(13.1.37) Panch Bali during Shraddha Paksh

What is Panch Bali during Shraddh Paksh / How Panch Bali is performed 

It is mentioned in the scriptures that by performing Shraddha ritual the performer gets blessings from his ancestors. In other words the Pitra or the forefathers or the ancestors bless the person with long life, prosperity, good son, good health and wealth etc.who performs the Shraddh ritual with faith and devotion.
During the shraddha paksh on the Tithi of the death of the ancestor, the shraddh is performed for the peace of the soul of that ancestor.
On the Shraddh Tithi besides the other rituals, the food item is placed on the five plates or leaves separately for a cow, a dog, a crow, ants and gods. The this food item is given a cow, a dog, a crow, ants and to some needy but holy person. This food item giving to these five ones is called Panch Bali.
Related Posts -
(13.1.36) What is Shraddh
(13.1.5) Shraddha Paksh / Pitra Paksh
(13.1.34) Tarpan / What is Tarpan
(13.1.37) What is Panch Bali during Shraddh Paksh

(13.1.36) What is Shraddha or Shraaddha

Shraddha - An important ritual of the Hindus 

What is Shraddha
Shraaddha is a ritual done by the person with faith and devotion for the sake of the souls of his deceased ancestors. In the Shraaddha ritual mainly the following activities are done -
Pind Dan
Tarpan
Feeding the Brahamins
Giving food to a cow, a dog and a crow.
What is Shraddha Paksh
Shraddh Paksh is a period of sixteen days which begins on the Purnima Tithi of Bhadrapad and ends on the Amavasya Tithi of Aswin Month. According to the Hindu belief the dead ancestors who reside in the Pitra Lok, receive   donations , Pind dan and food etc. which the person gives them during shraddh paksh and their souls ( the ancestors' souls ) attain peace by the rituals done by their relatives during this period.
Related Posts -
(13.1.5) Shraddha Paksh / Pitra Paksh
(13.1.34) Tarpan / What is Tarpan
(13.1.37) What is Panch Bali during Shraddh Paksh

(13.1.35) What are Three Debts / Three Debts in Hinduism

What are three Debts in Hinduism

In Hinduism there are three types of debts. They are as follows -
1. Dev Rin 2. Rishi Rin 3. Pitra Rin
1.Dev Rin (the Debt to gods) - Dev Rin can be paid off by performing Vedic sacrifices.
2. Rishi Rin (-the Debt to the sages) - Rishi Rin can be paid off by studying Vedic texts.
3. Pitra Rin ( the Debt to the ancestors) - Pitra Rin can be paid off by performing Shraddha etc.  

(13.1.34) What is Tarpan / Pitra Tarpan

What is Tarpan in Hinduism ? Types of Tarpan / Importance of Pitra Tarpan

Tarpan is an offering. The ritual of Tarpan is offering water or other things to the gods, the sages, the souls of the ancestors etc. There are differents types of Tarpan. They are -
1.Dev Tarpan,
2.Rishi Tarpan
3.Divya Manushya Tarpan
4. Pitra Tarpan
Pitra Tarpan - Pitra Tarpan is the offering of water, black sesame, barley, kusha grass and flour. Pitra Tarpan should be performed on the day when the Shraddha for the soul of the deceased ancestor is observed. The person who does Pitra Tarpan should wear a Pavitri ( a ring made of Kusha grass) on the ring finger of his right hand.
Importance of Pitra Tarpan -
The Pitra Tarpan appeases the souls of the deceased ancestors. In return they bless the person and the members of his family with long life, wisdom, intelligence, wealth, prosperity, success and good sons.
Related Posts -
(13.1.36) What is Shraddh
(13.1.5) Shraddha Paksh / Pitra Paksh
(13.1.34) Tarpan / What is Tarpan
(13.1.37) What is Panch Bali during Shraddh Paksh

(13.1.33) Panch Mahayagya / Five daily sacrifices in Hinduism

Panch Mahayagya - the five daily sacrifices 

The five Panch Mahagya are as follows -
Dev Yagya
Rishi Yagya
Pirtri Yagya
Manushya Yagya
Bhoot Yagya
Dev Yagya- Oblation to gods, and perform Puja and Havan etc.
Rishi Yagya- Worship of the ancient sages and seers.
Pitri Yagya- Libations of  food and water to the manes or departed souls.
Manushya Yagya- Offering food to human beings who are in need of it.
Bhoot Yagya  - Offering food to other creatures.. 

