RITUALS

 श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी – 23^rd June 2019

Serene Sunday Reflections

RITUALS

KEYWORDS :: Rituals, Ishta Poortha, Offering, Dhaynam, Yoga, Pooja, Kriya, Temple

 

Rituals when we say, it is Pooja that comes to everyone’s mind. Pooja is the Offering for /to God. Last week we reflected upon Best offering to man kind as Vidya-dhaanam (Education). Rituals are also called service, service is in fact the dhaanam. Thus rituals are the thanks giving service offers to God, by which one gets into the Dharana level among the Ashtanga Yoga (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Prathyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi). Thus can get to the Dhyana and then may attain Samadhi (Meditation). I may differ from the well known Yoga (Yoga asana – Physical Exercises) and the Meditation (as is popular these days that one can do in group and one teaches to other).

We reflected earlier on ISHTA POORTHA as SANATHANA DHARMA. ISHTA Karma are all rituals as service to God. Agnihothram is most important (Ritualistic thanks giving to SUN, the prime GOD). Here a part of his (SUN) blessings – a bit of rice and ghee – is offered to him back saying it is all due to him (SOORYAYA SWAHA, SOORYAYA IDAM NAMAMA). Taking care of Guests and Learning Vedic lessons etc. are all considered as rituals (ISHTA KARMA).

agnihothram thapa sathyam vedaanaam chaanupaalanam
aadithyam vaisyadhevam cha ishta ithyabhitheeyathe

All VAIDIKA ACHARA (offering to fire) with SWAHA (let sun eat this) offering HAVIS (material) is a major ritual at home and temple too. But mostly in Temples; PAURANIKA ARADHANA on VIGRAHA (Deity) is what is followed. Vaidika is more veda manthra  oriented and self and the universe as part of the ritual. While  Temple / Pauranika / Kshethra Aradhana (ritual) is more of a public and utility oriented.

In any ritual – that is offering to GOD as service / thanks giving – ultimately is with DHARANA and to attain dharana (Concentration) so that one can reach to DHYANA.  This is possible only when you are doing with the dharana (feeling / presumption) that; it is all done due to him, by him, to him. Next two slokas explains this

कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् ।
kayena vacha manasendriayirva bhudhyathmana va prakruthe swabhavath

करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै गुरुवरायेति समर्पयामि ॥

karomi yadhyathsakalam parasmai gururvarayethi samarpayami

Meaning :: All these rituals I am into with my Body, Speech, Mind or Sense Organs, using my Intellect, Feelings of Heart or (unconsciously) through the natural tendencies of my Mind, I do all for others (i.e. without the sense of attachment to the results), and I Surrender them to YOU Supreme Guru (MOSTLY for the GOD/GODESSES that you are keeping in SANKALPA).

While and when all the rituals are done as POOJA with manthra and the activity of offering (KRIYA) with full BHAKTHI (devotion) there could be errors in the rituals; here it says it is all DUE TO HIM (THE GOD Thyself). 

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं जनार्दन  यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे

manthraheenam kriyaheenam bhaktiheenam janardhana yath-poojitham maya deva paripoornam thadasthu me

This sloka thus unambiguously says Rituals are one that is done FOR HIM, BY HIM, DUE TO HIM and thus one who does raises to the level of GOD. Does this not mean that one must to do it almost SRADHA (concentration) and BHAVA (understanding the inner meaning).

Unfortunate that these days Ritual became a synonym for anything that one does casually without attention. Most of the Rituals done in the temples too are without this sradha (concentration). Thus next week we plan to reflect on the Temple Ritual in Brief.

----- Next Week 30^th June 2019 – TEMPLE RITUALS –-----

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