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    Hindu Rituals and Routines

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    Vaidehi Krishnan
    Hindu rituals and routines have significance and symbolism associated with them. The tilak or pottu worn on the forehead by Hindus represents their caste or deity. It is meant to invoke sanctity and remind the wearer of their religious resolve. Holy ash or bhasma applied to the body has medicinal benefits and absorbs moisture. Fasting is a means of gaining mental proximity to God by reducing distraction and indulgence of the senses. Pradakshina, or circumambulation around a deity or sacred object, represents recognizing God as the center of one's life. Trees and plants are regarded as sacred in Hinduism since they sustain life and are seen as manifestations of the divine.

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    Hindu Rituals and Routines

    Uploaded by

    Vaidehi Krishnan
    158 views2 pages
    Hindu rituals and routines have significance and symbolism associated with them. The tilak or pottu worn on the forehead by Hindus represents their caste or deity. It is meant to invoke sanctity and remind the wearer of their religious resolve. Holy ash or bhasma applied to the body has medicinal benefits and absorbs moisture. Fasting is a means of gaining mental proximity to God by reducing distraction and indulgence of the senses. Pradakshina, or circumambulation around a deity or sacred object, represents recognizing God as the center of one's life. Trees and plants are regarded as sacred in Hinduism since they sustain life and are seen as manifestations of the divine.

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    Hindu rituals and routines have significance and symbolism associated with them. The tilak or pottu worn on the forehead by Hindus represents their caste or deity. It is meant to invoke sanctity and remind the wearer of their religious resolve. Holy ash or bhasma applied to the body has medicinal benefits and absorbs moisture. Fasting is a means of gaining mental proximity to God by reducing distraction and indulgence of the senses. Pradakshina, or circumambulation around a deity or sacred object, represents recognizing God as the center of one's life. Trees and plants are regarded as sacred in Hinduism since they sustain life and are seen as manifestations of the divine.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    158 views2 pages

    Hindu Rituals and Routines

    Uploaded by

    Vaidehi Krishnan
    Hindu rituals and routines have significance and symbolism associated with them. The tilak or pottu worn on the forehead by Hindus represents their caste or deity. It is meant to invoke sanctity and remind the wearer of their religious resolve. Holy ash or bhasma applied to the body has medicinal benefits and absorbs moisture. Fasting is a means of gaining mental proximity to God by reducing distraction and indulgence of the senses. Pradakshina, or circumambulation around a deity or sacred object, represents recognizing God as the center of one's life. Trees and plants are regarded as sacred in Hinduism since they sustain life and are seen as manifestations of the divine.

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    Hindu Rituals and Routines Significance

    Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on the forehead?
    The tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord worshipped. In earlier times, the four castes (based on varna or colour) - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The brahmin applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior races. The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of the other three divisions. Also Vishnu worshippers apply a chandan tilak of the shape of "U", Shiva worshippers a tripundra (of the shape of "º ") of bhasma, Devi worshippers a red dot of kumkum and so on). The tilak cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is 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 a protection against wrong tendencies and forces. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and causes a headache. The tilak and 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.

    Why do we apply the holy ash?


    The Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshipped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma. 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. Bhasma has medicinal value and is used in many ayurvedic medicines. It absorbs excess moisture from the body and prevents colds and headaches.

    Why do we fast?
    Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food. Fasting in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means "near" + vaasa means "to stay". Upavaasa therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental proximity with the Lord. Then what has upavaasa to do with food? A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, preparing, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain food types make our minds dull and agitated. Hence on certain days man decides to save time and conserve his energy by eating either simple, light food or totally abstaining from eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise preoccupied by the thought of food, now entertains noble thoughts and stays with the Lord. Since it is a self-imposed form of discipline it is usually adhered to with joy. Also every system needs a break and an overhaul to work at its best. Rest and a change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestive system and the entire body. The more you indulge the senses, the more they make their demands. Fasting helps us to cultivate control over our senses, sublimate our desires and guide our minds to be poised and at peace. Fasting should not make us weak, irritable or create an urge to indulge later. This happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting. The Bhagavad-Gita urges us to eat appropriately - neither too less nor too much - yukta-aahaara and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (a saatvik diet) even when not fasting.

    Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?


    We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center, source and essence of our lives. Recognizing Him as the focal point in our 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 center. This means that wherever or whoever we may be, we are equally close to the Lord. His grace flows towards us without partiality.

    Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?


    The Lord, the life in us, pervades all living beings, be they plants or animals. Hence, they are all regarded as sacred. Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us the vital factors that make life possible on earth: food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc. Hence, in India, we are taught to regard trees and plants as sacred. Indians scriptures tell us to plant ten trees if, for any reason, we have to cut one. We are advised to use parts of trees and plants only as much as is needed for food, fuel, shelter etc. we are also urged to apologies to a plant or tree before cutting it to avoid incurring a specific sin named soona Certain trees and plants like tulasi, peepal etc., which have tremendous beneficial qualities, are worshipped till today. It is believed that divine beings manifest as trees and plants, and many people worship them to fulfill their desires or to please the Lord.

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