This presentation discusses some common Hindu rituals and their significance. It explains that rituals are followed in Hinduism for physiological, psychological and social benefits. Some rituals discussed include lighting lamps to symbolize knowledge removing ignorance, touching elders' feet to show respect for their experience and sacrifices, not touching things with feet to show respect for knowledge, and offering food to God before eating to acknowledge that all things come from God. The presentation aims to provide rational explanations for rituals rather than requiring blind faith.

1. Hinduism
why do we follow them?
PRESENTED
BY
ARISE ROBY
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH CENTER

2. CONTENTS
OF THE PRESENTATION
• Introduction
• Why do we light a lamp?
• Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?
• Why do we not touch papers, books and people with
the feet?
• Why do we offer food to the Lord before eating it?
Conclusion
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3. Introduction
Hinduism is not religion but a way of life. It is known as Dharma;
SANATHANA DHARMA.
Sanathana means, which can not be destroyed by any forces (fire, weapon, air,
water and which is present in all living and Non – living being. Dharma means,
the way of life which is the ‘total of all achaaraas or customs and rituals‘
Sanathana Dharma has its foundation on scientific spirituality. Rituals are to be
followed based on their merits available from the self experience. You need
not blindly follow a teacher or someone who gives advice without reasoning.
In India everyone followed rituals for physiological, psychological, family
realation, social benefits and national integration based benefits. Its our right
duty to understand scientifically, rationally and logically the meaning of each
and every ritual and follow the same in our life systematically.
Let us now discuss a few of the rituals followed by a large
majority of the people and answer the longer question... WHY?
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4. Why do we light a lamp?
 In most of the Indian home, a lamp is lit before the altar
of the Lord. All auspicious functions commence with the
lighting of the lamp.
 Light symbolises knowledge, and darkness – ignorance.
 Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes
darkness.
 Why not a bulb or a tube light? That too would remove
darkness. But the traditional oil lamp has spiritual
significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolises
vasanaas, negative tendencies and the ego.
 When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vasanas slowly
exhausted and the ego finally perishes.
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5. Why do we prostrate before
parents and elders?
 Touching the feet in prostration is a sign of respect for the age, maturity,
nobility that our elders personify.
 It symbolises our recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices
they have done for our welfare.
 This tradition reflects strong family ties, which has been India‘s enduring
strengths.
 WHO should prostrate to whom?
Wealth, family name, age, moral strength and spiritual knowledge in
ascending order of importance are qualifications for people to receive
respect.
Example: A king though the ruler of the land, would prostrate before a
spiritual master.
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6. Why do we not touch papers, books and
people with the feet?
 To Indians, knowledge is sacred and
divine. So it must be given respect at all
times.
 The custom of not stepping on educational
tools is a frequent reminder of the high
position accorded to knowledge in Indian
culture.
 This is also the reason why we worship
books, vehicles and instruments once a
year on Saraswathi Pooja or Ayudha Pooja
day, dedicated to the goddess of learning.
 Therefore touching another with the feet is
like disrespecting the divinity within him
or her. This calls for an immediate
apology. ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH CENTER

7. Why do we offer food to the Lord before
eating it?
 Indians make an offering of food and later partake
of it as prasaada – a holy gift from the lord.
 In our daily pooja too we offer naivedyam (food)
to the lord.
 The lord is omnipotent and omniscient.
Man is a part, while the lord is the totality. All that
we do is by his strength and knowledge alone.
Hence what we receive in life as a result of our
actions is really HIS alone.
This is exemplified by the Hindi words “Tera tujko
arpan“
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8. ONE CAN NEVER CONCLUDE THIS TOPIC.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF
WHY‘S
WHICH KEEP CROPPING UP IN OUR
MINDS.
I HAVE ONLY MADE AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE
YOU SOME ANSWERS.
CONCLUSION
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9. For further details please visit
• On The Internet:
• http://www.hindubooks.org/hindu_dharma
• http://www.himalayanacademy.com
• http://www.swami-krishnanda.org
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