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In Hinduism, puja (or pooja) is the traditional rite of passage, in which sacrifices are offered to God in order to receive his love and blessing. While on the outside it may seem like a machine habit, there is a hidden value. The act of puja is a symbolic offering of the whole human mind and body, thoughts, desires, actions and possessions (in short what a person has and is) to God as a symbol of devotion and devotion, enjoying anything in return as a gift. from him. Probably, it came from Tantric ways of worship. However, it has elements of Vedic sacrifices and Tantric practices, responsible for its simplicity and universal appeal.
Currently, puja is a popular form of Hindu worship. They are performed individually or in groups and are performed directly or indirectly by a worshiper in the name of a priest. It is also practiced all over the world in all Hindu temples. In the modern world, the Puja has replaced the Vedic rites as an integral part of Hindu worship, even for the common people, and priestly services are not obligatory. It is, in fact, a self-sacrificing home, made by sincere and devoted householders as part of their daily devoted service.
Although Hindu clerics adhere to their rituals in order to express their love and devotion to God in their individual ways, the traditional form of puja has a definite shape and form, often followed in many traditional families. Its elaborate translations are used by priests in temples and places of worship to worship and offer sacrifices to the gods of the temple.
Some pujas run for a few minutes while others can last a few hours. The way puja is practiced in Hindu families is similar to the way a visitor is introduced to the householder and treated with great respect. Hindu tradition likens the visitor to the god with the simple expression, “Athidi devobhava,” meaning that the visitor is actually God Himself.
Elsewhere we have discussed both the external aspects of puja and its historical development. Here we will discuss the symbolic significance of the puja and the symbolic meaning of the various objects used during the festival.
Meaning of Puja
The puja, also spelled pooja or poojah, is a Hindu ritual, from short daily rituals at home to many temple rites. The word puja is derived from Dravidian pu (“history”). In its simplest form, the puja often involves making an offering of flowers or fruit to the image of the god. The parts of the puja vary according to the denomination, the community, the part of the country, the time of day, the needs of the worshiper, and the religious text to follow. Usually, in puja, the god, reflected in his image, is given the honor bestowed on a royal guest. The attention (upacharas) is given to him first in the morning, when he wakes up briefly, and continues throughout the day, which includes bathing and dressing traditionally, a three-course meal, and a final bedtime ritual. for the night.
The puja may also include the circulation (pradakshina) of a statue or sanctuary and, in a complex ritual, a sacrifice (bali) and a sacred fire offering (homa). Special festivals according to the festival calendar may be celebrated, such as swinging a god or playing games according to the season.
Another important type of puja in the Indian temple and in private worship arati, the flickering of lanterns lit in front of an image of a god or a person to be venerated. During the ceremony, the worshiper rotates the lamp three times or more in a clockwise direction while singing a prayer or hymn. In the Indian subcontinent, the arate is a common sight given to highly esteemed guests. It is also a part of many home festivals.
Some pujas may be performed alone, while others may require the services of a qualified person as a priest. The puja may be used for a specific purpose or just as a voluntary act.
Significance of Puja
In the original texts describing the Vedic puja, the importance of the puja was to direct the priest to make direct requests to the gods. An example of a supplication prayer offered during the Vedic puja, according to Wade Wheelock, 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) vigor, wealth in cattle, and possession of good horses.
In contrast to the Vedic pujas, the significance of the deity pujas has shifted from request to external causes to divine experiences and their spiritual essence. It became a form of Yoga whose final result was to get to know the god by worshiping a god. However, despite this improved spiritual value, for many people, the puja continued to be a vehicle for asking for wishes and complaints, such as the good health of a human child, a speedy recovery from illness, success in a thoughtful business or the like. In the construction and operation of the puja, mantras and rituals focus on spiritual matters, and any requests and complaints are considered only at the end of the puja.
Zimmer associates puja with yantras, with practices that help the devotee to focus on spiritual thoughts. Puja in Hinduism, says Zimmer, is a process and process of transformation of consciousness, in which devotion and the spiritual significance of divinity are grouped together. This traditional puja process, in different parts of India, is considered as liberation, liberation, cleansing and the form of Yoga spirit and emotion.
Puja in Hinduism sometimes involves more than one theme or image. Even people, places, rivers, material objects and anything else seem to be a manifestation of divine truth by some Hindus. The attainment of the Godhead is not limited to meditation contemplation as in the Hindu yoga school or the idols in the bhakti school. To some the divinity is omnipresent, without limit to its nature, and the puja in this manifestation means the same spiritual meaning to those who choose to pray to people, places, rivers, material objects or anything else.
