Articles Needed for Puja

pitcher of water
2 cups and small spoon
(1 for purification preceeding Shodashopachara Puja; 1 for Tirtha)
2 small dishes
(1 for paste; 1 for Sankalpa water)
2 trays (or dishes)
(1 for bathing Image; 1 for offerings)
bell
ghee lamp. oil lamp or candle
kum kum
sandalwood powder
rice
incense
flowers
food

rudraksha (for Shiva Puja)

green leaves (for Shiva Puja)

Optional articles:
perfume
cloth
stick or switch
conch
hand fan

If certain articles to be offered are not available, leaves, flower petals, rice or water may be offered in their place
while mentally envisioning the intended offering.
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Divine Mother Puja

Before beginning the Puja there are certain purifications that the devotee observes. First one bathes oneself, washes
the articles to be used in the worship, and cleans the place of worship. Then the following steps are taken.
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Tilak

The tilak is a sacred dot placed just above and between the eyes. This area is referred to in yogic terms as the third
eye or Ajna Chakra. It is the seat of God and Guru. The devotee invokes the Divine Presence by placing the tilak on
his/her forehead with the ring finger of the right hand while repeating the following Mantra:

Om Gandha-dvaram Duradharsham
Nitya-pushtam Karishinim;
Ishvarim Sarva-bhutanam
Tamihopa-hvaye Shriyam.

Meaning:
Oh Divine Mother, Your grace is obtainable by offering scented substances (sandal-wood and kum kum paste). You
are the bestower of abundant food, sacred cows, and other wealth. You are the Great Goddess of all beings. O
Mother Lakshmi I invoke You.
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Water Worship

Water is used throughout the worship not only as an element of purification but also as the symbol of all-
pervasiveness. In the eastern scriptures certain rivers are referred to as having Divine Origin and are considered
sacred. These rivers are a source of sustenance for millions of people. Countless Saints and yogis bathe in them
and use their water for devotional prayers and worship. The following Mantras invoke the Presence and Blessings
of these rivers, thus consecrating the water for one's use.

Throughout the water worship a hand bell may be rung with the left hand. While pouring the water to be used for
worship into a suitable container and then offering flowers, kum kum, rice, incense, and perfume etc. into the water,
the devotee continuously repeats the following Mantra:

Om Gang Gangye Namah

Reverential salutations to the Mother Ganges River.

Next the devotee stirs the water (option: with a stick or grass switch) while repeating the following Mantra:

Om Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Godavari Saraswati;

Narmade Sindu Kaveri Jale'smin Sannidhim Kuru.

Bless us with Your Presence, O Divine Rivers Ganges, Jamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindu and Kaveri.

Pour some of this consecrated water into a vessel for use in purification, seat worship, water-taking and sankalpa.
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Purification

For both inner and outer purification the devotee repeats the following Mantra while sprinkling consecrated water on
his/her head.

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va
Sarva-vastham Gato 'pi Va;
Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham
Sa Bahya-bhyantarah Shuchi.

I sprinkle this sacred water on my head, meditating on the Lotus-eyed Lord (Vishnu) for both inner and outer
purification. In all conditions the sacred water purifies me.
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Place and Seat Worship

The place of worship and one's asana (seat) are very important and should be treated with great reverence and
respect. The place should be adorned with auspicious ornamentation and it is customary to offer flowers, kum kum,
perfume etc., as well as salutations to the sacred seat. To invoke Divine Blessings and to purify the seat and
surrounding area, the devotee should sprinkle them with the consecrated water while repeating the following Mantra:

Om Prithvi-tvaya Dhrita Loka

Devi Ivam Vishnuna Dhrita;
Tvamcha Dharaya Mam Devi
Pavitram Kuru-chasanam.

