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SYMBOLS & CUSTOMS

Akhara & Hinduism

3/4/2022

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Akhara & Hinduism
Akhara word is often heard during kumbh but masses rarely know about it. Their strength is showcased in the Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years in each of the four cities — Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain—which commands worldwide media attention, particularly the bathing procession of naked Shaiva sadhus. The akharas get priority to take dip in Ganges during Kumbh & Mahakumbh according to the seniority.
 
What is Akhara:
An akhara is a communal religious monastery. Members of an akhara bear allegiance to the same guru and follow similar modes of worship. As members have renounced the world, arrangements for their boarding and lodging are made by the akhara. The saints of the akharas don’t make discourses.
 
Who founded Akharas:
Jagat guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya founded seven Akharas in 8th century to protect Hinduism. He inspired his followers to study weaponry because he believed it strengthens the mind. 
 
Why founded Akharas:
Traditionally, akharas are known as wrestling pits but through Shankaracharya’s teachings they came to be seen as the centre of debates and religious discussions. In order to protect Sanatana dharma, the king used to seek the help of Naga sannyasis, then give them the estates of some villages.
 
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) is the apex organisation of Hindu Sadhus and Saints who work for the preservation of Hindu religion and culture. In 1565, Madhusudan Sarasvati started preparing akharas as an armed military force to resist invasions and protect Hindus. ABAP has taken the following decisions recently:
 
  1. It has resolved to fight legal battles to “free Hindu temples” of Varanasi and Mathura on the lines of Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
  2. It released a list of fake babas who malign the Hindu Sadhus.
  3. Steps to take religious conversions.
 
How many Akharas:
Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akharas set up by Sri Shankara later divided into 13 Akharas according to beliefs. These Akharas are grouped into three – Shaivites (7), Vaishvanites (3) and Sikh (3).
 
Shaivite Akharas: 
Shaiva akharas include Juna, Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Anand, Awahan and Agni. In the first six Akharas, caste is not a barrier for new entrants. The ascetics of Agni Akhara claim themselves as Brahmacharis, from the Brahmin caste. These Shaiva ascetics are also called Dashanami--literally meaning “ten names” or lineages said to have been started by the disciples of Adi Shankara, 8th century’s Hindu philosopher. These lineages—Aranya, Ashram, Bharati, Giri, Parvata, Puri, Saraswati, Sagara, Tirtha and Vana—are reflected in the names of sadhus of all the seven Shaiva or Dashanami akharas. They wear saffron coloured clothes.
  1. Juna Akhara – Shree Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara with over four lakh sanyasis, is one of the biggest akharas having it headquarter at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was earlier known as Bhairavi Akhara. It was founded in 1146 CE at Karan prayag, Uttrakhand. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj is current Acharya Mahamandaleshwar – the chief authority who was appointed in 1998. Juna Akhara is popular for mysterious Naga sadhus who are appointed during Kumbh and Mahakumbh mela. The Juna Akhada follows the Dashnaami Sampraday of Shaivism founded by Adi Shankaracharya. Their presiding deity is Sri Dattatray. Their greeting chant is Om namo Narayan. The akhara is attached to all the four mutts set up Sri Shankara at Jyotirmath, Dwarka, Puri and Sringeri.
  2. Niranjani Akhara – Panchayati Niranjani Akhara is second biggest akhara having its headquarter at Prayagraj. It was founded in 904 CE at Mandavi, Gujarat. Niranjani Akhara consists of a lot of educated persons having doctorate and post-graduation. Swami Mahant Ravindrapuri is current Acharya. Their presiding deity is Sri Kartikeya.
  3. Atal Akhara – Panch Atal Akhara is one of the three oldest Akharas having its headquarter at Varanasi, UP. It was founded in 646 CE at Gondwana, Gujarat. This akhara allows only Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati is the current Acharya. Their presiding deity is Sri Ganesh.
  4. Avahan Akhara – Panchdashnaam Avahan akhara is oldest Akhara and has its headquarter at Varanasi. It was founded in 547 CE. Their presiding deity is Sri Dattatray and Gajanan.
  5. Anand Akhara – Taponidhi Shri Anand Panchayati Akhara is second oldest Akhara, having its headquarter at Nasik, Maharashtra. It was founded in 1856 CE. Their presiding deity is Suryanarayana.
  6. Agni Akhara - Shri Panchdashnaam Panchagni Akhada/Shri Shambhu Panchagni Akhara has limited number of sanyasis, having headquarter at Amarkantak, Chattisgarh. It was founded in 1192 at Varanasi. Their presiding deity is Gayatri. Ascetics of Agni Akhara should be Brahmins and they should wear the janau, the sacred thread. They are initiated into gayatri mantra. There are about 400 brahmachari saints and one lakh students in Agni Akhara. Agni Akhara is having its headquarter at Junagarh, Gujarat. They are Brahmchari saints. They differ from other Shaivite akharas as they do not practice dhuni (the fire sacrifice) and do not consume any intoxicant.
  7. Mahanirvani Akhara - It has 10,000 years heritage. It was founded in 749 CE. Its headquarter is at Kankhal, UP. They worship Kapilmuni. Surya Prakash Bhala and Bhairav Prakash Bhala are worshipped. Surya Prakash is worshipped as the deity of the day and Bhairav Prakash Bhala as the deity of the night.
 
Vaishnavite Akharas, also known as Bairagi or Vairagi:
Vaishnava Akharas are founded by the 14th century philosopher Ramanandacharya. Nirvani, Nirmohi and Digambari are the three major akharas of the Ramanandi order, and all have their principal seats of power in Ayodhya, considered central to their theology as it is believed to be Lord Rama’s birthplace. They wear white clothes.
  1. Nirmohi Akhara – This Akhara was set up in 1720 in Vrindavan, uniting 18 Vaishnav groups and four sects with common ideologies. Their presiding deity is Sri Hanuman.   
  2. Digambar Akhara – This akhara was established in Ajodhya. This arena is about 260 years ago. Digambar Nimbarki Akhara is called Shyam Digambar and this akhara in Ramanandi is called Ram Digambar Akhara.
  3. Nirvani Akhara - It was founded by a saint named Abhayramdasji. It has been the most powerful arena in Ajodhya since its inception. Hanumangarhi is occupied by this akhara. The akhara has four departments of sadhus - Hardwari, Vasantia, Ujjainia and Sagariya.
 
Sikh Akharas:
They wear black clothes.
1.     Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhada - It has its headquarter at Pryagraj. They follow the teachings of Sri Chand, the elder son of Guru Nanak. It was founded in 1825 by Yogiraj Shree Nirvandev ji Maharaj in Haridwar. The sect worships Jagatguru Bhagwan Shree Shreechandra Ji. 
2.    Shri Panchayti Naya Udasin Akhada – It has its headquarter Haridwar. It was formed by Mahant Sudhir Das in 1846 following a dispute with the Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhada.
3.    Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada (Haridwar): They follow Nirmal Sampraday. It was founded in 1856 in Punjab by Durga Singh Maharaj. The akhada has close ties with Sikhism, especially Khalsi Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh had sent a batch of five saffron robe seers (Panch Nirmal Gaurik) to learn the Vedas, Vedang and Dharma-shastra to Varanasi. However, after learning, these seers are believed to have formed their own sect by the name of Nirmal Sampraday. The akhara was established at Kankhal near Haridwar.
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Astronomical & Astrological Importance of Hindu Calendar

1/21/2022

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In fact, this universe is one which encompasses all physical matter, including all the stars, planets, galaxies, etc. in space. All planets, stars & galaxies are inter-dependent and have profound effect on living beings including Human beings. This fact was first realised by Hindus and thus the Hindu Calendar was created. The Hindu Calendar is not the arithmetical division into months and year, but based on scientific study of moon, planets and stars.

The modern science has established the effect of movements of the moon, the planets, the stars and other celestial bodies on the human psyche, just as the tides are influenced by the gravitational attraction of the moon and the sun. We sense seasonal changes.
Ancient rishis deeply studied the impacts of celestial bodies human beings and devised the Hindu calendar which provides knowledge of auspicious or inauspicious moments. Hindu Calendar is an accumulation of numerous lunisolar calendars used widely in Vedic Astrology.

