FOREWORD

Contents
The Padma Purana states that there are 8,400 000 species of life forms
Foreword 2 on this earth planet. The human form of life is said to be the topmost
Introduction 2-3 on the evolutionary scale as human beings possess superior
Explanation of Asauca (Sutak) 3-4 intelligence capable of escaping the perpetual cycle of birth and death.
Purport of Mantras that follow 5 There is a view that in the Vedic period divine spiritual feminine
Procedure for Shasti Pooja 5-8 forms were present during birth, “functioning as midwives of the
Shasti Pooja 9-15 child’s destiny as well as its physical arrival into the world. Worship
Concluding Prayer 16 of the goddess Shasti (‘Sixth’) on the sixth day of life is a
contemporary survival of such ancient feminine guardian figures.”
Compiled by:
Late Pundit Hariduth Ramluckan The birth of a child in the home brings joy and delight to all. The
Maharajh Divine Mother, in her form as Shasti Devi, is glorified and her
Spiritual Head & Trustee blessings are invoked so that the child will follow a spiritual path and
of be endowed with all good qualities. During this time, it is also
Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple (Mobeni Heights) important for the family to think about the less fortunate and to
Published by: distribute food and other gifts to the poor.
Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple
P O Box 32325 Our late Guruji , Pundit H.R. Maharajh demonstrated characteristic
Mobeni foresight in trying to re-establish sanctity and dignity in the Shasti
4030 Pooja which seems to have been lost over time, particularly amongst
Tel: 031 – 706 2891/400 3278 Hindus in the western world. However, we must heed his advice and
follow a Sattvic diet during this period and purify our homes with
Date of first publication: spiritual vibrations. There is no doubt that this book will immensely
5 March 2006 (90th Anniversary) benefit both priests and the Hindu community.

Prof Brij Maharaj

Sponsored by: President: Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa
3 February 2006
Shri Sanathan Dharma Sabha of INTRODUCTION
South Africa
The arrival of a new born child in the home is an occasion for great
happiness for the whole family. This joy is manifest for different
people in different ways. It is a time of sincere thanks giving to
Paramatma who has blessed the home. The Hindu expresses his
gratitude to God and a welcome to the child with Shasthi Poojan. This observe no asauca or sutak.
is the most fitting way to welcome the new born in the home. All
other ways in which adults indulge in the grossest of sensual pleasures If one were to use simple logic and common sense, one would realise
should be avoided. that to stop all Dharmic activities on the birth of child is nonsensical.
As alluded to in the introduction, the birth of child is a happy
The number six (6) is of great spiritual and cultural significance. occasion and therefore warrants the performance of pooja as
Firstly the newly formed body of the infant is viewed in six parts – thanksgiving for the offspring.
HEAD, HANDS, MID-BODY (TRUNK), LEGS. The divine energy
responsible for the development, called by a special name, Shasthi There has been some talk also of not lighting the lamp for ten days on
Devi is invoked for good health, good character and fredom from the birth of a child. This is so illogical. We continue to switch on the
disease. Secondly, the Poojan is held as far as possible on the sixth lights in our homes. Then how can we not ‘switch on’ the lamp that is
(6th) day after birth, preferably in the evening at lamp lighting time. the sum total of all light in the world. Pooja, deity worship, japa and
hawan must continue normally in our homes, even after the birth of a
All the food for the Pooja must be strictly Satvic, prepared under rigid child, because this contributes positively to the physical, emotional
hygienic and clean conditions to be offered as Prasad. The home must and spiritual growth of the newly born child.
be free of alcohol and all non-vegetarian food.
According to Manusmrithi,
1. EXPLANATION OF ASAUCA (SUTAK)
sveR;a< zavmazaEc< mataipÇaeStu sUtk<, sUtk< maturev SyaÊpSp&Zy ipta zuic>.
