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Hinduism is considered a religion of rituals by many people. Hinduism as a religion has evolved over many millennia and has undergone many modifications to suit the changes in the evolving society. The principles that were evolved through the thinking process of thousands of sages formed the basis of the rituals practiced in the temples and home of Hindus. These Principles were either forgotten and or not passed on to every Hindu. For some the rituals became the religion itself rather than a means to practice it. The following is summary of answers for the frequently asked questions
Table of Contents
Significance of Vibhuti/Namam ... ?Both Vibhuti and Namam are worn on the forehead by the devotees of Siva (sivaites) and Vishnu(vaishnavites) respectively. The significance of ‘Vibhuti is stated in a verse in Agama sastra. Brahma vishnuscha rudrascha Pundrasyathi Devatha Srushti sthithi samahara Thripundrusya swarupakam. It states that Vibhuti expresses the concept that this world we live in and the universe are driven by the functions of creation, preservation and destruction as enacted by the Triad(Thrimurthys) Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. It also signifies that the three Murthies, in the triad are equal. The significance of Vibhuthi is that the body is to be transformed in to ash one day, hence the morality of all men and women born in this world. With this realization we should overcome the ego and selfishness in us and conduct our lives in the righteous path. Vaishnavas call their representation of Namam on their foreheads as Thirumann, which means the sacred earth (dust). Namam consists of three vertical lines joined at the base, the two outer whitelines signifying the worship of Brahama and Vishnu and the red centerline signifying the worship Mahalakshi. The Namam(thirumann) signifies the fact the men and women of this world will all be transformed. Back to Top
Offering Flowers, IncenseThe Pancha Upacharas(Five offerings) Hindu way of worshiping God usually consists of the five offerings, Gandha(Sandalwood Paste) Dhupa(Incense), Deepa(lamp), Naivadanam(Fruits and other edible items) and Pushparchana(Chanting of his nama while offering flowers). The significance of this custom is explained here. The world that we live in and experience in is an admixture of five rudimentary (subtle) elements (panchabhutas) generated by the one Reality that exists, (Brahman cannot be defined strictly. It is one of reality that exists even beyond the realm of the five senses) The Hindu way of worship accompanied by the offerings (Upacharas) to God were conceived to teach this principle. The five Mahabhuthas are Akasa(sky/place), Vaayu(Air), Teja(Fire), Apam(Water) and Prithivi(Earth). These are represented during normal worship through flowers (Akasa), Incense (Vaayu), deepam(Teja), naivadhanam(Apam) and gandha(Prithivi). Man is endowed with five sensory organs know as the Jnaanedriyas, consists of Ear, Skin, Eye, Tongue and Nose. These are related to the Mahabhuthas referred above. These Jnaanedriyas have the corresponding functions of perception namely, hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell (sabda, sparsha, rupa, rasa and Gantha). Chanting of the mantra ‘OM’ at the beginning of all prayers creates sound (sabdha), and it signifies Akasa. ‘OM’ is the Pranavaantra that stands for Brahman. Dhupam or Incense Signifies Vaayu. Vaayu transmits sound and it could be felt. Deepam or Agni can be felt and seen . Water is always a part of worship. Naivadanam is sacrified with water, thus It represents water. Holy water consumed after worship signifies taste. Sandalwood paste provides the smell Deeparadhanai includes all items. Back to Top
Theertham (Holy Water)Cleanliness is considered as as important characteristic of religious life. Cleanliness is both external and internal. Seeing God the Almighty (Darshanam), singing His praise, sprinkling the Holy Water (Prokshana) after worship (Punyahavachanam) and drinking the holy water are all said to clean the devotee both externally and internally. Back to Top
Purpose of Abhisekam (Holy Bath)God has provided man with everything he needs and uses. Abhisekam is done as a way to thank God. Milk, ghee, curd and honey provide sustenance to the body, and are used to perform the abishegam. It is also believed that with the abhisegam. God will provide the devotee with continued prosperity, just as a seed once planted and cared for will return the favor with its fruits. Agama Sastras have stated the results of doing abishegam with different materials such as, milk will increase one’s life expectancy . Honey will improve the artistic talents, etc.. Back to Top
Shatari and its significance (Crown with Lord’s feet imprinted on it)God’s feet are very revered and they are alluded to as being powerful. Worshiping His feet is considered as auspicious and it is said to bring salvation. As it is not practical for everyone to be able to pray at God’s feet, satari has been conceived where His feet are installed(Pranaprathista). In place of worshiping at his feet the devotees have the shatari placed on their head by the priest. Back to Top
If there is only one god , why worship him in different forms using different methods ?This question is asked by Hindus as well as by others. We as Hindus worship Rama, Krishna, Siva, vishnu, Sakthi, Ayyappa and others. Are they all different or are they all one and same? There is no doubt that there is only one God and He appears in different forms to different people. This concept is explained here. It is stated in the Vedas that there is one and only God and learned people call him using different names. "Ekam Sat Viprah bahudha Vadanth" Though God is a single force He appears to function in different ways. This cab be compared to the way "mind" functions among us to understand this world. Our understanding of the world is based on the functioning of the five sensory organs. We see with our eyes, hear with our ears, smell with the nose, feel things with the touch of the skin and taste with the tongue. However our concept of this world is based o the interpretation provided by the mind, which combines the information provided by these sensory organs, without the mind’s interpretation what the eye can see will mean nothing. The same is true with respect to the other sensory organs, hence when we say one sees with the eyes and hears with the ears, it is the mind which sees and hears. In the ears, it is the mind God is one and the same, he can appear in different forms and performs different functions. Consider one person, father in a family. He is called as father by his children, called as son by this father, uncle by his nieces and so on. Though called by different names, this father is one and the same person. So is God, though called using different names and appears in different forms. He is one and the same person. Water is familiar to every one . It can be pleasant as solid(ice), liquid and gas(water vapour). Liquid water takes up the shape of the container it is poured in to. In the same way , God is one and the same, taking up a different shapes and forms in the minds of the devotees. Adi Sankara established the concept of worshiping God in six forms as, Vinayaka, Subramanaya Vishnu, Siva, Sakthi and Surya(sun) . This concept is know as the Shunmadam. However he is the foremost among the Hindu scholars who propagated the Advaita philosphy(concept that God is one and the same). Swamy Vivekananda, who was the disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa explained the concept of the oneness of God religions during his Chicago address at the world conference on religions. He stated that just as the water in all the rivers finally reach the ocean, irrespective of the differences in the methods and forms of worship, all reach the same god. He also quoted Krishna in Bhagavat Geetha, where Krishna states that in whatever form one worship God, He(Krishna) is the one who fulfills all the prathanas. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa took this concept further when he stated that all Gods are the same even though we may call them using names such as Vinayaka, Subramanya, Shakthi Alla and Jesus. It is no wonder that in the Hindu culture every one has has the right to wroship God in the form and manner of his choice. This freedom is essential for the continued growth of our culture. Back to Top
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