Hinduism
Hindu rituals and customs
Chelvatamby MANICCAVASAGAR
Hinduism is a very ancient living religion. It has no founder, no set
of dogmas nor essential beliefs. But, countless saints and sages have
lived and propagated this Sanathana Dharma, the ever present truth.
Hinduism asserts that divinity pervades everything. Everything comes out
of divinity, exists in divinity and then gets reabsorbed into Divinity.
A highly evolved religion like Hinduism has four main features - a
Philosophy, Epics, Mythology, Symbolism and Rituals. The images of the
different Hindu Gods and Goddesses are full of symbols. Hinduism has
tried to help the understanding of the world by explaining the truth of
Divinity through various symbolic representations and rituals.
Lord Shiva is sometimes represented as the personification of the
fullness of Para Brahman.
The cosmic dancer Lord Shiva is depicted as the God of Creation,
sustenance and destruction. The drum in Lord Shiva's right hand
represents creation, the upper left hand holds a tongue of flame which
symbolizes destruction and the right hand of Lord Shiva shows the
granting of solace-abhaya. The sole foot-fixed upon the body of a
struggling dwarf who is the embodiment of all that veils truth from
falsehood.
The lighting of camphor before God symbolizes that we burn our
illusion or Ego with the fire of true knowledge, prostrating before Gods
signifies complete surrender of self, distributing Modakams to children
in temples is recognition of the principle that cosmic life is imminent
in all beings and the Nanthi in front of Shivan Temples signifies
dharma.
Hindu Culture
Hindu culture did not arise out of superstitions. These customs and
ceremonies have been developed only to reveal the fundamental aspects of
our life. The offering of coconut in the temples is to get rid of three
fetters. They are Aanava, Kanma and Maya.
In Hinduism, importance is given to Lord Ganesha. He is worshipped at
the start of any rituals, events or journeys. His big ears and belly
reveal his omnipresence. Lord Vinayaka is the Symbol of Grace, which
lifts. His devotees from drowning in the cycle of rebirths. Sivalingam
is the symbol of Siva worship. The Sivalingam also symbolizes that which
is invisible yet omnipresent. Brahma is the God of creation. Lord Vishnu
is the God of protection.
Aadhiparasakthi is the source and sustenance
of all creation. Durga is the Goddess of courage, strength and power.
Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, fortune and beauty. Saraswathi is the
Goddess of knowledge, wisdom and purity. Hanuman is the monkey God of
courage and strength and is endowed with immense powers. He is the son
of Vayu (God of wind). Muruga is considered to be the God of Sakthi or
Energy. "Vel" in his hand is his power to vanquish darkness.
In Hinduism "Fasting" is a way of worshipping God with devotion.
Besides there are certain ceremonies which are observed by Hindus. They
are 31st day of birth, Nama Karanam (Naming the baby; 41st day of birth,
Karna Vedhanam (Ear-piercing ceremony); Chorootal feeding cooked rice
for the first time, Teething. (During this period the Hindu parents
prepare Pallu Kozhukattai (a sweet meat) and the maternal uncle of the
child feeds this to the child.
Ehdu Thodakkenthal (Education). This is done at the age of three. It
is customary to start education as an auspicious day and auspicious
time, particularly during Navarathri festival (Vijayadhasami).
There is "Puberty Ceremony" which is celebrated when the girl attains
puberty and she is said to have reached womanhood. The marriage rituals
(Thirumanam) in which "Thiru" means Divine and "Manam" means uniting the
two hearts. "kannikathanam" means, giving the bride's hand in
marriage,"Arundhathi Paarthal" means, seeing the star arundhathi.
House warming ceremony
Hindus also perform "house warming" ceremony. This is a ceremony done
after the construction of a new house by the Hindus particularly. The
lighting of lamps symbolizes knowledge. The knowledge removes ignorance
just as light removes darkness.
The wearing of pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearers and
it is recognized as a religious mark. The application of holy ash from
sacrificial fire signifies surrender of ego and egocentric desires into
the flame of knowledge which purify the mind.
Most of the Hindus fast as special occasions like festivals. Fasting
in sanskrit is called "upavaasa" which means attainment of close mental
proximity with God.
