According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Shrikrishna was born on Shravan Krishna Paksha Ashtami (Eighth day of the dark fortnight of Shravan). This day is celebrated as Shrikushna Jayanti. In this article the method of performing ritualistic worship of Shrikrishna (Janmashtami Pooja) is given. Once we understand the meaning of the mantras to be recited, it then helps in performing the ritualistic worship with spiritual emotion. With this objective, wherever possible, the meaning of mantras is also provided.
Achaman
Sip water from the cupped palm of the right hand while uttering the first three of the twenty-four Names of Shrivishnu as given below.
श्री केशवाय नमः । श्री नारायणाय नमः । श्री माधवाय नमः ।
Release the water into a plate from the right palm while uttering the fourth Name as given below.
श्री गोविन्दाय नमः ।
Utter below Names in the sequence as given below.
विष्णवे नमः । मधुसूदनाय नमः । त्रिविक्रमाय नमः । वामनाय नमः । श्रीधराय नमः । हृषीकेशाय नमः । पद्मनाभाय नमः । दामोदराय नमः । संकर्षणाय नमः । वासुदेवाय नमः । प्रद्युम्नाय नमः । अनिरुद्धाय नमः । पुरुषोत्तमाय नमः । अधोक्षजाय नमः । नारसिंहाय नमः । अच्युताय नमः । जनार्दनाय नमः । उपेन्द्राय नमः । हरये नमः । श्रीकृष्णाय नमः ।
Join both the hands together in Namaskar mudra.
Prayer
श्रीमन्महागणाधिपतये नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to Shri Ganapati who is the leader of assistants of Deities.)
इष्टदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to my benevolent Deity.)
कुलदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to my Family Deity.)
ग्रामदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the Village Deity.)
स्थानदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the Presiding Deity of this place.)
वास्तुदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the Presiding Deity of the premises.)
आदित्यादिनवग्रहदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the 9 celestial bodies including the Sun Deity.)
सर्वेभ्यो देवेभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to all Deities.)
सर्वेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to all the Brahmans [One who knows God Principle])
अविघ्नमस्तु ।
(Let all obstacles get eliminated.)
सुमुखश्चैकदन्तश्च कपिलो गजकर्णकः ।
लम्बोदरश्च विकटो विघ्ननाशो गणाधिपः ।।
धूम्रकेतुर्गणाध्यक्षो भालचन्द्रो गजाननः ।
द्वादशैतानि नामानि यः पठेच्छृणुयादपि ।।
विद्यारम्भे विवाहे च प्रवेशे निर्गमे तथा ।
सङ्ग्रामे सङ्कटेचैव विघ्नस्तस्य न जायते ।।
(Whoever utters or listens to the twelve Names of Shri Ganapati such as, One with beautiful face, One with single tooth, One with pale grey complexion, One having large ears like that of an elephant, One having large stomach, One who assumes monstrous form [for destroying the evil], One who destroys troubles, One who is the leader of assistants of Deities and has smoky complexion, One who is head of attendants, One who adorns moon on His forehead and One with face of an elephant, during marriage ceremony, while commencing studies, while entering the house or exiting the house, before going on war or at the time of adversities, such person will not face any obstacles.)
शुक्लाम्बरधरं देवं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ।।
(For eliminating all adversities, I meditate on the Deity wearing white clothes, having fair complexion, bearing four hands and having pleasant face [which is Bhagwan Shrivishnu].)
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते ।।
(O Narayani Devi, auspicious in all the worlds, holy, benefactor of all, three-eyed, refuge of all, white-complexioned, I pay obeisance to You.)
सर्वदा सर्वकार्येषु नास्ति तेषाममङ्गलम् ।
येषां हृदिस्थो भगवान्मङ्गलायतनं हरिः ।।
(Those individuals in whose heart Shrivishnu, who resides in the auspicious abode called as Vaikunth, is present, all their activities are always auspicious.)
