is from
Savitri (Goddess of Knowledge) and the teacher or
guru is his father in his natural age of eight. In early
days, at the age of eight the Brahmin boy was sent to
the teacher (guru). He stayed in the ashram or hermitage for four years. There he was initiated to
Brahminhood (Savitri or Gayatri initiation) and received the spiritual knowledge from the guru.
His life was simple (Brahmachari), abstained from all pleasures of life, shaved his head, wore
only two sets of dresses, lived on begging and supported by the community. He cooked for the
teacher and did all his house hold chores. During his stay with the teacher he wore three girdles –
three strands of cotton thread, munja grass and deer skin. When he left the ashram, at the age of
twelve, the girdles of Munja grass and deer skin were replaced by two sets of cotton girdles like
the one he was already wearing. Thus he carries home nine threads of cotton, tied in three
bunches, which is called JE@ApbIt, Yajnopavita!""!
v
ADDENDUM
vi
NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
3. Then join the thumb with the ring finger and say, again move your right hand towards the
deity, imagining your effort to feed her:
Jy Af¡e¡u ü¡q¡
Om apanaya swaha |
Dedicated to my excretory system of the body
4. Then join the thumb with the middle finger and say,
Jy pj¡e¡u ü¡q¡
Om samanaya swaha |
Dedicated to the digestive system of the body
5. Then join the thumb with the pointing finger and say,
Jy Ec¡e¡u ü¡q¡,
Om udanaya swaha |
Dedicated to the respiratory activity of the body
vii
ADDENDUM
Ringing bells:
In all religions there are ways to herald calls for the prayers. Thus ringing of church bell and
Azan in Muslims are comparable to ringing of bells in temples or during Hindu puja rituals. The
metallic sound within a circular body in contained environment produces a resounding echo,
which spreads in all directions. Hindu believers feel that the sound of bell invokes the deity’s
blessings and purify the environment. There are other instruments to create similar sound like
manjira that is played with devotional songs.
Blowing of conch
This is another way to draw attention towards spiritual activities. It heralds important events and
auspicious celebrations and calls all the faithful for the worship of the deity. Conch is a type of
shell through which wind is blown and it makes a typical sound. As the conch is a natural
product, two conches rarely make exactly same sound. On the mythological picture, conch shell
or Shankh was obtained as a gift from the ocean - churning by the Gods. The spiral formation
inside the conch shell is symbolic of infinite space. All naturally occurring conch shells yield
cosmic sounds, which can be heard by holding the shell close to one’s ears. On the battlefield of
Kurushetra in the Mahabharatha, every morning the blowing of the shankh, symbolized the
starting of the war.
Uloo
In Bengalis uloo sound is created by rapidly moving the tongue while the wind is blown out with
corresponding sound. It is the sound of auspicious occasions like marriage or during doing aarati.
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all of these mean "praise". Stotras, stabs and stutis are part of popular devotional literature which
are not bound by the strict rules as some other ancient Indian scriptures, such as found in Vedas
and Upanishads.
Puja: Puja is the Hindu way of worshipping which includes all the above and offerings of
various things in the name of the divinity.
Three basic Gods of the Hindus
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar (Shiva) are the three basic Gods of Hindus associated with
Creation, Preservation and Destruction of the Universe. As the preservation of human race (and
other living creatures) are in the hands of Vishnu, He is the foremost God of Invocation.
Vedas means knowledge. These are the core Hindu scriptures and perhaps written before 1700
BC. These are hymns and verses dedicated to various Gods. There are four Vedas: The Rigveda
(the oldest), Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. The Vedas, in accordance with Hindu
tradition, are apuruseya or in other words were not of human origin. They were supposed to have
been directly revealed by God which the sages heard and remembered (sruti and smriti). The
rituals described in this book are from Samaveda. In the traditional way the verses were written
and sung in certain pattern, or meter, called Chanda. Chanda is the science of prosody in which
the composition of the text has a specific quantity of alphabets. One has to learn it under strict
guidance from traditional teachers in order to keep the sanctity. Thus the puja rituals were only
limited to the Brahmins. This tradition is now changed and all verses are now pronounced as
mantras without the tune.
The main chandas are: Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtubh, Bruhati, Pankti, Trishtubh and Jagati.
These will be mentioned during the chanting of the mantras and hence its origin has been
described here. In many verses you will also find the name of the creator which is attached with
the chanda.
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ADDENDUM
PUJA UTENSILS!
Incense to burn!
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Now you can evaluate the incorrect claim of the west as quoted below.
“In the fifth century B.C. Greek philosopher Empedocles originated the concept of four elements
of nature: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These represent the realms of the cosmos within which, and
of which, all things consist. These four elements were discussed in the writings of Plato, and the
early Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen used them to describe the four humors of the body.
A century later, Aristotle and the Pythagoreans added the fifth element, which they called Ether.
This element represents the substance of the heavenly bodies, which is latent in all things. This
element is also called Quintessence or Space. These same five elements are also found in
Hinduism, which influenced the philosophy of Yoga”.
The time has come to awaken our new generation to appreciate the contribution of our ancestors
and feel proud about them by understanding the significance of puja rituals.
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ADDENDUM
PUJA ARRANGEMENTS
Pradeep
Laddoo for Ganesh
Navagraha naivedya
Floral decoration
Kamandalu
Masha-bhakta bali
Belpata
Camphor (Karpur) Tekathi
Red thread
Flower
Chandan
Tulsi leaf
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MUDRAS
Five welcome mudras are used to welcome God or deity. They indicate the gestures of welcome,
sit, settle down, come close and face me.
Additional mudras
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ADDENDUM
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NEW AGE PUROHIT DARPAN
of the AIAA. Dr. Banerjee is now 70 now and I retired in 2010 as a Principal Research Scientist
at Lockheed.
Dr. Banerjee joined the team of editors at the right time when we were desperately looking for
some one to go through this voluminous work of Purohit Darpan. His familiarity of the rituals
and knowledge of Sanskrit and Bengali languages proved to be an asset.
Aloka Chakravarty
What sets Aloka apart from her academic and scientific accomplishments is her deep respect and
understanding of Sanskrit language, Hindu religion and Puja rituals. She grew up in a
progressive yet religious environment, learning the significance of the rituals from her
grandmother and later from Drs. Mukherjee. She continues to be committed to this massive
undertaking despite her heavy work-life commitments.
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ADDENDUM
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