I have to either do puja more often, or trim it

[Jainarayan]

Personalities and learning styles do vary, but the fact that it was short seemed to motivate me to memorise. Now it's around 20 minutes. So over about 40 years, my personal puja has increased by maybe 19 minutes. lol.

Mine averages about 15-20 mins. also, but that’s because I’m slow. By rights, for me it should probably be about 5-10 mins. I think the longest part is getting everything ready.

 

[Vinayaka]

Mine averages about 15-20 mins. also, but that’s because I’m slow. By rights, for me it should probably be about 5-10 mins. I think the longest part is getting everything ready.

I didn't count that part. I was thinking about this the other day, in regrds to somebody talking about how long he meditated. It did occur to me it is totally about intensity. A 2 minute intense meditation is far superiour to a half hour slacker one. We're invoking God's presence, after all, and if there's no heart in it, the longest most complicated puja in the world won't do it.

 

[SomeRandom]

Actually they have been, but no I don’t like it. I’ve felt they had to be more involved. See, I read too much. I always felt creepy if they were short and “cheap”.

Well simplify it then. Do you honestly believe God (Shiva, Krishna or whoever works for you) always prefer the grandiose? They may look resplendent but that is portrayal. You could offer them a blade of grass in complete silence and if it's done out of sincerity they will be more than satisfied.

Always remember you are worthy of their attention. Your pujas, no matter how short, long, complicated or simple are always pleasing to the lord if they are done out of sincerety. Take a breath.
Find what works for you personally. It's not a competition. It's not a matter of being involved enough. It's a matter of connection. I know there's like an official puja guide and all. But how you connect to the Lord is your business alone. Some prefer long complicated pujas. That is perfectly acceptable. Others prefer just to meditate. That's fine too. There are as many different pujas as there are people.

 

[Jainarayan]

Well simplify it then. Do you honestly believe God (Shiva, Krishna or whoever works for you) always prefer the grandiose? They may look resplendent but that is portrayal. You could offer them a blade of grass in complete silence and if it's done out of sincerity they will be more than satisfied.

Always remember you are worthy of their attention. Your pujas, no matter how short, long, complicated or simple are always pleasing to the lord if they are done out of sincerety. Take a breath.

Simplify is exactly what I did. All I did was light and wave the lamp and incense; put a silver cup of water; one of uncooked rice; some small roses I cut; 3 tulsi leaves; a banana; a small brass cup of dried fruits and nuts.

For each of them I rang the bell and chanted oṃ sri krishnāya namaḥ [item] samarpayami as I usually do. But this time I didn’t use all the ślokas and mantras I used to. I can pray them at other times. I ended with oṃ sri krishnāya namaḥ kshamapanam samarpayami and hariḥ oṃ tat sat, and talking to him in English.

It was all of 7:31.87 mins. Yes I used the stopwatch in the phone. Well, I wanted to time myself! After that I chanted the Sri Krishna Ashtottara with rice... and the list (I didn’t time that). I think it will be 108 lifetimes before I can chant the Ashtottara from memory. I would love to use flower petals. I’ve seen sets of 108 tiny silver flowers, but my finances call for rice.

 

[Vinayaka]

I would love to use flower petals. I’ve seen sets of 108 tiny silver flowers, but my finances call for rice.

I do the ashtottaram with 4 mini-carnations by taking them apart and using the small petals. Does 108 plus a few for the mantra pushpam. Mums have lots of petals too. But before we had some extra money, it was rice. Summer is best because I use rose petals from the roses in the back yard. (Early spring I find lilacs from city property) One bloom will do the entire ashtottara because of they way they bloom. We still have a couple of calendulas blooming, but it's -3 tonight and -6 tomorrow. They'll probably survive the -3 but not the -6.

 

[Jainarayan]

The carnations and mums will be great, then. Our supermarkets carry them year round. I don’t know what other people do in winter for a flower for daily puja. In India and other tropical regions flowers bloom all year long, of course. I could probably buy a bunch of flowers once or twice a week and use those.

 

[Vinayaka]

The carnations and mums will be great, then. Our supermarkets carry them year round. I don’t know what other people do in winter for a flower for daily puja. In India and other tropical regions flowers bloom all year long, of course. I could probably buy a bunch of flowers once or twice a week and use those.

We spend about 50 bucks a month, 5 or 6 bunches a month, October to April. I see it mystically, so really like fresh flowers. Certain florists also sell bags of rose petals. The temple uses that a lot, but for bigger festivals they order garlands from Toronto.

 

[Jainarayan]

I see it mystically, so really like fresh flowers.

I think that’s the idea behind offering akshata when you don’t have an item, like flowers or fruit.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Actually they have been, but no I don’t like it. I’ve felt they had to be more involved. See, I read too much. I always felt creepy if they were short and “cheap”.

But is that true? Remember the 'Mahavakryas' (not just the accepted four but other nice ones also). How much they say in just two or three words.
'Eko sad, Dwitiyo nasti', 'Viprah bahudha vadanti', 'Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma', etc.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I think that’s the idea behind offering akshata when you don’t have an item, like flowers or fruit.

