Here is this week's update.
Week 24:
1st May 2022 / 9:15AM
Opening Prayers and Stotras:
Class began with opening prayers. 3 OM's and followed by Sahanavavathu,
Om shrI Ganeśaya Namaha, shrI Saraswatyai Namaha, shrI Sat Gurubhyo Namaha. We practiced/reviewed Mahalakshmi Ashtakam stotram and amba parameswari, each child chanted a verse.
We had a discussion on the annual day, our presentation.
We learned about shodashopachara pooja steps. We watched the paduka puja vidhi (link given below) and learned about the steps.
Shri_Guru_Paduka_Puja_Vidhi_final.pdf (chinmayamadhuvan.org)
Sodasopachara pooja--16 steps of Puja
1. Dhyanam (prayer)- Dhyanam is reciting a short prayer specific to god that one worships and engages our mind into the lotus feet of that God
2. Avahana (invocation)-Inviting the worshiped God/Goddess to come to the place of worship by chanting the Vedic verse,as though you are inviting a lovable guest.
3. Aaasana (offering seating)-Offering the worshiped God a seat
.4. Paadya (washing of feet)-Wash the feet of God by pouring water at His feet.
5. Arghya (washing of hands)-Water is offered to the deity to wash hands.
6. Aachamana (Offering water to drink)-Water is offered to drink with the chanting of the relevant vedic mantra.
7. Snana (bathing with water or panchamrutham)-Sprinkle water on God as if giving Him a bath. In a detailed pooja, bathe God with panchamrutham (Milk, Yoghurt, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, Coconut Water, Fruit Juice, Sandal Powder, Turmeric one at a time). This is followed by a bath with fresh water.
8. Vastra (new clothes), Abharana-Offer new clothes, Jewellery. Imagine that you adore the Lord with the ornaments of your love and other good qualities.
9. Yajnopavita (sacred thread)-Offer Yagnopaveetham(sacred thread/flower/akshathai).
10. Gandha (sandal paste)-Place sandalwood paste on the forehead of God.
11. PushpaArchana (flowers)-Glorify God by reciting His 108 names, and offer one flower or a petal at a time.
12. Dhoopam (incense)-Show incense to God.
13. Deepam (Oil lamp)-Show oil lamp to God. It is not expected to make your guest sit in the dark.
14. Naivedyam (offering of specially prepared food).-Offer specially prepared food to God. This food must be prepared in a satvik manner without tasting or smelling it.We offer hot food and the steam is smelt by the lord before it comes back to us as Prasad.
15. Tamboolam (offering Betel Leaves and Betel nuts)-Betel leaves and nuts are offered to God after the Naivedhyam. After delicious food, it is the practice to offer betel leaves for proper digestion.
16. Neerajanam and Atma Pradakshinam-Camphor lamps are shown to God. After every puja, aarati is offered to the deity. This is an important and auspicious occasion when the Lord himself has come home, so we show him our utmost devotion.
We concluded the session with aarathi and pledge.
Our next class is on May 8th 2022. It's an in person session and there will be a Guru paduka pooja live event owing to Gurudev jayanthi.
2. Avahana (invocation)-Inviting the worshiped God/Goddess to come to the place of worship by chanting the Vedic verse,as though you are inviting a lovable guest.
3. Aaasana (offering seating)-Offering the worshiped God a seat
.4. Paadya (washing of feet)-Wash the feet of God by pouring water at His feet.
5. Arghya (washing of hands)-Water is offered to the deity to wash hands.
6. Aachamana (Offering water to drink)-Water is offered to drink with the chanting of the relevant vedic mantra.
7. Snana (bathing with water or panchamrutham)-Sprinkle water on God as if giving Him a bath. In a detailed pooja, bathe God with panchamrutham (Milk, Yoghurt, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, Coconut Water, Fruit Juice, Sandal Powder, Turmeric one at a time). This is followed by a bath with fresh water.
8. Vastra (new clothes), Abharana-Offer new clothes, Jewellery. Imagine that you adore the Lord with the ornaments of your love and other good qualities.
9. Yajnopavita (sacred thread)-Offer Yagnopaveetham(sacred thread/flower/akshathai).
10. Gandha (sandal paste)-Place sandalwood paste on the forehead of God.
11. PushpaArchana (flowers)-Glorify God by reciting His 108 names, and offer one flower or a petal at a time.
12. Dhoopam (incense)-Show incense to God.
13. Deepam (Oil lamp)-Show oil lamp to God. It is not expected to make your guest sit in the dark.
14. Naivedyam (offering of specially prepared food).-Offer specially prepared food to God. This food must be prepared in a satvik manner without tasting or smelling it.We offer hot food and the steam is smelt by the lord before it comes back to us as Prasad.
15. Tamboolam (offering Betel Leaves and Betel nuts)-Betel leaves and nuts are offered to God after the Naivedhyam. After delicious food, it is the practice to offer betel leaves for proper digestion.
16. Neerajanam and Atma Pradakshinam-Camphor lamps are shown to God. After every puja, aarati is offered to the deity. This is an important and auspicious occasion when the Lord himself has come home, so we show him our utmost devotion.
We concluded the session with aarathi and pledge.
Our next class is on May 8th 2022. It's an in person session and there will be a Guru paduka pooja live event owing to Gurudev jayanthi.
Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions. Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer
Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer