HinduismToday

Frequently Asked Questions about Hinduism

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1). Where does the word “Hindu” come from?

Hindu is a name given to people living east of the river Indus in India.
Thus “Hinduism” became the term used to describe the religion practiced
by these people. Those who practice Hinduism usually refer to the religion as “sanatana dharma” (eternal truth).

2).Who is the founder of Hinduism?

There is no single founder of Hinduism in the way that Jews can trace the beginnings of their religion to Abraham and Muslims can trace the historical beginnings of Islam to Mohammed.

3). What country has the most followers?

India has the most followers, with an estimated 700 million Hindus out of the total population of 1 billion.Nepal, although having a population of only 25 million, is the only official Hindu state in the world. Approximately 13 per cent of the world’s population is Hindu.

4).What is the holy text of Hinduism?

The basic texts are collectively known as the Vedas and were compiled in Sanskrit. They are:

Rig Veda—hymns and chants of praise
Yajur Veda—liturgical prose
Sam Veda—readings for chanting
Atharva Veda—chants and songs for correct living

Hindus believe that the Vedas have no authorship and have been eternally existent. Hence they are called apaurusheya—not authored or made by anyone. The Vedas do not owe their authority to anybody, they are themselves the authority, being eternal—the knowledge of God.

This knowledge is what is meant by ‘the Vedas’ (‘Vid’—to know).Other epic texts are also central to understanding Hinduism. These include the Mahabharatha (which deals with the life of Lord Krishna) and the Ramayana (which deals with the life of Lord Rama).

5).Are there different sects of Hinduism?

Hindu philosophy is contained in the end portion of the vedas and is called the Gnana Kaanda or Knowledge portion or Vedaanta. This has been interpreted differently and many schools of thought emerged but Advaita,Visishtadvaita and Dvaita are the most well known
schools of thought on Hindu philosophy. According to Advaita the creator and the created are the same. The created is a part of the creator according to Visishtadvaita and as per Dvaita the creator is different from the created. The practice of Hinduism and worship of particular gods varies tremendously both within India and in other parts of the world.

6).What do Hindus believe?

The spiritual goal of all Hindus is to overcome the cycle of birth and death and become one with the Paramathma. All Hindus believe that there is a soul (atman) within every living thing and that this soul is part of the Universal Soul (Paraman), which is formless but can nevertheless manifest itself in any form it desires. Thus, the aim of the atman is to seek reunion with
the paraman, and thereby get out of the cycle of births and rebirths (samsara). This is also called Moksha. The quality of one’s past deeds is known as karma. When one’s karma is of sufficient quality,he or she will escape the cycle of birth and rebirth and rejoin the Universal
Soul.

Hindus believe in ahimsa (not doing harm to other living things), and since this includes not killing living things, a staunch Hindu is generally a vegetarian.

Although they believe in the Supreme Being, Hindus generally pray to a pantheon of Gods in various forms and which are both male and female. Central to this pantheon is the trinity of gods

Brahma (Creator)
Vishnu (Preserver)
Siva (Destroyer)

Hindus pray to a multiplicity of Gods and Goddesses depending on their aspirations and goals. For example,to avoid obstacles they pray to Ganesha. For wealth they pray to Lakshmi and for learning they pray to Saraswathi. Hindus also believe in the reincarnation of the Supreme
Being as avatars (the descent and incarnation of a deity). Two of the most well-known reincarnations Rama and Krishna.

7). What are the holy places of Hinduism?

They are found all over India, from Khasi and Varanasi and Banares in the North to Cape Comorin and the various temples for Lord Muruga (son of Lord Siva), known collectively
as the Aru Padai Veedu (Six Incarnations temples). As for Lord Ganeshs, the elder son of Lord
Siva, temples of worship housing his statue are found in almost every nook and corner of India and other countries where Hinduism is practiced. These places of worship are associated with the different gods who were deemed to have come down and lived with the people, and they are therefore the sacred original abodes of these gods.

8).Where do Hindus worship?

Hindus generally worship either at their homes, where some of them build elaborate altars, or in temples big and small, simple as well as elaborate.

9).How does a Hindu worship?

Worship is called puja. One can worship either in Sanskrit or in the other Indian languages, by reciting ancient mantras and/or chanting the names of the deities. Much worship
takes place in the home at a shrine or alter dedicated for such a purpose. Generally, there is an invocation,followed by addressing the specific god and presentations of offerings (usually flowers, fruit and delicacies) at the altar. Elaborate rituals are associated with the
different Gods and Goddesses.

10).Are there any special dietary practices?

A staunch Hindu is a vegetarian and will also abstain from alcohol.
Other Hindus may include milk and milk products (butter, cheese,
ghee), as the cow is considered sacred and dairy products are admissible
as permitted food. Because the cow is considered sacred,
Hindus may not eat beef.

11).What are some Hindu rituals?

Birth Birth is a special event, whereby the astrologer is immediately summoned and commissioned to chart the child’s horoscope.

After 11 days, the priest and astrologer are part of those invited for the official child naming ceremony.After 30 days, there is a bigger event, involving family members and friends, to put the child in the cradle. At the end of 1 year, the child’s head is shaved and prayers
offered at a temple, usually for Lord Muruga.

Weddings For weddings there are also elaborate rites, starting from the matching of the bride’s and groom’s horoscopes by astrologers. Once, there is a match, an auspicious auspicious
date for the wedding is fixed that is in harmony with the stars of the couple. The wedding may last as long as three days, with numerous rituals conducted by the priest and community elders. On the wedding day proper, the bride and groom take seven steps (sapthapathi) around the sacred fire (agnihotra) while the priest chants Sanskrit mantras from the Vedas.

Finally, the groom ties a sacred thread with the thali (symbol of marriage) around the groom’s neck.After this, the couple is blessed by elders and friends. This is usually followed by vegetarian lunch/dinner.

Death.

Death ceremonies are also elaborate. The priest lights the sacred fire (agnihotra) and chants
Sanskrit mantras. The eldest son/brother or other male then uses a tinder from the fire to light up the heart of the dead person’s body,and the body is then cremated.(Since only the soul is needed for reincarnation, cremation is the standard practice among Hindus.) On the 13th day, friends and relatives gather for a cleansing/thanksgiving ceremony, inclusive of food. Subsequently,the death anniversary is remembered through prayers at a
temple dedicated to Lord Siva.

12).How are Hindus organized?