तदेव लग्नं सुदिनं तदेव ताराबलं चन्द्रबलं तदेव ।
विद्याबलं दैवबलं तदेव लक्ष्मीपते तेऽङ्घ्रियुगं स्मरामि ।।
(O Master of Devi Lakshmi, remembrance of Your holy feet itself is marriage, supreme day, strength of stars, strength of moon, strength of knowledge and strength of Deities.)
लाभस्तेषां जयस्तेषां कुतस्तेषां पराजयः ।
येषामिन्दीवरश्यामो हृदयस्थो जनार्दनः ।।
(How can the one be defeated in whose heart dwells bluish-dark complexioned Bhagwan Shrivishnu who is a benefactor of all. Such person will always win, and all his desires will get fulfilled.)
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः ।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ।।
(Wherever the great Yogi Bhagwan Shrikrishna and the great archer Arjun are present, there the existence of opulence and victory are definite. This is my opinion and assessment.)
विनायकं गुरुं भानुं ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वरान् ।
सरस्वतीं प्रणौम्यादौ सर्वकार्यार्थसिद्धये ।।
(For all the tasks to be successful, I first offer obeisance to Ganapati, Guru, Sun, Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh and Saraswati Devi.)
अभीप्सितार्थसिद्धयर्थं पूजितो यः सुरासुरैः ।
सर्वविघ्नहरस्तस्मै गणाधिपतये नमः ।।
(For desired tasks to be successful, I pay obeisance to Shri Gananayak who is the destroyer of all calamities and worshipped both by Deities and Demons.)
सर्वेष्वारब्धकार्येषु त्रयस्त्रिभुवनेश्वराः ।
देवा दिशन्तु नः सिद्धिं ब्रह्मेशानजनार्दनाः ।।
(Let the Tridev, Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh, the Masters of the three regions, bestow success on us for all the tasks initiated by us.)
Remembrance of place and time
After applying water to the eyes, recite the below Deshkal
श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे विष्णुपदे श्रीश्वेत-वाराहकल्पे वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे अष्टाविंशतितमे युगे युगचतुष्के कलियुगे कलि प्रथम चरणे जम्बुद्वीपे भरतवर्षे भरतखण्डे दण्डकारण्ये देशे गोदावर्याः दक्षिणतीरे शालिवाहनशके अस्मिन्वर्तमाने व्यावहारिके शोभकृत् नाम संवत्सरे, दक्षिणायने, वर्षा-ऋतौ, श्रावणमासे, कृष्ण पक्षे, अष्टम्यान् तिथौ, सौम्य वासरे, रोहिणी दिवस नक्षत्रे, वज्र योगे, बालव करणे, वृषभ स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीचंद्रे, सिंह स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीसूर्ये, मेष स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीदेवगुरौ, कुंभ स्थिते वर्तमाने श्रीशनैश्चरे शेषेषु सर्वग्रहेषु यथायथं राशिस्थानानि स्थितेषु एवङ् ग्रह-गुणविशेषण विशिष्टायां शुभपुण्यतिथौ…
Resolve
(Take akshata (Unbroken rice grains, usually smeared with kumkum and used in ritualistic worship) in the right hand and utter below resolve)
मम आत्मनः परमेश्वर-आज्ञारूप-सकल-शास्त्र-श्रुतिस्मृति-पुराणोक्त-फल-प्राप्तिद्वारा श्रीपरमेश्वरप्रीत्यर्थं भगवान्श्रीकृष्णदेवताचरण-अखंडकृपाप्रसादेन सर्वेषां साधकांना क्षेम-स्थैर्य-अभय-विजय-आयुः-आरोग्य-ऐश्वर्य-अभिवृद्ध्यर्थं तथा शीघ्र-आध्यात्मिक-उन्नति-सिद्ध्यर्थं तथाच समस्त-हिंदु-धर्माभिमानि-जनानां हिन्दुधर्मरक्षणकार्ये सुयशप्राप्त्यर्थं श्रीकृष्णजन्माष्टमी-महोत्सव-निमित्तेन भगवान्श्रीकृष्णदेवताप्रीत्यर्थं पूजनम् अहं करिष्ये । तत्रादौ निर्विघ्नतासिद्ध्यर्थं महागणपतिस्मरणं करिष्ये । शरीरशुद्ध्यर्थं दशवारं विष्णुस्मरणं करिष्ये । कलश-घण्टा-दीप-पूजनं च करिष्ये ।
(Each time after uttering ‘करिष्ये’, hold spoonful of water in the left hand and release it from the right palm.)
