Deciphering India - Five Commonly Performed Rituals of Hindu Tradition

India is a country that prevails from one of the oldest known civilizations in the world. It has a vast diversity in terms of ancient temples, traditions, cultures, castes and religions. With people from varied backgrounds living in the same country, Indian customs and traditions are infinite to describe. Four thousand years of continuous culture ensured that a number of Indian customs and traditions come down to us almost without a change. Since people started to blindly follow them without questioning their significance, traditions in India have always been typecast as superstitions rejecting the scope of their scientific relevance.

I am an Indian national who follows and practices Hindu religion. Since Hinduism with its diverse sects and sub-sects has varied traditions and customs, these innumerous rituals have invariably invoked curiosity in my mind making me wonder what do they actually mean. I have always believed, ‘everything that happens/is there in the Universe is for a reason’. Nothing could have become a tradition or custom without having significance. While performing a ritual, it is very important to perform each act as per the science of spirituality. Most of us are not aware of various facts involved in these traditions and customs. If these facts are not known then these acts are either not performed or performed incorrectly. An act is done with the heart only when its importance is known and genuinely understood. Knowing the science or principles in such things helps in early imprinting of its importance on the mind. If everyone tries to perform these rituals/traditions/customs with intense yearning and as per the science of Spirituality, then it will lead to an increase in collective spiritual emotion which will further activate its scientific principle and everyone shall benefit from it.

With this objective, I try and de-mystify five popular Hindu customs which have remained a part of Indian traditions for more than a thousand years. It is an attempt to bring to the notice of readers the logic and science lying behind these traditions, the correct way of its performance, its relevancy and why in today’s time it is still essential to conduct these rituals with utmost sincerity and devotion.

This article is a work of extensive search and research. All the reasoning used in this article is my personal understanding of the Indian customs and traditions, and I have no intention in denying any other interpretation of it. I am open to discussion with the readers of this article and a constructive feedback is always welcome. Happy Learning!

Images for reference purpose only

1. Joining both hands to greet by saying "Namaste"

In Hindu culture, people often greet each other by joining their palms and uttering the word “Namaste”. Namaste and its common variants ‘namaskar’, ‘namaskaara’ or ‘namaskaram’, is one of the forms of formal traditional greeting mentioned in the Vedas. Namaste is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘namah’ and ‘asti’ translating to “I salute the divinity within you.” It is simply interpreted to mean “The divinity in me recognizes and salutes the divinity in you”.

When we say Namaste to someone, we press our two hands together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to our heart (or brow chakra) and our head bowed gently as we face them. Thus, it is both a spoken greeting and a gesture. Joining both hands ensures the joining of tips of all the fingers together; which are linked to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate these pressure points which helps us to remember that person for a long time.

In various cultures, the gesture of joining palms may be accompanied by different words “Jai Shri Ram”, “Radhe Krishna” or “Radhe Radhe”, but the underlying idea behind all of them is same - recognition of divinity. It is an acknowledgment and appreciation of the fact that there is God in all of us and we must respect it.

In today’s world, where western influence is more on us, we have adopted modern ways of greeting each other by a slight handshake, hug or kiss. In such a situation, it becomes imperative for us to know and realize the value of traditional greeting in our culture. The reason we use Namaste has a deeper spiritual significance. It recognizes the belief that the life force, the divinity, the Self, or the God in me is the same in all.

2. The act of Garlanding

Garlands and the act of garlanding are deeply rooted in Indian culture. Usually flowers of one kind are tied with a couple of different big flowers inserted in between. Garlands are considered very spiritual in the Indian culture. Flowers represent the country’s unity in the form of diversity, liveliness and generosity, providing it a rich cultural fragrance and values. In every phase of life’s celebrations, festivals and prayers, flowers hold a special position. Apart from their amazing beauty of form, color, fragrance and texture, there is a certain indefinable, subtle and mysterious quality to it that makes it soulful. Garlands in Hindu culture may take the form of a gajra, which women use as a floral decoration for their hair, or as a religious symbol to honor and worship Gods, or as a wedding garland to be exchanged by the bride and groom, or as a symbol of respect to welcome a guest.

