Hindu Marriage Traditions Past and Present

Hindu Marriage Traditions Past and Present

“It was a cold day in winters when the house was decorated with flowers and lights all around. The air was filled with excitement and joy as I heard the sound of the Baarat coming from a distance. I rushed towards the window and leaned over its edge and slid the curtain slightly. I saw a handsome man smiling shyly sitting on a horse. He just looked so perfect that my heart skipped a beat. It was the day when I first saw the man I was going to marry, it was my wedding day” My granny said. Their wedding was fixed by their families, when they were just kids.

Years ago the face of Hindu marriage was completely different. It is said that marriages are made in heaven and celebrated on earth. It is not a mere celebration but a rejoiced union of two families observed with great zeal.

But everything changes with the time. And it is also true in terms of Hindu Marriage traditions. Gone are the days when the marriage used to be arranged by elders at an early age and the ceremony use to go on for 8 days where every rite and ritual used to be practiced with every minute detail. As we progressed towards ‘Modernization’, there are many traditions we have left behind.

Hindu marriage use to be an extensive process involving rigid protocols. The marriage which usually used to last for 8 days has come down to 2 days function or in certain cases, even 1 day.

The practice of making sacred seven vows used to be a prolonged process whereas these days it is being done within just few minutes.

In the earlier days an auspicious time used to be fixed by a pandit (Hindu priest) and the rites and rituals had to be performed in the given time span.

Many customs like Katha Vachan, Samdhi Milap, and Var Nikasi are completely eliminated from the process of the ceremony. While some other are adopted to make the weddings more cheerful. The trends of having a pre wedding cocktail party having dance performances and Dj’s playing their gigs, is what the new generation have adopted over the years.

Whatever reforms the times have bought in the traditions, one thing that is permanent in right from the beginnings is that Hindu marriages are commemoration in itself and will continue to be so.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/hindu-marriage-traditions-past-and-present

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Incarnations of Lord Vishnu

Incarnations of Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is the part of Holy Trinity in Hinduism. Narayana descends to restore the cosmic balance. Whenever the evil forces reachbrim, Vishnu takes an incarnation to ensure prosperity and rule of goodness. As per the Holy Scriptures like Bhagwat Gita and Vishnu Purana refer to the origin of Dashavataras or the ‘Ten incarnation forms’. Recent readings also acknowledge Chaitanaya Muni, Vithobha and Ramakrishna Parmahansa as Vishnu’s incarnations. Some Vaishnavs consider Balarama as one of incarnations and not Buddha.

Matsya:

Matsya avatar is said to be the most humble and powerful incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu came in Sata Yuga in Piscean form to save Manu from annihilation due to apocalypse.

Kurma:

Kurma or Tortoise form of Lord Vishnu came to support the churning of the Ocean and bring the Amrita (elixir) to Earth from the ocean floors. The Mandara Mountain was placed on the back of the Kurma and spun to churn the ocean. The amrita, Kamdhenu, and Airavata are some of the items that came out of the process.

Varaha:

Old boar or Varaha form of Vishnu rescued Prithvi from the clutches of Hiranyaksha, the demon ruler who took it to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. After defeating the demon, Varaha restored the position of Earth in the solar system.

Narasimha:

Narasimha is the lion manifestation of the human body. Hiranyakashiu, the elder brother of Hiranaykasha and father of Bhakt Prahalad, was killed by this form. The form has special significance in mythology owing to the fact that Vishnu can take any form and can appear from any place.

Vamana:

Vamana arrived at the Havana site of King Bali, grandson of Bhakt Prahalad. Bali had grown boastful of his reigning powers. Lord Vishnu took a dwarf form and asked for three portions of land as alms from Bali. Unable to gauge what the portions could be, Bali asked to measure the land using the three paces of foot. Vamana grew in size and seized the heaven with his first step the netherworld with the next. When Bali realized his ego has been shattered, he offered his head for the third step. This earned Bali immortality and brought Indradeva back to prominence.

Parashurama:

Parshurama was the first warrior saint. He received Parshu axe from Shiva. He eliminated the Kshatriya clan 21 times and filled five lakes with their blood. He is the dutiful son to rishi Jamaadgini. He is an immortal and still performs his penance at Mahendragiriparvat.

