Questions tagged [worship]
Worship is the act of praising and seeking the blessings of God. It is widely referred to as Pooja in Hinduism.
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Whom do I worship? [duplicate]
I am really confused now, which god one should worship.
Is that one should worship all the gods?
or according to ones needs, or ones material nature?
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1answer
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Can I worship Krishna to fullfill my material desires?
I wanted to know that can I worship the supreme lord (Krishna) to fulfill my material desire?
I know that those who want moksha worship him, but is worshiping him for material desires also possible?
...
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Difference between Archna and pooja
There are two "distinct" words used for worship, in Sanskrit, namely अर्चना and पूजा.
What is the basic difference between the two and their implementation, by a साधक (devotee) ?
Also, please tell ...
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What are ashtapathi, panchapathi and tarangi in bhajans?
What are ashtapathi, panchapathi and tarangi in bhajans? Whose compositions are comprised in them and how many bhajan songs are compiled in them ?
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Did Swami Vivekananda worship a personal deity?
I have read that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa would often teach devotion to less advanced disciples but would only teach Advaita to Vivekananda. Did Vivekananda worship any personal deity?
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1answer
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Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Is it bad if a devotee of Lord Shiva would like to worship Lord Vishnu at the same time?
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120 views
What is ashtagandha, where is it mentioned in the scriptures?
What is ashtagandha and what is it made of?
Where is it mentioned in the scriptures?
Ashtagandha is a mixture of eight ingredients available in granules or powder and is used in deity worshipping ...
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1answer
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Surya Arghya ingredients mentioned in Ramayan and other scriptures?
Does anyone know what eight ingredients are mentioned in the Ramayana for Surya Arghya? I am also curious what other scriptures say about ingredients in Surya Arghya so mentioning those are welcome as ...
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1answer
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Which deity is to be invoked (or appeased) first in a Vedic ritual?
In today's time most of the worship/rituals that are done are done based on the injunctions of the Tantras. Sometimes the Puranic methods are also followed ( for e.g. Durga Puja in Bengal). Sometimes ...
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1answer
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Do the idols of gods and goddesses need to be made of same colour?
Do the idols of gods and goddesses worshipped in temples be of same colour as depicted in scriptures?
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Is phalashruti applicable to people who read translated versions?
Many Hindu texts have phalashruti for even reading the texts or even for reading a single shloka of such texts.
In this context I got the doubt:
Is phalashruti (for reading) applicable to those who ...
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How to worship in temples? Please explain in context of human body as temple
We know temples are a representation of human body. Please explain how one must approach each part of temple and worship it for ones progress.
For eg one prostrates at the flagpost of temple because ...
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Is nagas in temple related to Kundalini?
Does naga in temples represent kundalini?
If yes how can it be used for ones spiritual enhancenent?
What are the mantras one can use to worship it?
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1answer
176 views
What is the source that describes the devatas for each Navagraha and Nakshatra?
During the rituals for a Navagraha puja, I saw that the avahana was done for the stars (nakshatra) of the yajamaana and his family. I didn't pay much attention until I heard that the devatha for the ...
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1answer
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What do we gain from chanting the names of Lord Shiva?
There are various scriptures enumerate the results one can obtain by chanting the name of Lord Shiva and it is believed that Lord Shiva is pleased very easily as compared to Lord Vishnu and Lord ...
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What scripture does the sloka 'deho devAlayaH proktaH..' come from?
देहो देवालयः प्रोक्तः जीवो देवस्सनातनः । त्यजेदज्ञाननिर्माल्यं
सोऽहं भावेन पूजयेत् ॥
deho devAlayaH proktaH jIvo devassanAtanaH |
tyajedaj~nAnanirmAlyaM so.ahaM bhAvena pUjayet ||
Which ...
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Gunas and Gods worshipped by persons of the Guna
Sattviks worship Devatas and divine forms, people of Rajasik nature worship Yakshas/ Rakhsas and the Thamasik natured worship devilish evil spirits. BG. Chapter 17, Shloka 4
So it would appear that ...
