8. Initial ceremonial steps for Shiva Puja (worship)

Procedure of worship of Shiva—There are several initial ceremonial steps to be pursued for Shivapuja, the first of which is Navagrahapuja, with special importance to Suryapuja followed by Vighnesapuja, Gurupuja, Sivapuja and Agnikaryavidhis. The whole Patala is devoted to the Varnanas of Surya and other Grahas mainly pertaining to their colours, Ayudhabhusana, attendant deities and other related concepts. In addition to Vastvisa, Pithadevatas of Shiva and his Avaranamurtis (Pancatattvas, Sarasvati, Ganga, Kalindi, Astamurti, Nandi, Mahakala, Bhrigisa, Gajavaktra, Srrigi, Heti, Candesvara, Devi, Lokapalas, Sa□ classes of Bhutaganas) are described.72 al Suryapuja proper begins with Pithapuja in Suryapadmal (Astadalapadma). Suryasana is called Hiranmayasana. The diagrammatic design of Suryapadmasana is made beginning with the central part in square shape, around which is drawn Vartulakrti, and the outermost part is Astadala. In different parts of the diagram ever so many Nyasadevatas are deemed to preside. 297

Suryarcanavidhi The author explains the Suryarcanavidhis in Patala 13 of Kriyapada The procedure runs thus; After the morning ablutions, like the morning bath, Prabhatasandhyavandana, Padya and Acamana, for physical and mental purity, the Sadhaka enters the Arcanagrha and performs Arcana for Dvastas and Pingala on either side of the Pujavedi. Having entered the Pujagrha, he performs Pranayama, Karasodhana (with Astramantras), Sadanganyasas, Atmaradhana and other Nyasas. And then he conceives Surya in mind, prepares the Arghya as per Vidhi, performs Arcana with Mulargas on the Deva, Proksana with Arghyajala using Darbha to himself, to Dravya, and then to Cakra (Padma). Afterwards, Guruganapatipuja is performed on either side-Daksina and Uttara, and then Pithapuja in the respective order (Adharasakti to Kamalasana). Murtikalpana is done at the centre of the Karnika and then with palms full of flowers in Anjalimudra, the Lord is invoked with Mulamantra (Om Ghasotkaya namah) to the accompaniment of Avahanamudras, Surabhimudras and offerings, Vyapakasadanganyasas, Ayudhabhusanas, Arghyadis and then with a long attentive look at the Murti, he has to be propitiated with Snanavastropavita and Murtipuja. Along with Murtipuja, the rest of the Navagrahas are also offered Arcana in the designated seats in the Padma and again Surya, the chief deity, has to be paid obeisance and Mukhapuja (Nivedya) with Pancopacaradi to Surya and other Grahas followed by Puspanjali with Mulamantradi and Stutis. Arghyadi are given to the Lord to conclude the propitiatory rites. 298

The next part of Suryarcanavidhi is Samhrtyamudra (Udvasana) on Suryabimba and other Grahas. The very last rite of Suryarcanavidhi is the offering of all the Nirmalyas to Tejascanda (the Nirmalyadhari of Surya). The author specifies at the end that all Devamantras must begin with the Pranavamantra (Om) and end with 'Namah'.73 Suryadhyana bandhukabham sukumaram suvesam divyakaram dvibhujam padmahastam | raktakalpam kamalatamranetram vedatmanam vilasadrukmadeham | 'divyairmanikundalangadakatakaharadibhirabharanairvibhusitam prasannavadanam bhanumalinam devam dhyayet | 74 The Dhyanas pertaining to the other Grahas of the Navagraha group are given in Slokas 7-15 of this Patala (Kriyapada, Vol.III). Subsequent to Navagrahapuja, the Avaranapuja of Shiva that forms the second stage of Sivapuja is explained. After removing Pavitra (ring made of Darbha), the Sadhaka must perform Puja before the Dvastas, and offer Pujas to the various deities deemed to be residing in different corners and angles of the door frame of Pujagrha. This has to be done with the appropriate Mulamantras and Astramantras for each of these Devatas- Ganapati, Sarasvati, Ganga, Yamuna, Nandisa and Mahakala. Along with the chanting of Sivastramantras, flowers should be cast into the Pujagrha 299