Asauca, which arises on birth and on death, is defined as sarveñäà çävamäçaucaà mätäpitrostu sütakaà |
“emergent attribute attaching to a person, which is got rid of by a sütakaà mätureva syädupaspåçya pitä çuciù ||
LAPSE OF TIME or A BATH and the like.” (Kane, 1973:268, Vol
IV). Asauca, more commonly referred to as sutak is not merely the m&tk ka AzaEc sbkae haeta hE AaEr sUtk ka tae mata ipta kae hI lgta hE
absence of the privilege or power to do religious acts, since even
AaEr %n daenae me< se ivze; mata kae haeta hE, ipta õanaid krke pivÇ hae jata
those who have incurred impurity are enjoined to do certain religious
acts such as offering of water (tarpan). What becomes clear from the hE, According to the brahma puräëa:
above is there is no stoppage of any religious acts when asauca or
sutak begins.There might be different religious acts to perform, but äaüe - devaí iptríEv puÇe jate iÖjNmnam!, AayaiNt tSmaÄadh> pu{y< ;ò< c
one cannot say that all pooja stops as a result of the sutak (both birth
and death). According to the Yajnavalkya Smriti, the mother is svRda
untouchable for ten days on the birth of a child, but the father and brähme - deväçca pitaraçcaiva putre jäte dvijanmanäm
sapindas when they TAKE A BATH after the prasava are not
äyänti tasmättädahaù puëyaà ñañöaà ca sarvadä ||
untouchable. (Kane, 1973:268, Vol IV). The Dharamsindu says that if
a woman has delivered at her father’s or brother’s house, then her äü pura[ me< kha hE - iÖjaityae< ke puÇaeTpiÄ me< devta AaEr iptr Aate hE<,
parents and her brothers staying with the father had to observe asauca
(sutak) for one day. It goes on to say that if a woman was delivered of #silye vh idn twa DQa idn sda pu{yvan! hE,
a child at her husband’s house, then her father or brother had to
 2. Purport of Mantras that follow
3.3 Wash hands with each mantra. Chant:
May Paramatma’s divine energy bestow on the new born child and
the family good health, protection against harm and calamity. May all ! ÿ;Ikezay nm>, ! gaeivNday nm>, ! mxusUdnay nm>,
impediments from their lives be removed, may they experience peace Aum hrñékeçäya namaù | Aum govindäya namaù | Aum madhusüdanäya
and tranquility. namaù |
3.4 Put on a koos ring on the right ring finger. Chant:
O Divine Mother who is the accumulated energy of God in all HIS
names and forms, we prostrate before You to bring health, energy and ! pivÇeSwae vE:[VyaE sivtuvR> àsv %TpunaMyiCDÔe[ pivÇe[ sUyRSy
spirituality to this child. We beseech You to give this child long life,
as Narayani, and to protect against every kind of evil. We have the riZmiÉ>, tSy te pivÇ pte pivÇ pUtSy yTkam> pune tCDkey<,
unflinching faith that You would afford to this child the same pavitrestho vaiñëavyau saviturvaù prasava utpunämyacchidreëa pavitreëa
protection as You gave Gauriputra, Swami Kartik in his childhood. süryasya raçmiabhiù | tasya te pavitra pate pavitra pütasya yatkämaù pune
To You we offer obeisance again and again and again. tacchakeyam |
3.5. Place a chandan-wood paste tilaka with your thumb on
3. Procedure for Shasti Pooja. your forehead. Chant:
` cNdn< bNxte inTy< pivÇ< papnazn<, Aapd< hrte inTy< lúmIvRstu svRda.
The infant, mother and father (who puts on a
new janeo) should have a bath and put on om candanam bandhate nityam pavitram päpanäçanam | äpadam harate
clean clothes (not blue and black) and face nityam lakñmérvasatu sarvadä ||
the EAST.Generally the father makes all the 3.6. Light a eight clay lamps with ghee. Chant:
offerings.