Samvatsara
As per Hindu system, there is a cycle of 60 years which repeats. Each year has different attributes and auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. Jupiter takes 11.8618 Earth years to complete its elliptical orbit the Sun (i.e., Jovian Year). The earth year in Sanskrit is called as Samvatsara. During one Jovian During one Jovian year, Jupiter crosses 12 Zodiac signs and thus completes 12 Samvatsaras. During the entire journey Jupiter has either positive or negative influence on the individual.

The sixty years are named in Sanskrit indicating different consequences for the year concerned (Names mentioned below - Note – 1). Sixty Samvatsaras are divided into three groups of twenty each. The first twenty from Prabhava to Vyasa are assigned to Brahma, next twenty from Sarvajit to Prabhava to Vishnu and last twenty from Plavanga to Kshaya to Shiva. Individual born in the respective year will have certain special talent, success in particular traits, bestowed with wealth, fame or generosity etc. The year typically begins in mid-April. The year 2019-20 was named ‘Vikari’, that lived up to its name by being a ‘illness’ year. The year 2020-21 was named ‘Sharvari’, meaning darkness, and it did push the world into a dark phase. The ‘Plava’ year (2021-22) is beginning. ‘Plava’ means, "that - which ferries us across". The Varaha Samhita says: this will ferry the world across unbearable difficulties and reach us to a state of glory. And take us from darkness to light. The year 2022-23 is named ‘Shubhkrut’, meaning that which creates auspiciousness. To discuss full characteristics associated with each year is not possible in this article.

Panchang
Further, Hindu Calendar has five limbs, called in Sanskrit as Panchang or Panchangam. Panchang comprises of five distinguished sources of energy, which are – day (Vaar), Date of the month (Tithi), Stars (Nakshatra), Half Lunar Day (Karna) and Luni-Solar day (Yoga).
Day of the Week (Vaar)

The 7-day week starts from Sunday to Saturday and are named after their representative planets (Sunday – Sun, Monday – Moon, Tuesday – Mars, Wednesday – Mercury, Thursday – Jupiter, Friday – Venus and Saturday – Saturn). It modulates auspicious events, dates and occasions. The counting of day begins with the sunrise of the first day to the sunrise of the second day.
 
A specific Vaar is important, as they are supposed to be suitable for specific activities. In general, out of seven days, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered auspicious for commencing good work. However, Saturday is considered an auspicious day for undergoing operation.

Lunar Day (Tithi)
Tithi depends on position of Moon in Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) or Krishna Paksha (waning phase) and is named after the condition of Moon. There are 14 tithis in both cycles between Amavasya and Purnima.

Tithi plays an important role along with nakshatra in Hindus' daily as well as special activities in selecting the muhurta. There are auspicious Tithis as well as inauspicious Tithis, each considered more propitious for some purposes than for other. Lunar month has 30 Tithis – 15 Tithis each during Shukla paksha (i.e., new moon to full moon, illumination of moon increases) and Krishna Paksha (i.e., full moon to downsizing, illumination of moon decreases). With each tithi, moon gains 12 degrees thus totalling to 360 degrees.

As per Hindu Astrology, Tithis during 15 Tithis of Shukla / Krishna Paksh are ruled by different deities (say, first day - Agni, second - Brahma, third - Gauri, fourth – Yama / Ganapati, fifth - Serpent, sixth - Kartikeya, seventh - Surya, eighth - Rudra, nineth - Ambikaa, tenth - Dharmraja, eleventh - Rudra, twelfth - Vishnu, thirteenth - Kamdeva, fourteenth - Kali, fifteenth – Pitru devas).

Each Tithi is auspicious for particular aspect of life. Pratipada (1st day) is auspicious for all types of religious and auspicious ceremonies, festivals, journeys, wedding, installation, observing a vow, accepting honours or a position, activities related to real estate and hair cutting; Dwitya (2nd day) is good for starting any new work, for laying the foundation of house, factory, and other things of a permanent nature; Tritya (3rd day) is auspicious day to start important businesses, wedding, the first music lesson, the first feeding of a child, construction; Chaturthi (fourth day) is not good for auspicious work, good for destruction of enemies; Panchami (5th day) is favourable for administering medicine, to start important businesses, wedding and healing; Shashthi (6th day) for enjoyment; Saptami (7th day) for journey; Ashtami for building defence; Navami (9th day) is not good for auspicious works; Dashami (10th day) for religious functions & spiritual practices; Ekadashi (11th day) for fasting; Dwadashi (12th day) for religious ceremonies & sacred fire; Trayodasi (13th day) for sensual pleasure; Chaturdashi (14th day) is not good for auspicious work;  Purnima / Amavasya (15th day), Purnima for fire sacrifice and Amavasya for propitiation of the Manes and performance of austerities.

The tithis are divided into five groups based on auspicious or inauspicious mahurats (48 minutes) as under:
  1. Nanda (Ananda or Joyous) Tithi - Pratipada, Shashti and Ekadashi. It is good to purchase jewellery, do business related work etc.
  2. Bhadra (Arogya, Mangala or Healthy) Tithi – Dwitiya, Saptami and Dwadashi. It is auspicious health, education, start of new business etc.
  3. Jaya (Victory) Tithi – Tuesday- Tritiya, Ashtami and Trayodashi. It is good for administration department, department of justice, foreign travel, court work.
  4. Riktha (Loss or Nashta) Tithi – Saturday – Chaturthi, Navami and Chaturdasi. It is the best to oppose enemies, operation, getting rid of debt etc.

Poorna (Sampoorna - Full or New Moon) Tithi – Thursday Panchami, Dashami and Amavasya (New Moon) or Poornima (Full Moon). It is considered auspicious to fulfil resolutions taken.

Lunar Mansion (Nakshatra)
Nakshatras are group of 27 stars forming a constellation or zodiac sign. The universe is divided into 12 constellations according to Vedic Astrology. They are analysed according to the Moon’s position. There are 27 group of stars (Names mentioned below - Note – 2). A few groups of nakshatras are considered either auspicious or inauspicious.
Half Lunar Day (Karana)

The half of a Yoga is called Karana. 2 Karanas make a Date or Tithi, totalling to 11 Karanas in all. 4 of them are fixed, and remaining 7 are movable.

There are 11 Karanas (Names mentioned below - Note – 3). The first 7 of these Karanas are movable (Chara) i.e., it cannot be predetermined as to on which dates, these are going to occur, but the last 4 Karanas are fixed (Sthira), and hence can be predetermined.
Luni-Solar Day (Yoga)

A yoga is calculated by summing the Longitude of Moon and Sun and divided into 27 Yogas in 13°20'
(Names mentioned below - Note – 4). 27 Yogas are for 27 Nakshatras. Out of 27 Yogas, nine are inauspicious - Vishakumbha, Atiganda, Shoola, Ganda, Vyaghaata, Vajra, Vyatipaata, Parigha and Vaidhriti.

Significance of time zones in a day (Mahurat):

24 hours of a day is divided into 30 time zones in a day, called as Mahurat. Thus, each Mahurat is of 48 minutes. Mahurat is calculated with sunrise, assuming sunrise at 06:00 AM on the vernal equinox, which is the Vedic New Year. All the 30 Mahurats are called by a particular name and have property of auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. The Vedic scriptures generally recommend one or more Mahurats to perform rituals and practices. Brahma Mahurat is approximately one and a half hours before sunrise or more precisely is 96 Minutes and is considered most apt for meditation.  

