Haritaki (Terminaliya chebula)

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom         Plantae

Division           Magnoliophyta

Class                Magnoliopsida

Order               Myrtales

Family             Combretaceae

Genus              Terminalia

Species            chebula Rtz.

Terminaliya chebula has always been a popular topic among the interested ones to decipher its true nature and amazing characteristics. “Haritaki”, in Sanskrit, has a significant value in Ayurveda, an alternative medical system, and also known with different names, such as ‘Harro’, ‘Pththya[1]’ (means it is an all time good herb for everyone), ‘Haritaki[2]’(means one which is originated from Hari's (God's) home or which is green in nature; here green stands for faith and fertility. Or that carries away all the illnesses from the body), ‘Rohini’, ‘Kaayastha’, ‘Abhaya[3]’ (that makes a person fear free from all the diseases and discomforts), ‘Jivanti’, ‘Amritaa[4]’(means it is like nectar for the body), ‘Vijaya’ and ‘Chetaki’. It (Black Myrobalan or Chebulic Myrobalan) is called Harro in Nepali, Harad, Haritaki, Inknut, or Harada in Urdu and Hindi, Aralu in Sri Lanka, Hirada in Marathi, Kadukkai in Tamil, Horitoky in Bengali, Hilikha in Assamese, Karakkaya in Telugu, he zi in Chinese and Arura in Tibetan[5]. Many big trees (more than 100 species) belong to the genus Terminalia of them belong to the family Combretaceae. The genus of this plant comes from the Latin word “terminus”, as the leaves of the tree are located at the end of the branches [6].

It is observed as the “King of medicines” in the Ayurvedic meteria medica and Traditional Tibetan medicine because of its extraordinary powers of healing and native to southern Asia from India and Nepal east to southwestern China (Yunnan), and south to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam[7]. It is observed as a medicine to destroy all diseases and scrapes out all wastes from the body and again, it is known to promote tissue growth at the same time. These are some of the reasons behind the importance in Ayurveda[8].

It is a deciduous tree growing to 30-metre (98 ft) tall, with a trunk up to 1-metre (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. The leaves are distant, alternate to subopposite in arrangement, oval, 7–8-centimetre (2.8–3.1 in) long and 4.5–10-centimetre (1.8–3.9 in) broad with a 1–3-centimetre (0.39–1.2 in) petiole with long, soft, shining, rust coloured or silvery hairs and wither in the cold season. The flower is dull white or yellowish with a strong offensive smell and blooms in April to May. The fruit is drupe-like, 2–4.5-centimetre (0.79–1.8 in) long and 1.2–2.5-centimetre (0.47–0.98 in) broad, blackish, with five longitudinal ridges[9] and it forms in November to January.

MYTHOLOGY

In Hinduism, a marvelous story is related to the origin of this fruit in Sanhitaa. Once Mata Laxmi, Bhagavati, and Saraswati reached the Prabhaasa Tirtha and there, they wanted to worship Harihara offering some fruits with lots of best qualities. They were thinking over and over and in the due course, tears rolled down and dropped on the earth from the eyes of all of them producing three different trees and the fruits from those trees are called “Harro/Haritaki/Terminaliya chebula”, “Barro/” and “Amalaa”. They were happy to see plants grown out of their tear drops and when the fruits were ready to pick up, they did Puja of Harihara offering those three fruits. These three fruits have great significance in Hinduism because of its origin; directly from the tear drops of three divine mothers. It is considered that “Harro/Haritaki” made out of Ma Laxmi’s tears, “Barro/” made out of Ma Bhagavati’s tears, and “Amala/” made from Ma Saraswati’s tears.

These could be metaphors for the benefits related with the fruits. Since Ma Laxmi represents the prosperity, welfare and everything that anyone wants out of this material life, ‘Harro’ might have that benefits that help anyone to get all of those amenities of lives. If you were healthy and had broad wisdom, you would have better chance to earn money and utilize all of those facilities. Ma Bhagavati represents the serenity or peace of soul and mind and when you eat ‘Barro/’, it might help to get peace in soul and mind. And Ma Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom and the story might be pointing at benefits to the brain eating ‘Amala/’.

There is another story as well. That says when Indra (King of all deities in Hindu mythology) was once drinking some kind of nectar in the heaven and mistakenly, a drop out of the tumbler dropped on the earth and it produced the plant of ‘Haritak’.

People might get confused with the mythology but most of the time mythology hides some secrets within. Even if it does not have any secrets and literally plain in interpretation, the plant still has different species in existence and these stories could be for two different species.

AYURVEDIC DESCRIPTION[10]

Sanskrit Name:            Haritaki

Parts used:                   Fruits

Types[11] of Fruits—

Vijaya looks just like a squash and can be used in all cases.

Rohini is round in shape and more effective for healing.

Putana is small in size with big hard seeds and is useful for external plastering.

Amrita is fleshier and good for body purification.

Abhaya has five lobes and is more effective for ophthalmic use (external).

Jivanti is yellow in color and good for all cases.

Chetaki has three lobes, is good to use in the form of powder, and is more laxative than the others.  Chetaki comes in two varieties—white and black.

Properties—

Guna:                          Laghu, Ruksha

Rasa:                           Madhura, katu, tiktha, kashaya, and amla. Only Lavana is absent.

Veerya:                        Ushna

Vipaka:                        Madhura

Prabhaava:                   Tridoshahar

Karma(Action)—

Mridu Virechaka (mild laxative),

Tridoshahara [cures all the three humors (doshas)],

Agnideepaka (enhances bio-assimilation),

Medhakara (enhances memory),

Rasayana (rejuvenating, prevents aging and disease),

Netra Hithakara (good for eyes),

Laghu Paki (digests easily),

Ayurvardhaka (increases life span),

Brimhana (nourishes body tissues)

General Uses:

This tree yields smallish, ribbed and nut-like fruits which are picked when still green and then pickled, boiled with a little added [[sugar in their own syrup or used in preserves[12]. Some people in Nepal pick the fruit premature and called it ‘Kaalo Harro’ meaning black Haritaki.

