SIVA MANASA PUJA

Siva Manasa Puja  sthothra is one of the finest and ideal praises composed by Adi sankara. Sankara is regarded with utmost respect and devotion for his contribution to Indian philosophy and religion. He established the Advaita school of thought and devised ways for different types of worship according to the personal preferences of devotees. He is known as  ‘ shanmata sthapanacharya”—one who established six types of worship---Saiva, Vaishnava, Ganapathya, Saktha, Kaumara  and  Saura. Though he established these forms of worship, his catholicity is indicated in the different wonderful compositions he has given us on various deities like Siva, Vishnu, Devi, Skanda and various others. Usually, worship of any God or Goddess is performed with  sixteen “ upacharas’ called as ‘Shodasa Upacharas’ or services. With the concerned ‘mantras’ we invite the deity which is called’avahanam’ Then we offer Him a seat  which is called ‘asanam’  Then we offer the invited God or Goddess  ‘padyam’—water to wash His feet. Next we give some water to His hands which is called ‘arghyam’.

           Some more water is offered  for His face called ‘achamaniyam’. Next important ritual is to bathe the deity which is done with milk, curd, fruit, ghee, honey and sugar. This is called ‘Panchamrutha abhisheka’. Later the deity is bathed with pure water, cleaned and dressed .Sacred thread is offered and sandal paste is smeared to the idol. Then ‘archana’ with flowers is performed followed by ‘ dhoopa’ scented sticks, deepa-- Offering of lamp and ‘ naivedya’-- dishes prepared for the deity. ‘ Thamboola with betel leaves and arecanut and spices is offered next and finally ‘ nirajanam’ is offered by showing ‘harathi’ with lighted camphor. With ‘ manthra pushpam’—offering of mantras as flowers the worship is completed. Then you prostrate yourself and pray for His grace and blessings and send back the deity to His place which is called ‘punah puja’. Veda mantras are recited and you dedicate every action of yours to the Lord! Al these activities are to be done with devotion and faith as if you are personally inviting God and offering Him worship!

              Fixing up the Supreme in your heart, meditating on him and worshipping and offering him the ‘ ‘shodasopachara’ in your heart is the best according to Sankara and that is exactly what he does in this Sivamanasa puja sthothra.” Oh Lord! I have provided you a seat bedecked with diamonds, bathed you in water from the Himalayas, offered you the best dress, and adorned you with varieties of precious stones. I have put ‘thilaka’ with ‘kasthuri’ and sandalwood. I have performed archana with divine, beautiful flowers like jasmine, bilwa and thulasi. I have offered you sweet fragrance and ‘deepa’ – all in my heart, O,pasupathi! Kindly accept “, says Sankara in the first sloka. He continues:” I have placed in a golden platter with diamonds, ‘payasam’ made of ghee, the five kinds of delicacies,  milk, curd, plantains, and other preparations, tasty water, and ‘ thamboolam with spices! Kindly accept these that I have offered with bhakthi!”

               “I have offered through my ‘sankalpa’ or wish in my heart all the following namely, the umbrella—(chatram), chamaram—fans,  a clear mirror and pleased you by the sweet music of the veena, ‘bheri, and mridanga’ and other instruments. I have presented songs and dance too. I have   prostrated myself to you and  praised your glory in many ways!  Oh Lord, accept my worship!” Prays Sankara. “You are my Atma, my intellect is Girija, the sakthi,  my friends are the five breaths—Prana, apana, samana,Dana and vyana! My body is your abode, the temple!  My involvement in material things and luxuries is your worship or puja! My sleep is the Samadhi state! Why, whatever karma or activity I do is worshipping you! Oh Mahadeva! whatever mistakes I have committed  through my limbs, body, speech and deeds or through ears and eyes or manas , whether allowed or prohibited, pardon them with grace! Victory to you, the sea of compassion!”

                   The great Sankara illustrates the significance of total surrender to the lotus feet of God through this sthothra! Every action of ours should be dedicated to God! There is nothing ‘mine!’ Everything is ‘thine!’ Physical, ostentatious worship is of no use, it is enough if you sincerely meditate and offer worship in your manas! That is more acceptable to the Providence! When Adi Sankara feels like this can anybody dispute?