` Éae dIp Tv< äü êp ANxkar invark, #ma< mya k&ta< pUja< g&hStejae
3.1. Sprinkle water on all the prayer materials and on
all the participating devotees. Chant: àvxRy. ` dIpay nm>,
om bho dépa tvam brahma rüpa andhakära niväraka | imäm mayä kritäm
! ApivÇ> pivÇae va svaRvSwa< gtaeipva, y> Smret! pu{frIka]< s býa_yNtr>
püjäm grihastejo pravardhaya || om dépäya namaù |
zuic. 3.7. Sankalp: Take a betel leaf, betel nut, rice, flower and
Aum apavitraù pavitro vä sarvävasthän gatopivä | yaù smaret money in your right hand. Chant:
puëòarékäkñam sa bahyäbhyantaraù çuci ||
` iv:[uivR:[uivR:[u A* mhama<gLy àde iÖtIy àhraxeR ïI ñet varh kLpe
3.2. Sip water from the palm of the right hand, once
with each mantra. Chant: kilyuge kil àwm cr[e di][ Aaiˆárka oNfe --- àaNte --- ngre ---

! kezvay nm>, ! naray[ay nm>, ! maxvay nm>, Swane --- mase --- p]e --- itwaE --- vasre --- gaeÇaeTpÚ ------ nam
Aum keçaväya namaù | Aum näräyaëäya namaù | Aum mädhaväya namaù |
mm g&he jatSyaÉRkSya/puÈya=iolaepÔvinvara[aw<R twa
balkSya/bailka==yuraraeGyaiÉv&Ïyw¡ svaRvaxa inv&iÄ hetve iv¹ez jNmdaya> ` Ai¶deRvta vatae devta sUyaeR devta cNÔma devta vsvae devta éÔa devta métae

jIvNTyprnaMNya> ;iòdeVyaí ywalBxaepcarE> pUj kir:ye, devta ivñedeva devta b&hSpitdeRvteNÔae devta vé[ae devta.
om viñëurviñëurviñëu adya mahämäìgalya prade dvitéya praharärdhe çré om agnirdevatä väto devatä süryo devatä candramä devatä vasavo devatä
çveta väraha kalpe kaliyuge kali prathama caraëe dakñiëa äfrikä khanòe ---- rudrä devatä maruto devatä viçvedevä devatä båhaspatirdevatendro devatä
--- pränte -------- nagare -------- sthäne -------- mäse -------- pakñe -------- varuëo devatä ||
tithau -------- väsare -------- gotrotpanna -------- näma mama grhe
` *aE> zaiNtrNtir] ‡ zaiNt> p&iwvI zaiNtrap> zaiNtrae;xy> zaiNt>
jätasyärbhakasyä putryä'khilopadrvaniväräëärtha tathä bälakasyä
bälikä''yurärogyäbhivaddhayarthaà sarvävädhä nivrtti hetave vighneça vnSpty> zaiNtivRñedeva> zaiNtäRü zaiNt> svR ‡ zaiNt> zaiNtrev zaiNt>
janmadäyäù jévantyaparanämnyäù ñañöidevyäçca yathälabdhopacäraiù
püjaïca kariñye | sama zaiNtreix, ` ivñaindev sivtÊRirtain prasuv yÑÔ< tÚ Aasuv.
3.8. Sprinkle water on seat. Chant: om dyauù çäntirantarikña ð çäntiù påthivé çäntiräpaù çäntiroñadhayaù
çäntiù vanaspatayaù çäntirviçvedeväù çäntirbrahma çäntiù sarva ð çäntih
` p&iWv Tvya x&ta laeka deiv Tv< iv:[una x&ta, Tv<c xary ma< deiv pivÇ< k…é
çäntireva çäntiù sämä çäntiredhi | om viçvänideva savitarduritäni paräsuva
casnm!. yadbhadraà tanna äsuva ||

om prthvi tvayä dhrtä lokä devi tvaà viñëunä dhrtä | tvaïca dhäraya mäà
3.10. Take flower and rice in your hand and invite Ganesh-
devi pavitraà kuru cäsanam || Gauri. Chant:
3.9. Take flower and rice in your hand. Chant: ` g[ana<Tva g[pit ‡ hvamhe iàya[a<Tva iàypit ‡ hvamhe inixna<Tva
` SviSt n #NÔae v&Ïïva> SviStn> pU;a ivñveda> SviStnStaúyaeR Airòneim>
inixpit ‡ hvamhe vsae mm Aahmjain gÉRxmaTvmjais gÉRx<, ` ÉUÉRuv>
SviStnae b&hSpitdRxatu,
Sv> g[ptye nm>, ` A<be=iMbke=Mbailke n manyit kín ssSTyZñk>
om svasti na indro våddhaçraväù svastinaù püñä viçvavedäù
svastinastäkñryo ariñöanemiù svastino båhaspatirdadhätu | suÉÎ+ka<ka<pIlvaisnI—, ` ÉUÉuRv> Sv> A<ibkayE nm>,
` py> p&iwVya< py Aae;xI;u pyae idVyNtir]e pyaexa>, pySvit> àidz sNtu om gaëänäntvä gaëapati ð havämahe priyäëäntvä priyapati ð havämahe
nidhinäntvä nidhipati ð havämahe vaso mama ähamajäni
mým. garbhadhamätvamajäsi garbhadhaà | om bhürbhuvaù svaù gaëapataye
om payaù påthivyäà paya oñadhéñu payo divyantarikñe payodhäù | namaù om ambe'mbike'mbälike na mänayati kaçcana sasastyaççvakaù
payasvatiù pradiça santu mahyama || subhaddrakäìkämpélaväsinéà | om bhürbhuvaù svaù ambikäyai namaù |

` iv:[ae rraq mis iv:[ae îPÇeSTwae iv:[ae> SyursI iv:[aexuRvaeis vE:[vmis

iv:[veTva.
