Puja (Sanskrit:पूजा,romanized: pūjā) is a worship ritual performed byHindus to offer devotional homage and prayer to one or more deities, to host and honour a guest, or to spiritually celebrate an event.[1][2] It may honour or celebrate the presence of special guests, or their memories after they die. The wordpuja is roughly translated into English as 'reverence, honour, homage, adoration, or worship'.[3]Puja (পুজো / পুজা inBangla), the loving offering of light, flowers, and water or food to the divine, is the essential ritual of Hinduism. For the worshipper, the divine is visible in the image, and the divinity sees the worshipper. The interaction between human and deity, between human andguru, is called aDarshanam.[4]
In Hindu practice,puja is done on a variety of occasions, frequencies, and settings. It may include a dailypuja done in the home, or occasional temple ceremonies and annual festivals. In other cases,puja is held to mark a few lifetime events such as the birth of a baby, house entering ceremony orgrihapravesh, first rice-eating ceremony orannaprasana,wedding, sacred thread ceremony or upanayana ceremony for the Brahmins or to begin a new venture.[5] The two main areas wherepuja is performed are in the home and at temples to mark certain stages of life, events or some festivals such asDurga Puja,Kali Puja,Janmashtami, andLakshmi Puja.[6]Puja is not mandatory in Hinduism. It may be a routine daily affair for some Hindus, a periodic ritual for some, and rare for other Hindus. In some temples, variouspujas may be performed daily at various times of the day; in other temples, they may be occasional.[7][8]
All significant Indian holidays, includingRakhi,Diwali,Holi,Karva Chauth,Ganesh Chaturthi,Janmashtami, andNavaratri, have rituals known aspuja.
For example, achirathu (also known as adiya),clarified butter wicks, bells, flowers, incense sticks, cones, roli orkumkum (a red powder with turmeric mixed in applied to the forehead), rice, tilakam, chandanam (sandalwood sticks), idols, and samagri havanam are some common items utilized in puja. In Hinduism,puja is asattvik work.
Puja varies according to the sect, region, occasion, deity honored, and steps followed.[6][7] In formalNigama ceremonies, a fire may be lit in honor of the godAgni, without an idol or image present. In contrast, inAgama ceremonies, an idol or icon or image of a deity is present. In both ceremonies, a lamp (diya) or incense stick may be lit while a prayer is chanted or a hymn is sung.Puja is typically performed by a Hindu worshiper alone, though sometimes in the presence of a priest who is well-versed in complex rituals and hymns. In temples and priest-assisted eventspuja, food, fruits, and sweets may be included as sacrificial offerings to the ceremony or deity, which, after the prayers, becomesprasadam – food shared by all gathered.[7][8]
Both Nigama and Agamapuja are practised in Hinduism in India. In the Hinduism ofBali, Indonesia, Agama puja is most prevalent inside homes and in temples.Puja is sometimes calledSembahyang in Indonesia.[9][10]
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Puja (पूजा) in Sanskrit means to "honour, respect; homage, worship, adoration; hospitable reception or showing honour or homage in a house of worship, the temple.[11][12]J. A. B. van Buitenen states that "puja" emerged fromyajna rituals, linking it to thePravargya Vedic rite. TheRigveda in hymn 8.17 uses the word "Sachipujanayam" (शाचिपूजनायं) in the twelfth verse, where it is an epithet for god Indra in a context of vocative singular "praise". The ancient scholar and Vedic text commentatorSāyana explains the term as a form of "praise, worship, invocation". TheGrhyasutras usepuj in the context of rites, as does Sanskrit scholar Pāṇini. However, none of these texts implypuja as a form of devotional prayer worship.[13]
According to Natalia Lidova,puja is unlikely to be of Indo-Aryan and Vedic origin because it lacks a Sanskrit root and it also lacks cognate parallels in other Indo-European languages. Its root are probably Dravidian in origin, but the evidence for this alternative hypothesis is also largely missing possibly because devotional worship is not as ancient as Hinduism.[13][14] Collins states that the roots may be "pu" (flower) and "ge" (make), or a form of "making flower sacrifice". However, this proposal is problematic because "pu" comes from an Indo-European root, while "ge" from Dravidian.[13] Charpentier suggests[15] the origin of the wordpuja may lie in theDravidian languages. Two possible Malayalam roots may bepūSa 'to smear with something' orpūcey "to do with flowers" (frompū 'flower' andcey 'to do'). Tamil roots have also been suggested:pūsai 'to smear with something' orpūcey "to do with flowers" (frompū 'flower' andcey 'to do')[16] or similar Telugu rootspūjēi (frompū 'flower' andcēyi 'to do').
