Sarvaiswarya Puja:
Mass Pujas for the Well-being of the World

Before the advent of Brahmasthanam temples, Amma used to conduct Vilaku or Sarvaiswarya pujas in India. Nowadays devotees get the chance to perform Sani (Saturn) pujas in Amma's presence. Sarvaiswarya pujas are conducted by swamis and brahmacharis. Vilaku pujas are still conducted in Amma's presence during Her tours around the world. The vilaku (lamp) for the puja is lit by a flame consecrated by Amma.

In the pujas conducted by the monastic disciples, the vilaku is lit by a flame consecrated at the homa kunda (sacrificial fire pit). Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have performed this highly beneficial puja, guided by Amma and Her disciples. Here is an account of a puja conducted at Amritapuri on 4th June 2001.

3,000 residents from the Kollam District Amrita Kutumbams (family groups) attended the householders' Sarvaiswarya Puja held in the auditorium of Amritapuri for the first time. The hall was packed with enthusiastic worshippers who sat dedicatedly for three hours engaging in bhajans, archana, puja and meditation. The Sarvaiswarya Puja brings prosperity and harmony to all. The auditorium sparkled with hundreds of lamps and the atmosphere was pierced with deep devotion.

The programs included a homa to the nine planets and a puja to Devi. A huge fire pit and a beautiful kolam (decoration) tended by the ashram pujaris transformed the hall into a beautiful temple. Br. Sivamrita Chaitanya, who conducted the puja, said "Normally we conduct such programmes in outside temples, so it was nice for us to meet in the ashram. Similar large crowds attend our programmes outside, but even we were surprised that so many families came here.

"The families enjoy learning the principles of puja and techniques of meditation. They are used to going to temples, but in temples there is nobody there to guide them about the principles of spirituality. The people simply follow custom. But they are keen to know the deeper meaning of worship and appreciate very much the guidance we give."

"It is their tradition and nature to perform rituals, but through these pujas they understand the true principles behind the worship and meditation and that brings deeper satisfaction to them."

Mantras

Archana

Lalita

Initiation

Manasa Puja

Seeing Within

Mass Puja