Contents Acknowledgements ...... xxi Foreword ...... xxvii Introduction ...... xxx

Part 1 Mandir Rituals Chapter Introduction ...... 1

1. Mandir (Worship shrine) ...... 3 ● Mandir ...... 3 ● What purpose does a mandir serve? ...... 3 ● What is the need for building large mandirs? ...... 4 ● Pramukh Swami Maharaj on purpose of mandirs ...... 5 ● Mandir – A Living Form of the Divine ...... 6 ● Mandir – Metaphysics & Subtle Concepts ...... 8 ● Unique features of a Swaminarayan Mandir ...... 8 FAQs ● Why should we wash our hands after removing shoes outside a mandir, home shrine or touching our feet? ...... 10 ● Why do people ring a bell on entering a mandir? ..... 10 ● How to offer reverence to deities ...... 11 ● Why do devotees take care not to turn their backs to deities on exiting a mandir? ...... 11 ● Why do some people hold their ears in front of the deity? ...... 12 ● What is the significance of singing prabhãtiyã?...... 12 ● Why do people clap while singing bhajans and dhun?12 ● Why do some devotees touch a mandir’s steps while climbing and then touch their heads? ...... 13

2. Prãna Pratishthã (Image consecration) ...... 15 ● Murti purification ...... 15 ● Prãna pratishthã rites...... 18 ● Shãligrãm and Shivlings ...... 19 ● Mysterious energy infused in objects...... 19

viii Contents 3. Murti Pujã (Image worship) ...... 21 ● Murti Pujã ...... 21 ● Evidence of the Divine’s manifestation in murtis . . . 23 ● Bhagwan’s murti pujã ...... 25 4. Pujã (Worship ritual) ...... 27 ● Pujã ...... 27 ● Bhagwan’s pujã ...... 27 ● Why is there a need for a murti? ...... 28 ● Guru’s murti pujã ...... 28 ● Need for a guru ...... 28 ● Pujã ritual ...... 29 ● Shodshopchãr pujã ...... 30 ● Why are incense sticks burnt during pujã rituals? .... 31 ● Pujã dravyas ...... 32 ● Types of offerings (naivedya) ...... 34 ● Pujã on other occasions ...... 34 5. Mahãpuja (Grand worship ritual) ...... 37 ● History of Mahãpuja ...... 37 ● Glory of Mahãpuja ...... 39 ● Legacy ...... 40 ● Mahãpuja rituals ...... 40 6. Ãrti (Waving lighted wicks) ...... 43 ● Ãrti – ritual & sentiments...... 43 ● Bell, drum and conch shell sounded during ãrti ...... 44 ● Water from a conch-shell sprinkled around the ãrti .. 45 ● Money in the ãrti when ‘taking’ ãskã ...... 45 ● The prescribed manner for performing ãrti ...... 46 ● Ãrti in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 46 7. Prasãdam (Sanctified offerings) ...... 49 ● Factors influencing the types of prasãdam ...... 50 ● Types of prasãdam in Hindu tirths ...... 50 ● Shaiva shrines ...... 50 ● Vaishnav shrines ...... 51 ● Prasãdam in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 53 ● Traditional prasãdam during utsavs in BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs ...... 54 ● Prasãdam in the major shrines of India (in pictures).. 54

ix Hindu Rites & Rituals 8. Abhishek (Bathing murtis) ...... 61 ● Neelkanth Varni Abhishek ...... 63 ● Abhishek during murti prãna pratishthã ...... 65 ● Anantakalashasnapanam in Bochasan ...... 65 9. Pãtotsav (Murti consecration anniversary utsav) . . . . . 69 10. Satsang sabhã (Congregational spiritual gathering) . . 71 ● Glory of satsang ...... 71 ● Importance of the satsang sabhã...... 72 ● Contribution of the satsang sabhã to society ...... 74 ● Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit successors on satsang ...... 74 11. Pãrãyan (Extended spiritual discourse) ...... 77 ● Origin ...... 77 ● Pãrãyan traditions ...... 77 ● Pãrãyans in northern India ...... 78 ● Pãrãyan in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 79