The gajra is a time honored Indian tradition among women. Adorning the hair of the Indian women, traditionally gajras are made from jasmines as they are regarded as the most beautiful and fragrant of India’s native flowers.  Wearing of gajra is a sign of auspiciousness and prosperity. However, it is likely that it started off as a way of naturally perfuming the hair as the scent of jasmine releases feel-good chemicals in the brain and keeps a woman refresh, content and energetic throughout the day.

The tradition of garlanding is also one of the many rites in an Indian wedding. Exchange of garlands is a symbol of true love and denotes long lasting relationship in life. Consisting of flowers and thread, the wedding garland symbolizes happiness, enthusiasm, excitement, aspiration, zeal and beauty; and the thread is a medium to secure these feelings and emotions. A husband by putting one of his two garlands round the neck of his would be wife, bestows on her a half of his spiritual force, and she repeating the process in her turn shares hers with him. This bestowing of spiritual energies ultimately symbolizes the union of two souls in marriage.

In Indian worship, flower garlands are used as a symbol of respect and are frequently used in the temples to adorn the statues of the deities. This is called ‘Puja’ wherein ‘Pu’ stands for Pushpam or flowers and ‘Ja’ stands for Japa or chanting the holy names of Gods. Apart from imparting fragrance and aesthetic appeal to the place of worship, it is said that when one garlands the Gods, he/she transmits his devotional emotion or bhava and requests the almighty to grant him health, wealth and happiness. 

Indian culture believes in saying ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, meaning “Guest is God”. Since the Gods are honored with flower garlands, likewise flower garlands are used to welcome the guests. There are basically two reasons behind this garlanding tradition. First, it showcases one's happiness at receiving the particular guest and second, it is a form of publicly acknowledging the guest's importance.

However, with modernization creeping up, artificial and synthetic garlands have taken over fresh and natural flowers to promote their longevity and ornamentation. Synthetic flowers may last a little longer but fresh flowers naturally awaken the atmosphere with vibrant life and scents that tingle the senses. The reason fresh flowers were first introduced to various ceremonies was not only for their beauty, but also for their aroma and spiritual significance.

3. Applying Tilak on the forehead

Hindu scriptures say: “A forehead without a Tilak, a woman without a husband, a Mantra the meaning of which is not known while doing Japa (recitation), the head that does not bend before holy personages, a heart without mercy, a body devoid of health, a custom without purity, all these are worthy of condemnation. They exist for name's sake only.” Thus, tilak is considered very sacred among the Hindus.

Religious expression, marital status, traditional value or/and spiritual approach are various reasons behind application of tilak (colored mark) on the forehead of Hindu men and women. However, the tilak marks worn by priests and other religious people have a completely different purpose. Essentially the lines of tilak are sectarian marks that indicate which school of Hindu theology or sampradaya the person is coming from. So these kinds of tilak are a sort of identification marks. There are three categories indicating the three basic grouping within Hinduism - horizontal lines for followers of Shiva, vertical lines for followers of Vishnu and straight on marks for followers of Devi. In ancient times, when the Varna system predominated, people used to apply tilaks differently so as to represent their Varna - Brahmins applied a white chandan mark signifying purity; Kshatriyas wore a red tilak signifying valor; Vaishyas wore a yellow (usually turmeric) tilak signifying prosperity; Sudras applied a black tilak representing their service to all the above three Varnas. Apart from this, there are many designs of such tilaks; it is applied on the forehead either with sandal paste, sacred ash or bhasma, or vermillion or kumkum, a red turmeric powder.

In a form of yoga called kundalini-yoga certain places on the body are known as chakras or places of “psychic openings.” The most important of these places is the spot between the eyes just above the eyebrows. This is sometimes called the place of the “third eye”, and this is the main place where the tilak is worn. The area at which the mark is applied is between the eyebrows, called the Ajna Chakra or the seat of latent wisdom. This is the point that most schools of Hinduism consider as the point of entry and exit of our soul or jivaatma. Scientifically, the area of this Ajna Chakra is often cited as the seat of thinking, concentration and memory. It is also the area which gets heated during stress and tension. Scriptures state that we should use the middle finger to apply tilak. Since this finger is associated with heart, during the application of tilak at the mid-brow region vibrations emanating from the ‘third eye’ are carried by it to the heart, thereby generating devotion and spiritual emotion in the mind throughout the day and imparting serenity.