Rama:

Treta Yuga was haunted by demonic powers. Rama, who was born in Ayodhya, killed Raavana and his brother, Kumbhakaran in Treta Yuga and freed Lanka from the reigns of Raavana. He also gave back Kishgindha to Sugreeva after helping him defeat Bali. He is also referred to as Maryada Puroshottam.

Krishna:

Krishna killed his evil uncle, Kanksha and Shishupala in the Dwapar Yuga. He is the raconteur of the Bhagwad Gita. He mesmerised the Gokulvasis with his BAL leelas and Gopi Kaands. Krishna is also known as Jagannath, Govardhandhari, Muralidhar, and Shrinathji. He was cursed by Gandhari for pushing Kurava clan towards its end. He shifted his capital to Dwarka and became Dwarkadheesh.

Buddha/ Vithoba/ Chaitanya Muni:

Different sects of Vaishanavas see the ninth incarnation in different form. Buddha earned Moksha, while Vithoba and Chaitnaya Muni freed the society from evils in society. The followers of Ramakrishna Parmahanasa see him as the ninth incarnation.

Kalki:

Yet to arrive, Kalki will bring Armageddon on Earth and remove the filth of humanity. He will arrive at the end of Kali Yuga. He is said to arrive riding a white horse carrying powerful weapons that would bring total annihilation on Earth.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/incarnations-of-lord-vishnu

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Facts About Om

Facts About Om

Remember how when we were young how our grandparents made it a point that we should learn as much of Shlokas, and Bhajans. If not all they made sure that we all knew the most important one. 

Gayantri Mantra the easiest basic Shloka that we heard and learnt growing up. The first thing it teaches us is the powerful enunciated word OM. Every good household by default makes sure to raise a good value inculcated child. OM has and always will be a part of our moral upbringing. Our religious doors open with OM. The sanctified syllable which resides in our heart and soul. It slips out whenever one is in a problem or any sort of trouble.  It’s an aid to our aching souls. From the very initial levels of our childhood we have been taught that there is nothing that we can’t solve with the help of the divine Om. No one can deny the fact that one instantly feels relaxed calm solace when one chants Om. Synonyms of Om are Aum, Omkara, Aumkara or Om itself but it has never failed the true devotees.

The greatness is not only shared by Hindu’s but also Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Even though the roots of the word are not clear but they can be traced back to east India or Nepal. But doesn’t it make you wonder how such a small word radiates positivity?

The answer is that it’s the source of the purest form of energy which is a blend of creation, liberation and perseveration, the 3 ingredients to life for a human. Primarily a Sanskrit word, its literal meaning is to “pronounce loudly” or “shout loudly” maybe that’s the reason why it’s so popular in Yoga. According to Yogi’s chanting Aum pulsates the vibration equivalent to that of nature and surroundings. It’s also scientifically proven that chanting Om gives a frequency of 432 Hz.

Even though one word it has different translations for diverse religions .Hindus regard it as a mystical divinity, a sign of gods above and written in Devangiri  Script. Whereas Jains  use it as direct reference to god. Buddhists consider it holy and a good omen. Even though Sikhs have broken Om to Onkar basically means “one lord” justifying the uniqueness of the almighty. It’s a wonderful marvel how one word can give such diverse meaning to various people.

Well, we all know how each god has his own personal animal as their transport. But ever heard of a Lord having a personal word? In fact, they do. Ganesh JI the symbol of Om itself his trunk and curve of the belly together form OM.

Om is truly omniscient. The prolonged scripture is in reality a combination of all the sounds of each and every human language. Every audible and understandable linguistic aid originates and ends with it. It’s no less than a wonder how such a small word could be so deep embedded in our history which has stretched to our very present. Fortunately our race has stumbled upon this magical word which fulfills our spiritual needs. Truly said Om Shanti Om.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/facts-about-om

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Purpose behind performing Aarti

Purpose behind performing Aarti

An integral and a very key part of the Hindu worship ritual or Puja, Aarti or Arti originates from the Sanskrit word Aratrika, which when broken means absence of Ratrika or Ratri (night). Aartis are generally performed by lighting wicks soaked in ghee or Oil or by lighting camphor. This ceremony of light is at times also said to be the miniature version of a Vedic fire ritual of Yajna or Yagya or homa.

