Vedas, Sastras, Poojas and Homams

1. What is the basic authority (pramana) for Hindu religion and philosophy the basic, ". meaning of the #ord Veda What is the fundamental authority. !he Vedas are

Veda, in Sans$rit means that #hich gi%es $no#ledge. &.'s other name for Veda Veda is also called Sruti. (. What is of the #ord Sruti means that #hich is heard (through you ears). !he Vedas orally. Vedas the teacher. ../re Vedas $no#n by any other names, apart from !hey are also called *igama and /mnaya. Sruti ,rom thereon the Vedas came do#n students orally only. !he -uru #ere +rahma the from from originally taught by )ord *arayana to -uru to the there any

the meaning Sruti

teaches the

to the students. !hus the student hears the Veda

0.What is the meaning of the #ords 1 *igama and /mnaya *igama means a settled te2t or #or$, #hich is handed do#n from the -uru to the student from time immemorial. /mnaya means #hat is learnt by the student, by fre3uent repetition of the te2t4 and also by fre3uently thin$ing o%er the same 5.Who composed the Vedas !he Vedas ha%e not been composed by anybody, not e%en by -od Himself. !he Vedas are eternally e2istent. 6%en -od did not create or ma$e the Vedas. *arayana has only taught the Vedas to +rahma and then do#n the line. Hence Vedas are called /paurusheya 1 not authored or made by anyone, including -od.

7. Ho# many Vedas are there !here are four Vedas. !hey are called8 9ig Veda, :ajur Veda, Sama Veda and /thar%a Veda ;. Ho# do you e2plain that the Vedas ha%e not been authored by anybody4 including -od !hey are actually the breath of -od. !hat is, after each deluge (pralaya), #hen the #orld is created, -od *arayana remembers the Vedas and teaches then to +rahma and then it comes do#n the line. !hat is #hy, #e say they are not made by anybody including -od, but are self1e2istent. 1<. Who di%ided the Vedas into four, as stated abo%e Vyasa edited the Vedas and divided them. 11. =n #hat basis did Vyasa di%ide the Vedas into four !he Vedas #ere di%ided into four, to suit the Vedic rituals or $armas. !here are four persons (9it%i$s) #ho are prominent in the performance of rituals. 1". What are the names of these four persons (9it%i$s) Ho# are they connected #ith the four Vedas
1.!he person, #hose function is to recite praises of -od and prayer to Him, sitting in one place, is called Hota. !he Hota>s function and ?antras are gi%en in 9ig Veda. ".!he person, #ho is engaged in the actual performance of the ritual, from the beginning to the end, is called /dh%aryu. !he necessary mantras and the functions of the /dh%aryu are gi%en in :ajur Veda. &.!he person #ho sings Samans (musical notes), sitting in another place, is called @dgata. !he @dgata>s functions and the Sama -anas are gi%en in Sama Veda. (.!he general super%isor of the rituals is called +rahman. !he +hrama>s functions and the ?antras are gi%en in /thar%a Veda. !he %edas are also broadly di%ided as ?antras and +rahmanas.

1&. What do the ?antras tal$ about !he ?antras are in praise of -od and prayers to -od. !he :ajur ?antras gi%e detailed formulas for the rituals. !he sama ?antras are only 9i$ ?antras, set to music. 1(. /re these mantras in prose form or poetry form !he 9i$ ?antras are in poetry form. :ajur ?antras are in prose form. Sama ?antras are 9i$s, set to musical tones. !he /thar%a Veda contains both %erses (poetry) and prose. !his much idea is enough for the present regarding ?antras. 1.. Please e2plain the other part, namely +rahmana. !he +rahmanas are in prose form. !heir main aim is to prescribe the rituals in details and also praise the glory of the Ae%as 10.Ho# are the +rahmanas di%ided +rahmanas are again di%ided into t#o parts8 Vidhi and /rtha%ada. 15.What do these tal$ about
Vidhi portions gi%e command to do a thing, to perform rituals. /rtha%ada generally praises the rituals, the glory of Ae%as and also points out their #ea$nesses. !hey also contain stories to illustrate the points.

17.What is the relati%e importance of these different portions Portions connected #ith rituals are called Barma$anda. -enerally, they teach ho# rituals li$e %arious yagas are to be done. !hey are also called Pur%a$anda. Portions dealing #ith philosophy and $no#ledge of +rahman are called Cnana$andra or +rahma $anda. So, ?antras and +rahmanas come under Barma$anda. @panishads are called Cnana$anda. +ut, $no#ledge of +rahman and Philosophy are also discussed in ?antras and +rahmanas. 1;.What is the meaning of the #ord Sastra Sastra in Sans$rit means that #hich gi%es teaching, instruction or command.

