Another important Samskara is; Upanayana which means initiation ritual is done to introduce the Vedas to the male child is the next.The sacred Upnayana ceremony that invests the wearer with the sacred Yajñopavītam is often considered a socially and spiritually significant rite It has varying formats across Hindu-Buddhist communities and performed on an auspicious day. * Yajñopavītam is known by many names (varying by region and community), such as Bratabandha, Janivaara, Jandhyam, Poita, Poonal, Janeu, Lagun, Yajnopavita,Yagyopavit, Yonya and Zunnar. The other Sanskrit term for it is Avyanga. The Upanayana is called by variying names such as, Upanayanam, Brahmopadesham, Munji, Munj, Janeu Rasm and Bratabandha. Among Hindus, the ceremony was once associated with the higher castes. Upanayana (lit. "leading closer" to the Brahma) is a version of the sacred thread ceremony where the concept of Brahman is introduced to a boy. Traditionally, the ceremony was perform
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The Hindu marriage ceremony is the thirteenth among the sixteen samskaras that the Hindu observes in his lifetime. It is also the beginning of the Grahastha Ashrama stage of a Hindu, which is the householder phase whose main duties include raising a family and working for the betterment of society. According to Vedic tradition, marriage is meant to "unite two individuals firmly together so that, although they retain their separate bodies, they become one in spirit." Thus, Hindus view marriage as a "sacrament" and not a contract. Since such importance is placed on marriage, it is conducted in accordance with the rites prescribed in the ancient scriptures, the Vedas. Most Hindu marriage ceremonies last for several hours and involve a priest who recites the rites in Sanskrit and makes fire offerings. The God of Fire (Agni) serves as the holy witness of the marriage and there is a small fire present in front of the bride and groom where offerings are made to ensu
Cow is a sacred animal for Hindus. Cows are depicted in form of Kamadhenu (Holy Cow). The Hindus believe that cows are the only living form which become home for divine spirits (devas). They believe Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva live on earth inside cow. IT IS CONSIDERED A GREAT SIN TO KILL COWS. Many argue they just eat them not kill them. But they forget beef is obtained from the act of slaughtering a cow. Hindus consider those kill cow are Devils. Devils love cow parts especially liver. Those kill cow will get Pitru Dosha and will suffer in hot water pot in hell for centuries. According to Indologist Madeleine Biardeau, Kamadhenu or Kamaduh is the generic name of the sacred cow, who is regarded as the source of all prosperity in Hinduism. Kamadhenu is regarded as a form of Devi (the Hindu Divine Mother and is closely related to the fertile Mother Earth (Prithvi), who is often described as a cow in Sanskrit. The sacred cow denotes "purity and non-erotic fertility, ... sacrifici
Hello my fellow readers, i wanted to share something i came across while watching Ramayan aired on Zee tv. In the episode where Raavan comes to take captive of Sita i learned something and i thought that i should share it with you guys. i m sure that most of you are familiar with Ramayan. There is a part in the Ramayan where while on their 14 years of exile in the forest one fine day Sita sees a golden deer and asks Raama to catch it for her. Despite Lakshman's warning that it could be the shape shifting demon, Marich Raam still goes in the forest to hunt down the deer. As suspected when Raam shoots the deer with hi arrow the deer changes into the demon Marich and calls out to Lakshman and Sita for help disguising as Raam. A worried Sita compels Lakshman to go in search of her husband Raam. Before leaving, Lakshman draws a circle around their hut and requests Sita to not step out of the line no matter what happens until he is back with his brother. As Lakshaman leaves Raavan, the
Significance of Metti (toe ring) in Hinduism Wearing of TOE RINGS is highly practiced in India. It is worn as a symbol of married state by Hindu women and is called Bichiya (pronounced: bee-chee-ya) in Hindi, Mettelu in Telugu, Metti in Tamil & Kalungura in Kannada. Toe rings (also known as bichwa) are a must for married Hindu woman. Tradition of wearing toe rings carries tremendous social significance for married women in India.Both Hindu's and Muslim Women wear these Toe rings, as a symbol of Married state. They are usually made of silver and worn in pairs on the second toe of both feet.Why they use only Silver and Why Not gold? 'Bichiyas' may not be made of gold, as gold holds a 'respected' status and may not be worn below the waist. Indians especially Hindus believe that gold is the metal of the God Lakshmi Devi, The Goddess of Wealth, and therefore they consider it inappropriate to wear gold below the waist. In the olden days both married women and
The reason the bride bows down while accepting the thaali is to tell her husband "I'll bow my head head but I'll make sure that you will be able to walk with your head held up high!" When a girl bows down it doesn't mean that the groom is superior to her! It simply signifies the respect she has for him.