On this festive occasion of Shrikrishna Janmashtami, I am commencing the ritualistic worship of Bhagwan Shrikrishna to avail His priti (Spiritual love) and to obtain the benefits as mentioned in the Scriptures, Shruti, Smruti and Purans, to please the God and to obtain His blessings for peace, stability, assurance, victory, long life, health, wealth and rapid spiritual progress of the seekers as well as imparting success to the efforts towards protecting the Dharma put in by those who have pride in Dharma. In this worship, at first, I am remembering Mahaganapati for removing all the obstacles. For purifying my body, I am chanting the Name of Shrivishnu ten times. Also, I am worshipping kalash (Metal pot with a large base and small mouth, large enough to hold a coconut), bell and lamp.
Remembering Shri Ganapati
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ।।
(O Deity Ganapati having twisted trunk, huge form, and radiance of thousand Suns, please make all my activities devoid of any obstacles.)
ऋद्धि-बुद्धि-शक्ति-सहित-महागणपतये नमो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to Mahaganapati accompanied by Riddhi, intellect and power.)
महागणपतये नमः । ध्यायामि ।
(I pay obeisance to Mahaganapati and I meditate on Him.)
(One should earnestly remember Mahaganapati and pay obeisance with Namaskar mudra.)
Thereafter for purifying one’s body, one should recite the Name of Shrivishnu ten times – nine times ‘विष्णवे नमो’ and at the end ‘विष्णवे नमः ।’ should be recited.
Worshipping the kalash
गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति ।
नर्मदे सिन्धुकावेरी जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ।।
(O sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Sindhu, and Kaveri, please reside in this water filled in the kalash.)
कलशाय नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the kalash.)
कलशे गङ्गादितीर्थान् आवाहयामि ।
(I appeal to river Ganga and other sacred rivers to enter in this kalash.)
कलशदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the Deity in the form of kalash.)
सकलपूजार्थे गन्धाक्षतपुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata for the complete ritualistic worship.)
(One should offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata to the kalash.)
Worshipping the bell
आगमार्थं तु देवानां गमनार्थं तु रक्षसाम् ।
कुर्वे घण्टारवं तत्र देवताह्वानलक्षणम् ।।
(I am sounding the bell for arrival of Deities and departure of demons.)
घण्टायै नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the bell.)
सकलपूजार्थे गन्धाक्षतपुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata for the complete ritualistic worship.)
(One should offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata to the bell.)
Worshipping the oil lamp
भो दीप ब्रह्मरूपस्त्वं ज्योतिषां प्रभुरव्ययः ।
आरोग्यं देहि पुत्रांश्च मत: शान्तिं प्रयच्छ मे ।।
(O lamp, you are a form of Brahma. You are the immovable master of astrology. Please grant us health, progeny, and peace.)
दीपदेवताभ्यो नमः ।
(I pay obeisance to the lamp.)
सकलपूजार्थे गन्धाक्षतपुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata for the complete ritualistic worship.)
(One should offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata to the lamp.)
अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थाङ्गतोऽपि वा ।
यः स्मरेत्पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः ।।
(One could be any state; clean or unclean (externally or within). However, one who remembers lotus eyed Shrivishnu, becomes purified from within and outside.)
(One should dip holy basil leaves in water and sprinkle the water on the materials being used for the ritualistic worship and self while reciting the mantra.)
(One should perform following procedure on the idol or picture of Bagwan Shrikrishna used for the worship. One should sprinkle water from the feet till the head in case of idol and in case of picture of Shrikrishna, release the water in the plate.)