Notes –
  1. Names of Samvatsaras - Prabhava; Vibhava; Sukla; Pramoduta; Prajotpatti (Prajapati); Angiras; Srimukha; Bhava; Yuvan; Dhatṛ (Dhatu); Isvara; Bahudhanya; Pramathin; Vikrama; Vṛsan (Viṣu); Citrabhanu; Subhanu (Svabhanu); Taraṇa; Parthiva; Vyaya; Sarvajit; Sarvadharin; Virodhin; Vikṛti; Khara; Nandana; Vijaya; Jaya; Manmatha; Durmukha; Hevilambin (Hemalambin); Vilambin; Vikarin; Sarvari; Plava; Subhakṛta; Sobhakṛt; (Sobhana); Krodhin; Visvavasu; Parabhava; Plavaṅga; Kilaka; Saumya; Sadharaṇa; Virodhikṛt; Pari-dhavin; Pramadin; Ananda; Rakṣasa; Anala; Pingala; Kalayukta; Siddhartha; Raudra; Durmati; Dundubhi; Rudhirodgara; Raktakṣa (Raktakṣin); Krodhana; Kṣaya (Akṣaya).
  2. Names of 27 group of stars - Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishaka, Anurada, Jyeshta, Mula, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhishak, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati.
  3. Names of 11 Karanas - Bala, Balava, Kaulava, Taitil, Gara, Vanija, Vishti, Shakuni, Chatuspada, Naaga and Kinstughna.
  4. Names of 27 Yogas – Vishakumbha, Preeti, Aayshman, Saubhagya, Shobhana, Atiganda, Sukarma, Dhriti, Shoola, Gand, Vriddhi, Dhruva, Vyaghaata, Harhana, Vajra, Siddhi, Vyatipaata, Variyaana, Parigha, Shiva, Siddha, Saddhya, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Indra and Vaidhriti.
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Science in Hindu Vrats & Upvas

1/14/2022

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This is claimed that Snatana Dharma is purely scientific. Truly, the Snatana Dharma is developed after research of thousands of years by rishis (ancient Hindu scientists, seers). This website www.dnaofhinduism.com attempts to highlight the scientific basis of Snatana Dharma.
 
As per modern Astronomy, sun passes through the constellations that formed the Zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Under the influence of gravitational force and because of the orbital path combination of sun, moon and earth, lunar and planetary bodies impact on human bodies. Lunar cycle has eight phases are, in order, no or new Moon (completely dark side facing earth), waxing crescent (tiny portion visible), first quarter (half-moon visible), waxing gibbous (most of the moon visible), full Moon, waning gibbous (illuminated side shrinking), third quarter (half illuminated) and waning crescent (thin curve). The cycle repeats once a month (every 29.5 days).
 
Scientific Significance:
The modern science has researched as follows:
  1. The sun, earth, and moon interact in a complex ballet of motions and forces. All bodies with mass in the universe attract each other. The earth's pull on the moon keeps the moon in orbit, and the sun's pull on the earth keeps the earth in orbit.
  2. Based on the exact positions of the three bodies, phases and eclipses; sea tides, the seasons etc. occur.
  3. The gravitational pull of the Moon is known to influence ocean tides - and as the human body is composed of about 60% water, it stands to reason that the influence may extend to affect us in some way as well.
  4. The lunar cycle has an impact on human reproduction, in particular fertility, menstruation, and birth rate. Melatonin levels appear to correlate with the menstrual cycle. Admittance to hospitals and emergency units because of various causes (cardiovascular and acute coronary events, variceal haemorrhage, diarrhoea, urinary retention) correlated with moon phases. In addition, other events associated with human behaviour, such as traffic accidents, crimes, and suicides, appeared to be influenced by the lunar cycle.
  5. Animal studies revealed that the lunar cycle may affect hormonal changes early in phylogenesis (insects). In fish the lunar clock influences reproduction and involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. In birds, the daily variations in melatonin and corticosterone disappear during full-moon days. The lunar cycle also exerts effects on laboratory rats with regard to taste sensitivity and the ultrastructure of pineal gland cells.

Spiritual Significance:
The dates viz. Sankranti, Chaturthi, Ekadashi, Trayodashi, Purnima and Amavasya, are important in Hinduism. Most of the festivals are celebrated on these dates and vrats and upvas are observed. The question is “Why so.” These dates in Hindu calendar coincide with astronomical facts which has correlation of Sun, Moon, Earth and Stars. Sankranti, Chaturthi, Ekadashi and Trayodashi are the astronomical dates specially dedicated to five deities – Sankranti – Sun, Chaturthi – Sri Ganesh, Ekadashi – Sri Vishnu and Trayodashi – Shiv ji and Ma Parvati.
 
Chaturthi (4th date) dedicated to Sri Ganesh:
Fourth day falling after full moon (Purnima) in Krishna Paksha is called as ‘Sankashti Chaturthi’ and fourth day after new moon (Amavasya) in Shukla paksha is termed as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’. The word “Sankashti” comes from Sanskrit and implies “freedom from difficult times”.
 
In Hindu scriptures, Chaturthi Tithi belongs to Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesh signifies prosperity, wisdom and good fortune. He is believed to be the remover of obstacles and also the lord of learning. On Sankashi Chaturthi, devotees worship Lord Ganesh to overcome their hurdles in life and to come out as an achiever in difficult times.

Ekadashi (11th date) dedicated to Sri Vishnu:
Devotees of Bhagwan Vishnu observe Ekadashi fasting to seek His blessings. It falls on 11th day of lunar month. There are two Ekadashi fasting in a month, one during Shukla Paksha and another during Krishna Paksha. 24 Ekadashi occur during the year (January – Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, Saphala; February – Jaya, Shattila; March – Amalaki, Vijaya; April – Kamada, Papmochani; May – Mohini, Vaishnava Varuthini; June – Nirjala, Apara; July – Devshayani, Yogini; August – Shravan Putrada, Vaishnava Kamika; September – Parsva, Aja; October – Papankusha, Indira; November – Devutthana, Rama; December – Mokshada, Utpanna.    
 
According to Hindu scriptures, Ekadashi and movement of the moon has a direct correlation with the human mind. It is believed that during Ekadashi, our mind attains maximum efficiency giving the brain a better capacity to concentrate.
 
Study says, from the eleventh day till fifth day post new moon or full moon day, moon influences us maximum and imbalance our digestive system. This also cause decrease in brain's functioning and cause weakness in memory, thought and decision making. Therefore, to avoid all these complications, it's important to clean our digestive system on every 11th day of lunar cycle. This helps our digestive system to clean up all the food and mess in our body. That is why fasting is done on Ekadashi.
 
Pradosh (13th date) dedicated to Shiv ji and Ma Parvati:
Pradosh Vrat or Pradosham is a popular Hindu Vrat that is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. Devotees observe this vrat for eternal bliss, spiritual upliftment and good health. It falls on trayodashi or 13th day of lunar month. There are two trayodashi fasting in a month, one during Shukla Paksha and another during Krishna Paksha. 24 Pradosham occur during the year.
 
Purnima (Full Moon):
Purnima or the full moon is widely recognized as a symbol of fullness, abundance, and prosperity in Hindu belief. Several Hindu festivals in Panchang are aligned with the full-moon day, which is considered a benign and blessed occurrence. There is 12 Purnima in a lunar calendar. January – Pausha Purnima; February - Magha; March - Phalguna; April - Chaitra; May - Vaisakha; June - Jyeshta; July - Aashaadha; August - Shraavana; September - Bhadrapada; October - Ashwin; November - Kartika; December – Margashirsha.
 
Several festivals fall on Purnima such as Guru Ravidas Jayanti on Magha Purnima; Chhoti Holi on Phalguna Purnima; Hanuman Jyanti on Chaitra Purnima; Buddha Purnima on Vaisakha Purnima; Vat Purnima on Jyeshta; Guru Purnima on Aashaadha Purnima; Raksha Bandhan on Shraavana Purnima; Pitrpaksha begins on Bhadrapada Purnima; Sharad Purnima on Ashwin Purnima; Dattatray Jayanti on Margashirsha Purnima.
 
Shri Satyanarayan Puja is also performed on every Purnima to seek the blessings of Lord Narayan. Narayan is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Amavasya (No or New Moon):
Amavasya is the one when no moon is visible in the sky. Amavasya occurs once a month, with 12 such no moon days falling in a year. Being the darkest day of the month, Amavaysa is considered one of the most powerful and impactful times of the year.
 
Several important rituals and traditions are observed on this day by devotees across India. February (Magh) – Mauni Amavasya; May (Jyeshta) – Shani Jayanti, Vat Savitri Vrat; August (Bhadrapada) – Pithori Amavasya; September (Ashwin) – Sarvapitri Amavasya; October (Kartika) – Diwali, Laxmi Puja, Sharda Puja, Bengal Kali Puja.
 
