Every Sadhak tries his best to accomplish daily worship and use special Mantra rituals. But every Sadhana has a particular procedure and every deity or the Guru is worshipped in a particular manner. Presenting some important rules is this wonderfully enlightening article.
In every Sadhana, Upchaar or special worship of deity has an important place. Upchaar eans devotedly making some offerings to deity in order to win his or her grace.
There is no fixed rule for Upchaar but including this worship procedure in Sadhana assures quicker success. There are different types of Upchaars ranging from Ekopchaar to Sahastropachar. Our article shall focus only on Shodashopchaar, Dashopchaar and Panchopchaar forms of worship in which 16,10 and 5 articles are offered respectively. In each age, forms of worship have been different but in the present age of hustle and bustle performing a Sadhana itself is a great fortunate achievement and the shorter the procedure the better.
It is best to do Shodashopchaar worship in which 16 articles are offered but in daily Sadhana Panchopchaar worship would suffice and in it five articles namely fragrance, flowers, incense, ghee lamp and sweets are offered.
Shodashopchaar
This includes 1. Aavaahan 2. Aasan 3. Paadya 4. Arghya 5. Aachamaniya 6. Snaan 7. Vastra 8. Madhupark 9. Tilak 10. Akshat 11. Pushp 12. Dhoop 13. Deep 14. Neivedya 15. Taambool 16. Naariyal
Aavaahan
Many do not count this in the procedure and instead just offer prayers to the deity. It means inviting the deity concerned to come and bless Sadhak. For this hands are joined and the following Mantra is chanted.
Aavaahayaami Devesh Sarvashakti Shakti Samanvite, Naaraaynnaay Bhadraay Gururoopaayate Namah. Guru Brhama Gur Vishnuh Gurudevo Maheshwarah. Guru Saakshaat Parabrahma Tasmei Shree Gurave Naah.
A worship mat is used in order to ake the physical body free of ailments, the soul pure and gain divine powers. Basically a mat acts as a bad conductor and does not allow energy of Mantra chanting fro being earthed. Torn, burnt and used mats are prohibited. Deer skin, tiger skin, grass, silk, cotton and wood mats are best. Deer skin for gain of knowldge, tiger skin for spiritual progress and wealth and wool for riddance from sorrows and poverty are prescribed. Deities are offered a mat of flowers and then the following Mantra is chanted.
Ramyam Shubhanam Divyam Sarva Soukhakaram Shubham. Aasanam Cha Mayaa Grihaann Parameshwar.
Paadya
Offering water in the feet of deity is called Paadya. For this two spoonfuls of water is offered chanting thus.
Yad Bhakti Lesh Samparkat Paramaanand Sambhavah, Tasmei Te Parameshaan Paadya Shuddhaay Kalpaye Arghya
Water offered to deities for washing their hands is called Arghya. Mix flowers and fragrance in water in a tumbler. Offer chanting thus.
Arghyam Grihaann Devesh Gandh Pushpaakshateih Sah. Karunnaam Kuru Me Dev! Grihaannarghya Namastu Te.
Water offered to deity for rinsing the mouth is called Aachamaniya. Offer water chanting -
Sarva Teerth Samaaneetaam Sugandhim Nirmalam Jalam. Aachamyataam Mayaadattam Grihaann Parameshwar.
Snaan
All deities are present in the ocean of knowledge, still three spoonfuls of water is offered as mark of respect for a bath.
Gangaa Saraswatee Revaa Payoshanni Narmadaajaleih. Snaapitosi Mayaa Dev Tathaa Shaantim Kurushnna Me
Vastra
Clean & new clothes are offered. Offering old, torn clothes leads to losses. Mouli (holy red thread) can be offered instead chanting thus.
Sarva Bhooshaadi Ke Soumye Lok Lajjaanivaaranne. Mayopapaadite Tubhyam Grihaan. Parameshwar.
Tilak
For riddance from sins, afflictions and misfortune a mark is made on the forehead of the deity. Sandalwood paste is best otherwise Ashtagandh, Gorochan, samphor, saffron and musk can also be used. Mantra -
Shree Khaad Chandanam Divyam Gandhaaddyam Sumanoharam. Vilepanam Sursheshtth Chadanam Pratigrihyaataam.
Akshat
Akshat means unbroken rice grains which are offered to gain wealth and prosperity. Mix with vermilion and offer them chanting thus.
Akshataashcha Surshreshtth Kumkumaaktaah Sushobhitaah. Maayaa Niveditaa Bhaktyaa Grihaann Parameshwar.
Pushp
Offer flowers to the deity for comforts, good luck and health chanting thus
Maalyaadeeni Sugandheeni Maalatyaadeeni Veiprabho. Mayopaneetaani Pushpaanni Grihaann Paraeshwar.
Dhoop
Offer incense made from choicest and most fragrant herbs to the deity chanting thus.
Vaaspati Rasobhootah Gandhaadyah Sumanoharah. Aaghreyah Sarvasevaanaam Dhoopoyam Pratigrihayataam.
Deep
Lighting a lamp before a deity signifies dispelling of darkness of ignorance from the Sadhak's life. Mantra-
Suprakaasho Mahaadeepah Sarvatah Timiraapahaah. Sa Baahyaamyaram Jyotih Deepoyam Pratigrihyataam.
Neivedya
Neivedya means elixir. While offering sweets or food articles chant thus.
Neivedyam Grihyataam Dev Bhaktim Me Hychalaam Kuru. Eepsitam Me Varam Dehi, Sarvasoubhaagya Kaarakam.
Taambool
Offer a betel nut containing betel nuts, cloves and cardamom. A betel leaf is symbolic of the six-teen Kalas or divine virtues. Mantra-
Poongifalam Mahad Divyam Naagvalee-rdaleirutam. Elaadi Choornna Sanyuktam Taamboolam Pratigrihyataam.
Neeranjan Aarati
Sing the Aarti (special hymn) of the diety whom you are worshipping. For Aarti use a lamp with one or five wicks. Mantra
Aanand Mantra Makaraandam Anant Gandh Yogineedndraa Susthir Malindam Apaastabandham Vedaant Karannek Vikaash-sheelam Naaraaynnasya Charannambuj.
With this the worship is over. If one is not able to do Shodashopchaar worship one should do Panchopachaar worship while chanting the Mantra with full devotion.
One should daily offer prayers to one's deity and Guru.
This is the first time I came to know about Upchaar in ritual.Shodashopochaar- 16 articles to offer the god. Aavaahan- first time came to know. Most people have not included Aavaahan in Pooja.
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