Methodical Puja & Sincere Worship Elevate the Worshiper
By H H Maa Purnananda
“Ye Yatha Maam Prapadyantey Taanstathaiva Bhajaamyaham; Mama Vartmaanuvartantey Manushyaah Parth Sarvashah.”– (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 4/11)
There are innumerable ways of worshiping an individual’s chosen Deity. Each one worships in one’s own way. Most would say that they worship with feelings and with complete devotion. Very few would be performing methodical Puja as ordained by the Sanaatan Dharm Shaastra as an integral part of their worship. Again, amongst those who do so, very few would be able to remain well focused throughout the Puja, with integrity and humility.
The daily Puja is to be performed as a practice that would ultimately lead to complete surrender to the Divine. The purpose is not to please the chosen Deity. The purpose is not to fall into the habit of “doing daily Puja”, or for self-satisfaction of being “a devotee”. The purpose is not for calling oneself a religious person. Then what truly is the purpose of Puja?
The purpose of daily Puja as part of worship could be, as told by Sree Bhagwaan Himself in Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, to worship at the time of grief or sorrow, or for earning more and more wealth; or could be to satisfy one’s own inquisitiveness about “Dharm”, and so on. But again, as told by Sree Bhagwaan, when the purpose of worship is clear to the worshiper, that to worship the Divine is the sure way to elevate oneself and to evolve further; then the sincere effort of methodical daily practice of Puja would surely lead the worshiper to self-improvement and desirable spiritual growth.
For this purpose, it is important to apply the system of worship called Shodashaupchaar Puja, introduced by the Sanaatan Dharm Shaastra as an important part of daily worship. This system can be simplified but without skipping any of the sixteen steps as required. Moreover, along with the physical actions involved in performance of the Puja, the focus of mind and the understanding of whatever actions are being performed while doing the Puja, are equally, or even more important. When the worshiper performs Puja with such physical, mental and intellectual integration, then in due course the worshiper attains the desirable outcome.
Once such daily Puja happens to be performed effortlessly, let not the worshiper fall into the ‘habit’ of ‘finishing with’ his daily Puja. This happens with most of the worshipers! In such a case, the worshiper also tends to fall further with the idea of doing occasional need-based intense Puja with the attitude of ‘doer-ship’ and hence followed by ‘enjoyer-ship’, as mentioned earlier. If it so happens, then again the very purpose is completely defeated.
Therefore, it is advisable to ‘practice’ daily “Shodashaupchaar Puja” and strive regularly for self-integration. Once thus integrated, the worshiper thereafter would be able to enhance his all other modes of worship and benefit tremendously to remain well-grounded in his Spiritual Sadhna.
In the given Shlok Sree Bhagwaan assures that in whatever manner an individual puts faith in Him, Bhagwaan blesses the devotee befittingly; and He adds that the human beings anyway and in every way proceed towards Him only! This makes the devotee think that since I, as an individual, anyway am proceeding towards the Lord, then why not be sincere to my worship? Why not learn the ordained method of Puja and offer it at His Holy-feet, which is anyway my ultimate destination? Why not worship Him with right intention and attitude? Why not enhance my daily worship by remaining well-integrated and offering it effortlessly? Why not save myself from falling into the ‘habit’ of ‘doing’ and ‘finishing’ with my daily Puja?
It is a must for the worshiper to always remember the ultimate ‘purpose’ of his worship, to maintain the ‘method’ of the worship as ordained by our Shaastra, to be sincere and regular in Sadhna, and most importantly, to worship with unfailing ‘Shraddha’ and unflinching ‘Bhakti’.
On Kartik Purnima, also observed as Dev Deepaawali, this year falling on 5th November, join us with family and friends at SISS to offer Puja and Maha Abhishekam to Sree Ishwar; and be blessed!