There is no strict organization or hierarchy as one would see for example
in the Catholic church. There are Hindu Sangams, either as voluntary
bodies or as statutory bodies which oversee the administration of the temples and make rulings
on some issues, but they are not binding and are usually restricted to the geographical area in
which the temple/sangam is located. Many sects have their own organization and rules. In the
Sangams, the leaders are called Swamis, while in the temples, the priests are called acharya (North India) or pandaram (South India). Rituals are usually performed by the
priest caste known as Brahmins.

13). What are the special days or times of the year?

Hindu New Year is the most widely celebrated. It falls on the first day of the month of chithirai, and goes according to the Hindu (lunar) calendar. Another popular festival in
both north and south India is Deepavali or Diwali, which is the festival lights that commemorates
the triumph of good over evil. In South India, Malaysia and Singapore, the popular festival is
Thaipusam, a festival to make offerings (and penance) to Lord Muruga. Penance takes the form
of carrying kavadis and piercing parts of the body with skewers.Another popular festival is
firewalking, which is carried out in temples that worship Goddess Mariamman.

14). What happens after death?

On the fall of the physical body the athma merges with the Paramathma if the karma has been
completely extinguished. Otherwise there is travel for the Subtle and Causal body bundle till it finds a suitable womb to lodge itself for the next birth and the type of womb depends on its karma palan which it has to go through.

15). Is Hinduism similar to other religions?

Siddhartha was a Hindu, who attained enlightenment and became Buddha. He was also one of the ten avatars of Vishnu.Mahaaveera, also a Hindu, was the founding saint of Jainism, an important religion in India.Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism
are sometimes called the Vedic Religions.

Good theory is never disturbed -

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Without healthy enough lungs there is little you can do.

PRANAYAMA has very little to do with breathing. Yet ordinarily it has.The whole scope of Raja-yoga is really to teach the control and direction of prana in different ways.
Sometimes in your own body the supply of prana gravitates more or less to one part; the balance is disturbed, and when the balance of prana is disturbed, what we call disease is produced. To take away the superfluous prana, or to supply the prana that is wanting, will be to cure the disease.
The most obvious manifestation of prana in the human body is the motion of the lungs. If that stops, as a rule all other manifestations of force in the body will immediately stop.
If you are strong and healthy, those who live near you will also have a tendency to become strong and healthy ... There have been cases where this process has been carried on at a distance. But in reality there is no distance which admits of gaps. ... Cases of healing from a distance are perfectly true. Prana can be transmitted to a very great distance; but for one genuine case there are hundreds of frauds.
Why should not the soul, by intensifying its action, attain perfection in this very life? ...

THE WORLD-MOVERS, endowed with gigantic will-power, can bring their prana into a high state of vibration; and it is so great and powerful that it affects others in a moment,
In this universe ... (each) form represents ... one whirlpool in the ... ocean of matter. The whirlpools are ever changing. ... Not one body remains the same. ... Not one is constant, but everything is changing ...
Think of the whole thing as a circle, the centre of which is perfection. The farther you move from the centre, the slower are the virations. Matter is the outermost plane; next comes mind; and Spirit is the centre.
Yogis say that ... the mind can function on a still higher plane, the superconscious. When the mind has attained that state, which is called samidhi - perfect concentration - it goes beyond the limits of reason and comes face to face with facts which no instinct or reason can ever know.
That part (of pranayama) which attempts to control the manifestations of prana as mental force, is called Raja-yoga.

TO PERCEIVE when there is more or less prana in one part of the body than there should be is also part of pranayama. The perception will be so subtle that the mind will feel that there is less prana in the toe or the finger than there should be and will possess the power to supply it.
cheers
Arun ..pls practise pranayama .....

Purpose of Life- what is the purpose of life:

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What is the purpose of life. Why are we living?

The whole Cosmos ... everything contained in the Cosmos ... all galaxies, stars is but the size of half a thumb at the beginning of the Cosmos (and also at the time of the pralaya ... end of the Cosmos). No human being can ever conceptualize the massive energy this half the size of a thumb carries. At the time of pralaya (end of the Cosmos) ... everything whatever is contained in the Cosmos collapses ... and the whole system is reduced to the size of half a thumb.

And what is the meaning of this half the size of a thumb as stated in Bhagavad Gita (the doctrine dictated by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield of Mahabharata). Does it mean that this half the size of a thumb which comprises of only pure energy ... the combined power of all the Atmans (souls) in the Cosmos is related to God ... Yes, this defines what God, in the Almighty Creator is all about. We can safely define God, the Almighty Creator as the collective power of all purified Atmans in the beginning of the Cosmos ... the Parmatman (Brahman) ... the power of the Creator.

Bhagavad Gita states that by default ... in whatever stage they may be ... all the Atmans at the time of pralaya come to their 8.4millionth manifestation ... the last goal of cosmic life. The journey having ended for every Atman (the Soul within) ... all Atmans at the time of pralaya (end of the Cosmos) get liberated from the cycle of Birth and Death forever. It is free for all. All Jivas attain Moksha (Salvation). One may be in the stage of the mosquito; a plant, animal and all Human Beings ... all attain Moksha (Salvation).

After the pralaya (end of the Cosmos) occurs ... all Atmans (after their purification) combine together and this is what the half the size of a thumb is all about. This massive source of energy is unable to retain itself. God explodes with a Big Bang (the theory of Big Bang was being disputed by scientists for hundreds of years ... it is only about 30 years before that a consensus was built confirming formation of the Cosmos by Big Bang). The scientific system needs proof.

All god realized souls ... be they Buddha, Mahavira, Jesus Christ, prophet Mohammed, RamaKrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana ... all knew this absolute truth. But kept mum in the matter ... they knew very well that the masses would not believe in the concept, as the scientific society required proof and Spiritual masters never have one.

source http://vijaykumar.com/purpose_of_life.html

Why Meditate?

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Why Meditate?

Man is born out of Divine Energy. Man is made up of 5 major elements, namely Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jala), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), Ether (Akasha). Man emerged from these 5 elements, lives in these elements and will go back to them – the original source.

Existence or Cosmos or Prapanja is made up of these 5 elements. All the 5 elements are different forms of the same Energy called God or Self or Atman. Muslims call it Allah, Hindus call it Brahman, Christians call it God and so on.

As Thythreya Upanishad says “…from Existence came Ether, from ether came Air, from air came Fire, from fire came Water, from water came the Earth and from the Earth came Life….”

