Offering naivedya, or sacred food, to the deity is a cherished ritual in Hindu worship, steeped in tradition and reverence. The process involves presenting various offerings, such as milk, sugar, coconut, jaggery, fruits, and kheer, to the divine with utmost devotion and respect. Ideally, these offerings are served on banana leaves, symbolizing purity and auspiciousness, while it’s customary to omit salt from the offerings.
Following the completion of prayers, make a square shape with water on the ground in front of the deity and place the puja plate or naivedya leaf on it. The stem of the Naivedya leaf should be towards the deity and the front edge should be towards yourself.
Make a circle around the plate or leaf using two basil leaves and water. Thereafter, after sprinkling water on the plate or leaf with Tulsi leaves, keep one leaf on plate (Annapar) and offer the other at the feet of the deity.
The process of offering naivedya is accompanied by a series of mantras and gestures, enhancing the spiritual significance of the ritual. The practitioner chants specific mantras while closing their eyes and directing the fragrance of the offerings towards the deity, invoking divine blessings and acceptance.
Place the thumb of the left hand on the left eye and the ring finger of the left hand on the right eye, close the eyes and chant ‘Om Pranaya Swaha’ (ॐ प्राणाय स्वाहा ।), Om Apanay Swaha (ॐ अपानाय स्वाहा ।), Om Vyanaya Swaha (ॐ व्यानाय स्वाहा ।), Om Udanaya Swaha (ॐ उदानाय स्वाहा ।), Om Samanay Swaha (ॐ समानाय स्वाहा ।).
Then while reciting this mantra, ‘Om Brahmane Swaha’ (ॐ ब्रह्मणे स्वाहा ।), related to the Panchapranas, direct the fragrance of Naivedya towards the deity from the right hand.
After that, while saying ‘Naivedhyamadhyapaaniyam Samarpayami’ (नैवेद्यमध्येपानीयं समर्पयामि ।), drop some water in the copper vessel with your right hand and again chant ‘Om Pranaya…’, the above five mantra related to the Panchapranas. After that, while saying ‘Naivedyam Samarpayami,( नैवेद्यम् समर्पयामि) Uttaraposhanam Samarpayami (उत्तरापोशनम् समर्पयामि), Hastaprakshalanam Samarpayami (हस्तप्रक्षालनम् समर्पयामि), Mukhaprakshalanam Samarpayami’ (मुखप्रक्षालनम् समर्पयामि’), release water in the copper vessel with the right hand. Water is then poured into a copper vessel, symbolizing purification and devotion.
After the naivedya is offered, additional offerings such as fruits, coconut, dakshina, tambul, and betel nut are placed in front of the deity as a gesture of gratitude and devotion. The ritual concludes with the performance of diya aarti or Kapoor aarti, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the illumination of divine grace. Finally, the practitioner mentally salutes the deity and may circumambulate around the sacred space, symbolizing reverence and spiritual completeness.
In essence, offering naivedya is not merely a ritualistic act but a profound expression of devotion, gratitude, and surrender to the divine, embodying the timeless traditions and spiritual wisdom of Hindu culture.
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