Indian culture-mythology

In our day to day routine we perform so many rituals, but do we actually know the significance of them. We have looked into important aspects of Indian culture and tried to give an explanation for it.

Why do we light the lamp before God?

The lamp symbolizes knowledge and darkness symbolizes ignorance. Hence in Indian culture we bow down and join our hands in front of knowledge. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vasanas and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge the vasanas too slowly get exhausted and the ego also gets finished. A single lamp can light hundred other lamps and hence even knowledge does not lesson when shared with others.

Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?

We show our respect to elders, teachers, noble souls by touching their feet. Man stands on his feet and hence touching the feet is an act of respecting that person’s age, maturity, nobility and divinity. Good wishes and blessings of elders are highly valued in Indian culture. When we prostrate before elders with humility we invoke these good wishes and blessings.

The different ways to show respect in Indian culture are: rising to greet a person, saying namaste, prostrating before a person.

Why do we wear masks (like tilak, pottu ) on the forehead in Indian culture?

The tilak invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer. The chandan or kumkum which is offerd to the lord is taken back as prasad and then applied on the head. The tilak is applied in the anjna chakra( the spot between the eyebrows which is the seat of memory and thinking). The tilak is thus a blessing from the lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces. The whole body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves and the forehead and spot between the eyebrows especially so.The tilak cools the forehead and hence prevents energy loss.

Why don’t be touch books, papers with our feet?

Knowledge is considered as divine and as per Indian culture touching it with our feet is a sign of disrespecting it.

Why do we apply the holy ash in Indian culture?

All ash is not considered as holy. The ash that emits from the yagna that is performed for the lord is holy ash(Bhasma).Bha means bhartsanam(to destroy) and sma means smaranam ( to remember).Bhasma means destructive of evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma also means vibhuti ( glory) as it gives glory to the person who wears it and raksha as it protects the person who wears it from evil and bad health. Yagna signifies surrendering of our ego and ignorance into the divine fire and the resulting bhasma signifies the purity of mind that results from such action.

Why do offer food to the Lord before eating?

The Lord is present everywhere and omnipotent. He is the whole and we are just a part. We do everything with his strength and power. We acknowledge this by offering him food before eating it ourselves. We tell him that we are giving you back what is your.

Why do we say namaste?

Indian culture is popularly recognized by 'namaste'. In Sanskrit namah + te = namaste. It means I bow to you-my greetings, salutations or prostration. Namaha can also be interpreted as “na ma”(not mine). Namaste is said with the hands joint in front of the chest and the head bowed down. Then bowing down of the head means that you offer the person in front of you your friendship and humility.

Why do we do pradakshina?

When we visit a temple after offering prayers we circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum. This is called

Pradakshina. We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center, source and essence of our lives. Recognising him as the focal point in our lives we go about doing our daily chores. This is the significance of pradakshina.

Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?

Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc. They make our surroundings beautiful. They epitomize sacrifice. When a stone is thrown on them they revert back and give fruits. Many Indians believe that our ancestors manifest in trees.

Why do we ring the bell?

We ring the bell in front of the Lord as it produces the sound Om that is the universal name of the Lord. The ringing of the bell during aarti help to produce auspicious sound. It also helps to distract away unpleasant noises or any unpleasant discussions during prayers.

Why do we use the kalasha?

The kalasha is a copper pot filled with water. Mango leaves are placed in its mouth and a coconut is placed over it. A red thread is tied around its mouth. This kalasha is used in all auspicious rituals like marriage ceremony, house warming etc. His practice started from the time before creation acme into being and Lord Vishnu was reclining on his snake bed. From his navel immerged a lotus from which emerged Lord Brahma who created this world. The Kalasha symbolizes this water from which the entire universe emerged.

Why do we consider the lotus special?

The lotus is a symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty and hence it is considered so. Lord Lakshmi sits on a lotus. The lotus can live in dirt and still be beautiful. It blossoms during the day and closes at night. Similarly our mind opens and expands with knowledge. The lotus leaf does not get wet even though the lotus is in water. Similarly man should not get affected by life’s sorrows and always be still.

Why do we chant the word Om?

It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its sound is said to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we take.

Why do we offer the coconut?

The coconut is offered in many Indian religious offering and is a very important part of indian culture. The coconut resembles a human head. The coconut is broken thus symbolizing the breaking of the ego. The water (representing our inner vasanas) is offered along with the white kernel(our mind) to the Lord. A mind thus purified by the touch of the Lord is used as prasad.

Fasting in Sanskrit means upavaasa. Upa means near and vaasa means to stay. It means to stay near the lord. A lot of our time is spent in procuring food etc. Some types of food get us agitated and angry. Hence on certain days when we abstain from eating we are saving time and thinking of the Lord instead. Hence we get close to him.Fasting in Indian culture is done very often.

Insights into Indian culture