How to do Saraswati Puja- the ritual

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Praarthane (Invocation)

 

 

 

Shuklaambhara-dharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam

Chartur-bhujam

 

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayeth Sarva Vighna-upa Shaantaye

 

Abheepsi-taa-rtha Siddyartham Pujito-yaha Suraihi-api

 

Sarva Vighna- cchide Tasmai Sri Ganaadi Pataye Namaha

 

 

 

I meditate upon Vishnu having a pleasant face, with

four arms and clad In bright clothes and a pacifier

all obstacles. I Prostrate to the king of Ganas,

worshopped by Devas, bestower of wealth and who cuts

asunder all obstacles

 

(Fold your hands in a Namaskara-with palms together reverentially. )

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Sankalpa (Taking the Oath)

 

 

Evam guna visheshana vishishtayaam, shubha- tithau,

mama upaattha samastha duritha-kshaya-dvaara Sri

Parameshvara preetyartam mama dharma, artha, kaama,

moksha chaturvidha phala-purushaartha siddyartham

sakala vidyaa paarangatva siddyartham Sri Mahaa

Saraswati Puja-n-cha karishye

 

 

 

On this auspicous day, I vow to perform the Mahaa

Saraswathi puja to please the Divine Almighty,to

remove all afflictions, to acquire the four fruits -

code of duty, wealth, desires and liberation, and to

acquire knowledge and wisdom.

 

( Place a flower at the feet of the goddess )

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Dhyaanam (Meditation on the form of Goddess

Saraswathi)

 

 

 

Neehara-haara Ghana-saara Sudhaa-karaa-bhyaam

 

Kalyyana-daam Kanaka Champaka-daama Bhoosham

 

Utthunga-peena Kucha-kumbha Manoharaa-ngeem

 

Vaaneem Namaami Manasaa Vachanaam Vibhut-yai

 

 

 

I meditate upon the form of Goddess Saraswati wearing

garlands of gold and flowers, standing tall and high

with very pleasing and fully developed body. I

prostrate in mind and speech to such a splendour.

 

(Meditate on this form of Goddess and place a flower

at the feet of the the deity.

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Aavahanam (Invoking the Goddess)

 

 

Chattr-Bhujaam Chandra-varnaam Chatu-raa-nana

Vallabham

 

Aava-hayaa-mi Vaani Thvaam Aashri-taa-rti

Vinaashi-neem

 

 

 

I invoke Saraswati who is resembling moon and has four

hands, is the consort of four headed Brahma.

O!saraswati, You are the destroyer of all afflictions

of your devotees.

 

(Place a flower at the feet of the Deity )

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Aasana ( offering a seat)

 

 

 

Aasanam Sangri-haa-nedam Aashrite Sakala-Amarai-hi

 

Aadhya-te Sarva Muni-bhi-hi Aarti-de Sura-vyrinaam

 

 

 

Kindly accept the seat, I offer You, O! Saraswati, who

is worshipped by all Devas and Yogis and who is terror

to Asuraas.

 

(Offer a flower at the feet of the goddess )

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Paadhya (Washing Goddess' feet)

 

Paadhyam-aadhyanta Shunyaa-yai Vedhyaa-yai

Veda-vaadi-bhi-hi

 

Daasyaami Vaani varade Deva-raja-sama-archite

 

 

 

May I offer water (to wash your feet) to you, Vaani,

who is endless and who is cognizable only by the

masters of Veda

 

(Take a spoon of water to the feet of the Deity , and

pour it into Arghya vessel)

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Arghya (Washing Goddess' hands)

 

 

 

Agha-hantri Gri-haa-ne-da-mardhyam-ashtaanga Samyutam

 

Ambaa-svi-laa-naam jagataam Ambujaa-sana Sundari

 

 

 

May I offer you Arghyam (water to wash hands),

enriched with eight ingredients, O!Amba, who is the

destroyer of all sins, the most beautiful in all of

the worlds.