When Man is at ease or is in tune with these 5 elements, he is all right. When he is not at ease with them, he is dis-eased. All the meditation techniques that Masters have designed over the years are aimed at tuning man to these 5 elements.

The basis of all religions lies in tuning Man to Existence through these 5 elements. The thirst to get in tune with the source of the all-pervading Energy has given rise to many religions. Idols are made up of clay (Earth). Idol worship is trying to realize the Cosmic Energy through the Earth element. Idol worship is the first plane of tuning. Bathing in holy rivers is trying to realize the Energy through the water element; 80% of our body constitutes water. Performing Yagnya or Homa (rituals with fire) is trying to realize this Energy through the Fire element. The fire outside represents the fire inside us. Chanting or repeating mantras is trying to connect to this Energy through the Air element and finally Meditation or Dhyana is trying to connect to this Energy through the Ether element. Ether is the subtlest form of Energy. Man should attempt to graduate from Idol worship to Meditation.

Inspired by these ideas on meditation, may you merge with Existence and attain Nithyananda (Eternal Bliss). Let you all become awakened and become Buddhas. My love and blessings to you.
source http://www.dhyanapeetam.org/WhyMeditate.asp

Himalayan Lineage

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UPANISHAD TWELVE: PASSING ON THE POWER

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What Is Hinduism's Natha Sampradaya?

The Natha Sampradaya, "the masters' way," is the mystical source of Saivism. The divine message of the eternal truths and how to succeed on the path to enlightenment are preserved within the Natha tradition.

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What Is the Holy Kailasa Guru Lineage?

The Kailasa Parampara is a guru lineage that is thousands of years old. It is part of the Nandinatha Sampradaya. In the 20th century it was headed by Sage Yogaswami, who ordained me in Sri Lanka in 1949 to carry on the great tradition.

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Who Were the Early Kailasa Gurus?

Among its ancient gurus, the Kailasa Parampara honors the great yogi known as Rishi Tirumular and his generations of successors. In recent history we especially revere the silent sage called "Rishi from the Himalayas."

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Who Were Kadaitswami and Chellappan?

Kadaitswami was a dynamic satguru who revived Saivism in Catholic-dominated Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in the 1800s. Chellappaswami was a powerful sage, full of God consciousness, who repeated mystical truths to himself and God.

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Who Are the Most Recent Kailasa Gurus?

Sage Yogaswami, source of the songs called Natchintanai, protector of dharma, was satguru of Sri Lanka for half a century. He ordained me with a slap on the back, commanding, "Go round the world and roar like a lion!"

Views of Reality

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Sloka 146

What Are Saiva Siddhanta's Two Schools?

There are two Saiva Siddhanta schools: pluralistic theism, whose teachers were Aghorasiva and Meykandar, and monistic theism, taught by Tirumular. While differing slightly, they share a religious heritage of belief, culture and practice.

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What Are the Two Views on Creation?

Monistic theists believe that Siva creates the cosmos as an emanation of Himself. He is His creation. Pluralistic theists say that Siva molds eternally existing matter to fashion the cosmos and thus remains apart from His creation.

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What Are the Views on God and Soul?

For the monistic theist, the soul is created out of God Siva and will merge back in Him as a river to the sea. For pluralists, God pervades the soul but did not create it; thus, in their view God and soul remain separate forever.

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What Are the Differing Views on Evil?

For monistic theists, the world is Siva's perfect creation, containing each thing and its opposite. For pluralistic theists, the world is tarnished with evil; thus, they say, it could not be the creation of a perfect God.

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What Are the Views on the End of the Universe?

Monistic theists say that when the universe ends, all creation is withdrawn into Siva, and He alone exists. Pluralistic theists state that the world and souls persist in subtle form beyond the great dissolution and will later reemerge.

Monism and Dualism

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UPANISHAD ELEVEN: MONISTIC THEISM

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What Are the Many Hindu Philosophies?

From ancient times, India's sages and philosophers have thought about the nature of reality. Out of their search have blossomed hundreds of schools of thought, all evolving from the rich soil of village Hinduism.

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How Do Monism and Dualism Differ?

To most monists, God is present in the world and part of time and evolution. He is creation itself, but not its creator. To most dualists, God is beyond the world and is timeless. He creates the cosmos but is not part of it.

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What View Combines Monism and Dualism?

Monists, from their mountaintop perspective, perceive a one reality in all things. Dualists, from the foothills, see God, souls and world as eternally separate. Monistic theism is the perfect combination of these two views.

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What Is the View of Monistic Theism?

Monistic theism is the union of monism and dualism. It says God is transcendent and immanent, eternal and temporal, Being and becoming, Creator and created, Absolute and relative, efficient and material cause.

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Is Monistic Theism Found in the Vedas?

Again and again in the Vedas and from satgurus we hear "Aham Brahmasmi," "I am God," and that God is both present in the world and beyond it. Taken together, these are clear statements of monistic theism.

Affirmations of Faith

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What Is the Holy Namasivaya Mantra?

Namasivaya is among the foremost Vedic mantras. It means "adoration to Siva," and is called the Panchakshara, or "five-letters." Within its celestial sounds and colors resides all of the intuitive knowledge of Saivism.

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How Is Namasivaya Properly Chanted?

The Panchakshara Mantra, Namasivaya, is repeated verbally or mentally, often while counting a mala of rudraksha beads, drawing the mind in upon itself to experience Lord Siva's infinite, all-pervasive presence.

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Is Initiation Necessary to Perform Japa?

The most precious of all Saivite mantras, Namasivaya is freely sung and chanted by one and all. Mantra initiation bestows the permission and power to do japa, regularly repeating Namasivaya 108 times. Without initiation, its repetition has less benefit.

Sloka 139

What Is Saivism's Affirmation of Faith?

The statement "God Siva is Immanent Love and Transcendent Reality" is a potent affirmation of faith. Said in any of Earth's 3,000 languages, it summarizes the beliefs and doctrines of the Saivite Hindu religion.

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How Is this Affirmation of Faith Used?

When we say the affirmation of faith, we positively assert that God is both manifest and unmanifest, both within the world and beyond it, both personal Divine Love and impersonal Reality.

Secondary Scripture

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Sloka 131

Do Smriti and Sacred Literature Differ?

Hindu sacred literature is full of hymns, legend, mythology, philosophy, science and ethics. From this vast body of writings, each lineage recognizes a certain portion as its secondary scripture, called smriti.

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What Texts Amplify Vedas and Agamas?

