Durga Puja Step 4.1 SWAGATAM of Bahyik Puja

4.     बाह्यिक् पूजा ( bāhyik pūjā )/External Worship: Part1: 

4.2.                      SWAGATAM: A warm welcome to Divine Mother.   

4.2.1.           Mangal Dhwani:

4.2.1.1.        Puja Start. Blow the conch shell.

4.2.2.           Bhajans:  

4.2.2.1.        Ask devotees to continue with bhajans.

4.2.3.           Padya: (water for washing feet).

4.2.3.1.        Take water in kushi (Kosha-Kushi) and utter

ॐ ह्रीं दूं एतत् पाद्यं श्री दुर्गायै नमः

om hrīṁ dūṁ etat pādyaṁ śrī durgāyai namaḥ

(Om. I offer this water for washing the feet of Sri Durga (or your chosen deity)).

4.2.3.2.        Pour it into the vessel in front (Kunda).

4.2.4.           Arghya: (welcome offering).

4.2.4.1.        Take in your hands the bouquet or the single flower and utter:

ॐ ह्रीं दूं एष अर्घ्यः श्री दुर्गायै नमः

om hrīṁ dūṁ eṣa arghyaḥ śrī durgāyai namaḥ

(Om. I welcome Sri Durga).

4.2.4.2.        Put it into the vessel in front (Kunda) or if you have an assigned seat you may place it on the seat.

4.2.5.           Aachmaniyodaka: (water for washing hands, etc.).

4.2.5.1.        Take water in Kushi and utter:

ॐ ह्रीं दूं इदं आचमनीयोदकं श्री दुर्गायै नमः

om hrīṁ dūṁ idaṁ ācamanīyodakaṁ śrī durgāyai namaḥ

(Om. I offer this water for washing to Sri Durga).

4.2.5.2.    Pour it into the vessel in front (Kunda).

4.2.6.           Madhuparka: (Sweet nectar like liquid offering)

4.2.6.1.         Hold the madhuparka bowl in your left hand.

4.2.6.2.         While uttering the following mantra pour a few spoonsful of madhuparka into the Kunda.

ॐ ह्रीं दूं इदं मधूपर्कं श्री दुर्गायै नमः

om hrīṁ dūṁ idaṁ madhūparkaṁ śrī durgāyai namaḥ

(Om. I offer this madhuparka to Sri Durga).

4.2.7.           Punarachmaniyodaka: (water for washing hands, etc.).

4.2.7.1.        Since madhuparka is sticky because of honey, fresh water is offered again to wash.

4.2.7.2.        Take water in Kushi and utter:

ॐ ह्रीं दूं इदं पुनराचमनीयोदकं श्री दुर्गायै नमः

om hrīṁ dūṁ idaṁ punarācamanīyodakaṁ śrī durgāyai namaḥ

(Om. I offer this water for washing to Sri Durga).

4.1.7.3.        Pour it into the vessel in front (Kunda).

4.2.8.        End of Welcoming Phase.

4.2.8.1.        Blow the conch.

  

4.3.         Preparation for Annabhog.

Before starting the Bath-puja process, typically at this stage, it helps to have designated devotees start warming up the bhog-naividya (Food offering).    

The warmed bhog-naividya is placed on a tray with proper cutleries and offered ceremoniously complete with glass full of water. Please refer to picture.

Jan 31, 2019

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