Contents. Mandir Rituals

Transcription

1 Acknowledgements xxi Foreword xxvii Introduction xxx Part 1 Mandir Rituals Chapter Introduction Mandir (Worship shrine) Mandir... 3 What purpose does a mandir serve?... 3 What is the need for building large mandirs?... 4 Pramukh Swami Maharaj on purpose of mandirs... 5 Mandir A Living Form of the Divine... 6 Mandir Metaphysics & Subtle Concepts... 8 Unique features of a Swaminarayan Mandir... 8 FAQs Why should we wash our hands after removing shoes outside a mandir, home shrine or touching our feet? Why do people ring a bell on entering a mandir? How to offer reverence to deities Why do devotees take care not to turn their backs to deities on exiting a mandir? Why do some people hold their ears in front of the deity? What is the significance of singing prabhãtiyã? Why do people clap while singing bhajans and dhun?12 Why do some devotees touch a mandir s steps while climbing and then touch their heads? Prãna Pratishthã (Image consecration) Murti purification Prãna pratishthã rites Shãligrãm and Shivlings Mysterious energy infused in objects viii

2 3. Murti Pujã (Image worship) Murti Pujã Evidence of the Divine s manifestation in murtis Bhagwan s murti pujã Pujã (Worship ritual) Pujã Bhagwan s pujã Why is there a need for a murti? Guru s murti pujã Need for a guru Pujã ritual Shodshopchãr pujã Why are incense sticks burnt during pujã rituals? Pujã dravyas Types of offerings (naivedya) Pujã on other occasions Mahãpuja (Grand worship ritual) History of Mahãpuja Glory of Mahãpuja Legacy Mahãpuja rituals Ãrti (Waving lighted wicks) Ãrti ritual & sentiments Bell, drum and conch shell sounded during ãrti Water from a conch-shell sprinkled around the ãrti.. 45 Money in the ãrti when taking ãskã The prescribed manner for performing ãrti Ãrti in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Prasãdam (Sanctified offerings) Factors influencing the types of prasãdam Types of prasãdam in Hindu tirths Shaiva shrines Vaishnav shrines Prasãdam in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Traditional prasãdam during utsavs in BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs Prasãdam in the major shrines of India (in pictures).. 54 ix

3 Hindu Rites & Rituals 8. Abhishek (Bathing murtis) Neelkanth Varni Abhishek Abhishek during murti prãna pratishthã Anantakalashasnapanam in Bochasan Pãtotsav (Murti consecration anniversary utsav) Satsang sabhã (Congregational spiritual gathering).. 71 Glory of satsang Importance of the satsang sabhã Contribution of the satsang sabhã to society Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit successors on satsang Pãrãyan (Extended spiritual discourse) Origin Pãrãyan traditions Pãrãyans in northern India Pãrãyan in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Part 2 Bhakti Rituals Introduction Navdhã Bhakti (Nine forms of devotion) (1) Shravanam (2) Kirtanam (3) Smaranam (4) Pãdsevanam Sevã performed in mandirs (in pictures) (5) Archanam (6) Vandanam (7) Dãsyam (8) Sakhyam (9) Ãtmanivedanam Four other important forms of bhakti Navdhã bhakti and instant spiritual strength Utsavs (Festivals) Celebrating utsavs Utsavs in the Swaminarayan sampradãy The Hindu Calendar and Seasons Major Calendrical Utsav Rituals (in pictures) x

4 14. Mahã Kumbh Melã (Grand pitcher gathering) Origin Glory Ardh Kumbh melã Yagna (Ritual of the sacred fire) Yagna meaning & sentiments Yagna ritual Types of yagnas and their meanings Foremost sentiment of yagna Bhagwan Swaminarayan and yagnas Yagnas in the BAPS Swaminarayan sampradãy Dãn (Donation) Glory in the shãstras Purpose of dãn Types of dãn Donor s sentiments To whom should one donate? Spiritual injunctions Foremost sentiment Maanta (Personal pledges) Maanta Forms of maanta Types of problems Maanta in BAPS Swaminarayan sanstha Tirth Yãtrã (Pilgrimage) Purpose of tirth yãtrã Origin of tirths Types of tirths Preparations for yãtrã Tirths of Sanãtan Dharma Rituals at the tirth Ultimate tirth yãtrã Padyãtrã to Ambãji Yãtrã to Sabarimala Swaminarayan sampradãy s tirths in Gujarat (map)..159 Passion for yãtrã on a scooter Grahan (Eclipse) Origin xi