Sankranti dedicated to Sun:
Sun stands for “Pratyaksha-Braham”, “a manifestation of the Absolute”, bestowing knowledge, spiritual light, and wisdom.
 
Sankranti are the days of transmigration of sun from one zodiac to another. January – Sun enters in Makar Rashi (Capricorn); February – Sun enters in Kumbh Rashi; March - Sun enters in Meena Rashi; April - Sun enters in Mesha Rashi; May - Sun enters in Vrishabha Rashi; June - Sun enters in Mithuna Rashi; July - Sun enters in Karka Rashi; August - Sun enters in Simha Rashi; September - Sun enters in Kanya Rashi; October - Sun enters in Tula Rashi; November - Sun enters in Vrishika Rashi; December - Sun enters in Dhanu Rashi.
 
Makar Sankranti is a special festival across the country, where the God of Sun is worshipped and gratitude is shown by offerings and prayers. The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in every state with different names. But the essence remains the same. In Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is known as Pedda Panduga, Makar Sankranti in North & Karnataka, Magh Bihu in Assam, Magha Mela in the regions of central and north India, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Khichdi Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh, Pongal in Tamil Nadu. A day prior to Makar Sankranti is Lohri, a harvest festival of Punjabi.
 
Most of the Hindu festivals are celebrated as per the lunar cycle of the Hindu calendar. But Makar Sankranti is celebrated as per the solar cycle. It falls on Georgian date every year (January 14) except in some years when date might shift to a day of that year. It is due to the revolution of the Earth around the Sun. It marks the commencement of sun’s journey to northern hemisphere (Uttarayana). On this day, taking bath in the rivers purify the self.
 

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Rituals in Hinduism

12/31/2021

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Now-a-days, the younger generation rejects Hinduism because they find it difficult to believe many of the concepts. The spirit of rituals is still valid. But the loss of simplicity and economy derailed them from their original purpose. Rituals and ceremonies, involving skills and modes of action learnt painstakingly by our ancestors and transmitted inter-generationally to become part of collective memory and cultural repertoire, are necessary. However, during passage of time malicious influence of certain dominant sections of society and invaders polluted the Hindu sacred rituals. The purpose of these rituals is to purify, renew society, bridge over critical moments, and stimulate or resuscitate the vital powers of nature.
 

In Hinduism, rituals are not only for life time but also for before birth and after death. Rituals forge a sense of belonging and common identity which transforms individuals into cohesive communities. Participating in collective rituals increases generosity. Psychology of the Indian rituals & tradition is an inner discipline in search of realizing truth and perfection in the human condition. 
 
Purposes of Rituals:
The purposes of rituals are varied; with religious obligations or ideals, satisfaction of spiritual or emotional needs of the practitioners, strengthening of social bonds, social and moral education, demonstration of respect or submission, stating one's affiliation, obtaining social acceptance or, sometimes, just for the pleasure of the ritual itself.
 
The rituals in Hinduism are especially important for the Householders to achieve the three of the four important aims of human life, namely Dharma, Artha and Kama. Rituals are performed to bring spirituality into human life and inculcate feelings of devotion and religiosity. Rituals in Hinduism are designed to built-in selflessness and to ingrain the process of surrender in day-to-day life.
 
Scriptures for Rituals:
Four Vedas and Hindu scriptures - Brahmanas, Aranyaka and Sutras. A collection of sutras becomes a text containing rules & directions with which the teachings of ritual, philosophy, grammar, or any field of knowledge can be woven. When the Hindu rituals are done as prescribed, these attain great powers, fulfil the desires and achieve their goals. The rituals serve as a bridge between our human beings and the divine and that of ancestors. Physical and mental purity are vital to the observance of Hindu rituals.
 
Important Rituals in Hinduism:
A few rituals are listed hereunder.
 
Five daily Yajnas to share –
  1. Studying & propagating sacred knowledge (Brahma Yajna);
  2. worshipping God (Deva Yajna);
  3. serving & gifting family, friends, neighbours & everyone (Nri Yajna);
  4. serving animals (Bhuta Yajna) and
  5. respecting the ancestors (Pitr Yajna).
 
These include study of Hindu scriptures, daily pooja, feeding & respecting invited or uninvited guests (Atithi devo bhava), first roti (bread) to cow and the last to dog etc.
 
Four stages of life cycle -
In Hinduism, entire life is divided into four objects of life and life stages (Ashrams) –
  1. Brahmacharya - bachelor, acquiring knowledge & skill, building character;
  2. Grishastha - Householder, earning wealth, repaying three debts (Deva rin or debts of deities who provide means for livings – by performing yajnas, Pitra rin or debts of ancestors who provided us this life – by performing shraddhas & religious rites for them, Rishi rin or debts to sages who sacrificed to generate knowledge – by doing svadhyaya and tapas.
  3. Vanaprastha - handing over household responsibilities to next generation & retiring from worldly delights, leading frugal life, and
  4. Sannyasa – abandoning entire worldly life, asceticism from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals. In Sannyasa Ashram one leaves the name, fame, material possessions, friends & relations for the sake of surrender to God.
 
Hindu’s sixteen Sanskars –
Sixteen sanskars (before conception till after death) are offered to God to develop divine consciousness in the individual which help him to lead better life and to orient his sub-conscious mind for total surrender. These are as under:
  1. Garbhadhanam: the act of conception.
  2. Pumsavanam: the expectant mother consumes barley, grain and curd.
  3. Seemantam: ritual in the fourth month of a woman’s first pregnancy the expectant mother.
  4. Jatakarman: birth ritual performed for a new born baby.
  5. Namakaranam: naming ceremony on the twelfth day after birth.
  6. Nishkramanam: child leaves the home for the first time usually occurs four months after birth.
  7. Annaprasanam: ritual for giving child solid foods for the first time.
  8. Choodakaranam: ceremony of cutting the child’s hair for the first time.
  9. Karnavedham: ritual for piercing the ears (boys and girls).
  10. Vidyarambham: beginning of learning a child who is between three to five years.
  11. Upanayanam: eight-year-old boys begin wearing the sacred thread (Yajnopaveetam).
  12. Praishartham: studying the Vedas and Upanishads.
  13. Kesantham: ritual marking a sixteen-year-old boy's first shave. Ritusuddhi: ritual associated with a girl’s first menstruation.
  14. Samavartanam: the end of formal education.
  15. Vivaham: wedding ritual.
  16. Anthyeshti: funeral rites.
 
Hindu rituals to care environment –
  1. Worshipping of plants & trees (such as Tulsi (Indian Basil), Peepal, Banyan, Bael, Ashoka, Mango, Banana, Coconut, Lotus, Sandalwood, Parijat etc.) is the great Indian tradition not only to protect environment felt now so greatly, but also to take advantage of their medicinal values which are good for healthy life.
  2. Worshipping sacred rivers and taking dip on prescribed occasions.
  3. Indian cow is sacred and treated as mother. The five constituents are called as Panchagavya - three direct constituents are cow dung, urine, and milk; the two derived products are curd and ghee. In olden times, every household was keeping at least one cow. Milk, curd and cow ghee was for good health. Dung was for organic farming and rest four products for ayurvedic medicines, rituals and so many other purposes. It have been traditionally great economic support for people.  
 
Pilgrimages in Hinduism to surrender –
Pilgrimages are for both inward as well outward journeys. Even thought of travelling to pilgrim locations brings positive change in state of mind. It connects with all walks of people and brings humility. It detaches the mind from worldly affairs and simultaneous chanting concentrates the mind so essential for meditation & surrender.
 
Hindu Festivals to share and surrender –
Celebrating festivals on community basis, not only bring personal happiness but also play a pivotal in social cohesion which brings peace, harmony and happiness. It is sharing and enjoying. Further, festivals bring the individuals closer to the almighty by fasting (upavaasa), special prayer, japa, havan/Yajna, meditation, donation/daan, etc. These practices reduce indulgence in sensual pleasure & distractions of mind, improve focus & humility, remind high standards & morals followed by the deities worshipped.
 
