February 22, 2026

Vivek ji shared that today Soumya ji will lead sharing about what Pooja Vidhi and details. This will be connected to Atma Nivedana, final part of Navada Bhakti. Really it is Atma the separation between divinity and me has been dissolved.  

Soumya ji started by sharing Atma Nivedana is truly a beautiful sentiment, the climax to all other eight steps of Navada Bhakti. The goal of these eight steps is Atma Nivedanam. Swami ji says in Atma Nivedanam there is no feeling of I, Bhagavan it is all just you. There is total surrender and you reach this pace of just Bhagavan. Initially it is discipline we practice. It doesn’t come naturally. We have to develop this Bhava, connection, relationship where we go through different practices like Pooja, Japa, Keerthana. These are the tools take us from being extrovert to the realm of Bhagavan. If we get to know Bhagavan, the connection/Bhava is the evolution.

In Jnana marga Atma Nivedana is when I experience my true nature as infinite joy free of all these conditionings of the ego, body, mind. Same in Bhakti marga when I am free of all conditionings, I experience this power of infinite joy working through me being my Antaryami, being my guide, being my source of effulgence. Atma Nivedana is an absolute state we can reach through Pooja.

Today we will all perform Pooja together. Lavanya and Praveen will be spotlighted for you to follow along. Pooja is a discipline that comes with practice, no need to be overwhelmed.  Soumya ji was reflecting on why should I follow a process, why can’t I do what I want. Bhagavan is Antaryami anything I offer he accepts. Why this detailed 16 steps, in this order? Who is ‘I’ asking this question. It is that mind which doesn’t want to get trained. Our purpose is to train this mind so that it can be focused in contemplation. So, Soumya ji decided this mind doesn’t have any choice other but to follow this time-tested practice which trains it. In any field structure comes first, freedom comes later. For example, music, sports, arts we follow the structure, discipline to perform well. We have to follow a structure, a routine to get the mind disciplined. As seekers when we use Pooja as a tool let us follow us these steps till it becomes deep practice and deep connection.

Follow through with Pooja steps with mind and action engaged in Bhagavan even if you don’t have Pooja materials. As part of the training, it is good to memorize some Sanskrit words. For example, when planning a vacation to Parris we pick up some French words. It is only by his grace we are even able to worship him.

Let’s start with three long Aums to settle our mind to keep it in the Pooja.

With hands folded eyes closed we visualize Bhagavan Ganesha and seek his grace and blessings that we may be able to complete the Pooja without any obstacles. Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha Neervigna Kurume Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada”.

Eyes closed, hands folded think of Guru Parampara by which we have this opportunity “Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshvarah Guruh Saakshaat Para Brahma Tasmai Shree Gurave Nama”.

There is an Altor in front of you, lamp is lit. Hands folded this lamp of knowledge, the effulgence is Mother Parvathi herself. “Shubham Karoti Kalyaannam-Aarogyam Dhana-Sampadaa Shatru-Buddhi-Vinaashaaya Diipa-Jyotir-Namostute” Or you can chant “Asatoma Sad-Gamaya Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya“. If you have couple of petals offer at the base of the lamp.

Next with right hand ring the bell invoking Devatas to be part of this Pooja and to chase away the negative thoughts.

Next Pranayama, controlling the breath calms the mind. Put right thumb on the right nostril and take a deep breath with your left nostril chanting Om in the mind for four counts. With ring finger hold your breath for eight counts. Release your thumb and exhale for 16 counts. Reverse it to finish one cycle.

Next, we take Sankalpa a firm resolve to be fully present in this Pooja. With left hand take Akshata, flower petals, a drop of water. Place your left hand on your right knee and close it with your right hand. If you know Mantra chant, if not visualize the form of Bhagavan and pray to him to help you go through this Pooja and keep your mind in this Pooja. Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu mamopatta samastha durithakshaya dwara Sri Parameshwara preethyartham Shraddha Bhakti Jnana Vairagya Vidya Vinaya Praptyartham Sri Sadguru Prasada Sidhyartham Sri Samba Sada Shivam Poojam Karishye.  Now move everything from left to the right hand and offer it to the Altor.

With few petals or Akshitas in your hand touch your heart and visualize the most beautiful form of the deity you are worshipping. If you know Dhyana sloka chant or just visualize your mind on his form. Chant Karpoorgauram karunaavataaram Sansaar saaram bhujagendrahaaram Sada vasantam hridayaravinde Bhavam bhavaani sahitam namaami. Om Namah Shivaya, Dhyanam Avahanam. Welcome Bhagavan, take a flower and offer it at your Altor. Pray to Bhagavan to be physically present in this Pooja as you worship him.

Next, we offer seat to Bhagavan. Let us offer our mind where Bhagavan is going to sit and hold the mind in contemplation. Om Namah Shivaya, Asanam visualize you are offering the seat and Bhagavan is sitting there.

