Goddess Kamkshi of Kanchipuram with Sriyantra
When Banasura, the demon king became all powerful and the Gods were unable to kill him, Lord Vishnu prayed Devi and she manifested in the form of Goddess Durga. During her battle with Banasura Goddess Durga created Kali and Chandi out of herself. Hence Durga, Kali and Chandi are the three most commonly worshiped names and forms of the Devi. Amba, Ammavaru, Chamundi, Danteswari, Lalita, Tripura Sundari, Meenakshi, Shodasi, Visalakshi are the other names and forms in which she is worshiped in various parts of India.
According to the scriptures and the various devi stotras the abode of the devi is the Vindhyachala, the mountain range that runs through the north-eastern Andhra Pradesh. No wonder that each and every town or village in Andhra has an Ammavru temple where the Devi is worshiped.
The photograph at the top of the page is that of Goddess Kamkshi of Kanchi. Ka-Ma-Akshi when translated means the Goddess has Lakshmi and Saraswati as her eyes, or one who gives you learning and wealth with her glance. It has the closest resemblance to the description of the devi in her original form as given in our scriptures – ” The radiance of a thousand raising suns, three eyes, resplendent in red clothes, wearing a crown with the crescent moon, holding in her hands a bow of sugarcane, goad, arrows of flowers and a cord.”
There are many types of Devi worships, the highest and the most coveted one being the worship of Devi in the Shree Chakra with the Highly guarded Shodasakshari mantra. Given below is a very simple but very effective Devi pooja which every one can perform daily. Those interested is the Shree Chakra pooja will find it in the poojas page.
If you cannot recite the long mantras and cannot do the given brief ritualistic Pooja, you can simply recite the short but effective Devi Mantra: “Om Sri Matare Namah. ॐ श्री मातरे नमः ”
You can recite one Mala or 108 times or whatever number of times you can. Remember – faith is more important than rituals.
Devipooja:
Given bellow are the various offerings to offer Him like flowers, sandalwood paste etc. If you can collect these then fine if not keep a glass or Kalash (urn) with water and a cup with Akshantas Rice and Turmeric mix) and offer with each worship verse.
Sip water 3 time and with each sip say – Om Keshavaya swaha, Om Narayanaya swaha, Om Madhavaya swaha.
Light lamp and light agarbatti or dhoop if you have.
Dhyanam:
Sinduraruna vigraham trinayanam manikyamauli sphurat
Tara nayaka shekharam smitamukhi mapina vakshoruham
Panibhyamalipoorna ratna chashakam raktotpalam bibhratim
Saumyam ratna ghatastha raktacharanam dhyayet paramambikam
Om Tripuradevi namah – dhyayami – meditate on Her.
Om Tripureshidevi namah – avahayami – invite Her to your Puja place.
Om Tripurasundaridevi namah – asanam samarpayami – offer her a seat.
Om Tripuravasinidevi namah – padyam samarpayami – wash Her feet with water.
Om Tripurashridevi namah – arghyam dharayami – offer water to wash hands.
Om Tripuramalinidevi namah – achamanam samarpayami – offer water to sip.
Om Tripurasigdhadevi namah – snanam samarpayami – offer her a bath.
Om Tripurambadevi namah – vastrayugmama samarpayami – offer Her clothes.
Om Mahatripurasundaridevi namah – aabharanam samarpayami – offer Her decorations (like necklace etc)
Om Mahamaheswaridevi namah – gandham dharayami – apply chanda.
Om Mahamaharagyidevi namah – pushpani pujayami – worship with flowers.
Om Mahamahashaktidevi namah – dhupam aghrapayami – light aggarbatti (incense stick).
Om Mahamahaguptadevi namah – deepam darshayami – show Her the lamp.
Om Mahamahagyaptadevi namah – naivedyam samarpayami – offer Her naivedyam (coconut or banana or jagery or sugar etc)
Om Mahamahanandadevi namah – tambulam samarpayami – offer beetle leaves and nuts.
Om Mahamahaskandadevi namah neerajanam samarpayami – light camphor.
Om Mahamahashayadevi namah – mantrapushpam samarpayami – recite the Mantrapushpam.
Om Mahamahashrichakranagarasmragyidevi namah – atmapradikshina namaskaram – turn right 3 times.
samarpayami.
Katyayanaya vidmahe Kanya kumari dheemahi, tanno durge prachodayat.
Anaya Poojaya Devi Tripurasundaridevi Supreeto Suprasanno bhavatu.
Meaning – Having thus worshiped be happy O Devi.
Abhishta sidhim medehi Saranagata Vastale
Bhaktwa samarpaye tubhyam chaturayatanarchanam .
Meaning – I have offered you this Pooja to fulfill my wishes O merciful Devi.
Learn how to worship Devi with the great Shodasi Mantra japa.
Those who are interested in Devi poojas this is a simple and fairly easy to perform Sriyantra pooja.
For those who don’t have the time a simple Khadgamala recital is > here
For those who have the time and inclination a full and very detailed Navavarana pooja as per the great Kaulavachara is > here
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