"<.What are the Sastras !he Vedas are the most important sastras. !here is no sastra higher than the Veda. !hen #e ha%e Smiriti, 'tihasa, Purana and /gama, about #hich #e #ill discuss later. "1.What are Samhita and /ranya$a ?odern thin$ers di%ide Vedas into four portions, as follo#s8 Samhita +rahmana /ranya$a, and @panishads. Samhita denotes collection of ?antras. +rahmanas ha%e already been described earllier. /ranya$as are te2ts, #hich #ere recited in hermitages in forests. @panishads contain philosophical thoughts, in the form of discussions and e2planations. "".Why are @panishads called Cnana Banda or +rahma Banda !hey tal$ about realisation of -od, ho# to attain sal%ation. Since they spea$ about realising +rahman or the ultimate reality the @panishads are called +rahma Banda. Since they gi%e us Bno#ledge about attaining sal%ation, they are also called Cnana Banda. !he @panishads are also called Veda Siras, i.e., the head of the Veda. When #e say the head, #e mean the most important part of the Veda. "&.What is the difference bet#een +rahma and +rahman /re both the same *o. +rahma is the four1faced one, #ho came from the lotus, out of the na%el of )ord *arayana. +rahman means one #ho is great and hence denotes the Supreme +eing or the @ltimate 9eality. "(.!al$ing about @panishads, ho# many @panishads are there People say that there are more than a hundred @panishads, but only some of the @panishads are accepted authoritati%ely by all sections of the Hindus. !he important ones are called Aasopanishad, i.e., the ten @panishads. !hese ten @panishads are accepted as authority and 3uoted by ancient philosophers li$e San$ara, 9amanuja, and ?adh%a.

"..What are the ten @panishads !he ten @panishads are8 'sa%aya @panishad, Bena @panishad, Bata @panishad, Prasna @panishad, ?unda$a @panishad, ?andu$ya @panishad, !aittiriya @panishad, /itareya @panishad, Dhandogya @panishad, +rihadaranya$a @panishad. "0./re there any other important and accepted @panishads We ha%e S%etas%atara @panishad, Baushita$i @panishad, Subala @panishad, and ?aha *arayana @panishad forms part of !aittiriya @panishad, /itareya @panishad, Dhandogya @panishad, +rihadaranya$a @panishad. "5.,rom #hich of the Vedas do these @panishads come /itareya @panishad is in 9ig Veda 'sa%asya @panishads, Bata @panishads, !aittiriya @panishad +ridhadaranya$a @panishad are in :ajur Veda. Bena @panishad and Dhandogya @panishad are from Sama Veda. Prasna @panishad, ?unda$a @panishad and ?andu$ya @panishad are all in /thar%a Veda. "7.What are the /ngas or subsidiaries of the Vedas !here are si2 such /ngas (part or limbs) of Vedas. !hese are 1)Si$sha ") Vya$arana &) Dhandas () Cyotisha .) *iru$ta and 0) Balpa. ";.Dan you tell me #hat the si2 Veda /ngas tal$ about 1)Si$sha e2plains the proper pronunciations of the Vedas. ")Vya$arana e2plains the grammar of the Vedic #ords. &)Dhandas e2plains the metres of the %arious 9i$s. ()Cyotisha helps in deciding the proper time for the performance of the %arious rituals. .)*iru$ta gi%es the meanings of difficult #ords in the Vedas. 0)Balpa describes the proper method of performing the %arious ritual mentioned in the Vedas. !hese si2 angas of the Vedas help in a proper understanding of the Vedas. !hey also help in the performance of the %arious rituals or the yagas (yagnas), prescribed by the Vedas.

&<.Ho# are these si2 Vedangas di%ided !hey can be di%ided into t#o groups8 1) !hose #hich are connected #ith the te2t of the Vedas Si$sha, Vya$arana, Dhandas. ")!hose #hich are connected #ith the meaning of Vedas Cyotisha, *iru$ta, Balpa. &1./fter the Vedas and Vedangas, #hat are the important te2ts or authorities for us *e2t comes Smriti. Smriti helps us in understanding the %arious injunctions and truths propounded in the Vedas. &".Ho# many Smritis are there !he Smritis are many in number and e%en an e2act definition of Smriti is perhaps not a%ailable. ?any of the Smritis are also not a%ailable no# and are lost to humanity. !he more important Smritis are 8 ?anu Smriti, Parasarra Smriti, :agna%al$ya Smriti, Harita Smriti ans Sandilya Smriti. Some say there are "< Smritis and some others say that there are .5 Smritis. &&.What do thse Smritis tal$ about !he Smritis describe the codes of conduct for man$ind in day1to1day life4 ho# they should conduct themsel%es4 and for any #rong doings, #hat are the punishments or atonements (prayaschitta) to be undergone. !he Smritis can be considered as elaborating or e2plaining the Barma Banda of the Vedas. &(.What are 'tihasas 9amayana and ?ahabharata are called 'tihasas. &../re they considered %ery sacred !hey are considered as sacred as the Vedas themsel%es. !he ?ahabharata is called the ,ifth Veda.

