Hinduism is an ancient Eastern religion, defined by its followers’ beliefs in divine deities, tantric rituals and scriptural law. Prayers, or puja, are an essential part of Hindu religious practice. The act of prayer, when done with devotion and consistency, can bring much solace, joy and peace to a Hindu devotee. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind when learning to pray as part of this ancient religious tradition.
1. Understand Your Sadhana
Sadhana, the practice of prayer and ritual, is an integral part of Hinduism. Before worshipping vegetarian or non-vegetarian recipes, or performing an intricate rite, a devotee needs to understand the reason for such practices. This can be done through reading up on Hindu scripture and learning from trained professionals. Understand your reasons for praying and develop an understanding of the philosophical, spiritual and symbolic reasons behind it.
2. Choose an Appropriate Deity
Every Hindu devotee has the choice of worshipping one of the many Hindu Gods and Goddesses – Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Saraswati, Ganesha and more. Devotees can select the Deity who is most suitable for their needs, temperament and spiritual inclination. Some prefer their personal deity, while others believe in having a variety of Deities tokeep things interesting.
3. Select an Auspicious Muhurta
Hindus choose an appropriate time – called a ‘Muhurta’ – to perform puja. This may depend on the phase of the moon, the day of the week, the season, or even the time of day. To ensure that the prayer is effective, Hindu devotees select an auspicious time depending on the lunar date, zodiac sign, month, and other planetary positions.
4.Gather the Necessary Items
The worshipper needs a few items to perform a puja, such as flowers, incense sticks, a bell, camphor, lamp, and various types of fruits. Some patients request special items from priests for religious or spiritual purposes. The items need to be carefully chosen, depending on the type of Deity being worshipped.
5. Prepare Pooja Room with Proper Arrangement
Depending on the type of puja, the room needs to be prepared for the ceremony. This can include decorating the walls with images of deities or arranging items in a particular way – such as placing idols or pictures of deities in an east-facing direction. Hindus also often create an altar-like structure to offer prayers.
6. Cleanse Yourself Physically and Mentally
Before performing puja, the devotee needs to bear in mind the need for purity of physical and mental body. This can include bathing, wearing clean clothing, abstaining from non-vegetarian food and more. Purity of mind is also essential, which can be achieved through meditation, yoga, chanting and repeating mantras.
7. Perform Steps for Puja
Once the room is ready and the items are arranged as per the puja guidelines, the devotee can begin to chant mantras, offer flowers, ring bells and perform the various steps of the puja ritual. This can include offerings to the Deity, circumambulation, lighting of the lamp and more.
8. Show Devotion
The most important aspect of the prayer is the devotion of the devotee. Devotees need to focus their mind, body and soul to the prayer, with a sense of joy and compassion that comes from understanding the true essence of Hinduism. This often helps devotees to reach a deeper, more sincere level of prayer.
9. Offer Gratitude and Pray for Others
After the puja is complete, devotees offer thanks and gratitude to their deity, and pray for the benefit of others. This helps to strengthen the faith and devotion of the devotee while also having a positive, positive effect on those who are the intended beneficiaries of the prayer.
10. Follow Up with Further Worship
Devotees need to continue to follow up their puja ritual with further worship and spiritual development. This may mean visiting holy places, performing japa or havan, or repeating mantras or scriptural prayers. Prayers should be made a permanent part of the devotee’s life, with regularity and consistency.
Merits of Praying to Hindu Deities
Praying to Hindu deities can bring about numerous rewards for a devotee. This includes physical benefits such as good health, financial well-being and mental clarity as well as spiritual rewards. When done with devotion, a devotee gains spiritual insights that enable peace and clarity of mind. Praying also brings the devotee closer to God and His blessings. This can be a source of strength and motivation in tough times, enabling the devotee to survive and become spiritually stronger in the process.
Significance of the Idol
Most Hindu devotees worship an idol of their chosen deity. The presence of an idol helps the devotee to focus their prayer, enabling them to form a connection with the divine. A devotee may also feel that their prayers are directed towards a tangible object or form, providing them with a physical representation of the deity they are worshipping. The presence of the idol helps the devotee to concentrate on the deity and maintain a proper frame of mind.
Symbolism in Hinduism
Hinduism is full of symbolism and allegorical references. Each element of Hindu worship, from the use of certain colors, flowers and incense sticks to the chanting of particular mantras, contain some form of symbolism. Devotees use this symbolism to connect with the divine and form a closer bond with the deity. This encourages a deeper understanding of the ritual, enabling a devotee to develop a more spiritual connection with the deity.
Benefits of Prayer
The act of prayer has numerous benefits for the devotee. Devotees can take solace from the fact that their prayers are heard, enabling them to gain comfort and reassurance. It can also help to bring about a feeling of peace and joy that can help to alleviate suffering or worries. Prayer can also bring a devotee closer to God, enabling them to gain spiritual insights and enable them to understand their deeper purpose in life.
Power of a Guru
Many Hindus seek the guidance of a Guru or teacher when learning to pray. A guru is an experienced teacher who can provide invaluable guidance on proper technique, mantras, puja and devotional practices. They are also experienced in understanding the emotions and feelings behind the act of prayer, and can provide emotional support to their students.
Spiritual Progression through Puja
The regular act of prayer through puja can help a devotee to make spiritual progression. This can include gaining true knowledge, spiritual liberation and ultimately, moksha- the sense of oneness with the divine. Over time, a devotee can gain insights which can be used to better understand the power of puja, enabling the devotee to experience the divine in a personal way.