om viñëo raräöa masi viñëo çnaptresttho viñëoù syurasé viñëordhuvosi
vaiñëavamasi viñëavetvä ||
4. Skand and Pradyumna Pooja 5. Shashti Pooja
5.1. Take flower and rice in your hand. Chant:
4.1. Take flower and rice in your hand. Chant:
` izvayE nm>, ` sMÉUTyE nm>, ` AnsUyayE nm>, ` ]mayE nm>, `
` kaiÄRkey mhabahae gaErIùdynNdn, k…mar< r] me ÉIte> kaiÄRkey nmae=Stute.
sÚTyE nm>, ` suàITyE nm>,
vraÉykr> sa]adœ iÖÉuj> iziovahn>, ikrIqI k…{flI devae idVya==Ér[ om çiväyai namaù | om sambhütyai namaù | om anasüyäyai namaù | om
ÉUi;t. ` SkNday nm> Aavahyaim Swapyaim pUjyaim. kñamäyai namaù | om sannatyai namaù | om suprétyai namaù |

om kärttikeya mahäbäho gauréhådayanandana| kumäraà rakña me bhéteù ` jgNmatjRgÏaiÇ jgdanNdkairi[, nmSte deiv kLyai[ àsId mm
kärttikeya namo'stute|| varäbhayakaraù säkñäd dvibhujaù çikhivähanaù|
k«iÄke,
kiréöé kuëòalé devo divyä''bharaëa bhüñita|| om skandäya namaù
ävähayämi sthäpayämi püjayämi|| om jaganmätarjagaddhätri jagadänandakäriëi | namaste devi kalyäëi
praséda mama kåttike |
` Éae à*uç mhabahae éiKm[I iàynNdn, k…mar< r] me ÉIte> à*uçay nmae
` Aayaih vrde deiv ;òIdevIit ivïuta, zi´iÉ> sh puÇ me r] r] vranne,
nm>. ` à*uçay nm> Aavahyaim Swapyaim pUjyaim. om äyähi varade devi ñañöédevéti viçrutä | çaktibhiù saha putra me
om bho pradyumna mahäbäho rukmiëé priyanandana| kumäraà rakña me rakña rakña varänane |
bhéteù pradyumnäya namo namaù|| om pradyumnäya namaù ävähayämi 5.2. Invocation. Invite Shashti Devi with flower and rice in
sthäpayämi püjayämi|| hand. Chant:
` AagCD vrde deiv Swane ca=Ç iSwra Év, Aaraxyaim É®ya Tva< r] balÂ
4.2. Make the following offerings in respect of Skanda and
sUitka<. ` ihr{[yv[a¡ hir[I— suv[Rrjtöja<, cNÔa< ihr{myI— lúmI—
Prayumna:
4.2.1. Offer perfume: ` #d< g<x<, om idaà gandhaà| jatvedae m=Aavh. ` ÉUÉuRv> Sv> ` ;òI deVyE nm> Aavahyaim.
om ägaccha varade devi sthäne cä'tra sthirä bhava | ärädhayämi
4.2.2. Offer flower: ` #main maLya[I, om imäni mälyäëé| bhaktyä tväà rakña bälaïca sütikäà || om hiraëëayavarëäà hariëéà
suvarëarajatasrajäà | candräà hiraëmayéà lakñméà jätavedo ma'ävaha ||
4.2.3. Offer incense: ` ttae xUp< Aaºapyaim, om tato dhüpam
om bhürbhuvaù svaù om ñañöé devyai namaù ävähayämi ||
äghräpayämi| 5.3. Offer seat to Shashti Devi with flower and rice in hand.
