puja
rituals that express bhakti
bhakti-yoga
worship in the home
purest place to have a shrine in the home?
kitchen
objects in a shrine found in the home:
an arti tray with bell, spoon, joss sticks, water, flowers, pastes, arti lamp, murtis of istadevas, picture of saints, gurus and ancestors
what do the holders mean on the arti lamp?
3 holders = 3 functions of God
5 holders = 5 senses relating to 5 elements in the universe
what does the frequency of puja depend on?
up to the householder
depends on family/caste custom
when are the most popular times to practice puja?
morning, midday and evening
who normally leads the worship?
the woman of the house
upper castes are usually more what in their worship?
observant and elaborate
what must the woman do before worship and why?
bathe, put on new clothes, removes shoes to be pure before God
God = ?
an honored guest
what kinds of body postures can be used to indicate devotion?
kneeling, bowing, covering head, hands in Namaste position
how many places is the body touched in to indicate worship?
6 - usually points along the spine
what does the ghi lamp symbolise?
the oneness of God and the enlightenment he/she gives
what is the symbolism of waving a joss stick?
prayers are wafted upwards, also symbolises God’s presence pervading all
what is offered?
powders, garlands, water and food
what is the relationship between devotee and God?
worshipper is the servant to God
what is the main motive behind puja?
bhakti
what does God do in return?
loves the devotee, brings material help and also liberation from samsara
what else does the devotee do in worship?
sing hymns, chant mantras or do some silent meditation
prasad
blessed food
why must prasad not be left in a polluting place?
God’s left-overs are pure
what else happens in the home and who are they led by?
samskaras, led by the priest and hosted by the head of the house
what is important about priest-led rituals?
more formal, include Vedic mantras, more elaborate, highly effective and auspicious
