What is a Puja?
Puja performed to keep us in harmony with cosmic forces, thereby removing and overcoming the sorrows of life and bringing spiritual upliftment. By doing puja, thoughts and vibrations of spiritual forces are created around us. These spiritual forces work to eliminate the negative influences in our life and help surround us with positive energy which can bring us peace of mind, material prosperity and enable us to more clearly touch the Divine, our true nature.
The periods when the results of our past actions, favorable or unfavorable, come to fruition are indicated by planetary positions at the time of our birth. A great deal about the events and influences of life can be predicted through the science of Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). The malefic effects which are destined to befall us can be averted or their effects reduced by the grace of God, sincere prayer, selfless service and performance of specific pujas. The happiness we create in the lives of other people, and nature as a whole, will give us benefits as well. The body, mind and spirit are purified and harmonized by meditation, acts of devotion, prayers, mantra japa and the pujas we perform.
AmmaChi: “The malefic planetary conjunctions are the phases in one’s life when one’s aura gets darkened. Such a person is like one groping in the darkness. His thoughts and activities are misguided. The vibrations radiating from him displease others. It is possible to reduce the suffering due to the unfavorable position of planets through sincere reliance on God, the One who controls the planets. The Indwelling Lord cannot turn a deaf ear to a soulful prayer said with an open heart.”
Pujas and Homas are recommended whenever starting a new venture. They can be done to smooth one’s path, remove obstacles and invoke supportive energies for a positive outcome for any project, enterprise, travel and transitions (such as birthdays, marriage, but also sickness and death). They are beneficial in harmonizing relationships to one’s partner, family and to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings. They are done to manifest prosperity and luck. Pujas and Homas can be done for almost anything on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level and the traditional list below is meant as an inspiration to the imagination of what is possible.
Ideas for available Pujas & Homas
HOMAS
Ayush Homa
For positive influences in the coming year.
Karuka Homa
For the health and welfare of children and to develop academic ability. Also relieves stomach problems for elders.
Tila Homa
For departed souls, to be performed 45 days after death or later; for peace of one’s ancestors and to receive the blessings of ancestors.
Ganapathy Homa
For positive vibrations in the house, when starting new ventures such as a new job, or generally to remove obstacles.
Maha Ganapathy Homa
If suffering from losses, when starting a new business or investments, when getting married, or to remove obstacles. Also for birthdays.
Maha Sudharshan Homa
For peace and happiness and to get rid of evil forces.
Maha Mrityunjaya Homa
For a long and healthy life and to get rid of prolonged sickness. Especially for those on their death bed.
Navagraha Homa
Puja for all individual planets.
Swayamvara Homa
For getting married. This is commonly selected along with Ganapathy or Mahaganapathy.
PUJAS
Puja for individual planets
Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu
Bhagavati Seva
For protection from miseries, fulfillment of wishes and for spiritual benefits. Performed per Kerala tradition, just after sunset to receive the blessings of the Divine Mother.
Durga
For the elimination of all suffering through the grace of the Divine Mother and to get rid of evil tendencies in us.
Santoshi
For general peace and well being and happiness. For unity and harmony among family members.
Vishnu
For a smooth life, peace and harmony in the family, to improve family relations, for sustaining the family, for departed souls.
Lakshmi
For prosperity, material abundance, and spiritual prosperity. To remove troubles that prevent us from starting a spiritual path or business.
Saraswati
For gaining knowledge and mastery in studies, to sharpen the intellect and improve memory.
Shiva
For improving the general health of body and mind, to remove bad vibrations around a person, for a speedy recovery from illness, or before and after an operation.
Shiva-Shakti
To improve harmony in the marriage and to help integrate material and spiritual progress.
Subramanya
To increase leadership skills, for increased courage and vital energy or to excel in martial arts.
Kali Puja
To diminish our ego and all negative tendencies that hinder spiritual progress and material prosperity.
