Hinduism and Worship

Hinduism and worship has different style of worship compared to other religions.

Some of the things were OK for olden times, but do have value now.

Here are few things which we do and why we do

Why do we light a lamp?

In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar
of theLord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day at
dawn
and dusk- and in a few it is maintained continuously (akhanda deepa).
All
auspicious functions and moments like daily worship, rituals and
festivals and even many social occasions like inaugurations commence
with the
lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the
occasion.

Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness ignorance. The Lord is the
"Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener
and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the
Lord
Himself.

Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also
knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements
can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the
greatest of all forms of wealth. Knowledge backs all our actions
whether good or bad. We therefore keep a lamp lit during all
auspicious
occasion as a witness to our thoughts and actions.

Why not light a bulb or tube light then? That too would remove
darkness.
But thetraditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The
oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our "vaasnas" or negative tendencies and
the wick,the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the "vaasnas" get
slowly exhaustedand the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always
burns upwards.Similarly, we should acquire such knowledge as to take us
towards higher ideals.

A single lamp can light hundreds more just as a man of knowledge can
give it to many more. The brilliance of the light does not diminish
despite its repeated use to light many more lamps. So too knowledge does not
lessen when shared with or imparted to others. On the contrary it
increases in clarity and conviction on giving. It benefits both the receiver and
the giver.

Obviously for poor, the cooking fire is as good as above. Same cause.

Why do we have a prayer room?

Most Hindu homes have a prayer room or altar. A lamp is lit
and the Lord worshipped each day. Other spiritual practices like
"japa" (repetition of the Lord's name), meditation, "paaraayana" (reading of
the scriptures), prayers, devotional singing etc. is also done here.
Special worship is done on auspicious occasions like birthdays,
anniversaries, festivals and the like. Each member of the family - young or old -
communes with and worships the Divine here.

The Lord is the owner of the entire creation. He is therefore the
true owner of the house we live in too. The prayer room is the master
room of the house. This notion rids us of false pride and possessiveness.

The ideal attitude to take is to regard the Lord as the true owner of
our homes and ourselves as the caretakers of His home. But if this
rather difficult, we could at least think of Him as a very welcome guest.
Just as we would house an important guest in the best comfort, so, too
we felicitate the Lord's presence in our homes by having a prayer room or
altar, which is, at all times, kept clean and well decorated.

Also the Lord is all pervading. To remind us that He resides in our
home with us, we have prayer rooms. Without the grace of the Lord, no task
can be successfully or easily accomplished. We invoke His grace by
communing with Him in the prayer room each day and on special occasions.

Each room in a house is dedicated to a specific function like bedroom
for resting and sleeping, the drawing room to receive guests, the
kitchen for cooking etc. the furniture, décor and the atmosphere of each
room are made conductive to the purpose it serves. So too for the purpose of
meditation, worship and prayer, we should have a conductive atmosphere
- hence the need for a prayer room.

Sacred thoughts and sound vibrations pervade the place and influence
the minds of those who spend time there. Spiritual thoughts and
vibrations accumulated through regular meditation, worship and chanting done
there pervade the prayer room. Even when we are tired or agitated, by
just sitting in the prayer room for a while, we feel calm, rejuvenated and
spiritually uplifted.

For poor people who live ina hut or a singel room house, find a corner, and place any pictures or Idols East Facing (Ganesha only preferred, due to education and medication).

In the night, before sleep make sure you cover them with cloth for mental happiness.

Why do we do namaste?

Hindus greet each other with "namaste". The two palms are
placed together in front of the chest and the head bows while saying
the word "namaste". This greeting is for all - people younger than us, of our
own age, those older than us, friends and even strangers.

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural
convention or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than
meets the eye.

In Sanskrit namah + te = namaste. It means - I bow to you - my
greetings, salutations or prostration to you.

Namaha can also be literally interpreted as "na ma" (not mine). It
has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the
presence of another.

The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When
we greet another, we do so with namaste, which means, "may our minds
meet" indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down
of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility.