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1answer
333 views
Performing Pooja, japa etc during wife's monthly period
My question is should the men in the household perform sandhyavandanam,, Pooja and japa when the woman in the family is during her monthly menstrual cycle. We do not have provision to spare the only ...
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What is the result of worshipping Lord Sri Nityananda Rama Chandra Prabhu only/exclusively?
Srila Prabhupada says here https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/8/31 that -
A neophyte student who is not sufficiently educated or enlightened should not indulge in the worship of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa ...
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2answers
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Did Shankaracharya establish the “shanmatha” and the “panchayatana puja” systems?
There is a general opinion that Sripad Adi Sankaracharya established the shanmatha system and also insituted the worship form of panchayatana. Yet there seems to be lot of disagreements even among the ...
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How do Vaishnavas interpret this verse from Padma Purana which seems to supports system of worship of five deities?
I found the following verse in Padma Purana, Uttara-Khanda in Karttika Mahatmya wherein Lord Krishna speaks to Satyabhama:
saivah sauras ca ganesa vaishnavah sakti-pujakah |
mam eva ...
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Which gods are Vaishnavas allowed to pray to or worship?
Vaishnavas believe that Lord Vishnu is supreme hence they are discouraged from worshipping other gods like Lord Shiva, Ganesha, etc.
But what about the associates of Vishnu like Sudarshana chakra, ...
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As per Hindu scriptures does lord Śiva explicitly claim himself to be a deity that has to be worshiped?
Note: I have limited knowledge in these matters. But I am a curious person and go with reasoning.
I want to know that in which all Hindu's divine/sacred scriptures lord Śiva has claimed or explicitly ...
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1answer
158 views
What is the difference between prayer and worship?
Since my sanskrit knowledge is very limited, I generally read the english translations. Here I often find words like 'prayer', and 'worship'. Is there any difference in their meaning?
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1answer
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What is the importance and concept behind Masik Shivratri?
I found the following date calendar for Masik Shivratri, till date I was only aware of Shivratri and Maha Shivratri but Masik Shivratri is totally new for me. So wanted to understand the importance ...
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1answer
187 views
Why Indra is not worshiped in general regular worship?
We have story where Lord Brahma was cursed by Lord Shiva and Sage Bhrigu as discussed here. And due to this reason(s), Lord Brahma is not worshiped in general regular worship.
Is there any similar ...
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0answers
357 views
Cloth, flower along with Kalash falling from the altar during Ganesha Puja - is this a good or bad omen? [closed]
When I was worshiping Lord Ganesha I offered him cloth that is dhoti and flowers ..after I finished my aarti the cloths and flower just fell off which eventually led the Kalash to fall ..is this a bad ...
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1answer
224 views
What is the proper method of disposing deity idols which are broken?
Jaya Radhe! Can someone explain me about broken idols of deities? There was a broken Buddha in the apartment building I live. I read they had to be thrown into the river or lake but what karma has a ...
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Meaning of mantra chanted before tantrik puja
For Kerala style puja done by priest, the following mantra is chanted before undertaking the puja which is a mix of Vaidik and tantrik style.
susharmasi supratishthano brihadukshe namah:
Esha ...
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Flowers offered to God
In our house, they say Marigold flower should not be offered to God, Is there any such belief?? What is the significance of particular flower being offered to God?
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2answers
2k views
Why do we use bananas and coconuts as offerings while praying?
As I saw from my childhood while doing prayer we use banana/coconut as one of the puja ingredients.
Why do we use these particular fruits rather than others? Why do we give special importance to them?...
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2answers
230 views
How to pray to Lord Narayana?
I had a few questions about this:
Can we pray to Lord Narayana from any location, or does it have to be in a temple or in front of an idol or picture?
Can we pray in simple English or any other ...