 

(Take a spoon of water to the Diety and discharge into

Arghya Vessel)

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Aachamana ( offering water for rinsing mouth or

sipping)

 

 

 

Aachamya-thaam Toyam-idam Aashri-ta-rtha Praddayini

 

Aatha-bhu-vadanaa-vaase Aadhi-haarini Te namaha

 

 

 

May I offer water for Aachamana to you, O!Saraswati,

who bestows all the aspirations of those who depend on

you, who resides on the tongue of Brahma, the Creator

and who destroys all the afflictions of devotees.

 

(Take a spoon of water to the Diety and dispose into

the Arghya vessel)

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Shuddha-udaka Snaana (Offering bath to the Goddess)

 

 

 

Saadhvee-naam Agrate Ganye Saadhu-sangha Samaa-dhyate

 

Saraswati Namaha-tubhyam Snaanam svee-kuru Samprati

 

 

 

May I offer you bath O! Saraswati, who is the first

among the celibate women and who is the resort of

sages.

 

(Take two spoons of water, show to the Diety and

dispose into the Arghya vessel )

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Vastra (offering Clothes to the Goddess)-this should be pure white

and made of pure silk.

 

 

 

Dukoola-dvitayam Devi Duritaa-paha Vybhave

 

Vidhi-priye Grihaa-nedam Sudhaa-nidhi Samam Shive

 

 

 

May I offer you two auspicous silk clothes, O! the

Consort of Brahma, who destroys all afflictions.

 

(Place two flowers on the godess. )

 

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Mangala-Dravya(offering auspicious cosmetics to the

Goddess)

 

 

 

Kumkumam-anjana-sindura-kanchukaa-dikam Ambike

 

Sowbhaagya-dravyam-akhilam Sura-vandye Grihaana-me

 

 

 

O! Ambike, please accept sowbhaagya dravyas(things

that bestow good fortune) like kumkum(red powder),

anjanam(black paste), and kanchuka(a dress for the

upper part of the body). You are worshipped by Devas

 

(Offer Kumkum etc. or flowers in lieu of kumkum)

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Gandha ( offering perfume to the Goddess)

 

 

 

Andha-kaari-priya-aaraadhye Gandham-uttama-Sowrabham

 

Grihaana Vaani varade Gandharva-pari-pujite

 

 

 

May I offer sandal paste to you, O! Vaani, who is

worshipped by Shiva and Gandharvas.

 

(Offer sandal paste or flower in leiu of, to the

Deity)

 

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Pushpa Puja ( Offering Flowers)

 

 

 

Punnaaga-jaati-mallatyaadi pushpa-jaatam Grihaana Me

 

Pumartha-daayini pare pustakaadya Kara-ambuje

 

May I offer flowers to you, O! devi, who holds the

book in the hand and who is the bestower of

aspirations of men.

 

(Place flowers at the feet of the Diety)

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Anga Puja ( Worship of Devi's Body)

 

Brahman-yai Paadow pujayaami (feet)

 

Brahmana-murthaye Gulphow pujayaami (ankle)

 

Jagat-swarupin-yai Jangham pujayaami (ankle to the

knee)

 

Jagada-dya-yai Jaanuneem pujayaami (knee)

 

Chaaru-vilaasin-yai Ooru pujayaami (Thighs)

 

Kamala-bhooma-yai Katim pujayaami (lower hips)

 

Janma-heenaa-yai Jaghanam pujayaami (hips)

 

Gambheera-naabhaye Naabhim pujayaam (navel)

 

Hari-pujyaa-yai Udharam pujayaami (stomach)

 

Loka-maatre Stanow pujayaami (breasts)

 

Vishaala-vakshase Vaksha-sthala pujayaami (chest)

 

Gaana-vichakshanaa-yai Kantam pujayaaami (neck)

 

Skandha-prapujyaa-yai Skadow pujayaami (shoulders)

 

Ghana-baahuve baahoo pujayaami (arms)

 

Pusthaka-dhaarin-yai Hastam pujayaami (hands)

 

Shrotreeya -bandhuve Shrotram pujayaami (ears)

 

veda-swarupaa-yai Vaktram pujayaami (tongue)

 

Sunaa-saa-yai Naasikam pujayaami (nose)

 

Bimba-samaano-shta-yai Oshtaa pujayaami (lips)

