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What is a Puja?
These are sacred ceremonial acts performed in worship of the Divine. Amma performs many different Pujas throughout the day. It is the act to show reverence to God or to aspects of the Divine through invocation, prayers, songs, rituals and offerings which include flowers, fruit, leaves, rice and water.
What is the essence of the puja?
An essential part of puja is making a spiritual connection with God. Most often, that contact is facilitated through an object: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print. Much of Amma's time is spent conducting pujas, most of which center on the idol of Narayani. The idea of performing the puja in this manner is to treat the deity, Narayani, as one would a guest, with honor and respect. In temples, the deities are treated as kings and queens (royally).
What are the rituals which are performed during the Narayani Puja?
The stages of the puja may include the following:
Avahana - the invocation of Narayani
Asana - a seat is offered to Narayani
Swagatam - Narayani is welcomed, asked about her journey and whether she faced any problem coming to the place of puja
Padha - the feet of the deity are washed with water.
Arghya - a respectful offering of water is made to Narayani. The water contains sandalwood paste, vermilion and rice.
Achamania - water is then offered for washing the face and mouth of Narayani
Madhu-parka - a beverage made of honey, sugar and mint offered to Narayani
Snanajala - Narayani is offered water for bathing. Holy Water used for the bath is called Theertham.
Bhushana abharanasya - clothes, jewels and ornaments are offered next
Gandha - sandalwood paste or any other fragrant object is offered
Akshata - grains of rice mixed with tumeric and kum kum are offered
Pushpanjali - flowers are offered
Dhupa - incense is lit
Dipa - the lamp is lit
Naivedy - rice, fruit, butter and sugar are offered next.
Visarjana - Narayani is finally bidden farewell.
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What happens behind the curtain during part of the Puja?
During part of the puja, a curtain will be drawn. This means it is a very personal time for Amma and Narayani, in which Amma dresses and feeds Narayani.
What does the waving of the lighted lamp mean?
At the end of a Puja, Arati is performed. It is an act of reverence and involves the waving of a lighted lamp which is fed with ghee (clarified butter) to the idol Narayani or picture of Amma.
What do Kum Kum and Vibhuti signify?
After completion, sacred powders such as kum kum or vibhuti are applied to the forehead of those in attendance. Tirtham (holy water used for the bath which is called abhisheka) and prasadam (food offered to the Divine) are distributed to guests (always to be taken in your right hand).
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Why is there sometimes a fire involved with the puja?
Yagna or Fire Puja is a type of puja in which Gods are invited from the heavens and presented with different offerings. The smoke emanating from the fire is charged with vibrations and the vibrations travel for miles creating peace and harmony in the world.
What is Padha Puja?
This is another type of puja in which persons can participate in the sacred act of washing Amma's feet. The act of bathing Her feet is a form of worship to Amma and to her feet. The feet of a deity is very sacred in Hinduism. To bathe Amma's feet is a very auspicious and gracious act which removes negative Karmas that we may have accumulated in our lives.
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What is the proper etiquette when meeting with Amma?
It is practice upon entering her room, to bow on bended knee. Upon rising, Amma will offer you some blessed water ( to be taken in your right palm) and drunk. She may place some Kum Kum (red powder) on your forehead. From that point you can ask Amma your questions and/or tell Her your wishes.
A common part of worship is gestures of humility such as bowing, kneeling, lying face down. This a form of detachment and proof of the release of one's ego and eventual surrender to the Divine.
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| Commonly used words and their definitions |
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AMMA - "Mother" in all South Indian languages
AVATAR - divine incarnation in human form: God on earth
ASHRAM - establishment around a wise man or saint where spiritual practices are done.
BABA - "Father" in Sanskrit
BHAJANS - devotional songs
BHAKTI - prayer, devotion, faith and love for the Divine
CHAKRAS - energy centers in the human body
DARSHAN - being able to see a Divine Soul
DEITY - a God or Goddess
DHARMA - social duty, righteousness
GANGES - Sacred river in India
GANESHA - symbolises protection, remover of obstacles. Has the head of an elephant with one broken tusk attained while killing a demon
GHEE - clarified butter
GOW SHALA - cow abode. Cows are very sacred in India.
HAVAN - meaning fire ceremony
KARMA - action, law of cause and effect
KUM KUM - red colored powder put on the forehead
LINGAM - ellipsoid shaped stone regarded with the highest respect as a symbol of Lord Shiva.
MANDIR - Hindu temple, place of worship
MANTRA - Prayer. Repetition grants equilibrium and peace of mind and offers vibrational energies to assist the body in healing
MALA - garland made of flowers or fruit
MUKTHI - permanent happiness, attanined when one realizes his relationship with the Divine.
NARAYANI -The Divine Mother known by her three aspects: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
PEEDAM - Amma's home/ashram in India
OM - symbol of God, the first sound uttered in the universe.
PRASADAM - food which has been blessed
PUJA - daily ceremony of worship in which a deity is honored by prayers, songs, rituals and offerings such as flowers, food, fruit and water etc. in homes or temples
PUJARI - priest. Amma's helpers, usually bare chested to receive the energy vibrations directly from the puja and mantras.
SAKTHI - divine creative power. Feminine aspect of God.
VIBHUTI - sacred ashes materialized by Amma. It is fragrant, warm and tastes sweet.
YAGNAS - fire ceremonies
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