The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the divinity,
the Self or the Lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness with
the meeting of the palms, we salute with head bowed the Divinity in
the person we meet. That is why sometimes, we close our eyes as we namaste
to a revered person or the Lord as it to look within. The gesture is often
accompanied by words like "Ram Ram", "Jai Shri Krishna", "Jai Siya
Ram", "Om Shanthi Om" etc. - indicating the recognition of this divinity.

When we know this significance, our greeting does not remain just a
superficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper communion
with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.

A simple Hello or Hi in the modern times, gives the same respect as above.

Why do we prostrate before parents & elders?

Hindus prostrate to their parents, elders, teachers and
noble souls by touching their feet. The elders in turn bless by
placing his/her hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily, when we meet
elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task,
birthdays, festivals etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration
is accompanied by "abhivaadana" which serves to introduce oneself,
announce one's family and social stature.

Man stands on his feet. Touching the feet in prostration is a sign of
respect for the age, maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders
personify. It symbolizes our recognition of their selfless love for
us and the sacrifices that they have made for our welfare. It is a way
of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another. This tradition reflects
the strong family ties which has been of India's enduring strengths.

The good wishes (sankalpa) and the blessings (aashirvaada) of elders
are highly valued in India. We prostrate to seek them. Good thoughts
create positive vibrations. Good wishes springing from a heart full of
love, divinity and nobility have a tremendous strength. When we prostrate
with humility and respect, we invoke good wishes and blessings of
elders which flow in the form of positive energy to envelop us. This is why
the posture assumed whether it is in the standing or prone position,
enables the entire body to receive the energy.

The different forms of showing respect are :

* Pratuthana - rising to welcome a person.

* Namaskaara - paying homage in the form of namaste.

* Upasangrahan - touching the feet of elders or teachers.

* Shaashtaanga - prostrating fully with the full body
touching the ground in front of the elder.

* Pratyabivaadana - returning a greeting.

Rules are prescribed in our scripture as to who should prostrate to
whom. Wealth, family name, age, moral strength and spiritual knowledge in
ascending order of importance qualified men to receive respect. This
is why a king though a ruler of the land would prostrate before a spiritual
master. Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata have many stories highlighting
this aspect.

The above applies for able bodied people only and those who are not sick.

Why do we wear marks on the forehead?

Most religious Indians, especially married women wear a tilak or
pottu on the forehead. It is applied daily after the bath and on
special occasions, before or after ritualistic worship or visit to the temple.
In many communities, it is enjoined upon married women to sport a kum kum on
their foreheads at all times. The orthodox put it on with due rituals.
The tilak is applied on saints and images of the Lord as a form of worship
and in many parts of North India as a respectful form of welcome, to
honour guests orwhen bidding farewell to a son or husband about to embark on
an journey. The tilak varies in colour and form.

This custom was not prevalent in the Vedic period. it gained
popularity in the Pauranic period. Some believe that it originated in
South India.

The tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and
others. It is recognised as a religious mark. It form and colour vary
according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord
worshiped.

In earlier times, the four castes (based on verna or color) -
Braahmana,Kshatriya,Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The
brahmin applied a white chandan (sandalwood paste) mark signifying
purity as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The
Kshatriya applied a red kum kum mark signifying valour as he belonged to the
warrior races. The Vaishya wore yellow kesar or termeric mark signifying
properity as he was a business man or trader devotted to creation of wealth. The sudra
applied a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as
he support the work of the other three divisions. Also Lord Vishnu
worshipers apply a chandan tilak of the shape of "U", Lord Shiva worshipers applied a
tripundra bhasma, Devi worshippers applied red dot of kum kum.

The chandan, kum kum or bhasma which is offered to the Lord is taken
back as prasad and applied on foreheads. The tilak covers the spot
between the eye brows, which the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as
the aajna chakra in the language of yoga. The tilak is applied with the prayer -
"May i remember the Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my
activities. May I be righteous in my deeds". Even when we temporarily forget this
prayerful attitude the mark on another reminds us of our resolve. The tilak is
thus a blessing of the Lord and protection against wrong tendencies
and forces.

The entire body emanates energy in the form of electro-magnetic
waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eye brows
especially so.
That is why worry generates heat and causes a headache. The tilak or
pottu cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes,
the entire forehead is covered with chandan or bhasma. Using plastic
reusable 'stick bindis' is not very beneficial, even though it serves
the purpose of decoration.

