are the three paths (Devotion, Knowledge and Yoga) for god realization, which is the ultimate aim of the Hindu religion. All Brahminical teachings and writings lead to one of these paths. One is free to choose the path depending upon his or her intellect, inclination, or inner urge. Whereas the Gnana and Yoga margas may call for high degree of learning and discipline, the Bhakti Marga or the path of devotion and love is within easy reach of all. The Bhakti movement has been and will be a very potent force in god realization.

Bhakti encompasses, from offering simple prayers in praise of a god or respective gods to the highly ritualistic. The nature of these ceremonies, depend upon the deity, the level of knowledge of the priest/s. The belief is that anything done with devotion will reach the gods. In keeping with intellectual tradition, there have been debates as to which path is the best for god realization.

" Bhaja Govindam,  Bhaja Govindam,  Govindam Bhaja moodhamate samprapte sannihite kaley,  nahi nahi rakshati dukurinkarane. "

" Pray to lord Govinda, pray to lord Govinda, ignorant folks
 when your time is up, you won’t be saved by your book bank." (R.G)

The Indian landscape is dotted with Hindu temples and there is hardly any town or village without one. The second half of the 20^th century has witnessed the construction of hundreds of Hindu temples in many parts of the globe but especially in the USA.

In most of these temples, ritual form of worship is offered by learned Brahmin priests. However, the Government of India has of late, inducted other Hindus to priestly duties, in the temples run by it, in India.

The traditional ritual consists of sixteen elements and is called ‘ Shodasha upachara pooja’. This type of worship is also offered in Brahmin households and households where Brahmin priests perform ‘pooja’. Each household worships a deity termed "Kula Daivata" (Family god). In addition there is "Ishta Daivata" (Personal god).

Shodasha upachara consists of

a) Dhyana. (prayer).

b) Avahana invocation

c) Aaasana (offering seating)

d) Paadya (washing of feet)*

e) Arghya (washing of hands)*

f) Aachamana (offering of drinking water)*

g) Snana (bathing ritual)

h) Vastra (new dress)

i) Yajnopavita (sacred thread)

j) Gandha (sandal paste)

k) Abharana (jewelry)

l) Akshata (colored rice, Turmeric powder, Vermillion powder)

m) Pushpa (flowers)

n) Dhoopa (incense)

o) Deepa (lighted, oil soaked cotton wicks).

          p) Naivedya (offering of specially prepared food).

Water in a pot, (Kalasha) sanctified by invoking the names of seven sacred rivers of India namely Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri, is used for worship.

After the above offerings, Arathi (camphor light) and recitation of Vedic hymns called Mantra Pushpa concludes the Pooja (worship).

Pooja is based on Mantras (hymns) and is focused on concentrating on sounds. There are also diagrams called ‘Yantras’, which have the mantras as the core. These are usually inscribed on copper plates, which are then worshipped.

Homa

On special occasions, a sacrificial ceremony is performed in temples and households, which is called ‘Homa’. This has nothing to do with the animal sacrifice some Hindus offer to propitiate their gods. The Homa is performed under the guidance and authority of highly learned priests and may take up to six hours or more. More popular Homas are,

Ganapathi Homa for Lord Ganesha

Sudarshana Homa for Lord Vishnu.

Navagraha means nine planets, which are, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and the ascending and descending Nodes, named Raahu and Kethu, that are also considered as planets. In the sanskrit language these are called, respectively,

Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Kethu.

The fire god Agni is invoked at the ‘Homa’ and with the chanting of appropriate hymns, clarified butter (butter oil), and other offerings such as rice, coconut, gold and silver, new cloth (Vastra) are offered. In this case Agni also acts as carrier of the offerings to heaven for the respective gods, for whose blessings the Homa is performed.

‘Samskaras’ mean sacraments. According to Max Mueller," the prescription of these ceremonies reflect the deep rooted tendency in the heart of man to bring the chief events of human life into contact with a higher power, and to give to our joys and suffering a deeper significance and a religious sanctification."

Samskaras are rooted in the Rig-Veda, although the Atharva-veda is rich in mantras relating to marriage and funeral ceremonies. The objective of the Samskaras, are several. The removal of evil spirits, invoking blessings from gods for material gains, longevity and good progeny, are a few of these. The common thread holding all Samskaras is the worship of Agni (fire God) and Varuna (rain God) and the sprinkling or sipping of the holy water to wash away evil spirits and impurities. Different Mantras are chanted and different gods are worshipped depending upon the ceremony.

a) Garbha daana. Pre natal ceremony.

b) Pumsavana. Performed in the 2^nd,3^rd or 4^th month of pregnancy.

c) Seemantha. Performed in the 7^th or 8^th month.

d) Jaatakarma. Immediately after child birth.

e) Naamakarana. Child naming ceremony. 10^th or 12^th day after birth.

f) Annaprasana. First feeding of cooked rice to child,at 6 months.

g) Choodakarma. First tonsure for male child, at three years of age.

h) Upanayana. Thread giving ceremony, performed in the 8^th,11^th or 12^th year of male child calculated from the conception date, when   the Guru teaches the’ Gayatri mantra’. Thereafter the child is empowered to study the Vedas and participate in Vedic functions.

i) Vivaha (Marriage).  Vivaha means support to sustain. Sustain Dharma. Solemnized, with Agni as the     witness. The marriage is complete when the couple take seven steps together (Saptapadi).

j) Anthyeshti. Funeral  Samskaras performed at death, by the oldest son, help the parent attain peace in the next world. Cremation by fire is the rule. A  touching Mantra says “ May the organ of vision go to the Sun; may the Prana (soul) merge in the atmosphere; may you go to a virtuous place. “.  

