RITUALS

Our ancient scriptures advise us to follow different types of rituals at different phases of lives. All the rituals have some specific meaning and objectives. They enable us to lead a meaningful life.
Markandeya Purana says us about four types of life phases.

We will talk about two practical phases which are Brahmachrya and Family life. Each type of lifestyle has its own objective and principles. And Markandeya Purana enlightens us about them.

Rituals to be followed in Brahmachari life:

• Read the brahmachari scriptures: to acquire the knowledge about the rituals and the rules of brahmachari life, a peson leading he brahmachari way of life must have to read the brahmachari sriputire 

• Perform Agnihotra : Take bath thrice a day. Taking bath has utmost importance in Hinu way of life. In brahmachari life a person is asked to take bath at least thrice a day. It ensures higine as well as it helps in proper blood circulation.  

• Offer the alms to the guru and only as per the instruction of the guru have the alms

• Help the gurus in his activities. In the gurukul, it’s the duty of the brahmachari to help him in all types of activities. 

• Please the guru: a person leading a brahmachari way of life should take all possible steps to make to guru happy and help society .

• Study attentively as per the guidance of the guru. The ultimate objective of the brahmachari way of lefe is o leaern .the person should learn attentively.

• Acquire knowledge of the Vedas from the guru. Vedas are the embodiments of knowledge. Th gteat sages have jotted down precious knowledge in the Vedas. It’s the duty to acquire knowledge from the Vedas and use it for the welfare o the people. 

Give guru dakshina to the guru and return home. After completing education, the brahmachari should offer something to the Guru as dakshina.

The transition from brahmachari life to family life:
To start a family life, when a boy comes out of the brahmachari life, he should find a woman who is similar to him and should get married following all the rituals and traditions.
But the woman should no be from the same gotra or any of its sub-gotra. Scientists have also proved this facts in the recent time. If tow close relatives get married, thiir is a chance of the birth of handicapped child or child with other defects.

In the modern era, the intellectuals often debate about marriage. But Markandeya Purana says “To lead an accurate family life people should get married
A family life is not complete without marriage. To lead the family life in a proper way, marriage is essential. Marriage strengthens the bond of a family. And it leads the family life in a proper way. Family is the smallest unit of the society. And a strong family life leads to a peaceful society. Man is a social animal. Man can’t live without society. And for an organized social life, marriage is essential.

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Why Shiva is worshipped as Linga

The word lingam has many meanings. In the word Shivalingam, “linga” actually means sign, mark or symbol. The Shiva Purana, source book of Shiva’s divinity, tells us that “Linga is the distinctive sign through which the nature of an object is recognized”

Lord Shiva is universally worshipped as a lingam. One should not look upon it is the male reproductive organ, and emotions should always be pure while worshiping the Shiva Lingam. The Padma Purana tells us that once Rishi Bhrigu visited Shiva’s abode at Mt. Kailash. As he was about to enter, he was stopped by the ganas who informed him that at that moment Shiva was with Parvati, united in divine sexual union,and was not be disturbed. Bhrigu waited but after some time his patience ended.Furious, he shouted aloud to Shiva, cursing him that since he had kept him, a rishi, waiting at his door for so long unattended, people would henceforth worship him in the form of a lingam. Since then, people worship the Shivalingam.

Although Shiva has thousands of names, a few of his names are very popular. 

• Neelkanth – The Blue-throated 

• Mrityunjaya – The One who take Control over Death

• Gangadhara – He who has Ganga in his Hair

• Mahakala – The Great Time

• Trymbaka – The Three-eyed

Shiva Ratri: Shiva Ratri is celebrated to mark Shiva’s marriage to Parvati. It is celebrated on the fourteenth night of the dark half-moon in the month of Magha (mid-January to mid-February). 

There is a legend behind the celebration of Shiva Ratri. Once, a hunter lost his way in the forest and decided to spend the night on a bael (bilva) tree. Upset and worried that he wouldn’t be able to reach home that night and provide food (whatever he had hunted) to his family, he was unable to sleep and was in tears,plucking the leaves and dropping them on the ground below. A Shivalingam stood at the foot of the tree, upon which fell the leaves of the tree, as well as his tears. This unintended and unknown offering pleased Shiva, who blessed the hunter. Since then, Shiva Ratri festival has been celebrated in the honour of Lord Shiva.

Offerings to Lord Shiva

In worshipping Hindu gods, devotees offer a variety of flowers, and worshipping Shiva is no different. Flowers are offered to Shiva too, to propitiate him and seek his blessings. But different flowers produce different results and these have to be kept in mind. 

• Those seeking Goddess Lakshmi, should worship Lord Shiva with the lotus, Baelpatra, Shutpatra,flowers. 

• Those who want name and fame should worship Shiva with Dhatura.

• People seeking luxuries and moksha should worship Shiva with the Tulsi flower, and   red and White Aaks.

• Those seeking a good vehicle (what is meant by “good vehicle”?) should worship Shiva  with Chameli.

• Those seeking a good wife should offer bael flowers to Shiva.

• Worshipping Shiva with juhi flowers gives abundant granary to the devotee.

• Those who worship Shiva with harshingar are blessed with sheer joy and happiness and full prosperity.

• Rice, shrifal (coconut), til, jou, wheat, moong, aromas and fruits please Shiva               tremendously.

• If you are suffering from depression, sadness, problems in all spheres of your life and   bitter and strained relationships, offer pure milk to Lord Shiva .

• If one offers Gangajal to Shiva and read the Rudrasuktha, you’ll be blessed with all       comforts of life. 

• Do not offer Champa and Kewra flowers to Lord Shiva.

Shiva should be offered a deepak with five lights. At the time of aarti, remember to offer aarti to his feet four times; twice to the navel area; once to the face; and seven times to the whole body.

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