HINDU: 2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Love Marriage Vs Arranged Marriage

Hindus regard the institution of marriage as a sacrosanct sacrament and not just a contract between two people of opposite sex.

Hindu wedding

Most people tend to equate Hindu marriage with arranged marriage. Wise and concerned parents in order to meet the domestic obligation of a proper marraige, prepare themselves mentally and, more importantly, financially when their child reaches marriageable age. They search for a suitable partner keeping in mind the societal rules regarding cast, creed, natal chart, and financial and social status of the family.

What if the girl or the boy refuses to marry the person chosen by their parents? What if they choose a partner of their own liking and opt for a love marriage? Will the Hindu society rule out such a marriage?

And what about second marriage and polygamy? Is it okay by the the Hindu Marriage Act for Hindus to convert to Islam to remarry without a divorce?

The Holy Rudraksha: Super Seed

The seed of the Rudraksha tree (Elaeocarpus granitrus) holds a very special place in Hinduism, and is credited to possess mystical and divine properties. Necklaces made of Rudraksha beads are considered auspicious as well as powerful, and are supposed to have profound astrological and ayurvedic benefits. It is believed that one who wears Rudraksha is untouched by sins, and is protected from all impious deeds or thoughts.

Nowadays, they seem to come in all shapes and sizes, and available at every little
shop that sells alternative medicines, including a host of online stores. But
make sure you get the real stuff. Imitations look real but don't work! Here's
how to identify a genuine Rudraksha seed:

1. A real Rudraksha bead will never float on water.
2. Even if you boil a real Rudraksha in water for 6 hours, there would no effect
on the bead. A fake will easily disintegrate.
3. A good Rudraksha bead will not be broken at any end.
4. A 'healthy' bead should have well defined and natural corns and
contours.

Chyawanprash: Ancient Indian Elixir

Chyawanprash is a comprehensive herbal tonic with multiple health benefits, prepared according to an ancient Ayurvedic formula. This unique 'jam' is a mix of powerful ayurvedic herbs with 'amla' (Indian gooseberry) as the base. It is beneficial for all ages, and creates a harmonious synergy in the body leading to better metabolism.

It is believed that the formula of Chyawanprash was discovered by the sage Chyawan. He was the first to prepare this tonic, and used it to regain his own youth and longevity. Charak Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic treatise written by sage Charak in the 4th century BCE, contains the first historically documented formula for Chyawanprash. According to this ancient text, Chyawanprash is "the foremost of all 'rasayanas' or herbal formulations."

Pilgrimage to Sabarimala – Hill Shrine of Lord Ayyappa

Millions of devotees undertake an arduous journey to the hill shrine of Sabarimala - one of the biggest pilgrimages in India that is only open from mid-November to mid-January every year. The pilgrimage to this Ayyappa temple situated in Kerala at an altitude of 914 meter is a long uphill journey on foot though forests and rough terrain that does not seem to deter pilgrims that number between 30-50 million every year.

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is famous for the 41-day 'Mandala Kalam' - an auspicious period of worship that begins at on the first day of the Malayalam month 'Vrischikam' in mid-November. This year the Sabarimala Shrine opened on November 16, and is scheduled to remains open for 41 days, ending December 27, with another 'Mandala Puja' followed by a 2-day break. The shrine then reopens on December 30 for the 'Makaravilakku Puja,' and remains open for 'darshan' or visit until January 14, the day of Pongal and Makarsankranti.

The Sabarimala temple is insured for 300 million Indian rupees by its administrative board. All pilgrims and officials on duty get a free accident insurance cover for any injury or death on the 18 km climb from Nilakkal to Sannidhanam. Before embarking on pilgrimage, all devotees need to wear 'Mudra Mala' or a necklace made of Rudraksha or Tulsi beads, and enter into a period of 'vratham' or austerities for 41 days. Religion is no bar as people from all faith can enter the temple except children and women of certain age group.