4.2.4. Offer light: ` #d< dIp<, om idaà dépaà| Chant:
` sNXyaraginÉ< r´masn< Sv[RinimRt<, g&ha[ sumuoI ÉUTva r] balÂ
4.2.5. Offer prasadh: ` nEve*< smpRyamI, om naivedyaà
samarpayämé| sUitka<. ` taMm=Aavh jatvedae lúmImnpgaimnI—, ySya< ihr{{y< ivNdey<
4.2.6. Offer water: ` Aacmn< smpRyamI, om äcamanaà gamñ< pué;anh<. ` ÉUÉuRv> Sv> ` ;òI deVyE nm>.
samarpayämé|
om sandhyäräganibhaà raktamäsanaà svarëanirmitaà| gåhäëa sumukhé loke devajuñööämudäräà | täà padmanéméà çaraëamahaà
bhütvä rakña bälaïca sütikäà || om tämma'ävaha jätavedo prapadyaà'alakñmérmme naçyatäà ttväà våëomi ||
lakñmémanapagäminéà | yasyäà hiraëëyaà vindeyaà gämaçvaà 5.7. Offer Panchamritha and then water to Shashti Devi.
puruñänahaà || om bhürbhuvaù svaù om ñañöé devyai namaù ||
Chant:
5.4. Offer water on feet of Shashti Devi. Chant:
` pÂam&t< g&ha[ed< pyaedix"&t<mxuzkRrasiht< deiv paih bal< smat&k<. ` "&ten
` g¼ajl< smanIt< suv[Rklze iSwt<, pa*< g&ha[ me bal< sUitkaÂEv
sIta mxuna smJJyt< iVvñEdeR vErnumta méiÑ>, ^¾RSvtI pysa
paly.` AñpUva¡ rwmXya< hiStnadàbaeixnI—, iïy< devImupþye ïImaR
ipNvmanaSman! sIte pys_yavv&TSv. ` AaidTyv[eR tpsae=ixjatae
devIjuR;ta<. ` ÉUÉuRv> Sv> ` ;òI deVyE nm>.
om gaìgäjalaà samänétaà suvarëakalaçe sthitaà | pädyaà gåhäëa me vnSpitStv v&]ae=w! ivLv>, tSy )lain tpsa nudNtu mayaNtrayaí baýa
bälaà sütikäïcaiva pälaya ||om açvapürväà rathamadhyäà
AlúmI>.
hastinädaprabodhinéà | çriyaà devémupahvaye çrérmä devérjuñatäà || om
om païcämåtaà gåhäëedaà payodadhighåtammadhuçarkaräsahitaà devi
bhürbhuvaù svaù om ñañöé devyai namaù ||
pähi bälaà samätåkaà || om ghåtena sétä madhunä samajjyataà vviçvairde
5.5. Offer rice, flower, perfume and milk to Shashti Devi.
vairanumatä marudbhiù | ürjjasvaté payasä pinvamänäsmän séte
Chant: payasabhyävavåtsva || om ädityavarëe tapaso'dhijäto vanaspatistava
` A]tpu:pgNxaF(m¸yaRw¡ inmRl< py>, g&ha[ paih me puÇ< sUitka< våkño'th vilvaù | tasya phaläni tapasä nudantu mäyäntaräyäçca bähyä
alakñméù ||
Éyhairi[. ` ka<saeiSmta< ihr{yàakaramaÔa¡ JvlNtI— t&ÝaNtpRyiNt<. pÒe 5.8. Offer clothes/cotton to Shashti Devi. Chant:
iSwta< pÒv[a¡ taimhaepþye iïy<. ` Êkªlaidyut< devI nanarÆEivRÉUi;t<, pirxTSva=ml< vô< r] me=pTysUitke.
om akñatapuñpagandhäòhyamarghyärthaà nirmalaà payaù | gåhäëa pähi
` %pEtu ma< devso> kIitRí mi[na sh, àaÊÉURtae=iSm raò+e=iSmn! kIitRm&iÏ<
me putraà sütikäà bhayahäriëi || om käàsosmitäà
hiraëyapräkärämärdräà jvalantéà tåptäntarpayantià|| padme sthitäà ddatu me.
