Ceremony Identification

02-27-2005, 01:17 PM

I'm not Hindu but I find the religion interesting. I'm currently taking a course on the Hindu religion to learn more about it. I attended a service a couple of Saturday's ago and need help with identifying two aspects of it. There was an octagon type table with a number of different gods on it. Some people were walking around it while praying. Can someone give me the name for that table or any info? I also sat and watched a puja ceremony with the priest and a family. The husband of the family told me it was for Satyanarayana Vratham. Looking for any info on that as well. I appreciate any help that can be given. Thanks again.

maadhav · 02-27-2005, 10:48 PM

satyanarayan is vishnu. srimad bhagavata has a chapter describing how to do austerity (vrata) to please him, and get desired things for happiness from him.

the world always has more people with desires for happiness. so, satyanarayam pooja and vrata are popular. hare krishnas are niskaama bhaktas. so they do not do satyanarayan pooja/vrata.

the shape of table could be any shape. going around a deity is giving respect to the deity. when you love some person you go around him/her. children do it all the times, going around mother or father. so we do pradakshina around the deity, and chant prayers or mantra while doing it.

02-28-2005, 01:36 AM

from the description it is most likely navgraha the nine plantetary deities

Chelaaraam · 02-28-2005, 03:23 AM

Guest ji !

Respected Madhav ji has been explained nice about 'SatyaNarayan' Vrata and the table. I think that table was not the planetary system or 'grah-santi' worship, but it was a 'YANTRA' (multiple deity symbol). Some people worship sacred drawing symbol, number and other colored shaped illustrations. It may be star shape, pentagonal, hexagonal, Om, Swastic, snake etc Instead of the idols of the deities.
[img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Om Namah Shivay !

maadhav · 02-28-2005, 10:17 PM

thanks chelaaraam ji,
all glory to my guru and our vedic risis.