&0.Ho# many Puranas are there !here are 17 Puranas. !hese are sub1di%ided into three sets or groups. !he first set of si2 Puranas are authoritati%e, sacred. !hese are called Satt%i$a Puranas. !he second set of si2 Puranas are of medium 3uality, i.e. the #hole thing cannot be accepted as true. !hese are called 9ajasa Puranas. !he third set of si2 puranas cannot be ta$en as perfectly %alid. =nly some portions of them, #hich are not opposed to Vedas, can be ta$en as authoritati%e. !hese are called !amasa Puranas. &5.Please tell me the Puranas that fall in these three groups. 1. !he first set of si2 Puranas #hich are most sacred (Satt%i$a Puranas) are as follo#s8 Vishnu Purana +haga%atam *arada Purana Padma Purana Varaha Purana -aruda Purana ". !he second set of si2 Puranas, #hich are not #holly authoritati%e, (9ajasa Puranas) are8 Vamana Purana +rahma Purana ?ar$andeya Purana +haa%ishya Purana +rahmanda Purana +rahma Vai%arta Purana &. !he last set of si2 Puranas, #hich are not %ery authoritati%e (!amasa Puranas) are8 ?atsya Purana Burma Purana /gni Purana )inga Purana Si%a Purana S$anda Purana. &7.Ho# do you accept these as authorities or Pramana !he basic rule is that the Vedas are the @ltimate authority or Pramana. So, in the Puranas, #hiche%er does not conflict or contradict the Veda, can be ta$en as authority. &;.What are /gamas !he /gamas accept the authority of Vedas. !he /gamas prescribe idol #orship in the place of rituals li$e :agas, mentioned in the Vedas. !hey prescribed the methods of idol #orship. (<.Ho# are the /gamas di%ided !he /gamas are predominantly di%ided into Sai%a, Sa$ta and Vaishna%a /gamas. /gamas mainly tal$ about construction of temples4 the rules for installation and consecration of the deities in the temples4 and the

methods of performing pujas in the temples. !he Vaishna%a /gamas identify +rahman as Vasude%a. We #ill discuss this further later. (1.What are the Vaishna%a /gamas !he Vaishna%a /gamas are 8 Pancharatra /gama and Vai$hanasa /gama. (".Which /gamas do our Vaishna%ite temples follo# Some temples follo# Pancharatra /gama and some temples follo# Vai$hanasa /gama. !his is only by tradition and custom. (&.Why is Vai$hanasa /gama so called 't is so called, because it #as first taught by Vi$hanas rishi to a group of disciples. Sage Vi$hanas is stated to ha%e been created by )ord *arayana Himself. 't is also stated that he #as created by +rahma. ((.Why is Pancharatra /gama so called )ord *arayana taught this /gama for fi%e nights to fi%e rishis. Hence, it is called Pancharatra /gama (Pancharatra means fi%e nights) (..Ho# are these Pancharatra /gamas di%ided !hese are di%ided into Samhitas. (0.What are these Samhitas !here are more than 1<< Samhitas. Satt%ata Samhita, Paush$ara Samhita, Caya$hya Samhita. !hese three are considered more important and are called three gems (9atna traya). We ha%e also /hirbudhnya Samhita, Padma Samhita, Parames#ara Samhita and )a$shmitantra. (5.What is ?imamsa !he ?imamsa consists of t#o parts. !he first part is called Pur%a ?imamsa or Barma ?imamsa. !he second part is called @ttara ?imamsa or +rahma ?imamsa.

(7.What is Barma ?imamsa Barma ?imamsa is dealt #ith by Caimini in 10 chapters or /dhyayas. !hey contain short statements or aphorisms. !hey clarify doubts regarding rituals mentioned in the Vedas and also clarify doubts about the general conduct. !hey interpret the Vedic te2ts in Barma Banda. (;.What is +rahma ?imamsa +rahma ?imamsa is dealt #ith in +rahma Sutras. !his is propounded by Sage +adarayana or Vyasa. !his contains short statements or aphorisms, clarifying doubts in the Vedic te2t. +rahma ?imamsa interperts the Vedic te2t of Cnana Banda or +rahma Banda. .<.What is the importance of +rahma Sutra +rahma Sutra is considered %ery sacred and important. 't helps in clarifying and e2plaining difficult passages in the @panishads. .1.Who ha%e #ritten commentaries on +rahma Sutra !his being one of the most important te2ts, many philosophers ha%e #ritten detailed commentaries. We ha%e the commentaries by San$ara, 9amanuja, ?adh%a, besides many others li$e *imbar$a and Vallabha. .".Ho# many chapters are there in the +rahma Sutra We ha%e four chapters or /dhyayas in the +rahma Sutra. 6ach of the four chapters consists of four parts or padas. !here are .(. Sutras or aphorisms. .&.Please tell me, broadly, the contents of the four chapters of the +rahma Sutra.
!he first chapter sho#s that +rahman is the sole cause of 1) creation of this #orld. ") sustenance of this #orld and also &) destruction of this #orld. !he second chapter discusses some of the objections in this regard put forth by other schools and pro%es that +rahman is both the material cause and the instrumental cause of this #orld. (We #ill discuss this in

