Hinduism For All

Importance of Panchaayatana Worship

Aadi Shankara who established the unity of all six facets of Lord (Shanmata), i.e. Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Subrahmanya and Soorya, prescribed the worship of these deities by every Hindu. He established the Panchaayatana mode, i.e. Shiva (Linga), Vishnu (Saalagraama), Soorya (Sphatika), Ganesha (Shonabhadra) and Shakti (Ambika) in which the favourite deity will occupy the central position surrounded by other deities. Since Subrahmanya is of the nature of fire and worship of fire was ordained as a daily duty of a person, no image of Subrahmanya was separately included.

Bimba :

A metallic or a stone object, not moulded to a definite form is the object of worship (Nitya Panchaayatana Pooja). But, there are specification regarding their usage.

Shonashila (or) Shonabhadra :

A red stone, from Shona river worshipped representing Lord Ganesha.

Sphatika :

The white crystal, usually found on the banks of Ganga, represents Soorya.

Aambikam (Metallic Piece) :

An amalgam of Silver, Copper, Gold etc. is used to represent mother Goddess.

Saalagraama :

This is a fossilised stone found in Gandaki river, which is considered representing Lord Vishnu.

An oval sized stone, usually with concentric rings, called Sudarshana is usually found in the river Gandaki. But with varying patterns and openings, the Saalagraamas are specifically said to be having special presence of Nrisimha, Santaana Gopaala, Varaaha etc.

The greatness of Saalagraama is found narrated in great details in Skanda Puraana, Bhaagavata etc. Lord Vishnu, is said to be eternally making His presence in the Saalagraama, hence no Aavaahana i.e. ritual invocation is deemed necessary.

Linga :

The Linga, a pebble is usually found in the holy river Narmada, and is called Baana Linga. With the markings on it, it is also termed Chandrashekhara, Neelakantha, Gangaadhara etc.

The Linga can also be made of metals such as silver, gold even mercury (called rasalinga) or crystals such as sphatika, marakata etc.

Shiva is always invoked in a Shiva Linga. There is a mythical legend that Sage Brighu, who went to Kailaasha (the Abode of Shiva), saw the Lord in ecstasy of dance, hence did not notice the presence of the Maharishi. Sage Brighu cursed Shiva that henceforth, His worship would be only to the ‘Linga’ and not to an image. Linga is always mounted on a circular base called yoni. This symbolizes the perfect union of Purusha (the sentient) and the Prakruti (the insentient matter), this union results in the creation of the Universe.

Depending on the choice of the devotee, he may choose any one of the five as his Ishtadevata, and place it in the centre and place the other deities in a prescribed manner during the time of worship.

Apart from the Panchaayatana worship and worship of deities in specific yantras called Aavaranapooja, there is a practice of worshipping other deities too.

Subrahmanya :

Lord Subrahmanya is considered to be of nature of fire, hence Shree Shankara did not mention any external symbol apart from the daily fire ritual which was mandatory for a Braahmana. Subrahmanya Swami is worshipped by invoking him in a Vigraha (idol) or in Shakti-Vel (a spear like weapon). There is a regional practice of invoking Subrahmanya in an image of Snake and worshipping. The ‘Shakti’ represents the fiery Lord Subrahmanya, to destroy the bondage and impediments of the devotee.

Raama & Krishna :

With the spread of Raama-bhakti and Krishna-bhakti, the images of Raadhaa-Krishna, or Raama along with Seetaa, Lakshmana and Hanumaan is also worshipped by the devotee.

Poorna Kalasha :

During many festivals dedicated to various deities, they are invoked in a pot of water, called Kalasha and worshipped. The arrangement of the Kalasha signifies fertility of the vow and assures the devotee of success in action. On a cleaned floor, geometrical design with rice-flour (called Kolam or Rangoli) is drawn upon which plantain leaf with their tip pointing east or north is laid. Rice, Urud dal are spread over it in two layers and on top of it a pot or jar (Kumbha) filled with scented water is placed. The jar is knitted with cotton thread and adorned with a new garment. Gold or silver coin, herbs etc. are dropped in this pot of water. The fresh sprouts of mango, gooseberry leaves etc. are placed over which a coconut is kept. After initial purification, the deity of the main worship like Varalakshmi, Satyanaaraayana, Ananta Padmanaabha etc. are invoked in the sanctified jar and worshipped.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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