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Pujas& Homas

Remove Obstacles in Your LifeThrough the Power of Rituals

for Peace and Harmony

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Pujas and Homas are ritua-listic forms of worship that have existed since time im-memorial.

They create harmony in indi-viduals and the environment and have been given to us by the ancient sages and seers (rishis) of India.

A homa is a yagna or fire ri-tual. It is a puja that involves offering various materials in-to a specially designed fire.

People from all walks of life, in every nation around the world can benefit physically, psychologically, sociologically and ecologi-cally from these energizing rituals. Pujas can be performed on one`s own behalf or for a loved one to alleviate suffering caused by malefic planetary influences.

Pujas remove obstacles from our lives. They decrease negative condi-tions, such as stress, anxiety and depression, which are often caused by our modern fast-paced lifestyles.

Pujas are requested for many reasons, for example, to improve one`s fi-nances, strengthen partnerships and create an auspicious start to a busi-ness venture. Pujas not only help us fulfill our material desires, they also bring awareness to the limitations of our human effort. Moreover, they help us realize that none of our actions can bear the desired result with-out divine grace. This understanding helps grace flow into our lives and deepens our personal bond with the Divine.

Amma is committed to re-establishing the ancient Vedic tradition of fe-male priests. Both her male and female monastic disciples have received in-depth training in the art of traditional ritualistic worship, which in-

What are pujas and homas?

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cludes the sciences of mantra, yantra and mudra.

In Amma’s Brahmasthanam temples and Centers throughout the world pujas and homas are performed as selfless service. Some pujas are elabo-rate and can take up to five hours to arrange and perform. All rituals are held at precisely calculated times in order to ensure the best results.

Pujas for World Peace

Pujas for World Peace are conducted yearly in Amma’s European Centers during April and May. All are welcome to participate. For more informa-tion, please visit www.amma-europe.org

“More concentration is achieved through mental worship than external worship. In reality, our own heart is the temple, but we have not yet re-alized this. Therefore, we need an external temple as a reminder of the internal one.” – Amma (Awaken Children 3,1991, pp.75)

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Devi Ganapathi Shiva Rahu

The Brahmasthanam Temple

The Brahmasthanam temples form the heart of pujas and are Amma’s unique gift to the world. In a divine vision, Amma clearly saw how she could mitigate the miseries of mo-dern man by revitalizing the age-old tradition of temple worship.

In places of prayer, especially those that have been consecra-ted by a mahatma (great soul) like Amma, the atmosphere is purified and surcharged with spiritual energy, and therefore very conducive to focused worship.

Born from Amma`s pure resolve, the function of the Brahmasthanam temples is to alleviate human suffering and unfold the divine potential inherent within each one of us. The true principle behind temple worship is the unity underlying diversity. A unique feature of Amma’s Brahma- sthanam temples is the four-sided image depicting the Divine Mother, Lord Shiva, Ganapathi and Rahu. This symbolizes the various names and forms of God throughout the world as the diverse manifestations of the one Ultimate Reality.

Since 1989, Amma has personally performed the temple-consecration ceremony in more than 20 of her ashrams throughout India and in the Republic of Mauritius.

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The Law of Karma

According to Sanatana Dharma (the Eternal Principle), both positive and negative experiences in life result from our past actions. Some of these actions may have been performed hundreds of lifetimes ago. When we engage in selfless actions that benefit society and the world, we create positive karma.

Similarly, when we engage in selfish or disharmonious actions, we reap negative karma, such as failure, loss and disease. In essence, the fruits of all our past actions will be experienced at different periods in our lives. According to the Indian sciences, these periods can be anticipated through a co-analysis of one’s astrological birth chart and the position of the stars, planets and other astral bodies.

How to Change Karma

According to the ancient science of Jyotish (Vedic astrology), the analysis of one’s as-trological chart identifies the various ob-stacles manifesting in our lives as negative circumstances. These obstacles can be re-

duced or removed by having specific pujas and homas performed.

