Worship in Hinduism - home puja

Question 1

puja

Answer 1

rituals that express bhakti

Question 2

bhakti-yoga

Answer 2

worship in the home

Question 3

purest place to have a shrine in the home?

Answer 3

kitchen

Question 4

objects in a shrine found in the home:

Answer 4

an arti tray with bell, spoon, joss sticks, water, flowers, pastes, arti lamp, murtis of istadevas, picture of saints, gurus and ancestors

Question 5

what do the holders mean on the arti lamp?

Answer 5

3 holders = 3 functions of God

5 holders = 5 senses relating to 5 elements in the universe

Question 6

what does the frequency of puja depend on?

Answer 6

up to the householder

depends on family/caste custom

Question 7

when are the most popular times to practice puja?

Answer 7

morning, midday and evening

Question 8

who normally leads the worship?

Answer 8

the woman of the house

Question 9

upper castes are usually more what in their worship?

Answer 9

observant and elaborate

Question 10

what must the woman do before worship and why?

Answer 10

bathe, put on new clothes, removes shoes to be pure before God

Question 11

God = ?

Answer 11

an honored guest

Question 12

what kinds of body postures can be used to indicate devotion?

Answer 12

kneeling, bowing, covering head, hands in Namaste position

Question 13

how many places is the body touched in to indicate worship?

Answer 13

6 - usually points along the spine

Question 14

what does the ghi lamp symbolise?

Answer 14

the oneness of God and the enlightenment he/she gives

Question 15

what is the symbolism of waving a joss stick?

Answer 15

prayers are wafted upwards, also symbolises God’s presence pervading all

Question 16

what is offered?

Answer 16

powders, garlands, water and food

Question 17

what is the relationship between devotee and God?

Answer 17

worshipper is the servant to God

Question 18

what is the main motive behind puja?

Answer 18

bhakti

Question 19

what does God do in return?

Answer 19

loves the devotee, brings material help and also liberation from samsara

Question 20

what else does the devotee do in worship?

Answer 20

sing hymns, chant mantras or do some silent meditation

Question 21

prasad

Answer 21

blessed food

Question 22

why must prasad not be left in a polluting place?

Answer 22

God’s left-overs are pure

Question 23

what else happens in the home and who are they led by?

Answer 23

samskaras, led by the priest and hosted by the head of the house

Question 24

what is important about priest-led rituals?

Answer 24

more formal, include Vedic mantras, more elaborate, highly effective and auspicious