There is some truth in your statement. Generally, there is no dearth of flowers in India; and in olden days, there must have been even less. The flower most used in India is marigold. But Kaner (Oleander) and Dhatura (Devil's trumpet) are also popular and Shiva's favorite. Fruits are not a necessity unless the deity is hungry (that is why he leaves the 'prasada' for you). Do you think Mothers Rukmani, Satyabhama or Jambavanti, or Srimati Radharani will allow the Lord to go out without eating? But if one is blessed with plenty, then one offers the best of all what is available (your silver flowers). The deity does not demand anything.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I found that cumbersome, so I've always had the rule ... it it ain't memorized, don't do it.' The priests in temples who use books often work with another priest. While one reads (from that old tattered book) the other one does all the actions. Am example is in sahasranama archana.

I practice memorisation at the computer usually, with words and sound together.

I'm the same way now. I'll learn something new outside the context of the puja if I want to add it eventually, but I have a set of mantras I have memorized that I use every time to keep it simple.

 

[Vinayaka]

I think that’s the idea behind offering akshata when you don’t have an item, like flowers or fruit.

Actually I meant that devas can smell flowers, in my view.

 

[Jainarayan]

The flower most used in India is marigold.

I love marigolds too! We have a miniature variety as well as the large standard variety. One of my neighbors pulled hers from her front yard garden because the season is changing. But the flowers were in perfect condition. Had they not been thrown on the ground at the curb I would have gathered them up and taken them home to offer.

 

[Vinayaka]

I love marigolds too! We have a miniature variety as well as the large standard variety. One of my neighbors pulled hers from her front yard garden because the season is changing. But the flowers were in perfect condition. Had they not been thrown on the ground at the curb I would have gathered them up and taken them home to offer.

Marigolds are the most popular flower across north and central India, but not so much in the southern areas. I used to grow a ton of them, but developed a skin allergy to something in them so now I can hardly even pick one without having my skin dry up and fall off. They're an interesting flower as to the results of deadheading are amazing. The more you pick, the more they bloom, and not just in a small way. So it's not a one and done thing. Very easy to make marigold garlands as well.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Actually I meant that devas can smell flowers, in my view.

Yeah, sure. I confirm it (I am privy to their thoughts). They can also smell the intensity of devotion.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

[QUOTE="

Part of my problem is having OCPD and always changing the layout, adding and removing parts.[/QUOTE]


I'm this way but with arranging my shrine murtis. Just this morning I re-positioned everyone. I'm not in to Feng Shiu but for some reason I'm very particular about my shrine. I keep fussing with it.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm this way but with arranging my shrine murtis. Just this morning I re-positioned everyone. I'm not in to Feng Shiu but for some reason I'm very particular about

Don’t get me started on that!

I’ve added, removed, added back, re-position ed, scaled down, ... oy veh! I removed because I thought I had too many for the space; I put them back because I felt creeped out by “kicking them out”. It’s like uninviting wedding guests.

I think it’s just about where it’s going to be for now in the space I have. If I had a small room just for the shrine I would have more. I have a lot packed away. If I had room I would have small tables and/or shelves for the others, plus the framed pics.

Murtis (small, for the most part); some duplicates, I like different styles:

• Krishna
• Ganesha
• Lakshmi
• Mahavishnu
• Shiva
• Durga
• Hanuman
• Saraswati
• Gayatri
• Narasimha
• Rama Parivar
• Murugan
• Ayyappa
• A tiny Garuda, Nandi, lingam
• Nataraja
• Kali

Small 2.5” x 3.5” pictures:

• Dhanvantari
• Hayagriva
• Kalabhairava
• Dakshinamurty
• Ardhanarishwara
• Harihara

It sounds out of control but it’s a small table with 3 wall shelves above it. I kind of envy people who have just a few and don’t feel as obsessive-compulsive about it.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Don’t get me started on that!

I’ve added, removed, added back, re-position ed, scaled down, ... oy veh! I removed because I thought I had too many for the space; I put them back because I felt creeped out by “kicking them out”. It’s like uninviting wedding guests.

I think it’s just about where it’s going to be for now in the space I have. If I had a small room just for the shrine I would have more. I have a lot packed away. If I had room I would have small tables and/or shelves for the others, plus the framed pics.

Murtis (small, for the most part); some duplicates, I like different styles:

• Krishna
• Ganesha
• Lakshmi
• Mahavishnu
• Shiva
• Durga
• Hanuman
• Saraswati
• Gayatri
• Narasimha
• Rama Parivar
• Murugan
• Ayyappa
• A tiny Garuda, Nandi, lingam
• Nataraja
• Kali

Small 2.5” x 3.5” pictures:

• Dhanvantari
• Hayagriva
• Kalabhairava
• Dakshinamurty
• Ardhanarishwara
• Harihara

It sounds out of control but it’s a small table with 3 wall shelves above it. I kind of envy people who have just a few and don’t feel as obsessive-compulsive about it.

View attachment 19211

I have an art background so I get caught up in symmetry and hierarchy of scale. Like I want MahaLakshmi to be central but then Little Krishna and my Ram Parivar look off. It feels wrong to buy new murtis to deal with this funky part of my brain but I'm tempted all the time.

 

[Vinayaka]

Ours has stayed essentially the same for 30 years. Small changes, but more to the room that the main shrine.

 

[Aupmanyav]

View attachment 19211

That is beautiful, Jai. Lovely. We too have a lot of images and idols but only one level, so it is very cluttered. We do not mind that and no deity has complained.

.. but then Little Krishna and my Ram Parivar look off.

If you have Krishna dancing with a few girls, it would sort of balance the two sides.