Meditating on Shrikrishna
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने ।
प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ।।
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम् ।
देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ।।
(I pay obeisance to Vasudev’s son Krishna, the God who destroys all miseries and to Govind who removes the sorrows of the surrendered. I pay obeisance to Vasudev’s son Bhagwan Shrikrishna who annihilated Kansa, Chanur and other evil demons, who bestowed supreme bliss unto Devaki and is a Guru to the entire world.)
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । ध्यायामि ।
(I pay obeisance to Bhagwan Shrikrishna and I meditate on Him.)
1. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । आवाहयामि ।
(I pay obeisance to Shrikrishna and I invoke Him.)
(One should offer akshata.)
2. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । आसनार्थे अक्षतान् समर्पयामि ।
(I offer seat in form of akshata to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should offer akshata at the feet of Shrikrishna.)
(In case of worshipping an idol, place it on the plate and perform acts given ahead.)
3. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । पाद्यं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water to Bhagwan Shrikrishna for washing His feet.)
4. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । अर्घ्यं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer oblation of water to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
5. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । आचमनीयं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water to Bhagwan Shrikrishna for performing achaman.)
6. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । स्नानं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water to Bhagwan Shrikrishna for bathing.)
7. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । पञ्चामृतस्नानं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer panchamrut to Bhagwan Shrikrishna for bathing.)
(One can either offer either panchamrut or milk. Water should be offered after this. Remaining panchamrut should be offered as Naivedya (Food offered to the Deity as part of ritualistic worship). Thereafter, water should be poured on the idol again and the idol should be washed thoroughly. Idol should then be wiped with a clean cloth and placed on the seat.)
8. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । वस्त्रं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer cloth to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should offer cloth.)
9. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । उपवीतं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer janave (Sacred thread) to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should offer janave or akshata.)
10. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । चन्दनं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer sandalwood paste to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should apply sandalwood paste to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
11. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । मङ्गलार्थे हरिद्रां समर्पयामि ।
(I offer turmeric.)
12. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । मङ्गलार्थे कुङ्कुमं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer kumkum.)
13. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । अलङ्कारार्थे अक्षतान् समर्पयामि ।
(I offer ornaments to Bhagwan Shrikrishna in the form of akshata.)
(Offer akshata.)
14. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । पूजार्थे ऋतुकालोद्भवपुष्पाणि तुलसीपत्राणि च समर्पयामि ।’
(I offer seasonal flowers and holy basil leaves to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should offer flowers, garland etc.)
15. Worship of the body
(One should offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s body parts closely but without touching them and along with recitation of below mantras.)
श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । पादौ पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata at Shrikrishna’s holy feet.)
सङ्कर्षणाय नमः । गुल्फौ पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s ankles.)
कालात्मने नमः । जानुनी पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s knees.)
विश्वकर्मणे नमः । जङ्घे पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s thighs.)
विश्वनेत्राय नमः। कटिं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s waist.)
विश्वकर्त्रे नमः । मेढ्रं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s genitals.)
पद्मनाभाय नमः । नाभिं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s navel.)
परमात्मने नमः । हृदयं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s heart.)
श्रीकण्ठाय नमः । कण्ठं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s throat.)
सर्वास्त्रधारिणे नमः । बाहू पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s hands.)
वाचस्पतये नमः । मुखं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s face.)
केशवाय नमः । ललाटं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s forehead.)
सर्वात्मने नमः । शिरः पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata on Shrikrishna’s head.)
विश्वरूपिणे नारायणाय नमः । सर्वाङ्गं पूजयामि ।
(Offer akshata from Shrikrishna’s head to feet.)
16. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । धूपं समर्पयामि ।
(I wave lit incense-stick in front of Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should wave an incense-stick.)
17. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । दीपं समर्पयामि ।
(I wave lit ghee lamp in front of Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should wave lit ghee lamp.)
18. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । नैवेद्यार्थे पुरतस्थापित-पृथुकादि-खाद्योपहार-नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि ।
(I offer puffed rice and other food articles kept in the front as Naivedya to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(Offer curd and puffed rice as Naivedya.)
