Panchayatana Puja: The Quintessential Worship of Five Deities

Introduction:

Panchayatana Puja, also known as Pancha Devi Deva Puja, is a traditional system of worship within the Smarta sampradaya, one of the four major sampradayas (religious traditions) of Hinduism. This form of puja involves the veneration of five deities arranged in a unique quincunx pattern. While it is commonly attributed to Adi Shankara, an 8th-century CE Hindu philosopher, archaeological evidence suggests that Panchayatana Puja predates his time, with temples and mandalas from earlier periods reflecting this practice. This article aims to delve into the essence of Panchayatana Puja, its significance, and the deities involved.

The Concept and Arrangement:

Panchayatana Puja centres around the worship of five primary deities: Ganesha, Adi Shakti (the Primordial Divine Mother), Shiva, Vishnu, and Surya (the Sun). These deities are arranged in a specific quincunx pattern, which refers to a geometric arrangement of five points forming a cross, with four points forming a square or rectangle and the fifth point placed in the centre.

The arrangement of the deities in the Panchayatana Puja follows a prescribed pattern, with the central deity surrounded by four others. The choice of the central deity depends on the preference of the worshipper, and it can be any of the five primary deities or an Ishta Devata (personal deity) chosen by the devotee. Sometimes, Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is included as the sixth deity in the mandala, representing Shanmata (the six-fold path).

Significance and Symbolism:

Panchayatana Puja holds profound spiritual significance and symbolism. The arrangement of the deities represents the interconnectedness and harmony of the different aspects of the divine. Each deity embodies specific attributes and cosmic energies, and their combined worship allows devotees to seek blessings and grace from various facets of the divine presence.

Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is worshipped first to seek his blessings and remove any hindrances in the spiritual journey. Adi Shakti, the primordial energy and divine mother, represents the nurturing and creative aspect of the divine. Shiva, the destroyer and transformer, symbolises the transcendental consciousness and liberation. Vishnu, the preserver and protector, embodies the qualities of sustenance and harmony. Surya, the radiant sun god, signifies the life-giving and illuminating force.

The worship of these deities in Panchayatana Puja fosters a holistic approach to spirituality, enabling devotees to connect with different dimensions of the divine and attain spiritual growth, balance, and enlightenment.

Historical and Cultural Significance:

Panchayatana Puja has been practised in India since ancient times and finds mention in various historical and cultural contexts. Archaeological evidence reveals the existence of Panchayatana mandalas and temples dating back to the Gupta Empire period and even earlier, during the Kushan Empire era.

Notably, many ancient Hindu temples constructed during the 1st millennium CE feature the Panchayatana architecture, from Odisha to Karnataka to Kashmir. Some of these temples also house fusion deities such as Harihara, a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu, following the Panchayatana worship style. These historical references highlight the widespread and enduring nature of Panchayatana Puja in Indian religious and architectural traditions.

By Mamta Rajbhar
(The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just to help the readers)