5 Hindu Rites & Rituals Dãn (donation) Shrãddh (homage ritual for ancestors) Punya (merit) Solar eclipse celebrated in Kurukshetra Lunar eclipse celebrated in Kãshi Effects Janmangal Nãmãvali Paath (chanting 108 divine names of Bhagwan Swaminarayan Part 3 Home Rituals Introduction Shilãnyãs (foundation-stone laying ritual) Mãrjanam Khãta Devatã pujan Shilãnyãs ritual sequence (in pictures) Vãstu Pujã (Home inauguration) Origin of Vãstu Vãstu pujã ritual Sankalp Dhruva pujã Gruha pravesh (entering the house) Ghar Mandir (Home shrine) Ghar mandir Functions of a ghar mandir Choosing a location for the ghar mandir Maintaining purity of the ghar mandir Murtis in the ghar mandir Murtis in BAPS ghar mandir Pramukh Swami Maharaj on the ghar mandir FAQs 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? In which direction should a ghar mandir be located in a new house? What should a family do if it is unable to afford a ghar mandir? xii

6 24. Ghar Satsang Sabhã (Family spiritual discourse) Ghar satsang sabhã Holding a ghar sabhã Benefits of ghar sabhã Case Stories Pramukh Swami Maharaj on ghar sabhã Padharãmani (Home visits by sadhus) Bhakti rituals during padharãmani (in pictures) Bãl Samskãras (Child nurture) Example better than advice Importance of vernacular Pramukh Swami Maharaj on bãl samskãras Part 4 Personal Rituals Introduction Ashtãng Yog (1) Yam (self-restraint) (2) Niyam (external and internal purity) (3) Ãsana (postures) (4) Prãnãyãma (control of prãna with breath) (5) Pratyãhãr (withdrawal of senses from their objects) (6) Dhãranã (concentration) (7) Dhyãna (meditation) (8) Samãdhi (transcendental realisation) Nitya Pujã (Daily worship) Nitya pujã Nitya pujã performed in the morning Personal nitya pujã Murtis in nitya pujã Sequence of nitya pujã What should one do during meditation? Arrangement of murtis Nitya pujã in light of Bhagwan Swaminarayan s teachings Personal nitya pujã and pujã of the ghar mandir Nitya pujã in illness and old age xiii

7 Hindu Rites & Rituals Maintaining purity of the pujã Daily deed after nitya pujã The benefits of nitya pujã Nitya pujã varied facets and sentiments Why should one face north or east during pujã? Tilak-chãndlo Origin of tilak-chãndlo in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Benefits of tilak-chãndlo What is mãnsi pujã? Benefits of mãnsi pujã Mantra Mãlã Why do some people wear the mãlã around the neck? Pradakshinã (circumambulation) Pranãm Prãrthnã Pramukh Swami Maharaj on nitya pujã Reading Shikshãpatri FAQs If feelings are more important than the actual rituals themselves, then what is the need for performing such rituals? Why is a morning bath preferable rather than one in the evening? Why should one wear a garment while bathing? What should one chant while bathing? Why is it important to wear a dhoti during pujã? (for males) Why is it preferable to use divã rather than candles during pujã rituals? What is the first prayer after awakening? Is there a prescribed manner of offering flowers to a deity? How should one place or face flowers and leaves in front of the deities? Rituals, flowers and leaves offerable to deities Why is the lotus sacred? What is the importance of a shankh (conch shell)? What are shãligrãms and why are they sacred? xiv

8 Unlike the usual murtis of Bhagwan, why are Shivlings and Shãligrãms without arms or legs? Why is sindur and oil offered to Hanumanji? Kanthi (Beads worn around neck) Kanthi Types of wood for kanthi Kanthi of two strings in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Vartmãn (dikshã) ritual Receiving vartmãn Wearing a kanthi in the absence of the Param Ekãntik Satpurush Kanthi in other sampradãys Sixteen Samskãras [Rites of passage (sacraments)]..279 Meaning of samskãras Purpose of samskãras Bhagwan Swaminarayan and samskãras Pre-natal samskãras (1) Garbhãdhãn (conception) (2) Pumsavan (engendering a male issue) (3) Simantonnayan (ritual during first pregnancy) Childhood samskãras (4) Jãtakarma (birth rituals) (5) Nãmkaran (name-giving) (6) Nishkraman (first outing) (7) Annaprãshan (first feeding) (8) Chudãkarma (chaul) (first shaving of head) (9) Karnavedh (piercing earlobes) Educational samskãras (10) Vidyãrambh (learning the alphabet) (11) Upanayan (yagnopavit) (sacred thread initiation) 288 (12) Vedãrambh (beginning Vedic study) (13) Keshãnt (godãn) (shaving the beard) (14) Samãvartan (end of studentship) Vivãh samskãras (15) Vivãh (marriage) Concept of ãtmã in marital discord A married woman s 16 shangãr (ornamentation) Vivãh rituals Vãg Dãn (betrothal) Lagna patrikã (marriage invitation) xv

