A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. M.Hin.

 www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com

or Bally 416-992-2487.

Question: What is the purpose of Puja and why do we make offerings?

Ans : Hindus are blessed with a unique way of life and religion in Sanatan Dharma, which literally means the Eternal Religion. We are different from all other religions in scope because of some of our fundamental beliefs, practices, philosophy and rituals, does not mean we are better, just different. No religion is better than another and never was, it is up to the practitioners of each religion to hold their own religion in high esteem, faith, discipline and respect. According to a fundamental belief of Hinduism, it is not left to us to decide the authenticity of the faith and the God to whom others worship. Sanatan Dharma; re Hinduism proclaims “Siya Raam maiSaba Jag Jaani” see God and accept God in all living things in this world. The basic ritual of a Hindu is the performance of Puja and subsequent offerings, which are made because of those rituals. So what is Puja? Why do Hindus do Puja? Why do Hindus make offerings to Murtis? Are there benefits from Puja?

Puja or Pooja is a Sanskrit word translated or paraphrased to mean “offering of thanks, submission of oneself at the feet of god, dedication of one’s gratitude, acceptance of appreciation, realization of God’s gratitude” among many other meanings or connotations. There is no right or wrong answer to how a person relate to their God in Hinduism, nor is it left to another, to conclude that his or her opinion, is the supreme method, path or way to worship or choose to conduct puja. Puja is a Hindu’s way of offering thanks, performing thanksgiving or reflecting on the boundless blessings God has bestowed on them. Puja can be conducted very elaborately over weeks, days, hours, or minutes. Depending on the level and intensity of devotion of a person, puja can be conducted in a stern discipline method such as sitting on a “bedi” (prepared area with dirt and dressed up to reflect the atmosphere), conducted in a temple with elaborate rituals, big murtis and lots of singing of bhajans etc, or simple by oneself in none of these situations but in any situation such as in normal daily life as while driving, walking etc. However, to be praying in a non-controlled environment, the devotee must have elevated his or herself to the level prescribed by God where they can command their own stability and seek the attention of God in any instance at any place under any conditions and this requires severe devotion, practice, commitment and discipline. Yes you guessed right, it is not easy to achieved, though many will argue otherwise! So it should NOT be interpreted that you can get away from puja simply by a throw here and a quick prayer there and you would be ok, true fact is you would not. This has been tried, tested and documented for centuries by Hindus and non Hindus alike, the world over.

So why then do we make offerings in Puja? Who benefits? Where does the offering go? Does God receive it? Does God hear our prayers in Puja? All questions asked by Hindus and Non Hindus alike, concerning Hindus and their method of prayer. When a person perform Puja, a normal full puja at a householder’s level that is, the performance of “ShodashUpacharas” or the “Sixteen steps of ritualistic worship” is executed. These steps are executed by a Pundit, Sadhu or Spiritualist who is neither (many people do their own puja as they have learnt the process and steps) and in a very structured manner, starting with Invocation, Meditation, Invitation, Welcome, Seating, Honoring, Bath, Clothes, Chandan, Sindhoor, Hardi, Flowers, Rice, Perfume, Prasad (any offerings made) and then final Havan.

This is general process is used to perform Puja , obviously varied in levels, intensity, scope and practice by each person, based on the training, exposure and geographic origin to which they have. This is one of the main reasons why you will see different Pundits conduct the same puja, using the same steps but executed differently and we all question why!

Now to the offerings…..do we offer food, prashad, parsad, prashadam etc, to the murtis? No we make all our offerings in submission to the almighty God, the supreme eternal Brahman. However since as Hindus, we perform Murti Puja, the making of offerings or “Char-haa-way-ing” of our offerings are physically made in the presence of our Murtis in the humble hope and request that the Invoked deity, present at that instant moment, in the form of that specific murti, will accept that offering as a thank you, as a humble gesture of appreciation or as a gratitude for our successes. It is our belief as Hindus, than we have recieved everything from God, so in Puja and Rituals, we bring ourselves to that level of dedication, devotion and submission to return some of what we have obtained through the blessings of God, back to that original source of energy and Supreme Being. So the next question is, if the Murti does not eat the offering, where does it go? How does it reach God? This is accomplished in the Final step of Puja Ritual called Havan or the Fire Ceremony, where the actual offerings are made in the fire, through sacred Vedic Mantras (Agni or Fire god is invoked). These are burnt and the fragrance and smoke is elevated into the heavenly regions to the satisfaction of God and man (does not pollute). You would notice this success through a devotee’s physical reaction where some even cry, some go in a unique state, some see miracles etc.

Hopefully through the above explanation and information, I have made another humble attempt through this initiative with Hotshots Newspaper to share with you and help you come closer to understanding a little more about Puja and Offerings made in Hinduism during Rituals. Remember every single thing that Hindus do in Puja or Ritualistic worship, is prescribed by the almighty God and is conducted in an ordained systematic manner, it is not made up as we go along. If you see variation in this execution by your Pundit or Spiritualist in Puja, ask them to explain it to you. It is not a secret nor is it magic. If they have studied it, then it should be a given where they can explain the why’s and why not’s to you easily. As a Hindu, it is your right to know what you do and why you do it. These steps are documented in many places and it is centuries old, so it cannot change now because one person feel like doing so. Most if not all of the puja practices in Hinduism have been revealed to the great sages’ centuries ago, who have mastered the art of devotion and prayer and who ultimately have passed down these practices through the Guru-Shisya (Teacher-Student) relationship. One quick example to help demonstrate the power of offering in devotion….if we walk by a beautiful flower tree, say a Hibiscus or Rose, the flowers are very pretty, colorful etc. Each of us would smell the sweet fragrance, become instantaneously happy and thrilled, and even touch the flower but then walk away satisfied, right? Then the next person comes and the exact same effect is seen or felt by that person and the next and the next etc. The point is the sweet Lord above takes from the our physical offerings what is required; as we get the smell of the flower, yet we are left with the physical fruits, which becomes “prasad” (sacred offerings) from God, which we subsequently consume and share with our guests, friends and family. Finally remember in Puja and Ritual worship, you only get out what you put in. If you do it with limited desire, fixed expectation etc. that will be your benefits. DO your puja or worship selflessly, with full devotion, open your hearts to God, in whatever way you know best and how. Serve your Lord to the fullest extent, irregardless of what religion you follow or to what belief you hold in your heart. There is no right or wrong way of praying! Not knowing Sanskrit Vedic mantras is not a loss or reason not to do puja. God knows your heart and will quicker answer the prayers of a sincere and pure devotee in the best way you know how, than that of en educated person who is not sincere, devoted, loyal to the cause or honest. This is a proven fact and we all have seen effects of this;however you be the Judge yourself!