Rituals in Hinduism

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.