Introduction Ocimum basilicum or sweet basil is known across the world for its medicinal value as the plant contains immense healing properties for the treatment of cancer, stress, asthma, diabetes, skin disorders etc. But in Indian culture, this plant is also considered extremely sacred and pious. The Basil, known as Tulsi, has a deep spiritual and religious significance in India. The Indian religion is based on the spiritual scriptures Vedas which are composed by ancient scientists called ‘Rishis’. Hence, various Indian rituals including Tulsi usage in worship is also based on scientific and practical reasoning. Basil or Tulsi is the…
Author: hinduscriptures
Introduction Kalasha is a jar which is used variously in a variety of rituals. In Indian tradition a Kalasha is installed during all religious, auspicious and important ceremonies which is known as Kalashasthapana. Normally installing Kalasha is considered as an option for all complicated religious practices. Hence it is a common practice among all sections of society. When is it performed For an auspicious occasion special consecration of a jar is enjoined. A kalasha is placed with due rituals on all important occasions like the traditional house warming (grhapravesa), wedding, daily worship, etc. It is placed near the entrance…
In The Words Of Lord Krishna In Bhagavad-Gita, The Sacred Book Of Hindu Religion, Lord Krishna Makes Clear The Concept Of Worshiping Him As An Incarnation Of The Supreme Being. 1. Isvarah Sarva-Bhutanam Hrd-Dese’rjuna Tishthati, Bhramayan Sarva-Bhutani Yantrarudhani Mayaya (Bhagavad-Gita 18.61) Meaning – Give Up All Other Duties And Surrender Unto Me. As the originator of Universe The existence of God and our reverence for Him has been a matter of prolong discussion since ages. However, the ancient Hindu Scriptures define God as omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Our very existence and existence of the nature vindicates the fact that the…
Introduction In India all Hindus, both men and women wear Tilaka, a particular sign on forehead. It is known as Tilaka. It has much importance in the Indian culture. It also depict about the religious tradition of the people. As a part of worship Applying Tilaka is a part of worship. During worship one should apply it on his or her forehead as an auspicious symbol. The Tilaka is applied on saints and images of the Lord as a part of worship. When is it applied It is applied daily after a bath and on special occasions, before or after…
Introduction It is an age old tradition to ring the bell of the temple upon entering its premises. Bell ringing is an ancient Vedic ritual and one can see multiple bells hanging over the domes in many Indian shrines. It is said that the devotees knock God’s entrance to ask permission upon entering his holy sanctum. What is a bell? Ghanta is the Sanskrit word for bell. Bell is a musical instrument made up of bronze or brass. It has a hollow interior and has a tang in it which creates sound. A temple bell or ghantais symbolicofantarala, the gap…
Introduction Since ages, Indian society has been worshiping trees and plants as symbolic deities. Hindus also consider the flora and fauna of various types as extremely sacred. This inherent nature of the society exhibits the refinement and sensitivity of Indian culture. Whilst modern man overpowers Mother Nature, ancient Indian society actually worshiped it. Usefulness of plants It is generally believed that the flora and fauna was in existence long before the existence of mankind. Human life on earth depends on nature. Man owes his life to the Mother Nature. He simultaneously has learned immensely from nature; rather the flora and…
Introduction It is an Indian tradition to greet each other with Namaskara. Namaskara or Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship with devotional and respectful mind. What is Namaskara? Namaskara is bowing down with clasped palms in front of a Deity, Brahmin, preceptor or an elder. While performing Namaskara we show our utter respect towards that person. It is one of the parts of worship and also a part of Navavidha bhakti, nine aspects of devotion. It forms part of good conduct and an inculcation of good habits. Synonyms of…
How to perform Aarti? Aarti belongs to one of the sixteen steps (shodash upachaar) of the Hindu puja ritual. It is referred to as an auspicious light, illumining pure spiritual effulgence (mangal niraajanam). Holding the lighted lamp in the right hand, we wave the flame in a clockwise circling movement to light the entire form of the Lord. As the light is waved we either do mental or loud chanting of prayers or simply behold the beautiful form of the Lord, illumined by the lamp. We experience an added intensity in our prayers and the Lord’s image seems to manifest…
What is Naivedya? Naivedya is included in the Shodashopachara worship. The holy ritual involves two steps. The first step involves offering food to God before anyone else has eaten or tasted it. In the second step, a portion of the offering is returned to the person offering it for eating and is called Naivedya. How should Naivedya be? Naivedya should be of five types and pure. In Tantrasara it is mentioned as, Nivedaniyamyaddravyam prashastam prayatam tathatad bhakshyarham panchvidham naivedyamitikathyate bhakshyam bhajyam cha lehyam cha peyamchushyam Cha panchamam sarvatra chaitam naivedyamaradhyasyainivedayet Naivedya should be pure and of five types, those are…
Introduction Coconut has great significance in India. It has religious and social connotations. One of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. Various names of coconut Coconut is known as Narikela in Sanskrit. It is known as Shrifala, auspicious fruit. It is also known Mahafala, great fruit which is to be offered to god. Origin of coconut We don’t find the reference of coconut in Vedic literature. Mainly the citations of coconut start appearing in the period of epic and puranas. It is originally from Indonesia and was brought to India around 1st century. When is it…
