Upasana

Uapasana in Sanskrit literally means "Sitting near" but normally the term is used in Hinduism to denote a prescribed method for approaching a Deity/God or getting close to deity. In Vedas some Upasanas are prescribed where one meditates on all pervading Brahman as some aspect of creation such as fire, water, directions, food, mind etc. In other words, Upasana can be described as a systematic practice of a prescribed method of worship for pleasing and winning the attention of the deity or it can be a deity less practice of austerities meditating upon some aspect of nature as told in some Vedic Upasanas. Normally such prescription of worship/meditation methods is taken from Hindu scriptures. Most often scriptures are Puranas and Vedas. A devotee would consult the scriptures or any person who knows them thoroughly, to get a prescribed form of worship (Upasana) for his deity of choice or ishta devata and follow it faithfully or dutifully.
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