CONSTITUENTS[13]

The major bio-active constituents of the fruit are tannins, anthraquinones, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, chebulic acid, ellagic acid and gallic acid. The other minor compounds include corilegin, β-D-glucogallin, glucose and sorbitol. Polyphenolic compounds, triterpene glycosides, terchebulin, punicalagin, terflavin A, flavonoids, reducing sugars and starch are other constituents of the fruit. Terpenene glycosides, arjungenin and arjunglucoside-I. 18 amino acids and a small quantity of phosphoric, succinic, syringic and quinic acids.

Chebulinic acid - R= H

Chebulagic acid - RR = bond

MEDICINAL USES

The trees that belong to this genus are known as a good secondary source of metabolites: Cyclic triterpenes and derivatives, flavonoids, tannins and other aromatic metabolites. Some of these substances are antifungal, antibacterial, anticarcinogen and hepatoprotective[14].

It is the fruits that are used for treating diseases. The matured fruits are normally harvested during the autumn season and this is the time these fruits are supposed to have the strongest medicinal and laxative effects. Drying the fruit properly in the sun to make it powder reduces the laxative effect slightly and cooking or steaming reduces it even further due to the oxidation of the laxative chemicals. Those traditional doctors disapprove of cooking the fruits when it should be sun-dried (a tedious process) because it is thought to weaken the herb’s medicinal effectiveness[15].

Haritaki fruit embodies all the tastes except salt in it and it is also tridosagna meaning it can be used for any types of health imbalances. Furthermore, it is an anulomanum; a mild laxative that aids in digestion. The fruit is part of triphala, the three-fruit formula.  It is generally administered in triphala form rather than by itself to draw upon the tonic effects.  Each of the triphala fruits is tonic, and together they act to balance the three primary balancing forces, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To bring out two opposing actions within a given product, Ayurvedic doctors administer it with warm water to strengthen the laxative action, and with ice cold water to promote the astringent action.  For example, the juice mixed with cold water can be used as a mouthwash to treat spongy gums[16].

Topical Use of Terminalia chebula[17]

Its paste with water is found to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic and having purifiying and healing capacity for wounds. Its decoction as a lotion is surgical dressing for healing the wound earlier.

Equal parts of three myrobalans and catechu are made in a paste with clarified butter or some bland oil work as an ointment in chronic ulcerations, ulcerated wounds and other skin diseases with discharge. These ointments could be a substitute for Gall ointments used in Britain.

These are used for astringent purpose in hemorrhoids as well. Its decoction is used as gargle in oral ulcers, sore throat. Its powder is a good astringent dentrifice in loose gums, bleeding and ulceration in gums.

Terminalia Chebula & Abdominal Disorders[18]

·         It is good to increase the appetite, as digestive aid, Liver stimulant, as stomachic, as  gastrointestinal prokinetic agent, and mild laxative.

·         Haritaki has proven gastrokinetic effect i.e. it helps in moving the contents of stomach earlier. So it can be used after surgeries and as adjuvant with other drugs that interfere with gastric motility as antihistaminics, atropine like drugs.

·         Base on its comprehensive properties, it promotes appetite and helps in digestion.

·    It stimulates the liver and protects it further by expelling the waste excretory products from the intestines.

·         The powder of Haritaki has been used in chronic diarrhea, sprue with good results. It should be used as hot infusion in these disorders. It is indicated in Protracted diarrhea with hematochezia and prolapse of rectum.

·         For persons with excessive gas in intestine, flatulence, it is a good herb that can be taken daily. it will relieve these conditions smoothly.

·   One compound Chebulagic acid from Haritaki has shown antispasmodic action like that of Papaverine.

·       Being a mild laxative, it is a mild herbal colon cleanse. With its other properties, it provides some help in conditions with Liver and Spleen enlargement and in Ascites. It is not a strong purgative like other herbs as Senna. It does the cleansing action very smoothly. Further it can be taken for a long time without any ill effects.

·         In Ayurveda haritaki is the best for 'Srotoshodhana' or purifying the channels of body.

Besides, those mentioned above it has lots of benefits depending upon the ways of taking it. For instance[19],

• one compound Chebulagic acid from Haritaki has shown antispasmodic action like that of Papaverine.

• Haritaki can serve to act as an effective alternative to modern prokinetic drugs like metaclopramide.

• Gallic acid and its ethyl ester, isolated from Terminalia chebula, displayed potent antimicrobial activity against several bacteria, including methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (Sato et al 1998). A crude extract of Terminalia chebula is reported to have potent and broad spectrum antibacterial activity against human pathogenic Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria (Phadke and Kulkarni 1989).

• Haritaki is reported to have antiherpes simplex virus type 1 activity (Kurokawa et al 1995). Haritaki  showed a significant inhibitory activity on the effects on human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase (el-Mekkawy et al 1995).

·         A water extract of Terminalia chebula was found to have an antifungal activity.

Some notes on the methods of using –

·         If you eat it making paste, it would cleanse your stomach.

·         If you eat it cooking on the fire straightway, it will remove your tridosha.

·         If you eat it with foods, it will give you strength and wisdom.

·         If taken after meals Haritaki prevents imbalance of any of the humors due to bad food or drink.

·        Haritaki maintains the balance of all the three Doshas. When taken with Lavana (Rock salt) it pacifies the aggravated Kapha, with sugar the Pitta and with Ghruta (Indian clarified butter) the Vata.