Take spoon of water and visualize you are washing Bhagavan’s feet Aum Namah Shivaya, Padyam.

Take spoon of water and visualize you are washing Bhagavan’s hands Aum Namah Shivaya, Arghyam.

Take spoon of water and visualize you are washing Bhagavan’s face Aum Namah Shivaya, Achamanam.

Take cup full of water to wash or take petal to sprinkle on idol to give Bhagavan bath. Take bell in the left hand, ring the bell, with right hand either sprinkle water or pour cup of water on the idol Aum Namah Shivaya, Snanam. You can chant Bhagavan’s name when he is taking nice bath.

Take petals in hands Aum Namah Shivaya, Vastram, offer to idol.

With your ring finger take drop of wet Chandan paste apply Bhagavan’s forehead Aum Namah Shivaya, Gandham.

With your ring finger take kumkum apply Bhagavan’s forehead Aum Namah Shivaya, Kumkumam.

Now offer him Akshita Aum Namah Shivaya, Akshatam.

Now we perform Archana where you are singing all his glories to keep Bhagavan pleased and to smile at us. While doing it, after each name take a petal hold it to your heart and offer it. Please repeat

Aum Sthiraya Namaha

Aum Stanave Namaha

Aum Prabhave Namah

Aum Bheemaya Namaha

Aum Pravaraya Namaha

Aum Varadaya Namaha

Aum Varaya Namaha

Aum Sarvathmane Namaha

Aum Sarva Vikhyathaya Namaha

Aum Savrasmai Namaha

Aum Sarvakaraya Namaha

Aum Namaha Shivaya Archanam

Next Dhoopam, take incense sticks in the right hand, ringing the bell in the left-hand chant Aum Namah Shivaya, Dhoopam.

Next take Deepam in the right-hand offer to Bhagavan, while ringing the bell with left hand and chant Aum Namah Shivaya, Deepam.

Next Naivedyam is offering our ego. Naivedyam take a fruit or dry fruit or sugar candy, put a flower on it, put spoon of water on it and chant Aum Namah Shivaya, Naivedyam.If can follow these Mantras otherwise chant Aum Namah Shivaya few times. Take your hand from the food to Bhagavan as if you are feeding him. Chant Aum pranaya swaha,om apanaya swaha, Aum vyanaya swaha, Aum udanaya swaha, Aum samanaya swaha, Aum brahmane swaha. While Bhagavan is eating you do Japa for 16 times Aum Namah Shivaya. Pray to Bhagavan to accept humble Naivedyam and be pleased with us.

Next Arthi, you can sing an Arthi if you know it or you have enough time or how you are feeling. Ring the bell for Karpoora Arthi (if you have otherwise use Diya) and chant times Aum Namah Shivaya Mangala Neerajanam. If you can, chant na tatra suryo bhāti na ca̍ndra-tā̲ra̲kam nemā vidyuto bhānti kuto̍yama̲gni̍ḥ tameva bhāntam anubhā̍ti sa̲rvam tasya bhāsā sarvamida̍m vibhā̲ti om śānti̱ḥ śānti̱ḥ śānti̍ḥ. May this light be always there within us.

Next Pradakshina Namasara, stand up turn left to right in a circle 3 times chanting Aum Namaha Shivaya Pradakshina Namaskaran Samarpayami. Now offer Sashtanga Namaskaram, seek his grace and blessings and thank him for everything he has given us.

Next is Prarthana, a short one. When you have time you can offer Stotra, Bhajans, Japa, contemplation while mind is absorbed in Bhagavan. Short Prararthana Aum Karacharana Kritam Vaa Kaya Jam Karmajam Vaa Shravannayanjam Vaa Maansam Vaa Paradham Vihitam Vihitam Vaa Sarv Metat Kshamasva Jay Jay Karunaabdhe Shri Mahadev Shambho Hara Hara Karunaabdhe Shri Mahadev Shambho.

Next, we offer Pooja Phala to Bhagavan. A drop of water in your right hand holding it up chant kāyena vācā manasendriyairvā buddhyātmanā vā prakṛteḥ Swabhava karomi yadyat sakalaṃ parasmai nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi Sri Sambasadashiveti samarpayāmi.

Pooja is finished, take a moment. Take a petal that was already offered to Bhagavan Aum Namah Shivaya Kshamasva, Kshamasva to forgive for lapses in Pooja and bless us. Now we are taking Bhagavan back into our hearts. Take a deep inhale Udhvaswayāmi and throw the petal over your head.

Bhagavan is back where he belongs to. Feel his presence. Now chant Shanti Mantra oṃ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate pūrṇasya pūrṇam-ādāya pūrṇam-evāvaśiṣyate Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi.