Delving into the depths of ritualistic worship - Puja

Few weeks back I saw an article in the "Speaking Tree" column of ET in which the author articulates that ritualistic worship (puja) is experiential in nature and has a beneficial and pleasant impact on the human system like a spa.

It is not uncommon in India to come across movies and social media posts where ancient Hindu rituals are mocked and demeaned. Such incidents only show a superficial understanding of the subject.

It is heartening to see a sincere and deeper treatment of the subject in the column and I feel inspired to share more. I was initiated into puja by my grandfather at a very young age and I have been practicing it for more than 3 decades now. I can talk about the subject from direct personal experience.

What is puja?

Poornat jayate iti puja - That which arises from fullness is puja.

The first thing to know is that puja is an expression of fullness and abundance. It's a way to express gratitude to the divine from which everything is received, by symbolically offering back some of the things received.

Example: When you buy a saree for your mom and a wrist watch for your dad from your first salary. It is not meant to indicate a lack on their part but gratitude and love for them on your part.

Experiential process

Puja is a divine treat for the five senses - sight, smell, touch, sound and taste. The process is designed such that it creates a soothing and healing effect on the senses. The newspaper column gets into details. To understand puja one needs to immerse in it and experience. The proof of the pudding is in eating.

The 3 stages

Worship is offered at 3 progressive stages/levels.

The first and most basic is one in which the deity is seen as the symbol of the divine and worship offered to it. A simple way to understand this is how one may keep the picture of one's child or spouse in a wallet. Seeing the picture reminds you of the loved one and you may kiss the picture. Physically it's just colored paper but mentally it represents someone you love. Does anyone get mocked for kissing color paper?

The second and subtler stage is one where you train yourself to see the divine in everything. It's difficult to progress to this level but not impossible. When Sri Ramakrishna worshiped the Divine Mother it was not a stone idol but a living presence for him.
Example: What a doctor sees in an xray report and what a layman sees in it is very different - despite the xray being exactly the same. The different perspective is an outcome of rigorous training.

The final and subtlest level/stage is where all divisions and distinctions dissolve and there is nothing but the divine presence. In this stage the deity worshiped, act of worship, items of worship and the worshiper all merge into the one. In this stage every action performed, every action omitted, the doer, the deity and the offerings used is worship.

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् |
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || BG 4.24

The offering is Brahman, the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman.

Closing thoughts

Puja has the power to uplift one to the highest state of consciousness/oneness. What makes it more appealing is that it is practical, blissful and powerful at the same time.

It's 100% experiential.

But to experience it you need to dive in.

~S~