Anga Puja submitted by Christine Machiraju Spring 2004

In Hindu worship there is a segment of prayer called Anga Puja or worship of the limbs of the body. While performing this ritual we ask that each action with each limb be sacred and that each part of the body be in balanced health. We can also focus on using each body part in a way that is helpful to others when we use our body, our voice and our deeds to promote good, creating positive energy in the world that promotes the health and happiness of all beings.

Try it ….
I pray to the feet that create my life path with their movement. May my path be clear from obstacles and may I walk on a spiritual path.

I pray to the ankles, which give support to the feet as they walk the path of life. May they be strong to support me on each step of my spiritual journey.

I appreciate my calves, which are of the ear element, they give me support and strength.

I pray to the knees, which give movement on this earth plain. May they be healthy and strong.

I pray to the thighs, which are beautiful and strong.

I appreciate the reproductive organs, which enable me to bring forth new creation; they are beautiful like a lotus flower opening forth to bring new life.

I appreciate the navel, which has nourished me in the womb.

I appreciate my stomach that helps me to digest food and gives me energy to live each day.

I appreciate the breasts; they are capable of nourishing a newborn child.

I appreciate the chest, which is the home of the heart and the heart chakra. It enables me to feel and to love.

I appreciate the neck, the home of my voice, that which enables me to sing. Let my voice and words be sweet and inspiring and may I remember to never use harsh or hurtful words.

I appreciate the shoulders that give me strength.

I appreciate the arms; let them be strong.

I appreciate the hands, may they always work for good, may they be involved in work that helps others and may they never be used to bring harm to others.

I appreciate the ears; they enable me to learn through listening.

I appreciate the tongue. It enables me to speak and also enables me to eat and taste. May my speech be sweet for all to hear and may I be blessed with good and nourishing foods.

I will appreciate the body with health forming foods and avoid foods that bring harm to my sacred body and will avoid words that bring harm to other sacred beings.

I appreciate the nose. It connects me to the earth element through smell and enables me to enjoy the essence of all things through their aroma. The nose also allows me to take in energy in the form of breath. May I remember to breathe deeply to nourish my body mind and spirit.

I appreciate the eyes which allow me to see the world and pray that I may be given clear thinking and a positive outlook.

I appreciate the forehead, the place of wisdom. May my wisdom grow with each passing moment and may I learn from all life situations.

Peace to you and your sacred body. May you have health and prosperity in all your limbs and in all aspects of your life.