This unique to Indians and helps to easily identify us anywhere.

But, I personally know the case of Dotheads (those who wear bindis or marks on heads) beign shot in the head in the USA, by the ever terror KKK, Klu Klux Klan who promote, the mass hysteria of white supremacy, still active in Many parts of the world.

So beware, other than your own country dont wear, or amongst countrymen, you can wear.

Why do we not touch papers, books and people with the feet?

In Indian homes, we are taught from a very young age, never to touch
papers, books and people with our feet. Of the feet accidentally touch
papers, books, musical instruments or any other educational equipment,
children are told to reverentially touch what was stamped with their
hands and then touch their eyes as a mark of apology.

To Indians, knowledge is sacred and divine. So it must be given
respect at all times. Nowadays we separate subjects as sacred and
secular. But in ancient India every subject - academic or spiritual was considered
divine and taught by the guru in the gurukul.

The custom of not stepping on educational tools is a frequent
reminder of the high position accorded to knowledge in the Indian
culture. From an early age this wisdom fosters in us a deep reverence for books and
education. This is also the reason why we worship books, vehicles and
instruments once a year on Saraswathi Pooja or Ayudha Pooja day, dedicated to the
Goddess of Learning.

Children are also strongly discouraged from touching people with
their feet. Even if this happens accidentally, we touch the person and
bring the fingers to our eyes as a mark of apology. Even when elders touch a
younger person inadvertently with their feet, they immediately apologize.

To touch another person with feet is considered an act of misdemeanor
because: man is regarded as the most beautiful, living, breathing
temple of the lord! Therefore touching another person with feet is
akin to disrespecting the divinity within him or her. This calls for an
immediate apology, which is offered with reverence and humility

Thus, many of our customs are designed to be simple but powerful
reminders or pointers of profound philosophical truths. This is one of
the factors that have kept Indian culture alive across centuries.

But again, for people without hands, who are taught to learn to write with feet & toes are exempted.

Why do we apply holy ash?

The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the
holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special
wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered by pouring ash as abhisheka
and is then distributed as Bhasma. (Bhaspa)

Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain
parts of the body, like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub
it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it.

The word Bhasma means "that by which our sins are destroyed and the
Lord is remembered". Bha implies bhartsanam ("to destroy") and sma
implies smaranam("to remember"). The application of Bhasma therefore signifies
destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is
called vibhuti (which means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies and raksha
(which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill
health and evil,by purifying him or her.

Homa (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred mantras)
signifies the offering or surrender of the ego and egocentric desires
into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash
signifies the purity of the mind which results from such actions. Also the fire
of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia
respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false
identification with body and become free of the limitations of birth
and death.

The application of ash also reminds us that body is perishable and
shall one day be reduced to ashes. We should therefore not get too
attached to it. Death can come at any moment and this awareness must increase our
drive to make the best use of time. This is not to be misconstructed
as a morose reminder of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact
that time and tide wait for none.

Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all
over his body. lord Shiva devotees apply bhasma as a tripiundra. When
applied with a red spot in the centre, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the
unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and un-seen universe)

Ash is what remains when all the wood is burnt away and it does not
decay. Similarly, the Lord is the imperishable Truth that remains when
the entire creation if innumerable names and forms is dissolved.

Bhasma has medicinal value and is used in many ayurvedic medicines. It
absorbs excess moisture from the body and prevents colds and
headaches. The Upanishads say that the famous Mrityunjaya mantra
should be chanted while applying ash on the forehead.

But please make sure, you buy it from a good vendor. If you dont get any, for just applying sake, you can keep some unscented talc or baby powder in front of God pictures/idols in Puja Room, to fixate the Cosmic energy on them, before using as Bhasma / Bhaspa / Vibuthi.

Why do we offer food to the Lord before eating it?

