Thursday, August 13, 2015
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Hindu Wedding
Hindu Wedding Rituals
Of the 16 samskaras, or milestones, that mark the stages in a person’s life, a very special place is accorded to the ritual of marriage, or vivah samskar. In Hindu Scriptures, man and woman are considered as the two halves of a divine body. Marriage is considered as the divine union of the masculine energy represented as Shiva and the feminine energy represented as Shakti into the form of the supreme Lord for the sustainment of universal creation. Through marriage a person enters the Grihasta Ashrama or the life of a Householder. In Hinduism, marriage is not just perceived as the union of two individuals; rather it is observed as the melding of two souls. The rituals of marriage are conducted by a priest who enunciates the sacred verses in Sanskrit, with the deity Agni as the witness.
The Haldi Ceremony is a significant pre-wedding ritual. Haldi paste is made from turmeric, sandalwood and rose water. It is applied on both the bride and groom, in their respective homes, on their face, hands and feet. It is considered an Indian beautification process for the bride and groom before their wedding.
Swagat, the first of many rituals that are part of a Hindu Wedding, is the welcoming ceremony of the bride and the groom. By receiving and greeting the bride and groom we welcome Lord Vishnu, as the groom and Devi Lakshmi as the bride. It is believed that in so doing the divine couple comes together once more to sustain the earth - Lord Vishnu with his stability and wisdom and Goddess Lakshmi with her generosity. The bride and groom are greeted with madhuparka, a mixture of curd, honey and ghee.
The next is the exchange of garlands, Jai Mala. This is the time for the bride and groom to announce their decision, their acceptance of one another and seal it with a gesture. Just like Sita chose Rama and Draupadi chose Arjuna with a garland, when a woman first places a garland around her chosen groom, the groom can proceed with the wedding ceremony. From pre-Vedic times, this was one of the many ways in which a woman’s right of choice was protected.
After the bride and groom have expressed their desire to be companions for life, a beginning is made with the ritual of shilarohan. The term literally means, “stepping on stone.” The bride’s brother places her right foot on a stone. With this gesture, he imparts advice that will stand her in good stead in the days to come. With this the woman agrees to be firm in her loyalty, and be like a rock at her husband’s side.
In olden times, it was believed that of all the acts of generosity that a man could perform, the greatest was that of the giving away of his daughter in marriage. This is the Kanyadaan. “Kanya” meaning young girl or maiden and “daan” meaning donation or gift, this ritual translates to “gift of a maiden.”
Once the bride and groom have pledged themselves to each other, a scarf fastens their garments together. Three knots tie them securely together as a symbolic gesture of their lifelong commitment to each other. The three knots are an important part of the nuptials and symbolize a multitude of things like the gunas, the three states (human, God and nature) and the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). The couple invites Agni as a witness to the marriage ceremony.
Agni Dev grants permission and the Gods have been appeased. It is time for the groom to claim his bride. He offers her a sacred charm, the mangalsutra. By accepting the chain, the bride grants his request and accepts him as her husband. The groom applies sindoor to the parting of the bride’s hair. The sindoor is not just an expression of vitality and passion but also the sign of Grihalakshmi, the goddess of the household. With the application of sindoor the bride is invited to enter and bless the couple’s home. She is responsible for bringing fullness and joy in all that they do.
The most meaningful part of the ceremony is the Saptapadi, the Seven Steps. These are the seven steps taken by the bride and groom together, in the presence of God and the guests. At his marriage ceremony, Shiva requested Parvati to sit on his left but Parvati refused, insisting that she would become one half of his consciousness, only when she was granted seven wishes. Shiva acceded to her desire and asked her to take seven steps with him, granting a boon at each step. Since then, every Hindu bride has taken these steps with her spouse, hoping by this to become as versatile a bride as Parvati, hoping too that her husband is as appeasing as Lord Shiva himself. In tune with those ancient wishes, the groom prays to the Lord on behalf of the bride, while bestowing on her the title of one of the many goddesses who guard and protect our lives.
v With the first step, bountiful maiden, like Annaporna, may she always have food to offer each guest at their door.
v With the second step, Resilient Woman, be Shakti, may those she cherish have strength of will and health of body.
v With the third, become Mahalakshmi, and all their acts be anchored in prosperity.
v With the fourth step, Serene One, be the embodiment of Shanti, may all that transpires between the couple be filled with peace.
v The fifth step, invokes Mother Gauri so the bride may nurture the lives that are in her care.
v The sixth, adorn the bride as Kamini, may the husband delight each season in the wife’s company.
v And lastly, with the seventh step, the groom honors the bride as his Sakhi, may she always stand by him, performing each dharma with fidelity.
