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> PUJA : INTRODUCTION

Source: Private archive

Adi Shankaracharya has said Puja is very conductive to spiritual progress and evokes the blessings of Adi Shakti. He emphasises that when Chitta is one with the all pervading, the Yogi in NIRVIKALPA transcends the duality of the worshipper and the worshipper. When our Holy Mother is everpresent how can we invoke Her to come and receive the Puja? What can we offer Her when the Universe is within Her being?

How grateful we all the Sahaja Yogis of the world should be to our Mother for taking the finite form, for allowing us, who are unable to visualise Her infinite form, to worship Her.

You are the Mind, You are the Ether, You are Air
You are Fire and Water and Earth.
You manifest Yourself as the universe,
There exist nothing other than You.
To transform Yourself, who are consciousness
and bliss into the universal body, you deem
the young bride of the Auspicious One.

Verse 35 Saundarya Lahari

As Sahaja Yogis we are privileged to be allowed to worship Shri Adi Shakti in person or through Her photograph. A Puja is received by Her grace, in person or through Her all pervading presence.

Sahaja Yogis have a responsibility when they worship Shri Mataji for She is with us when we meditate and pray to Her. Hence the Puja must be performed with attention completely on the Lotus Feet of Shri Mataji. Distraction from the Puja, although not intended, may amount to showing disrespect. Mantras are recited in the praise of the Supreme Goddess and are from a prayer asking Her acceptance of the offerings, which are made with our devotion.

Pure devotion comes from the heart, whose reflection is the Spirit, which is pleased when we perform auspicious worship of our Holy Mother. Shri Mataji has asked that the Heart be associated with the Puja. It evokes beautiful vibrations at every stage, and the Divine Bliss is enjoyed by everyone present. Puja should become part of the inner system. Shri Mataji has said in one of Her letters that Puja should be performed in the heart. Views of Puja should go to the heart and become a permanent source of joy. Let the heart be the throne of Adi Shakti. Then worship Her Lotus Feet with the attention that has become pure and holy like the Ganges water and auspicious like 'Amrut'.