detail later) !he third chapter tal$s of sal%ation8 #hat is meant by sal%ation and the glory of sal%ation. .(.What are the most important te2ts or boo$s #hich e2plain the %edanta philosophy !here are three te2ts or boo$s #hich e2plain the Vedanta philosophy and so they are called Prasthana !raya. !hey are8 1.@panishads. ".+rahma Sutra &.+haga%ad -ita !hese are the most sacred te2ts. /ll philosophers ha%e #ritten commentaries on these, trying to pro%e that these three boo$s support their therory. ...Which is the most important potion in the Vedas !he Purusha Su$ta is the most important. .0.Which is the most important Smriti ?anu Smriti is considered the most important. .5.What about the Puranas Which is considered the most important !he Vishnu Purana is considered most sacred and important of the Puranas. 't is called Puranaratna. .7.Which is the most important portion in the ?ahabharata +haga%ad -ita is the most important. .;.What are the %arious systems of philosophy !he systems of philosophy in 'ndia can be broadly di%ided into *asti$a Schools and /sti$a Schools. 0<.What is the *asthi$a School !he *asti$a School does not accept the authority of Vedas. !hey only adopt logic and reasoning.

01.What is the /sti$a School !he /sti$a school accepts the authority of Vedas primarily and also uses reasoning and logic. 0".What are the %arious systems of philosophy coming under the *asti$a School !hese are Dhar%a$a system, +uddhism and Cainism. 0&.What are the systems coming under /sti$a School We ha%e San$hya, :oga, *yaya, Vaiseshi$a, ?imamsa, besides the Vedanta system. 0(.What is the Vedantic system of philosophy
!here is no specific single system of philosophy called the Vedantic system. A%aita are the most #ell1 $no#n of the Vedantic systems.

0..What are the other systems of philosophy

!hese are8 1. Dhar%a$a system ". Cainism &. +uddhism (. San$hya system .. :oga system 0. *yaya system 5. Vaiseshi$a system 7. ?imamsa system

00.Who propounded these systems of philosophy +uddhism #as propounded by -autama +uddha and Cainism by ?aha%ir Cain. !he Vaiseshi$a system #as propounded by Banada and the :oga system by +rahma. Ho#e%er, modern belief is that the yoga system #as founded by Patanjali. !he San$hya System #as propounded by Bapila8 the *yaya system by -autama or /$shapada. !he ?imamsa system #as ad%ocated by Caimini.

P==C/S
Puja is a #ord in Sans$rit language. 'n Sans$rit, #ords are formed #ith meaning in mind. ,or instance in the #ord puja,>p> stands for >paapa> meaning sins.>j> stands for >janma> means birth. With >p> it remo%es all accumulated sins, and #ith >j> it ma$es your life>s (birth) purpose fulfilled. !he )ord being not accessible to our eyes, ears, nose, touch and beyond the $en of ordinary (un1refined) intellect, the ancients de%ised a method of bringing )ord #ithin the realm of the senses. !his method is to #orship Him (Her or 't) in an object (photo, #ater, fire, precious je#el, idol etc) #hich you can touch, feel, smell, see, feel the taste of. !hus all #andering senses are brought to a focus, by belief (faith) and by daily practice. @nsha$able faith and long practice, e%o$es and unfolds hitherto un$no#n dimensions in a#areness, #hich are generally not communicable in the normal #ay. 9emember the +ritish $ing #ho sent his friend +ec$et to sabotage the Dhurch. =nce +ec$et started #or$ing for the church, he got con%inced and got con%erted to their line of thin$ing and found that the $ing>s %ie#s #ere neither noble nor fair.
+renen #riting in >Po#er Play> says that the easterners are centuries ahead in the control of mind and related topics. +y puja you #ill be in a position to inject the noblest thoughts in the subconscious. /bo%e all, one #ill succeed in sol%ing the mystery of >)ife>

