FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Poojas?

We have to understand the relevance of the Vedic rites in our modern times. All acts, be it religious or otherwise, have a purpose for its performance. We eat only when we are hungry. We perform various religious acts because we are aligned to certain faith mostly through the faith of our ancestors.

  

Hinduism believes in rebirth. Vedic Philosophy deems that humans are born to exhaust their impure karmas, which are the cause of their repeated births, indicating that being born is not a reward but a punishment, so to say, for indulging in base activities during previous birth. Therefore, the goal of human life should be to seek freedom (moksha) from the cycle of repeated births (samsara) by performing noble acts of Yagnya, Dana (gifts) and Tapa (austerity).

Acts of Yajnya, Dana and Tapa should not be given up; but should be performed; They are purifying acts

                                                                Bhagwad Gita  18/5

Yajnya involves performing of karmic rites by offering food and water to deities called devas who, suffer from hunger and thirst like all beings through the medium of Agni Deva (fire god) along with recitation of mantras (sacred recitations composed by Rishis). A large section of the all the four Vedas are devoted to the performance of Vedic ritual of Yajnya.

Dana is a noble way of gifting materials and money to the needy persons.

Tapa means austerity, which is primarily a mental condition whereby one looks at all living beings, including non-humans, as divine creations and treats them with humility, compassion and non injury. All these noble acts lead one to moksha.

Devas are defined as natural elements without any form: fire-Agnideva, water- Varun deva, and air -Vayu deva. Visible astral bodies like planets, Sun Moon and even imaginary bodies (like Rahu/ketu) etc. are also included in the category of devas. In the Post Vedic Period (300 BC onwards), Vedic liturgy changed. Idol worship was added with the introduction of various idols symbolizing acts of manifestation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva) and many more. Yet Sanskrit, which is the medium of Vedic rites and hardly understood, has been retained as liturgy to a large extent.

Hindu tradition of worship may have gone a sea change but our learned seers, who have appeared from time to time, have protected Hindu Dharma from becoming obsolete, by invigorating it with new life and thoughts. Upanishads, which glorify acts of Dana and Tapa, have brought new life to Hindu thought .Bhagwad Gita, which is a gist of all Upanishad, represents glory of Hindu faith globally.

The Vedic thought is not confined to seeking goal of moksha only. It also looks at the journey of a human life from birth to death. Thus, a number of rituals- sanskaras have been prescribed for performance, at different stages of the life of an individual. Climatic changes in the region have also fixed the timing of rituals.

Does a non performer of Vedic rituals get punished?

No, there is no punishment as such but you will not get moksha. You will continue to live and die in this world. Vedas advise an individual to get rid of such life as you will continue to suffer.

Vedas believe God is without any form, then why do we worship God in form?

Visualizing formless object is very difficult for ordinary individuals. This has been recognized  in Bhagwadgita (BG) as well.

Klesho Adhikataras Teshaam Avyaktaasakta Chetasaam    

Avyaktaa Hi Gatir Duhkham Dehavadbhir Avaapyat       BG12/5

(Greater is their difficulty whose minds are set on the Unmanifested for the goal of the Unmanifested is very hard for the embodied one)

Yo-Yo Yam –YaamTanum Bhaktah Shraddhya architum Ichchati

Tasya- Tasya chalaam Shraddhaam Taam Eva Vidadhaamy Aham    BG 7/21

(Whatever form any devotee with faith wishes to worship, I make that faith of his steady)

Sa Tayaa Shrddhayaa Yuktas Tasyaa raadhanam Ihate

Labhate Cha Tatah Kaaman Mayai va Vihitaan Taan     BG 7/22 

(Endowed with that faith, he engages in the worship of that form and from that he obtains his desires which are being actually ordained by Me)

Why do we worship so many Gods?

Actually there are not many Gods. The many Gods that we worship are actually manifestation- Vibhuties of ONE God. Translating Vibhuties as God is not the right translation. It is easy to recognize God through His manifestation. Chapter 10 of Bhagwadgita describes 60 vibhties. Contemplate on any manifestation (including yourself), you will realize the truth. Shivoham (I am Shiva) and Bramoham (I am Brahman) are mantras recited by Hindus daily.

How essential is it to offer materials/gifts in the worship?

Lord does not need any materials or gifts.

Patram Pushpam  Phaalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktyaa Prayachchhati

Tad Aham Bhakty Upahrtam Ashnaam Prayataatmanah           BG9/26

(Whoever offers Me with devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I accept that pious offering of the pure in heart.)

How important is it to wear Yagnopavit in a ritual?

Yagnopavit wearing in the ritual is a symbolic act of having learned Vedas. In the present situation, where people do not study Vedas or even Bhagwadgita (which is essence of Vedic Knowledge), wearing of yagnopavit has no bearing on the ritual. It is just a tradition.

Faith (Shradha) in God is all that is important for a seeker. 

What is the significance of Tarpan?

Vedas state that devas were created byLord Brahman before He created humans( see Aitareya Upanishad)They felt hunger and thirst and requested Brahman for help. Brahman created humans thereafter to meet these needs of devas.In return for this service devas would carry out the dsires of humans which are actually ordained by God Himself. Later on it was extended as a thanks giving act to rishis who are originators of Vedic knowledge and our ancestors who take our care from the day we are born.

Why do we use Pavitr in the  puja?

Pavitr represents presence of eight  devas calledVasus: 1)Dhara(earth),2)Anala(fire),3)Apa ( water)4),Anila(wind),5) Dhruva(the pole star),6) Soma( the herbs)7) Prabhasa(the dawn) and 8) Pratyusha(the light).They are the most essential manifestations, useful to humans.

How do I know the Tithi for an event?

As per Hindu traditions all worship rituals are carried according to lunar calendar. One can know the  date (Tithi) from almanac/jantary or by visiting the web site www.astroica/vedic astrology/tithi calculator.php . Strictly speaking the tithis given in Indian almanacs are valid within the boundaries of India only.

What is Zung?

Zung (literally means ‘leg’ in Kashmiri) is a term used for good omen in Kashmiri worship. After all it is legs which make a person mobile. All auspicious pujas start with this ritual at the beginning.  

A small quantity of rice is placed in a bowl. On top of rice a small quantity of salt (kept in folded paper), some flowers and a coin is placed. The bowl is held in hand by a girl or some- one, who touches the pot briefly to the right shoulder of performer three time with the recitation: Svasti-Bhve (be healthy and happy). It is to be applied when pooja starts. The contents of Zung are to be given to priest or in the absence of priest given at temple or offered to birds.