Many texts support the Vedas and Agamas. Vedangas detail conduct, family rituals, astrology and language. Upavedas explain politics, health, warfare and music. Upagamas and Paddhatis elaborate the Agamic wisdom.

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Does Hinduism Have Epics and Myths?

The Mahabharata and Ramayana are Hinduism's most renowned epic histories, called Itihasa. The Puranas are popular folk narratives, teaching faith, belief and ethics in mythology, allegory, legend and symbolism.

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Are there Other Types of Sacred Texts?

India's lofty philosophical texts expound diverse views in profound, exacting dialogue. Yoga writings unveil the mysterious path to ultimate mystical experiences. Heart-melting devotional hymns disclose the bliss of Divine love.

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What Is the Source of This Catechism?

The philosophical basis of this catechism is the monistic Saiva Siddhanta of the Kailasa Parampara as expressed in the Vedas, Saiva Agamas, Tirukural, Tirumurai, Tirumantiram and contemporary scripture.

Revealed Scripture

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UPANISHAD TEN: SACRED SCRIPTURE

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What Are Hindu Revealed Scriptures?

The Vedas and Agamas, revealed by God, are Hinduism's supreme scriptures, called sruti, "that which is heard." Their timeless truths are expressed in the most extraordinarily profound mystical poetry known to man.

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What Is the Nature of the Veda Texts?

The holy Vedas, man's oldest scripture, dating back 6,000 to 8,000 years, are a collection of four books: the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. Each has four sections: hymns, rites, interpretation and philosophical instruction.

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How Are the Vedas Significant today?

The Vedas, the ultimate scriptural authority, permeate Hinduism's thought, ritual and meditation. They open a rare window into ancient Indian society, proclaiming life's sacredness and the way to oneness with God.

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What Is the Nature of the Holy Agamas?

The Agamas, Sanatana Dharma's second authority, are revelations on sacred living, worship, yoga and philosophy. Saivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism each exalts its own collection of Agamas, many over 2,000 years old.

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How Are the Agamas Significant Today?

While the Vedas, with a multitude of Deities, bind all Hindus together, the Agamas, with a single supreme God, unify each sect in a oneness of thought, instilling in adherents the joyful arts of holy worship.

Knowers of God

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Sloka 121

Who Are Hinduism's Spiritual Leaders?

The saints, sages and satgurus who commune with God and Gods through devotion and meditation are Hinduism's holy men and women. We revere them and strive to follow their example and words of wisdom.

Sloka 122

What Is a Saint, a Sage and a Satguru?

Saints, devoid of ego, reflect the peace, humility and purity of a devout life. Sages, though perfectly liberated, may outwardly appear detached and ordinary. Satgurus, also fully enlightened, guide others on the path.

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Are There Other Terms for Holy Ones?

Many terms name Hindu masters, teachers and aspirants including: jivanmukta, rishi, muni, siddha, mahatma, guru, swami, sannyasin, tapasvin, yogi, sadhu, sadhaka, pandita, acharya, shastri, pujari, shishya and brahmachari.

Sloka 124

What Is the Nature of Guru Protocol?

Guru protocol, as outlined in the Kularnava Tantra and Guru Gita, defines the traditional ways of relating to one's spiritual master to draw forth his wisdom and blessings and fully understand his inner nature.

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What Is the Satguru's Special Function?

To transcend the mind and reach the ultimate goal of God Realization, seekers need the guidance of a satguru, an enlightened master who has followed the path to its end and can lead them to the Divine within themselves.

Monastic Life

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UPANISHAD NINE: HOLY MEN AND WOMEN

Sloka 116

What Is the Hindu Monastic Tradition?

In the Hindu tradition there have always existed a few men for whom the world held no attraction and karmas had almost gone away. Some of these great souls live alone. Others reside with their spiritual brothers in monasteries.

Sloka 117

What Are the Goals of Renunciate Life?

The two main objectives of sannyasa are to promote the spiritual progress of the monastic, bringing him into God Realization, and to protect and perpetuate the religion through his illumined leadership.

Sloka 118

What Is the Sannyasin's Inner Path?

The sannyasin balances within himself both the male and female energies. Complete unto himself, he is whole and independent and thus becomes a knower of the known.

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What Is the Sannyasin's Initiation Rite?

Young, unmarried men of the Hindu faith may qualify for renunciation rites. These may be given by any sannyasin, but the most potent initiation comes from a satguru. Rites include head shaving, vows of nonpossession and receiving robes.

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What are the Holy Orders of Sannyasa?

The holy orders of sannyasa are lifetime vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, never to be given up or taken back. The sannyasins are the religious leaders, the strength of the Sanatana Dharma.

Love of God

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Sloka 111

Is Temple Worship Only for Beginners?

Temple worship is for all men and women at every level of spiritual development. Our understanding and experience of it deepens as we grow and mature through the four stages of service, devotion, meditation and enlightened wisdom.

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How Do Devotees Prepare for Worship?

We visit a Siva temple after bathing, dressing in clean clothes and preparing an offering. This offering can be as simple as a few flowers or fruits. We bring the mind to the holy feet of the Deity even while preparations begin.

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How Do Our Prayers Reach the Gods?

Through temple worship, the three worlds become open to one another, and the beings within them are able to communicate. Through the mystical practice of puja, the three worlds work together, and prayers are received.

Sloka 114

Do Saivites Worship Only in Temples?

One can worship God anywhere and be in contact with the inner worlds--in the temple, in the home shrine and in the yogi's meditation. But it is in the holy Siva temple that the three worlds most perfectly communicate.

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What Is the Home Shrine's Significance?

Every Saivite has a shrine, which ideally is the most beautiful room in the house. An extension of the temple, it is a special room for Deities and devas, and for us it is a holy, quiet place for daily worship and meditation.

Temple Rites

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Sloka 106

What Is the Inner Importance of Puja?

The traditional ceremony of worship, called puja, is a sacred act of the highest importance for the Hindu. It is how we call on God Siva and the Gods and express our heartfelt love, devotion and surrender.

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What Is the Special Rite Called Archana?

Archana is a shortened form of temple puja in which the name, birth star and spiritual lineage of a devotee are chanted to the God by the priest to ask for special, individual, family or group blessings and assistance.

Sloka 108

What Is the Nature of Image Worship?

Through the ceremony of puja, we worship and draw close to God Siva and the Gods, who by their infinite powers spiritually hover over and dwell within the image, or murti. We revere the holy image in the temple or shrine as their temporary body.