. Pooja is a uni3ue #ay in #hich a Hindu communicates #ith his god. !his may in%ol%e a silent meditation or a loud chanting of mantras #ith or #ithout offerings to the god. Dommon offerings to the god during a pooja include flo#ers, incense, light (Aeepa), food items (*ai%edya), and sandal#ood paste. !hese offerings are said to represent the fi%e elements of space, air, fire, #ater, and earth. 'n a perfectly conducted pooja the body, mind and the soul of the de%otee are so completely integrated that he feels one #ith his god. Aoing poojas on a regular basis brings e3uanimity and peace to one>s mind. 9easons for doing pooja may range from see$ing a general or particular blessing from the god, or just as a mode of e2pression of one>s gratitude to the god. While most

poojas can be done on any day, some of the poojas are reser%ed for special occasions in one>s life Subha$ariam.com helps you to select a pooja for any particular occasion in your life, or for any special benefit you see$ or for any festi%al of your choice and also arranges to perform them on your behalf.
-anapathi P==C/ Aedicated to )ord -anesh, )ord -anesh is the son of Shi%a and Par%ati and is $no#n as

?aha -anapathy

the god of #isdom and the remo%er of all obstacles .Par%ati created -anesha from the scurf of her body so

that she could ha%e a son #ho #ould be loyal only to her. =ne day he #as acting as her guard #hile she #as bathing and he refused to let Shi%a enter. 'n anger Shi%a cut off his head. /s Par%ati #as distressed about this Shi%a offered to replace it #ith the head of the first li%ing being that came along, #hich happened to be an elephant #ith a bro$en tus$. Shi%a then #ent on and re#arded -anesha by proclaiming that before any pooja, -anesha #ould be #orshipped. Hence -anesha pooja is done before any pooja or ritual to impro%e family bondage, to #in o%er enemies, to o%ercome disease and to achie%e a planned objecti%e #ithout any hindrance. ,or success #ithout any problems for all #or$sEprojects, also for education, marriage, health and #ealth

/strology, for centuries regarded as identical #ith

*a%agraha Puja astronomy, has a legendary origin in 'ndia #here its

main purpose #as for ascertaining the correct dates times for performing poojas, sacrifices etc.+y the 0th century /strology #as regarded as a separate science. /t this time in addition to the " e2isting -rahas of Surya(Sun) and Dhandra(?oon also called Soma), 'ndian astrologers added 5 more. !hey #ere8 ?ercury (+uddha), Venus (Shu$ra), ?ars (?angal),Cupiter (+rihaspati) F Saturn (Shani), 9ahu (the ascending

mode), F Betu (the descending mode), #hich #ere regarded as planets bringing the total tonine.?any a times #e hear people say our time is running bad. !hese bad times are attributed to the different -rahas (Planets), and their position in the current time. !hese -rahas can be appeased by performing the -rah shanti pooja.!here are " #ays to perform this pooja. 'f you $no# #hich -raha is affecting you unfa%orably, then tell us the name and #e can perform the pooja for you. !he other #ay is for us to find out from your Canam Patri and then perform the Pooja for the particular -raha.-raha shanti pooja can also be performed for children born under inauspicious stars. 6%ery human being in this #orld desires for #ealth and prosperity. !he *arada purana states that #ealth can besto# longe%ity, resplendent body, good health and strength, fame, and the po#er to con3uer ones

?aha )a$shmy Puuja

enemies. !he /charya states that only by the blessings of -oddess )a$shmi one can attain eternal #ealth. !hose #ho #orship Her by performing the Sri ?ahala$shmy pooja shall be %ery prosperous. !he Su$ta has 1. hymns, #hich are said to besto# different benefits to the performer of this homa. 6%en the mere recitation of these,besto#s prosperity. !hey are8 Prosperity Aomestic animals ,,ood grains =#nership of )and -ood ser%ants ,ame 9oyal influence ,?ental strength ,/ttainment of horses ,/ttainment of elephants,Dlothes,Progeny,Vehicles ,?ystical po#ers ,/ny other #ish of the performer !his pooja is for %ishnu #ho is also called Satyanarayana. He is the preser%er of man$ind and holds a club, a conch shell, a discuss, and a lotus in

Sathya *arayana

his four hands. He co%ers the uni%erse in three strides4 the earth as fire, the atmosphere as lightning, and the s$y as he sun. He is e2tremely gentle of nature and

Puja

personality thus symboliGing tolerance and patience. His %ehicle is -aruda and his consort is )a$shmi, the goddess of #ealth and beauty. )a$shmi symboliGes good fortune and #ealth and is the fa%orite of merchants and traders. !ogether Vishnu and )a$shmi are a popular duo, #orshipped by families see$ing material #elfare Pooja can be performed on P==9*'?/