from outside the door and Dikbandhana has to be performed to prevent possible obstacles to the Puja by making different sounds by stamping, clapping etc (Talatrayadidikbandhana) to frighten away evil spirits and also call to mind Indradilokapalas for the successful completion of the Pujas. (The author states that the same procedure is stipulated in 'Prayogamanjari')75 The next step is the entry into the Pujagrha. It has to be effected with the greatest care and caution to avoid contact of the body on either side of the entrance door. Once inside, Nirvighnata has once again to be sought through Astramantra, followed by chanting of appropriate Mantras for Vastupurusa and Brahma, walking around the Yagagrha and looking at the vessels and other materials with a view to purifying them (with the potency of Astramantra)76 The subsequent rites are self - purifying in nature, i.e., those that are intended for attainment of divinity and oneness with the Supreme Being. A series of rites are specified for this:- Pithapuja, Svasanavidhana, Bhutasuddhi, Astatrimsatkalanyasa (These Kriyas are physical purification processes for keeping the body in readiness for the Lord to reside albeit temporarily.). The Lord is then invoked into the Hrdaya followed by six Avahanamudras, and Angayudhabhusananyasas, thereby assuming 300

oneself to be Paramesvara Himself and then by displaying the Mahamudras and Talatrayadidikbandhanas, and again carrying out Pujas by paying obeisance to the Lord in a manner appropriate to an emperor (Cakravartyupacaras) and conduct Visesarghyakriya and Dravyasuddhi (a mere visual survey will do for the purpose). To the accompaniment of Mulamantra, flowers may be worn on the head, and Dravyasuddhi and Mantrasuddhi may be done to attain total and absolute identification with the Lord.77 The next step in the Shivapuja procedure is Bimbabhisekakriyas in exactly the same mode in which it is described in Patala 4 of SP. After this, the Samanyarghya may be offered along with Gandhapuspadhupadis. The Abhisekavidhis may be repeated all over again. To keep the Lord appeased and propitiated, Pusparcana and Pancasaivarcana may be given in offering. (The author quotes Brahmasambhu to show a different mode of procedure to perform Bimbabhisekakriyas by which water is taken in the right hand and sprinkled on the Bimba along with Astramantra, and afterwards the Abhisekakriya is concluded with Samanyarghyajala)78 In the appropriate positions, the Guru, Ganapati and Pancagurus may be paid proper obeisance with Mulamantras. 79 Pithapuja is then explained:-If Puja is being performed in Padma, 301

Pithapuja should be done in Padmadalas, angles of the Dalas, the centre of the Karnika and Kesaragras by conceiving the Devatas in their appropriate seats. If Pithapuja is done on Bimba, it needs to be performed from the base, moving upwards in the appropriate places in the Pitha. The order is as follows: Adharasakti, Kurma, Ananta, Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya, Aisvarya, Adharma, Ajnana, Avairagya and Anaisvarya, Vamadisaktis, Suryasomavahnimandalas and Vyomamandalas. Each one of these various levels of the Pitha should be worshipped with Mulamantras specified for each.80 As part of the Murtikalpana that follows, Astatrimsatkalanyasa should be done along with other Nyasakriyas, and Devacaitanya that resides in oneself may be invoked and merged with the Bimba or Padma. Subsequently, by displaying the six Avahanamudras, Sadariganyasas, Amrtikarana, Dhyana, Visesarghyas, and with Pujas to the accompaniment of Gandha-Puspa-Dhupas, Snanakriya should be done according to Vidhis. The Deva, then, has to be covered and embellished with specified robes, garlands and ornaments, and smeared with Gandhacurnadis (The attires, embellishments and incenses specified are different for each Devata). The concluding set of procedures of Shivapuja begins with Angavaranapuja (beginning with Hrdaya and ending with Netra) in each 302

of the Dalas deemed as Argas, followed by the Kriya along with Dhyana for enhancing the power of the Lord who remains seated at the centre of the Karnika. (The author specifies the Dhupadeepanirajanavidhis, Naivedyavidhis, delineation of the Mantras with varying endings, [Svaha, Namah, Vasat] and underlines their importance)81 Next to Avaranapuja are Mukhapuja, Praksalanakriya and Prasannapuja to keep the Lord propitiated. The image to be kept in mind is that of the Lord in total union with primordial nature (Mulaprakrti). The Pavitra is then placed on the head of the Lord and assuring oneself that all the ills, adversities and impediments have been overcome and sins purged, the Japa on the Aksasutra (Rudraksa handed down by the Guru at the time of diksa) may be chanted with Mantras. The author in this context quotes from Sivadharma to emphasize the importance and efficacy of chanting with Rudraksa and provides details of its their different categories and the varying degrees of power and potency of each.82 Arghyadis have again to be done with water filled conch and with Udvasana, the Ekavaranapuja of Shiva is brought to a conclusion with Japa. Anyone performing the aforesaid Puja procedures in strict adherence to the rules, regulations and stipulations, conceiving the Lord on Sthiralinga, Caralinga, Padma, Kumbha, Agni, Vastra, Citra, or in the mind, will become Shiva Himself through constant meditation of 303

Siva, says the author. sivo data sivo bhokta sivah sarvamidam jagat | sivo yajati sarvatra yah sivah sohimeva tu | |