According to theShiva Purana,puja is derived from cognate of two Sanskrit wordspuh andjayate,puh meaning 'achievement of fruits of enjoyment' whilejayate refers to 'something to be born'. Hencepuja refers to the rite by which one attains fruits of enjoyment of things like good ideas and knowledge.[17]
According to scholars,[18] one of the earliest mentions ofpūjā is in theGrihya Sutras, which provide rules for domestic rites. These sutras, dated to be about 500 BC, use the term puja to describe the hospitality to honour priests who were invited to one's home to lead rituals for departed ancestors. As with vedic times, the general concept of puja remained the same, but expanded to welcoming the deity along with the deity's spiritual essence as one's honored guest.[18] ThePuranic corpus of literature, dating from about 6th century CE, contain extensive outline on how to perform deity puja (deva pūjā). Deity puja thus melds Vedic rites with devotion to deity in its ritual form. As with many others aspects of Hinduism, both Vedic puja and devotional deity puja continued, the choice left to the Hindu.
As a historical practice,pūjā in Hinduism, has been modelled on the idea of hosting a deity, or important person, as an honoured and dearest guest in the best way one can, given one's resources, and receiving their happiness and blessing in return.Paul Thieme suggests from passages in theRāmāyaṇa that the wordpūjā referred to the hospitable reception of guests and that the things offered to guests could be offered to the gods and their dwellings.[19] The rituals in question were the "five great sacrifices" orpañcamahāyajña recorded in theGṛhyasūtra texts (for this literature, seeKalpa).[20] The development ofpūjā thus emerged fromVedic domestic traditions and was carried into the temple environment by analogy: just as important guests had long been welcomed in well-to-do homes and offered things that pleased them, so too were the gods welcomed in temple-homes and offered things that pleased them. Copper-plate charters recording grants of lands to temples show that this religious practice was actively encouraged from the mid-4th century.[21][22]
In the earliest texts describing Vedic puja, the significance of puja was to host the priest so that he could make direct requests to the gods. An example petition prayer made during a Vedic puja, according to Wade Wheelock,[23] is:
Indra-Agni, slayers of Vrtra with the beautiful thunderbolt, prosper us with new gifts;
O Indra, bring treasures with your right hand;
O Agni grant the enjoyments of a good household;
Give [us] vigour, wealth in cattle, and possession of good horses.
