The swastika is a very old symbol with widespread use throughout the world. It holds a high
Author: hinduscriptures
The Soma plant is divine in nature and has intrinsic spiritual value. It is considered as a personification
Shaivites stand prominent and they mark their body with bhasma and Tripundra tilaks.
The extinct mollusks species have left behind their fossilized shells which are now solidified into stones and called Shaligram shilas. In Hindu religion, Shaligram shilas are revered as different parts of Lord Vishnu; a branch of thought also believes Shaligram shilas represent Lord Vishnu’s principal avatar. Salagram shilas are mostly found in the River Gandaki, a major tributary of River Ganga. Archeological evidences as recorded in the year 1590 said Salagram shilas were also present in the River Son. The holy stone is a spiritual symbol which manifests unusual magnetic and mystical powers. Features Shaligram shilas or Ammonite fossils are…
The human mind and senses cannot perceive the Infinite or God directly
Also known as Karpura, Camphor is another very sacred plant in Hinduism. It is considered to possess immense spiritual as well as medicinal value. The Karpura is also known by sixty other names. It is considered to be a personification of the moon. It is very much popular, especially for its shine and coolness. The Usage The Karpura is a must for the performance of marriage rites, Havan and Yajna. The essential features of Karpura are elaborately mentioned in the Sushruta Samhita. It is also considered as very useful for the removal of bad odor from the mouth. Though drinking of…
flowers are symbolic manifestations of one’s spiritual and worldly ambitions in life
laLdkj ‘kCn dh flf) ^le~^ milxZ iwoZd d`´~ /kkrq esa ^?k´~^
सनातन अथवा हिन्दू धर्म की संस्कृति संस्कारों पर ही आधारित है। हमारे ऋषि-मुनियों ने मानव जीवन को पवित्र एवं मर्यादित बनाने के लिये संस्कारों का अविष्कार किया। धार्मिक ही नहीं वैज्ञानिक दृष्टि से भी इन संस्कारों का हमारे जीवन में विशेष महत्व है। भारतीय संस्कृति की महानता में इन संस्कारों का महती योगदान है। प्राचीन काल में हमारा प्रत्येक कार्य संस्कार से आरम्भ होता था। उस समय संस्कारों की संख्या भी लगभग चालीस थी। जैसे-जैसे समय बदलता गया तथा व्यस्तता बढती गई तो कुछ संस्कार स्वत: विलुप्त हो गये। इस प्रकार समयानुसार संशोधित होकर संस्कारों की संख्या निर्धारित होती गई।…
Brahmanya or spiritual superiority cannot be maintained without appropriateSamskaras. “By birth a man is but a Sudra; Samskarasmake him a Dvija (twice-born) by inducing in him spiritual vision. By the study of the Vedas, he grows to be a Vipra, and a Brahmana he becomes when he attains to the knowledge of Brahman”. जन्मनाजायतेशूद्रः संस्कारात् द्विज उच्यते । वेदपाठी भवेद्विप्रः ब्रह्म जानाति ब्राह्मणः ।। (शंकरदिग्विजय) History Many Kshatriya tribes, who went forth and colonized the other parts of the world, neglected the Samskaras, and deteriorated into the condition of the Sudras; and this circumstance Manu mentions in the Tenth Chapter…
To mark various stages of human life, Hinduism had a series of sacraments and rituals referred to as rites of passage in accordance with the Vedas to enable them to lead a Dharmic or righteous life. They could be segregated into two categories, those which were simple and uncomplicated though also considered superstitious and the others which were cultural and priestly and developed when society evolved and humans tried to improve upon nature. By performing a particular Samskara with the corresponding rituals the importance of each milestone of a human being was celebrated in society. The important events were broadly…
In Hinduism, the ancient Vedic Seers prescribed sacraments or rites of passage known as Samskaras as they believed that every aspect of life from conception to cremation was a significant stage and needed to be celebrated as a reminder that everything in life was a gift of God. The purpose of the samskaras was both cultural and spiritual. Instead of letting an individual grow in an arbitrary manner the seers and sages felt that there was a need for consciously moulding and guiding the personality of the individuals. This formation and development of personality could be brought about by the…
Hindu religion is one of the oldest religions that have been practiced by millions of people around the world. The religion has various rituals (samskara) attached to it. Our Vedas stresses elaborately on samskaras from conception to cremation. Various rituals are performed for birthdays, education, marriage and funerals. Samskaras are rituals performed at various stages of the human life in order to facilitate emotional growth. According to vedic vision, all aspects of human life are considered sacred. When a person performs the samskaras with care and devotion, it brings awareness of “Isvara” in him and a better understanding of the…