I worship Thee, O Mother Earth. You are supported by Lord Vishnu Himself. O Mother, You uphold everyone and
everything. Please bless me and sanctify this seat and place.
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Water-taking
(Achamana)

Achamana purifies the body, mind, and spirit. The devotee holds a spoon of consecrated water with the right hand
and, chanting the Mantra with devotion, takes the water by tossing it into the mouth (without touching the spoon to
the mouth). Repeat this process with each of the following Mantras:

Om Hrim Atmatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to seek truth.

Om Hrim Vidyatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to seek wisdom.

Om Hrim Shivatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to seek God.

Om Hrim Sarvatattvam Shodhayami Swaha

I want to know the truth of everything.

Note:
Hrim is the Bija or Seed Mantra of Shakti. It may also be written as Hring; either 'm' or 'ng' is a correct ending for
Bija Mantras.
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Pranayama

The practice of pranayama (breath exercise) controls the breath. Control of the breath leads to the control of Prana
(subtle vital energy), which automatically controls the mind. Pranayama should be practiced only after receiving
personal guidance from a qualified teacher or Guru. There are three main types of pranayama:

1. Nadi Shodhana: slow deep alternate breathing

through each nostril.

2. Puraka. Kumbhaka. and Rechaka: inhalation,

retention, and exhalation. This is done in a time ratio
1:4:2.

3. Bhastrika: bellows breathing.

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Purification of the Elements
(Bhuta Shuddhi)

Om Bhuta-shringatat Shiraha Sushumna-patena

Jiva-shivam Parama-shiva-pade Yojayami Swaha
Om Yam Linga-shariram Shoshay Shoshay Swaha
Om Ram Sankocha-shariram Daha Daha Swaha
Om Parama-shiva Sushumna-patena Mula-shringatam
Ullasa Ullasa Jwala Jwala Prajwala Prajwala
So'ham Hamsah Swaha.

Om. By means of the Sushumna pathway connecting the junction of being (Muladhara Chakra) to the crown of the
head (Sahasrar), I offer my individual self to unite with Supreme Shiva.
Om. Yam Swaha (Bija Mantra of air element), Dry! Dry up this subtle body (i.e, dry up the impurities)!
Om. Ram Swaha (Bija Mantra of fire). Burn! Burn up this causal body (i.e. burn up the impurities)!
Om. Supreme Shiva, by the Sushumna pathway from the Muladhar upwards-Shine, shine! Blaze, blaze! Blaze forth,
blaze forth!

That I am. I am That. Swaha

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Nyasa

Nyasa is a system of using Seed Mantras to invoke and install Divine Powers in the hands and various parts of the
body. Through this process the devotee is identified with the Mantra and brought under the protection of the Mantra
Deity. He/she is purified both externally and internally and is Infused with Divine Energy. This process dedicates the
parts of the body so as to be instruments of the Lord's work.

1. Kara-nyasa: Invoking and Installing particular Mantras on the hands. Repeat:

Om Hram Hrim Hrum Hraim Hraum Hrah

Om Hram Angushthabhyam Namah

While repeating, the thumb of each hand should be touched with the index finger of the same hand.

Om Hrim Tarjanibhyam Namah

While repeating, the index finger of each hand should be touched with the thumb of the same hand.
Om Hrum Madhyamabhyam Namah

While repeating, the middle finger of each hand should be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

Om Hraim Anamikabhyam Namah

While repeating, the ring finger of each hand should be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

Om Hraum Kanishthikabhyam Namah

While repeating, the little finger of each hand should be touched with the thumb of the same hand.

Om Harah Karatala Karaprishthabhyam Namah

While repeating, the palm and back of each hand in turn should be touched with the other hand.

2. Anga-nyasa: Invoking and installing particular Mantras on the body. In Anga Nyasa the parts of the body
are touched with all the fingers of the right hand joined together.

Om Hram Hridayaya Namah

While repeating, touch the heart.

Om Hrim Shirase Swaha

While repeating, touch the top of the head.