And so, the couple’s journey begins.
Written by Mahika Jhangiani
Assistant Director HYSC 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015
Diwali - Festival of Lights
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Each day of the festival of Diwali has a specific name and ritual. The first day is known as Dhanteras. On Dhanteras, the start of Diwali, houses and business are cleaned and rangoli and diyas are set out as decorations. People traditionally buy gold and silver on Dhanteras, and perform Lakshmi puja in the evening. The second day of Diwali is known as Naraka Chaturdasi, or Choti Diwali. Henna and homemade sweets are made on Choti Diwali in preparation for the biggest day. On Diwali day, the main Lakshmi puja is held, and Goddess Lakshmi herself is invited into homes. Sparklers and fireworks are used for exciting celebrations after the puja, and feasts and mithai are abundant. The fourth day of Diwali is known as Padwa. Padwa is important for the bond between husband and wife, and celebrates the love and devotion they share. On this loving occasion, the whole family performs puja in honor of Lord Krishna. The last day of the festival of lights is called Bhaj dooj, meaning Brother’s second. Bhaj dooj celebrates the bond between brother and sister, similar to Raksha Bhandan. Women get together and perform a puja to honor their brothers, and festivities are shared between siblings all day.
As with many Hindu festivals, many different legends serve to explain the significance of Diwali. One story is that of Lord Rama, who returned home after 14 years of exile. Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana of Lanka, and marked the victory of good over evil. Lord Rama was warmly welcomed home by the people of Ayodhya, who had been waiting for him for many years. They lit the roads with little lamps, or diyas, to show Lord Rama the way home, and to show their affection for their king. It was a huge celebration that day. This is Diwali, the festival of lights.
Also in accordance with Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, Diwali is associated with the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and right over wrong. On Diwali, people decorate their homes both internally and externally with many beautiful, colorful diyas and other lights. Along with extravagant decorations, homes are cleaned and displayed beautifully for Goddess Lakshmi. As mentioned previously, it is believed that on Diwali night, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits each household and gives her blessings. This is why we pray to Her on Diwali.
Throughout the festival of lights, people often purchase new things which they believe are for Goddess Lakshmi. Besides the purchase of gold and silver on Dhanteras, these purchases include anything from gifts and housewares to clothing and sweets. Traditionally gifts are distributed amongst members of the family, and friends, and the household employees. Children all wear new clothes and ladies dress in their fineries.
Each region in India has its own special ways of celebrating Diwali, but regardless of the differences, all of India and Hindus everywhere celebrate the wonderful time of year that is the Festival of Diwali.
Written by Arushi Agarwal
Director HYSC 2015
Dussera - Dasha-Hara
Assistant Director HYSC 2015Dasha-HaraDasha-Hara, a Hindu Festival celebrated throughout India, marks Lord Rama’s defeat of the ten-headed demon king, Ravana. The word is derived from Dasha, meaning ten, and Hara meaning removal, therefore marking the overcoming of the 10 evils, which are symbolized by Ravana’s ten heads.As told in the Ramayana, (a well-known Hindu Scripture) on Dasha-Hara, many thousands of years ago, good triumphed over evil. Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu was brought onto earth to defeat the evil demon, Ravana. Although Ravana committed many atrocious acts throughout his lifetime, he was a devotee of the Gods and given boons by both Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva. One of these boons ensured that Ravana could not be killed, by any man who knew that he was a Divine Being. Therefore, none of the Gods had the ability to defeat the demon because they were all aware of their divinity. So, when Lord Vishnu reincarnated himself as Rama, he ensured that Rama would believe himself to be an ordinary man as opposed to a heavenly being. That is the reason why Rama, unlike the rest of Lord Vishnu’s avatars, was extremely humble and the epitome of a perfect son, brother, friend, etc. Thus, when Rama’s stepmother, who wanted her own son to be the King instead of Rama, asked her husband to exile his first-born son, Rama complied and went into exile (in deference to the wishes of his step-mother). During Rama’s fourteen years of exile in the forest, his wife, Sita, was kidnapped by Ravana who wanted to