Maha Ratri - 11th March 2021

Prem , Vanakkum, Jai Srimati Gauri - Shree Shankar Mahadeva. ganapataye namah / Om sarasvatyai namah

Shiva (Lord Shiva) and Ratri (night), so Shivaratri means the night of Lord Shiva. Every lunar month on the 14th day of the dark half of the moon phase there is a Shivaratri but in the Vedic month of Phalgun (February-March) there is a . (14th day of the dark moon phase). So Maha Shiva-ratri night falls on the 11th March. This auspicious ceremony takes place at night. This festival is observed in the honour of Lord Shiva, who was married to Mother (a.k.a Mother / Gauri) on this auspicious Vedic day.

Devotees observe a strict fast on this day. Some really strict devotees perform a nirjal fast i.e. they do not even have a sip of water. They keep a strict Virgil the entire night. The Shiva is worshipped throughout the night by washing the Lingam every three hours with milk, yogurt, , honey and so forth, whilst chanting of the “”, continues. Offering of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred (as Tulsi is to Lord and Dhaar is to Mother Durga are very pleasing to Them) and Lord Shiva becomes pleased with that offering. Many different hymns glorifying Lord Shiva are sung with intense fervor and devotion. Aspirants perform of the Panchakshara mantra “Om namah Shivaya” (At the end of this article there is a very detail explanation of each syllable of this mantra.) One who utters the names of Lord Shiva during Shivaratri with perfect devotion and concentration is freed from all sins that one has committed. One reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and resides very happily there.

The Katha of King Chitrabhanu

In the Shanti Parva of the , Maharaja Bhishma, whilst resting on a bed of arrows and discoursing on , refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The pastime goes as follows.

Once, King Chitrabhanu was observing a fast with his wife, and it was the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage came on a visit to the king’s court. The sage asked, “O king why are you observing a fast today?” King Chitrabhanu explained the reason, as he had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth. The king said to the sage, “In my past birth I was a hunter in Dham (Kashi). My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day, I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a bael tree. I had shot a deer that day, but I did not have time to take it home. I bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away time that night I engaged myself in plucking bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground. “The day dawned and I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then took my food.”

“At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva, they were sent down to take my soul to his abode. I then learnt for the first time of the great merit I had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. They told me that there was a Lingam under that tree and that I had dropped the leaves on that Lingam. My tears, which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family, fell onto the Lingam and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night. Thus, I unconsciously worshipped Lord Shiva on that most auspicious day.” “I lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages. And now I am reborn as Chitrabhanu.”

Lord Shiva’s assurance

When creation was completed Lord Shiva and Parvati Mata went to live on the top of . Mother Parvati asked, “O adorable lord, which of the many rituals observed in your honour pleases you the most.” The Lord replied, “The fourteenth night of the new moon in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is my favorite day. It is called Maha Shivaratri. My devotees give me great joy and happiness by mere than by ceremonial baths and offerings of flower, sweets and incense.” “The devotee observes strict spiritual discipline in the day and worships me in four different forms during each of the four successive three hour periods of the night. The offering of a few bael leaves is more precious to me than precious jewels and flowers. My devotee should bath me in milk in the first period, in yogurt in the second period, in ghee in the third, and in honey in the fourth and the last. In the morning he should feed (that is if this is possible), and after doing that he/she breaks his/her fast. No ritual can compare with this simple routine in sanctity.” Mother Parvati was deeply impressed by the words of her husband. She repeated this to her friends, who in turn passed it on to everyone else. Thus the sanctity of Maha Shivaratri was broadcast all over the world.

The Shivaratri fast is aimed at controlling a persons two great vices ( – the quality of passionate activity) and ( - that of inertia). The entire day is spent on worshipping Lord Shiva. Continuous worship of the Lord necessitates the devotee’s constant presence in the place of worship. One's motion is controlled and evils like lust, anger and jealousy, born of Rajas, are ignored and subdued. The devotee observes Virgil throughout the night and thus conquers tamas as well. Constant control is exercised over the mind. Every three hours a round of worship of the Shiva Lingam is conducted and thus Shivaratri is the perfect vrat.