Hence, the rituals in Hinduism discarded as blind faith, actually convert selfishness into total surrender to facilitate moksha, total surrender and liberation. This makes this life happy and liberates the one from rebirth.
 
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Science in Hindu calendar

9/11/2020

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Science in Hindu calendar
 
Hindu calendar system offers a multi-dimensional method of structuring time, combining information about lunar days, solar days, lunar months, solar months, the movements of the Sun and the Moon in relation to stellar constellations, and other astronomically defined time spans.  In the Hindu calendar, seasons follow the sun; months follow the moon; and days, both the sun and the moon.
 
The western or Christian calendar is solar calendar and the Islamic or Higri calendar is lunar calendar. But Hindu lunisolar calendar synchronizes both the solar and the lunar cycles. Hindu calendar has fixed the aberrations as under:
  1. The year is determined by the earth's movement around the Sun in an elliptical orbit; it is a solar phenomenon with a period of 365.242189 days (the tropical year). A lunar year is equal to 354.2672 days (354 days 8 hours 48 minutes and 36 seconds). This creates a difference of about eleven days, which is offset every 2.71 years i.e. 32.5 months. In Hindu calendar, an extra month occurs after every 32.5 months to keep lunar and solar calendars aligned. This month is named as Purushottam or Adhik or Mala month. In Islamic or Hijri calendar, the year consists of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. In Western or Christian calendar, the common year is of 365 days and one day is added every fourth year called as leap year to make up the difference.
  2. The month uses the rotation of the moon around the Earth as its unit; it is thus a lunar phenomenon. In Hindu calendar, the tithi (lunar day) is scientifically defined, so each month always has 30 tithis, and corresponds exactly to one cycle of the moon. In Western calendar, months have varying durations to 28, 30 & 31 days with no correlation with lunar cycle.
  3. The day is the result of the Earth's rotation around its axis. In Hindu calendar, the solar day is from one sunrise to another. In western calendar, the day is from midnight to another which has no visible correlation.
  4. The Moon orbits the Earth in 27.3 days and passes through 27 constellations of stars during the 360 degree orbit. This synergy and coincidence of the Moon and groups of stars is called Nakshatra. From one full moon to the next full moon, the moon must travel about 2.2 extra days before it appears again as a full moon, due to the curve of the earth's orbit around the sun. The mean length is around 29.53059 days (29 days 12 hours 44 minutes and 3 seconds). The constellation in which the Moon will be at the time of birth of any person or the group of stars passing through it is considered to be its birth constellation. In Hindu system, Astrology is aligned with Astronomy.
  5. In Hindu system, From Makara Sankranti, the sun’s entrance into Capricorn – the year starting with it is divided into two halves and six seasons. It identifies the rainy season as the months of Sawan and  Bhadon.
  6. The Hindu festivals typically are either on or the day after the full moon night or the darkest night (amavasya, अमावास्या), except for some associated with Shri Krishna, Ma Durga or Shri Rama. The lunar months of the hot summer and the busy major cropping-related part of the monsoon season typically do not schedule major festivals.
 
Hindu calendar systems:
All the Hindu calendars contain five parts of information: lunar day (tithi), solar day (diwas), asterism (nakshatra), planetary joining (yoga) and astronomical period (karana). This structure gives the calendar the name Panchangam.
 
  1. Solar Years - Hindu rishis tracked the solar year by observing the entrance and departure of sun at sunrise and sunset in the constellation formed by stars in the sky. They divided it into 12 intervals of 30 degrees each.
  2. Lunar Year - A lunar year with an adhika month has 13 amanta months. An adhika month occurs generally at intervals 2 years 4 months, 2 years 9 months, 2 years 10 months or 2 years 11 months, giving an average interval of about 2 years 8.4 months. The purimanta month starts about 15 days earlier and ends in the middle of the concerned amanta month. Although an amanta month may fall almost entirely outside its linked solar month, the purimanta month always covers at least half of that solar month. The purimanta lunisolar calendar is mainly used in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.
  3. Solar Months - If the transits of the Sun through various constellations (Rashis) are used, then we get solar months, which do not shift with reference to the Gregorian calendar. In practice, solar months are mostly referred as Rashi (not months).
  4. Lunar Months - There are two types of lunar months being used in India. They are the new moon ending lunar month and the full moon ending lunar month, resulting in the Amanta and Purnimanta lunisolar calendars respectively. Amanta month runs from new moon to next new moon. The twelve months are named as under:
1. Chaitra, 2. Vaisakha, 3. Jyaishtha, 4. Ashadha, 5. Sravana, 6. Bhadra, 7. Asvina,  8. Kartika, 9. Agrahayana or Margasirsha, 10. Pausha, 11. Magha, 12. Phalguna.
When a solar month completely covers an amanta month, that is, when there are two new moons, one falling at the beginning and the other at the end of the solar month, the amanta month that begins from the first new moon is treated as a leap month and prefixed with the title ‘adhika’ or ‘mala’. We call the leap month adhika or mala month.
  1. Fortnight - A month contains two fortnights called Paksha (पक्ष, literally "side").  One fortnight is the bright, waxing half where the moon size grows and it ends in the full moon. This is called "Gaura Paksha" or Shukla Paksha. The other half is the darkening, waning fortnight which ends in the new moon. This is called "Vadhya Paksha" or Krishna Paksha. 
6.    Lunar day - At the same time the lunar month (which has about 29.5 solar days) is divided into 30 lunar days called lunar day or tithi which are thus shorter (about 23 hours and 36 minutes) than the ordinary day and not tied to daylight and night; a tithi can begin at any time of day. To keep solar and lunar days together, occasionally a tithi is eliminated from the month.
7.    Karana - A karana is half of a tithi. To be precise, a karaṇa is the time required for the angular distance between the sun and the moon to increase in steps of 6° starting from 0°. There are only 11 such karaṇas which fill up the slots of 30 tithis. There are actually 4 "fixed" (sthira) karaṇas and 7 "repeating" (cara) karaṇas.
  1. Muhurata - The solar day is divided into 30 muhurata (equivalent to 48 minutes), each muhurata into two ghati (24 minutes) and each ghati into 3600 vipala (0.4 seconds).
  2. Prahar - 24 hours of day-night are divided into eight parts. Each part is of roughly three hours, called as ‘Prahar’. First Prahar starts with sunrise. Roughly sunrise is considered at 6 am and sunset at 6 pm. In day time, the four Prahars of the day are - 6 to 9 AM - forenoon (पूर्वान्ह), 9 AM to 12 PM - mid-noon (मध्यान्ह), 12 to 3 PM - afternoon (अपरान्ह) and 3 to 6 P.M - evening (सायंकाल). The four Prahars of the night are - 6 to 9 PM Pradosh (प्रदोष), 9 PM to 12 AM - Nishith (निशिथ), 12 to 3 AM - Triyama (त्रियामा) and 3 to 6 AM - Usha (उषा).
  3. The all-famous Brahm Muhurat takes place between 4:24 and 5:12. Then there is the Sea-Muhurat. Both of them are in Usha Prahar. 
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Yajnopavita or Janeu

3/21/2020

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Yajnopavita consists of two words, yajno and upavit. Vit means that which is woven, that is cloth and upavit means the upper garment. It is hand spun cotton thread worn across the chest resting on the left shoulder. Yajnopavita is mentioned as Janeu in Hindi. Under Upanayana Samskar, first Yajnopavita is performed to bring person to his father Gotra and then Upanayana ceremony is done to initiate teaching of Veda and teaching started with Gayathri Mantra. The Yajnopavita should be done in seventh years. However, it can be done up to eleventh years of age. The power of Yajnopavita inspires pure character and hard work. By wearing this Yajnopavita, one can reach to the ultimate.
 

In chapter 2 of Taittireeya Aranyaka discusses the five Maha-yajnas, the daily recitation of the Veda (svadhyaya), the yajnopavita (sacred thread) and sandhya worship. It describes the method of preparation of yajnopavita.
 
