Manasika Puja Vidhi for

times when we are

unable to do the full Puja

Ganesha
Manasika
Puja
Poosalar Nayanar
The story of Poosalar Nayanar is an epitome of the glory and power of Manasika Puja.
Poosalar Nayanar was born in the town Thiruninravur, in the region called Thondainadu,
near current day Chennai city, where Vedic traditions were a way of life. A true Bhakta of
Shiva, his heart was filled with only one desire, to build a temple for his Ishta. Despite his
best efforts, he could not gather the funds required. Undaunted, he decided that the
temple would be built in his heart! Gathering all necessary materials and following the
steps as required to build a physical temple, he then decided on the Kumbhabhishekam
day which happened to coincide with the day that the Kadava king, a great devotee of
Shiva himself had decided as the Kumbhabhishekam day for his own grand temple.
The Lord appeared in the king's dream and asked him to postpone his ceremony, as Shiva
would be going to the temple constructed by His devotee at Thiruninravur. On waking up,
the king was eager for the darshan of the devotee mentioned by the Lord and the grand
temple Poosalar had built. He travelled to Thiruninravur and on finding Poosalar Nayanar,
asked him with folded hands where this superior temple was built that had stolen the
heart of the Great Mahadev himself. On hearing the king’s account, tears of love, devotion
and joy streamed down Poosalar’s cheeks. He could not believe his Ishta had considered
him worthy enough to grace the humble abode he had built in his heart. With a choked
voice, he explained to the king that the grand temple was nowhere else but in his own
heart. The king knew right then and there that he was in the presence of an exalted Bhakta
and fell at his feet. Poosalar’s temple was consecrated as per the pre-determined date with
Shiva’s presence. To fulfill the desire of Poosalar, the king later built a temple in
Thiruninravur and a Shivalinga was consecrated in the Sanctum Sanctorum alongwith his
devotee, Poosalar Nayanar. As the Lord was in the heart (Hrudya) of his devotee, he is
called Hrudyaleeswarar.
Manasika Puja Vidhi - Ambience

So lets begin! First, find a quiet place, without any distractions.

Facing East and sitting in Sukhasana take a few deep breaths to
calm your mind and then start the Puja as outlined in the next
page.
Manasika Puja Vidhi - Ganesha & Guru Shlokas
1) Chant 3 Ganesha Shlokas
Examples
1.1) Vakra-Tunnda Mahaa-Kaaya Suurya-Koti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa
[Link]
1.2) ShuklaAmbara Dharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva Vighno-pashaantaye
[Link]
1.3) Agajaanana PadmArkam Gajaananam Aharnisham
Aneka-Dam-Tam Bhaktaanaam Eka-Dantam Upaasmahe
[Link]

2) Chant Guru Stotra

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo MaheshwarahaGuru Saakshaat
ParaBramha Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha
[Link]
Or
VyAsam Vasishta-naptAram Sakteh Pautram akalmashamParAsarAtmajam
Vande Suka-tAtam Tapo-nidhim.
Vyāsaya Visnu Rūpāya, Vyāsa Rūpāya Viśnave
Namove Bramha Nithaye, Vāsishtāya Namo Namaha
[Link]
Manasika Puja Vidhi – Sankalpa & Invocation

3) Sankalpa
Mentally mention the reason for doing this puja ( e.g Ganapati Preeti ,
Anugraha , Removal of obstacles etc ) or if you can use a general Sankalpa such as
Aum Mamo-Upaatha Samastha Duridakshayad Dvaaraa Shri Maha Ganapati
Preethyartham , Ishta Kaamyaartha Siddhyartham , Sakala Vigna
Nivaaranaartham , Adye Shubathiney Shubamuhurthey Shri Maha Ganapati
Poojaam Yathaa Shakti Karishyeh

4) Invocation
Hold your right ring finger, middle finger and thumb towards your heart chakra and
recite Shree Ganeshaya Namaha 3 times.
Then mentally ask Ganesha to come and take a seat in your heart and recite
Shri Maha Ganapataye Aavahayaami, Staaphayaami
Manasika Puja Vidhi - Visualization

