Lord Narayana was born in the earth under the "Sravana" star and so it is considered an auspicious time to perform pooja to Him on this day. On Saturday, February 1st 2003, on the occasion of the "Sravana" star, a "Satyanarayana and Shankha (Conch) pooja" was organized by the Spiritual and Veda Agama Sudha. The pooja was performed by Pandit. Lakshmanan, a priest from Veda Agama Sudha, with great devotee participation at Sadhu Vaswani Centre, Dracut, MA.

The deities - Ganapati, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Godess Parvati were invoked in the Kalasas (pots) followed by a prayer to the 'Ashta Dik Paalakaas' (protectors of the eight directions) and the 'Navagraha Devataas' (presiding deities of the nine planets) before starting the Satyanarayana pooja. Even though God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He is requested humbly to be present in the Kalasas at the time of pooja. Also, 108 white Shankas decorated with Sandalwood paste and Kumkum and filled with sacred water were placed at the altar. A large white Sankha laced with a silver kavacha (covering) set atop a silver tortoise (signifying the 'Kurma' avatara of Lord Vishnu) was placed atop a makeshift Abhisheka Peeta (altar). The water filled Kalasas and the pristine white Shankas formed a wonderful sight for the devotees and brought a unique aura to the hall.

Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu also known as Narayana is the protector of all mankind and the world. He always comes to the rescue of his devotees in their times of need, as narrated in the puranas - like Gajendra Moksha, Draupadi Vastra apaharana, etc. Reciting His name helps the devotees overcome all their problems and attain salvation. There is a Sanskrit saying:

"Narayanethi Shabdosti Vagasti Vasha Vartini
Thatapi Narake Gore Patanthi Ithyethat Adbhutam"

Meaning: There is a mantra "Narayana" and there is a mouth to repeat it. Whoever utters this mantra attains salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The word "Shankham" comes from the prefix "Shum" which means "something good" and the word "Kham" meaning "water". So, "Shankam" means - "The conch that holds the sacred water".

"Shankha Madyesthitam Thoyam Brahma Hatyadhikam Daheth
Anga Lagnam Manushyanam Mruthyu Samsara Bheshajam"

The water in the Conch purifies the sinner. The water from the Shankha can cure all the ailments which cannot be cured by other medicines. It is a medicine for the physical ailments in humans, the fear of death, and the cycle of birth and death.

Several couples joined the priest and undertook the Sankalpa to perform the pooja. As per the priest's instructions they recited the mantras and followed the guidelines to offer pooja to Lord Narayana. Over forty devotees witnessed the pooja and also joined the priest in performing milk abhisheka to the main Shanka. This was followed by the priest performing an abhisheka of the main Shanka with the water from all the other 108 shankas and with the recital of Vishnu Sahasranama by all the devotees in the background. It was a unique experience to watch the abhisheka in the hall reverberating with the chanting of the one thousand names of Lord Vishnu. Later, the children of the devotees attending the pooja took turns and read five stories from the Satyanarayana Katha to all the devotees. The pooja ended with chants from the Vedas, Arathi and offering of Naivedhya to the Lord. The evening ended with the distribution of 'Prashad' and food prepared by the volunteers to all the devotees.

Spiritual and Veda Agama Sudha ( www.vedagamasudha.org ), is a non-profit Hindu organization, founded by Sivaguru Shri. Kumaraswamy Dixitar in 1994 at Albany to spread Sanathana Dharma. Key to this goal is to develop and nourish Vaideega Dharma by building a team of priests and spreading through them our samskaras to the hindus living in various parts of America. Efforts are underway to establish a spiritual centre in/around the state of New Hamphsire, teach Slokas and impart Vedic education for the current and future generation who practice Hindu Dharma. Pandit Sri. Lakshmanan, who has undergone rigourous training in Rig and Yajur Veda, and a Masters degree holder in Sanskrit, currently performs priest services on behalf of Veda Agama Sudha catering to the religious needs of the Hindu community in the New England area. For any questions regarding Veda Agama Sudha or pooja services like Marriage, Grahapravesa, Seemantha, Satyanarayana pooja, Homas, Srarda and any other poojas, he can be contacted at 603 494 3272 or laxman_sastry@yahoo.com.

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