./ny other day for any occasion E reason Saras#ati is the goddess of $no#ledge and the mistress of the arts. Worldly possessions do not interest her. She rules the intellectual and creati%e realm. )ibraries and schools are her temples. She does not adorn herself #ith gems and je#els. Araped in a #hite sari, she rides a s#an holding a boo$ in one hand and a Veena in another /t the da#n of )ife, +rahma #as so struc$ by the beauty of his first creation Shatarupa, goddess of material e2istence that he sprouted fi%e heads to loo$ upon her at all times. He chased her #here%er she #ent, but no matter ho# hard he tried he could not possess her. !o restrain +rahmas lust Shi%a, the supreme ascetic, #renched off one of +rahmas heads. Sobered by the e2perience, +rahma turned to Saras#ati. Saras#atis children the Vedas, sho#ed +rahma the #ay out of the labyrinth of sensuality. ,rom that day, the four heads of +rahma began chanting the four Vedas. !his pooja is generally done #hen ones business or #or$ is not proceeding #ell. !he goddess associated #ith this pooja is )a$shmi ()alithade%i)!his pooja is

?aha Saras#athy

Puja

)alitha Ae%i Puja

performed ,or the upliftment of business ,or peace and prosperity !his Pooja for lalitha de%i.by lalitha saharranama maha mantram 't ta$es (. days and is performed by 1 +rahmin. !he :antra is generally made on a Sil%er or -old plate.lalitha pooja dedicated for )abor ?anagement, Do1operation, )ife partner co1

operation, Son1father understanding F sal%ation for all purpose. !raditional ritual consists of si2teen elements and is called Shodasha upachara pooja. !his type of #orship is also offered in +rahmin households and households

Shodashoopachaar #here +rahmin priests perform pooja. 6ach household a Puja #orships a deity termed Bula Aai%ata (,amily god). 'n
addition there 'shta Aai%ata (Personal god)Shodasha upachara Ahyana(prayer) /%ahana in%ocation /aasana (offering seating) Paadya (#ashing of feet) /rghya (#ashing of hands) /achamana (offering of drin$ing #ater) Snana (bathing ritual) Vastra (ne# dress) :ajnopa%ita (sacred thread)-andha (sandal paste) /bharana (je#elry) /$shata (colored rice, !urmeric po#der, Vermillion po#der) Pushpa (flo#ers) Ahoopa (incense) Aeepa (lighted, oil soa$ed cotton #ic$s). p) *ai%edya (offering of specially prepared food).Water in a pot, (Balasha) sanctified by in%o$ing the names of se%en sacred ri%ers of 'ndia namely -anga, :amuna, -oda%ari, Saras#athi, *armada,Sindhu, Ba%eri, is used for #orship./fter the abo%e offerings, /rathi (camphor light) and recitation of Vedic hymns called ?antra Pushpa concludes the Pooja (#orship) Hanuman is popularly $no#n as a +rahmachari and a faithful follo#er of 9ama. He has a body of steel and the mind of a yogi. His physical and mental abilities, discipline and spiritual purity are comparable to none/s a child, he mistoo$ the rising sun for a fruit and tried to eat it and in the process disrupted the mo%ements of the nine -rahas. )ord 'ndra, $ing of the Ae%tas and )ord of the s$ies hurled his thunderbolt to stop Hanuman. Vayu Hanumans father #as so angry that he suc$ed a#ay the air from the three #orlds causing all creatures to cho$e. Vayu #as only pacified #hen the gods granted Hanuman eternal life and absolute

Hanumath (/anjaneya) Puja

#isdom!his e%ent also ga%e Hanuman the po#er to o%ercome the influence of all celestial bodies. +ecause of this, humans #ho see$ to a%ert the male%olent influence of ?ars and Saturn #orship Hanuman.Hanuman pooja can be done on S/!69A/: and any other day !he lingum of Shi%a represents male energy #hich #hen combined #ith the female principle leads to the creation of man$ind Shi%a is the god of destruction. He represents the dar$er side of nature and therefore d#ells in the mountains and forests. He #ears s$ulls and sna$es around his nec$ and smears himself #ith ashes. He is the god of gods, po#erful, generous, and auspicious Shi%a is a yogi rapt in meditation, free from all desires, the emblem of purity and the con3ueror of lust, the selfless one #ho drin$s poison for the good of the #orld. He is easily appeased by prayers His consort is @ma, better $no#n as Par%ati, the daughter of the mountains also $no#n as Hema%ati. She is the creati%e po#er, the female principle, and the great mother. She is the goddess of Sha$ti or po#er. She is the po#er that ma$es us li%e or die, happy or miserable. She is e%ery#here and in e%erythng. !he mantra ya de%i sar% bhuteshu sha$ti rupen sansthita means she #ho e2ists as po#er in all beings

Sri 9udra ( Shi%a )