At the same time, there are some types of karma that simply cannot be changed; they must be experienced. However, pujas and homas are al-ways beneficial! Along with sincere prayer and selfless actions, pujas and homas help mitigate suffering and plant seeds for positive experiences in the future.

Remember, the law of karma is not fatalistic, but empowering! Just as our past actions have created our present, our current actions can transform our future.

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Selection of Pujas/Homas

Traditionally puja requests are based on a birth chart analysis which re-quires the date, time and place of birth. The analysis includes a puja re-commendation and the birth star calculation. You can also refer to the list of pujas and homas.

Note: During Amma`s programs, Vedic astrologers offer chart readings. They include a birth star analysis and a puja recommendation.

Three ways to select

• Choose by referring to the puja descriptions listed on the following pages.

• Request a puja recommendation based on your birth data. Follow the instructions on pages 9-11.

• Receive an elaborate chart reading which includes a puja recom-mendation from a local Vedic astrologer.

Why do I need to know my birth star?

Your name and birth star are requested for all puja orders. They function like a mailing address towards which the puja blessings flow.

What if I don’t know my birth time?

Your birth time can be calculated by providing an astrologer with your birth date, place of birth, and approximate birth time, along with the dates of some significant life events such as a marriage.

However, participation in pujas and homas is always beneficial, even if you don’t know your birth time. The merit gained from these rituals will bear fruit at the right time, either now or in the future.

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Pujas and Homas Descriptions

Planetary Pujas (each or Navagraha [all 9 planets])

Select one or more of the following nine planets based on Vedic astrology: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Ve-nus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu.

Ganapathi Homa

When starting new ventures such as a new job or a new investment; for success in business; when getting mar-ried; to remove financial problems; to remove obstacles in general; also for birthdays or positive vibrations in the house.

Maha Ganapathi Homa

This is a longer, more elaborate version of the Ganapathi Homa, and can be performed for all the same reasons above. The additional time and additional ritualistic as-pects make the Maha Ganapathi Homa a much more powerful ritual.

Maha Lakshmi

For prosperity, material abundance and spiritual prospe-rity; removes obstacles on the spiritual path; promotes success in material business.

Saraswati

For gaining knowledge and mastery in studies; to sharpen the intellect and improve memory.

Durga

Reduces all kinds of suffering through the grace of the Divine Mother; removes negative tendencies in us; gives mental strength to overcome all kinds of fears.

Maha Sudarshana Homa

Prayer for serenity of mind and heart; protects against

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all dangers and negative forces; prevents problems that might arise in the future such as accidents, etc.

Santoshima

For general peace, well being and happiness; for unity and harmony among couples and family members.

Subrahmanya

To increase leadership skills; for increased courage and vital energy; to excel in martial arts.

Kali

Reduces depression; keeps negativity at bay; brings di-vine and auspicious energies; removes negative emo-tions; diminishes ego and negative tendencies; provides protection, purification and spiritual elevation.

Bhagavati Seva

For protection from miseries, fulfillment of wishes and for spiritual benefit. As per the Kerala tradition, per-formed just after sunset to receive the blessings of the Divine Mother.

Ayush Homa

Usually performed on birthdays. For positive influences in the coming year; to improve health; for a happy and long life.

Karuka Homa

For the welfare and health of children and to develop academic ability.

Maha Mrityunjaya Homa

Prayer for good health, a long life and mental peace. Tra-ditionally performed in situations of a health crisis, pro-longed sickness or for those on their death bed. Shiva

For improving the general health of body and mind; to remove bad vibrations around a person; for a speedy re-

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covery from illness; before and after surgery.

Vishnu

For a smooth life; for peace and harmony in the family; to improve family relations; for sustaining the family; for departed souls soon after death. (Requests for the de-parted: refer to the registration form on page 11*)

Tila Homa

For departed souls, to be performed 45 days after death or later; for the peace of one’s ancestors and to receive the blessings from the ancestors. (Requests for the de-parted: refer to the registration form on page 11*)

Shiva-Shakti

A prayer for harmony, happiness and spiritual advance-ment in married life. Resolves discord in relationships.