·      Haritaki gives different results according to the mode of taking i.e. when chewed it ignites the digestive fire, when taken after making a paste it ensures the timely evacuation of the feces and when taken after roasting it balances all the three Doshas.

·         Haritaki is the drug of choice for rejuvenation for all the seasons. This is called as the "Ritu Haritaki". In rainy season it should be taken with Saindhava (Rock salt), in autumn with sugar, in early winter with Shunthi, in late winter with Pippali, in spring season with honey and in summer season it should be taken with Guda (Jaggery).

·         If you use its powder as toothpaste, it will make your teeth stronger and healthy.

·        It would be very helpful to reduce your eye problems, if you wash your eyes with the water that is with Haritaki for the whole night in it.

·     Make a paste grinding Soaked Haritaki using rose water and apply it to darken the eyelids and as mascara for the eyelashes, that would help to fix poor eyesights.

·     If you take 2/5 grams powder of Haritaki daily, it would help to prevent the internal bleeding from mouth and throat.

·         Boil ½ liter water with 10 grams of Haritaki powder and reduce it up to 75% and mix little bit of Alum (potassium aluminium sulfate) on that and do gargling with that, it will help to heal the wounds and other skin and gum problems of your mouth and throat.

·         If you problems on your face, like, bacterial infections, dark spots et cetera, make a paste grinding the whole-night-soaked Haritaki using raw milk or rose water and mix the paste with honey and apply it on your face at night when you go to the bed and wash it in the morning, it will help your face to glow.

·          Soak one teaspoon ground Haritaki for the whole night in 200ml of water and the next day boil it and reduce it up to half and strain it immediately and mix honey with the filtrate and drink it as hot as you can. (Make sure you are not going to burn yourself)

Gallery :: ::

 

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[1] http://www.ayurvedicdietsolutions.com/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/

[6] http://essenherb.com/

[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/

[8] http://www.sssbiotic.com/

[9] http://en.wikipedia.org/

[10] http://www.ayurhelp.com/

[11] http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/

[12] http://en.wikipedia.org/

[13] http://essenherb.com/

[14] Ibid.

[15] http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/

[16] Ibid.

[17] www.holistic-herbalist.com

[18] Ibid.

[19] www.ayurvedicdietsolutions.com

चन्द्रशेखराष्टकं Chandrasekhara Ashtakam

चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर पाहिमाम् ।
चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ १॥

रत्नसानुशरासनं रजतादिशृङ्गनिकेतनं
सिञ्जिनीकृतपन्नगेश्वरमच्युताननसायकम् ।
क्षिप्रदघपुरत्रयं त्रिदिवालयैभिवन्दितं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥ २॥

I seek refuge in him, who has the moon, Who made the mountain of jewels into his bow, Who resides on the mountain of silver, Who made the serpent Vasuki as rope, Who made Lord Vishnu as arrows, And quickly destroyed the three cities, And who is saluted by the three worlds, And so what can the God of Death do to me?

पञ्चपादपपुष्पगन्धपदाम्बुजदूयशोभितं
भाललोचनजातपावकदग्धमन्मथविग्रह।म् ।
भस्मदिग्धकलेवरं भवनाशनं भवमव्ययं
चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ ३॥

I seek refuge in him, who has the moon, Who shines with the pair of his lotus-like feet, Which are worshipped by the scented flowers of five kalpaka trees,
Who burnt the body of God of Love, Using the fire from the eyes on his forehead,
Who applies ash all over his body, Who destroys the sorrow of life, And who does not have destruction, And so what can the God of Death do to me?

मत्त्वारणमुख्यचर्मकृतोत्तरीमनोहरं
पङ्कजासनपद्मलोचनपुजिताङ्घ्रिसरोरुहम् ।
देवसिन्धुतरङ्गसीकर सिक्तशुभ्रजटाधरं
चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ ४॥

I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon, Who is the stealer of minds because of his upper cloth, Made of the skin of the ferocious elephant,
Who has lotus-like feet which are worshipped, By Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, And who has matted hair drenched by drops, Of the waves of the holy river Ganga, And so what can God of Death do to me?

यक्षराजसखं भगाक्षहरं भुजङ्गविभूषणं
शैलराजसुता परिष्कृत चारुवामकलेवरम् ।
क्ष्वेडनीलगलं परश्वधधारिणं मृगधारिणं
चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ ५॥

I seek refuge in him, who has the moon, Who is friend of Lord Kubera, Who destroyed the eyes of Bhaga, Who wears serpent as ornament, Whose left part of the body is decorated, By the daughter of the king of mountain, Whose neck is blue because of the poison, Who is armed with an axe, And who carries a deer with Him, And so what can God of Death do to me?

कुण्डलीकृतकुण्डलेश्वरकुण्डलं वृषवाहनं
नारदादिमुनीश्वरस्तुतवैभवं भुवनेश्वरम् ।
अन्धकान्धकामा श्रिता मरपादपं शमनान्तकं
चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ ६॥

I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon, Who wears the ear studs made of a curling serpent, Who is the great one being praised by Narada and other sages, Who is the Lord of the entire earth, Who is the killer of Anthakasura. Who is the wish-giving tree to his devotees, And who is the killer of God of Death, And so what can God of Death do to me?

भषजं भवरोगिणामखिलापदामपहारिणं
दक्षयज्ञर्विनाशनं त्रिगुणात्मकं त्रिविलोचनम् ।
भुक्तिमुक्तफलप्रदं सकलाघसङ्घनिवर्हनं चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ ७॥

I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon, Who is the doctor who cures sorrowful life,
Who destroys all sorts of dangers, Who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha, Who is personification of three qualities, Who has three different eyes, Who bestows devotion and salvation, And who destroys all types of sins, And so what can God of death do to me?

