Rituals and Routines
Why do we follow them?

RITUALS AND ROUTINES.WHY DO WE FOLLOW THEM.
{My explanations to the points raised in the TAMILNATION website.)


1. Why do we light a lamp?
For light. It can be done by a bulb or candle as well. The explanation that oil symbolizes Vasanas and wick the EGO is just poetry.
Wax in the candle can also symbolize Vasanas and the thread in the candle can represent EGO. But how many oil lamp lighting people or candle offering people think of such noble ideals and practice them in life and thoughts- 2%? I would any day prefer an environmental friendly non polluting CFL lamp.
2. Why do we have a prayer room?

I never needed one, because our mind is our Prayer Room. If you need such an external stimulus to pray, that means the mind is not strong enough.

3. Why we do Namaste?
Spiritual significance of negating the EGO? Again how many will think this way while saying Namaste? I always remember the corrupt politician when anyone tells me NAMASTE.A warm shake hand is just fine.

4. Why do we prostate before elders?
Touching anyone’s feet is a symbol of sycophancy. Respect is in the mind and should reflect in thoughts and words, which can be expressed in other civilized ways. Never touch anyone’s feet even if he is GOD.Touching parent’s feet and ill treating and disregarding them goes together in most Indian homes. The rules were obviously drafted by Priests who wanted to make even Kings prostrate before them.
5. Why do we mark Tilak on the forehead?
They simply decided on different colors to identify lower casts and segregate them. There is no scientific basis for the story that POTTU cools the forehead, because they are mostly made of harmful chemicals. May be Sandal paste has some cooling effect if you spread it all over the head and forehead. A beach or AC room can do better.
6. Why do we not touch book or paper with feet?
Agreed. But unfortunately this remained only in symbols. We remained the most illiterate country in the world. It is time to grow beyond symbolic faith.
7. To touch another with feet is wrong

Agreed. I think this is true in all cultures of the world.
8. Why do we apply Holy Ash?
Bhasma is nothing but Carbon. Our Godmen used to make it as if he creates it from nothing. When this fraud was they stopped doing it. Spreading ash all over the body is barbaric and primitive. Like most other silly things, we Hindus have a philosophic sounding explanation for this also.
9. Why do we offer Food to the lord before eating it?
This is only to conceal the guilt that we are not sharing it with those who are less fortunate than us, like the beggar passing through the road or a poor neighbor.
10. Why do we fast?
Most religious people fast to curry some favor from their lord. Fasting is good for stomach, if done occasionally.
11. Why we do Pradakshina?
If it is to remind that Lord is at the centre, why not take an instrument box and draw 100 circles everyday?
12. Why Pradakhina is done clockwise?
There is no auspiciousness for the Right Hand. My brother is a left hander and for him I am sure left is auspicious. Do we always keep our wives on the left because they are inauspicious?
13. Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?
Reasons for protecting trees are universal and scientific and no religion has any monopoly over it. By the way, why do we still burn our dead bodies with firewood? Why not electric burning?(Incidentally, I would like to be burnt in an electric crematorium after my death without any rituals)
14, why do we ring the bell in a temple?
I think bells are rung in churches and temples. It is only to alert.
15. Why do we worship Kalasha?
Lord Brahma or Moses never created anything. We created Lord Brahma. Universe was created by a cosmic big bang and life was created by biological evolution and natural selection as explained beautifully by Charles Darwin.
16. Why do we consider LOTUS as special?
Lotus has no special status and is as beautiful as any other flower
17. Why we worship Tulasi?
Tulasi has only some stories associated with it. There are thousands of other medicinal plants in our country and abroad. No need to worship any plant or tree. We only have to protect and make good use of them.
18. Why do we blow the conch?
Simply because it makes loud and pleasant sound which can be used to call people and is available free in nature.
19. Why do we say “SHANTHI” thrice?
We say Shanti thrice and still kill adversaries. Where is the real peace?
20. Why do we offer a coconut?
Because Coconut is available plenty in coastal areas.
Because it can be carried easily without spoiling.
Because it can be eaten after the offering.
There are temples where eggs and dried fish are also offered.
21. Why do we chant OM?
All the symbolism of OM is just imagination. If it is sacred, OM Shivpuri’s Home should be a pilgrim centre by now.
22. Why we do Arathi?
If the flame in the hand symbolizes illumination of the mind, it would have been great. But unfortunately over the ages, it has just remained another pointless ritual.


HUMAN MIND IS JUST WONDERFUL.BUT WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THE NONSENSICAL BAGGAGE THAT OUR BRAHMIN PRIESTHOOD HAS BRAZED INTO OUR SLAVISH COMPLIANT MINDS>QUESTION EVERYTHING AND WE CAN LIVE A LIFE OF ENLIGHTENMENT ON OUR OWN TERMS.
JAYANTH