(One should take 2 holy basil leaves in right hand, dip them in water and sprinkle on the Naivedya. Keeping the basil leaves in the right hand, one should touch the chest with left hand and wave the right hand from the Naivedya to the direction of the Deity when uttering the word ‘स्वाहा’ in the mantra given below.)
प्राणाय स्वाहा ।
(I offer this for Pran vayu.)
अपानाय स्वाहा ।
(I offer this for Apan vayu.)
व्यानाय स्वाहा ।
(I offer this for Vyan vayu.)
उदानाय स्वाहा ।
(I offer this for Udan vayu.)
समानाय स्वाहा ।
(I offer this for Saman vayu.)
ब्रह्मणे स्वाहा ।
(I offer this to Brahma.)
(One of the holy basil leaves should be placed on the Naivedya and second leaf should be offered at Shrikrishna’s feet. One should take spoonful of water and release it from the right hand into the plate while uttering the word ‘समर्पयामि’ in the mantras given below.)
19. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । नैवेद्यं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer Naivedya to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
मध्ये पानीयं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water for drinking in-between to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
उत्तरापोशनं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water to denote that offering of Naivedya is complete.)
हस्तप्रक्षालनं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water to wash the hands.)
मुखप्रक्षालनं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer water to wash the mouth.)
करोद्वर्तनार्थे चन्दनं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer sandalwood-paste for applying to the hands.)
मुखवासार्थे पूगीफलताम्बूलं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer betel nut leaf and betel nut as a mouth freshener.)
20. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । मङ्गलार्तिक्यदीपं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer obeisance to Shrikrishna and offer flame from wicks soaked in ghee in circular motion accompanied by singing of devotional song.)
(One should sing the Arati of Shrikrishna, ‘ओवाळू आरती मदनगोपाळा…।’.)
21. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । कर्पूरदीपं समर्पयामि ।
(I pay obeisance to Bhagwan Shrikrishna and wave Camphor-arati to Him.)
(One should wave Camphor-arati.)
22. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । नमस्कारान् समर्पयामि ।
(I pay obeisance to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should pay obeisance prostrating, using eight parts of the body namely the feet, knees, hands, chest and forehead, to Shrikrishna.)
23. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । प्रदक्षिणां समर्पयामि ।
(I perform circumambulation of Shrikrishna.)
(One should perform circumambulation around oneself in clockwise direction, i.e., going from left to right in circular manner.)
24. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । मन्त्रपुष्पाञ्जलिं समर्पयामि ।
(I offer flowers while reciting specific mantras to Bhagwan Shrikrishna.)
(One should take flowers in the cusp of one’s hands and offer. Those who know how to recite the mantrapushpanjali (‘‘राजाधिराजाय…।’) with correct pronunciation, should recite it while offering flowers.)
आवाहनं न जानामि न जानामि तवार्चनम् ।
पूजां चैव न जानामि क्षम्यतां परमेश्वर ।।
(O God, I am ignorant about the method of invoking You, don’t know how to perform spiritual practice of worship and Your ritualistic worship in the appropriate manner. Therefore, please forgive me.)
मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं सुरेश्वर ।
यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे ।।
(O God, please accept this ritualistic worship, which is devoid of mantra, acts and devotion, as a complete one.)
कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतिस्वभावात् ।
करोमि यद्यत् सकलं परस्मै श्रीकृष्णाय इति समर्पये तत् ।।
(O Shrikrishna, whatever I do through my physical body, speech, mind, other senses, intellect, soul or as per my attitude, I offer everything at Your holy feet.)
अनेन कृतपूजनेन श्रीकृष्णः प्रीयताम् ।
(Let Shrikrishna get pleased through this ritualistic worship.)
(After reciting above mantra, one should release water from the right hand and perform achaman twice.)
Ritualistic worship of moon
(One should draw the shape of moon using sandalwood paste on a betel nut leaf and perform ritualistic worship reciting following mantras.)
सोमेश्वराय सोमाय तथा सोमोद्भवाय च ।
सोमस्य पतये नित्यं तुभ्यं सोमाय वै नमः ।।
(I always pay obeisance to nectar like Someshwar and Soma (Moon), as well as to Somapati, the creation of Soma, and to moon.)