भक्त वत्सलमचिञ्तं निधिमक्षयं हरिदम्वरं
सर्वभूतपतिं परात्पर प्रमेयमनुत्तमम् ।
सोमवारिज भूहुताशनसोमपानिलखाकृतिं चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥ ८॥

I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon, Who is worshipped as darling of devotees, Who is the treasure which is perennial, Who clothes Himself with the directions, Who is the chief of all beings, Who is beyond the unreachable God, Who is not understood by any one, Who is the holiest of every one, And who is served by moon, water, sun, earth, Fire, ether, boss and the Wind And so what can god of death do to me?

विश्वसृष्टिविधालिनं पुनरेव पालनतत्परं
संहरन्तमपि प्रपञ्चम शेषलोकनिवासिनम् ।
क्रिडयन्तमहर्निशं गणनाथयूथ समन्वितंचन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेकर चन्द्रशेकर रक्षमाम् ॥ ९॥

I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon, Who does the creation of the universe, Who then is interested in its upkeep, Who at proper time destroys the universe, Who lives in every being of the universe, Who is plays day and night with all beings, Who is the leader of all beings, And who is like any one of them, And so what can god of death do to me?

मृत्युभीतमृकण्डसूनुकृतस्तव शिव सन्निधौ
यत्र कुत्र च पठेन्नहि तस्य मृत्युभयं भवेत् ।
पूर्णमायुररोगितामखिलाथ सम्पदमादरंचन्द्रशेखर एव तस्य ददाति मुक्तिमयत्नतः ॥ १०॥
He who reads this prayer, Composed by the son of Mrukandu, Who was fear struck with death, In the temple of Lord Shiva, Will not have fear of death, He would have full healthy life, With all grains and all wealth, And Lord Chandra Shekara, Would give Him, Salvation in the end.

॥ इति चन्द्रशेखराष्टकम् ॥

गुरु आह्वान् स्तोत्र

पूर्णम् सतान्यै परिपूर्ण रुपम्।

गूरुर्वै सतान्यम् दीर्घो वतान्यम्।।

आवर्विताम् पूर्ण मदैव पुण्यम्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

न जानामी योगम न जानामी ध्यानम्।

न मन्त्रम् न तन्त्रम् योगम् कृयान्वै।।

न जानामी पुर्णम् न देहम न पूर्वम।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

अनाथो दरिद्रो जरा रोग युक्तो।

माहाक्षिण दीनम् सदा ज्याड्य वक्त्र:।।

विपत्ती प्रविष्टम् सदाह्म् भजामी।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

त्वम् मातृ रुपम् पितृ स्वरुपम्।

आत्म स्वरुपम् प्राण स्वरुपम्।।

चैतन्य रुपम् देव दिवन्त्रम्।

गूरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

त्वम् नाथ पूर्णम् त्वम् देव पुर्णम्।

आत्मम् च पूर्णम् ज्ञानम् च पूर्णम्।।

अहम् त्वाम् प्रपध्ये सदह्म् भजामी।

गूरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

मम अश्रु अर्घ्यम् पुष्पम् प्रसुनम्।

देहम् च पुष्पम् शरणम् त्वमेवम्।।

जीवो$वदाम् पूर्ण मदैव रुपम्।

गूरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

आवाहयामि आवाहयामि।

शरण्यम् शरण्यम् सदाह्म् शरण्यम्।।

त्वम् नाथ मेवम् प्रपध्ये प्रशन्नम्।

गूरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

न तातो न माता न बन्धुर्न भ्राता।

न पुत्रो न पुत्री न भृत्योर्न भर्ता।।

न जाया न वित्तम न वृत्तिर्ममेवम्।

गूरुर्वै शरण्यम् गूरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

आवध्य रुपम् अश्रु प्रवाहम्।

धीयाम् प्रपध्ये हृदयम् वदान्यै।।

देह त्वमेवम् शरण्यम् त्वमेवम्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

एको हि नाथम् एको हि शब्दम्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

कान्ताम् न पूर्व वदान्यै वदान्यम्।

को$ह्म् सदान्यै सदाह्म् वदामि।।

न पूर्वम् पतिर्वै पतिर्वै सदा$ह्म्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

न प्राणो वदार्वै न देहम् नवा$है।

न नेत्रम न पूर्व सदा$ह्म् वदान्यै।।

तुच्छम् वदाम् पूर्व मदैव तुल्यम्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

पूर्वो न पूर्व न ज्ञानम् न तुल्यम्।

न नारी नरम् वै पतिर्वै न पत्न्यम्।।

को कत् कदा कुत्र कदैव तुल्यम्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

गुरुर्वै गतान्यम् गुरुर्वै शतान्यम्।

गुरुर्वै वदान्यम् गुरुर्वै कथान्यम्।।

गुरुमेव रुपम् सदा$ह्म् भजामी।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

आत्र वदाम् अश्रु वदैव रुपम्।

ज्ञानम् वदान्यै परिपूर्ण नित्यम्।।

गुरुर्वै वज्राह्म् गुरुर्वै भजाह्म्।

गुरुर्वै शरण्यम् गुरुर्वै शरण्यम्।।

त्वमेव माता च...........

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव।

त्वमेव वन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव।।

त्वमेव विध्या द्रविणम् त्वमेव।

त्वमेव सर्वम् मम देव देव।।

MAHALAXMI PUJAN AND SADHANA METHOD

On Dipawali night, sadhak should sit on a yellow asana (mat) wearing yellow cloths and facing towards north after becoming suddha[1]. Spread a yellow piece of cloth on a khatiya (almost similar to a very small book-sized table) and put a thali (Indian plate, normally use copper one) on the top of it and draw asthadala kamal[2]( You do not have to draw the whole thing; it is just outer shape of the eight petals of lotus within the imaginary circle) on it with keshar (a kind of color) and place the Mahaganapati-Mahalaxmi yantra (machine; it is a rectangular piece of copper and some kinds of impressions on it) on it. Then, place Riddi kalpantika on the east, Siddhi kalpantika on the west, Subha on the north and Laabha on the south of the yantra and put five tika with asthagandha at the centre of the yantra reciting the mantra “Om dhanadayai nama:” five times and put tika yourself as well. And then, start your pujan (worships).