Etymology of Pradosha - Pradosha is the son of Kalpa and Dosha. He had two brothers namely Nishita and Vyustha. The three names mean beginning, middle and end of night. The day from new moon day to full moon day is called "Sukla Paksha" and days from every full moon day to new moon day are called "Krishna Paksha". During every month and during every Paksha, the point of time when Triyodashi (13th day of the fortnight) meets the end of Dwadasi (12th day of fortnight) is called Pradosha. During Pradosha, Nandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) in all the Shiva temples in South India is worshipped. The festival idol of Shiva with Parvathi in a seated pose on Nandi is taken as a procession in the temple complex. The Story of Pradosham Once upon a time the angels ( Indra and his subordinates) were cursed that their colour would change and they would become demons. therefore they ran to seek refuge from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu asked them to churn the milk ocean
The Meaning of Namaste: Namaste is derived from Sanskrit and is a combination of two words, "Namaḥ" and "te. " Namaḥ" means 'bow,' 'obeisance,' 'reverential salutation' or 'adoration ' and te means 'to you' (dative case of 'you') . Therefore the words namah + te = namaste literally means “I bow to you” - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. The word ‘namaha’ can also be literally interpreted as "na ma" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of another. The meaning of Vnakkam The real meeting between 2 people is the meeting of their mind. When we greet another, we do so with Vanankkam, which means "may our minds meet", indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship, love and humility. Why Namaste: Namaste could be
Why aren't we allowed to sweep and mop the house or even shower immediately after someone steps out of the house? the reason being is that people normally sweep and mop the house and immediately take a shower when there's a funeral in the house and when the deceased is take to the graveyard to be cremated or buried. so when u sweep/mop the house or even take a shower right after someone steps out it signifies a funeral. that is why it is best to avoid sweeping and mopping the house or taking a shower right after someone steps out of the house.
I am sure all of us would have got a good scolding from our parents or elders' at home if we ever sat on pillows.. when asked Why, they'll often say "You'll get a boil on your butt!" The actual reason behind it is, sitting on pillows especially those we put under our head wen we sleep it is believed that your debts will increase. If you look at it scientifically and logically the rear part of our body is considered unhygienic so imagine the amount of germs that will be on your pillow wen you sit on it.
Leaving the hair loose It is believed that when you leave your hair loose when going to temples and while attending poojas it is said to resemble bad omens.. we often see people with lose hair only in funeral houses.. Moreover, it is advisable to avoid leaving the hair untied after sunset as it is said to attract negative vibrations (ghosts or in Tamil kaathu chettai) and drive away Goddess Lakshmi. Women in the Hindu households are depicted as Goddess Lakshmi therefore they are always expected to dress neatly especially in the mornings and evenings. If u don't wish to braid your hair then a lose ponytail also works as long as you do not leave it loose.. Copyright © 2014 Hinduism- The Way of Life - All rights are reserved
Bindi (Pottu) Bindi (in Hindi from the Sanskrit word "bindu", meaning "a drop, small particle, dot"), or a pottu/bottu (in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam) is a forehead decoration worn in South Asia. Traditionally it is a bright dot of red color applied in the center of the forehead close to the eyebrows. It comes in many sizes and shapes (round dot, graceful frozen flame & other exotic forms). The very positioning of the pottu is significant; the area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the 6th chakra, Ajna, the seat of "concealed wisdom" . According to followers of Hinduism, this chakra is the exit point for Kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It is also said to protect against demons or bad luck. It is also believed that when someone jealous of you casts an evil eye on you, the bindi/pottu works as a repellent. The bindi also represents the third eye. Traditionall
Blowing Out Lamps With Our Breath Have you ever wondered why aren't we supposed to blow candles with our breath? I know our grandparents would have given us some preposterous reasons like it’ll shorten your life and all kinds of ridiculous reasons. Well the real reason behind why we should not blow candles or lamps with our breath is because it will be impolite. The flame is Agni , the fire God, and to blow in his face is impolite! To the Western mind this may seem difficult to understand, but there is great power in personification. Personification gives one the ability to communicate with the God and therefore perhaps control or at least get favors from the Deity. Personification is the basis of pooja. This is the simple reason why we should not blow candles and lamps with our breath. We can’t really blame our elders as no one took the time to explain to them and most of them were brought up with fear instilled in them. Hope my explanation gives you all satisfact
Touching elders’ feet is the first lesson in manners and etiquette that all Indian children are taught. So, generally, one is supposed to touch the feet of a person if he/she happens to be an elder member of the family or a respected spiritual person. In Indian culture, there are specific occasions when a person is expected to touch his / her elders’ feet. These occasions include before one is departing for or arriving back from a journey, weddings, religious and festive occasions, etc. In earlier times, it was a like a custom in India for youngsters to touch their parents’ feet first thing in the morning and before going to bed. Though there are many who still follow this rule, the truth is that the tradition is now slowly waning away with time. When an elder person’s feet are being touched, he /she, in turn, is supposed to touch the head of the person doing the act and bless him /her for long life, fortune and prosperity. Interestingly, the act of touching feet gets somewhat
Aum is the PRANAVA (root) mantra. In the beginning was with the sacred sound Aum. Aum was with God and Aum was God. Through the sacred sound of Aum all things were made; without the sacred sound nothing has been made that was made. Aum is the primordial sound and it always exists in the entire cosmos. It is said that when this 'brahmand' or universe was first conceived and created, a sound was heard --- AUM. The sound of Aum generated and created the entire universe and everything in it.
Akshaya Tritiya Monday was akshaya tritiya and many of us went jewellery shopping but how many of us really know the meaning and significance of akshaya tritiya???? after some research here’s what I've gathered…. The meaning of Akshaya is (A + Kshaya), which means never ending or infinite. If a Akshaya Tiritya comes along with Rohini Nakshatra and Wednesday it is considered to be highly auspicious. It is believed that whatever Jap, Tap, Daan etc done on this day would return infinte or Akshaya Punya. It is believed that if Gold is bought on this day would never end and will keep growing keeping the house with wealth and prosperity. Hence lot of people throng jeweler shops to purchase Gold.It is believed that Treta Yuga started on Akshaya Tritiya day. It is believed that any work started on this day would be successful. Shloka extolling the greatness of Akshaya tritIya Yah Pashyati TRutIyAyAm KrishNam ChandanbhUshitam | VaishAkhasya Site PakshE Sa Yatyachyut