Hinduism For All - Some regulations to be observed

Hinduism For All

Some regulations to be observed

One should not blow the fire (lamp, camphor etc) with one’s mouth.

Agni is a deity, thus while blowing into it, one’s saliva may defile the sanctity.

One should not perform any form of worship wearing wet clothes.

Only obsequious rite i.e. rite for the manes are to be performed in wet clothes, thus auspicious work should not be done in wet clothes.

Lamp should have three strands of wicks weaved together and two such wicks should be lit.

The three strands, stand for the unity of Icchaa (motive), Jnyaana (knowledge) and Kriyaa (acumen) in accomplishing things in unison.

Single wick lamp is used only during inauspicious occasions.

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Do not go to temple improperly dressed (revealing dress).

Namaskaara (Prostration) should be done in the temple only near flag – post.

The significance is that by sacrificing our ego on the Bali Peetha we offer our complete self to the Lord. It would be improper to obstruct in between the Lord and His vaahana (Nandi etc.) as the vaahana would be ever in contemplation of the Lord and our act may cause hindrance to Him.

No unwanted gossip should be entertained in a temple.

The time to sit in the temple is to contemplate on the glory of the Lord and any other conversation would be improper there. It is shunned by the Shaastras as Asambaddha Pralaapa. It may also distract the other devotees.

One should have the Pooja room is such a manner that the Lord faces the East.

East is guided by Indra, the Lord of the devas. The Lord had offered His boon that He would be ever in support for the Devataas and thus offers His protective glance on Indra. Moreover East is considered Divine direction due to abundance of light. A pooja facing East would therefore be always be well lit by natural light.

One should offer the food to the Lord as Naivedya before consuming

The cooked food is affected by the subtle mental vibrations of the cook, which is proven even according to Noetic Science. Hence when such a food is directly partaken, it may affect the consumer too. The food offered to the Lord is purified by His divine glance and thus becomes fit to be eaten. It is one reason why outside food is condemnable.

One should not eat the forbidden food.

In Geeta, Krishna says that since the quality of food affects the character of the consumer, a spiritual aspirant should always consume Saattvik food and avoid Rajasik and Taamasik food as far as possible.

One should avoid, having haircuts on Tuesdays and Fridays.

One should abide by the Dharma pertaining to ones varna without any compromise.

For instance, Sandhyaavandana is a duty of a Braahmana. He cannot compromise on the excuse that he is going to temple or singing Bhajan etc. and thus be exempted. The Varnaashrama dharma is ordained by Vedas, the command of the Lord. If there are two servants, one who keeps praising his master without abiding by his orders and the other who sincerely completes the mission ordained by the master, the master will be pleased only with the latter servant. Similarly the Lord will be pleased only with those who follow the dharma ordained and demonstrated by Him, the point which He has stated in Bhagavat Geeta - Shruti Smriti Mamaiva Aajnya i.e. Vedas & Smritis are verily my own commands.

One should not pluck flowers or leaves without asking for the permission from the PLANT.

However divine may be the purpose, flowers and leaves are integral parts of the plants. By plucking them, the plants are hurt. Thus by mentally or orally asking their permission, a devoted person tries to understand the presence of divine life in all. Mantras such as –

maa nu shokam, kurushva tvam

sthanatyaagam cha maa kuru |

devataapoojanaarthaaya

praarthayaami vanaspate ||

are addressed to the plants before plucking flowers or leaves. One should also not pluck flowers or leaves after sunset.

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Significance of putting Rangoli in front of the houses

Another custom followed is drawing geometrical designs in one’s courtyard using rice-flour. This pattern is called rangavalli (rangoli or kolam). This serves a dual purpose i.e. beautifying the courtyard and to serve as a food for ants and other insects so as to keep them outside the house. This too reflects the magnanimous outlook of the Hindu mind.

Some flowers and leaves to propriate deities

In the worship of Lord, flowers are offered as a mark of honour. These flowers symbolically stand for their fragrant substances too. Certain deities are worshipped with certain flowers to attain instant gratification of wishes. The greatness and legend behind it is described in various Puraanas.

Vishnu : Tulsi Leaf, Lotus Flower

Shiva : Bilva Leaf, Tumba Flower

Shakti : Hibiscus Flower & Lotus

Ganesha : ‘Red’ flowers such as Hibiscus and ‘Durva’ Grass.

When these flowers are used along with the other paraphernelia of worship, the deity is believed to be immensely pleased.

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This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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