At many ashrams around the world Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in the following manner. Aspirants fast the whole day, many of them without taking a single drop of water. Some ashrams perform a grand havan to Lord Shiva for peace and welfare of all and the world. The whole day is spent in chanting of the mantra “Om namah Shivaya” and in upon the Lord. At night all assemble in the temple and chant this mantra and during the four quarters of the night the Shiva Lingam is worshipped with intense devotion. The Linga Ashtakam (Eight verses glorifying the Shiva Linga.)

One chants these when performing Abhishek. This Ashtakam pleases Lord Shiva tremendously.

Brahma-murari surachit lingam, nirmal bhakchit shobhita lingam Janma ja dukha vinashaka lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, which is adored by Lord , Lord Vishnu and revered by others, praised in mantras and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.

Deva muni prawa-rarchita lingam, kamadahang karunakara lingam Ravan darp vinashana lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, which is the focus of the worship of Saints, infinitely compassionate and the subduer of the pride and passion.

Sarva-sugandhi sulaypita lingam, budhi vivardhan kaarana lingam Sidha-surasur vandita lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, smeared with , scented with perfumes and which elevates the power of the mind and kindles the light of discrimination, to which the Suras and prostrate.

Kanak maha-mani bhukchita lingam, phani-pati veksh-tita shobhit lingam Daksha suyagya vinashana lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, destroyer of King Daksha’s ego, and which is decorated with various ornaments glowing within the embrace of the coiled serpent.

Kumkum chandana laypit lingam, pankaj haar sushobhita lingam Sanchit paap vinashana lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, adorned with Saffron, Sandal- paste and garlands of lotus flowers, which exonerates all sinful actions.

Deva ganarchit sayvita lingam, bhavai bherewa-chaa lingam Dinakar koti prabha kara lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow that before Sada-Shivalinga, worshipped by the Sages & Saints with full faith and devotion and which is the source of unlimited brilliance.

Ashta dalopari veksh-tita lingam, sarva samudbhava kaarana lingam Ashta daridra vinashana lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow that before Sada-Shivalinga, destroyer of manifold wretchedness, which is the cause of creation and dissolution.

Soorguru soorwar poojit lingam, soorwan pushpa sadachita lingam Paraatparam paramatmaka lingam, tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, the Transcendent Being,worshipped by the learned and all devotees, offering Bael leaves, flowers, fruits and water. Lingaashtak medang punyang yuh, pathay-chiva sannidhow Shiva-loka mawapanoti, shivena saha moditay Whosoever repeats these eight Shlokas glorifying the Shivalinga in the divine presence of Lord Shiva attains final and everlasting relationship in the abode of Shiva Loka.

Lord Krsna and the Cowherd Boys Celebrate the Shiva-ratri Festival

The cowherd men of Vrindavan, headed by Nanda Maharaja, desired to go to Ambikavana to perform the Shivaratri performance. (From the 10th canto Srimad Bhagavatam).

The -lila was performed during the autumn, and after that the next big ceremony is or the Dolayatra ceremony. Between the Dolayatra ceremony and the rasa-lila ceremony there is one important ceremony, which is called Shivaratri, which is especially observed by the Saivites, or devotees of Lord Shiva. But sometimes the Vaishnavas (devotees of Lord Vishnu) also observe this ceremony because they accept Lord Shiva as the foremost Vaishnava. Nanda Maharaja and the other cowherd men desired to go to Ambikavana for Shivaratri. Ambikavana is situated somewhere in the province.

They very devotedly began to worship the deity of Lord Shiva and Ambika (another name for Ma Durga). It is the general practice that wherever there is a temple of Lord Shiva, there must be another temple of Ambika because Ambika is the wife of Lord Shiva and is the most exalted of chaste women. She doesn't live outside the association of her husband. After reaching Ambikavana, the cowherd men of Vrindavan first bathed themselves in the river Sarasvati. If one goes to any place of pilgrimage, his/her first duty is to take a bath and sometimes to shave his head. That is the first business. After taking bath, they worshipped the deities and then distributed charity in the holy places. The cowherd men who had come to execute the ritualistic function of worshipping Lord Shiva and Mother Ambika finished their business and prepared to return to Vrindavan. Similarly, the gopis also worshipped goddess Katyayani (Durga Devi) to become more and more attached to Lord Krsna. Shiva Panchakshara Stotra 1 Nagendra Haaraaya Thrilochanaaya Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshvaraaya Nityaaya Suddhaaya Digambaraaya Tasmai Nakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya I offer my humble salutations to Lord Maheshvara - who has a garland of serpents around the neck; who has three eyes; whose body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as His dress and who is embodies as the first letter Na.