Puja

Homams are poojas performed for a particular deity by

in%o$ing /gni , the -od of fire

Homam (also called ha%an) is a religious ritual performed by Hindus to in%o$e the blessings of specific -ods and -odesses. 't begins #ith the Barta (de%otee) in%o$ing /gni (-od of fire) and in%iting him to carry the dra%ya (offerings into the fire) to the concerned deity. !he -ods, pleased #ith the offerings grant the #ishes of the de%otees in the form of benefits li$elonge%ity,success in business, good health, prosperity, progeny etc., Subha$ariam.com offers se%eral different homams appropriate to obtain the desired benefits. Select the homam you prefer, and suba$ariam.com #ill arrange for it to be conducted according to prescribed formats on the date you specify. Homam (also called ha%an) is a religious ritual performed by Hindus to in%o$e the blessings of specific -ods and -odesses. 't begins #ith the Barta (de%otee) in%o$ing /gni (-od of fire) and in%iting him to carry the dra%ya (offerings into the fire) to the concerned deity. !he -ods, pleased #ith the offerings grant the #ishes of the de%otees in the form of benefits li$elonge%ity, success in business, good health, prosperity, progeny etc.,Homams are poojas performed for a particular deity by in%o$ing /gni , the -od of fire, Please select any option from the list ,to see details of each Homam>
-anapathi Homam Aedicated to )ord -anesh, to impro%e family bondage, to #in o%er enemies, to o%ercome disease and to achie%e a planned objecti%e #ithout any hindrance. ,or success

Sri ?aha #ithout any problems for all #or$sEprojects, also for education, -anapathy marriage, health and #ealth.H =n all occasions H ,or prosperity Homam in all #al$s of life #ithout any hindrance.-anapathi Homa is
generally performed before commencing any important endea%or li$e Starting a ne# business to remo%e all obstacles. 't is also done at the beginning of other homas.

*a%agraha Homam ?any a times #e hear people say our time is running bad. !hese bad times are attributed to the different -rahas (Planets), and their position in the current time. !hese -rahas can be appeased by performing the -rah shanti pooja.!here are " #ays to perform this pooja. 'f you $no# #hich -raha is affecting you unfa%orably, then tell us the name and #e can perform the pooja for you. !he other #ay is for us to find out

*a%agraha Homam

from your Canma Patri and then perform the Pooja for the particular -raha. specifically 5 1E" years Saturn period. -enerally all purpose *a%agraha homam ,or all Aoshas from Horoscope,specifically 5 1E" years Saturn period. -enerally all purpose. (,or particular Cathaham, particular -nahas more japas) H 's done to obtain na%agrahas anugraha, e%en if they #ere placed in disad%antageous H +y doing this homa, na%agraha doshas are remo%ed and good results #ill accrue> >?aha sudarsana homam for 9emo%al of all enemies. a%oiding accidents, !he desires of human beings are innumerable and they %ary in nature. /s a result, the sufferings they might undergo also are many. Sometimes it may result in incurable diseases. 't cannot be said that all sufferings and ailments afflicting man$ind ha%e human solutions. !here are many things, #hich are beyond the #or$ of human domain. !hese #ere the areas #here di%ine inter%ention #as sought by the ancient seers. !his is #here the mantras play a %ital role. !he mantras #ere the tools, #hich #ere

?aha sudarsana homam

used by the sages to free the #orld from sufferings. Imantaram trayate iti mantraI mantras are mystic syllables that free the chanter from inflictions. 'n the Vaishna%a agamas the Sudharsana mantra is a %ery prominent one. !he Sudharsana Dha$ra or the di%ine disc of ?aha Vishnu is one of the )ords prominent #eapons in annihilating e%il forces. !he Sudharsana yantra is also as important as the Sudharsana mantra. @sually )ord Sudharsana is seen installed #ith eight or si2teen hands in Vishnu temples 't is stated in the /hirbhudniya Samhita that #hen the de%otees are suffering from the afflictions caused by incurable diseases,

sorcery, or enemies, )ord Sudharsana dispels his fierce form and comes to their protection. When the last rites of the dead are not performed properly it might sometimes result in the sufferings of the progeny belonging to later generations. Scriptures state that performing the Sudharsana homa could alle%iate the sufferings of this nature. Performance of this homa also stops the danger or perils #hich may possibly occur in futureF nbsp4

?/H/ )a$shmi is the consort of Vishnu.She has four arms #hen #orshipped on her o#n but is usually sho#n #ith t#o hands #hen #ith Vishnu.She is the goddess of #ealth and one of the most popular Hindu female deities ?ahala$shmi homam ,or impro%ement in ,inancials and also for reco%ery of

?aha )a$shmi Homam

dues,#hich are said to besto# different benefits to the performer of this homa. 6%en the mere recitation of these, besto#s prosperity. !hey are 8Prosperity,Aomestic animals, ,ood grains, =#nership of )and, -ood ser%ants, ,ame, 9oyal influence, ?ental strength, /ttainment of horses, /ttainment of elephants,Dlothes,Progeny,Vehicles.?ystical po#ers, /ny other #ish of the performer>