Materials needed—

1. Kumkum (a powder either made from turmeric or saffron)
2. Mauli (a cotton red thread roll)
3. Agarbatti (candles)
4. Keshar (saffron)
5. Kapur (camphor)
6. Sindur (Vermilion)
7. Paan (see glossary-taambula)
8. Supari (areca nut or betel nut)
9. Cloves
10. Alaichi (black cardamom)
11. Fruits
12. Flower garlands
13. Ganga jal (pure water)
14. Panchamrit (a mix made up of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey and sugar)
15. Yagyopavit (a sacred thread)
16. Cloths for offering
17. Sweets
18. Copper Aachamani (copper ladle to ladle out holy water) and Panchapatra (a copper container, where water is ladle out from)

Pabitrikaran[3] (process getting pure from inside and outside)

You take Suddha (Clean) water on your left cupped palm and cover it with your right palm and recite the mantra-

ॐ अपवित्र: पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थांगतोऽपि वा l
य: स्मेरत्पुण्डरिकाक्षं स बाह्यभ्यन्तर: शुचि: ll

Om apabitra: pabitro wa sarwawasthaagato pi wa l

Ya: smeratpundarikaanksham sa baahyabhyantara: shuchi ll

And say a bit loud “Hari om” thrice closing your eyes and on chin mudra (tips of the index finger and thumb touched)

Sankalpa (just like taking oath)

Take some suddha (pure) water on your right cupped palm with drabya (precious items, such as coins)/flowers and recite the following mantra.

Om Vishnur Vishnu shri madbhagavato mahaapurusha sya vishnoraagyayaa pravartamaanasya adhya shri bramhanonhi dwitiya paraardwe shwetaavaraahakalpe vaivaswata manvantare jambudwipe bharata varshe asmin pavitra kshetre amuka vaasare (take name the day) amuka gotrotpannoham (take your gotra), amuka sharmaham (take your name) yathaa militopachaarai: shri mahalaxmi prityarthe dipawali pujanam cha karisye l

ç lji0f' lj{i0f' >L db\eujtf] dxfk'?if:olji0ff]/f1of k|jt{dfg:o cB >L a|Dx0ff]˜lGx l4tLo k/f4]{ Zj]tfj/fxsNk] j}j:jtdGjGt/] hDa"4Lk] ef/tjif]{ cl:dg\ kljq If]q] cd's jf;/] -_ cd's uf]qf]TkGgf]˜x+ -_ cd's zdf{˜x+ -_ oyf ldlntf]krf/} >L dxfnIdL k|LToy]{ bLkfjnL k"hg+ r sl/io] .

And then, leave the water on the floor.

Guru Pujan

Place the Guru picture or Guru yantra in front of you and recite the following stotra with two palms stuck together (like doing namaskar).

u'?a|{Dxf u'?lj{i0f' u'?b]{jf] dx]Zj/: .
u'?: ;fIfft\ k/a|Dx t:d} >Lu'/j] gd: ..
u'?+ cfjfxofld :yfkofld gd .
kfB+, :gfg+, ltns+, k'ik+, w"k+,
bLk+, g}j]B+ r ;dk{ofld gd ..

Gurur bramhaa gururvishnu gururdevo maheswara l

Guru: saakshaat parabramha tasmai shri guruve nama: ll

Gurum aavaahayaami sthaapayaami nama l

Paadhyam, snaanam, tilakam, pushpam, dhupam,

Dipam, naivedhyam cha samarpayaami nama ll

and then, offer padhya[4], tilaka[5], flowers, incense sticks, dip (candles) and naivedhya[6] after bathing Guru with suddha (pure) water and pray with the following stotra.

c1fgltld/fGw:o 1fgf+hg znfsof .
rIf'?GdLlnt+ o]g t:d} >L u'/]j] gd ..

agyana timiraandhasya gyaanaanjana shalaakayaa l

chakshurunmilitam yena tasmai shri guruve nama ll

Ganapati Pujan

Pray to god Ganapati with reciting the following stotra and imagine his picture in bhrikuti (in the middle of two eyebrows) sticking two palms together.

uhfgg+ e"t u0fflw;]ljt+,
slkTy hDa"kmn rf?eIf0f+ .
pdf;'t+ zf]s ljgfz sf/s+,
gdfld lj£g]Zj/ kfbk+shd\ ..
ç u0f]zfo gd Wofg+ ;dk{ofld ..

gajaananam bhuta ganaadhisevitam,

kapittha jambufala chaarubhakshanam l

umaasutam shoka vinaasha kaarakam,

namaami vighneshwara paadapankajam ll

om ganeshaaya nama dhyaanam samarpayaami ll

and offer a flower asana[7] (mat to sit on) to god Ganapati/Ganesha.

Then, bathe the Mahaganapati-Mahalaxmi yantra with pure water and panchamrit reciting the following stotra—

k~r gB: ;/:jtL dlkolGt ;;|f]t;\: .
;/:jtL t' k~rwf ;f]b]z]˜ejt\ ;l/t\ ..

