In the ancient Vedic and Yoga texts, Bhakti Yoga is revered as the path of devotion and love towards the divine. As stated in the Bhagavad Gita, an essential scripture of Hindu philosophy, Bhakti Yoga emphasizes the heartfelt devotion and surrender to a higher power as the means to attain spiritual liberation. Rooted in the Vedas, this profound practice encourages individuals to cultivate a deep connection with the divine through prayer, worship, and selfless service, leading to the union.
THE PROCESS OF BHAKTI YOG:
Definitely, it is true that for those who believe, the essence of connecting with the divine lies in the sincerity of one's thoughts and intentions.
Genuine devotion and heartfelt reverence are enough to establish a profound connection with the divine, transcending any external forms of worship or practice.
Yet, a process of bhakti yog which also includes simplest of rituals with its deep sensed meaning is defined in Bhagwat Purana.
About the Bhakti yog:
Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion, is prominently featured in Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana, and Narada Bhakti Sutra.
These scriptures offer profound insights into the practice of Bhakti Yoga, emphasizing the cultivation of love, devotion, and surrender to the divine.
Bhakti Yoga is accessible to people of all backgrounds and is characterized by its simplicity, focusing on the sincere devotion of the practitioner rather than elaborate rituals or complex philosophies.
The Bhagavata Purana, believed to have been composed between the 8th and 10th centuries CE, contains narratives of devotion and bhakti towards various deities, particularly Lord Vishnu.
Despite their ancient origins, these texts continue to inspire countless seekers on the path of Bhakti Yog, emphasizing the universal and timeless nature of devotion and its transformative power in the spiritual journey.
About the process of Bhakti Yog pooja:
The 16 steps of Bhakti Yoga, also known as the "Shodasha Upacharas," are said to be in various scriptures, including the Narada Bhakti Sutra and the Bhagavata Purana.
A verse from Bhagavata Purana (11.2.40) that references these steps are:
"श्रवणं कीर्तनं विष्णोः स्मरणं पादसेवनम् ।
अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यमात्मनिवेदनम् ॥
इति पुंसार्पिता विष्णौ भक्तिश्चेन्नवलक्षणा ॥"
This verse outlines the nine primary processes of Bhakti Yoga:
- Shravanam (Hearing)
- Kirtanam (Chanting)
- Vishnu Smaranam (Remembering)
- Padasevanam (Servitude)
- Archanam (Worship)
- Vandnam (Prayer)
- Dasyam (Servitude)
- Sakhyam (Friendship)
- Atma Nivedanam (Surrender)
These steps are not only steps to bhakti but also its regular practice opens up the door to spirituality.
So, Murti is also considered to house the power or energy of the Divine.
Visarjan is also done without water when the Deity is released from the form that it was invoked in.
We worship the Divine because it combines physical, verbal, mental, and vibrational aspects of worship.
The traditional 16-step puja is called the Shodashopachara Puja in Sanskrit — shodasha meaning 16, and upachāra meaning offering given with devotion.
This entire process is spiritually uplifting. Actually, The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9.26 offers a beautiful description of a simple puja in which Lord Krishna says that even a leaf, flower, fruit or water if offered with unconditional love and devotion is sufficient and pleasing to God.
Before moving to core, preparation leads to peace of mind. So, let's understand that first.
About the steps to prepare for the pooja:
So the steps to prepare for pooja are:
1. Devtas are kept neat and clean. Small Rangoli with flowers, rangoli/kolam, and grain can be made.
2. Āchamaniyam (Purification):
Take three sips of water by placing a spoonful of water with their left hand in the base of the palm of their right hand and chant:
Oṃ Acyutāya Namaḥ
Oṃ Anantāya Namaḥ
Oṃ Govindāya Namaḥ
(Salutation to the Lord who is imperishable, Salutations to the Lord who is without limits, Salutations to Lord Govinda)
3. Deepa Jyoti: Clay or metal lamps with clarified butter (ghee) or oil and wick are symbolic of the victory of knowledge over ignorance. The devotee lights the wick, places palms together at the heart center, and chants:
“shubham karoti kalyānām ārogyam dhana sampadah |
shatru buddhi vināshāya deepa jyoti namostute ||"
Meaning: My respect to the light that brings auspiciousness, good health, prosperity and abundance that which destroys the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge. I bow to you.
4. Vighneshwara Dhyānam (Contemplation on Lord of Obstacles): Chant mantra dedicated to Lord Ganesha asking that any obstacles be removed. Two such mantra are:
“ganānantva ganapati gum havā mahe
priyānantva priyapati gum havā mahe
nidhinantva nidhipati gum havā mahe
vāso mamha āham jā nigarvādhamvā tvamajā sigarvādhamvā”
Meaning: We honor and invoke You with offerings, Lord Ganapati, Keeper of the Paths, We invoke You with love and affection, Lord Ganapati, Creator of Life, We invoke You with offerings of treasures, Lord Ganapati, Protector of Wealth. Resonate within me, and bring forth within me the realm of the Divine
(OR)
“shukla ambara dharam vishnum shashi varanam chatur bhujam|
prasana vadanam dhyāyet sarva vighnopashāntaye ||”
Meaning- We meditate on the One in white attire, who is all pervading, bright as the moon, and four-armed. Salutations to compassionate one with a kind face, we pray to the Lord who removes all obstacles.