?aha ?ruthyunjaya Homam Aedicated to )ord Shi%a to a%oid untimely death !he ?rityunjaya Homa is performed to achie%e Caya or Victory o%er ?ritya or death. !he object of #orship of this homa is )ord Shi%a. =ne of the synonyms of )ord Shi%a is ?rityu ?rityu #hich means death of the death or the destroyer of death. Auring this homa one chants "1 mantras. !he prominent offerings in this homa are dur%a grass and an herb called amrita. !he former is famous for purifying blood and the ?aha ?ruthyunjaya latter is a medicine for incurable diseases li$e arbuda or cancer. Since these are used as offerings in this homa, there is Homam no doubt that it besto#s longe%ity on the performer .!he ?rityunyaja homa is said to remo%e the fear of death. !he hymns are de%oted to ?rityu, the -od of death, praying for long life. !hese hymns are used in the purnahuti or the final offering in the famous Soma sacrifice. !his homa also alle%iates ?rit yu dosha or untimely death.>
S/*!H/*/ -=P/)/ H=?/? or P@9@SH/ S@B!H/ H=?/? Aedicated to )ord ?aha %ishnu.*one other than )ord ?aha Vishnu himself besto#ed $no#ledge of this homa on Sanat$umara, #ho in turn instructed this to sage +odhayana. 't is stated in the Suta Samhita. Putrapradam /putraanaam Cayadam Caya$aaminaam +hu$tidam +hu$ti$aamaanaam ?o$shadam ?o$sha Baaminaam meaning those #ho #ish progeny, success in endea%ors, #orldly enjoyment and the final emancipation shall attain it by performing this.'t is said that one attains this human birth by performing meritorious deeds in the past li%es. 'n order to continue the lineage of ours it is necessary that #e be blessed #ith healthy progeny. !he Purusha su$ta homa is said to be e3ual to the Putra $ameshti yagna narrated in the 9amayana in pro%iding healthy progeny to the performer. !he hymn glorifies )ord Vishnu as the Purusha or the primordial being #ith innumerable heads, eyes and feet. !he lord is depicted as the cause of all li%ing beings. 't further describes the manner in #hich different species occur from his %arious limbs. !he hymns are si 2teen in number.

S/*!H/*/ -=P/)/ H=?/?

+H== V/9/H/ H=?/? Aedicated to )ord ?aha%ishnu .!his homa is done to remo%e ill effects of not constructing a house according to the tenets of the Vaastu Sastra, #hich prescribes %arious principles and techni3ues for constructing houses and temples. Houses, #hich are not built according to this science,

+H== V/9/H/
H=?/?

are said to in%ite %arious problems li$e diseases, marital disharmony, problems in the family, loss in business etc. !hese problems could be o%ercome by performing the +hoo %araha Homam, more simply called the +hoo %araha Homa. !his homa is performed as a part of -rihapra%esa (house #arming) ceremonies for the o%erall happiness for those #ho li%e in the house > /yushya Homam Aedicated to the )ife -od to enhance longe%ity /yushya homa is e2plained by the sage +odhayana in the +odhayana sutras. /ccording to him, if a child is constantly ill, this homa could be performed on a monthly basis till the child attains good health. +ut in general practice, this is performed once a year on the day of the star in #hich the child is born. !his homa is performed on the day the child completes one year

/ayushya Homam

of age. 'n case one is unable to perform it on this day, it should be done on the consecuti%e month. 't may be done e%en on a monthly basis.+y performing the /yusha homa the e%il effects caused by tithi Jday of the fortnightlyK, %ara Jday of the #ee$K, na$shatra JstarK are eradicated. 't besto#s longe%ity, and good health. 't is e2perienced that e%en ailments, #hich cannot be diagnosed through mainstream medicines, are cured by the performance of this homa>

>Dhandi or A@9-/ has been besto#ed #ith defferent sa$this po#er from all de%atas.thesefore is also $no#nas mahasa$thy.she#as born #ith the energy coming out of all the de%atas bodies and combining to become one.so shecould defeat the 9a$shasas.de%il.mahishasura.#ho had become a threat to the de%atas.durgade%i is #orshipped in monyforms #ith eachha%ing its o#nsignificance.thus there are differentpoojas associated #ith her.We offer *a%chandi is a Aurga pooja normally done to ma$e small #ishes cometrue and

Sri Dhandee can also be performed for any other reason E occasion on any Homam day according to the muhurtam.!he Dhandi homa is a %ery
uni3ue sacrificial rite in%ol%ing po#erful Saptasati mantras. !hese mantras are 5<< in number, spreading across 1& chapters of the ?ar$andeya Purana. !hese chapters are di%ided into three parts. !he 1st chapter is de%oted to -oddess Aurga, "nd, &rd and (th chapters e2tol the greatness of -oddess ?ahala$shmi. !he remaining chapters are de%oted to Saras#athi, the -oddess of )earning.+y performing the Dhandi homa, the sufferings that are caused by hostile elements, are eradicated. !he sufferings resulting from poison, sorc