Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs & Traditions

HINDU RITES, RITUALS, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS


Why is Om considered sacred?

Om is a solemn and sacred invocation to God. Chanting Om is a purifying experience for all Hindus. Also written as Aum, its three syllable represnt a, u and m represent Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and invokes their blessings. The three syllables also represent the three Vedas — Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Sama Veda.

Why should one face the east when praying?

When offering prayers it is suggested that a person must face East. Even during auspicious ceremonies the person conducting the ceremony faces the East. There are specific reasons for this. The Sun rises in the East. The Vedas accord great significance to the rays of the rising sun. In the Atharva Veda it is said that ‘the rising sun destroys all kinds of diseases. It protects one from all causes of death...to break the bondage of death stay connected with the light of the sun.’ The rays of the rising sun are rich in a variety of ways with the ability to destroy harmful diseases. Sunlight is constituted of seven colours — violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. On either side, ultraviolet and infra red rays flank these. Each of these colours contribute their energy to sunlight. This energy assists the successful completion of auspicious ceremonies.

Why do Hindus consider Tulsi the most sacred plant?

According to ancient Hindu belief, it is essential that at least one Tulsi plant exists in the courtyard of every home. It is customary to plant Tulsi in the month of Kartik. The Skandpuran says that one gets rid of the sins of as many lives as the number of Tulsi plants one grows. The Padampuran asserts that wherever there is a garden of Tulsi plants that place is like a pilgrimage. Representatives of Yama, the God of Death, cannot enter this home. Homes plastered with soil in which the Tulsi grows are free from disease. Air that carries the fragrance of Tulsi benefits people it comes in contact with. Even if one Tulsi is grown, the presence of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and other gods is assured. Benefits of pilgrimages like Pushkar and that of rivers like Ganga are also available there. Tulsi leaves have excellent qualities and whoever consumes them thrice daily achieves purity and benefits of the chandrayan fast (related to waning and waxing of the moon).

The mighty Sun

In the Suryopanishad, it is said that the gods, gandharvas and sages reside in the rays of the sun. Irrespective of who you are, without reverence to Surya nothing can be attained. In the Rig Veda, it is said that prayers to Surya free one from sins, disease and poverty, and bless one with happiness and long life. They also bless one with vigour, strength, virility and divinity.


Why do Hindus use the swastika on auspicious occasions?

The Swastika is a benedictory or auspicious mark in the form of a cross, the four arms of which are bent at right angles. Besides Hindus, other communities and religions also consider this mark auspicious. It is therefore customary to make this mark before any auspicious ceremony or function. In the Ganeshpuram it is said that the Swastika is a form of Lord Ganesh. The Swastika is also known as ‘Satiya’, which is symbolic of the Sudarshan Chakra. People also consider it as a symbol denoting plus (+). That makes it a symbol of prosperity. The four dots around the Swastika are symbolic of the four directions around us. Religious texts explain that the eight arms of the Swastika are symbolic of the earth, water, air, sky, mind, emotions and feelings. The four main arms point in four different directions. They represent the four eras — Satyug, Dwaparyug, Tretayug and Kalyug. The four arms are also symbolic of the four basic aims of human pursuit — dharm (righteousness), arth (prosperity), kaam (passion), and moksha (salvation). They are also symbolic of the four faces and four hands of Brahma and of the four Vedas. In the Amarkosh, it is referred to as a pure abd auspicious blessing.

The golden silence

Maun-vrat literally means a vow to keep silent. For spiritual growth it is essential that one’s speech must be pure. To acquire purity of speech the practice of silence is important. It is believed that through silence one is able to achieve one’s desires. One attains the abode of Lord Shiva. Along with maun-vrat it is essential that some time must be spent in offering prayers. In the Bhagavad Gita, 17/16, it is said, ‘Contentment of the mind, amiable temperament, silence, religious meditation and good thoughts reflect austerity of the mind.’ Silence is placed mid-way between other qualities. It begins with control of the mind. Once the mind is controlled, one becomes friendly. One begins to look kindly towards others. One cuts down on useless speech and thinks more of God. There is conservation of energy and a person experiences greater inner strength.

Is the soul really immortal?

Hindu religious texts assert that the soul is part of the Supreme Spirit. Therefore, like Gods, the soul too is eternal. However, in this world the soul has an entity. When the soul enters a body, it is given the name of the person. The Bhagavad Gita states that the soul was never born, nor does it die. It will not emerge again. It is unborn, eternal, everlasting and without age. Even when the body is destroyed the soul remains untouched.

—Why is the namakaran ceremony important? Why is Ahuti offered in a yagya... Hundreds of such Hows and Whys have been answered in the book Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs & Traditions, published by Pustak Mahal. You may visit www.pustakmahal.com for more details.