Main Puja Objects and Their Symbolic Meanings
Vigraha (Idol)
Vigraha is an image or image of a chosen god. The word “Vigraha” comes from the Sanskrit root, “Vi + Graha”, meaning, something cut from the negative effects of planets or “grahas”, as it is called. Hinduism strongly believes in planets and the effects they inflict on man. The supernatural is considered to be in control of these planets and therefore, is said to be beyond these effects. Submission to such divine powers, Hindus believe, will also liberate them from grahadosha (the harmful effects of planets). Giving various objects to the Vigraha during the Puja period symbolizes devotional devotion to the god.
Deepam (Open light)
Giving deepam (or light) is an important part of all pujas. This symbolizes the light that dwells within us, the true Self that we give to God in the spirit of pure devotion and devotion. Figuratively speaking, the oil used represents the vasanas (desires), the wick represents the ego and the fire, the flame of knowledge that burns the ego.
Dhoopam (Incense)
Dhoopam or the smoke from the incense sticks symbolizes our dim consciousness (mind and all thoughts and ignorance) which creates a great obstacle to the process of self-knowledge. To give dhupam means to give up our flexible, deceptive minds to God. At its base, dhupam represents the spirit, which is also a symbol of the spirit of life or prana within us, which we present to the god in the sense of self-sacrifice.
Pushpam (Flowers)
The flowers we give to the god during Puja represent good things for us. It is a way of giving ‘something’ (good) that flourishes within us as a result of doing these things. Flowers are also a symbol of water, especially the lotus, which comes out of the water.
Phalam (Fruits)
Giving a palm or fruit symbolizes giving the fruit of our action at the feet of the Lord. This means separation, dedication and self-sacrifice.
Kalasha or the Purnakumbha (the sacred vessel)
Kalasha or Purnakumbha is a clay or metal pot (usually copper or silver) or pot, filled with water. Mango leaves are then placed in this pot, with coconut on top. This purnakumbha is placed before the deity before starting the puja. The pot here means Mother Earth; water is regarded as life-giving; the leaves signify the spirit of life and the coconut, divine consciousness. Coconut is referred to in Sanskrit as “Sriphala” (the fruit of God).
Kumkum (Vermilian) and Haldi (Turmeric) Powders
The red powder (Kumkum) represents both our emotions and our inner intelligence. Turmeric powder symbolizes our inner purity and negative side, due to our false ego and inner pride.
Chandanam (Sandalwood paste)
Sandalwood also gives the seeker peace of mind, cooling down his system and helping him to concentrate during Puja.
Prasadam or Naivedyam
Prasad or Naivedya eat food that Hindus give to God during Puja. This means “avidya” or ignorance of the devotion you give to the main god of Puja.
Food includes the knowledge of ignorance, which is placed before God, in order to turn It into spiritual enlightenment. Applying this Prasad removes the avidya to the follower and fills him with the light of true knowledge, which purifies and creates a new person, better than the devoted one. Many great Pujasas involved the sharing of Prasad with other devotees who came together to witness the Puja. The act of sharing Prasad means sharing the knowledge that the devotee has gained, among his fellow creatures, thus purifying him even more.
Aarti (Waving of light)
The word, “Aarti”, is said to have come from Rigveda, 
the first Hindu text. The Sanskrit word “Aarti” comes from the root, “aa”, meaning, ‘to’ and “rati”, meaning, ‘the supreme love of God’. This name has many meanings given to it. Some believe that the word “Aradhana”, similar to Aarti, means “great love for God”, which provides true and lasting happiness and happiness. When Aarti is made, it is believed that even the plate and the light are blessed by God. That is why the plate is shown around to everyone, so that all present may place their hands on the fire and touch it with their eyes.
Conclusion
The Hindu puja festival is a declaration of a festival of love, devotion and loyalty to God. It is an opportunity to establish a direct connection with God in which the mind and body are fully involved. It is also an act of sacrifice, sacrifice and charity, which perfectly combines the elements of karma yoga, jnana yoga, buddhi yoga, sanyasa yoga and atma samyama yoga. By doing so, one cultivates discipline, concentration, dedication, purity, and balance. It is a simple and direct way to gain God’s favor and gain your freedom.