Stotra 2 Mandaakini Salila Chandana Chaarthitaaya Nandeesvara Pramatha Naatha Mahesvaraaya Mandaara Pushpa Vahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya Tasmai Makaaraaya Namah Shivaaya I bow to Lord Maheshvara, who is embodied as Makaara (letter Ma), whose body is anointed with holy waters from the river and sandal paste, who is the sovereign king of the Pramatha Ganas and who is adorned with innumerable divine flowers such as Mandaara.

Stotra 3 Shivaaya Gauri Vadana Aravinda Sooryaaya Dakshaadhvara Naashakaaya Sree Neelakantaaya Vrisha Dhvajaaya Tasmai Shikaaraaya Namah Shivaaya I offer my salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the resplendent sun for mother Gauri’s lotus face, who is the destroyer of Daksha`s sacrificial ritual, who is the blue necked Lord (due to the Haalahala poison which He agreed to consume), whose banner bears the emblem of a bull and who is embodied as the letter Shi.

Stotra 4 Vasishta Kumbhodbhava Gautamaaya Muneendra Devaarchita Sekharaaya Chandraarka Vaishvaanara Lochanaaya Tasmai Vakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya I prostrate before you O Shiva, who is worshipped and prayed to by great sages such as Vashishta, and Gautama, whose eyes are sun, moon and the fire and who is embodied as Vakaara (letter Va).

Stotra 5 Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya Pinaaka Hasthaaya Sanaatanaaya Divyaaya Devaaya Digambaraaya Tasmai Yakaraaya Namah Shivaaya Prostrations to the sacred Lord who is the Yaksa incarnate, whose hairs are long and matted, who holds Pinaaka (trident) in His hand, who has the entire sky as His attire and who is embodied as the letter Ya. Stotra 6 Panchaaksharam Punyam Yah Pateh Shiva Sannidhau Shivaloka Mavaapnothee Shivena Saha Modate Whoever repeats this prayer composed with the five holy letters before Lord Shiva, attains that supreme abode of his and enjoys the eternal Bliss. How to perform the pujas and Abhishekam (bathing of the Linga) during the night.

Bathing and staying clean, the worship of Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Lingam is done in the four jamuns (four equal time intervals) of the night.

Firstly perform Ganapati praying for no hurdles to the puja. Simply have a of Lord Ganesh and offer him incense, lamp and flowers. Before the prayer starts make sure that you wash the Lingam properly with water. Now place the Lingam on a tray. You can perform the Abhishek in your prayer room. Also you should have made during the day 4 flower garlands. Many use cloths to dress the linga after each abhishekam. (But this is optional). Also make sure that you have at least 4-incense stick, 4 camphor and 4 whole flowers for the arati. Get from a temple lots of Bael leaves.

Then at 18h00 on the 11th the first Abhishek is performed. While chanting mantras of Lord Shiva bath the Lingam with milk (which should be in a lota/pot). Then after offering the milk with one lota of water bath the Lingam. Then with a clean cloth only used for the prayer dab the Lingam to remove the excess liquid. Now place bael leaves on top of the Lingam and with chandan paste with the ring finger of your right hand draw three lines on the Lingam and on the centre line dot it with kum-kum. Then garland the Lingam and now offer arati with incense, lamp and flower 7 times around the Lingam. This is the end of the first Jamun.

At 21h00 the 2nd Jamun is performed. Please replace the Milk above with yoghurt and the procedure is the same.

At 00h00 the 3rd Jamun is performed. Please replace Milk above with ghee and the procedure is the same. Do not use one lota of ghee, rather in a lota add 1⁄4 teaspoon of ghee and add luke warm water to it.