padmavarëäà tämihopahvaye çriyaà ||
om dukülädiyutaà devé nänäratnairvibhüñitaà | paridhatsvä'malaà
5.6. Sprinkle water around Shashti Devi. Chant: vastraà rakña me'patyasütike || om upaitu mäà devasakhaù kértiçca
` g&ha[acmnIyNtu kpUR rElaidvaist<, sval< sUitka< paih maëinä saha | prädurbhüto'smi räñöre'smin kértimåddhià dadätu me ||
5.9. Offer raw cotton (in the form of Mangal Sutra) to
jgNmatnRmae=Stute. ` cNÔa< àÉasa< yzsa JvlNtI— iïy< laeke
Shashti Devi. Chant:
devjuòœqamudara<, ta< pÒnImI— zr[mh< àp*<=lúmIMmeR nZyta< Åva< v&[aeim. ` Sv[R sUÇmy< idVy< äü[a inimRt< pura, %pvIt< mya dÄ< g&ha[ jgdiMbke.
om gåhäëäcamanéyantu karpü railädiväsitaà | savälaà sütikäà päih
jaganmätarnamo'stute || om candräà prabhäsäà yaçasä jvalantéà çriyaà
` y}aepvIt< prm< pivÇ< PàjapteyRTshj< purStat!, Aayu:ym¢(< àitmu zuæ<

y}aepvIt< blmStu tej>. y}aepvItmis y}aeSyTva.

om svarëa sütramayaà divyaà brahmaëä nirmitaà purä | upavétaà mayä 5.13. Offer incence to Shashti Devi. Chant:
dattaà gåhäëa jagadambike || om yajïopavétaà paramaà pavitraà
pprajäpateryatsahajaà purastät | äyuñyamagryaà pratimuïca çubhraà ` vnSpTyuÑv< xUp< idVy< SvIk…é deiv me, àsId sumuoI ÉUTva r] me sutsUitke,
yajïopavétaà balamastu tejaù || yajïopavétamasi yajïosyatvä ||
` kÎRmen àja ÉUta miy sMæm kdRm, iïy< vasy me k…le matr<
5.10. Offer bangles and tikli to Shashti Devi. Chant:
pÒmailnIm!.
` har k»[ keyUr meola k…{flain c, g&ha[ kailraiÇ Tv< r] me
om vanaspatyudbhavaà dhüpaà divyaà svékuru devi me | praséda
sutsUitke. ` ]uiTppasamlaÁJyeòamlúmI— nazyaMyh<, AÉUitmsm&iÏÂ sva¡ sumukhé bhütvä rakña me sutasütike | om karddamena prajä bhütä mayi
sambhrama kardama | çriyaà väsaya me kule mätaraà padmamäliném ||
in[uRd me g&hat!.
5.14. Wave Arati for Shashti Devi. Chant:
om hära kaìkaëa keyüra mekhalä kuëòaläni ca | gåhäëa kälirätri tvaà
rakña me sutasütike || om kñutpipäsämaläïjyeñöämalakñméà
` AaJyvitRk«t< deiv Jyaeit;a< Jyaeit;Ntwa, jIviNtke g&ha[em< r] me
näçayämyahaà | abhütimasamåddhiïca sarväà nirëuda me gåhät
sutsUitke. ` Aap> s&jNtu iõGxain ic¬It vs me g&he. in c devI— matr<
5.11. Offer chandan and perfume to Shashti Devi. Chant:
iïy< vasy me k…le.
` kpURraguékStUrI k»aelaidsmiNvt<, cNdn< SvIk…é Tv< me r]bal sUitka<.
om äjyavartikåtaà devi jyotiñäà jyotiñantathä | jévantike gåhäëemaà rakña
` gNxÖara< Êrax;a¡ inTypuòa»rIi;[I—, $ZìI— svRÉUtana< taimhaepþye iïy<. me sutasütike || om äpaù såjantu snigdhäni cikléta vasa me gåhe || ni ca
om karpürägurukastüré kaìkolädisamanvitaà | candanaà svékuru tvaà devéà mätaraà çriyaà väsaya me kule ||
me rakñabälaïca sütikäà || om gandhadväräà durädharñäà 5.15. Offer Prasadh/Bhojan to Shashti Devi. Chant:
nityapuñöäìkaréñiëéà | éçvréà sarvabhütänäà tämihopahvaye çriyaà ||
` nEve*< leýpeyaid;f+sEí smiNvt<, Éu'œúv deiv gu[EyuR´a r] me sutsUitke, `
5.12. Offer flower and rice to Shashti Devi. Chant:
AaÔa¡ pu:kir[I— puiò< ip¼la< pÒmailnI—, cNÔa< ihr{{myI— lúmI— jatvedae
` sumaLyain sugNxIin malTyadIn caiMbke, g&ha[ vrde deiv r] balÂ
m=Aavh.