9 Hindu Rites & Rituals Kankotri (kumkum patrikã) invitation Mandap muhurt Ganesh mãtli Gotraj pujan Mindhal bandhan Grah shãnti Pithi vãno (hãridrãlepan) Sãnji/Prabhãtiyã Ukardi (besãdvi/uthãdavi) Jãn prasthãn Jãn swãgat Sãmaiyun Ponkhanu Mahyãru Madhu parka Nyãs Antarpat Pãni grahan (hastamelãp) Agni parikramã (circumambulating the sacred fire).309 Saptapadi (seven steps) Kansãr Saubhãgyavati Dhruva pujã Mãh mãtlu, Kanyã vidãy Ponkhanu Kumkum paglã Untying the chheda-chhedi knot Mrityu samskãras (16) Antyeshti samskãras (death rites) Agni samskãra BAPS sadhus performing antyeshti rites of a devotee (in pictures) Antyeshti rites in sacred places (in pictures) In calamities Asthi sanchãyan Sutak Sajjã (shayyã) Antyeshti samskãras of ascetics Conclusion Shrãddh (Offerings to ancestors) Shrãddh Types of shrãddh Offerings and rituals xvi

10 Sacred places for shrãddh FAQ Why should shrãddh be performed? Vrat - Upavãs (Vows and fasts) Seasons Stellar events Avatars & Deities Origin of Ekãdashi Glory of Ekãdashi Ekãdashi rituals in Vaishnav tirths Ekãdashi rituals in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Effects of fasting Vrat-Upavãs in BAPS Swaminarayan sanstha Importance of fasting Breaking a fast (pãrnã) Upavãs in vrats, utsavs and prãyaschitta Jãgran enjoined during vrats Maun vrat (vow of silence) Ãhãr Shuddhi (Diet purity) Ideals of diet purity in the Upanishads Ahimsã (non-injury) Pãp karma (sin) Tãmasic foods Rãjasic foods Sãttvic foods Four types of doshas (impurities) Diet purity in the kitchen Diet purity in the home shrine Personal diet purity Diet purity relative to time and seasons Conclusion FAQs How should a Hindu observe vegetarianism? Why do some people join their palms in pranãms or press their palms on their chest before and after having a meal? Why should we not eat or drink anything which has been eaten or drunk (±ıóã< / ÈΔUÊ) by somebody else? xvii

11 Hindu Rites & Rituals Part 5 Ritual Symbols Introduction OM Origin of OM Swastik Swastik s cosmic origin Swastik in rituals Swastik in other cultures Charanãrvind (Lotus-feet of Paramatma) auspicious symbols on Bhagwan s lotus-feet auspicious symbols on Bhagwan Swaminarayan s lotus-feet Why are Bhagwan s charanãrvind venerated so highly? Purna Kumbha (Pitcher) Kalash (Sacred pot) Deep (Lighted wick) Tilak (Sacred mark) Tilaks in various sampradãys Tilak in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Importance of tilak Scientific reason for tilak on forehead Materials for tilak Cultural traditions Effects of tilak Types of tilaks (74 of 255) Miscellaneous Symbols Chakra Gadã Yantra Shri Yantra Shri Shri Savã Shubh Lãbh Trishul xviii

12 Five dots Afterword Appendices Introduction Miscellaneous FAQs What are the fundamental principles of Sanãtan Dharma? How should one do darshan of deities in a mandir? Ten practical tips for better darshan Why is Ganesh offered pujan first in any Hindu ritual and venture? Why is durvã offered to Ganeshji? Why are tulsi, bili (bael) and ãkado offered to Vishnu, Shivji and Hanumanji, respectively? Why is the tulsi sacred? Why is the peepal tree sacred? Why is the shami tree sacred? What is the importance of rudrãksh? Why do Hindus offer coconuts in rituals? Why is the sopãri used in rituals? Why is the cow offered pujan? What is the significance of sadhus and samnyãsis begging alms for bhikshã? Why do sadhus wear saffron robes? Why do we touch the feet of sadhus? How should a student respect his teachers? What is the purpose of a shikhã (choti)? Why do we do namaskãr instead of shaking hands when we meet somebody? Why should we not let our feet touch books? Why don t we blow out candles and cut cakes during birthdays? What is bhog / thãl? xix

13 Hindu Rites & Rituals Instead of cutting a red ribbon, how should Hindus inaugurate a dwelling? Table of sacred plants and trees and their use in rituals Daily rituals of BAPS Swaminarayan followers The sadhu tradition in the Swaminarayan sampradãy Vegetarian delights for students Minimum utensils Spices Ten golden culinary tips Simplified five-step vaghãr Swaminarayan Khichdi Vegetable pulão Vegetable shãk (sabji) Spiced pongal Vegetable paunwã Veg. delights for students (table) Mixed veg. soup Rãb Potato bhajiyã Kadhi (buttermilk curry) Vadã of potato and paunwã Farãri foods (in pictures) Nine reasons why Gujarati food is awesome, by Sanjeev Kapoor Glossary Bibliography Index xx