What is Ayudha Pooja –

It is a worship of whatever implements, one may use in

our day to day life. On this day, we would like to see the
divine form in tools and other objects which we use
daily. It will also help one to maintain constant
remembrance of the divine. In India it is customary for
one to prostrate before the tools one will use before
starting one's work each day; this is an expression of
gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one's duties.
Almost all the weapons which we use in our day to day
use like knife, scissors, stoves, and in factories all
machineries, computers, vehicles, seweing machines, will
be washed and done the pooja with a request and nothing
harm shall be done from these utensils and do good to
everything.
"Ayudha Pooja" or "astra pooja" is an integral part
of Dasara festivals. - We celebrate Ayudha pooja on
Ashwayuja Shudda Navami Day, i.e., ninth day of
the Dasara Festival

1. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since ancient times. The

importance of Ayudha Puja on this occasion may also be due to the
fact that on the Vijayadasami day, Arjuna took back his weapons
which he had hidden in a SHAMEE VRUKSHA in order to lead a life in
disguise for the promised period of exile. It is believed that one
who begins or renovates his learning to work on the Vijayadasami
day will secure a grand success as Arjuna did in Kurukshetra war.
2. According to Hindu Mythology, after the killing of Mahishasura and
other rakshasas by Mahishasura mardhini - Chamundeswari, there
was no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept aside
and worshiped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since time
immemorial.
3. In ancient times, Kings and soldiers used to perform Ayudha Puja
for their weapons. They considered their weapons as their
protectors and as Gods. Nowadays, people related to mechanical
and electrical work, keep their operators and instruments in their
puja room and worship them with utmost devotion.
4. The tools and all implements of vocation are first cleaned. All the
tools, machines, vehicles and other devices are then painted or well
polished after which they are smeared with turmeric paste,
sandalwood paste (in the form of a tilak and kumkuma. Then, in the
evening, previous to the puja day, they are placed on an cleaned
platform and decorated with flowers. In the case of weapons of
war, they are also cleaned, decorated with flowers . On the morning
of the puja that is on the Mahanavami day, they are all worshipped
along with the images of , Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Parvati. We have
to do the worship these deities with the anusandhana of
Parvatyantargatha Shivantargatha, Saraswathi Bharathi
deviantargatha Mukhyapranthargatha , Sri Lakshmi Narayana. We
have to place Books and musical instruments are also placed on the
pedestal for worship. On the day of the puja, these are not to be
disturbed. The day is spent in worship and contemplation.

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