Vastu Tips for Puja Room

Puja or prayer room is full of positive energies so no matter what mental or emotional state one is in, entering the puja room refreshes your energy and connects you with positive energy.
Puja room also be used as a place for meditation so it is very important to build  Puja Room in such a way that it helps you to meditate as well as connect you to your inner source.

Here are some important points to be consider:

1) The best direction in the house to build Puja Room is north-east because North-east receives the most beneficial energies of Sun which is full of Satwik Tatva or pure essence. If north-east of the house is not available for the Puja Room, the place for Puja can be made in an available room in the northeast corner of the room.

2) As while doing Puja or meditation, one should face east or north direction so it is important to avoid placing idols on the south wall.

3) Colour of the walls of the Puja Room should preferably be white, light yellow or light blue.

4) The base level of Puja Ghar should be at least 6 inches above the floor so that the idols are above the navel when you are praying depending on the position,whether standing or sitting.

5) Nothing should be stored above the cabinet or Puja Ghar.

6) The idols of deities in the home should not be bigger than the span of the hand from the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb of the head of the family. Any idol bigger than this is inauspicious for homes.

7) Never keep too many idols. Duplicates of idols should be donated in the best manner. Crowded Mandir is equal to cluttered space that does not harbor positive energies.

8) The idols should be at least 2 inches away from the wall.

9) Keep the Puja Room and the place of idols clean and uncluttered. The space below the Puja Ghar can be used to store items like incense sticks, kumkum etc. Alternatively, south and west directions can be used for Storage.

10) The roof of the Puja Room can be in the shape of pyramid as this is a very auspicious shape and it is well known that the energies under the pyramid are extremely positive that assist in spiritual opening and meditation.

Things to be Avoided 

1. Puja Room should not share a wall with toilet or Bathroom

2. Idols should not be exactly in front of the Entrance.

3. Don’t sit bare on the floor while doing prayer or meditation.

4. Don’t keep photos of dead people along with the idols in Puja Ghar.

5. Do not keep broken idols in the Puja Ghar

6. Unless worshipped every day, avoid keeping sriyantra, srichakra, saligram and idols of ancient temples in the house.

7) Avoid having the Puja Ghar in the Bedroom.

लक्ष्मी कृपा के लिए कब , क्या करें ?

जाने क्या और कब करना है , लक्ष्मी कृपा के लिए 

लक्ष्मीजी की साधना के लिए  ऊन   का बना रक्तवर्णी या बहुरंगी आसन श्रेष्ठ माना जाता है | 

वैसे तो सभी वार उत्तम हैं , लेकिन शुक्र या बृहस्पतिवार को विधिपूर्वक लक्ष्मी पूजा करने से अर्थाभाव नहीं रहता| 

कमल का पुष्प लक्ष्मीजी को सर्वाधिक प्रिय है | कमल का पुष्प समृद्धि , श्री , सौभाग्य वृद्धि का प्रतिक मन जाता है | कमल का पुष्प भगवान् विष्णु को भी प्रिय है | 

उपासको को चाहिए की लक्ष्मी कृपा प्राप्ति हेतु लाल चन्दन या मूंगे की माला पर लक्ष्मी जी का जाप करें | 

माला जाप के समय साधक को पश्चिमाभिमुखी होकर बैठना चाहिए | 

पश्चिमाभिमुख होकर भोजन करने से भी अर्थाभाव नहीं रहता | 

दिवाली को यह उपाय करें अर्थाभाव दूर करने के लिए :  नीचे  दिए मंत्र को दीपावली की रात्रि में १००८ बार जप करके , सर्वप्रथम मंत्र को सिद्ध करले | फिर मंत्र से १००८ बार घृत की आहुति देनी चाहिए | ऐसा करने से दरिद्रता दूर होती है 

लक्ष्मी मंत्र स्तुति : 

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्रियै नमो भगवति मम समृद्धौ ज्वल ज्वल मां सर्वसम्पदं देहि देहि ममलक्ष्मीं नाशय नाशय हूं फट स्वाहा 