Applying tilak is said to have scientific significance. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves especially the forehead and the spot between the eyebrows. The tilak cools the forehead, protects the wearer and prevents energy loss. In vermillion or kumkum mercuric sulphide is the main compound which reduces the stress and fatigue. Turmeric has eighteen nutrients of the soil and the most important being iron, hence when applied on the forehead it regulates our body aura and eliminates the negative energy thereby promoting good health. Sacred ash or bhasma is calcined which protects our body from free radical damage.

However, today not only the ingredients of tilak, but the methods of applying it have also been greatly distorted. The traditional forehead marks have all been replaced with black and red velvet cloth pressings, available in the ready-to-use sticker type forms. Sticker bindis, as we call them, come in every color, form, size and shape. Sadly, the traditional tilak has been transformed into an ornamental mark and has lost its traditional meaning and preparations. Studies disclose serious health risks from chemical cosmetics marketed for the ancient Hindu practice of adorning the forehead with colored powder. In such a scenario, it becomes essential for us to learn the significance, importance and benefits of applying tilak on our forehead.

4. Performing Aarti

Aarti is derived from the Sanskrit word aratrika, which means something that removes ratri or darkness. Performance of Aarti belongs to one of the sixteen steps or shodash upachaar of the Hindu puja ritual. It is referred to as an auspicious light, illumining pure spiritual effulgence. It is an act of veneration and love. It is often performed as a mark of worship and to seek blessings from God, to welcome guests, for children on their birthdays, family members on auspicious occasions or to welcome a newly wedded couple. It is also performed to ward off evil effects and the malefic influence of the “evil eye”.

For performing Aarti, five small lamps are filled with ghee or oil and arranged in a small tray/plate made of metal. A wick is made out of cotton wool and placed in the lamps. A conch-shell filled with water, auspicious leaves or flowers, incense or lighted camphor are also placed in the tray. The lamps are lit and the tray/plate is rotated in a circular motion in front of the deity or the person to be welcomed. During idol worship, the performer faces the deity of God and concentrates on its form to get immersed. The flame of the Aarti illuminates the various parts of the deity so that the performer and onlookers may better see and concentrate on it. Aarti is waved in a circular fashion, in clockwise manner around the deity. After every circle (or second or third circle), when Aarti has reached the bottom (6–8 o'clock position), the performer waves it backwards while remaining in the bottom (4–6 o'clock position) and then continues waving it in clockwise fashion. At the end Aarti is taken by putting the hand on the top of fire of the Aarti lamp and placing it on the face and head and holy water is sprinkled on the attendees.

The idea here is that Aarti represents our daily activities, which revolves around God, the center of our life. Looking at God while performing Aarti reminds us to keep God at the center of all activities, and reinforces the understanding that all worldly activities are secondary in importance. This understanding gives the believers the strength to withstand any unexpected grief and, keeps them humble and remindful of God. It also represents one's self signifying that one is peripheral to Godhead or divinity. This keeps one's ego down and helps one remain humble in spite of high social and economic rank. A third commonly held understanding of the ritual is that it serves as a reminder to stay vigilant so that the forces of material pleasures and desires cannot overcome the individual. Just as the lighted wick provides light and chases away darkness, the vigilance of an individual can keep away the influence of the material world. Fire element has a property that it burns when it comes in touch with impurity, but at the same time it also absorbs the divine energy from the divine atmosphere. This divine energy is taken by the hands after the performance of Aarti and put on the face and head. The face and head has energy channels going to the brain and the whole body, so this divine energy is spread to the whole energy system inside. When this whole Aarti atmosphere is created the water lying in the metal container absorbs the divine energy from that and when sprinkled on the devotees, it transfers the divinity in them. It is also observed that a regular Aarti makes the atmosphere of the place very clean and pure. This pure  and divine atmosphere benefits the persons living there in their personal, professional and spiritual lives. It protects them from the negative forces. Hence, the tradition of performing Aarti is a completely scientific formula to clean and purify the persons and the place with the help of nature's five elements. It helps to restore and increase the body energy movements.

