Significance of Puja
Synonyms: Worship, Prayer, Ritual, Offering, Devotional service, Ceremony, Devotion, Liturgy, Service, Homage
In Dutch: Puja; In German: Puja; In Finnish: Puja; In Spanish: Puja; In Swedish: Puja; In Malay: Puja; In French: Puja
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Puja'
Puja in Buddhism signifies acts of homage, worship, and reverence towards Buddhas, elders, and revered figures. It encompasses rituals, offerings, and gestures of respect, reflecting devotion and spiritual practice in various forms.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The act of paying homage, which the king was asked to perform as part of obtaining the stanza.[1] (2) The act of worship or reverence, categorized as higher, medium, and lower, depending on the relationship of the one who worships to the object of worship.[2] (3) Puja refers to the honors or acts of respect shown towards the Buddhas, which include seeing or hearing their qualities, accompanying them, bowing, and presenting offerings such as food, flowers, and perfumes. It encompasses good physical, vocal, and mental actions that express reverence.[3] (4) An offering made to a deity, signifying devotion and spiritual practice; the man in the story practiced puja for twelve years before receiving the vase.[4] (5) A term signifying the act of paying respect and homage, particularly to elders and revered figures.[5]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) Rituals and practices of paying homage typically performed in Buddhist traditions, especially involving respect for relics.[6] (2) An act of reverence or worship performed at the beginning of walking cankama, involving a gesture of respect.[7] (3) A form of worship or homage paid to revered figures or relics in Buddhism.[8]
Hindu concept of 'Puja'
Puja in Hinduism is a ritualistic process of worship involving invocations, offerings, and prayers to honor deities, reflecting devotion and seeking blessings. It encompasses diverse practices performed by devotees in sacred spaces.
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) A ritual of worship offered to deities, involving various offerings and prayers, expressing devotion and seeking blessings.[9] (2) The act of worship performed to honor a deity, encompassing various rituals and practices to show reverence.[10] (3) The act of worshiping Bhagavan.[11]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A religious ritual of worship in which devotees present offerings like fruits and flowers.[12] (2) A ceremonial act of worship in which the virasana posture is recommended, indicating its significance in spiritual rituals.[13]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) A religious ritual performed to offer worship to one or more deities or spiritual figures.[14] (2) offering of worship.[15]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) is the proper object of worship[16]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) Ritualistic worship performed by devotees, which included abhishekha and offerings for Shrila Gurudeva's health.[17]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A special worship ritual performed by the sacrificer before starting the fire sacrifice.[18] (2) A ritualistic worship conducted to honor and appease deities, often involving offerings and prayers.[19] (3) A ritualistic worship involving offerings and prayers directed towards a deity, in this context, towards Shri Devi.[20]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The act of worship in Hindu traditions, which may include offerings, prayers, and rituals to invoke divine presence.[21] (2) The worship of God, reinterpreted in the text to emphasize inner spiritual qualities rather than external rituals.[22]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) A ritual worship performed by Rukshmini before being taken by Krishna, illustrating her devotion.[23]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Ritual worship incorporating meditation, recitation of mantras, and various offerings to deities.[24] (2) Puja is the ritual worship of deities involving offerings and prayers, commonly performed to honor the Ishtadevata.[25]
From: Natyashastra (English)
(1) A ceremonial offering made to the gods prior to a theatrical performance to seek blessings and ensure the success of the play.[26]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) An honorific ritual of worship, which the performance of Vajapeya may symbolize, indicating a short-lived celebration of sovereignty.[27]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) A ritual or act of worship that involves offerings or reverence, illustrating the relation between the Supreme Self and material objects.[28]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) Ritual worship performed in temples, which is integral to the religious practices associated with the architectural domains discussed.[29]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A form of worship in Hinduism, where deva-dasis perform acts of devotion in temples, often accompanied by singing and dancing.[30]
Jain concept of 'Puja'
In Jainism, Puja signifies various forms of religious worship, including offerings and rituals dedicated to deities, revered figures, and sacred items, emphasizing devotion, respect, and cultural significance in spiritual practices throughout different narratives and contexts.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A ceremonial worship or prayer ritual that Bhayala initiated but left incomplete.[31] (2) A religious or devotional ceremony performed by Surendradatta to honor the Lord, particularly significant in the narrative.[32] (3) A ritual worship performed to honor the cakra-jewel, indicating the formal recognition of its sacredness and divine power.[33] (4) The worship or act of devotion performed by King Udayana as part of his royal duties.[34] (5) A religious ritual performed by the villagers, which involved offerings and prayers to honor the Master.[35]
The concept of Puja in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Puja" encompasses various forms of Hindu worship, reflecting cultural practices during the British Raj and Vedic traditions, involving reverence to deities, ceremonial rituals, and personal significance in familial customs and poetry.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A term describing a Hindu ritual of worship, included in the narrative to reflect the cultural practices of India during the British Raj.[36] (2) A form of worship mentioned in Ramayana that continues the Vedic tradition in post-Vedic practices.[37] (3) A Hindu religious ritual performed to offer devotion to deities, often involving prayers and offerings.[38] (4) A form of worship in Hinduism that Manohar grapples with, establishing a central conflict in the poem.[39] (5) A form of worship practiced by traders and farmers that involves reverence towards small images made of terracotta or wood.[40]
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) A ceremonial worship performed at the opening of the well, involving the six Ranis and their sons.[41]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) The puja is a classical offering that the banner is treated to, which approximates a classical puja or guest reception offering paired with an abhisheka, though the passage does not use the word.[42]