In today’s world, where the human belief system has become a little shaky, Aarti might just be a platter with several things in it and a song one must sing to appease the Gods. However, aarti is a spiritual connect between a devotee and the Lord. As per Bhagwat Gita, the material world (the creation) is made of five main elements; Akash (ether), Vayu (wind), Agni (fire), Jal (water) and Prithvi (earth). Each constituent on the aarti platter signifies one of these five elements. The flowers represent the earth element, a small pot of water represents the water element, the sound of the conch and the bells represent the ether element, the lamp or candles signify the fire element and the peacock fan signifies the air element. The platter replete with all these elements is moved in a clockwise circular motion around the deity or the divine element (holy rivers, the ocean etc.) making it seem like the light from the lamp forms a celestial circle binding together the performer and the one for whom the aarti is performed.

Some interesting facts highlighting the significance of Aarti:

• The word Aarati can also split into ‘aa’ meaning complete and ‘rati’ meaning love. Thus Aarati or Arti is an epitome of one’s unflinching love and devotion towards the deity, the divine element or sometimes the person to which it is performed.
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• Aarti isn’t always limited to the Gods. It can also be performed to living beings, when welcoming someone, to divine elements like the holy rivers, the ocean, and sometimes to inanimate objects such as vehicles, instruments, machines etc.
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• Aarti is a reminder to the humans that the creator must remain at the center of all activities and that the materialistic evils and their ego are secondary to the creator.
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• Aarti is also performed in some Sikh Gurudwaras, with a basic difference that it is performed to the Guru Granth Sahib than to an idol.
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• The five wick lamps are sometimes replaced with camphor or dhoop (fumes coming off burning coal).
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• Indian Catholics do aarti when a child returns after receiving the first holy communion.

Thus, aarti must be perceived as an offering of the creation to the creator (the deity). A celebration of the divine light that brings positivity, sanctity, purity of soul, fragrance and love to the human lives!

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/purpose-behind-performing-aarti

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10 Elements in Hindu Wedding

10 Elements in Hindu Wedding

A Hindu wedding is no ordinary affair. It is a glorious union of not just two individuals but two families. When you consider of a typical Indian wedding all that comes to our mind is Glittery set ups, flower arrangements, gleeful guests dressed in beautiful Indian attires, limitless food stalls, blazing fireworks and of course to add to the charm the Band Baja and the dances. But fairly this is not what a Hindu wedding is all about. It is an intense process which is followed with every detail even today. Here are some inseparable elements of Hindu marriage.

1.Takka Bidha

It is a small ritual followed just after the marriage is fixed to show the approval from both the families. Elders from the families come together along with bride and groom and exchange sweets.

2. Sagai

It is an official ceremony where rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom. It officially marks the beginning of their relation as a couple. In this ceremony Shadi ka joda and jewelry of the bride is gifted to the bride by her in laws.

3. Smadhi Milap

On the day of the marriage the groom arrives at the Mandap (venue) along with his family and relatives and they are welcomed by the Bride’s family.

4. Poonyah Vachanan

Once both the families come together, Lord Ganesh is worshiped by reciting his prayers; to keep all the obstacles away, as it is done in Hindu tradition before starting any auspicious ceremony.

5. Haldi and Sangeet Rajni

It is custom where the bride and the groom are smeared with haldi (Turmeric mixture) while the relative rejoice by dancing and singing for the occasion. It is said that haldi helps in beautifying the skin and adds charm.

6. Barat or Var Nikasi

Var means Groom and Nikasi means clearance. This is a custom where the groom along with his family and friends leaves his residence with great zest. Usually he sits on a horse and live band baja is played as the relatives and friends dance their way out towards the brides house or the venue of the marriage.

7. Kanyadan

This is a ritual where the father of the bride gives her away to her new family. The father places the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom. This is considered as the greatest honor for the parents of the bride.

8. Saptapadi

It act is known as the seven scared steps of marriage where the couple makes seven vows to each other in front of the holy fire by walking around it.

9. Mangalsutrabandhnam

After the seven vows are taken the groom ties a holy thread of black beads and a gold pendant around the brides neck to signify his rights over her as his wife. He also applies Sindoor or Kumkum on the bride’s forehead to symbolize the marriage.

10. Bidai

Bidai means Goodbye; it is a tradition where the bride’s family sends her off with tearful greetings. 

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/10-elements-in-hindu-wedding

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