 Prayers of the Brahmins

Brahmins are enjoined to offer prayers thrice daily, as prescribed in the Vedas. Young men are, initiated by their Gurus, to chant the mantras , at their first     “Thread ceremonies”,   These are the ‘Sandhya Vandana’ offered at dusk 
and dawn, and Madhyanhika offered at noon. 

 The sacred mantra of Gayatri is recited at these times.  Devata pooja is
performed in the morning and evening.

Omkara mantra

OM

AUM

 

Harappa-Seal                                                          Turned 90 degrees

The most sacred and solemn mantra, chanted at the beginning of prayers and religious ceremonies and at the beginning of invocations. Although it is commonly used as monosyllable, it is composed of three syllables A U and M. These syllables represent the three Vedas. They also represent the Hindu triad (Trimurthis), Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, respectively. Proper chanting of this mantra and the following Gayatri mantra as initiated by a Guru, would bestow great benefits.

Gayatri mantra 

Gayatri mantra is the most sacred manta from the Rig veda. In the Bhagavadgita, lord Krishna says, "Among the mantras I am Gayatri".

"Om bhur bhuvah swah: tat Savitar varenyam"

bhargo devasya dhee mahi, dhio yonah prachodayat".

Young men are initiated to chant the mantra by the family priests, during their "thread ceremony". It is considered the sacred duty of Brahmins, to recite this mantra silently, at least 108 times, during daily prayers offered at Dawn, Mid-day and at Dusk.

The Gayatri mantra is a part of the Pranayama mantra which is recited before meditating on the Gayatri. The full verse is as follows.

  ‘Om Bhoohu, Om Bhuvaha, Om Swaha, Om Mahaha, Om Janaha, Om Tapaha
 Om Satyam II  Om tat Savitar varenyam, Bhargo devasya dheemahi, dhio yonah
  Prachodayat II Om Apo Jyothiraso Amritam Brahma Bhur Buvah Suvar Om ‘

  The significance of this mantra transcends all religions and creeds, which, during their evolution have considered Sun as the life-sustaining god and offered prayers. The god of the Gayatri mantra is ‘Savitr’ a solar deity,’ with Golden hands, Golden Tongue   and Golden eyes’. The Gayatri mantra is addressed to Sun  in the form of ‘Savitr’.  Gayatri is also the goddess of this mantra manifesting in three forms. In the mornings  she is called Gayatri, at noon she is Savitri, and in the evenings  she is called Saraswathi. There are numerous interpretations of what is meant by this mantra, ranging from simple to the  elaborate. The latter may be Upanishadic. Our interpretation of the Gayatri mantra is:

  " We meditate on the divine light of Savitr, which dominates the Earth, the Sky and the Heaven.  Let it stimulate our thoughts." (R.G.)

Hymns (mantras) for other gods are:  

Brahma

Vedaatmanaaya vidmahe, Hiranyagarbhaya dhee mahi

tannoh Brahma prachodayat

Ganesha

Om Sri Maha Ganapathaye Namah.

Tat purushaaya  Vidmahe, Vakra thundaaya dhee mahi,

tannoh  Danthi prachodayaat.

Tat purushaaya vidmahe, Mahadevaya dhee mahi, tannoh Rudra prachodayat.

Shakti

Om Sri Durgayai namah

Om namah Suryaya

Bhaskaraya vidmahe, Maha Dyutikaraya dhee mahi

 tannoh Aditya prachodayat.

Subrahmanya

Tat purushaaya vidmahe, Mahasenaya dhee mahi

tannah Shanmukha prachodayat.

Agni

Vyshvanaraya vidmahe, Laaleelaya dhee mahi, tannoh Agni prachoyadat

Shanthi Mantras

The following Mantras are chanted, seeking divine grace on humanity.

"Om swasthi prajabhyaha paripalayantam
nyayena margena mahim maheeshaha
Goe Brahmanebhyaha shubamastu nityam
lokaaha samasthaa sukhino bhavantu".

"Let the citizens be healthy
and the Rulers be just.
Let cows and the learned be blessed
and the world be happiness filled".  (R.G).

"Kaley varshatu Parjanyah
Prithvi sasya shalini
Deshoyam Kshoba rahitah
Brahmanah santu nirbhayah".

"Let it rain in season
let the earth be green
Let the land be free from famine
And let the learned minds be free". (R.G).

"Sarveshaam swasthir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shanthir bhavatu
Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam Mangalam bhavatu".

Let all of mankind be blessed with healthy, happy, full and peaceful lives