Pancha naddha: saraswati mapiyanti sasrotas: l

Saraswati tu panchadhaa sodeshe bhavat sarit ll

After doing this, offer chandan, akshata, flower garlands, naivedhya et cetera revolving the burnt incense sticks and dip (candles) around the yantra thrice and recite following stotra.

rGbg+ cIftfg\ k"ik dfnf+ g}j]B+ r ;dk{ofld gd: .
w"k+ bLk+ bz{ofld gd: ..

chandanam akshataan puspa maalaam naivedhyam cha samarpayaami nama l

dhupam dipam darshayaami nama ll

And do Achamanam (The simplest versions of achamanam consist of sipping water 3 times from the Brahma-Grantha (base of the right thumb) while reciting different mantras in praise of the lord. Water is first poured into the cupped palm of the right hand. One then recites the specific mantra and silently sips the water from the base of the thumb) and offer pan(see taambula in glossary), black cardamom and cloves and other stuffs included and pray saying the following line with both palms stuck as you do namaskar.

gd:t] a|Dxf?kfo lji0f'?kfo t] gd: .
gd:t] ?b|?kfo sl/?kfo t] gd: .
ljZj?k:j?kfo gd:t] a|Dxfrfl/0f] .
eQmlk|ofo b]jfo gd:t'Eo+ ljgfos ..
ç u+ u0fkto] gd: ..
lglj{£gd:t' . lglj{£gd:t' . lglj{£gd:t' ..
ç tt\ ;b\a|Dxfk{0fd:t' .
cg]g s[t]g k"hg]g l;l4 a'l4 ;lxt: ..
>L eujfg\ u0fflwklt: k|LoGtfd\ ..

Namaste bramharupaaya vishnurupaaya te nama: l

Namaste rudrarupaaya karirupaaya te nama: l

Vishwarupaswa rupaaya namaste bramhaachaarine l

Bhakta priyaaya devaaya namastubhyam vinaayaka ll

Om gam ganapataye nama: ll

Nirvighnamastu l Nirvighnamastu l Nirvighnamastu ll

Om tat sadbramhaarpana mastu l

Anena kritena pujanena siddhi buddhi sahita: ll

Shri bhagavaan ganaadhipati: priyantaam ll

Now, start doing dhyanam (meditate on) on Mahalaxmi with both palms stuck together facing inwardly. Recite the following stotra—

ç cDa] clDas] cDaflns] g df golt sZrg .
;;:ToZjs ;'elb|sf+ sfDkLnfjfl;gLd\ ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd Wofg+ ;dk{ofld ..

Om ambe ambike ambaalike na maa nayati kashchana l

Sasastyashwaka subhadrikaam kaampilaavaasinim ll

Shri mahaalaxmyai nama dhyaanam samarpayaami ll

Aavhaahana[8] (invitation to the goddess)

After finishing with dhyanam (meditation), place a flower in between two palms and call the Bhagawati Mahalaxmi reciting the following stotra –

dxfkB jgfGt:y] sf/0ffgGblju|x] .
;j{e"tlxt] dft/x\o]lx k/d]Zjl/ ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd: cfjfxg+ ;dk{ofld ..

Mahaapaddha vanaantasthe kaaranaa nanda vigrahe l

Sarvabhutahite maatarahyehi parameshwari ll

Shri mahaalaxmyai nama aavaahanam samarpayaami ll

Offer the flower on the yantra.

Aasana (Mat to sit on)

Offer a flower for aasana (mat to sit on) reciting this –

>L dxfnIDo} gd: cf;g+ ;dk{ofld gd: ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama aasanam samarpayaami nama ll

Paaddha

Offer two scoops of aachamani (ladles) of pure water on the feet of the idol or image reciting this –

>L dxfnIDo} gd: kfB+ ;dk{ofld ..
c£o{ cfrdgLo+ :gfg+ r ;dk{ofld ..

sri mahaalaxmyai nama paddham samarpayaami ll

arghya aachamaniyam snaanam cha samarpayaami ll

And then, again, offer arghya (the water offered to the Lord as a token of respectful greeting) and do aachamani and bathe the idol or image of the Bhagavati[9].

Panchaamrit snaana (bathing with panchaamrit)

Bathe the Bhagavati with panchaamrit reciting the following –

dWjfHozs{/fo'Q+m blwIfL/;dlGjtd\ .
k~rfd[t+ u[xf0f]b+ k~rf:ok|f0fjNne] ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd: k~rfd[t :gfg+ ;dk{ofld ..

Madhvaajya sharkaraayuktam dadhikshira samanvitam l

Panchaamritam grihaanedam panchaasya praana vallabhe ll

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama panchaamrita snaanam samarpayaami ll

Shuddodaka snaana

Now, bathe the Bhagawati with pure water reciting following –

k/dfgGbaf]wflAw+ lgdUg lghd"t{o] .
z'4f]bs}:tj :gfg+ sNkofDoDa z+sl/ ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd: z'4f]bs :gfg+ ;dk{ofld ..

Paramaananda bodhaabdhim nimagna nijamurtaye l

Shuddhodakai stava snaanam kalpayaamyamba shankari ll

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama suddhodaka snaanam samarpayaami ll

And offer bastra (cloths), aabhusan (jewels), gandha (fragrance), akshata[10], and flowers to the Bhagavati reciting the respective mantras.