Part 2 Bhakti Rituals

Introduction ...... 83 12. Navdhã Bhakti (Nine forms of devotion) ...... 85 (1) Shravanam ...... 86 (2) Kirtanam ...... 87 (3) Smaranam ...... 88 (4) Pãdsevanam ...... 89 ● Sevã performed in mandirs (in pictures) ...... 90 (5) Archanam ...... 91 (6) Vandanam ...... 92 (7) Dãsyam ...... 93 (8) Sakhyam ...... 93 (9) Ãtmanivedanam...... 94 ● Four other important forms of bhakti ...... 95 ● Navdhã bhakti and instant spiritual strength ...... 95 13. Utsavs (Festivals) ...... 97 ● Celebrating utsavs ...... 97 ● Utsavs in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 103 ● The Hindu Calendar and Seasons ...... 105 ● Major Calendrical Utsav Rituals (in pictures) ...... 106

x Contents 14. Mahã Kumbh Melã (Grand pitcher gathering) . . . . . 117 ● Origin ...... 117 ● Glory ...... 118 ● Ardh Kumbh melã ...... 119 15. Yagna (Ritual of the sacred fire) ...... 121 ● Yagna – meaning & sentiments ...... 121 ● Yagna ritual ...... 122 ● Types of yagnas and their meanings ...... 124 ● Foremost sentiment of yagna ...... 126 ● Bhagwan Swaminarayan and yagnas ...... 127 ● Yagnas in the BAPS Swaminarayan sampradãy ..... 127 16. Dãn (Donation) ...... 129 ● Glory in the shãstras ...... 129 ● Purpose of dãn ...... 130 ● Types of dãn...... 131 ● Donor’s sentiments ...... 133 ● To whom should one donate? ...... 134 ● Spiritual injunctions...... 136 ● Foremost sentiment...... 137 17. Maanta (Personal pledges) ...... 139 ● Maanta ...... 139 ● Forms of maanta ...... 139 ● Types of problems ...... 141 ● Maanta in BAPS Swaminarayan sanstha ...... 141 18. Tirth Yãtrã (Pilgrimage) ...... 145 ● Purpose of tirth yãtrã ...... 145 ● Origin of tirths ...... 146 ● Types of tirths ...... 148 ● Preparations for yãtrã ...... 148 ● Tirths of Sanãtan Dharma ...... 149 ● Rituals at the tirth ...... 151 ● Ultimate tirth yãtrã ...... 154 ● Padyãtrã to Ambãji ...... 156 ● Yãtrã to Sabarimala ...... 158 ● Swaminarayan sampradãy’s tirths in Gujarat (map)..159 ● Passion for yãtrã on a scooter ...... 159 19. Grahan (Eclipse) ...... 161 ● Origin ...... 161

xi Hindu Rites & Rituals

● Dãn (donation) ...... 163 ● Shrãddh (homage ritual for ancestors) ...... 163 ● Punya (merit) ...... 164 ● Solar eclipse celebrated in Kurukshetra ...... 164 ● Lunar eclipse celebrated in Kãshi ...... 165 ● Effects ...... 166 20. Janmangal Nãmãvali Paath (chanting 108 divine names of Bhagwan Swaminarayan ...... 169

Part 3 Home Rituals Introduction ...... 179 21. Shilãnyãs (foundation-stone laying ritual) ...... 181 ● Mãrjanam ...... 182 ● Khãta Devatã pujan ...... 182 ● Shilãnyãs ritual sequence (in pictures) ...... 183 22. Vãstu Pujã (Home inauguration) ...... 185 ● Origin of Vãstu ...... 185 ● Vãstu pujã ritual ...... 186 ● Sankalp ...... 186 ● Dhruva pujã ...... 186 ● Gruha pravesh (entering the house) ...... 187 23. Ghar Mandir (Home shrine) ...... 189 ● Ghar mandir ...... 189 ● Functions of a ghar mandir...... 189 ● Choosing a location for the ghar mandir...... 190 ● Maintaining purity of the ghar mandir ...... 190 ● Murtis in the ghar mandir ...... 191 ● Murtis in BAPS ghar mandir ...... 192 ● Pramukh Swami Maharaj on the ghar mandir ...... 192 FAQs ● Why is the ash of burnt incense (agarbatti) in ghar mandirs, usually sprinkled in a river or water body, rather than disposing it with garbage? ...... 193 ● In which direction should a ghar mandir be located in a new house? ...... 193 ● What should a family do if it is unable to afford a ghar mandir? ...... 193

xii Contents 24. Ghar Satsang Sabhã (Family spiritual discourse) . . . 195 ● Ghar satsang sabhã ...... 195 ● Holding a ghar sabhã ...... 195 ● Benefits of ghar sabhã ...... 196 ● Case Stories ...... 197 ● Pramukh Swami Maharaj on ghar sabhã ...... 197 25. Padharãmani (Home visits by sadhus) ...... 199 ● Bhakti rituals during padharãmani (in pictures) ...... 201 26. Bãl Samskãras (Child nurture) ...... 203 ● Example better than advice ...... 203 ● Importance of vernacular ...... 204 ● Pramukh Swami Maharaj on bãl samskãras ...... 206