In western tradition food is partaken after a thanks giving prayer -
grace. Indians make an offering of it to the Lord and later partake of
it as prasad- a holy gift from the Lord. in temples and in many homes, the
cooked food is first offered to the Lord each day. The offered food is mixed
with the rest of the food and then served as prasad. In our daily
ritualistic worship (pooja) too we offer naivedyam (food to the Lord)

This is done because: The Lord is omnipotent and omniscient. Man is a
part, while the Lord is the totality. All that we do is by his
strength and knowledge alone. Hence what we receive in life as a result of our
actions is really his alone. We acknowledge this thru the act of
offering food to him.
This is exemplified by the Hindi words "Tera tujko arpan from the
aarti "Jai Jagdesh Hare" - I offer what is yours to you. Thereafter it
is akin to his gift to us, graced by his divine touch.

Knowing this, our entire attitude to food and the act of eating
changes. The food offered will naturally be pure and the best. We
share what we get with others before consuming it. We do not demand, complain or
criticize the quality of the food we get. We do not waste or reject it. We eat
it with cheerful acceptance (prasad buddhi). When we become established
in this attitude, this goes beyond the pre-view of food and pervades our
entire life. We are then able to cheerfully accept all we get in life
as his prasad.

Before we partake daily meals we first sprinkle water around the
plate as an act of purification. Five morsels of food are placed on
the side of the table acknowledging the debt owed by us to the:

* Divine forces (devta runa) for their benign grace and
protection.
* Our ancestors (pitru runa) for giving us their lineage and
the family culture.
* The sages (rishi runa) as our religion and culture have been
"realized" maintained and handed down to us by them.
* Our fellow beings (manushya runa) who constitute society
without the support of which we could not live as we do and
* Other living beings (bhuta runa) for serving us selflessly.

There after the Lord, the life force, who is also within us as the
five life- giving physiological functions, is offered the food. The
five life- giving functions are praanaaya (respiratory), apaanaaya
(extretory),vyaanaaya (circulatory), udaanaaya (reversal) and samaanaaya (digestive). After offering the food thus, it is eaten as prasad - blessed food.

Also, make sure whomsoever gives these prasad, is not having any forms of disease, and healthy.

Why do we do pradakshina ?

When we visit a temple. after offering prayers, we circumambulate the
santum sanctorum. This is called pradakshina.

We cannot draw a circle without a centre point. The Lord is the
centre, source and essence of our lives. Recognising Him as the focal
point in out lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the
significance of pradakshina

Also every point on the circumference of a circle is equidistant from
the centre. This means that wherever or whoever we may be, we are
equally close to the Lord. His grace flows towards us without partiality.

The pradakshina is always down only in clockwise manner because, as
we do pradakshina the Lord is always on our right. In Hinduism, the
right side symbolises auspiciousness. It is a telling fact that even in the
English language it is called the "right" side and not the wrong one!
So as we circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum we remind ourselves to lead an
auspicious life of righteousness, with the Lord to lead an auspicious
life of righteousness, with the Lord who is the indispensable source
of help and strength, as our guide - the "right hand" - the dharma aspect
of our lives.

We thereby overcome our wrong tendencies and avoid repeating the sins
of the past.

Indian scriptures enjoin - matrudevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava,
acharyadevo bhava. Meaning : May you consider your parents and
teachers as you would the Lord. With this in mind we also do pradakshina around our
parents and divine personages. The story of Lord Ganesh circumambulating his
parents is a well known one.

After the completion of traditional worship (pooja), we customarily do
pradakshina around ourselves. In this way we recognise and remember
the supreme divinity within us, which alone is idolised in the form of
the Lord that we worship outside.

This is important for people to gain the cosmic energy into their body, unique to a given temple. If you dotn have time, or for want of time, if you are in a tour, you can stand in fron of the temple door, and rotate once in the clockwise direction, that gives the same effect.

Why do we give offerings in form of money?

Usualy for Brahmins who do pujas, they have to earn as much as possible during festivals etc.

People do not offer during famine, and it is customary to give as much as possible.

Hence these rules of offering, Hundi are written and kept. Nowadays government ensures good collection.

Other than temple maintenance expense, the amount is spent back on people.

Tirupathi Devasthanam is one good org, in terms of running Universities, Colleges, and Schools. Provides Healthcare. Also gives prasad at a subsidiary cost. One laddu costs Rs 25/. when I type this, but sold at Rs 10/-. A small prasad while comign out is also given, along with food coupon, that is normally given to poor standing outside, who might sell it in turn.