Panch Devta; पंच देवता

Panch Devta - The Concept of Puja of Five Gods

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Panch Devta is the concept of five gods in Hinduism. The Panch Dev that are worshipped are Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Shakti and Surya. The concept of Panch Devta is more popular with Hindu communities in North India. The five gods are worshipped daily in homes. Those people who worship the five gods are known as Panchopasak.

For fasting and other related rituals, the Panchopasak follows the Smarta Tradition.

Panch Dev Puja is believed to help in attaining happiness, progress and peace.

“The main purpose of Panch–Dev pooja is to give Happiness, Peace and Contentment. Good thoughts emerge in the mind and divine energy is manifested in the body and the behavior experiences a sense of freedom by which the mind is easily directed toward Bra'hmaan. The different devtas are the manifestations of Bra'hmaan who is actually unthinkable, unmanifested, unlimited and without a form. Bra'hmaan can only be known by those who are free from the worldly ties and have no expectations from society. It is very difficult to achieve such a state and to visualize the image of any person or a devta without first seeing him is all the more arduous. The same applies to BRA'HMAAN also. Thus to experience the divine (NIRAAKAR BRA'HMAAN) in the deep recesses of our mind, we have to first worship the SAKAAR BRA'HMAAN (The lord that has a name and form).

The concept of Panch Dev was developed by teachers of Santana Dharma to help common people who are not able to understand the concept of Brahman. The Panch devtas are manifestations of Brahman who is actually unthinkable, unmanifested, unlimited and without a form.

GANESH, SURYA, DEVI, SHANKAR AND VISHNU –the devotees of these 5 deities never lack anything and are sure to achieve name, fame and punya (merit) and they achieve immortality.

GANPATI

In the Indian tradition, we start everything by chanting ‘Shri Ganeshaya Namah’. In fact the word Shri Ganesh has come to replace the word ‘commence’ in our daily language. Also known as GAJANAN He is the VIGHNESHWAR (the remover of all obstacles) and the giver of RIDDHI and SIDDHI (the names of His two wives meaning prosperity, growth and accomplishments and success). Ganesh or Mangalmurti (an embodiment of auspiciousness) is the PRANAV or AUM itself.

 When we write AUM and if we were to rotate it, we can see the trunk and two eyes of Ganesh. Merely by concentrating on the idol of Ganesh, by devotion and chanting, you are sure to increase Medha (Talent) because He is the LORD OF THE SENSES.

SHANKAR

There are many names and forms of Lord Shankar and endless characteristics and to illustrate all these, one whole book can be written. There is no place in India where there are no Shiv Lings which is the main form of worshipping Him. The age old tradition of the Rishis of Ling Upaasana is mentioned in the Shrutis, Smritis and the Puranas. The idol of the Ling is an embodiment of the Shakti of Shiv which can help the devotee to realize Brahman.

 Shiv is known as Bhole Baba as He gets pleased very easily and does not hesitate to give boons. He is also known as the Lord of all Knowledge.

VISHNU

The foremost Lord in the Shrutis is Vishnu. All other forms of Vishnu are also described in the Shrutis. Lord Vishnu is a devout worshipper of Lord Shankar and so is Lord Shankar of Lord Vishnu. They are actually one. HARI HAR is also mentioned in all the scriptures. They are the two main deities to be worshipped. Lord Vishnu is YAGNA SWAROOP (yagna here means sacrifices) and Lord Shankar is TAP SWAROOP (Tap here means penance). Yagna and Tap are the basis of our culture.

MAHASHAKTI

Shrutis have praises for Shakti and Shaktiman and describe them as one and the same. The Supreme Lord manifests Himself as Param Purush and Para Shakti.

Param Purush is described as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and His consort Para Shakti is known as Lakshmi, Gauri and Saraswati.

Just as the different forms of the Supreme Lord are all but one form. Similarly the different forms of the Devis – Durga, Rama, Seeta, Radha are one and the same.Devi is also worshipped as the Nav Durgas. She is Shakambari and She is Brahmari. She is Kul Kundalini and Yog Maya.

SAPTSHATI is the holy tale of the Para Shakti which is described in the Markandeya Purana. The recitation of this ‘Paath’ gives Abhuday and Nishreyas (prosperity and betterment). At the altar of the Supreme Mother, our sins are pardoned. In the world, we have heard of sons being bad but we have never heard of a Bad Mother. In this Kalyug, the shastras sing the glory of GAURI and GANESH as bestower of all glories.

 SURYA

The Shastras mention ‘Aarogyam Bhaskaradichet’ meaning to seek the blessings of Lord Surya for good health. The worship of this deity can relieve one of heart disease, eye-ailments and agonies of the planets which occur in our lives. All the wishes of the devotee can be fulfilled. The shaastras mention that Lord Surya is the AATMA of the Universe and thus it is difficult to forget one’s own Aatma. The saints and the Brahmins have been worshipping Him every morning and evening. A million suns lighten up the skies and the solar system. The main deity of these many suns is Shri Narayan who is worshipped as Lord Surya. He is Para Brahman