sUitka<. ` mns> kammakªit< vac> sTymzImih, pzUna< êpmÚSy miy ïI>
om naivedyaà lehyapeyädiñaòrasaiçca samanvitaà | bhuìkñva devi
ïyta< yz>. guëairyuktä rakña me sutasütike | om ärdräà puñkariëéà puñöià piìgaläà
om sumälyäni sugandhéni mälatyädéina cämbike | gåhäëa varade devi rakña padmamälinéà | candräà hiraëëmayéà lakñméà jätavedo ma'ävaha ||
bälaïca sütikäà || om manasaù kämamäkütià väcaù satyamaçémahi | 5.16. Offer fruit and water to Shashti Devi. Chant:
paçünäà rüpamannasya mayi çréù çrayatäà yaçaù ||
` AaÔa¡ ySkir[I— yiò< suv[a¡ hemmailnI—, sUYya¡ ihr{ymyI— lúmI— jatvedae

m=Aavh.
om ärdräà yaskariëéà yañöià suvarëäà hemamälinéà | süryyäà
hiraëyamayéà lakñméà jätavedo ma'ävaha ||
5.17. Offer betel leaf, betel nut, kapoor and clove to Shasthi 5.21. Do Pradakshina of Shashti Devi. Chant:
Devi. Chant: ` ye tITwaRin PàcriNt s&kahSÄa in;i¼[>, te;a ‡ shöyaejnev xÛvain
` nagv‘Idl< rMy< pUgI)lsmiNvt<, ÉÔe g&ha[ taMbUl< paih me sutsUitke.
tÛmis. ` yain kain c papain jNmaNtr k«tain c, tain tain à[ZyNtu
` taMm=Aavh jatvedae lúmImnpgaimnI—, ySya< ihr{y< àÉuit< gavae
àdi][ pde pde. ` ÉUÉuRv> Sv> àdi][a smpRyaim nm>.
dSyae=ñaiNvNdey< pué;anh<, om ye tértthäni ppracaranti såkähasttä niñaìgiëaù | teñä ð sahasrayojaneva
om nägavallédalaà ramyaà pügéphalasamanvitaà | bhadre gåhäëa dhannväni tannmasi || om yäni käni ca päpäni janmäntara kåtäni ca | täni
tämbülaà pähi me sutasütike || om tämma'ävaha jätavedo täni praëaçyantu pradakñiëa pade pade || om bhürbhuvaù svaù
lakñmémanapagäminéà | yasyäà hiraëyaà prabhutià gävo pradakñiëäïca samarpayämi namaù ||
dasyo'çvänvindeyaà puruñänahaà | 5.22. Take flower and rice in hand. Chant:
5.18. Offer coin to Shashti Devi. Chant: ` ;òIdevI nmStu_y< sUitkag&hzailin, pUijta prya É®ya dI"Rmayu> àyCD
` ihr{{ygBÉR> smvÄRta¢e ÉUtSy jat> pitrek=AasIt!, s daxar
me. jnnI— jNmsaEOyana< vixRnI— xnsMpda<, saixnI— svRÉUtana< jNmde Tva< nta
p&iwvIN*amute ma»SmE devay hiv;a iVvxem.
vy<. gaErIpuÇae ywa SkNd> izzuTve ri]t> pura, twa mmaPymu< bal< r] ;ió
om hiraëëyagarbbhaù samavarttatägre bhütasya jätaù patireka'äasét | sa
dädhära påthivéndyämute mäìkasmai deväya haviñä vvidhema nmae=Stute.