exact revenge on Rama and his brother, Lakshmana, because they had cut off the nose of his demonic sister. Eventually, through a series of events and with the help of the monkey god, Hanuman, Rama fought Ravana in an epic battle and eventually killed the demon and rescued his wife. It is for this reason that on the festival day of Dasha-Hara, Hindus burn a large effigy of Ravana and perform ten ritual offerings, also known as yagnas. This is in order to rid their homes of the ten bad qualities which are represented by each of Ravana’s heads: Kama Vasana (Lust), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Attachment), Lobha (Greed), Mada (Over Pride), Matsara (Jealousy), Swartha (Selfishness), Anyaaya (Injustice), Amanavata (Cruelty), and Ahankara (Ego). Thus, Dasha-Hara marks Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and the victory of good over evil.This festival also marks the defeat of the demon bull, Mahishasura, by Durga Mata. Mahishasura was a leader of a band of demons known as the Asuras. Their goal was to defeat the gods, the Devas, and to take over the Universe. Under Mahishasura’s leadership, the Asuras succeeded and created havoc on the universe. In order to take back what was theirs, the Devas compiled all their powers into the feminine energy, known as Shakti, and gave her the task of killing Mahishasura. Shakti took the form of the beloved yet fearsome Goddess Durga who defeated the evil bull and returned the universe back to the Devas. Hence, Dasha-Hara not only marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama but it also commemorates the defeat of Mahishasura’a by the Deity Durga.This illustrates that Dasha-Hara is all about the triumph of good over evil.Written by Pallavi Chadha
Navratri
Navratri
Navratri is a festival devoted to the celebration of Divine Mother Durga. Navratri lasts for nine nights and ten days, with the tenth day known as Dussehra. “Nav” means nine and “Ratri” means night. The lunar calendar determines when the four different occasions of Navratri fall each year, with the main festival of Navratri being Sagar Navratri. Goddess Mother Durga has been worshiped since days that pre-date the Vedic age, and she continues to be revered and celebrated even in modern times especially during the Navratri festivals.
The first type of Navratri festival is Vasanta Navratri, which is celebrated in March, the Chaita month of the Hindu Calendar. Vasanta Navratri marks the end of winter and the well-anticipated arrival of spring. The seasonal change brings joy and enthusiasm, as well as marking the New Year on the lunar calendar. The second type of Navratri is known as Gupta Navratri, also known as Ashada or Gayatri Navratri. Gupta Navratri falls in the months of June or July. These are nine days devoted to the celebration of the Mother Goddess. The third Navratri festival falls between December and February on the modern calendar, and is known as Maagha or Pausha Navratri.
The most important festival of Navratri is known as Sharad Navratri, which falls between October and November in the lunar month of Ashvin. This occasion is also a season transition; as the warmer weather and summer-autumn months fade, the chilly winters arrive each year. The nine forms of Durga Mata are worshipped in these nine days. The first three days of Navratri are devoted to Goddess Durga, the supreme goddess. The following three days are in honor of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The last three days are celebrating Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and learning.
Each region of India celebrates the nine nights of Navratri differently. In North India, murtis of Goddess Durga are dressed beautifully. The Divine presence of Mother Durga is acknowledged in young girls and homage is paid to them as a symbol of Her being. Fresh food and gifts are brought to the girls as symbolic offerings to the goddess. In addition, many fast for the full nine days while worshiping the Mother Goddess in all of her forms. In Bengal, ceremonial “pandals” are created and used in worship of the goddesses. In Punjab, the first seven days of Navratri are set aside for fasting, while on the eighth day known as Ashtami, the fast is broken and young girls once again represent the goddess. Puja is offered to the young girls, as well as sweets, and clothing. The ninth day is then Navami. The rituals of Gujarat have become widespread among the entire globe: the tradition of Garba and Dandiya-Raas. Garba and Raas is an energy-filled, fun, and intense devotional way to observe and celebrate the presence of Durga Mata. In any and all forms of worship, Navratri is a glorious festival that observes and pays tribute to the power and splendor of Goddess Durga in all Her glory and Shakti.
Written by Arushi Agarwal
Director HYSC 2015
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