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Who Are the Priests of Siva Temples?

Holy priests, called Adisaivas, are the hereditary pujaris who care for the temple and conduct its varied rites and rituals as humble servants of God Siva. They are trained in the complex arts of worship, generally from a young age.

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What Does the Pujari Do During Puja?

During the puja, through chants, hand gestures and mystical ritual, the priest calls upon the Deity. All observances are precisely detailed in the Agama texts. Every act, every spoken syllable is rich in secret meaning.

Siva Temples

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UPANISHAD EIGHT: SACRED WORSHIP

Sloka 101

What Is the Nature of the Siva Temple?

The Siva temple is the home of God Siva and the Gods, the place in which the three worlds can most easily communicate. It is especially holy, having a ray of spiritual energy connecting it to the heaven worlds.

Sloka 102

How Are Temples Founded and Built?

Siva temples are founded by God Himself, often beginning with a vision or dream of a devout Saivite, then built by temple craftsmen, usually following the rules found in the Agama texts. In such a holy place, holiness itself can reside.

Sloka 103

When Should We Attend the Temple?

We attend the temple to be close to God Siva, Karttikeya or Ganesha at least once each week. We also go on auspicious days of the month, on yearly festival days and on the holiest day of the year, Mahasivaratri.

Sloka 104

How Does One Attend a Siva Temple?

Approaching with deep reverence, we begin our worship with Ganesha, walk all the way around the temple and go to the main shrine for puja. After receiving the holy ash and other blessed items, we sit quietly for awhile before leaving.

Sloka 105

What Occurs Within the Siva Temple?

Activities within a Siva temple vary from the daily cycle of pujas to the elaborate celebrations on annual festival days. Even in large crowds, our worship is personal and individual, rather than group oriented.

Festivals

2007-03-08T20:38:00.000-08:00

Sloka 96

What Are the Festival Days of Saivism?

Festivals are special times for worship of God and Gods, for family and community sharing and for spiritual practices. Saivites observe many festivals, both in the temple and the home. They also honor special holy days each week and month.

Sloka 97

What Are the Primary Festivals to Siva?

On Mahasivaratri, Siva's great night, we worship Parasiva. On Krittika Dipam we celebrate the infinite light of Parasakti. During Ardra Darshanam, we invoke the blessing of Parameshvara--Lord Siva Nataraja in His blissful Cosmic dance.

Sloka 98

What Are the Major Ganesha Festivals?

Ganesha Chaturthi is a joyous celebration of Ganesha's birthday. Vinayaka Vratam is twenty-one days of fasting and daily temple worship. Pancha Ganapati is a five-day family festival of harmony and gift-giving.

Sloka 99

What are the Main Karttikeya Festivals?

Vaikasi Visakham celebrates the anniversary of Lord Karttikeya's creation. Skanda Shashthi is a six-day festival honoring His conquest of light over darkness. Tai Pusam is a time of spiritual practices, and of public penance, called kavadi.

Sloka 100

What Are Other Important Festivals?

Besides the temple festivals, there are many home, community and national celebrations, most importantly Dipavali, Hindu New Year, Tai Pongal, guru puja days, kumbha melas, Guru Jayanti and Guru Purnima.

Sacraments

2007-03-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Sloka 91

What Are Hinduism's Rites of Passage?

Hindus celebrate life's major changes by holy sacraments, or rites of passage, called samskaras. These ceremonies deeply impress the mind, inspire sharing among family and community and bring blessings from the Gods.

Sloka 92

What Are the Sacraments of Childhood?

The essential religious sacraments of childhood are name-giving, called namakarana; head-shaving, or chudakarana; feeding of first solid food, or annaprasana; ear-piercing, or karnavedha; and the beginning of formal study, called vidyarambha.

Sloka 93

What Are the Sacraments of Adulthood?

The most important sacrament of adulthood is the marriage ceremony, or vivaha samskara, which follows a formal engagement. A boy's or girl's coming of age is also blessed through special ceremony in the home.

Sloka 94

What are the Sacraments For Child Birth?

The essential child-bearing samskaras are the rite of conception, garbhadhana; the third-month blessing, punsavana; the hair-parting ceremony, simantonnaya; and the rite welcoming the new-born child, jatakarma.

Sloka 95

Are There Rites for the Wisdom Years?

Special ceremonies may mark the entrance into the elder advisor stage at age 48, renewal of marriage vows at age 60, and the stage of renunciation at 72. Funeral rites, antyeshti samskara, honor the transition called death.

Ways of Wisdom

2007-03-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

UPANISHAD SEVEN: SACRED CULTURE

Sloka 86

How Do We Overcome Life's Obstacles?

The past can confuse the present and hide our divinity, just like a small leaf can obscure the sun when held before our eyes. With Vedic spiritual practices, we remove obstacles to reveal the ever-present inner light.

Sloka 87

What Are the Hindu's Daily Yoga Practices?

Devout Hindus perform daily vigil, usually before dawn. This sacred period of puja, japa, chanting, singing, hatha yoga, meditation and scriptural study is the foundation of personal life.

Sloka 88

How Are Ayurveda and Jyotisha Used?

Ayurveda is the Hindu science of life, a complete, holistic medical and health system. Jyotisha, or Vedic astrology, is the knowledge of right timing and future possibilities. Both are vital tools for happy, productive living.

Sloka 89

How Do Hindus Regard Art and Culture?

Hindus of every sect cherish art and culture as sacred. Music, art, drama and the dance are expressions of spiritual experience established in scripture by God-inspired sages as a natural outgrowth of temple worship.

Sloka 90

What Is the Hindu Outlook on Giving?

Generous, selfless giving is one of the central virtues of dharma. Hospitality, charity and support of God's work on Earth arises from the belief that the real purpose of life is spiritual, not material.

Children

2007-03-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

Sloka 81

What Is the Fulfillment of a Marriage?

Children are the greatest source of happiness in marriage. Householder life is rich and complete when sons and daughters are born. At this time, a marriage becomes a family, and a new generation begins.

Sloka 82

What Are the Main Duties of Parents?

The first duty of parents is to provide food, shelter and clothing and to keep their children safe and healthy. Next they must give education. This includes instruction in morality and religious life.

Sloka 83

How Strictly Must Children Be Guided?

Parents must be careful to guide their children toward virtue and protect them from bad company and influences. Parents should be strict, but never harsh or mean. They should allow their children sensible freedom in which to grow.

