How to Perform a Mritunjaya Havan on Purnima

Generally speaking, Hindus across the world perform a ‘yagna’ on purnima, called the Maha Mritunjaya havan (yagna) for enhancing the longevity of their lives. It is one of the most prominent and powerful rituals performed. Devotees usually rise early and take bath. They should wear clean clothes and must prepare a bowl of sweet rice. They also add the black sesame seeds, diced ‘kush’ grass, some vegetables and butter to the rice. They make a ‘havan kund’ for holy yagna fire, forming a layer of sand. They also add tiny wooden sticks to the havan Kund and smeared ‘ghee’ on it.

The devotee then takes three sips of the Gangajaal or holy water from the river Ganga while chanting “Om Vishnu” after which they light the sacrificial fire by placing camphor on the wood. Lord Vishnu and other Gods and Goddesses, are invoked by this Yagna which is followed by the chanting of the Mritunjaya mantra in honour of Lord Shiva:

Om trayam bakkam, yajaa-mahe
Sugan-dhim pushti-vardhanam,
Urvaa-rooka-miva bandha-naam,
Mrityor mooksheeya maamritaat.

The mantra is ends with chanting “Om Swaahaa.” While uttering the above mantra everytime, a little portion of the sweet rice must be offered to the yagna fire. This is repeated about 108 times. Once the havan gets completed, the devotee must seek forgiveness for all the blunders that he had knowingly or  unknowingly committed during the ritual. Finally, another ‘maha mantra’ is chanted 21 times:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna, Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Just as how the various gods and the goddess are invoked during the commencement of the havan (Yagna), they are requested to return back to their abodes after the successful completion of this Yagna.

Imporant mantras for Purnima Puja

The following are some of the important Shlokas that are widely recited during the Purnima puja.

Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri Mantra is the most revered sloka that is recited by devotees across various temples and homes on  Purnima (full moon day), seeking the divine blessings of Goddess Gayathri who bestows abundance knowledge and wisdom on her worshippers.

Om bhur bhuvah swah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Ganesha Prayer

Sri Vakratunda Mahakaaya
Koti-soorya samaprabha
Nirvighnam kuru me Deva
Shubh-karyeshu Sarvadaa

Guru Prayer

Guru brahmaa guru vishnuh
guru devo maheshvarah
guru saakshaat parabrahma
tasmai shree gurave namah

Benefits of Purnima Puja

Observing the holy Purnima Vrat and Shree Satyanarayan Puja is said to bring immense happiness and prosperity to a person’s life. It benefits not only the worshipper but also his/her family as a whole. The Sathyanarayana Puja is mostly performed before or after special occasions such as a wedding in the family, purchase of house or other property, or any other auspicious event in the family. This puja is meant to show one’s gratitude towards Lord Vishnu for blessing them with a satisfying and successful career and life. It also aids in providing inner peace and maintaining a good physical health.