5.19 Waive Arati for Shasti Devi. Chant: om ñañöédevé namastubhyaà sütikägåhaçälini | püjitä parayä bhaktyä
dérghamäyuù prayaccha me || jananéà janmasaukhyänäà vardhinéà
` kdlIgÉRsMÉUt< kpURr àdIipt<, AaraitRkmh< k…vRe r] bal sUitka<.
dhanasampadäà | sädhinéà sarvabhütänäà janmade tväà natä vayaà ||
om kadalégarbhasambhütaà karpüraïca pradépitaà | ärärtikamahaà gauréputro yathä skandaù çiçutve rakñitaù purä | tathä mamäpyamuà
kurve rakña bälaïca sütikäà || bälaà rakña ñañöhi namo'stute ||
5.20. Offer a handful of flowers and rice to Shashti Devi.
` ]eÇs<ri]ke deiv svRiv¹ivnaizin, bil< g&ha[ me r] ]eÇ< sUtIÂ balk<.
Chant:
#m< ma;É´bil< ]eÇs<ri]kayE mhadeVyE smpRyaim nm>. ix;[a v&iÏmata c
` nanasugNxpu:pai[ ywakalaeÑvain c, pu:paÃil< g&ha[em< r] balÂ
mhagaErI c pUtna, AayudaRÈyae ÉvNTveta sda balSyme izva>.
sUitka<.
om kñetrasaàrakñike devi sarvavighnavinäçini | balià gåhäëa me rakña
om nänäsugandhapuñpäëi yathäkälodbhaväni ca | puñpäïjalià gåhäëemaà
kñetraà sütéïca bälakaà || imaà mäñabhaktabalià kñetrasaàrakñikäyai
rakña bälaïca sütikäà ||
mahädevyai samarpayämi namaù || dhiñaëä våddhimätä ca mahägauré ca
pütanä | äyurdätryo bhavantvetä sadä bälasyame çiväù ||
6. Concluding Prayer 7. Concluding remarks.
` sveR;a< SviStÉRvtu sveR;a< zaiNtÉRvtu, sveR;a< pU[¡ Évtu sveR;a< m<gl< Évtu.
Generally, in keeping with family tradition, a bedi made of mother
sveR ÉvNtu suiona> sveR sNtu inramya>, sveR ÉÔai[ pZyNtu makiídœ Ê>o earth and sanctified with either cowdung or huldee is prepared and
pooja is offered to Devi in the form of DHARTI. Sattvik food
ÉaGÉvet!. prepared for the occasion is also offered. After the Shashti Pooja is
om sarveñäà svastirbhavatu sarveñäà çäntirbhavatu | sarveñäà pürëaà completed, families may continue with this tradition. However, we
bhavatu sarveñäà maìgalaà bhavatu || sarve bhavantu sukhinäù sarve wish to re-iterate that this must be done in a Sattvik manner.
santu nirämayäù | sarve bhadräëi paçyantu mäkaçcid duùkha bhägbhavet
|| We invite comments, criticisms and suggestions from the Sanathan
Community. Kindly direct these to the:
` Astae ma sÌmy, tmsae ma JyaeitgRmy, m&TyaemaR=m&t< gmy. Vice President (Editorial)
om asato mä sadgamaya | tamaso mä jyotirgamaya | måtyormä'måtaà Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple
gamaya | P O Box 32325
Mobeni
` pU[Rmd> pU[Rimd< pU[aRTpU[RmudCyte, pu[RSy pU[Rmaday pU[Rmevaviz:yte.
4030
om pürëamadaù pürëamidaà pürëätpürëamudacyate | purëasya or telephone L R Maharajh on 031 – 706 2891.
pürëamädäya pürëamevävaçiñyate ||

` Apraxshöai[ i³yNte=hinRz< mya, dasae=yimit ma< mTva ]mSv We would like to acknowledge the contribution of Pundit T S
Maharaj towards the compilation of this book.
prmeñr, om aparädhasahasräëi kriyante'harniçaà mayä | däso'yamiti
mäà matvä kñamasva parameçvara | Editorial Standing Committee:
` Aavahn< n janaim n janaim ivsjRn<, pUja< cEv n janaim ]mSv Shri Lalsingh Ramsing (Vice-President)
Pundit Rishi R Maharajh
prmeñr, om ävähanaà na jänämi na jänämi visarjanaà | püjäà caiva na Pundit Ramesh B Sharma
jänämi kñamasva parameçvara | Pundit Umashunker D Maharaj
Shri Lokesh R Maharajh
` ANywa zr[< naiSt Tvmev zr[< mm, tSmTkaé{y Éaven r]Tv< prmeñr,
om anyathä çaraëaà nästi tvameva çaraëaà mama | tasmatkäruëya
bhävena rakñatvaà parameçvara |