Sloka 84

Should All Youths Be Urged to Marry?

Most children should be encouraged to marry and be taught the skills they will need to fulfill dharma. Young boys destined to be monastics should be raised as their satguru's sons.

Sloka 85

How Is Family Harmony Maintained?

Mutual respect, love and understanding are the foundation of harmony in the Hindu family. By not fighting, arguing or criticizing, members create a spiritual environment in which all may progress.

Marriage

2007-03-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

Sloka 76

What Is the Basis for a Happy Marriage?

A happy marriage is based on a mature love, not a romantic ideal of love. It requires selflessness and constant attention. A successful marriage is one which both partners work at making successful.

Sloka 77

Must We Marry Within Our Religion?

Tradition requires that the wife adopt the religion and lifestyle of her husband. Thus, Hindu women who want to continue their family culture and religion will marry a spouse of the same sect and lineage.

Sloka 78

How Are Hindu Marriages Arranged?

Marriage is not only a union between a boy and a girl. It is also a union between their families. Not leaving this important matter to chance, all family members participate in finding the best spouse for sons and daughters.

Sloka 79

What Is the Hindu Family Structure?

The main Hindu social unit is the joint family. This usually consists of several generations living together under the guidance of the father and mother. Each joint family is part of a greater body called the extended family.

Sloka 80

How are Marital Problems Solved?

When problems arise in marriage, Hindus study the scriptures and seek advice of family, elders and spiritual leaders. A good marriage requires that the husband be masculine and the wife be feminine.

Husband and Wife

2007-03-08T02:37:00.000-08:00

UPANISHAD SIX: FAMILY LIFE

Sloka 71

What Is the Central Purpose of Marriage?

The two purposes of marriage are: the mutual support, both spiritual and material, of man and wife; and bringing children into the world. Marriage is a religious sacrament, a human contract and a civil institution.

Sloka 72

What Are the Duties of the Husband?

It is the husband's duty to protect and provide for his wife and children. As head of the family, he is responsible for its spiritual, economic, physical, mental and emotional security.

Sloka 73

What Are the Duties of the Wife?

It is the wife's duty to bear, nurse and raise the children. She is the homemaker, standing beside her husband as the mother and educator of their children. She is the home's silent leader.

Sloka 74

What Is the Hindu View of Sexuality?

The purpose of sexual union is to express love and to draw husband and wife together to conceive children. Hinduism does not have overly strict rules about sexual matters, but it does give community guidance.

Sloka 75

What Is the Relation Of Sex to Marriage ?

It is not wise to have sexual intercourse outside marriage. Marriages that are free of prior intimate relationships are the truest and strongest. They seldom end in separation or divorce.

Noninjury

2007-03-08T02:35:00.000-08:00

Sloka 66

What Is the Great Virtue Called Ahimsa?

Ahimsa means noninjury. It is the most important virtue in Hinduism. It is gentleness and nonviolence, whether physical, mental or emotional. It is not causing hurt or harm to all beings.

Sloka 67

What Is the Inner Source of Noninjury?

Two beliefs give us reasons to practice noninjury. The first is the law of karma. Any harm that we cause will always come back to us. The second is that God exists in all people and things.

Sloka 68

What Is the Inner Source of Violence?

Violence is an expression of the lower, instinctive nature, of fear, anger, greed, jealousy and hate. This is the world of separateness and opposites, like good and bad, winners and losers, mine and yours.

Sloka 69

Is Vegetarianism Part of Noninjury?

Hindus teach vegetarianism as a way to live so that we don't hurt other beings. When we consume meat, fish, fowl or eggs, we are participating indirectly in acts of cruelty and violence against the animal kingdom.

Sloka 70

How Can Peace on Earth Be Achieved?

Peace is an expression of spiritual consciousness. It begins within each person and extends to the home, neighborhood, nation and beyond. It comes when the higher nature takes charge of the lower nature.

Good Conduct

2007-03-08T02:34:00.001-08:00

Sloka 61

What Is the Meaning Of Good Conduct?

Good conduct is right thought, right speech and right action. It is good deeds in harmony with divine law. Just as a staff is used to more easily climb a mountain, so must virtue be used to support us in life.

Sloka 62

What Are Good Conduct's Four Keys?

Purity, devotion, humility and charity are the four keys to good conduct. Of these, purity is the most important. We cultivate purity by thinking, speaking and doing what is good for all.

Sloka 63

From Whom Do We Learn Good Conduct?

The first teacher of good conduct is our conscience. To know what is right and what is wrong we can also turn to God, to our satguru and swamis, to scriptures and to our elders, family and trusted friends.

Sloka 64

What Are the Ten Classical Restraints?

Hinduism's restraints of conduct are contained in ten simple rules called yamas. When we follow them, we control our instinctive forces and reveal the beautiful qualities of our soul.

Sloka 65

What Are the Ten Classical Observances?

Hinduism's religious guidelines are contained in ten short rules called niyamas. These are the key spiritual practices and soul qualities that we strive to perfect every day of our lives.

Four Dharmas

2007-03-08T02:28:00.000-08:00

UPANISHAD FIVE: Right Living

Sloka 56

What Is Dharma? What Are Its Forms?

Dharma is the natural order of things, the divine law of life. It is the fulfillment of our highest nature and destiny. Dharma has four main divisions: universal, human, social and personal.

Sloka 57

What Is the Nature of Universal Dharma?

Universal law is known in the Vedas as rita. It is God's power at work in the physical world. It is the infinite intelligence or consciousness in nature, in atoms, in galaxies. It is the sustaining cosmic design and organizing force.

Sloka 58

What Is the Nature Of Social Dharma?

Social law is known as varna dharma. It consists of the occupation, duties and responsibilities we must fulfill as a member of our nation, community and family. Social law includes religious observances and the rules of good conduct.

Sloka 59

What Is the Nature Of Human Dharma?

Human law is called ashrama dharma. It is the growth and expression of the body, mind and emotions through four progressive stages of life: student, householder, elder advisor and religious hermit.

Sloka 60

What Is the Nature Of Personal Dharma?

Personal law is called svadharma. It is our own perfect path in life. It is determined by two things: the karmas, good and bad, from our past lives, and our three dharmas of this life--universal, human and social.

Sin and Suffering

2007-03-08T02:26:00.000-08:00

Sloka 51

Why Is There Suffering in the World?