राशिनुसार लक्ष्मी मंत्र 

गायत्री मंत्र || Gayatri Mantra || Savita Mantra ||

गायत्री मंत्र के जाप से हृदय में शुद्धता आती है और विचार सकारात्‍मक हो जाते हैं तथा शरीर में अद्भुत शक्ति का संचार होता है। परिणामस्‍वरूप समस्‍त मानसिक अथवा शारीरिक विकार दूर हो जाते हैं। गायत्री मंत्र के निरंतर उच्‍चारण से मेधा बढ्ती है, स्‍मरण शक्ति  तेज होती है और ज्ञान व़ृद्धि भी होती है। गायत्री मंत्र का जाप करने के तीन समय बताये गये हैं। पहला सूर्योदय से पूर्व, दूसरा मध्‍याह्न में एवं तीसरा सूर्यास्‍त से पहले। गायत्री मंत्र का जाप सदैव शुद्ध उच्‍चारण के साथ ही करना श्रेयस्‍कर है। साथ ही यह भी ध्‍यान देने योग्‍य है कि बिना अर्थ जाने जपे गये किसी भी मंत्र का कोई फल प्राप्‍त नहीं होता है। अर्थ से तात्‍पर्य केवल शाब्द‍िक अर्थ ही नहीं है वरन भावार्थ भी है। गायत्री मंत्र इस प्रकार है-

|| ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् , भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ||

अर्थ

उस प्राण स्वरूप, दुःखनाशक, सुखस्वरूप, श्रेष्ठ, तेजस्वी, पापनाशक, देवस्वरूप परमात्मा को हम अंतःकरण में धारण करें। वह परमात्मा हमारी बुद्धि को सन्मार्ग में प्रेरित करे।

भावार्थ 

अर्थात् 'सृष्टिकर्ता प्रकाशमान परमात्मा के दिव्‍य तेज का (हम) ध्यान करते हैं, वे परमात्मा हमारी बुद्धि को सन्‍मार्ग की ओर चलने के लिए प्रेरित करें।

माँ दुर्गा मंत्र एवं स्तुति

इस नवरात्री इन दुर्गा माँ के मंत्र  और स्तुति का पाठ करें , अत्यंत फलकारी होगा 

Durga Mantra

“Sarva Mangala Mangalye Sive Sarvartha Sadhike

Saranye Trayambike Gauri Narayani Namostute”

In Sanskrit:

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।

शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Devi Stuti

“Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shanti rupena sangsthita

Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shakti rupena sangsthita

Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, matri rupena sangsthita

Yaa devi sarva bhuteshu, buddhi rupena sangsthita

Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha’‘

In Sanskrit:

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता । 

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता । 

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

Benefit from Chanting of above mantra : This mantra is recited almost during all rituals, celebrations and events. Regular chanting can give wisdom , strength and prosperous life. Above mantra and shlok helps build inner power and allows him to develop healthy, loving relationships. Chanting of this Mantra blocks negative thoughts and banish ignorance.

हे देवी, आप मंगला, काली, भद्र काली, कपालीनी, दुर्गा ,क्षमा , शिवा, धात्री , स्वाहा, स्वधा के नाम से जाना जाता है, मैं आपसे प्रार्थना करता हूं। हे देवी, मुझे अच्छे भाग्य, अच्छे स्वास्थ्य, अच्छे दिखने, सफलता और प्रसिद्धि के साथ आशीर्वाद दें। ओह वैष्णवी, आप दुनिया के लिए बहुत आधार हैं आपने विश्व को मंत्रमुग्ध किया है जब आप किसी से प्रसन्न होते हैं तो आप जीवन और मृत्यु के चक्र से अपना उद्धार सुनिश्चित करते हैं।

जय माता दी | जय माता दी | जय माता दी | जय माता दी | जय माता दी | जय माता दी | जय माता दी

Nine forms of Devi and Navratri Festival Story

Navratri, which means “Nine Nights” is a 9 night, 10 day long celebration during which nine forms of Devi/Shakti are worshipped. The 10th day is the festival of Dussehra or Vijayadashmi.

The nine forms of Devi are:

1.) Śailaputrī (Sati, Daughter of the Himālayas, Wife of Lord Shiva) “Shail” means mountains, “Putri” means daughter.Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati orHemavati, the daughter of the King of the Mountains Himavan, is called ‘Shailputri“. The first among nine Durgas and her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

2.) Brahmachāriṇī (One who observes the state of celibacy doing penance) She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharinimeans one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. Brahma that is who observes penance (tapa) and good conduct. Here “Brahma” means “Tapa”. The idol of this Goddess is very gorgeous. On left hand shehold a “Kumbha” or water pot, and the right hand holds a rosary. She personifies love and loyalty. Bhramcharini is the store house of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha beads are her most adored ornaments. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha.