Part 4 Personal Rituals

Introduction ...... 211 27. Ashtãng Yog ...... 213 (1) Yam (self-restraint) ...... 214 (2) Niyam (external and internal purity)...... 217 (3) Ãsana (postures) ...... 219 (4) Prãnãyãma (control of prãna with breath) ...... 220 (5) Pratyãhãr (withdrawal of senses from their objects)...... 221 (6) Dhãranã (concentration) ...... 222 (7) Dhyãna (meditation) ...... 222 (8) Samãdhi (transcendental realisation) ...... 222 28. Nitya Pujã (Daily worship) ...... 225 ● Nitya pujã...... 225 ● Nitya pujã performed in the morning ...... 226 ● Personal nitya pujã ...... 227 ● Murtis in nitya pujã ...... 227 ● Sequence of nitya pujã ...... 227 ● What should one do during meditation?...... 230 ● Arrangement of murtis ...... 230 ● Nitya pujã in light of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings...... 232 ● Personal nitya pujã and pujã of the ghar mandir ..... 233 ● Nitya pujã in illness and old age ...... 234

xiii Hindu Rites & Rituals

● Maintaining purity of the pujã ...... 234 ● Daily deed after nitya pujã ...... 234 ● The benefits of nitya pujã ...... 234 Nitya pujã – varied facets and sentiments ● Why should one face north or east during pujã?...... 236 ● Tilak-chãndlo ...... 236 ● Origin of tilak-chãndlo in the Swaminarayan sampradãy...... 237 ● Benefits of tilak-chãndlo...... 237 ● What is mãnsi pujã?...... 238 ● Benefits of mãnsi pujã ...... 239 ● Mantra...... 241 ● Mãlã ...... 244 ● Why do some people wear the mãlã around the neck?...... 246 ● Pradakshinã (circumambulation) ...... 247 ● Pranãm ...... 249 ● Prãrthnã...... 251 ● Pramukh Swami Maharaj on nitya pujã ...... 253 ● Reading Shikshãpatri ...... 254 FAQs ● If feelings are more important than the actual rituals themselves, then what is the need for performing such rituals?...... 255 ● Why is a morning bath preferable rather than one in the evening? ...... 257 ● Why should one wear a garment while bathing? ..... 258 ● What should one chant while bathing?...... 259 ● Why is it important to wear a dhoti during pujã? (for males) ...... 259 ● Why is it preferable to use divã rather than candles during pujã rituals? ...... 260 ● What is the first prayer after awakening?...... 260 ● Is there a prescribed manner of offering flowers to a deity?...... 260 ● How should one place or face flowers and leaves in front of the deities? ...... 261 ● Rituals, flowers and leaves offerable to deities...... 262 ● Why is the lotus sacred? ...... 264 ● What is the importance of a shankh (conch shell)?.. 266 ● What are shãligrãms and why are they sacred?...... 268

xiv Contents

● Unlike the usual murtis of Bhagwan, why are Shivlings and Shãligrãms without arms or legs?.... 270 ● Why is sindur and oil offered to Hanumanji? ...... 270 29. Kanthi (Beads worn around neck) ...... 273 ● Kanthi ...... 273 ● Types of wood for kanthi ...... 273 ● Kanthi of two strings in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 274 ● Vartmãn (dikshã) ritual ...... 274 ● Receiving vartmãn ...... 275 ● Wearing a kanthi in the absence of the Param Ekãntik Satpurush ...... 276 ● Kanthi in other sampradãys ...... 276 30. Sixteen Samskãras [Rites of passage (sacraments)] . .279 ● Meaning of samskãras ...... 280 ● Purpose of samskãras ...... 280 ● Bhagwan Swaminarayan and samskãras ...... 281 ● Pre-natal samskãras ...... 281 (1) Garbhãdhãn (conception) ...... 281 (2) Pumsavan (engendering a male issue) ...... 282 (3) Simantonnayan (ritual during first pregnancy) ..... 282 ● Childhood samskãras ...... 284 (4) Jãtakarma (birth rituals) ...... 284 (5) Nãmkaran (name-giving) ...... 285 (6) Nishkraman (first outing) ...... 286 (7) Annaprãshan (first feeding) ...... 286 (8) Chudãkarma (chaul) (first shaving of head) ...... 287 (9) Karnavedh (piercing earlobes) ...... 288 ● Educational samskãras ...... 288 (10) Vidyãrambh (learning the alphabet) ...... 288 (11) Upanayan (yagnopavit) (sacred thread initiation) 288 (12) Vedãrambh (beginning Vedic study)...... 290 (13) Keshãnt (godãn) (shaving the beard) ...... 290 (14) Samãvartan (end of studentship) ...... 290 ● Vivãh samskãras ...... 291 (15) Vivãh (marriage) ...... 291 ● Concept of ãtmã in marital discord ...... 296 ● A married woman’s 16 shangãr (ornamentation)...297 Vivãh rituals ● Vãg Dãn (betrothal) ...... 299 ● Lagna patrikã (marriage invitation) ...... 300