Om Hrum Shikhayai Vashat

While repeating, touch the head at the back of the crown.

Om Hraim Kavachaya Hum

While repeating, touch the right shoulder with the fingers of the left hand and vice versa.

Om Hraum Netra-trayaya Vaushat

While repeating, touch both eyes.

Om Harah Astraya Phat

While repeating, the right hand should be taken round the head counter-clockwise from the front to back
to front and then the fingers snapped. Then the palm of the left hand should be struck with the index and middle
fingers three times.
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Sankalpa

Sankalpa means that one is making a commitment to do something in the Name of God at a given month, day and
year. This devotional commitment has tremendous value. Insert the information relevant to your own present
situation where there are brackets ( ) in the Sankalpa. Hold a spoonful of consecrated water (option: on top of a stick
or qrass switch) in the right hand and repeat the Sankalpa. Then dump the water (option: over the stick or switch)
into the tray.

Sankalpa:

Hari Om Tat Sat

Hari Om Tat Sat
Hari Om Tat Sat

Om Adyashri Brahmane Dvitiya Parardhe

Shri Shveta Varaha Kalpe,
(country) Deshe,
(state) Khande,
(month) Mase,
(date) Pakshe,
(day of the week) Divase,
(year),
Aham (name),
Shri Durga Pritipurvakam,
(* ),
Shri Durga Puja Aham Karishye**.

* One may state a particular purpose for which the Puja is being done.

**If the Puja is being done for someone else, Karishyami should be substituted for Karishye at the end.
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Shodashopachara Puja
(16 Forms of Worship)

1. Welcoming and Invoking the Presence of the Divine Mother.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Avahanam Samarpayami

2. Offering a seat to the Universal Mother.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Asanam Samarpayami

3. Offering water for washing the feet.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Padyam Samarpayami

4. Offering water for the washing of the hands.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Arghyam Samarpayami

5. Offering water for sipping and cleaning the mouth.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Achamanam Samarpayami

6. Offering water for bathing.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah ( * ) Snanam Samarpayami

* If the Panch Amrita offering is being made, one adds Panch Amrita (five nectars) to the Mantra.
The Panch Amrita mixture consists of milk (Payas), yogurt (Dadhi), ghee (Ghrita), honey (Madhu), and sugar
(Sharkara).

7. Offering wearing cloth.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Vastram Samarpayami

8. Offering a paste of sandal and kum kum. Also, perfume (Gandha) may be offered at this time.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Chandanam Samarpayami

9. Offering rice to the third eye.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Akshatam Samarpayami

10. Offering flowers.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Pushpam Samarpayami

11. Offering Incense.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Dhupam Samarpayami

12. Offering light.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Dipam Samarpayami

13. Offering food and water. Sacred water may be sprinkled on the food before the offering.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Naivedyam Samarpayami

The following food prayer may be recited before the offering:

Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam .
Brahmakarma Samadhina

God is the offering, the one who offers, and the fire that consumes. Only by actions done with the awareness that all
is God will one reach God.

14. Waving lights and singing the Arati, for example:

Jai Ma, Jai Ma (repeat)

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnur

Gurur Devo Maheshvarah :.
Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma
Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

The Guru is Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Destroyer). The Guru is the Supreme
Reality Manifest. Salutations I offer Thee.

At the beginning of Arati, one may choose to ring a bell and blow a conch.

15. Offering flower petals with the singing of Mantra.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami

Repeat the following invocation eleven times, successively inserting a different mantra (a -k) after each repetition:

Esha Gandha Pushpam...

With this scented flower I offer salutations

a. Om Hrim Namah

b. Om Hrim Shrim Dum Durgayai Namah

c. Om Krim Kalyai Namah

d. Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche

e. Om Hrim Chandikayai Namah

f. Om Shrim Shriyai Namah

g. Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah

h. Om Baum Brahmane Namah

i. Om Klim Vishnave Namah

j. Om Shivaya Namah

k. Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah

Closing:

Sarva Mangala Mangalye

Shive Sarvartha Sadhike;
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri
Narayani Namo'stu Te.

