Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Mental Worship

Hare Krishna Friends,

The following excerpt is drawn from the book “Exalting Elucidations”. Mahasvami speaks about Mental Puja (manasika puja) with a devotee.

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D: Some people desire to perform puja but find no suitable opportunity. They are also unable to meditate properly. What can such aspirants do to have one-pointed concentration of the mind?

A: They can practise manasika-puja?

D: What is manasika-puja?

A: Manasika-puja is mental worship of Ishvara. Flowers, incense, etc., are required for puja. Here, we imagine all the accessories, conceive that Ishvara has come and offer them to him. That indeed is manasika-puja.

D: How should manasika-puja be pracitsed?

A: Ishvara has come, I should welcome him. I should offer him and asana (seat) – contemplating thus, we welcome him and offer him an asana. After he adorns the asana, we wash his feet and his hands. For his achamana, we give him pure water. He accepts that. Then we bathe him. Proceeding thus, we complete the puja mentally. We do it with the feeling that he accepts all our offerings.

D: What is to be done if Ishvara’s form does not remain steady during manasika-puja?

A: One can keep before oneself a picture of one’s ista-devata (chosen diety). The puja may be done while looking at the picture. In due course, the puja can be continued after closing the eyes and conceiving that Ishvara is present there. If the form becomes unsteady, the eyes can be opened for a while.

D: Is there any restriction in doing manasika-puja?

A: There is no restriction. It can be done at any time and in any way. Charming effects are seen if Ishvara is worshipped mentally. The mind becomes purified and his grace is obtained. To get an idea about manasika-puja, stotras like Shiva-manasapuja and Mrityunjaya-manasa puja may be studied.

D: Is everyone permitted to practice manasika-puja?

A: Yes. There are no restrictions.

D: How long should manasika-puja be done?

A: It can be done for any length of time. Initially, it may be difficult to practice it for a long time. But with repeated practice, one will find increasing delight in it.

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Prostrations to all.

Regards,
Neelakantan

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