xv Hindu Rites & Rituals

● Kankotri (kumkum patrikã) invitation ...... 300 ● Mandap muhurt ...... 300 ● Ganesh mãtli ...... 303 ● Gotraj pujan ...... 303 ● Mindhal bandhan ...... 303 ● Grah shãnti ...... 303 ● Pithi vãno (hãridrãlepan) ...... 304 ● Sãnji/Prabhãtiyã ...... 305 ● Ukardi (besãdvi/uthãdavi) ...... 305 ● Jãn prasthãn ...... 306 ● Jãn swãgat ...... 306 ● Sãmaiyun ...... 306 ● Ponkhanu ...... 306 ● Mahyãru ...... 307 ● Madhu parka ...... 308 ● Nyãs ...... 308 ● Antarpat ...... 308 ● Pãni grahan (hastamelãp) ...... 308 ● Agni parikramã (circumambulating the sacred fire) .309 ● Saptapadi (seven steps) ...... 310 ● Kansãr ...... 311 ● Saubhãgyavati ...... 311 ● Dhruva pujã ...... 311 ● Mãh mãtlu, Kanyã vidãy ...... 312 ● Ponkhanu ...... 312 ● Kumkum paglã ...... 312 ● Untying the chheda-chhedi knot ...... 312 ● Mrityu samskãras...... 314 (16) Antyeshti samskãras (death rites) ...... 314 ● Agni samskãra ...... 315 ● BAPS sadhus performing antyeshti rites of a devotee (in pictures) ...... 316 ● Antyeshti rites in sacred places (in pictures) ...... 317 ● In calamities ...... 318 ● Asthi sanchãyan ...... 319 ● Sutak ...... 319 ● Sajjã (shayyã) ...... 321 ● Antyeshti samskãras of ascetics ...... 323 ● Conclusion ...... 323 31. Shrãddh (Offerings to ancestors) ...... 325 ● Shrãddh ...... 325 ● Types of shrãddh ...... 326 ● Offerings and rituals ...... 327

xvi Contents

● Sacred places for shrãddh ...... 328 FAQ ● Why should shrãddh be performed?...... 329 32. Vrat - Upavãs (Vows and fasts) ...... 331 ● Seasons ...... 332 ● Stellar events ...... 332 ● Avatars & Deities ...... 333 ● Origin of Ekãdashi ...... 335 ● Glory of Ekãdashi ...... 336 ● Ekãdashi rituals in Vaishnav tirths ...... 336 ● Ekãdashi rituals in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ... 338 ● Effects of fasting ...... 339 ● Vrat-Upavãs in BAPS Swaminarayan sanstha ...... 339 ● Importance of fasting ...... 340 ● Breaking a fast (pãrnã) ...... 340 ● Upavãs in vrats, utsavs and prãyaschitta ...... 340 ● Jãgran enjoined during vrats ...... 340 ● Maun vrat (vow of silence) ...... 341 33. Ãhãr Shuddhi (Diet purity) ...... 343 ● Ideals of diet purity in the Upanishads ...... 343 ● Ahimsã (non-injury) ...... 345 ● Pãp karma (sin) ...... 345 ● Tãmasic foods ...... 345 ● Rãjasic foods ...... 347 ● Sãttvic foods ...... 347 ● Four types of doshas (impurities) ...... 347 ● Diet purity in the kitchen ...... 349 ● Diet purity in the home shrine ...... 351 ● Personal diet purity...... 352 ● Diet purity relative to time and seasons ...... 356 ● Conclusion ...... 360 FAQs ● How should a Hindu observe vegetarianism? ...... 360 ● Why do some people join their palms in pranãms or press their palms on their chest before and after having a meal? ...... 361 ● Why should we not eat or drink anything which has been eaten or drunk (±ıÓÃ< / ¡ÈΔUÊ) by somebody else?.. 361