 

Kamala-chakshushe Nethrai pujayaami (eyes)

 

Tilaka-dhaarin-yai Phaalam pujayami (forehead)

 

Sarva-pradaa-yai Mukham pujayaami (face)

 

Sri Saraswat-yai Shira pujayaami (head)

 

Brahma-roopin-yai Sarva-angaani pujayaami (all parts

of the body)

 

Nava-shakti Puja( worship of nine powers)

 

Medhaa-yai namaha (intelligence)

 

Shri-yai namaha (wealth, affluence)

 

Smrit-yai namaha (memory)

 

Prabhaa-yai namaha (effulgence)

 

Padmaayai namaha (fortune)

 

Vidya-ishwar-yai namaha (supreme knowledge)

 

Pragnaa-yai namaha (wisdom)

 

Dhrit-yai namaha (steady or firm-minded)

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Namaste Shaaradaa Devi Kashmira Pura Vaasini

 

Thvaam-Aham Praarthaye Nityam Vidyaa-buddhim-cha

Dehi-me

 

 

I prostrate to Shaaradaa, the resident of kaashmira

pura. I pray daily for you to grant me wisdom and

knowkedge

 

(light the incense stick and play in a circular motion

three times or place a flower in lieu of)

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Deepam (Offering Light)

 

 

 

Aksha-sutraam Kusha-dharaa-paasha Pustaka-dhaarinee

 

Muktaa-haara Samaayuktam Vaachi-thishtatu-me-sadaa

 

 

 

O! Saraswati, who is holding a noose, a book, and a

rosary, please reside always on my tongue.

 

(play a lighted wick in a circular motion three times)

 

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Nyveydyam (Offering Food)

 

Kadali-phala Saamraani-cha Supakvaan Phalaa-ni-cha

 

Kanda-mula-vyanja-naa-ni Sopa-dam-sham Manoharam

 

 

 

May I offer, O! saraswati, well ripened fruits,

vegetables and prepared food.

 

(offer the fruits and/or other food to Devi)

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Mangala-Aarathi

 

 

 

Neeraajanam Sa-karpuram Ghrita-varti Saman-vitam

 

Grihaana Mangalam Deepam Saraswat-yai Namostu-Tay

 

 

 

O! saraswati, may I offer this auspicious light of

camphor and wick smeared with ghee.

 

I salute You.

 

(play the camphor light three times in a circular

motion before the image of saraswati.

 

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Prayer-prarthana

 

 

Thvam-eva Vaani Nikhi-laa-scha Vedaa

 

Thvam-Shabdha Shakthi-scha thadaa-rtha shakthi-hi

 

Thvam-Brahma-vidyaa-si-paraa Pareshi

 

Thvaam-Brahma Shakthi Sharanam Prapadye

 

 

 

O! Vaani, You are in entirity the Vedas, You are the

power of sound, You are the Brahman and You are the

Brahma -Vidya. I seek refuge in You.

 

(Fold your hands in Namaskara)

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Namaskara (Prostration)

 

 

 

Paahi Paahi Jagat-vandye Samasta Bhakta-vatsale

 

Namaha-tubhyam Namaha-tubhyam Namaha-tubhyam

Namo-nama-ha

 

Save me O! Saraswati, who is worshipped by the entire

universe and bestower of goodwill to Her Devotees, I

prostrate to You.

 

(Do a prostration)

 

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Samaapti ( Conclusion)

 

Padmaa-sa-ne Padma-kare Sarva Lokaika Pujitay

 

Mahaa Saraswati Devi Supritaa-bhava Sarvadaa

 

 

 

O! Goddess Maha Saraswati, who is worshipped by all in

the world, be pleased with me all the time.

 

(place a flower at the feet of the deity )

 

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OM Shanti-hi ! OM Shanti-hi ! OM Shanti-hi !

 

OM Peace! OM Peace! Om Peace!

 

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abstracted from the web for those who luv to do elaborate rituals...

check with your local bengalee community associations and join in the

sarswati puja festivities. we are celeberating saraswati puja next

week on feb 23 in washington dc at a local school. check out on

sanskriti.com

 

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