O Thou, most auspicious of all, Thou the source of all goodness, Thou the fulfiller of all prayers, Thou the sole refuge
of all, To Thee, O spouse of Shiva, Mother of the three worlds, Goddess of light, our salutations to Thee, O Narayani.

Sing:

Jai Durge Jai Durge Jai Durge Kali

Jai Mata Jai Mata Jai Mata Kali

The Divine Mother may be fanned during the singing.

16. Salutations are offered.

Om Shri Durgayai Namah Namaskaram Samarpayami

Now the water that was used for the bathing may be given out. As it has been purified and Divinely Charged by
contact with the Deity, it is considered sacred. This water is called Tirtha. It is poured into the right hand of
recipients who then sip it or sprinkle it over their head. The flowers offered may also be distributed and the food
which was offered may also be given out. This food is called Prasad.
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Worship of Various Aspects of God for Blessings

1. Ganesh Worship - One mala may be repeated.

Om Gam Ganeshaya Namah

Gam or Gang is the Bija of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh is the Aspect of God who removes obstacles and grants success to
the undertaking.

2. Guru Worship - One mala may be repeated.

Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah

Gum or Gung is the Bija Mantra of the Guru. God is worshiped through the Guru; God assumes that. Form to make
spiritual knowledge available to the seeker.

3. Sun Worship - One mala may be repeated.

Om Hrim Suryaya Namah

Surya is the sun. In this form God is worshiped as the Cosmic Source of all energy-both physical and psychic. It is
God shining therein, who is the Light of lights, who is to be thought of in this worship.

3. Shiva Worship - One mala may be repeated.

Om Namah Shivaya

Shiva is the primordial Guru.

4. Universal Mother Worship - One mala may be repeated.

Om Hrim Durgayai Namah

The Divine Mother is called Durga. The Power of Her Manifestation in the human body is sometimes referred to as
Kundalini Shakti. Durga is often envisioned as riding on a lion and holding various weapons in Her multiple Hands.
The lion is a symbol of strength and courage. When the Kundalini is awakened within a person, She roars (like a
hungry lion) and consumes the weaknesses (flesh) of the devotee. The weapons of the Mother wage war on
the various passions which are hindering spiritual advancement, killing them one by one. She gives birth to super
intellect, the knowledge of Truth, and Spiritual Illumination.

During the sixteen offerings of Mother worship, Shodashopachara Puja, one may simultaneously make the same
offerings to one's Guru and other aspects of God on the shrine.

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Shiva Puja

The beginning of the Shiva Puja is identical with the Divine Mother Puja. Use the Divine Mother Puja until reaching
the Sankalpa section. Then follow the text below for the remainder of the Shiva Puja.
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Sankalpa

Sankalpa means that one is making a commitment to do something in the Name of God at a given month.
day and year. This devotional commitment has tremendous value. Insert the information relevant to your own
present situation where there are brackets ( ) in the Sankalpa. Hold a spoonful of consecrated water (option: on top
of a stick or grass switch) in the right hand and repeat the Sankalpa. Then dump the water (option: over the stick or
switch) into the tray.

Sankalpa:

Hari Om Tat Sat

Hari Om Tat Sat
Hari Om Tat Sat

Om Adyashri Brahmane Dvitiya Parardhe

Shri Shveta Varaha Kalpe,
( country) Deshe,
(state) Khande,
( month) Mase,
( date) Pakshe,
(day of the week) Divase,
(year),
Aham (name).
Shri Shiva Pritipurvakam,
(* ),
Shri Shiva Puja Aham Karishye * *.