At around 3h00 - 4h00 the 4th and last Jamun is performed. Please replace Milk above with honey and the procedure is the same. Do not use one lota of honey, rather in a lota add 1⁄4 teaspoon of honey and add luke warm water to it. If you so desire the different colour clothes you can use for the different jamuns are as follows... 1st jamun:- RED 2nd jamun:- YELLOW 3rd jamun:- WHITE 4th jamun:- BLUE

Should you like to perform a Lord and Havan, then kindly follow the below.

Lord Shiva Puja for Shiva Ratri

For the Puja proper:- On your tray you should have the following:- 1 large tray (to place all your puja items on that tray), 1 large rectangular tray, 1 banana leaf the size of your rectangular tray, 1 small Ganesh murti/picture, a laminated picture of Lord Vishnu picture, small bowl of sweet rice (use the same bowl for the havan), a small lota/chumbu/cup add water with a small spoon, 5 incense sticks, one incense holder, 2 blocks of camphor, 1 box matches, a small clay lamp which should be placed on a saucer, 10 betel leaves, 10 round betel nuts, 200g white rice, small bowl of flower petals, 1 small hand towel, make one Kusha ring with kusha grass, 50g chandan powder (on a saucer and add water to make a paste). On a saucer keep a small clay lamp add, some ghee and a wick).

Place tray on the floor, and then place the banana leaf on top of the rectangular tray - (this is your bedi), place on the banana leaf the Lord Ganesh Murti. Place the clay lamp which is on a saucer (and which has the ghee and wick) next to Lord Ganesh, and on the lamp's right hand side place Lord Vishnu's picture. Now sit facing East or North. Pour a little water into your hand from your small lota and sip it three times chanting "Om Vishnu" (Wash your hands after each Om Vishnu chant). Now wipe your hands. Anoint your third eye (the place between your eyebrows) with a chandan dot, place your kusha ring on your ring finger of your right hand.

Next take 1 betel leaf, on top of that betel leaf add some red flower petals and some rice and say in English “O Supreme Lord on this day (state the English day, English month (like January) and place (like Durban) where you performing this prayer, I (state your name and surname) am performing my (state what puja you doing) Prayers. (Do note if you prefer having the correct Vedic names for the above then you have to consult and ask your pundit). Leave the betel leaf, flower petals and rice on the banana leaf by Lord Ganesh. GANESH PUJA:- Take 1 betel leaf, on top of that betel leaf place 1 betel nut, few grains of rice and few flower petals and pray to Shree Ganeshji chanting his mantra... “Om ganapati devata aa-vaa-hayaa-mee sthaapa-yamee, Om ganapataye namah” And then place the betel leaf (and its ingredients) on the banana in front of Lord Ganesh's murti/picture. Do note the tip of the betel leaf should be facing you. Now offer Lord 4 drops of water, chandan dot, sprinkle rice and then flower petals, offer one stick of incense (turn the incense around the murti/picture 7 times in a clockwise direction, and place in the incense holder, next offer the clay lamp on a saucer (which has a small piece of camphor in it, light it) and turn the lamp around the murti/picture 7 times in a clockwise direction, offer a spoon of sweet rice on the betel leaf and then place a betel leaf with a betel-nut next to Lord Ganesh's betel leaf and then finally offer the clay lamp (7 times around the murti) to end.

NAVAGRAHA PUJA:- Then take another betel leaf, on top of that betel leaf place 1 betel nut, few grains of rice and few flower petals and pray to 9 Planets chanting their mantra... “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Navagraha devata namah aa-vaa-hayaa-mee sthaapa-yamee, Om Navagraha devata-ye namah”, And then place the betel leaf (and its ingredients) on the banana leaf next to Lord Ganesh. Do note the tip of the betel leaf should be facing you. Now offer the Navagraha's 4 drops of water, chandan dot, sprinkle rice and then flower petals, offer one stick of incense (turn the incense around the lamp 7 times in a clockwise direction, and place in the incense holder, next offer the clay lamp on a saucer (which has a small piece of camphor in it, light it) and turn the lamp around the Navagraha's Betel leaf 7 times in a clockwise direction, offer a spoon of sweet rice on the betel leaf and then place a betel leaf with a betel-nut next to the Navagraha's's betel leaf and then finally offer the clay lamp (7 times around the murti) to end.

Light the wick of the clay lamp which is on a saucer (and which has the ghee and wick). Once lit pray to Mother for Her blessings for your puja.