xvii Hindu Rites & Rituals

Part 5 Ritual Symbols

Introduction ...... 363 34. OM ...... 365 ● Origin of OM ...... 366 35. Swastik ...... 369 ● Swastik’s cosmic origin ...... 369 ● Swastik in rituals ...... 370 ● Swastik in other cultures ...... 371 36. Charanãrvind (Lotus-feet of Paramatma) ...... 375 ● 16 auspicious symbols on Bhagwan’s lotus-feet ..... 375 ● 16 auspicious symbols on Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s lotus-feet ...... 376 ● Why are Bhagwan’s charanãrvind venerated so highly? ...... 376 37. Purna Kumbha (Pitcher) ...... 379 38. Kalash (Sacred pot) ...... 381 39. Deep (Lighted wick) ...... 383 40. Tilak (Sacred mark) ...... 385 ● Tilaks in various sampradãys ...... 385 ● Tilak in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 386 ● Importance of tilak ...... 386 ● Scientific reason for tilak on forehead ...... 386 ● Materials for tilak ...... 387 ● Cultural traditions ...... 387 ● Effects of tilak ...... 388 ● Types of tilaks (74 of 255) ...... 388 41. Miscellaneous Symbols ...... 389 ● Chakra ...... 389 ● Gadã ...... 389 ● Yantra ...... 390 ● Shri Yantra ...... 391 ● Shri ...... 391 ● Shri Savã ...... 392 ● Shubh – Lãbh ...... 392 ● Trishul ...... 392

xviii Contents

● Five dots ...... 392 Afterword ...... 393

Appendices

Introduction ...... 399 1. Miscellaneous FAQs ...... 400

● What are the fundamental principles of Sanãtan Dharma? ...... 400 ● How should one do darshan of deities in a mandir? ...... 400 Ten practical tips for better darshan ...... 400 ● Why is Ganesh offered pujan first in any Hindu ritual and venture? ...... 403 ● Why is durvã offered to Ganeshji? ...... 403 ● Why are tulsi, bili (bael) and ãkado offered to Vishnu, Shivji and Hanumanji, respectively? ...... 403 ● Why is the tulsi sacred? ...... 404 ● Why is the peepal tree sacred? ...... 405 ● Why is the shami tree sacred? ...... 406 ● What is the importance of rudrãksh? ...... 407 ● Why do Hindus offer coconuts in rituals? ...... 408 ● Why is the sopãri used in rituals? ...... 409 ● Why is the cow offered pujan? ...... 410 ● What is the significance of sadhus and samnyãsis begging alms for bhikshã? ...... 411 ● Why do sadhus wear saffron robes? ...... 411 ● Why do we touch the feet of sadhus? ...... 412 ● How should a student respect his teachers? ...... 412 ● What is the purpose of a shikhã (choti)? ...... 414 ● Why do we do namaskãr instead of shaking hands when we meet somebody? ...... 415 ● Why should we not let our feet touch books? ...... 416 ● Why don’t we blow out candles and cut cakes during birthdays? ...... 416 ● What is bhog / thãl? ...... 417

xix Hindu Rites & Rituals

● Instead of cutting a red ribbon, how should Hindus inaugurate a dwelling? ...... 417 2. Table of sacred plants and trees and their use in rituals ...... 418 3. Daily rituals of BAPS Swaminarayan followers . . . . 419 4. The sadhu tradition in the Swaminarayan sampradãy ...... 420 5. Vegetarian delights for students ...... 422 ● Minimum utensils ● Spices ...... 422 ● Ten golden culinary tips ...... 422 ● Simplified five-step vaghãr ...... 424 ● Swaminarayan Khichdi ...... 425 ● Vegetable pulão ● Vegetable shãk (sabji) ...... 425 ● Spiced pongal ● Vegetable paunwã ...... 425 ● Veg. delights for students (table) ...... 426 ● Mixed veg. soup ● Rãb ● Potato bhajiyã ...... 428 ● Kadhi (buttermilk curry) ...... 429 ● Vadã of potato and paunwã ...... 429 6. Farãri foods (in pictures) ...... 431 7. Nine reasons why Gujarati food is awesome, by Sanjeev Kapoor ...... 432

Glossary ...... 434 Bibliography ...... 442 Index ...... 452

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