Introduction In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day – at dawn and dusk and in a few it is maintained continuously. All auspicious functions and moments like daily worship, rituals and festivals and even many social occasions like inaugurations are performed with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion. Etymology of lamp Lamp is known as Deepa in Sanskrit. The basic form of the word is √Deep which means to shine. Etymology…
Introduction Almost every Indian household has a prayer or alter room where the Almighty is worshiped each day. What is it called Prayer room is called Devalaya in Sanskrit. It can be explained as devasya devaanaaM vaa Aalaya: which means the home or abode of deity or deities. Agni Purana also says the temple is the body of god, Shikharam shira ityahurgarbhageham galastatha mandapam kukshirityahuh prakaram janujanghakam gopuram pada ithyahurdhvajo jivanamuchyate Shikhara is head, sanctum is neck, mandapa is waist, courtyard is knee, gopura is leg thus is said about the parts of temple. And prayer room can also be…
Introduction Most religious Indians on special occasions undertake fasting on regular basis as per traditions. During fasting they usually undergo rigorous diet and show their reverence to the Almighty. What is fast Fasting in Sanskrit is called उपवास. उप in Sanskrit means ‘near’ and वास means ‘to say’. The literal meaning of the word is to stay near. Upvaas therefore means staying near the deity, meaning the attainment of mental proximity with the Lord. It is mentioned in the following verse as, उपावृत्तस्य पापेभ्यो यस्तु वासो गुणैः सह । उपवासः सविज्ञेयः सर्वभोगविवर्जितः ॥ Upavruttasya papebhyo yastu vaso gunaih saha upavasah…
Introduction Pradakshina is going around or circumambulating the deity with devotion. It is one of the aspects of Shodashopachara. Shodashopachara is the worship of deity done in sixteen segments. What is Pradakshina The definition of Pradakshina is given as, pragatamdakshinamatih This simply means taking a round from the right side of the deity. Actually Pradakshina is ‘the act of moving around god or an honorable person by keeping at our right side is called Pradakshina’. How to perform it Kalika Purana mentions the method of Pradakshina as, Prasarya dakshinamhastam svayamnamrashirahpunah Dakshinam darshayanparshvamanasapi cha dakshinah (By spreading the right hand in…
Introduction The lotus, born in water bodies remains untouched by the surrounding water but rises above to bloom beautifully. Found in blue, red and white colors, it is held very dear to Indians since the ancient times. Other Names In Sanskrit the lotus is variously known as Padma, Nalina, Narasa, Pushkara, Tamarasa, Arawinda, Shatapatra,Rajiva. Creation of lotus Lord Brahma created a lotus with hundred petals first among the flowers. (Sk. P. VI. 221.37) Vedic reference In Rig Veda we find two types of lotus Pundarika and Pushkara in which the former is white and the latter blue. Ayaneteparayanedurvarohantupushpinihhru Dashchapundarikanisamudrasyagruhaime (Rg.…
What is Bhajana? Bhajana is a musical event for expressing Bhakti (devotion) towards Almighty. It is a folk-music-genre in which devotional songs are sung on the rhythm of various musical instruments such as mrudanga, vina and tala. Why do we sing Bhajana for deity? Bhajana is an important expression of Bhakti. Various devotional songs – recalling and greeting the God’s leela (grace) on the commoner – are sung during the Bhajana. Ancient scriptures say that a devotee’s love and veneration for God are best expressed while singing Bhajana. The idea behind singing Bhajana is ‘to get engrossed in the devotional…
Introduction Regarded as one of the most significant religious symbols, Om is also the most chanted mantra in Hinduism. Chanting of the Om is believed to have a deeply profound influence on an individual. The significance of Om is such that most of the Vedic prayers and mantras begin with Om. It is also an extremely auspicious sign used on numerous occasions. Etymology of Om Om is also called Pranava that means ‘that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised’. It is not mentioned in Rig-Veda and Atharva Veda. In Taitiriya Samhita it appears once in the context…
Name of the ritual Conch shell is known as Shankha in Sanskrit. It is one of the important instruments (Puja Upakarana) included in the worship of deities. In India a conch is blown in the temples or home sanctum during worship. When it is performed Normally conch is blown during worship as an auspicious act. During regular as well as all the major worships the conch is worshipped and then blown. It is said in Varaha Purana that before opening the door of the sanctum priest should make the sound of conch shell. This is for informing the deity about…
The dictionary meaning of Bhasma is the ash of any burnt object but in Hindu tradition the word has a different dimension altogether.
Introduction In simple language Mala is garland. Various types of beads or flowers or any other materials are treaded together in it. It is type of ornament which has been used since ancient time. What is ornament? Ornaments play a vital role in the human life for beautification. The Sanskrit word for ornament is अलंकार. The etymology of the word can be given as अलं करोति इति अलंकारः that is ‘the ornament is the one which gives full stop to the beautification or by the use of which the process of ornamenting body ends’. Hence in the step of beautification…