Panchopachara Puja
Panchopachara Puja
Panchopachara pujas are mental offerings made to Her, and are very special to Her.
Lam prthivi tattvaatmikaye gandham parikalpayami-
‘Lam’ is the seed letter. To Her, who exists as a form of the earth element (prithvi tattva) we offer sandal paste (gandham). The mud on this earth (gandham) is offered.
When the rock/stone like mind is rubbed against sandalwood (good association), special sweet smelling paste is created. Offering of sandal paste is symbolic of this.
Ham akasha tattvatmikaye pushpam parikalpayaami-
‘Ham’ is the seed letter. To Her sky element (akasha tattva), we offer flowers (pushpam).
Yam vaayu tattvaatmikayai dhupam parikalpayani-
‘Yam’ is the seed letter. To the air element (vaayu tattva) present everywhere we offer incense stick (dhoopa).
Ram agni tattvaatmikaye deepam sandarshayaami-
‘Ram’ is the seed letter. To Her fire element (Agni tattva), we offer light (deepam) to such Devi.
Vam amrutatatvaatmikaye amruta naivedyam parikalpayami-
Vam is the seed letter. To Her, who Herself is nectar (amruta tattva), we offer nectar (amruta) as naivedya.
Sam sarva tattvaat mikaye sarvopacharaan samarpayaami-
‘Sam’ is the seed letter. To the Divine Mother, who encompasses every essence (Sarva tattva), I offer every form of service (sarva upachara).
Do not question the traditions that have been laid down by our elders. If you wait for all your questions to be answered then you would have wasted your lifetime. The doubts that you have now are not new. Even our Maharishis had them. And as an answer to all those doubts, they formulated various rituals and customs, which give the intended benefit. They could see far more than what the human eye can see. Do not think that there are no answers for your doubts. For every question, there exists an answer. Also pass on these traditions to your kids too.