– ÄsvSü
The purpose of the requests are to burn the past karmas to be able to experience oneness with the Brahman through the help of the deity. It is a form ofbhakti Yoga whose final result aims to be the consciousness of god through homage to god. Nevertheless, even with this evolved theoretical spiritual significance, many people use puja as vehicle to petition desires and appeals, such as for good health of one's child, speedy recovery from illness, success in venture envisioned or such. In the structure and practice of puja, the mantras and rituals focus on spirituality, and any petitions and appeals are tacked only to the end of the puja.[23]
Zimmer[24] relates puja toyantras, with the rituals helping the devotee focus on the spiritual concepts. Puja in Hinduism, writes Zimmer, is a path and process of transformation of consciousness, where the devotee and the spiritual significance of the deity are brought together. This ritual puja process, in different parts of India, is considered to be liberating, releasing, purifying and a form of Yoga of spirit and emotions.[25][26]
Puja in Hinduism sometimes involves themes beyond idols or images. Even persons, places, rivers, concrete objects or anything is seen as manifestations of divine reality by some Hindus. The access to the divine is not limited to renunciatory meditation as in yoga school of Hinduism or idols in bhakti school. For some the divine is everywhere, without limit to its form, and a puja to these manifestations signifies the same spiritual meaning to those who choose to offer a prayer to persons, places, rivers, concrete objects or anything else.[27][28]
Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsav, is an annual festival celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Bengal, Assam, and other eastern Indian states as well as in Bangladesh. It honors the Hindu goddessDurga and celebrates her victory over the demonMahishasura. The festival spans ten days, with the last five being the most significant. During this time, elaborate rituals are performed both in homes and public spaces, including the construction of temporary structures called pandals. Durga Puja features scripture recitations, performances, feasting, gift-giving, and public processions known as melā. It holds great significance in the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism and coincides with Navaratri and Dussehra celebrations observed by other Hindu traditions. The festival celebrates not only the triumph of good over evil but also serves as a harvest festival, honoring Durga as the motherly power behind life and creation. Durga Puja involves the worship of various deities, including Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya, alongside Durga. It culminates with the immersion of clay sculptures of the goddess into rivers or water bodies, symbolizing her return to the divine cosmos.[29][30]
In the case of great spiritual masters, there is also a custom to perform puja for a living person especially atGuru Purnima.[31] Gurus are sometimes chosen as objects of puja and honoured as living gods or seen as the embodiment of specific deities. Gurus are sometimes adorned with symbolic clothes, garlands and other ornaments, and celebrated with incense, washing and anointing their feet, giving them fruits, food and drink and meditating at their feet, asking for their blessing.
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut or Annakoot, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the first lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika, typically falling on the fourth day of Diwali. During this festival, devotees honor Govardhan Hill and express gratitude to Lord Krishna by preparing and offering a diverse array of vegetarian foods.
For followers of Vaishnavism, Govardhan Puja commemorates the event described in the Bhagavata Purana where Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to shield the villagers of Vrindavan from heavy rainfall. This act symbolizes divine protection for devotees who wholly rely on God for refuge. To mark this occasion, devotees present a symbolic "mountain of food" representing Govardhan Hill as an offering to God, reaffirming their faith and devotion.
Govardhan Puja is widely observed by various Hindu denominations across India and beyond.[32]
Temple (Mandir) pūjā is more elaborate than the domestic versions and typically done several times a day. They are also performed by a temple priest, orpujari. In addition, the temple deity (patron god or goddess) is considered a resident rather than a guest, so thepuja is modified to reflect that; for example the deity is "awakened" rather than "invoked" in the morning. Templepujas vary widely from region to region and for different sects, with devotional hymns sung atVaishnava temples for example. At a templepuja, there is often less active participation, with the priest acting on behalf of others.[5]
A full home or templepuja can include several traditionalupacaras or "attendances". The following is an examplepuja; these steps may vary according to region, tradition, setting, or time particularly in ways the deity is hosted. In this example, the deity is invited as a guest, the devotee hosts and takes care of the deity as an honored guest, hymns and food are offered to the deity, after an expression of love and respect the host takes leave and with affection expresses good bye to the deity.[5]IndologistJan Gonda has identified 16 steps (shodasha upachara) that are common in all varieties of puja:[34]
Sometimes additional steps are included:
There are variations in this puja method such as:
The structure of elaborate puja also varies significantly between temples, regions, and occasions.[36]
Archana puja is a brief intercessionary puja on behalf of an individual that can be undertaken after the main puja.[37]
A quick puja has the same structure as acts people would ordinarily perform for a quick reception, hospitality and affectionate interaction with a beloved guest. First the deity is greeted, acknowledged by name and welcomed, sometimes with adiya or lighted incense stick. The devotee proceeds to connect with the spiritual manifestation by meditating (a form ofdarshan), or chanting hymns and mantras, then personal prayers follow. After the prayer is finished, the spiritual visitor as the guest is affectionately thanked and greeted goodbye.[27] A quick meditative puja is sometimes offered by some Hindus without an idol or image. According toChris Fuller, an anthropologist, Hindu texts allow flexibility and abbreviated puja according to the occasion, needs, and personal preferences.[38]
In Hinduism ofBali Indonesia, puja is sometimes calledSembahyang.[10][39] The word originates from two words in old Javanese: sembah and hyang. Sembah means to respect and bow down;Hyang means divine, God orSang Hyang Widhi Wasa, holy man, and ancestors. So to pray means to respect, bow down, surrender to the divine and ancestors.