चन्द्रमसे नमः । ध्यायामि । सर्वोपचारार्थे गन्धाक्षतपुष्पं समर्पयामि ।
(I meditate on the moon, and I offer sandalwood paste, flower and akshata for the procedures to be ready.)
Recite below mantra and give arghya to the moon.
(One should take sandalwood paste, flower, akshata and water in the cusp of the palms and release them in the plate in front of the Deity while reciting below mantra.)
क्षीरोदार्णवसम्भूत-अत्रिगोत्रसमुद्भव ।
गृहाणार्घ्यं शशाङ्केश रोहिणीसहितो मम ।।
(Born from the ocean of milk, in Atri lineage and accompanied by Rohini, O moon, please accept this arghya.)
ज्योत्स्नापते नमस्तुभ्यं ज्योतिषां पतये नमः ।
नमस्ते रोहिणीकान्त अर्घ्यं नः प्रतिगृह्यताम् ।।
(O Jyotsnapate, Master of stars, I pay obeisance to You. O moon, Master of Rohini, please accept the arghya. I pay obeisance to You.)
चन्द्रमसे नमः । इदमर्घ्यं दत्तं न मम ।
(I pay obeisance to the moon. I have offered this arghya. Now it is not mine.)
Offer arghya to Shrikrishna. (One should take sandalwood paste, flower, akshata and water in the cusp of the palms and release them in the plate in front of the Deity while reciting below mantra.)
जातःकंसवधार्था य भूभारोत्तारणाय च ।
पाण्डवानां हितार्थाय धर्मसंस्थापनाय च ।।
कौरवाणां विनाशाय दैत्यानां निधनाय च ।
गृहाणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं देवक्या सहितो हरे ।।
(One who incarnated to slay Kansa, reduce the burden of the evildoers on earth, benefit the Pandavas, establish Dharma, to destroy the Kauravas and the Rakshasas; O Hari who is accompanied with Devaki, accept this argha that I have offered.)
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । इदमर्घ्यं दत्तं न मम ।
त्राहि मां सर्वलोकेश हरे संसारसागरात् ।
त्राहि मां सर्वपापघ्न दुःखशोकार्णवात्प्रभो ।।
(O benefactor of all beings (Shrikrishna), please protect me from this material world. O Shrikrishna, the One who eliminates all sins, please protect me from the sorrows and miseries.)
सर्वलोकेश्वर त्राहि पतितं मां भवार्णवे ।
त्राहि मां सर्वदुःखघ्न रोगशोकार्णवाद्धरे ।।
(O Jagadeesha, please help me swim through this ocean of material world. O Shrikrishna, destroyer of all miseries, save me from this ocean of sorrows.)
दुर्गतांस्त्रायसे विष्णो ये स्मरन्ति सकृत्सकृत् ।
त्राहि मां देवदेवेश त्वत्तो नान्योस्ति रक्षिता ।।
(O form of Supreme God, You protect even those from regression who chant Your Name once. O Deity of Deities, there is no other protector than You. Please protect me.)
यद्वा क्वचनकौमारे यौवने यच्चवार्धके ।
तत्पुण्यं वृद्धीमायातु पापं दह हलायुध ।।
(Whatever good deeds I have performed during adolescence, youth phase and in the old age, let those virtues increase and let my sins get destroyed. This is my earnest prayer, O Shrikrishna, at Your feet.)
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । भगवान्श्रीकृष्णाय नमः । प्रार्थनां समर्पयामि ।
(I pray to Shrikrishna.)
(One should pray to Shrikrishna with Namaskar mudra and pay gratitude unto His feet for giving opportunity by God’s grace to perform service unto Him. Thereafter, one should perform achaman twice.)
Note 1 : While mentioning the time and place, the reference of ‘आर्यावर्तदेशे’ is for entire Bharat. Those who know accurate time and place as per the location, they should recite it accordingly.
How to perform ritualistic worship of ‘Shrikrushna Janmashtami’ at home with devotion, since it is...
Shrikrushna Janmashtami