The nature of the world is duality, which means it contains each thing and its opposite: joy and sorrow, goodness and evil, love and hate. By experiencing these, we learn and grow. Finally, we seek Truth beyond all opposites.

Sloka 52

What Is Sin? How Can We Atone for It?

Sin is breaking God's divine law on purpose. There is no inherent or "original" sin. Also, no sin burdens the soul forever. Through religious disciplines, worship and penance, we can overcome the negative effects of any sin.

Sloka 53

Does Hell Really Exist? Is There a Satan?

There is no eternal hell, and there is no Satan. However, there are hellish states of mind and miserable births for those who think and act badly. But such fiery, hellish experiences and lives do not last forever.

Sloka 54

What Is the Consequence of Sinful Acts?

When we do not think, speak and act nicely, we create negative karmas and bring suffering upon ourselves and others. When we ignore divine guidance and act wrongly by following our lower nature, we always suffer.

Sloka 55

Does God Ever Punish Wrongdoers?

God is perfect goodness, love and truth. He is not angry or mean. He does not condemn or punish those who act wrongly. Jealousy, meanness and pride are qualities of man's instinctive nature, not of God.

The Goodness of All

2007-03-08T02:24:00.000-08:00

Sloka 46

Are Souls and World Essentially Good?

Deep down, the real nature of all people is their soul, which is goodness. The world, too, is God's perfect creation. Everything is in balance. Everything has a purpose. There are things that appear to be evil, but they are not, and, deep down, nobody is truly evil.

Sloka 47

Why Do Some Souls Act in Evil Ways?

People who forget that they are souls act in evil ways. They are living completely in their outer, animal nature. The ignorant see this as evil, but the wise see it as the low-minded actions of spiritually immature individuals.

Sloka 48

What Is the Source of Good and Evil?

Rather than seeing good and evil in the world, we understand that the nature of people is threefold: the lower animal nature of emotions and instincts, the middle nature of the intellect and the higher nature of divine consciousness.

Sloka 49

How Can a Kindly God Permit Evil?

In the deepest sense, there is no good or bad. God did not create evil as a force separate from good. He gave the ideals of dharma. He lets us make our own choices in life, so we can learn and grow from our successes and mistakes.

Sloka 50

Should We Avoid the World?

The world is a wonderful creation of a loving God, never to be avoided. Siva wants us to live positively in the world. He wants us to face karma and live according to dharma. We must not hate or fear the world. Life is meant to be lived joyously.

The Three Worlds

2007-03-08T02:20:00.000-08:00

UPANISHAD FOUR: THE WORLD

Sloka 41

Where Did This Universe Come from?

God Siva created the world and all things in it. He creates from moment to moment every atom of the physical universe that we can see and the spiritual universe we cannot see. Everything is within Him. He is within everything.

Sloka 42

What Is the Nature of The Physical World?

The physical world is called the Bhuloka. It is the realm of material substance. Everything in the physical world is experienced through the five senses. It is the smallest of the three worlds, and the one most subject to change.

Sloka 43

What Is the Nature of The Subtle World?

The subtle world is called the Antarloka. It is the mental-emotional plane that we experience through thought and feeling. It is where we live fully when we sleep and when we die. This astral world exists inside the physical world.

Sloka 44

What Is the Nature of The Divine World?

The divine world, called the Sivaloka, is the highest of heavens and home of our true Self. This realm of light, where the Gods and great souls live, exists deep within the subtle world. We can experience it through meditation and temple worship.

Sloka 45

Does the Universe Ever End? Is it Real?

The universe ends when time, form and space merge in God. This is called the Great Dissolution, but it is not permanent. Everything is created again by God Siva in the next cosmic cycle. The universe is real, not an illusion, though it is constantly changing.

The Way to Liberation

2007-03-08T02:19:00.000-08:00

Sloka 37

What Is the Charya Stage?

Charya is performing religious service and living according to good conduct and traditional culture. Right living purifies our outer nature and helps us overcome basic instinctive patterns.

Sloka 38

What Is the Kriya Stage?

Kriya is worshiping regularly in the temple and home shrine. Kriya includes rituals, reciting our mantra, studying scripture and performing penance, such as fasting. All of this deepens our love and understanding of God and Gods.

Sloka 39

What Is the Yoga Stage?

Yoga is inner worship which leads to union with God. It includes meditating regularly, disciplining desire and performing austerities under the guidance of a satguru, the enlightened one who helps us to realize our divine Self.

Sloka 40

What Is the Jnana Stage?

Jnana is the highest state of human life, achieved after many births and countless deep spiritual experiences. It is divine wisdom flowing from an enlightened being, an old soul, who knows God and is filled with love. Jnana is the result of yoga well performed.

Karma and Rebirth

2007-03-08T02:17:00.000-08:00

Sloka 31

How Do Hindus Understand Karma?

Karma means "deed" or "act." It names the great law of cause and effect, or action and reaction, which we experience every day. Karma is a universal law of the mind, just as gravity is a law of matter.

Sloka 32

Is There Good Karma And Bad Karma?

In the highest sense, there is no good or bad karma. All karmas help us to learn and grow, whether they seem good or bad. Selfless acts are uplifting, and selfish acts cause confusion and unhappiness.

Sloka 33

What Is Reincarnation?

Reincarnation is the natural process of birth, death and rebirth. At death our soul drops off the physical body and continues evolving in the inner worlds in subtle bodies. In time we enter into birth again.

Sloka 34

What Should We Think about Death?

Our soul never dies; only the physical body dies. We do not fear death. We also do not look forward to it. But it is a very important experience. Life, death and our time after death are all part of our path to perfect oneness with God.

Sloka 35

How Should We Prepare for Death?

When we know we are going to die soon, we heal all relationships and settle the duties of our life. Preparing to depart, we chant our mantra, meditate, worship God and read scripture. We seek the inner light as we happily let go of the world.

The Nature of our Soul

2007-03-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

UPANISHAD THREE: OUR IMMORTAL SOUL

Sloka 26

What Is the Nature of Our Soul?

Our soul is a body of light which never dies. It reincarnates, taking a new physical body again and again to create and resolve karma. After many lives of experience, it knows God fully. Then it does not need to reincarnate again.

Sloka 27

How Is Our Soul Different from Siva?

God Siva, the First Soul, created our soul to be just like Him, but it is still becoming fully perfect. Siva's body is perfect. Our soul body is still maturing. Eventually, we will grow to be exactly like Siva.