Pilgrimage to Sabarimala – Hill Shrine of Lord Ayyappa

2011 Hindu Gods & Goddesses Wall Calendar

Looking for a New Year gift that is as useful as traditional? This 2011 wall calendar that beautifully captures the depth and majesty of India's magical pantheon of deities is one such great present. The Hindu Gods & Goddesses 2011 Wall Calendar features artworks from "Form of Beauty: The Krishna Art" by B.G. Sharma and "In a World of Gods and Goddesses: The Mystic Art" by Indra Sharma. B.G. Sharma, a painter of miniatures, is famous throughout India for his originality in composition, design and ornamentation. Indra Sharma comes from a long line of traditional painters dedicated to exerting a genuine spiritual influence on society through artistic means. Together they tell of ancient stories and transport us to the miraculously divine world of the Hindu universe.

Subhamoy's Hinduism

It's Christmas eve - a good time to reflect on the similarities between Christianity and Hinduism - the most prominent being the like lives of Jesus Christ and Lord Krishna. Although there is little historical evidence, it is hard to ignore a host of likenesses between Christ and Krishna. Analyze this!

Both are believed to be sons of God, since they were divinely conceived
The birth of both Jesus of Nazareth and Krishna of Dwarka and their God-designed missions were foretold
Both were born at unusual places -- Christ in a lowly manger and Krishna in a prison cell
Both were divinely saved from death pronouncements
Evil forces pursued both Christ and Krishna in vain
Christ is often depicted as a shepherd; Krishna was a cowherd
Both appeared at a critical time when their respective countries were in a torpid state
Both died of wounds caused by sharp weapons -- Christ by nails and Krishna by an arrow
The teachings of both are very similar -- both emphasize love and peace
Krishna was often shown as having a dark blue complexion -- a color close to that of Christ

Subhamoy's Hinduism

Both are believed to be sons of God, since they were divinely conceived
The birth of both Jesus of Nazareth and Krishna of Dwarka and their God-designed missions were foretold
Both were born at unusual places -- Christ in a lowly manger and Krishna in a prison cell
Both were divinely saved from death pronouncements
Evil forces pursued both Christ and Krishna in vain
Christ is often depicted as a shepherd; Krishna was a cowherd
Both appeared at a critical time when their respective countries were in a torpid state
Both died of wounds caused by sharp weapons -- Christ by nails and Krishna by an arrow
The teachings of both are very similar -- both emphasize love and peace
Krishna was often shown as having a dark blue complexion -- a color close to that of Christ

Nine Beliefs of Hinduism

Our beliefs determine our thoughts and attitudes about life, which in turn direct our actions. By our actions, we create our destiny. Beliefs about sacred matters--God, soul and cosmos--are essential to one's approach to life. Hindus believe many diverse things, but there are a few bedrock concepts on which most Hindus concur. The following nine beliefs, though not exhaustive, offer a simple summary of Hindu spirituality.

Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.
Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.
Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.
Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods.
Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God.
Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed.
Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

Hinduism, the world's oldest religion, has no beginning--it precedes recorded history. It has no human founder. It is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the Truth within, finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man and God are one. Hinduism has four main denominations--Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.

Subhamoy's Hinduism

2011 Hindu Gods & Goddesses Wall Calendar

Looking for a New Year gift that is as useful as traditional? This 2011 wall calendar that beautifully captures the depth and majesty of India's magical pantheon of deities is one such great present.

The Hindu Gods & Goddesses 2011 Wall Calendar features artworks from "Form of Beauty: The Krishna Art" by B.G. Sharma and "In a World of Gods and Goddesses: The Mystic Art" by Indra Sharma. B.G. Sharma, a painter of miniatures, is famous throughout India for his originality in composition, design and ornamentation. Indra Sharma comes from a long line of traditional painters dedicated to exerting a genuine spiritual influence on society through artistic means. Together they tell of ancient stories and transport us to the miraculously divine world of the Hindu universe...