The ringing of the Bell in temples produces what is regarded as an
auspicious sound. It produces the sound "om", the universal name of the
Lord. The Lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty
(Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram). The Lotus blooms with the rising sun and
close at night. Similarly, our minds open up and expand with the light
of knowledge.
Aalaathi is meant to ward off the evil eye, coconut breaking
signifies the exposure of inner purity of one's heart in prayer, the
application of sandalwood paste gives a cooling effect and reduces body
heat and also confers the grace of Goddess Lakshmi.
Hence, we have to
observe our customs, traditions, heritage, symbols and rituals without
being destroyed in the course of time.
Peace and Joy in reading Gita
Nagalingam KUMARAKURUPARAN
The Bhagavad Gita, a record of the conversation between Krishna and
Arjuna on the battle field at Kurukshetra deals with five key elements,
namely the soul, karma time, nature and the supreme soul. Because this
gospel of Krishna was uttered on the battle field, let us examine
whether the Gita, that timeless transcendental work, has any content
that is likely to instill any kind of hatred and violence. In other
words, is Krishna teaching terrorism or extremism to Arjuna ?
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Arjuna and
Krishna |
What does Krishna say to Arjuna in most of the verses ? Krishna is
asking Arjuna to do his duty as an individual, Krishna is asking Arjuna
to be equipoised in happiness and sadness and remain a renunciate
without attachment to worldly sense gratification:
Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one
should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one
attains the supreme. Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by
performance of prescribed duties. Therefore just for the sake of
educating the people in general, you should perform your work.
As a king what is Arjuna's duty? The king has to be a generous leader
whose duty is to protect his citizens with heroism, courage, power,
determination and resourcefulness (18.43) vedic scriptures say that the
king for protection of its citizens, may resort to violence in suitable
cases for law and order and he should rule according to dharma.
Thus the Gita's message is not of terrorism or extremism but of peace
and of joy. If necessary to keep the peace. Don't we laud the solider or
security officer who commits violence against terrorist or extremist to
protect us and maintain Peace ?
All responsible citizens must seek to live a peaceful God-centred
life and to ensure that a certain section of society (security forces or
in former times Kshatriyas) can take arms.
The Gita's message of victory of good over evil is eternal - a
victory over inner as well as external evils.
Krishna does not hide behind hills and forests to subvert and
sabotage. He tells us to wage a righteous war against our own evils.
Different people react differently to the message of Gita. According
to their nature, the good, the innocent, the knowledgeable and the
saintly find peace and joy in reading the Gita. The corrupt and the
extremists might find the message threatening and disconcerting. The
beauty of the Gita is that even extremists, the corrupt and the insecure
become peaceful and happy by assimilating and applying its message.
Brahma Baba - man with a vision and ideal leader of our time
For 75 years now, the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University has
been pioneering a unique approach to spiritual knowledge and
understanding. Having grown steadily, it is now a global network
dedicated to the service of humanity. The university believes we should
endeavour to remain peaceful and positive at all times, even in the most
adverse situations.
The organization began in the mid 1930s in Northern India, when a
remarkable teacher, known as Brahma Baba, inspired a small group of
spiritual seekers to join him in a 14 year period of secluded
reflection. Together, they learned how to bring divine qualities into
their hearts, actions and relationships.
On a physical level, Brahma Baba was a man of stature, with soft
white hair and a handsome visage. On a spiritual level, his presence was
soothing and gentle, and from his eyes emanated wisdom, understanding,
compassion and strength.
Brahma Baba, born into a humble home as Lekhraj Kripilani in 1876,
was the son of a village schoolmaster. Lekhraj was brought up within the
disciplines of the Hindu tradition.
He did not follow in his father's footsteps as a teacher; instead he
entered the jewellery business, earning considerable fortune as a
diamond trader. As a businessman and as a family man, father of five
children, Dada Lekhraj maintained a highly respectable position within
the local community and was known for his philanthropy.
Fascinating phase
In 1936, at the age of 60, when most of his colleagues were planning
their retirement, Dada Lekhraj entered into the most active and
fascinating phase of his life, during which he became known as Brahma
Baba.