For bastra (cloths),

>L dxfnIDo} gd: j:q+ ;dk{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama vastram samarpayaami ll

For aabhusana (jewels),

>L dxfnIDo} gd: cfe"if0f+ ;dk{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama aabhusanam samarpayaami ll

For gandha (fragrances),

>L dxfnIDo} gd: uGw+ ;dk{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama gandham samarpayaami ll

For akshata,

>L dxfnIDo} gd: cIftfg\ ;dk{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama akshataan samarpayaami ll

For flowers,

>L dxfnIDo} gd: k'ikfl0f ;dk{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama puspaani samarpayaami ll

And offer rice grains, kumkum, and flowers together on the yantra reciting the following mantras –

ç rknfo} gd: kfbf} k"hofld ..

om chapalaayai nama paadau pujayaami ll

ç r~rnfo} gd: hfg'gL k"hofld ..

om chanchalaayai nama jaanuni pujayaami ll

ç sdnfo} gd: sl6+ k"hofld ..

om kamalaayai nama katim pujayaami ll

ç sfTofoGo} gd: gfle+ k"hofld ..

om kaatyaayanyai nama naabhim pujayaami ll

ç huGdfq] gd: h7/ k"hofld ..

om jaganmaatre nama jathara pujayaami ll

ç ljZjjNnefo} gd: jIf: :yn+ k"hofld ..

om vishwa vallabhaayai nama vaksha sthalam pujayaami ll

ç sdnjfl;Go} gd: x:tf} k"hofld ..

om kamalavaasinyai nama hastau pujayaami ll

ç kBfggfo} gd: d'v+ k"hofld ..

om paddhana naayai nama mukham pujayaami ll

ç sdnkqfIo} gd: g]qqo+ k"hofld ..

om kamala patraakshyai nama netra trayam pujayaami ll

ç l>o} gd: lz/: k"hofld ..

om sriyai nama shira pujayaami ll

ç dxfnIDo} gd: ;jf{¨ k"hofld ..

om mahalaxmyai nama sarvaanga pujayaami ll

Then, revolve the dip (candles) and incense sticks thrice clockwise in front of the image or idol of the Bhagavati and recite the mantras respectively—

>L dxfnIDo} gd: w"k+ cf3|fkofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama dhupam aaghraapayaami ll

>L dxfnIDo} gd: bLk+ bz{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama dipam darshayaami ll

Naiveddha (foods prepared for the goddess and we are not supposed to taste or eat it before offering to the Bhagavati. We take it at the end as prasaadam.)

Recite the following mantras –

Gffg ljwflg eIofl0f Jo~hgflg xl/lk|o] .
oy]i6+ e'ª\Ij g}j]B+ if8\/;+ r rt'lj{wd\ ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd: g}j]B+ lgj]bofld ..

   

Nana vidhaani bhakshyaani vyanjanaani haripriye l

Yathestam bhunkshva sadrasam cha chaturvidham ll

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama naiveddham nivedayaami ll

And offer the naiveddha prepared for the Bhagavati and take out water on aachaman (ladle) and then, revolve it around the naiveddha thrice clockwisely.

Taambula, dakshinaa

Offer taambula[11] and dakshinaa[12] reciting the following mantras respectively—

>L dxfnIDo} gd: tfDa"n+ ;dk{ofld .. >L dxfnIDo} gd: blIf0ff+ ;dk{ofld ..

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama taambulam samarpayaami ll

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama dakshinaam samarpayaami ll

Now start worshiping those gutikaa (some kind of pellet) around the yantra with kumkum, flowers, akshata, pure water and sindur (vermilion) and chant the following mantra for whole 21 malas[13] (each mala means reciting the mantra for 108 times) with “Kamalagattaa Maalaa” (dried lotus seed rosary).   

.. ç >L+ >L+ dxfnIdL+ cfuR5 cfuR5 wg+ b]lx b]lx ç ..

ll om srim srim mahaalaxmi aagachchha aagachchha dhanam dehi dehi om ll

puspaanjali, pranaamaanjali

Offer flowers on the yantra reciting the following mantras –

gfg ;'uGw k'ikfl0f oyf sfnf]b\ejflg r .
k'ikf~hlnd{of bQf u[xf0f hublDas] ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd: k'ikf~hln+ ;dk{ofld ..

And pray to Bhagavati reciting the following mantras with both palms stuck together facing each other inwardly—

gdf] b]Jo} dxfb]Jo} lzjfo} ;tt+ gd: ..
gd: k|s[To} eb|fo} lgotf: k|0ftf: :d tf: ..
>L dxfnIDo} gd: gd:s/f]ld ..

Namo devyai mahaadevyai shivaayai satatam nama ll

Nama prakrityai bhadrayai niyataa pranataa sma taa ll

Sri mahaalaxmyai nama namaskaromi ll

Samarpana (dedication)

And offer the pujana (worshipings) and japa[14] (chants) that you just finished with on the holy feet of Bhagavati reciting the following samarpana mantra—

ç tT;t\ a|Dxfk{0fd:t', cg]g s[t]g k"hf/fwg sd{0ff .
>L dxfnIDfL b]jtf k/f;+ljt\ :j?lk0fL k|LoGtfd\ ..

Om tatsat bramhaarpanamastu, anena kritena pujaaraadhana karmanaa l

Sri mahaalaxmi devataa paraasanvit swarupini priyantaam ll

Pour down one aachaman (ladle) of pure water on the floor to fix the wrong things that might have happened during the course of pujan and japa.

Aarati

ç ho nIdL dftf, d}of ho nIdL dftf .
t'dsf] lgl; lbg ;]jt, x/ lji0f' wftf ..
        ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

pdf, /df, a|Dxf0fL, t'd xL hu dftf .
;"o{ rGb|df Wofjt, gf/bg Clif uftf ..
        ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

b'uf{ ?k lg/+hlg, ;'v ;DklQ bftf .
hf] sf]O{ t'dsf] Woftf, l/lw l;lw wg kftf ..
        ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

t'd kftfn lgjfl;lg, t'd xL z'e bftf .
sd{ k|efj k|sfl;lg, ej lglw sL qftf ..
        ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

lh; 3/ t'd /xtL tx+, ;b\u'0f cftf .
;a ;Dej xf] hftf, dg gxL+ 3a/ftf ..
         ç ho nIdL dftf ………..

t'd lag o1 g xf]t], j:q g xf] kftf .
vfg kfg sf j}ej ;a t'd;] cftf ..
         ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

z'e u'0f dlGb/ ;'Gb/, IfL/f]blw hftf .
/Tg rt'b{z t'd lag, sf]O{ gxL+ kftf ..
          ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

dxfnIdL hL sL cf/tL, hf] sf]O{ g/ uftf .
p/ cfgGb ;dftf, kfk pt/ hftf ..
          ç ho nIdL dftf ……….

om jaya laxmi maataa, maiyaa jaya laxmi maataa l

tumako nisi dina sevata, hara Vishnu dhaataa ll

            om jaya laxmi maataa …….