5) Visualization
Visualize his form inside your heart. If you are new to
Sadhana in general or just Ganesha Sadhana in particular,
visualizing a simple form is recommended. See image for
reference
The steps for visualization are outlined on the next page
Manasika Puja Vidhi – Steps of Visualization

With your eyes closed, Then focus your mind Next, bring your attention to Then visualize the hand in Now focus on the hand
visualize his face first on his Pasham or the the right hand holding the Abhaya Mudra which with the sweet or fruit
lasso in his left hand Ankusha, which prods you on reminds you to discard fear promises the results that
visualising the Pasham and away from your laziness and that his blessings will you seek.
pulling you towards and undesired habits always be there for those
him who seek him

And finally, meditate on his complete form.

• With your eyes closed, visualize his face first

Then proceed to Manasika Panchopachara Puja

Vidhi explained in the next page.
Then focus your mind on his Pasham or the lasso in his left hand visualising the Pasham pulling you towards him
Manasika Puja Vidhi - Panchopachara
6) Panchopachara
Mentally follow all steps as outlined for full Panchopachara Puja

Offer Water to him: Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha Aachamanam Samarpayaami

Offer Gandham ( Sandlewood paste ): Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha Gandham

Samarpayaami
Offer Dhoopam: Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha Dhoopam Samarpayaami

Offer Deepam (lighted wick): Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha Dheepam Samarpayaami

Offer Flowers: Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha Pushpam Samarpayaami

You can offer 5 flowers , 1 with each Nama , example Aum Ganeshaaya Namaha, Aum
Vigneshaaya Namaha , Aum Vinaayakaaya Namaha , etc )
Take Neivedyam ( sprinkle water over it saying Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha ) Optional (
Show Neivedya Mudras )
Else Offer Neivedyam to him saying Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha Neivedyam
Samarpayaami
Manasika Puja Vidhi - Ganesha Stotram
7) Ganesha Stotram - Chant a Ganesh Stotram such as the Sankata Nashana
Stotram (see below) or another one of your choice

Pranamya shirasa devam Gauri putram Vinayakam ।

Bhakthavasam smaretrityamayuh kama artha sidhaye ॥1॥

Prathamam Vakratundam cha, Ekadantam dwitiyakam ।

Tritiyam Krushna Pingaksham, Gajavaktram Chaturthakam ॥2॥

Lambodaram Panchamam cha, Sashtam Vikatamev cha ।

Saptamam Vignarajam cha, Dhoomravarnam tathashtamam ॥3॥

Navamam Bhalchandram cha, Dashamam tu Vinayakam ।

Ekadasham Ganapatim, Dwadasham tu Gajananam ॥4॥

Dwadasaithani namani, Trisandhyam yah pathenara ।

Na cha vighna bhayam tasya, Sarvsiddhi karam param ॥5॥

Vidhyarthi labhate Vidhyam, Danarthi labhate Dhanam ।

Putrarthi labhate Putran, Moksharthi labhate Gateem ॥6॥

Japet Ganapati stotram, Shadbhirmasai phalam labheth ।

Samvatsarena sidhim cha, Labhate natra sanshaya ॥7॥

Ashtabhyo Brahmoyashr Likihitwa yh samarpayet ।

Tasya Vidhya bhavetsarva Ganeshasya Prasadatah ॥8॥

॥ Iti Shri Narad Purane Sankat nashanam Ganesha Stotram Sampurnam ॥

Manasika Puja Vidhi –
Kshama Prarthana

12) Kshama Prarthana

Ask forgiveness to Ganapati for any mistakes in Puja and to bless you
(You can recite Kshama Prarthana Stotra provided below
Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Tavarchanam।
Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Ganeshwara॥
Anyatha Sharanam Nasti Tvameva Sharanam Mam।
Tasmatkarunya Bhavena Rakshasva Vighneshwara॥
Gatam Papam Gatam Dukham Gatam Daridraya Meva Cha।
Agata Sukha Sampattih Punyachcha Tava Darshanat॥
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwara।
Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurnam Tadastu Me॥
Yadaksharapada Bhrashtam Matrahinam Cha Yadbhavet।
Tatsarva Kshamyatam Deva Prasida Parameshwara॥