3.) Chandraghaṇṭā ( One who bears the moon in her necklace ) The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta‘, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta‘. She is Golden in color, possesses ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight of her hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.
4.) Kūṣmāṇḍa (the creator of the universe) Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. Shepossessed of eight arms, holding a weapons and a mala ( rosary), her mount is the tiger and She emanates a solar aura.The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku‘ = a little; ‘ushma‘ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda‘ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun.

5.) Skanda-Mātā (The mother of Skanda, Kārttikeya, born out of her powers)The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata‘ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on thefifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Rising a lion as Her chosen vehicle, She holds Her son skanda on her lap. She has three eyes and four hands; two hands holds lotuses while the other two hand display defending and granting mudras, respectively. Its said, by the merch of Skandmata, even the fool becomes an ocean of knowledge.

6.) Kātyāyanī (The daughter of sage Kātyāyana, who incarnated to help the Devas)The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshiped on the six day of Navaratri. Thelegend behind her name is that there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

7.) Kālarātrī (black as night, destroyer of Kālī)This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Black (or blue ) skin with bountiful hair and 4 hands, 2 clutching a cleaver and a torch, while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting“. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. Her vehicle is a faithful donkey. She is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance.

8.) Mahāgaurī (the wife of Lord Shiva, doing great penance)She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life.MahaGauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known asMahaGauri, which mean extremely white. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is as white as a conch, moon and Jasmine. She is of eight years old. With four arms and the fairest complexion of all theDurga Shaktis, Mahagauri radiates peace and compassion. She is often dressed in a white or green sari. She holds a drum and a trident and is often depicted riding a bull.

9.) Siddhidātrī (Provider of Siddhis, giver of mystic powers)Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. There are eight Siddhis , they are- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva and Vashitva.Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. It is said in “Devipuran” that the Supreme God Shiv got all these Siddhies by worshipping Maha Shakti. With her gratitude the half body of Shiv has became of Goddess and therefore his name “Ardhanarishvar” has became famous. Usually shown ensconced a lotus with four arms, She is the grantor of 26 different wishes to Her Bhaktas.


The most prevalent story relating to Navratri is the following one of Goddess Durga & the Buffalo Demon Mahishasura

Lord Brahma, the creator, granted Mahishasura the "buffalo demon," a boon that protected him from any man in the world . Empowered by this gift, Mahishasura set out to conquer the world, heaven and the world, and brought about the defeat of the king of deities, Indra. At the pleading of Indra, the king of the Gods, Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva created Devi Durga, by combining their own divine powers (shakti). Endowed with the trinity's shakti, Durga proved to be a formidable opponent who fought Mahisa for nine days, beheading him on the tenth. The nine nights known as Navratri, symbolize the nine days of battle between Devi Durga and Mahishasura, while the tenth day, which is vijayadashami-literally means the victorious tenth day of conquest of good over evil.

There is another story which includes Lord Rama & Ravana.

According to the Ramayana, Rama invoked the goddess Durga in his epic battle against Ravana. Although Goddess Durga was traditionally worshipped in the late spring, due to contingencies of battle, Lord Rama had to invoke her in the form of astam (eighth) Mahavidya (Maa Bagla) in the autumn and thus is known as akaal bodhan (invoking out of scheduled time). This autumnal ritual was different from the conventional Durga Puja, which is usually celebrated in the springtime. So, this Puja is also known as 'akal-bodhan' or out-of-season ('akal') worship ('bodhan'). This Rama's date for the Navaratri puja has now gained ascendancy and culminates with Dussehra in North India on the following day.

Gautam Buddha : गौतम बुद्ध के वचन

गौतम बुद्ध के वचन 
"सभी गलत कार्य मन से ही उपजाते हैं | अगर मन परिवर्तित हो जाय तो क्या गलत कार्य रह सकता है |"

"घृणा, घृणा करने से कम नहीं होती, बल्कि प्रेम से घटती है, यही शाश्वत नियम है |"

"स्वास्थ्य सबसे महान उपहार है, संतोष सबसे बड़ा धन तथा विश्वसनीयता सबसे अच्छा संबंध है|"

गौतम बुद्ध के वचन

"मनुष्य का दिमाग ही सब कुछ है, जो वह सोचता है वही वह बनता है |"

"हजारों दियो को एक ही दिए से, बिना उसके प्रकाश को कम किये जलाया जा सकता है | ख़ुशी बांटने से ख़ुशी कभी कम नहीं होती |"

"खुशियों का कोई रास्ता नहीं, खुश रहना ही रास्ता है।"

बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि                                          धम्मं शरणं गच्छामि                             संघम शरणं गच्छामी