Sembahyang (puja) is an obligation for Balinese Hindus, the prayers and hymns are derived from the Vedas. A family typically offers prayers every day, withKewangen and other offerings. Kewangen means aromatic, and it is made from leaves and flowers in form of auspicious Vedic symbols. Balinese use kewangen to worship the divine, both in form of Purusha (soul) and Pradana (body). As with India, Balinese make offerings, including symbolic inclusion of fire, incense andmantras.[39][40]
Pūjā in Hinduism has served as a means for Hindu communities outside India to gather, socialize, discover new friends and sometimes discuss ways to address social discrimination of Hindus.[41][42][43] For example,Marion O'Callaghan reports[44] that the Hindu diaspora brought as indentured laborers toTrinidad by the British colonial government, suffered discriminatory laws that did not recognize traditional Hindu marriages or inheritance rights of children from a traditional Hindu marriage, nor did the non-Hindu majority government allow pyre cremation or construction of crematorium. These Hindu rituals were considered pagan and uncivilized. Pujas offered a way for Hindus to meet, socially organize and petition their human rights. Over time, pujas became as much a social and community recreational event as a religious event.[44]
Althoughpujā is accepted as a valid religious activity by Hindus at large, it has long been criticised byMīmāṃsā thinkers. The foundational work of this school was theKarmamīmāṃsāsūtra or "Aphorisms for Enquiry into the Act," composed byJaimini. The earliest surviving commentary was by Śabara who lived around the end of the fourth century.[45] Śabara's commentary, known asŚabarabhāṣya held pride of place in Mīmāṃsā in that Sabara's understanding was taken as definitive by all later writers.
In his chapter entitledDevatādikaraṇa (9: 1: 5: 6–9), Śabara examined the popular understanding of the gods and attempted to refute the belief that they have material bodies, are able to eat the offerings made to them, and are capable of being pleased and so able to reward worshippers.[46] Basing himself on theVedas (he refused to accept theMahābhārata,Purāṇa texts or even theSmṛti literatures as valid sources of authority), Śabara concluded that the gods are neither corporeal nor sentient and thus unable to enjoy offerings or own property. For this he appealed to empirical observation, noting that offerings do not decrease in size when given to the gods; any decrease is simply due to exposure to the air. Likewise he argued that substances are offered to gods not according to the wishes of the gods, but that "what is vouched for by direct perception is that the things are used according to the wishes of the temple servants (pratyakṣāt pramāṇāt devatāparicārakāṇām abhiprāyaḥ).[47]
In the course of his discussion, Śabara's asserted that "there is no relation between the case of guests and the sacrificial act." This incidental remark provided sound historical proof thatpūjā was built on analogy withatithi, the ancient Vedic tradition of welcoming guests. What Śabara was maintaining was that this analogy was not valid.[48]
While the Mīmāṃsakas continued to maintain this interpretation for centuries, their defeat in debate at the hands ofŚaṅkarācārya led to theirs being a minority view. Mīmāṃsakas flourished even into the 17th century, as evidenced by the commentaries ofNīlakaṇṭha.
Puja is calledபூசைpūcai inTamil,bucha (บูชา) in Thai, and sometimes alsoপুজোpujō inBengali.
The word Pūjā is thus derived: Pūḥ means 'the achievement of the fruits of enjoyment.' By the rite one achieves the fruits. Jāyate means "is born." Good ideas, knowledge etc. also are included in this. The word Pūjā is used in this sense amongst the people as well as in the sacred texts.
Sixty four Upacharas
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