The Aranyakas

  In most of the temples there are one or more bells hung from the top, near the entrance. The devotee rings the bell as soon as he enters, thereafter proceeding for darshan of the lord and prayers. Children love jumping up or being carried high in order to reach the bell.  Why do we ring the bell? Is it to wake up the lord ? But the lordnever sleeps. Is it to let the lord know we have come?  He is all-knowing. Is it a form of seeking permission to enter his precinct? It is a homecoming and therefore entry needs no permission .  The lord welcomes us at all times. Then what would be the reason for this? The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. It produces the sound of om, the universal name of the lord. There should be auspiciousness within and without, to gain the vision of the lord who is all-auspiciousness. Even while doing the ritualistic aarati, we ring the bell. It is sometimes accompanied by the auspicious sounds of t...

Most of the Indians fast regularly or on special occasions. On such day they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food. Some undertake strict fasts that is they do not even drink water the whole day! Fasting is done for many reasons - to please the lord, to discipline oneself and even to protest. Gandhiji fasted to protest against the British rule. Fasting in sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means"near" vaasa means"to say". Upavaasa therefore means staying to lord. Then what has upavaasa to do with food? A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items , cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain food types make our minds dull and agitated. Every system needs a break and an overhaul to work at its best. Rest and a change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestive system and the entire body. Fasting helps us to cultivate control over our senses, modify our desires and guide our minds to be at peac...

In India one of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. The hard outer cover is broken in temple as an offering for our prayers. The coconut hard cover resembles the head of a human being. The breaking of coconut is considered as breaking of our ego or Ahankar, because god expects his devotees to be egoless and pure. The coconut is also offered on occasions like wedding, festivals, pooja, the use of a new vehicle, house etc. A pot full of water, decorated with mango leaves and a coconut on top is worshipped on important occasions.  There was a time when animal sacrifice was practised, slowly this practice faded and the coconut was offered instead. The fibre covering of the dried coconut is removed except for a tuft on the top. The inner white kernel is used as prasad. In the traditional abhishekha ritual done in temples and homes, several materials are poured over the deity. Tender coconut water is used in abhishekha rituals since it is believed to grant spiritual...

Tulsi plant can be seen in all the Indian homes, infront or central courtyard of hindu house. Traditionally the tulsi is planted in a special masonry structure known as Tulsi Vrindavan as it is related to their culture. The lady of the house lights a lamp, waters the plant, worships and take a round of the tulsi vrindavan. The plant is regarded as a "womens deity" and a symbol of ideal wifehood and motherhood. Tuesdays and fridays are considered especially sacred for tulsi worship. In sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi-- that which is incomparable is the tulasi. For Indians it is one of the most sacred plant. As one story goes, tulasi was the devoted wife of shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning (sin). So she cursed him to become a stone. Seeing her devotion and commitment to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn his head. Also that all offering...