(13.1.23) Parama Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Story of Parama Ekadashi Vrat / The legend of Parama Ekadashi 

At the request of Yudhisthir Lord Krishna said, " Oh, Yudhitsthir, the Ekadashi which falls in the in the Krishna Paksh of Adhik Maas or Londh Maas or Purushottam maas, is known as Parama Ekadashi. There is a story related to this Ekadashi." Then he narrated the following story -
"Once there lived a Brahman named Sumedha in the city of Kaampalya with his wife Pavitra. Pavitra was chaste and was faithful to her husband. The couple was so poor that sometimes they did not have enough food to eat and had to remain hungry. Thus they were leading a very poor life. But in spite of it  she always welcomed the guests and was very hospitable to them.
One day a great sage Kaudinya came to them. Sumedha and Pavitra prostrated before him and welcomed and gave him a comfortable seat to sit. They fed him. They expressed their gratitude to him for his visit and then they politely asked him to tell them the easy way through which they may get rid of their poverty and their ill fortune may come to an end for ever. At this the sage Kaudinya took pity on the Brahaman couple and said, ' The only way for removing your poverty is to observe Parama Ekadashi Vrat which falls in the Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas. This Vrat washes away the sins and removes the sorrow and poverty. The Vrati becomes rich by the grace of Lord Vishnu." Saying so the sage went away.
At the advice of the sage Kaudinya, Sumedha and his wife Pavitra observed the Parama Ekadashi Vrat with full faith and devotion. As a result of the Parama Ekadashi Vrat, on the next Pratipada in the morning, a handsome prince came to them and gave them a beautiful and well furnished house to live in and also gave them a village for their livelihood. Thus the Brahman couple became rich and led a happy life there after in this world and after death they went to the abode of Lord Vishnu."
Thus Lord narrated the story related to Parama Ekadashi Vrat. He also advised Yudhishthir to observe the fast on Parama Ekadashi. Yudhishthir and his brothers and Draupadi observed the Parama Ekadashi Vrat. As a result of the Vrat and by the grace of Lord Vishnu, they enjoyed the worldly pleasures and went to heaven.
" May lord Krishna bless you with peace and prosperity !"
Related Posts -

(6.2.1) What is Adhik Maas

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(10.3.31) 26 Ekadashi and their names

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(10.3.33) Importance of Ekadashi and Vrat Vidhi

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(10.3.73) Padmini Ekadashi Vrat

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(10.3.74) Parama Ekadashi Vrat

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(13.1.22) Importance of Parama Ekadashi

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(13.1.23) Parama Ekadashi Vrat Katha 

(13.1.22) Importance of Parama Ekadashi ( in Adhik Maas Krishna Paksh)

What is the Religious importance of Parama Kkadashi / Significance of Parama Ekadashi ?

Which is Parama Ekadashi -
According to the Hindu calendar, There are two Ekadashi in a lunar month, one is in the Krishna Paksh and the other is in the Shukla paksh. Thus there are 24 Ekadashi in a year. Besides these 24 Ekadashi, there are two more Ekadashi which fall in the Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas. The Ekadashi which falls in the Shukla Paksh is known as Padmini Ekadashi and the Ekadashi which falls in Krishna Paksh is known as Parama Ekadashi.
Significance / importance of Parama Ekadashi -
It is said that in this world, among the two legged creatures, the Brahman is considered the best, among the four legged creatures the cow is considered the best, and among the gods Indra is considered the best and among the months the Adhik Maas / Purushottam Maas  is considered the best. In the same way both the Ekadashi i. e. Padmini Ekadashi and Parama Ekadashi are considered the best among the Ekadashis.
As mentioned above this Parama Ekadashi falls in the month of Adhik maas, it has got a special significance.
The worship , Vrat and donations on this parama Ekadashi brings much more benefits to the person than that of any other Ekadashis.
The Vrat on Ekadashi washes away the sins, sorrows and poverty. The Vrati becomes rich by the grace of Lord Vishnu.
It is also found in the scriptures that Kuber, the god of wealth , observed the Parama Ekadashi fast. Lord Shiva saw Kuber observing the fast following all the rules of the Ekadashi Vrat strictly and made him the treasurer of heaven.
Related Posts -
(6.2.1) What is Adhik Maas
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(10.3.31) 26 Ekadashi and their names

