Jay Swāminārāyan Friends,

I am Nitya Pujā! Today, I’ll tell you how I can be ideally performed every morning!

Before beginning your pujā, ensure that you have bathed and changed into clean clothes. Then, sitting on a clean āsan, face either north or east. While remembering Māharāj and Swāmi and chanting the Swāminārāyan mantra, boys should apply a tilak and chandlo to one’s forehead, as well as a tilak chandlo of chandan to the chest and both arms. Meanwhile, girls should only imprint a kumkum chandlo on their foreheads.

Thereafter, take a few moments to meditate on the ātmā and think about the glory of Bhagwan. In this way, while engaging in ātmavichār and prāpti no vichār, recite the sacred mantra “Aksharam-aham Purushottam-daso’smi” with joy and devotion. Continue to perform mānsi pujā with a calm and focused mind. Remember, only Māharāj and the Satpurush can grant moksha, so meditate upon them.

Then, place the murtis on a clean cloth within a clear view. Arrange them so the murtis of Akshar Purushottam are in the centre. Include the murtis of our Guru Parampara, as well. Continue by folding your hands and reciting the Ahvan Mantra to welcome Māharāj and our gurus. After doing so, perform mālā while chanting the Swāminārāyan mantra and doing darshan of the murtis with mahimā and a steady mind. During this time, you could also do smruti of the divine actions/ prasangs of Mahant Swāmi Māharāj. Afterwards, while continuing to do the darshan of the murtis, raise your arms, stand on one leg and perform tapni mālā. Then, perform pradakshinās. Moving on, boys should do 5 sāshtāng dandvat pranāms and girls should sit and offer panchāng pranāms. Remember to perform an extra dandvat pranām for forgiveness of acting on or having ill thoughts for another devotee. Then, to fulfill any wishes you may have, fold your hands and pray to Māharāj and Swāmi with divyabhāv and devotion, while chanting the Swāminārāyan mantra. Finally, to thank Akshar-Purushottam Māharāj for coming to your pujā and to re-instill him within one’s ātmā, recite the Punaragaman Mantra.

Our Guru, Mahant Swāmi Māharāj has also stressed on how I can be performed to the best of your ability in his new scripture, Satsang Dikshā. Remember, Nitya Puja is your personal mulakaat with Swāmishri! So even when you go out (in Holidays…etc), don’t forget to take Nitya Puja with you.

By following these simple steps, you can deepen your connection with him and follow this āhnik his way.

Jay Swaminarayan from the ‘kids.baps.org’ team