Download KS3 Hinduism: Hindu Worship © G Beesley Hindu Worship: Puja

Hindu Worship: Puja
Most Hindus perform an act of worship or ‘puja’ at least once and sometimes as
many as three times, every day. They do this to please their family’s preferred gods
and goddesses, to bring them into the home and to receive their blessings.
The first puja of the day usually begins before dawn and is normally performed by the
woman of the house or one of the elders. Before it begins, the Hindu will bathe and
put on clean clothes; shoes are not worn as this is seen as being disrespectful.
Cleaning the body is symbolic of ridding the mind and soul or ‘atman’ of ignorance,
the belief in a false self which is said to be the cause of reincarnation.
Nearly all Hindu homes have a shrine in their home and this is where puja is
performed. Sometimes the shrine will be only a small shelf or cupboard in the kitchen
or the mother’s bedroom. For those who are sufficiently wealthy, it is not unusual to
find a whole room dedicated to the purpose.
What Objects are found on the Shrine?
Various objects can be found on the shrine but the most important one is an image or
‘murti’ of the god. This may take the form of a picture or a statue. There may also be
pictures of other gods and goddesses, and pictures of ‘gurus’ or spiritual teachers. As
well as these, one finds all of the various items used in the worship ceremony. These
include: clean water, river water from the sacred Ganges in a small metallic pot,
flowers, incense and an incense holder, a single-wicked ghee lamp (ghee is clarified
butter) an arti lamp with five wicks, a bell, various scented, coloured powders and,
sometimes, money.
What Happens During the Puja?
Puja is a process of inviting the deity into one’s home (or temple) and treating him or
her like a royal guest. Unlike the Christian view of the crucifix as a symbol, Hindus
believe that the murti is the actual god or goddess; when puja is performed, the Hindu
believes that they are actually in the presence of their god who sits or stands there,
before them, in the form of the murti. The whole ceremony is conducted within this
sense of the actual presence of the deity.
The deity is invited using prayer and by the ringing of a bell. The eyes and heart of the
image are touched with the tip of a blade of grass; this indicates that the deity is now
actually present in the murti. A seat is then offered, followed by a drink of water, then
the statue is ritually washed in a mixture known as the panchamrit or five nectars: a
blend of yoghurt, milk, sugar, honey and butter. After the image has been rinsed with
clean water, it is offered fresh clothes. If the deity is male, a sacred thread may then
be draped over its left shoulder.
Next, the forehead and the body of the deity are marked with coloured powders:
yellow turmeric, red kum-kum or tsindura (vermillion) and sandalwood are most
common. Flowers are then offered, either as garlands or at the deity’s feet. Flowers
are said to represent limiting desires and offering them to is symbolic of one’s wish to
abandon the desires and instead, devote oneself to the deity. Incense is then burned to
KS3 Hinduism: Hindu Worship
© G Beesley
purify the atmosphere and the single wicked ghee lamp is lit to drive away evil spirits.
Offerings of food and fruit are then made, and sometimes money.
The Arti Ceremony
Once all of the above has been done, the arti ceremony can be performed. An arti
lamp has five wicks, each representing one of the five elements: earth, wind, fire, air
and water. With the wicks lit, the lamp is waved in a clockwise direction in front of
the deity while the bell is rung. At the same time, a special prayer is said praising
Brahman and asking for blessings. The devotee’s hands are then passed over the
flame and then over their heads. This is said to represent the destruction of the
darkness of ignorance through receiving the light of wisdom.
Once this is done, the Hindu may recite mantras such as the Gayatri mantra, pray,
recite god’s names or meditate. Afterwards, any food that has been offered can be
shared out. Such food is considered to be specially blessed and is known as prashad.
If the food is shared among a group of people, sacred hymns or ‘bhajan’ may be
sung.
Tasks
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What is puja and what is its purpose?
What is a murti?
Draw a shrine and label each object.
Hindu worship involves all 5 senses. Explain how.
Describe how Hindus think about statues and pictures of their gods.
How would puja affect a Hindu’s daily life?
How might daily worship affect their death?
Do you think having many different images to represent god is a good or a bad
thing? Why?
v Why do Hindus need temples if they can easily worship at home?
KS3 Hinduism: Hindu Worship
© G Beesley