Swayamvara Homa

Helps to find a suitable partner and for getting married.

Uma Maheswara

To be performed on the day of marriage; for unity and harmony between spouses or partners; removes obsta-cles in married life. Considered ideal for matrimonial hap-piness.

Karthika Puja

This elaborate puja is performed on Amma’s birth star day, on Karthika days every month at Amritapuri, Amma’s main ashram in India. It helps diminish negative tenden-cies that hinder spiritual progress and material prosperi-ty. (Please visit www.amritapuja.org for Amma’s birth star dates.)

A Puja Recommendation based on your birth chart

Determines the most beneficial pujas and homas for your life situations according to the planetary influences in your Vedic birth chart. For your requests, please include the date, time and place of birth.

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Order a Puja/HomaFor prices and any questions concerning the information in this brochure,

please email us at ammaspujas@gmail.com

Please select your payment method and follow the instructions

Visit www.amritapuja.orgBy international credit card only

Steps for emailammaspujas@gmail.com

1. Request the online registration form

2. Pay by bank transfer:For U.K. and Northern Ireland (€/£): Bank Lloyds TSB, Friends of AmmaSort code: -30-96-35., Account number :-01734079, BIC:- LOYDGB21023, IBAN: GB56 LOYD 3096 3501 7340 79For deposits to Amma Ireland account (€): Amma Ireland, AIB Western Rd., Cork.Account No: 04856 007, Sort code: 93 41 94IBAN: IE93AIBK93419404856007, BIC CODE: AIBKIE2DWrite your Surname and the word: “Puja”

3. Send us:the completed registration form with a scan of your payment receipt

**For Specific Date-Requests advanced notice is required: minimum 14 days

Following your puja, you’ll receive a confirmation letter with the blessed puja prasad packet from the temple in India. We ensure your puja will be performed. However, we regret we are unable to notify you before or after your puja date.

The pujas are performed by highly trained monastic disciples, who receive no salary but perform the pujas as selfless service. Donations received for pujas directly sup-port the charitable activities of Embracing the World. For more information, please visit www.embracingtheworld.org

May the planetary pujas bring manifold blessings into your life!

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This form is used only during Amma`s programs at the astrology table

REGISTRATION FORMPlease check

A. PUJA/HOMA–REQUESTS B. PUJA RECOMMENDATION

Please submit this completed registration form with a payment receipt.

ALL LETTERS AND NUMBERS MUST BE WRITTEN CLEARLY!

REQUESTED BY: (if person is different from below)

FIRST NAME:__________________________FAMILY NAME:_____________________________

EMAIL/PH.:____________________________________________________________________

SEND PRASAD TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

FIRST NAME:___________________________FAMILY NAME:____________________________

STREET:________________________________________________________________________

POSTAL CODE: ________________CITY:______________________________________________

COUNTRY:___________________________EMAIL/PH.:_________________________________

BIRTH DATA: *PUJAS FOR THE DEPARTED – indicate death data instead (if known):

*BIRTH DATE: Check Month Day:_________ Year: _________

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

*BIRTH TIME: Hour (24hrs):_________ Min: _________ Sec (if known): _________

*BIRTH PLACE:__________________________ *BIRTH COUNTRY:_________________________

BIRTH STAR/NAKSHATRA or DEATH STAR (if known) ____________________________________

REQUESTED PUJAS/HOMAS only when required (see p. 10)**: SPECIFIC DATE COST

TOTAL COST

FOR A PUJA RECOMMENDATION, please write a brief description of the situation:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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English 2013

“Your heart is the real temple. That is where you should install

God. Good thoughts are the flowers you offer to God. Good ac-

tions are your worship. Good words are hymns. And love is the

divine offering.” — Amma