In one contemporary context, Upasana means methods of worship (Bhakti), usually of meditative kind. Werner translates it as "meditation", while Murty translates it as " steadfastness of mind in the thing meditated upon". Upasana is also sometimes referred to as Puja.
In Hinduism, Upasana is a term that denotes a method for approaching or getting close to a deity. It typically refers to worship or meditation with the purpose of connecting with the universe or a higher power. It is a Sanskrit term that translates as “sitting near God.”
Upasana is of two kinds, viz., Saguna-Upasana (meditation on a form, we usually call it as God/deity or Super-power) and Nirguna-Upasana (meditation on the formless and attributeless Brahman).
In much simplified terms for understanding - Meditation on idols, pictures of Lord Ganesh, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Ayappa, Lord Karthikeya, Lord Siva, Gayatri Devi, etc., is Saguna Upasana. Saguna-Upasana is concrete meditation. Nirguna-Upasana is abstract meditation.
Hearing of the lilas of the lord, kirtana or singing his names, constant remembrance of the lord (Smarana), service of his feet, offering flowers, prostration, prayer, chanting of Mantra, self-surrender, service of Bhagavatas, service of humanity and country with Narayana-Bhava etc., constitute Saguna-Upasana.
In Saguna meditation, the devotee considers himself as entirely different from the object of worship. The worshipper makes a total, unreserved, ungrudging, self-surrender to the Lord. He respects, honours, adores the Lord and depends on Him for everything, for food, protection and his very existence. He looks always for help of any sort from the Ishta Devata.
There is nothing independent for him. He is an instrument in the hands of the Lord. His hands, legs, senses, mind, Buddhi, physical body belong to the Lord. A devotee does not at all like the idea of Jnana or merging. He likes to have his separate entity as a servant and to serve, worship and love the Lord always. He does not like to become sugar as a Jnani, but like to taste sugar and eat sugar. This method of worship is one of contraction. Suppose there is a circle. You have a position in the centre. You contract yourself to a point and merge in the circumference. This is Saguna meditation. This is suitable for people of emotional temperament. Vast majority of persons are fit for this line of worship only.
Saguna-Upasana is basically Bhakti Yoga.
Panchayatana Puja(worship):
Panchayatana puja is a system of worship ('Saguna upasana') in the Smarta tradition of Hinduism. It consists of the worship of five deities set in a quincunx pattern, the five deities being Shiva, Vishnu, Devi or Durga, Surya and an Ishta Devata such as Ganesha or Skanda or any personal god of devotee's preference. Sometimes the Ishta Devata is the sixth deity in the mandala.
Panchayatana puja has been mainly attributed to Adi Shankara, the 8th century CE Hindu philosopher. It is a practice that became popular in medieval India.
Philosophically, the Smarta tradition emphasizes that all idols (murti) are icons of Saguna Brahman, a means to realizing the abstract Ultimate Reality called Nirguna Brahman. The five or six icons are seen by Smartas as multiple representations of the one Saguna Brahman (i.e., a personal God with form), rather than as distinct beings. The ultimate goal in this practice is to transition past the use of icons, then follow a philosophical and meditative path to understanding the oneness of Atman (soul, self) and Brahman – as "Thou art That".
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