Why should we do Yogāsana?
Imagine a situation where a mugger uses a knife to harm their victim: we think instantly of the wound - the physical harm - caused to the victim. What about the fear in the victim’s mind - the mental harm - caused by the attacker’s aggression? What about the...
Why do ‘garba’?
NHSF (UK) Learning Team Garba is an exceptionally well known and enjoyable folk dance that usually takes place during Navratri. Originating from Gujarat, this dance is now popular throughout India and indeed the world, as our NHSF (UK) garba events have proven!...
Why do Hindus worship the cow?
Hindus don't worship cows. We respect, honour and adore the cow. By honouring this gentle animal, who gives more than she takes, we honour all creatures. Hindus regard all living creatures as sacred - mammals, fishes, birds and more. We acknowledge this...
Why do we do aarati?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Towards the end of every ritualistic worship (pooja or bhajan) of the Lord or to welcome an honored...
Why do we chant Om?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. It has a profound effect on the body and mind...
Why do we offer a coconut?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org In India one of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions...
Why do we say shaanti thrice?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Shaanti, meaning "peace", is a natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by others or...
Why do we blow the conch?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an auspicious sound that was...
Why do we worship tulasi?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the...
Why do we consider the lotus as special?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty (satyam, shivam, sundaram). The Lord is...
Why do we worship the kalasha?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org First of all what is a kalasha? A brass, mud or copper pot is filled with water. Mango leaves are...
Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Is it to wake up the Lord? But the Lord never sleeps. Is it to let the Lord know we have come? He...
Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org The Lord, the life in us, pervades all living beings, be they plants or animals. Hence, they are all...
Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise manner?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org The reason is not, as a person said, to avoid a traffic jam! As we do pradakshina, the Lord is always...
Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center, source and essence of our...
Why do we fast?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not...
Why do offer food to the Lord before eating it?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Indians make an offering of food to the Lord and later partake of it as prasaada - a holy gift from...
Why do we apply the holy ash?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the...
To touch another with the feet is considered an act of misdemeanor. Why is this so?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org Man is regarded as the most beautiful, living breathing temple of the Lord! Therefore touching...
Why do we not touch papers, books and people with the feet?
From "In Indian Culture, Why Do We..." by Swamini Vimalananda Radhika Krishnakumar. Copyright: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Chinmaya Mission UK, www.chinmayauk.org To Indians, knowledge is sacred and divine. So it must be given respect at all times. Nowadays we...