LORD SHIVA PUJA:- Then take another betel leaf, on top of that betel leaf place 1 betel nut, few grains of rice and few flower petals and pray to Lord Shiva chanting his mantra... “Om namah shivaya aa-vaa-hayaa-mee sthaapa-yamee, Om shivaya namah”, And then place the betel leaf (and its ingredients) on the banana leaf in front of Lord Shiva’s picture/murti. Do note the tip of the betel leaf should be facing you. Now offer Lord Shiva 4 drops of water, chandan dot, sprinkle rice and then flower petals, offer one stick of incense (turn the incense around the murti/picture 7 times in a clockwise direction, and place in the incense holder, next offer the clay lamp on a saucer (which has a small piece of camphor in it, light it) and turn the lamp around the murti/picture 7 times in a clockwise direction, offer a spoon of sweet rice on the betel leaf and then place a betel leaf with a betel-nut next to Lord Shiva’s betel leaf and then finally offer the clay lamp (7 times around the murti) to end. The havan proper now commences.

LAKSHMI PUJA:- Then take another betel leaf, on top of that betel leaf place 1 betel nut, few grains of rice and few flower petals and pray to Mother Lakshmi chanting Her mantra... “Om Shreeng mahaa lakshma-yai namah aa-vaa-hayaa-mee sthaapa-yamee, Om Shree Lakshmi devi-yai namah”, And then place the betel leaf (and its ingredients) on the banana leaf in front of Lord Vishnu's picture. Do note the tip of the betel leaf should be facing you. Now offer Mother Lakshmi 4 drops of water, chandan dot, sprinkle rice and then flower petals, offer one stick of incense (turn the incense around the lamp 7 times in a clockwise direction, and place in the incense holder, next offer the clay lamp on a saucer (which has a small piece of camphor in it, light it) and turn the lamp around the lamp 7 times in a clockwise direction, offer a spoon of sweet rice on the betel leaf and then place a betel leaf with a betel-nut next to Mother Lakshmi's betel leaf and then finally offer the clay lamp (7 times around the murti) to end.

VISHNU PUJA:- Then take another betel leaf, on top of that betel leaf place 1 betel nut, few grains of rice and few flower petals and pray to Lord Vishnu chanting His mantra... “Om Vishnu bhagavaan aa-vaa-hayaa-mee sthaapa-yamee, Om Vish-nave namah”, And then place the betel leaf (and its ingredients) on the banana leaf in front of Lord Vishnu's picture. Do note the tip of the betel leaf should be facing you. Now offer Lord Vishnu 4 drops of water, chandan dot, sprinkle rice and then flower petals, offer one stick of incense (turn the incense around the murti/picture 7 times in a clockwise direction, and place in the incense holder, next offer the clay lamp on a saucer (which has a small piece of camphor in it, light it) and turn the lamp around the murti/picture 7 times in a clockwise direction, offer a spoon of sweet rice on the betel leaf and then place a betel leaf with a betel-nut next to Lord Vishnu's betel leaf and then finally offer the clay lamp (7 times around the murti) to end. The havan proper now commences.

Lord Shiva havan for Shivaratri

For the Havan proper:- On your tray you should have the following:- One packet havan wood; 100g Navadhan (9 grains), 100g wheat (Hindi-Gehu//Tamil-Godhumai), 100g ***{Guggal} (a brown-ish resin), 100g ***{Gur/Jaggery}, 100g of Lobhan (Samarani), 100g Til; 100g Barley (Jau) grains, a medium size bowl for the havan samaghree ingredients, 100g ghee in a small bowl with a Table spoon, 3 pieces of Sandalwood sticks. The Havan kund should be place on a metal rectangular tray. Place 4 equal length Kusha (Kush grass/Darbha grass) on the outside of the four sides of the kund, add about 3 hands-full of clean sand in the havan kund (this is done so that the ghee wouldn’t leak from the Kund), place the wood neatly in the kund. On top of the wood sprinkle some red sindhur powder. Now in your samaghree bowl add the remaining white rice (that you have from the puja), the Navadhan, wheat, Til, 1 Tsp of sweet rice, Guggal, Gur, barley, Lobhan, 2 Tsp's of ghee... Mix the ingredients well. This is your Havan samaghree, I would advise to refrain from adding the ready made (store-bought) havan samaghree as these days that samaghree is just powder and mass produced.