Sloka 28

How Is Our Soul The Same as Siva?

The essence of our soul is identical with Siva right now. It was never created. This essence is the love that flows through everything and the Truth that lies beyond everything. This deepest part of us is perfect right now.

Sloka 29

Why Don't We Know Everything Like Lord Siva?

The three bonds of ego, karma and the experiences of the world blind our sight. God Siva created these to help us grow and learn. Deep within, we share God Siva's all-knowingness.

Sloka 30

What Is the Freedom Known as Moksha?

Moksha is freedom from the need to be born again on Earth. All souls one day attain moksha, after which the soul continues to mature in the higher astral world and divine world. Finally, it merges with Siva completely, like a river with the sea.

Lords of Dharma

2007-03-08T02:12:00.000-08:00

Sloka 21

Are there Gods Other than Siva?

God Siva has created many Gods and given them existence and powers. Yet He is within all of them completely. They are separate from Siva, yet inseparable, too, because everything is Siva.

Sloka 22

Who Is Lord Ganesha?

Lord Ganesha has an elephant's face. He is the God of Art and Science. He controls obstacles in our life and guards the path of goodness. Lord Ganesha helps us to understand karma, to do good deeds and follow the right path.

Sloka 23

What Is Lord Ganesha's Special Duty?

Lord Ganesha holds the noose in one hand and the goad in another. The noose is the symbol of His power to prevent things from happening in our life. The goad symbolizes His power to permit things to happen in our life. We seek His blessings before any worship or task.

Sloka 24

Who Is Lord Karttikeya?

Lord Karttikeya is Murugan. He is from the Pleiades constellation. As the first guru and master of meditation, He awakens our understanding and helps us know His father, God Siva.

Our Supreme God

2007-03-08T02:10:00.000-08:00

Sloka 16

What Is the Nature Of Our God Siva?

God Siva is all and in all. He is a one Being, but we understand Him in three perfections. He is Truth beyond everything. He is the light and energy within everything, and He is our dear Lord and Creator of everything.

Sloka 17

What Is God Siva's First Perfection?

God Siva's deepest Self is called Parasiva. This mysterious Self is very hard to explain. It has no shape or form. Like a point is the center of a circle, the Self is the center of everything, the core of the universe.

Sloka 18

What Is God Siva's Second Perfection?

God Siva's divine energy and pure consciousness is called the Great Power or Parashakti. It is His love flowing through all form, giving people, animals and all forms of life their existence and purpose.

Sloka 19

What Is God Siva's Third Perfection?

God Siva's uncreated, ever-existent Soul is the Supreme Lord, called Parameshvara, the father-mother Creator of all the Gods and beings of all three worlds. He rules from within, not from above.

Sloka 20

What Are God Siva's Traditional Forms?

There are many images of God Siva. Among the main worshipful forms are the simple elliptical icon, dancing Siva, half-female form, silent guru, half-Vishnu, the guardian and Siva's trident.

Saivite Hinduism

2007-03-08T02:06:00.000-08:00

Sloka 11

What Is the Theology Of Saivism?

God is love. He created us. He is within all and also beyond everything. He created the world and the world is also Him. In the world, we grow into our own perfect self. When this happens, we are free from the cycle of birth and death.

Sloka 12

How Do Saivites See Other Faiths?

Different religions have different beliefs. Saivites don't expect everyone to see God in the same way. They respect and encourage all who believe in God. Saivites know that Truth is one, paths are many.

Sloka 13

How Does Saivism Stay Modern?

The inner, mystical teachings are eternal truths which do not change. While holding on to the inner truths, Saivites may adjust their outer religious practice to adapt to modern times.

Sloka 14

How Do Saivites Live in the World?

For Saivite Hindus, all of life is sacred. All of life is religion. Therefore, Saivite art is sacred art. Saivite music is devotional music. Saivites consider even their daily work as service to man and God.

What Does Siva's Dance Mean?

Siva's dance is science, religion and art all in one. The drum means creation. The hand raised in blessing means preservation. The fire means destruction. The right foot on the man is His ability to hide things. The raised foot is His power to reveal Truth.

Dancing with Siva

2007-03-08T01:43:00.000-08:00

Dancing with Siva Youth Course
By Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

www.himalayanacademy.com/books/dws_youth/

UPANISHAD ONE: ETERNAL TRUTHS

Self Realization:

Sloka 1

Who Am I? Where Did I Come From?

We are not our body, mind or emotions. We are immortal souls on a spiritual journey. We came from God. We live in God. And we are growing into oneness with God.

Sloka 2

Where Am I Going? What Is My Path?

We are all growing toward God. We learn through experience. So, experience is the path. Experience teaches us not to be angry, not to fight and not to be afraid. Someday we will experience union in God.

Sloka 3

What Is Meant by "Dancing with Siva"?

The whole universe is involved in action and change. This constant flow of movement is Siva's dance. We, too, are part of this dance. We are dancing with Siva. And He is dancing with us.

Sloka 4

How Can We Learn to Dance with Siva?

Dance is movement. A disciplined dance is the best dance. Hindu spiritual practices, such as self-understanding, devotion, meditation and yoga, are like disciplined dance. They bring us closer to God.

Sloka 5

What Is the Ultimate Goal Of Earthly Life?

The ultimate goal of life on Earth is to realize the Self. Each soul discovers its perfect essence in deep meditation. This essence is the timeless, formless, spaceless Self God within.

Sloka 6

What Are Hinduism's Main Sects?

Hinduism is also called Sanatana Dharma, the "eternal faith." It is a family of religions that accept the authority of the Vedas. The four main sects are Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.

Sloka 8

What Is the Magic And Power of Saktism?

Saktas worship the Supreme as the Divine Mother, Sakti or Devi. She has many forms. Some are gentle. Some are fierce. Saktas use chants, real magic, holy diagrams, yoga and rituals to call forth cosmic forces and awaken the great power within the spine.

Sloka 9

What Is the Devotional Vaishnava Sect?

Vaishnavites worship the Supreme as Lord Vishnu and His incarnations, especially Krishna and Rama. Vaishnavites are mainly dualistic. They are deeply devotional and rich in saints, temples and scriptures.

Sloka 10

What Is the Universalistic Smarta Sect?

Smartas worship the Supreme in one of six forms: Ganesha, Siva, Sakti, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda. Because they accept all the major Hindu Gods, they are known as liberal Hindus. They follow a philosophical, meditative path, emphasizing man's oneness with God through understanding.