Umaa, ramaa, bramhaani, tuma hi jaga maataa l

Surya chandramaa dhyaavata, naaradana rishi gaataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa …….

Durgaa rupa niranjani, sukha sampati daataa l

Jo koi tumako dhyaataa, ridhi sidhi dhana paataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa …….

Tuma paataala nivaasini, tuma hi shubha daataa l

Karma prabhaava prakaasini, bhava nidhi ki traataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa ……..

Jisa ghara tuma rahati taham, sadguna aataa l

Saba sambhava ho jaataa, mana nahin ghabaraataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa ……..

Tuma bina yagya na hote, vastra na ho paataa l

Khaana paana kaa vaibhava, saba tumse aataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa ……..

Shubha guna mandira sundara, kshirodadhi jaataa l

Ratna chaturdasha tuma bina, koi nahin paataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa ………

Mahaalaxmi ji ki aarati, jo koi nara gaataa l

Ura aananda samaataa, papa utara jaataa ll

            Om jaya laxmi maataa ………

(or you can download this bhajan song from anywhere and if you know nothing how to sing this, then, just clap and dance with playing it)  

Jala aarati (aarati with water)

Take an aachamani (ladle) from panchapaatra of pure water and revolve it around the dip (candle) for thrice clockwisely and recite the following mantra –

ç Bf}: zflGt/Gtl/If -u"+_ zflGt: पृथिवी
zflGt/fk: zflGt /f]ifwo: zflGt: . jg:kto:
zflGt lj{Zj] b]jf: zflGt: a|Dxf zflGt: ;j{ -u"+_
zflGt: zflGt/]j zflGt: ;f df zflGt/]lw ..
ç zflGt: ç zflGt: ç zflGt: ..

om ddhau shaanti rantariksha (gum) shaanti: prithivi

shaantiraapa: shaanti rosadhaya: shaanti: l vanaspataya:

shaantir vishve devaa: shaanti: bramhaa shaanti: sarva (gum)

shaanti: shaantireva shaanti: saa maa shaantiredhi ll

om shaanti: om shaanti: om shaanti: ll

Here we finish the Pujana and sadhana.

After finishing with this pujan and sadhana, do bisarjana (throw it nicely and gently in a respected manner) the very next day all the stuffs except maalaa (rosary) and yantra in ponds, sea or somewhere very pure places and keep the maalaa (rosary) and yantra at your praying place and do chanting as more as possible for one and quarter months and then do bisarjana these things also in the water.

Acknowledgement:

Most of the definitions for the things that do not have the English name since that are not native to the English-speaking countries have been taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/

and the picture used in this article is taken from google image. This is an English translation of the sadhana, and it was bestowed upon disciples by Param Bandaniya Gurudev Mahamaya Ma Yogshyama. It is strictly suggested to do any sadhanas under the supervision of your Guru (master).

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[1] Suddha means as per Hindu shastra taking bath after you finishing with your toileting and stuffs and wearing clean cloths, i.e. it is called suddha cloths unless you ate food wearing the cloths, went to toilet, used in bed, and used it for outings. But it becomes suddha, when you wash it again and you should always become suddha and wear suddha cloths to do puja, sadhana or anything related to god and goddesses.

[2] You do not have to draw the whole thing; it is just the eight petals within the imaginary circle.

[3] It is a process to make yourself clean from inside and outside and you finish it with reciting “Hari Om” thrice on chin mudra.

[4] Padhya means “for the feet”, it is an offering of pure water to the god washing feet. Some people wash it themselves and some just offer water to the god depending on their practices.

[5] Tilaka/tilak, a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body, may be made with sandalwood paste, ashes (vibhuti), kumkum, sindhoor, clay, or other substances. The pastes are applied to the forehead and in some cases to the upper part of the head.

[6] Naivedhya refers to offering of food to God, before eating it. As such, tasting during preparation or eating the food before offering it to God is forbidden. The food is placed before a deity and prayers are offered. Then the food is consumed as a holy offering.

[7] A flower asana means putting flowers on the place where you want him to sit on

[8] Aavhaahana means inviting the deities there

[9] Bhagavati means a goddess.

[10] Akshata means a mix of rice grains with yogurt, saffron and sometimes only rice grains and saffrons.

[11] Tambula or Paan is prepared by spreading slightly scented, pungent and astringent substances on a couple of betel leaves. These leaves are neatly folded and kept in the mouth and chewed slowly.

[12] Dakshina (Sanskrit: dakṣiṇā, the feminine of dakṣiṇa "south, southern", but also "right-hand side, able, dexterous, clever") in the historical Vedic religion is the term for the recompense paid by the sacrificer for the services of a priest, originally consisting of a cow (according to Kātyāyana Śrautasūtra 15, Lāṭyāyana Śrautasūtra 8.1.2). The term itself is derived from this, the feminine dakṣiṇā being a term for a cow able to calve and give milk (a prolific cow, milch-cow) in the Rigveda.

[13] 1 Mala equals to chanting the mantra 108 times. Each rosary contains 108 beads plus the sumeru/head bead (the marker of beginning or finishing of each malaa chanting and you must not cross the sumeru. when you reach there, you must flip it other way around in a manner so that you would be able to start again from where you ended and you would not cross the sumeru as well) 

[14] Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a divine power