Introduction Samskaras are personal sacraments in Hindu tradition observed at every stage of his life from the moment of birth to cremation and final scattering of the ashes. They differ according to caste, region or family and are based on custom as well as texts such as Grihya Sutras, the epics or the Puranas. There are sixteen of them broadly categorised under Prenatal, Postnatal, Educational, Marriage and finally Funeral Samskaras. The rites are generally performed by the father in the home and are more carefully observed in the case of male children. Stages of Educational Samskaras After the Prenatal and…
Introduction यज् ‘Yaja’ means to offer, and it refers to the Vedic ritual which includes chanting of Mantras in a specific manner by experts, with oblations of ‘ghee’ and other sacred herbs into the holy fire. ‘Yajna’ also means sacrifice and it is a part of the ‘Karmakanda’ portion of the Vedas. It is believed that a person conducting a yajna attains liberation or moksha. ‘Yajna’ symbolizes the purpose of human life which is giving- that is giving benevolent actions and service to fellow beings. Apart from these formal yajnas, Hindu scriptures lay down five important duties which are labeled as Pancha Mahayajnas to be followed by every householder. What are these…
What is a Shalagram? Shalagrams or Saligrams are iconic representations of lord Vishnu, the protector in the Trinity of gods in the Hindu pantheon. These ammonite fossilised stones are available on the river bed of the Gandaki River which flows through Nepal from the Himalayas. These dark coloured spherical stones are treasured as storehouses of primordial energy and worshipped with reverence in many temples and Hindu households. They are believed to have been existence for 150 million years formed when the mighty Himalayas was an ocean floor. Just as the Shivalinga is sacred to the Shaivites the Saligram is revered…
Who is Ganesh? Ganesh is one of the most admired Hindu Deities. He is the god of wisdom. He is known as the master of all academic subjects, all the sixty four arts and crafts. It is said that, the great epic Mahabharata is narrated by Sage Vyasa to Ganesh and he wrote it. In Vedic literature he is depicted as a leader of troops (Gana – troops & Isha – Lord or leader). During Purana period Lord Ganesh became an immensely famous and significant deity. Various stories from different Puranas gives detailed account of Ganesh as; he is the…
Origins Botanically Durba grass is referred to as Cynodon dactylon and it belongs to the borge species. One can find this type of grass everywhere, especially in dams or marshy fields. The average height of Durba grass is around 2 feet. The threesome blades adorning the top of Durba grass is its most unique feature. Along with Tulsi and Bael, Durba grass is also considered sacred in Hindu religion and is grown by almost every devout Hindu in his/her courtyard. Other than Cynodon dactylon, there are two more scientific names of Durba grass, and these are – Panicum dactylon and…
Betel leaf or paan plays a prominent role in the socio-religious life of the Hindus. No auspicious Vedic occasion moves ahead without a ritual involving paan in it. A popular folk marriage song of Eastern India describes the Himalayas as the birth-place of paan. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Parvati themselves had sown the seeds of paan in the Himalayan ranges. Marriage Customs In the Hindu marriage ceremony, a ritual called Briddhi-Sraddha is performed. As part of the ritual, the bride-groom invokes the resting souls of his ancestors; and in the presence of them all, he accepts the…
What is a bath? Washing entire body, top to bottom with water is known as bath. While taking a bath the water should be poured on the body to make it clean and pure. What does bath symbolize? Taking bath is not just cleaning the body. It is the cleaning of body, mind, soul and intelligence. Adbhirgatrani shuddhyamanah satyena shuddhyati Vidyatapobhyam bhutatmabuddhir dnyanena shuddhyati Water makes the body pure; truth makes the mind pure; knowledge and penance make the soul pure; Knowledge makes the intelligence pure. What is the reason behind taking a bath? Taking a bath is very necessary…