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Dana(Donation) to beggars at temples
I heard that giving Dana after darshan will make the recipient(beggar) beneficial of getting punya of darshan but not the giver(devotee). Is there any purana which has guidelines on Dana. Is it ok to ...
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1answer
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What were the boons given by Goddess Durga to prince Yudhishthira?
It is heard that during the exile period of the Pandavas, prince Yudhishthira did meditation and invoked the blessings of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga appeared infront of prince Yudhishthira and gave ...
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1answer
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Worshipping Lord Sharabha in Tantra
According to Shiva Puran, Lord Shiva had to take avatar of Sharabha to stop Lord Narasimha from destroying whole universe out of anger after killing Hiranyakshipu.
His power is intolerable for a ...
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1answer
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What is the consequence of performing deity worship using stale flowers?
In a deity worship, flower (or Pushpa) is an important Upachara. It is thus included among both Pancha Upacharas and the Shodasha Upacharas.
Now, I know that the act is very much proscribed in ...
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2answers
1k views
Why do we need to do Three time praying(trikal sandhya)
As per Hindu culture, we believe in God and worship to them. We should need to remember on time(Like during Morning when we wake up, Then when we eating and last when we sleep) in a day.
So what is ...
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What is the meaning of “Aum”? [duplicate]
I have heard that many saints saying aum when they are in meditation. Not only saints, but many mantras like:
aum namah shivaya; aum sreekrishnaya namah
have "aum" present in it.
Questions:
...
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1answer
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What is Mindedness(chitt ekaagrata) based on Hinduism?
There are many ways to find yourself, As per Hinduism Mindedness(chitt ekaagrata) is one way to find yourself.
I've also read that using of Mindedness with proper practice and Idol Worship, Which ...
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1answer
88 views
What is the main reason behind praying to animals like mice, monkeys and cows?
I'm a little confused as to why Hindus worship animals like mice, monkeys and cows. I have searched on the internet but I didn't find any answer.
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1answer
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Is any weapon worshiped besides Sudarsana Chakra?
I know that Sri Vaishnavas worship Sudarshana Chakra, giving it the status of an azhwar. Does any other sect do so ?
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How does the Karnataka's Lingayat community worship differently compared to other Shiva Linga devotees? [duplicate]
The community name is derived from the "Linga", & hence it should be part of Hinduism.
However, recently Karnataka government proposed special religious status to the Lingayat community.
Is the ...
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3answers
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Is Tulasi offered to Shiva?
Often some people say Tulasi is not offered to Shiva. But is there Scriptural reference to it?
I remember reading in Shiva Purana that "Tulasi is used in worship of all Gods except Ganesha". ...
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1answer
92 views
Is it necessary for devotees to have idols at home?
Do the scriptures mandate that devotees need to have idols and portraits of gods in their houses?
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While praying, who are allowed to touch/caress “Shiva Linga”, the sacred phallus?
As per this thread, there are various opinions of whether the idol at the temple should be touched or not: Is it allowed to hug/touch the main idol at a temple?
Now there is a special case of Shiva, ...
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0answers
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example of bhakt relation/love to God/Goddess,where God/Goddess is the feminine beloved/premika
1) humans(not avatara) like Meera, Andal etc viewed God as husband/male beloved(premi) and worshipped/loved Him as such.
2) as per this link https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/krishna-is-husband-of-...
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1answer
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Do the scriptures mandate that the devotee regularly visit a temple?
Is there any mention in the scriptures to regularly visit temples?
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Chanting Devi Mahathyam (Durga Saptashati)
I would like to chant the Devi Mahathyam but may not be able to do the full text together in a single sitting or in a day. So if I am to split the chapters across days, are there any prescribed format ...
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2answers
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does any scripture say worship must be in Sanskrit?
The most prominent non-Sanskrit scripture is the Tamil Divya prabandham of Southern Vaishnavites. Non-brahmin Tamils don't have a great love of Sanskrit and one can increasingly see them conduct Puja ...