The Yajnopavita is made up of nine fibers.
  1. As per "Samvediya Chandogya Sutra", nine deities reside in the fibers. one deity is established in each fiber viz. Omkar, Agni (deity of fire), Nag (serpent), Som (moon), Pitar (ancestors), Prajapati (deity of procreation), Vayu (air), Yama (deity of death) and Vishvadevata (deity of the universe).
  2. The nine threads symbolize the nine qualities viz. Non-violence, Truthfulness, Non-stealing, forbearance, not accumulating, self-restraint, religiousness, Peace and Piety-purity. The nine numbers also signify viz. compassion, sweetness in speech, Simplicity in practice, Feeling of motherhood in women only, display of beauty in karma & art, Expression of generosity and service to all, Respect and discipline to gurus, Self- study & satsang of holy scriptures, and cleanliness, proper order & not slothfulness in nature.
  3. Three strands are created by twisting three of the nine fibers in each strand. The three Vedas Rig-veda, Yajur-veda and Sama- veda are established on each of these strands.
  4. The three strands are then knotted together. This knot is called the Brahma-gatha (gatha means a knot) or the Brahma-granthi (granthi means a gland). It is the site of establishing the Atharvaveda.
  5. The three strands represent:
    1. the three stages (ashrams) – celibate student (brahmacharya), the married householder (grahastha) and retired householder (vanaprastha);
    2. the three fires, the fire worshipped in the home (garhapatya), the fire placed in the south (dakshinagni) and the sacred fire lit for a specific spiritual purpose (ahvaniya);
    3. the spiritual knowledge (dnyan), devotion (bhakti) and action (karma). The one who possesses all these three qualities gets the spiritual experience of Brahman.
  6. The length of the sacred thread should be 96 times the breadth of a finger (angul). 96 items listed below:
  7.  च नक्षत्रं तत्त्‍ववेदगुणान्‍वितम्‌ ।
    कालत्रयं च मासाश्र्च ब्रह्‍मसूत्रं हि षण्‍णव ।।
96 items: 15 auspicious dates (tithis) + 7 days of the week + 27 lunar asterisms + 25 principles + 4 Vedas + 3 components (gunas) + 3 time periods (kals) + 12 months = 96. Thus, the length of the sacred thread (yajnopavita) is 96 times the breadth of a finger (angul).
 
The 96 number has special significance. Vedas has 96000 Mantras related to karma and Upasana (fire-sacrifice & worship). After Yajnipavita, the student gets the right to study these Mantras. Total Mantras are 100,000. The remaining 4000 Mantra are for Sanyasis.
 
The Yajnopavita is placed over the right ear lobe during urination or defecations. The reason is explained as under:
  1. Since the part of the body above the navel is considered pure and that below it impure, during urination and defecation the sacred thread is worn as a chain (nivit) around the neck and is placed on the right ear. The right ear is mentioned in the scriptures as the seat of various deities like Aditya, Vasu, Rudra, Vayu, Agni, Dharma, Veda, Apa, Som, Surya, Anil, etc. Mere touch of the right ear bears the benefit of the ritual of sipping water from the palm (achaman). Thus by placing the sacred thread on the right ear which is pure, one is not bound by the restrictions of impurity.
  2. The right ear assumes such scientific importance because the nerve endings and receptors situated here are closely related to the testes. During urination there is a likelihood of passage of sperms in a small quantity. It is well documented by Ayurveda that seminal loss is prevented by encircling the right ear with a thread.

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Hindu Traditions – Zenith of civilization

3/29/2019

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Traditions are the set of rituals practiced by a group of people which define the behavior of the people of that group on specific occasion. For generations, specific traditions are followed by Hindus religious without the clear knowledge of science behind them. Many people have been questioning the Hindu traditions and terming them as backwardness.
It is really wonderful to know the deep-rooted benefits of age old traditions followed by Hindus and science behind them. These traditions are helpful in personal hygiene & health, developing positive behavioral attributes and living in non-violent way and happily in joint family system. The advantages are as under:

Personal hygiene & health
  1. Namaskar/ Namaste - It is used to welcome someone and also to bid farewell. This gesture is marked by placing both the palms together raised below the face to greet a person.
Scientific explanation: By shaking hands or any other body part, the contagious diseases are likely to be transmitted.
 
  1. Shoes are kept outside temples.
Scientific explanation: Floors of the temples in the old times were constructed in such a way that these have been the largest source of electric and magnetic waves. When the bare foot goes on, the maximum energy enters the body through the legs.
 
  1. Use of spices in Indian cuisine (including ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, dried hot peppers, and cinnamon, among others) – we have six different types of tastes necessary in our diet viz. sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. These tastes are balanced through food intake.
Scientific explanation: Spices activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently.
 
  1. Much of Indian food is eaten with fingers.
Scientific explanation: Eating with bare fingures keeps all 5 elements in balance. Through the thumb comes space, with the forefinger comes air, the middle finger is fire, the ring finer is water and the little finger represents earth. It stimulates these five elements and helps in bringing forth digestive juices in the stomach. The nerve endings on your fingertips are known to stimulate digestion.
 
  1. Sitting posture – preferred posture while eating is sitting in cross-legged manner or 'sukhasan', a yoga posture.
Scientific explanation - This helps in digestion of food. While eating in this posture, we bend and become straight alternately. This leads to muscular movement in our stomach, which helps in creating digestive juices and in taking the swallowed food ahead.
 
  1. Marriage in different Gotra – In Hindu system, marriage within the same gotra is not encouraged or practiced.
Scientific explanation: A study done by scientists of Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad published in Indian Express dated 18.07.2017, supports the view of those who are opposing the marriages within the same Gotra. The report found out that even two people, not related to each other but belonging to same community, caste or tribe, if they marry each other, stands at the risk of transmitting the genetic defects in their DNA – a result of age old endogamy practice – to their offspring.
 
  1. Use of Right hand – It is considered pure.
Scientific explanation: Because left hand is used after answering the call of nature.
 
Developing positive behavioral attitude
  1. 'Atithi Devo Bhavah' - The mantra is from the Taittiriya Upanishad (Shikshavalli I.11.2) that says, guest is akin to god. The maxim is being used for promoting tourism in India.
Social Advantage: It promotes universal brotherhood.
 
  1. Hindu culture is a culture of love, respect, honoring others and humbling one's own ego. As a tradition of respecting the elders such as touching their feet and taking blessings, sitting to the left of elders, calling them by name of relation, bringing gifts on special occasions, not sitting while they are standing, not contradicting or arguing, seeking their advice and blessings, giving them first choice in all matters, even serving their food first.
Social Advantage: It promotes mutual respect and discipline.
 
Living in non-violent way and happily
Hindu undivided family system (HUF) has been prevalent historically. Under the system, two or more generations stay together, headed by senior most person called as Karta. Karta makes decisions on economic and social matters and his wife extends control over domestic matters. Family income flows into a common pool, from which resources are drawn to meet the needs of all members, which are regulated by the heads of the family. After amendments in Hindu Succession Act 1956, the female members are given the right of share to the HUF property. In 2016, a judgment of the Delhi High Court ruled that the eldest female member of a Hindu Undivided Family can be its 'Karta' (manager).
 
Due urbanization, economic development, job opportunities and western influence, HUF witnessed break up and converting into nuclear families.
 
Personal & Social Advantages: HUF system proved to have following advantages:
  1. It provides social security to unemployed, old, frail and diseased persons.
  2. Members of HUF learn inter-dependence, co-operation, discipline, patience and care for others which are so vital for personal growth. Break up of HUF has led to increase in several problems in the society like depression, suicides and heart disorders due to highly stressed lives and little outlet.
 
Note:
  1. Please also see related article named as “Hindu Traditions & Social Practices” published on 19.10.2018 under the category “Hindu Symbols & customs”.
  2. Please also see related article named as “Puja – Beginning of Spiritual Journey” published on 09.10.2017 under the category “Puja System”.
 
 
 
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Hindu Traditions & Social Practices

10/19/2018

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What is culture or social behavior? As per Cambridge Dictionary, culture is the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time. All societies are having some traditions or social practices or belief system.

Traditions are evolved over many generations based on value system of the particular society having some rational backing. It is generally passed down by word of mouth, from generation to generation and is, for the most part, undocumented. Traditions are live if have scientific footing. Some traditions tend to become ritualistic when loses their contemporary relevance.
 
Several Hindu traditions are branded as superstitious but these are based on scientific wisdom gathered by long researches done by Rishis (ancient scientists). However, in absence of teachings about their tangible advantages and apparent link with religious practices, these are exiting from the modern Hindu society. Keeping in view of the above, ancient knowledge of prominent traditions is elaborated hereunder.  
 
Charan Sparsh (Touching of Feet):
  1. Tradition: The persons greet elders, wise, pious or revered persons of society by touching the feet of to pay respect to them.
  2. Physiological Benefits: The physical effort involved provides useful exercise and promotes vigor, enthusiasm and concern for others, rids tension and is motivating. Positive thoughts and energy are emitted by the person whose feet are touched which bring positivity in minds and hearts.
  3. Spiritual reasons: This promotes humility & respect for others and reduces ego of the person touching the feet.
  4. Scientific Explanations: The nerves that start from our brain spread across all your body. These nerves or wires end in the fingertips of your hand and feet. When you join the fingertips of your hand to those of their opposite feet, a circuit is immediately formed and the energies of two bodies are connected. Your fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of energy and the feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy.
Namaste or Namaskar
  1. Tradition: People greet each other by joining their palms termed as Namastae or Namaskar.
  2. Physiological Benefits: When both hands are joined, the tips of all the fingers press each other. The tips of hands are the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. These get activated by their pressing which helps us remember that person for a long time. Further, contagious germs are avoided due to absence of any physical contact.

Shikha or Choti (Peak) on male head
  1. Tradition: Hindu males keep peak on the head as a tradition.  
  2. Physiological Benefits: It protects from harmful effects and catches positive and spiritual thoughts.
  3. Spiritual reasons: The location of peak is just above Sushumna Nadi. This is the place of seventh chakra or nerve plexus, called as Brahmanrandha or center of wisdom. The knotted shikha helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle energy known as ojas.
  4. Scientific Explanations: According to science, it is the center of the brain which control body parts, intelligence and mind.
 
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
  1. Tradition: Hindus offer water to sun at sunrise. As per yoga, Surya Namaskar consists of 12 positions done in succession. When one round ends, another one begins in a perfect circle.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Sun rays in the morning directly or through water is good for eyes. Surya Namaskar is a general tonic and complete warm-up for the entire body, which can be done just as is, or as a warm-up before yoga asanas. The Sun Salutations are said to remove bodily and mental tensions, improve circulation, stimulate the nervous system and raise the body heat. All joints are loosened and lubricated.
  3. Spiritual reasons: Worshipping the sun by chanting ऊँ सूर्याय नम: mantra leads to all pleasures, good health and wealth in life.
  4. Scientific Explanations: Body parts have different colors viz. heart red, kidney brown, bones white, etc. When the spectrum of sun rays refract through the water, it breaks down into seven colors. The energy emanating from these rays of different colors is absorbed by the body, and balances the energy level in the body. This also improves eye-sight and mind power. Sun rays are good source of vitamin D. People have high deficiency in vitamin D especially in large cities.
 
Applying Tilak on forehead
  1. Tradition: Under various Hindu traditions different forms of Tilaks are applied on forehead.
  2. Physiological Benefits: While applying Tilak, major nerve plexus i.e. Ajna-chakra is automatically pressed, facilitating blood supply to the facial muscles.
  3. Spiritual reasons: As per Hindu mythology, the planet Venus is at the base of the thumb. It is said that applying Tilak using this finger brings health and wealth to the person.
 
Worship of Tulsi plant (Indian Basil)
  1. Tradition: Tulsi is very sacred plant in Hindu religion.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic. As per Ayurveda medicine system, plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria.
  3. Spiritual reasons: As per the Hindu tradition, people plant Tulsi in their homes, take its proper care and worship it. It is regarded as Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and the consort of Lord Vishnu.
  4. Scientific Explanations: Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) Herbal Mosquito Repellent not only keeps home free from mosquitoes but also kills bacteria, purifies air & spread a natural aroma. Tulsi has demonstrated effective antimicrobial property against A. actinomycetemcomitans. A methanol-based tulsi leaves extract is proved most effective in inhibiting the growth of four bacteria — Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa — and two fungi — Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp.
 
Worship of Peepal Tree (Ficus Religiosa)
  1. Tradition: Women usually pray the tree and tie a red thread or cloth to fulfil their wishes.  
  2. Physiological Benefits: As per Ayurveda system of medicine, the leaves of Peepal cure Asthma and the milk derived out of the leaves helps relieve eye pain. This tree can cure as much as 50 disorders, including diarrhoea, epilepsy and gastric troubles.
  3. Spiritual reasons: According to Atharva Veda and Chandogya Upanishad, Peepal Tree is the paradise of Gods. It believed Goddess Lakshmi resides under the tree every Saturday.  It is also said that Lord Hanuman sat on peepal tree and witnesses the hardships faced by Sita in Lanka.
  4. Scientific Explanations: Peepal Tree is different from other plants (which release carbon dioxide at night) as it releases Oxygen even during the night due to a special photosynthesis process called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). As per article published on Ist May, 2014, in International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science & Research, different parts of the peepal, is useful in treatment of diabetes, urinary disorders, burns, gastrohelcosis, TB, fever, paralysis, oxidative stress, mumps, jaundice, heart diseases, constipation, skin diseases, etc. due to the presence of various phyto constituents (phenolics, sterols, flavonoids etc).

Kanchedan or Karnvedha (piercing ears)
  1. Tradition: Ear lobe piercing is important ceremony in Hindu tradition for both male and female.  It is usually performed in 6th or seventh month or 3rd or 5th or 7th year.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Piercing of ear lobe has benefit in eye sight and reduces depression.
  3. Spiritual reasons: Ayurveda researcher and surgeon on ancient India, Susruta (6th century BC) says, ears of a child should be bored for protection (from diseases in his opinion) and decoration. It is believed that piercing the ears help in the development of intellect, power of thinking and decision making faculties. Ear piercing in girls to regulate the menstrual cycle and hence reducing menstrual or premenstrual pain. It also prevents diseases like hysteria to occur.
  4. Scientific Explanations: The ears are having many acupuncture points. Piercing of the specific area of ear stimulate the reflex area of the point. Acupressure therapy states that earlier the ear piercing is performed to a child, earlier the development of brain takes place by benefiting the meridians connecting the brain to the earlobe.
 
Why do Indian women wear Choori (Bangles)?
  1. Tradition: Women wear bangles all over the world as ornament. But wearing bangles by Hindu married women has special significance. Men also wear metal bangle in many parts of India. The bangles may be made of glass, wood, ivory, plastic, gold or other metals.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Constant friction of bangles increases the blood circulation level.
  3. Spiritual reasons: According to Hindu scriptures, the bangles clash with each other while hand movements which activate the Surya Nadi (sun channel) of women. Through Surya Nadi, energy is emitted around a woman’s body that protects her from the evil energies and negativities of the atmosphere.
  4. Scientific Explanations: In ancient Ayurveda, it is stated that bones of women are weaker than those of men, bangles made of gold and silver absorbs the energy, which was transmitted to the body improving psychological and physical functioning.
 
Why do Hindu women wear Bichiya (Toe Rings)?
  1. Tradition: Hindu women normally wear toe rings usually made of silver on the second toe of feet. Since gold is portrayal of Goddess Lakshmi, it is not worn below waist.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Toe ring strengthens the uterus, keeping it healthy by regulating the blood flow to it. Moreover, a woman’s menstrual cycle is said to be regularized.
  3. Spiritual reasons: Our body has vital force called prana which runs through our body via different channels, right up to toes. Toe ring is used to keep this force healthy.
  4. Scientific Explanations: The nerve from second figure of feet connects the uterus and passes to heart. Toe ring presses this nerve which keep reproductive system healthy and balance.
 
Why do Hindu women apply Sindoor (Vermillion)?
  1. Tradition: The Hindu married women apply sindoor in the parting of hair.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Sindoor is prepared by mixing turmeric, lime and the metal mercury. Due to its intrinsic properties, mercury controls blood pressure and activates sexual drive. Sindoor is to be applied right up to the pituitary gland to activate it.
  3. Spiritual reasons: Use of Sindoor has also been mentioned in the Puranas, Lalitha Sahasranamam and Soundarya Lahharis. According to Hindu astrology, Mesha Rashi or the House of Aries is on the forehead. The Lord of Mesha is Mars and his color is red. It is believed to be auspicious.
 
