Mitra Puja Vidhi

(short version for beginners)

Perform the Puja facing East, if possible where the Suns rays come in.

1. Ganapati Dhyanam For the smooth conduct of Mitra Puja, we seek Lord Ganeshas blessings first.
Vakrathunda Mahaakaaya Surya Koti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kurume Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvadaa

(Can chant any other Ganesha shlokas that you know at this point) 2. Surya Dhyaanam Prayer to Mitra (Surya) Bhagavan
Japa Kusuma Sankaasam Kaashyapeyam Mahaadyuthim Thamoghnam Sarvapapaghnam Pranathosmi Divakaram

3. Sankalpam
Mama saha kuTumbasya kshema sthairya dhairya viirya vijaya aayuraarogya aishwarya abhivRiddhyarthaM dharmaarthakaamamoksha caturvidhaphala puruShaartha siddhyarthaM Chaaya Samjnaa Sametha Sri Surya Narayana prasaada sidhyartham Sri Surya Narayana Prasaadaath Sarvaabheestha Sidhyartham Asmin Divase Punya Kaale Sri Mitra Pujaam Karishye

4. Mitra (Surya) Aavaahanam Meditate upon and invoke Surya Bhagavan onto a coin/gold locket kept on a Taambalam / new plate or tray. If you can, place the Taambaalam on a wooden platform covered with red cloth.
Om Asmin Suvarnasakale Chaaya Samjnaa Sametha Sri Surya Narayanam Aavaahayaami

5. Ashtottara Shata Naamaavali While chanting each of the 108 names of Surya Bhagavan (see attached pdf), offer a flower/petal by placing it in front of the coin/locket or picture of Surya Narayana. Preferably offer red flowers. If flowers are not available, akshadai (rice coated with turmeric) can be used. 6. Chanting of Aditya Hridayam Chant the Aditya Hridayam (mp3 file with chanting by Prof. Thyagarajan & scholars is attached). Can get the text as pdf file from the internet, e.g., http://sanskrit.safire.com/Sanskrit.html#pstotras 7. Dhoopam, Deepam, Nivedyam Show Agarbathi (Dhoopam): Dhuupam ghr-paymi

S h a m a N a y a a r t i M m O

and lamp (Deepam)

Deepam Darsayaami

Offer Sarkkara Paayasam (Jaggery and Rice sweet) and fruits as nivedyam
Gula Paayasam Nivedayaami

If you cannot make Paayasam, offer fruits or dry fruits. 8. Deepaaraadhana Offer camphor while ringing bell
Karpoora Neeranjanam Samarpayaami

9. Pradakshina, Namaskaram. Do three circumambulations around the deity

Yaanikaani cha paapaani Janmaanthara krithaani cha thaani thaani vinashyanthi pradakshinah pade pade Ananthakoti Pradakshina Namaskaaraan Samarpayaami

If you know Surya Namaskaram (Sun salutation), you can do it now. See www.astrojyoti.com/suryanamaskar.htm. Otherwise, prostrate 12 times by chanting the 12 names of Surya:
Om Mitraaya namah Om Ravaye namah Om Suryaaya namah Om Bhaanave namah Om Khagaaya namah Om Pushne namah Om Hiranyagarbhaaya namah Om Mareechaye namah Om Aadityaaya namah Om Savitre namah Om Arkaaya namah Om Bhaskaraaya namah

10. Puja Samarpanam Pray for blessings, especially for health, courage, prosperity, and to strengthen bonds of friendship. Regular worship of Mitra cures eye, head and heart ailments.
Sri Surya Narayana Swamine Namah Samastha Upachaaraan Samarpayaami Drutha Padmadwayam Bhaanau Tejo Mandala madhyakam Sarvaadhi Vyaadhi Samanam Chaayaaslishta Dhanum Bhaje Bhaano Bhaaskara Maarthaanda Chanda Rashme Diwaakara Aayuraarogyam Aiswaryam Sriyam Puthraamscha Dehime

Meditate on Mitra (Surya) Bhagavan. Conclude Mitra puja by chanting

Asmaat Suvarnasakalaat Chaaya Samjnaa Sametha Sri Surya Narayanam YathAsTAnam prathistaapayaami Om Sri Surya Narayana Prasaada Sidhi dwaara, Sarvam Suryaarpanam Astu

Chant 3 times: ``Loka Samasthaa Sukhino Bhavanthu``.

Distribute prasadam.