Hindu Rites & Rituals

WHY DO WE CLAP OUR HANDS WHILE SINGING BHAJANS AND DHUN?

Clapping induces a strong physical response in a person. Acupressure points in the palms are stimulated, which in turn activate all other organs of the body. Its most important physical effect is to increase circulation and rate of respiration.

WHY DO PEOPLE RING THE BELL WHILE ENTERING THE MANDIR?

The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. It produces the sound Om, the universal name of the Lord.

WHY IS THE NEED OF A MURTI?

A Murti (image) kindles virtues such as faith, respect and goal direction in a person. E.g. in the Mahabharat, Eklavya became a skilled archer, just guided and inspired by a Murti of his Guru Dronacharya.

WHY DO DEVOTEES TOUCH THE STEPS OF A MANDIR WHILE CLIMBING ITS STEP

The steps of the Mandir are used daily by hundreds of Bhaktas. The Shastras admire the great glory of these Bhaktas. Therefore, the steps are hallowed by the glory of the feet of the Bhaktas. So when a person touches the steps, he is actually hallowing or sanctifying himself with the holy dust particles of Bhaktas’ feet, on his head; to confer purity and humility in his buddhi (intellect).

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF A SHANKH (CONCH SHELL)?

When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of AUM emanates. AUM is an auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the world and the Truth behind it. Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.

WHAT IS THE FIRST PRAYER AFTER AWAKENING?

One of the Santan Dharma’s lofty belief is to regards the earth (pruthvi) as mata (mother). Therefore stepping on the floor means stepping on her. Therefore one should utter the following shloka beseeching forgiveness:

Samudravasane devi parvastanamandale

Vishnupatni namastubhyam paadparsham kshamasva me.

WHY IS THE LOTUS SACRED?

The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty (satyam, shivam, sundaram).

The lotus grows even in slushy areas. It remains beautiful and untainted despite its surroundings, reminding us that we too can and should strive to remain pure and beautiful within, under all circumstances.

The lotus leaf never gets wet even though it is always in water. It symbolizes the man of wisdom (gyaani) who remains ever joyous, unaffected by the world of sorrow and change.

WHY ARE INCENSE STICKS BURNT IN PUJA RITUALS?

Dhoop is one of the sixteen ways of offering worship to a deity, known as shodshopchar puja. These substances possess certain properties which purify the air and induce good or positive vibrations in the brain. This helps a person to concentrate more easily during meditation or a puja ritual.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE DO PRANAM AFTER HAVING A MEAL?

This is an act of reverence to Annadevataa, as well as a form of showing gratitude to Paramatama for providing a square meal.

WHY SHOULD ONE NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING WHICH HAS BEEN EATEN OR DRUNK BY SOMEBODY ELSE?

When one eats or drinks, one is ideally offering this to the Paramatma within. Therefore, when we eat or drink something already eaten by some one else we are essentially offering Jutha food the Parmatama residing within us.

WHY IS THE ASH OF BURNT INCENSE (AGARBATTI) IN GHAR MANDIRS, USUALLY SPRINKLED IN A RIVER OR WATER BODY, RATHER THAN DISPOSING IT WITH GARBAGE?

Not only ash, but also any other used offerings such as flower garlands, torn or broken images and used clay Murtis are not meant to be disposed with other garbage. This is to prevent them from being defiled in a garbage heap by the feet, saliva or excretions of man, bird or animal. While in water, which is regarded as holy, ash settles down, while flowers, paper and clay images of Ganeshji or Saraswati are bio-degradable and will eventually dissolve into the purity of the water.

WHY IS GANESH OFFERED PUJAN FIRST IN ANY HINDU RITUAL AND VENTURE?

Ganeshji is the deity of Maangalya – auspiciousness; he is invoked for the success of all ventures and projects. He is Vignahartaa – remover of potential obstacles.

WHY DO WE OFFER COCONUTS IN RITUALS?

It’s most important virtue is that the coconut tree takes in salty water and gives sweet and nutritious water through the fruit. Similarly, man is inspired to mould himself by eradicating his ‘saltish’ swabhaavs and to become sweet within.

WHY IS THE COW OFFERED PUJAN?

It is offered pujan because it is regarded sacred as proclaimed in the Shaashtras; it’s most important contribution is to the agricultural-based life. Its five products – Panchagavya – namely, milk, yoghurt, ghee, urine and dung are all useful in daily life.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HOLD THEIR EARS INFRONT OF THE DEITY?

This gesture, with hands crossed, is often observed among Hindus doing darshan. Through this, Bhaktas conveys 3 sentiments:

Surrenderance to Bhagwan Admission of any misdeeds Forgiveness

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE WEAR THE MALA AROUND THE NECK?

There are health benefits of the mala according to the Ayurvedic Shaastras; if the beeds are made from Tulsi, sandalwood or Rudraksh, they can radiate their medicinal properties in the neck region to prevent or treat thyroid disorders. The Rudraksh mala is also famed for its healing effects on heart diseases.

WHY IS A MORNING BATH PREFERABLE RATHER THAN IN THE EVENING?

All staunch Hindus bath in the morning. This is to secure invisible spiritual merit. This is because; at night sleep renders impurity to the mind and body complex. In the body this is in the form of discharges from the nine orifices and other waste dumped in the blood and the organs. The mind is polluted by bad dreams and karmas resulting from rajo guna. Only a total immersion of the body with water in the morning cleanses the body and purifies the mind. Without a bath purity of thoughts is not possible.

WHY DO WE DO NAMASTE?

When we say Namaste, the two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows. Its spiritual meaning is that the life force, the divinity, the self or the lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we salute with head bowed to the divinity in the person we meet. That is why sometimes, we close our eyes as we do namaste to a revered person or the lord – as if to look within.

WHY DO WE LIGHT A DIYA?

In almost every Hindu home a Diya is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. All auspicious functions commence with the lighting of the lamp. Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.

WHY DO WE DO TILAK ON THE FOREHEAD?

The Tilak cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna Chakra. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and causes a headache. The Tilak cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss.

WHY DO WE FAST?

Fasting in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means "near" + vaasa means "to stay". Upavaasa therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental proximity with the Lord.

Every system needs a break; rest and a change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestive system and the entire body.

WHY DO WE DO PRADAKSHINA (CIRCUMAMBULATE)?

We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center, source and essence of our lives. Recognizing Him as the focal point in our lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the significance of Pradakshina.

Also, every point on the circumference of a circle is equidistant from the center. This means that wherever or whoever we may be, we are equally close to the Lord. His grace flows towards us without partiality.