Why do Hindu women apply Mehndi (Henna)?
  1. Tradition: Mehndi is typically applied on hands during special Hindu weddings and Hindu festivals like Karva Chauth, Vat Purnima, Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Teej.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb, and its application on hands and feet can prevent stress during weddings. It cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense.
The various Hindu customs have been termed as superstitious in absence of proper research and scientific backing. However, not all age old traditions are superstition. These may have great physiological benefits.
 
While Sleeping Head pointing towards South
  1. Tradition: As per Hinduism, the best position to sleep is with our heads towards east and south. Never sleep with head towards North.
  2. Physiological Benefits: Magnetic pull create disturbance in Pineal gland functioning and in turn production of Melatonin. Melatonin is sleep inducing hormone and its lower level can induce sleep related problems such as chronic fatigue, depression, insomnia and anxiety.
  3. Scientific Explanations: Our earth is giant electro-magnet. The core of earth is molten where strong electro-magnetic currents flow. Likewise, human body has its own magnetic field. If one sleeps pointing head towards the north, the magnetic pull will cause pressure on your brain.
Reference:
https://www.indiatimes.com/
https://www.speakingtree.in/
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SYMBOLS IN HINDUISM

10/12/2018

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Symbols are easy way to denote complex ideas. Hindu religion is symbolized more particularly by sign or mark of “Om”, Swastik, Tilak, etc. Sacred Hindu symbols are considered very auspicious and displayed in homes, work places, temples etc. to invoke good fortunes. 

Om (Aum, ॐ):
The significance of Om is as under:
  1. This is sacred sound symbol that represents Universe; the ultimate reality (Brahman).
  2. It is prefixed and sometimes suffixed to all Vedic mantras and prayers.
  3. This syllable is constituted of four sounds i.e. अ (a) + ऊ (u) + म (m) + . (salient sound of dot on Aum) which represent the Creator (Brahman), the preserver (Vishnu), the annihilator or transformer (Shiva) and universal consciousness respectively.    
  4. The pronunciation of Aum moves through all possible human linguistic vowel sounds and is different from the pronunciation of Om.
  5. In verse 1, the Mandukya Upanishad, the syllable represent all  states of time i.e. the past, the present, the future and time  that transcends time.
  6. In verse 2, the Mandukya Upanishad, the syllable represent the four states of Self i.e. seeking the physical, seeking inner thought, seeking the causes and spiritual consciousness, and the fourth state is realizing oneness with the Self, the Eternal.
  7. In verses 3 to 6, the Mandukya Upanishad enumerates four states of consciousness: wakeful, dream, deep sleep and the state of ekatma (being one with self, the oneness of self). These four are A + U + M + "without an element" respectively.
  8. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad suggests that Om is a tool of meditation empowering one to know the God within oneself, to realize one's Atman (Soul).
  9. The Aum sound is claimed to be cosmic sound.

Swastika (स्वास्तिक ):
The significance of swastika which comes from Sanskrit (Devanagari: स्वस्तिक) is as under:
  1. It denotes a "conducive to well-being or auspicious". The clockwise symbol is called swastika symbolizing surya (sun) and prosperity, while the counterclockwise symbol is called sauvastika symbolizing night or tantric aspects of Kali.
  2. It represents honesty, truth, purity and stability.
  3. Its four angles or points also symbolize the four directions, or Vedas.

Tilak (तिलक ):
The tilak is worn usually on the forehead on a daily basis or on religious occasions. The tilak is applied with ash (vibhuti), sandalwood paste, red kumkum etc. It has various shapes depending on deities or sects such as three horizontal lines across the forehead, a bindu, U shape etc. The significance of tilak is as under:
  1. As per chapter 2 of Kalagni Rudra Upanishad, a Shaiva tradition text, explains the three lines of a Tilaka as a reminder of various triads: three sacred fires (kitchen fire, fire offering made to ancestors and fire of homa), three syllables in Om (A U M), three gunas (Sattva, Rajas & Tamas), three worlds (earth, atmosphere & heaven), three types of atman (external, inner and highest self), three powers in oneself (Kriya - action, will power & Brahman-ultimate reality), first three Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda & Samveda), three times of extraction of the Vedic drink Soma (morning, midday & dusk extraction of soma).
  2. As per Vasudeva Upanishad, a Vaishnava tradition text, similarly explains the significance of three vertical lines in Urdhva Pundra Tilaka to be a reminder of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva; the Vedic scriptures – Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda; three worlds Bhu, Bhuva, Svar; the three syllables of Om – A, U, M; three states of consciousness – awake, dream sleep, deep sleep; three realities – Maya, Brahman and Atman; the three bodies – Sthula, Sukshma, and Karana.
  3. Worshippers of the Goddess (Devi) wear a large red dot of kumkum (vermillion or red turmeric) on the forehead.

Moli / Kalawa (कलावा,
:
This is sacred thread which binds one person to another symbolizing protection provided by one who binds it to another.

Kalash ( कलश
):
A vessel filled with water, five green leaves placed on it and a coconut put on the leaves. The Kalash is believed to contain amrita, the elixir of life, and thus is viewed as a symbol of abundance, wisdom, and immortality. Metal pot or Kalasha represents material things: a container of fertility - the earth and the womb, which nurtures and nourishes life. The mango leaves associated with Kama, the god of love, symbolize the pleasure aspect of fertility. The coconut, a cash crop, represents prosperity and power. The water in the pot represents the life-giving ability of Nature.

Yantra (यंत्र, ):

The Sri Yantra or Sri Chakra consists of nine interlocking triangles that radiate from a central point. Of the nine, the four upright triangles represent the masculine side or Shiva; while the five inverted triangles represent the feminine, or the Shakti (Divine Mother). As a whole, the Sri Yantra is used to symbolize the bond or unity of both the masculine and the feminine divinity. It can also mean the unity and bond of everything in the cosmos.
  
Shankh (Counchshell, ):
Shakh or sea shell is used as trumpet in Hindu rituals. Shankh is believed to be a giver of fame, longevity and prosperity, the cleanser of sin and the abode of Lakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu.
Diya or lighting lamp (दिया :

This symbolizes one of the five panchbhoth (earth, fire, water, space and air) and treated as sacred.
 
Shri or Shree (श्री):
Shri refer to goddess Lakshmi.

 
Saffron Flag:
Dhvaja, or 'flag,' is a symbol of victory, signal to all that "Sanatana Dharma shall prevail." Its color betokens the sun's life-giving glow.

 
Hands in prayer:
It is a sign of respect for the sacred, that which is dear to the heart.

 
Lotus (padma):
It is a symbol of purity/transcendence. Growing out of the mud, it is beautiful, and though resting on water, it does not touch it.

 
Trident (trishul):
It is the symbol of Shiva carried by shaivites.

 
Cow:
It is a symbol of purity, motherhood and 
ahimsa (non-violence).
  
Lotus feet (of guru or deity):
It is touching the feet of superiors’ shows an attitude of submission and service.

 
Reference:
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_iconography
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
  3. http://www.ancient-symbols.com/hindu-symbols.html

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SANSKARS (THE VEDIC RITUALS AT EACH LIFE STAGES)

10/7/2017

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Meaning of ‘sanskars’

The Vedic rituals performed since concept ion till death is called as Sanskars. The word ‘sanskar’ means to improve, to purify, and to remove shortcomings. 16 sanskars are performed.

Significance of Sanskars [1]

As per Vedic belief, there are 3 bodies viz. Physical body (which is cremated or buried after death), Psychic or subtle body (which is physical enough to interact with the physical body and non-physical enough to interact with the soul) and Causal body (which carries the seeds of Sanskars upon death when it goes with the soul).
The sanskars are offered to god to develop divine consciousness in the individual which help him to lead better life and to orient his sub-conscious mind for moksha. All sanskars are done through vedic mantras.

Description of Sanskars [2][3]

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