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Poojaa-1
See also      Bhaagvat Puraan, 11/22      Types of Poojaa     Cure by Poojaa
Poojaa of Five Elements -    Soorya,     Agni,     Jal;     Prithvi;     Vaayu 

Poojaa means devotional worship. A Hindoo has the freedom to choose his own way of worshipping God..

(1) Poojaa can be performed with a Hom (Yagya), which consists of kindling a fire, chanting Mantra in front of it, and oblations to God by pouring them into fire. Here fire acts the messenger-priest who communicates the message of the man to God.

(2) Poojaa can be done by reciting favorite hymns sitting in front of an image of God often followed by an Aaratee (by waving a lamp, burning an incense, and offering flowers, fruits, sweets, Tulasee or Bilva leaves, and water in front of that person or God's idol with reciting or not reciting a hymn).

(3) It may consist of repeating the name of God, loudly or quietly, 108 times or more. This name of God can be only name of God, a Mantra (for example Gaayatree Mantra), or a short phrase, such as "Om Namah Shivaaya" etc.

(4) It may be done individually in a lonely place at home, or in congregation by singing devotional songs and Mantra followed by Aaratee and offering as above.

(5) It may even consist of Aavaahan (invoking God) of the deity in one's home, offering Him a seat, washing His feet, offering Him perfume and incense, lighting a lamp to show Him one's happiness at His arrival, offering flowers and food and lastly Aaratee.

On special days a Poojaa is accompanied by fasting and eating special vegetarian food first offered to God.

Naarad Jee said to King Ambareesh - Learned man should worship Hari by putting Havishya in Agni (fire), by flowers in water, by meditating in mind, and by Jap in solar system.

First Ahinsaa, second control on Indriyaan, third to be kind on all living beings, fourth forgiveness, fifth Sham, sixth Dam, seventh meditation, and eighth Truth - these are eight flowers. Other flowers are only for show, Krishn is pleased with only above mentioned flowers. Water is the flower of Varun Devtaa. Ghee, milk and yogurt are the flowers for Chandramaa. Grains is the flower for Prajaapati, Dhoop and lamp for Agni Dev and fruits and flowers are for vegetation. Kush and roots are the flowers for Prithvi, smell and sandalwood are for Vaayu (air), and Shraddhaa is the flower for Vishnu. Instruments are regarded as the flower for Vishnupad (means to attain Vishnu). By worshipping these 8 types of flowers Vishnu is pleased very soon.

Soorya, Agni, Braahman, cow, Vaishnav, heart, Vaayu, water, Prithvi, soul, and all living beings are the places of worshipping Bhagavaan. One should worship Hari in Soorya by three Vidya (Rig Ved, Yajur Ved, Saam Ved); in Agni by offering Aahuti of Havishya; in Braahman by felicitating him; in cows by feeding them with grass and water; in Vaishnav by treating them like brothers; in heart by meditation; in Vaayu by Praanaayaam; in water by offering flowers with water; in Prithvi, or Vedee or clay idol by reading Mantra, and all Bhog etc; in soul by treating all alike; and in all living beings by considering them all as the form of Bhagavaan. It is appropriate to worship Hari's Chaturbhuj Roop in all these places.
[Padm Puraan, 4/19]

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