SATYANARAYAN PUJA VIDHI
Lord Vishnu is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Satyanarayan Puja and other ocassions related to Lord Vishnu. Worshipping Gods and Goddesses with all 16 rituals is known as Shodashopachara Puja (षोडशोपचार पूजा).
Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi
The puja starts by a prayer to Lord Ganesha. This puja is done in order to remove all obstacles that may occur as a result of incorrectly performing the puja. This is done by chanting all the names of Lord Ganesha and offering prasad (a food offering, that usually consisting of one of Lord Ganesha’s favorite foods – modak, a sugar and coconut mixture, or laddu) and the showering of flower petals. After the offering is done a prayer is conducted to worship the Navagraha’s – the nine important celestial beings in the universe. They consist of Surya or the Sun, Chandra or the moon, Angaaraka/Chevaai or Mars, Budha or Mercury, Guru aka Bruhaspati or Jupiter, Shukra or Venus, Sani or Saturn, Rahu and Ketu, the head and tail of the Demon snake.
After the Navagraha puja is performed worshipping of Satyanarayan begans. First “panchamritam” is used to clean the place where the idol of lord Vishnu is placed. After placing the deity in the correct position, Satyanarayan swami is worshipped. The names of Satyanarayan are chanted. During the chanting offering of a variety of Prasad which includes a mixture of milk, honey, ghee/butter, yogurt, sugar and flower petals is made. The story or the Satyanarayan katha is performed which is required to be heard among all those observing and partaking in the puja. The story involves the origin of the puja, the benefits of it, and the potential mishaps that may occur with the forgetting performance of the puja. The prayer gets over with an Aarti, which consists of revolving a small fire-lit-lamp in the vicinity of an image of the Lord. After the puja is over, participants and observers of the puja are offered prasadam which has been offered to and blessed by Lord Vishnu.
Importance of Satyanarayan Puja
It relieves people of their worries and anxiety.
Brings peace.
Brings prosperity and wealth.
Removes obstacles.
Brings happiness to life.
Removes negativity.
And provides liberation (moksha)
Symbolism of Satyanarayan Puja
Lord Satyanarayan is depicted as the being of truth. The true worship of Satyanarayan involves practice of truth and commitment to truth in all aspects of life. It is a promise to god to live life truthfully and honestly because that leads to liberation. Truth should be practiced spiritually and physically through rituals. The Satyanarayan puja is an embodiment of this- to be true to yourself and live truthfully. Being false leads to darkness, ignorance and suffering. Being truthful leads to light, wisdom and eventually liberation. Hence, Satyanarayan puja is not about a ritual to remove problems. It is about practicing the truth as it is a purifier and leads to happiness and peace.
Satyanarayan is the combination of two words – ‘Satya’ meaning truth and ‘Narayana’ meaning the highest being. So Satyanarayan signifies ‘the highest being that is the embodiment of truth’. Satyanarayan puja is the worship of the Narayana form of Lord Vishnu in order to attain self-purification and blessings. It is the easiest and most inexpensive way to worship the lord and attain his blessings. This puja is usually performed before an auspicious occasion like marriage, inauguration of house etc. in order to bring happiness, prosperity and well-being for the family. The ceremony originated in Bengal as Satya Pir and was later adapted into Satyanarayan puja. It’s a popular ceremony in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra, Assam and Goa.
Satyanarayan Puja Samagri
Turmeric Powder- 1/4 lb
Kumkum- 1 Packet
Sandal Wood Paste/Powder- 1 Packet
Agar Bathi(Incense Sticks) – 1 Packet
Camphor- 1 Packet
Beetle Leaves and nuts- Approx. 30
Flowers- 4 Bunches
Fruits- 12 Bananas and 5 other Varieties
Coconuts- 9
Rice- 2 lb
Kalasa Vasthram – 1 Towel or 1 Yard Fabric
Coins (Quarters)- 20
Prasadam
Rava Kesari
Asirvatham Dress
Dry Fruits
Kalkandu (Sugar Candy)- 1 Packet
Milk- 1/2 gallon
Yoghurt- 1 can
Ghee- 1 small bottle
Honey- 1 bottle
Sugar- 1 packet
Dates- 1 packet
Navadhanyam- 1 packet
Deepam (Lamp)/Oil for Deepam/Match Box/Cotton Wick for Deepam Kalasam
Panchapathra Udharini- Small Trays 2, Big Trays 2, Small Cups 5
1. Dhyanam (ध्यानम्)
Puja should begin with the meditation of Lord Satyanarayan. Dhyana should be done in front of Satyanarayan image or idol in front of you. Following Mantra should be chanted while meditating on Lord Satyanarayan.
Dhyayet Satyam Gunatitam Gunatrayasamanvitam।
Lokanatham Trilokesham Kaustubhabharanam Harim॥
Nilavarna Pitavastram Shrivatsapadabhushitam।
Govindam Gokulanandam Brahmadyairapi Pujitam॥
2. Avahanam (आवाहनं)
After Dhyana of Lord Satyanarayan, one should chant following Mantra in front of the Murti, by showing Avahan Mudra (Avahan Mudra is formed by joining both palms and folding both thumbs inwards).
Damodara Samagachchha Lakshmya Saha Jagatpate।
Imam Maya Kritam Pujam Grihana Surasattama॥
Shri Lakshmi Sahita Shri Satyanarayanaya Avahayami।
3. Asana (आसन)
After Lord Satyanarayan has been invoked, take five flowers in Anjali (by joining palm of both hands) and leave them in front of the Murti to offer seat to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Nanaratna Samakirna Kartasvaravibhushitam।
Asanam Devadevesha! Prityartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Asanam Samarpayami।
4. Padyam (पाद्यम्)
After Asana offering, offer water to Shri Satyanarayan to wash the feet while chanting following Mantra.
Narayanah Namasteastu Narakarnavataraka।
Padyam Grihana Devesha! Mama Saukhyam Vivardhaya॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami।
5. Arghyam (अर्घ्यम्)
After Padya offering, offer water to Shri Satyanarayan for head Abhishekam while chanting following Mantra.
Vyaktavyaktasvarupaya Hrishikapataye Namah।
Maya Nivedito Bhaktya Arghyoayam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Arghyam Samarpayami।
6. Achamaniyam (आचमनीयम्)
After Arghya offering, offer water to Shri Satyanarayan for Achamana while chanting following Mantra.
Mandakinyastu Yadvari Sarvapaapa Haram Shubham।
Tadidam Kalpitam Deva Samyagachamyatam Vibho
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Achamaniyam Samarpayami।
7. Panchamrita Snanam (पञ्चामृत स्नानम्)
After Achamaniya offering, give a bath with Panchamrita (the mixture of milk, curd, honey, Ghee and sugar) to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Snanam Panchamritairdeva Grihana Surasattama।
Anathanatha Sarvajna Girvana Pranatapriya॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Panchamrita Snanam Samarpayami।
8. Shuddhodaka Snanam (शुद्धोदक स्नानम्)
After Panchamrita Snana, offer bath to Shri Satyanarayan with pure water while chanting following Mantra.
Nanatirthasamanitam Sarvapaapa Haram Shubham।
Tadidam Kalpitam Deva Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Shuddhodaka Snanam Samarpayami।
9. Vastram (वस्त्रं)
After Shuddhodaka Snana, now offer new clothes to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Shitavatoshna Samtranam Lajjayah Rakshanam Param।
Dehalankaranam Vastra Prityartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Vastra Yugmam Samarpayami।
10. Yajnopavitam (यज्ञोपवीतं)
After Vastra offering, offer holy thread to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Brahmavishnumaheshena Nirmitam Sutramuttamam।
Grihana Bhagawan Vishnu Sarveshta Phalado Bhava॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Yajnopavitam Samarpayami।
11. Chandan (चन्दन)
After Yajnopavita offering, offer sandalwood paste or powder to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Shrikhanda Chandanam Divyam Gandhadhyam Sumanoharam।
Vilepanam Surashreshtha Chandanam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Chandanam Samarpayami।
12. Pushpa (पुष्प)
After Chandan offering, offer flowers to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Malyadini Sugandhini Malatyadini Vai Prabho।
Maya Hritani Pushpani Pujartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Pushpam Samarpayami।
13. Dhupam (धूपम्)
After Pushpa offering, offer Dhupa to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Vanaspatirasodbhuto Gandhadhyo Gandha Uttamah।
Aghreyah Sarvadevanam Dhupoayam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Dhupam Aghrapayami।
14. Deepam (दीपं)
After Dhupam offering, offer enlightened earthen lamp of pure Ghee to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Sajyam Cha Varti Samyuktam Vahnina Deepitam Maya।
Deepam Grihana Devesha Mama Saukhyaprado Bhava॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Deepam Darshayami।
15. Naivedyam (नैवेद्यं)
After Deepam offering, wash your hands and offer Naivedya. It should include different type of fruits and sweets and offer this to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Ghritapakvam Havishyannam Payasam Cha Sasharkaram।
Nanavidham Cha Naivedyam Grihininva Surasattama॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Naivedyam Nivedayami।
16. Tambula (ताम्बूल)
After offering Naivedyam, offer betel leaf (Tambula) to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Lavangakarpurasamyutam Tambulam Sura Pujitam।
Eladichurna Samyuktam Prityartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Tambulam Samarpayami।
17. Phala (फल)
After offering Tambulam, offer fruits to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Idam Phalam Maya Deva! Sthapitam Puratastav।
Tena Me Saphalavaptirbhavejjanmani Janmani॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Phalam Samarpayami।
18. Aarti (आरती)
After offering fruits, offer Aarti with lit camphor in Puja Thali to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra. After chanting following Mantra sing Shri Satyanarayan Aarti in praise of Lord Satyanarayan. Please find the aarti here.
Chaturvarti Samayuktam Goghritena Cha Puritam।
Arartikyamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varado Bhava॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Mangala Aartim Samarpayami।
19. Pradakshinam (प्रदक्षिणम्)
After Aarti, now offer symbolic Pradakshina (circumambulate from left to right of Shri Satyanarayan) with flowers in hand while chanting following Mantra.
Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantara Kritani Cha।
Tani Tani Vinashyantu Pradakshina Pade Pade॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Pradakshinam Samarpayami।
20. Mantra Pushpanjali (मन्त्र पुष्पाञ्जलि)
After Pradakshina, offer incantations and flowers to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Yanmaya Bhakti Yuktena Patram Pushpam Phalam Jalam।
Niveditam Cha Naivedyam Tad Grihananukampaya॥
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Janardana।
Yatpujitam Mayadeva Paripurna Tadastu Me॥
Anaya Pujaya Shrivishnuh Prasidatu॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Pushpanjalim Samarpayami।
Sourced from: drikpanchang