The performance of Aarti is not only limited to God. It can be performed not only to all forms of life, but also inanimate objects which help in progress of the culture. It is a common practice to perform Aarti to inanimate objects like new vehicles, equipments, lands, electronics etc. It is a gesture of showing respect and praying that this object would help us excel in the work we would use it for. Thus, Aarti can be an expression of many things including love, benevolence, gratitude, prayers, or desires depending on the object it is done to/ for. It can be a form of respect when performed to elders, prayers when performed to deities, or hope when performed for homes or vehicles.

Nowadays, people have started forgetting the correct way of performing Aarti and its significance. In such a scenario, it becomes obligatory on our part to know and understand the importance of this daily ritual so as to invoke supreme divinity and spirituality underlying it.

5. The act of touching feet or charan-sparsh

‘Charan’ means feet and ‘sparsh’ means to touch. Together they mean “to touch one’s feet”. In Aryan culture there is a well-set tradition of touching the feet of our father, mother, guru, teacher, elders and honorable seniors. It is a way of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another. Prostration is done daily while meeting with elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals etc. The elder to whom we salute is better than us. We bow to them desiring the inculcation of their qualities. 

In the Atharva Veda, great importance has been given to the way a person greets others when meeting them. Through charan sparsh, an individual exhibits the respect one holds for the elderly, the wise, and those with ideals and an outstanding contribution to society. It is a way of accepting their superiority. This promotes humility in an individual and also makes the other person feel important. In the Mahabharata, the Yaksha asked Yudhishthir, “How can a person become great and powerful?” Yudhishthir responded, “by devotedly touching the feet of the mother and father, teachers and elders and by serving them until they are content to give blessings that make a person great and powerful.” Manusmriti states, “Before beginning to learn the Vedas, and after the learning is complete, the student must regularly greet and touch the feet of his teachers. This is Brahmanjali – an ideal offering to them. The blessings received after charan-sparsh are like invisible armor. They motivate us and give strength.”

There is a scientific basis to the ritual of charan-sparsh. Since the human body is releasing vibrations and also receiving them from people who come close, touching the feet encourages flow of energy. According to modern science, a human body contains negative and positive currents of electricity. The left side of the human body carries negative current and the right side of the body carries positive current. During paralysis, right from toe to scalp, the entire body divides itself into two vertical halves. One half of the body is rendered invalid and the other half is active and conscious. One eye, one hand, one leg, one foot become inert; absolutely redundant and completely immobile. This proves that each half has distinct currents – either negative or positive. Two halves together complete a circuit built of positive and negative. At the time of bowing to our teacher, seniors and elders, we stand in front of them, facing them. The vertical body parts in that case are in the opposite direction. The left side of the teacher/senior/elder is in front of our right side. In other words negative is in front of positive. Keeping this in mind, our Rishis in ancient times suggested a particular way of touching feet by crossing the hands, i.e. right hand touches right foot and left hand touches left foot of our elders. Thus, the positive current in both the bodies flow in a uniform circuit and similarly the negative current flows jointly in another circuit, and hence both the currents form a well-unified circuit. Our fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of energy and the feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy. Besides, the physical effort involved during charan-sparsh provides a yogic exercise which helps stretch our spine and improves our health. It promotes vigour, enthusiasm and concern for others.

Touching the feet of elders is a part of our conventional etiquette system. But the new generation of our modern age hardly prefers it. They don’t like to bow down before anybody or touch their feet. In such a situation and age, we need to learn the fact that when our elders accept our respect which came from our reduced ego, their hearts emit positive thoughts and energy. This energy reaches us through our hands and toes. In essence, the completed circuit enables and increases the flow of cosmic energy. A kindled light kindles another lamp.

Jai Hind !