* One may state a particular purpose for which the Puja is being done.
**If the Puja Is being done for someone else, Karishyami should be substituted for Karishye at the end.
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Shodashopachara Puja
(16 Forms of Worship)

This puja may be expanded by the addition of an offering of welcome and an offering of a seat. Make these two
offerings before proceeding with the sixteen forms.

Welcoming and invoking the Presence of Shiva.

Om Namah Shivaya Avahanam Samarpayami

Offering a seat to Shiva.

Om Namah Shivaya Asanam Samarpayami

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16 Forms of Worship

1. Offering water for washing the feet.

Om Namah Shivaya Padyam Samarpayami

2. Offering water for sipping and cleaning the mouth.

Om Namah Shivaya Achamanam Samarpayami

3. Offering water for bathing.

Om Namah Shivaya ( * ) Snanam Samarpayami

* If the Panch Amrita offering is being made, one adds Panch Amrita (five nectars) to the Mantra. The Panch Amrita
mixture consists of milk (Payas), yogurt (Dadhi), ghee (Ghrita) , honey (Madhu), and sugar (Sharkara).

4. Offering wearing cloth.

Om Namah Shivaya Vastram Samarpayami

5. Offering rudraksha.

Om Namah Shivaya Rudraksham Samarpayami

6. Offering red powder.

Om Namah Shivaya Sindhuram Samarpayami

7. Offering sandal paste. Also, perfume (Gandha) may be offered at this time.

Om Namah Shivaya Chandanam Samarpayami

8. Offering rice to the third eye.

Om Namah Shivaya Akshatam Samarpayami

9. Offering flowers.

Om Namah Shivaya Pushpam Samarpayami

10. Offering Incense.

Om Namah Shivaya Dhupam Samarpayami

11. Offering light.

Om Namah Shivaya Dipam Samarpayami

12. Offering of food and water. Sacred water may be sprinkled on the food before the offering.

Om Namah Shivaya Naivedyam Samarpayami

The following food prayer may be recited before the offering:

Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam
Brahmakarma Samadhina

God is the offering, the one who offers, and the fire that consumes. Only by actions done with the awareness that all
is God will one reach God.

13. Waving lights and singing the Arati, for example:

Om Bhagavan, Om Bhagavan, Om Bhagavan,

Shiva Shankar Bhagavan (repeat)

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnur

Gurur Devo Maheshvarah,
Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma
Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

The Guru is Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Destroyer). The Guru is the Supreme
Reality Manifest. Salutations I offer Thee.

At the beginning of Arati, one may ring a bell or blow a conch.

14. Offering betel leaves.

Om Namah Shivaya Tambulam Samarpayami

15. Offering flower petals with the singing of Mantras.

Om Namah Shivaya Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami

Repeat the following invocation thirteen times, successively inserting a different mantra (a -m) after each repetition:

Esha Gandha Pushpam…

With this scented flower I offer salutations,...

Mantras:

a. Om Hrim Namah

b. Om Hrim Shrim Dum Durgayai Namah

c. Om Krim Kalyai Namah

d. Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche

e. Om Hrim Chandikayai Namah

f. Om Shrim Shriyai Namah

g. Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah

h. Om Baum Brahmane Namah

i. Om Klim Vishnave Namah

j. Om Gam Ganeshaya Namah

k. Om Shivaya Namah

I. Om Joom Sah Sah Joom Om Swaha

m. Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah

Closing:

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam.
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor-mukshiya Mamritat.
Om. O three-eyed Lord Shiva, I take refuge in Thee, grant me well-being and immortality. Release me from the
grasp of death, just as a cucumber is cleaved from its vine.

16. Salutations are offered.

Om Namah Shivaya Namaskaram Samarpayami

Now the water that was used for the bathing may be given out. As it has been purified and Divinely Charged
By contact with the Deity, it is considered sacred. This Water Is called Tirtha. It is poured into the right hand of
recipients who then sip it or sprinkle it over their head. The flowers offered may also be distributed and the food
which was offered may also be given out. This food is called Prasad.