While in a meditative state Brahma Baba felt a warm flow of energy
surrounding him, filling him with light and exposing him to a series of
powerful visions. These visions continued periodically over several
months. They gave him new insights into the innate qualities of human
souls, revealed the mysterious entity of God and described the process
of world transformation. The intensity of the messages conveyed by the
visions was such that Brahma Baba felt compelled to wrap up his worldly
business and devote himself to understanding the significance and
application of this revealed knowledge. Although the visions ceased,
their source remained with him for the next three decades, guiding his
transformation as well as that of those around him. Brahma Baba passed
away on January 18, 1969, but his vision and example continue to guide
and inspire.
75 years have passed since Brahma Baba received that series of
visions. Who could have guessed besides those touched by similar
visionary experiences that the young women he placed at the forefront of
the institution he founded would now be on the world stage, sharing
platforms with political and religious leaders at the highest level, and
leading a lifestyle revolution currently followed by nearly one million
people from all backgrounds of culture and religion, race and society.
Or that millions of others at this time when loss of integrity in human
hearts and minds has plunged many into despair would be taking benefit
from the teachings he transmitted, finding empowerment in the present
and hope for the future?
The living skills that Brahma Baba taught have stood the test of
time. The young women that he put to the forefront, now in their
eighties and nineties, have become beacons of love, peace and happiness
in a world increasingly troubled by disordered relationships, greed,
addiction, anger and violence.
As human beings, we are more than just our bodies and brains. There
is also an inner self, the inner being or soul, that forms the core of
who we are. The soul is the reservoir of our deepest self and impulses;
it sets the tome of our personality, thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Non-physical and distinct from the body, the soul is a source of
spiritual light. Qualities naturally found in the soul are peace, love,
happiness and wisdom.
All human beings have these qualities as part of their natural
inheritance as children of God. However, while some find that such
qualities are expressed effortlessly, others sometimes feel weighed down
by worries, anxieties or fears that cloud or overwhelm their inherent
spirituality.
Meditation
The university's teachings remind us that there is positivity and
strength deep within us. By remembering this, and keeping it in our
awareness, we can regain our peace of mind and the joy of life. The BK
philosophy offers a spiritual perspective that helps us to place events
in a wider context and better understand why things happen as they do.
When we see the bigger picture and the role that spirituality plays, it
becomes easier to develop a more constructive approach to life. The
practice of meditation is also very helpful, both as a source of
serenity and as a means to develop the inner power with which it conquer
negative tendencies.
The type of meditation that the university teaches is called Raja
Yoga. As a practice, it helps us develop a deeper understanding of the
inner self and greater awareness of the soul and its qualities. This
consciousness strengthens our relationship and connection with God, the
one Supreme Soul. Literally, Raja Yoga means "royal union" and it refers
both to this highest relationship and to the self-mastery that it
brings. Both of these make change possible.
Unlike us, God is a bodiless spiritual being. Human beings differ
from God in that we are both spiritual and bodily beings who go through
the human experiences of the birth and death of the body, happiness and
sorrow, confusion and understanding. Both God (the One Supreme Soul) and
we (human souls) have peace, love and understanding as innate aspects of
our being, but whereas our human nature changes, in God these qualities
are constant, unchanging and unlimited.
It helps if we can develop a more spiritual frame of mind. We can
think of God as like a living Seed, a being of light and the Source of
the highest qualities in life. When we remember God with love and
understanding, a current of truth enters us, like an inheritance of
spiritual wealth, which restores our own highest nature and course of
life. As we feel this, we can recognize God's presence in our lives;
this then becomes the basis of a loving relationship that we can build
on and experience wherever we are and whatever we are doing throughout
the day.
We usually describe ourselves as a "world spiritual university" as
this reflects the founder's vision of the world as being one; and of a
movement of leaders that would serve the whole world, transcending the
idea of particular groupings within it.
Studying, inculcating and sharing spiritual knowledge and experience,
which lie at the heart of spirituality but are not confined to it, are
central to our life and work. They have been contributing their
physical, mental and spiritual energies to create a happy new world
order.
Today, the surviving Dadis (Senior Women) are still leading a
lifestyle revolution involving hundreds of thousands of people, men and
women alike, of all cultures, religions, occupations and social
background. Millions more benefit from the many courses and educational
programmes offered by the Brahma Kumaris worldwide in over 130
countries.
Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres, Sri Lanka |