Place a camphor tablet on a table spoon and (light and) kindle the camphor tablet and place in the havan kund while you chant “Om Bhoor Bhuvah Swaahaa”, repeat twice more times i.e. two more camphor tablets.

When the fire is nicely alight, put your two palms together and pray to -deva inviting Agni-deva to enter into the kund and kindly accept the grains that you will be offering shortly, chanting... “Om Agni-devata aa-vaa-hayaa-mee sthaapa-yamee, Om Agni-deva namah”. Now offer one stick of incense (turn the incense around the fire 7 times in a clockwise direction, and place in the fire, next offer the clay lamp on a saucer (which has a small piece of camphor in it, light it) and turn the lamp around the fire 7 times in a clockwise direction, offer a spoon of sweet rice on the betel leaf into the fire, offer some flower petals into the fire and then finally offer the clay lamp (7 times around the fire) to end.

Next sprinkle, water around the havan kund 3 times in a clockwise direction.

Take 3 pieces of Sandalwood sticks, dip the three sticks in the ghee, and then offer one stick into the fire while chanting “Om Bhoor swaahaa”, the second stick with the mantra “Om bhuvah swaahaa” and the third and final stick with the mantra “Om svah swaahaa”...

Place the havan samaghree bowl in front of you. Do remember that at every swaahaa offer samaghree and/or ghee. Now you can commence with the Havan proper...

Chant:- Om ganapataye swaahaa x 1

Om agnaye swaahaa x 1 Om somaya swaahaa x 1 Om praja-pata-ye swaahaa x 1 Om indraya swaahaa x 1 Om bhuh swaahaa x 1 Om bhoovah swaahaa x 1 Om svah swaahaa x 1 Om bhoor bhuvah svah swaahaa x 1

Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Saha Sooryaaya swaahaa x 3 Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Saha Chandraaya swaahaa x 3 Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Saha Bhaumaaya swaahaa x 3 Om Braam Breem Braum Saha Budhaaya swaahaa x 3 Om Graam Greem Graum Saha Guruve swaahaa x 3 Om Draam Dreem Draum Saha Shukraaya swaahaa x 3 Om Praam Preem Praum Saha Shanaish-charaaya swaahaa x 3 Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Saha Raahave swaahaa x 3 Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Saha Ketve swaahaa x 3

Om aim hreem kleem chaamun-daayai vich-chai swaahaa x 3

Om trayam bakkam yajaa-mahe sugan-dhim pushti-vardhanam urvaa-rooka-miva bandha-naam mrityor mooksheeya maamritaat swaahaa x 11/21/108

Om Hanumate swaahaa x 1

Om Shreem Mahaa-lakshmi-yai swaahaa X 1

Om Vishnave swaahaa X 1

Sprinkle water around the havan kund three times.

Offer samaghree 21 times with the Maha Mantra “ Hare Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare “ to allay for any mistakes committed during the havan.

Lastly - the final offerings (Purna-Ahuti):- Place the remaining betel leaves on a tray and on that betel leaves place the balance of the samaghree on top of the leaves, on top of this place the rest of the betel nuts, some ghee and chant the following mantra “Om sarvam vai poornam swaahaa” And place this in the middle of the fire. Offer the rest of the ghee into the fire.

Shanti Paath Mantras:- Put your two palms together in the Namaste position... and chant... Om Dyauh Shanti Ranta-riksha Gwam Shanti Prithvi Shanti Rapah Shanti Rosha-dhayah Shanti Vanas Patayah Shanti Devah Shanti Brahma Shanti Sarva Gwam Shanti Shanti Reva Shanti Sama Shanti Redhi Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om

Now take the 4 kusha grass around the Kund and your kusha grass ring and mix with the final remains of the ghee in the ghee bowl and offer into the fire.

Once this is complete, kindly request Lord Ganesha, the Nine Planets, Lord Shiva Mother Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu and the rest of the Devi's and Devas to forgive you for any shortcoming committed while you performed the puja and havan and then request them to kindly return to their divine abodes, and chant the Maha Mantra (above) once to end. Bow down to the bedi and havan kund.

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