5. Prānāyama (Breath Control): Do 1 round of anulom vilom. Then, chant 1 time:
"om bhur bhuva swaha”
6. Chant :
“om āpo jyotiraso mrtam brahma bhurbhuvasuvarom”
Meaning- Salutations to the Divine Consciousness who is all-pervading, ever bright, of divine essence, immortal, bliss-filled nectar, Truth-Consciousness-Bliss.
7. Sankalpa (Intention; literally, good thought): The specific blessings requested of the Divine are to be taken first. Take 1 sankalpa. Also, chant while The devotee turns the left palm upward and places it on the right thigh. They then turn the right palm downward, and place it on top of the left palm and chant:
“mamo patta samasta durita kshaya dvara |
sri parameshvara prityartham devapujam karishye ||”
Meaning: To remove all negative thoughts, words, and actions that I have accrued over lifetimes. To be worthy of the Divine’s grace, I begin this worship.
8. Āsana Pujā: The devotee invokes Mother Earth, as he/she is ultimately the Being on which people live and sit.
“om prthvi tvayā dhrtā lokā devi tvam vishnunā dhrtā |
tvam ca dhāraya mām devi pavitram kuru ca-āsanam ||”
Meaning: O Mother Earth, Upholder of the Worlds. Vishnu holds you. May you hold me, O Mother Earth, purify my seat.
9. Ghanta Pujā: Use a bell to invite the Divine and dispel negative force.
10. Kalasha Pujā: Fill a vessel or lota with water and put bhog to devtas.
11. Ātmā Pujā (Worship of the Divinity in the self): Chant
“deho devalayah proktah jivo devassanātanah |
tyajedajannanirmalayam so’ham bhāvena pujavet ||”
Meaning: The body is the temple. The jiva is the eternal deity of this temple. May I remove the wilted flowers that symbolize ignorance and worship the Divine knowing the Divine is not separate from me.
12. Guru Dhyānam: Meditate on your guru: Chant
“gurubrahma gururvishnuh gururdevo mahesvarah
gurusāksat param brahma tasmai srigurave namah”
Meaning: The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Mahesvara. The Guru is Ultimate Reality, My obeisances to the Guru.
About the steps to pooja are: Shodashopachara Puj:
- Dhyan and Ahwan: Meditate and Ahwaan of divine.
- Asan: Offer a seat to the idol/devta/divine.
- Offer water to idol/devta/divine.
- Offer Honey, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), curd (yogurt), or water to the Divine in form for refreshment.
- Snānam: Offer water to bathe the idol/devta/divine.
- Offer clothes /white dhaga to the idol/devta/divine.
- Offer ornaments to idol/devta/divine.
- Offer tika in form of Sandalwood paste, kumkum or vermillion, and haldi (turmeric) or vibhooti (sacred ash) to the idol/devta/divine.
- Offer flowers to the idol/devta/divine.
- Offer incense stick (agarbatti) to idol/devta/divine.
- Light another Diya to idol/devta/divine.
- Naivedyam: Offer bhog to idol/devta/divine.
- Offer tambul/ mouth freshner to idol/devta/divine.
- Stand in place and turn around three times clockwise, symbolizing that the devotee worships the Divine as the center of their life, around which their life revolves. Then bow down to the Divine, and ask for forgiveness to any mistakes committed.
- Send off the Divine form with gratitude.
- Conclusion pooja with chanting:“kāyena vācā manase indriyairvā buddhy ātmanā vā prakrteh svabhāvāt |karomi yad yat sakalam parasmai nārāyanāyeti samarpayāmi ||”.Meaning: Whatever I do with my Body, Speech, Mind, or Senses, Whatever I do using my Intellect, Feelings or unconsciously through my natural tendencies. Whatever I do, I do selflessly for others and surrender them all at the Lotus Feet of the Divine.
- Lastly, Read any scripture if you want.
Finally, with the procedure to process the bhakti yog in day-to-day life bringing discipline & perseverance to your life.
Similarly, an extension and integral part of bhakti yog I feel is of gratitude.
- Gratitude is the practice of acknowledging and appreciating the blessings, kindness, and positive aspects of life, both big and small.
- It is important because it shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a sense of abundance, contentment, and overall well-being.
- Gratitude can be expressed through various means, such as keeping a gratitude journal, offering thanks in prayers or meditation, expressing appreciation to others, and simply taking moments to reflect on the good things in life.
- To start the day with gratitude, one can begin by setting an intention to notice and appreciate the blessings around them, whether it's the warmth of the sun, the comfort of a home, or the love of family and friends.
- Ending the day with gratitude involves reflecting on the positive experiences, encounters, and moments of the day, expressing thanks for them, and cultivating a sense of peace and contentment before bedtime.
Thank You for reading!