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(10.3.33) Importance of Ekadashi and Vrat Vidhi

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(10.3.73) Padmini Ekadashi Vrat

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(10.3.74) Parama Ekadashi Vrat

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(13.1.22) Importance of Parama Ekadashi
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(13.1.23) Parama Ekadashi Vrat Katha 

(14.3.16) Glossary of Hindu culture and customs

The terms used in Hindu customs and culture 

Here under is given the list of the terms which are used time and again while observing the Hindu customs, rituals and traditions. They are also necessary to understand Hinduism and Hindu culture.
Beginning with 'A'
> Aarati
> Ashataang Arghya

> Ashta Mahaadaan

> Ashta Lakshmi

Beginning with 'B'
> Brahaman / Brahamin
Beginning with 'C'
> Charanamrit
Beginning with 'D'

> Dash Aushadhi

> Dash Daan

Beginning with 'K;
> Kalash
> Kaaltray
Beginning with 'M'
> Madhurtray
> Madhupark
Beginning with 'N'
> Nav Ratna
Beginning with 'P'
> Panchdev
> Panchopachaar
> Panch Nadee (नदी )
> Panch Pallava
> Panch Gandh
> Panch Mahayagya
> Panchaamrit
> Panch Ratna
> Panchang
> Panch Tatva
Beginning with 'S'
> Shat Karm
> Sapt Rishi
> Sapt Gautra
> Sapta Dhaanya
> Sapt Dhaatu
> Solah Sanskaar
> Shodashopachaar
Beginning with 'T'
Teen Rin
Beginning with 'V'

> Ved

> Varn

Beginning with 'Y'
> Yagyopaveet

(13.1.21) Panchamrit ( How is Panchamrit Prepared )

What is Panchamrit -
The word Panchamrit is the combination of the words ' Panch ' which means five and ' Amrit ' which means nectar. Thus Panchamrit is a mixture of five things. These five things are - Milk of a cow, Curds, Ghee, Sugar and Honey.
How is Panchamrit Prepared - 
Panchamrit is made of five things
1. Milk of a cow
2. Curds ( made from cow milk )
3. Ghee ( made from cow milk )
4. Sugar
5. Honey
According to the requirement of the occasion, the above mentioned five things are mixed usually in equal proportion or in quantity but it is not always necessary to take all the things in equal quantity. Any of them may be more or less in quantity.
Use and importance of Panchamrit - 
> Panchamrit is used for the worship of the gods.
> It is also used for the Abhishek.
> For any kind of worship.

(13.1.17) Holi - Rang Panchami

When is Rang Panchami 
Rang Panchami is celebrated five days after Holi.
Important things about Rang Panchami -
1. Chaitra Krishna Panchami is known as Rang Panchami.
2. This is the day of joy,throwing colors and exchanging jokes.
3. Rang Panchami falls on Chaitra Krishna Panchami.

4. People throw coloured water on one another. They also smear each other's faces with gulal or red powder.

5. Some groups of people can be seen who singing and dancing and going from one locality to another.

6. Usually the throwing of coluored water continues   till mid day. 

7. In the afternoon people wash their colored faces and hands and take bath.

9. They wear new cloths and go to the houses of their friends and relatives and greet each other. The elders bless the children.

10. Dhulandi fastens the love, affection and brotherhood. On this day the feeling of untouchability, high or low is forgotten. 
Other Posts you will like to read -  
(10.1.18) Holi - The Festival of colors
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(13.1.14) Holi - rituals, customs, traditions
==
(13.1.15) Holi - Legend
====
(13.1.16) Holi - Dhulandi
====
(13.1.17) Holi - Rang Panchami
=====
(13.1.18) Tips for safe Holi

(13.1.16) Holi - Dhulandi / Dhulendi

Dhulandi - A custom related to Holi 

When is Dhulandi celebrated -
On the next day of Holi, Dhulandi is celebrated.
Important things about Dhulandi -
1. The next day of the festival of Holi is known as Dhulandi.
2. Dhulandi falls on Chaitra Krishna Pratipada.
3. This is the day of joy and merry making.
4. People throw coloured water on one another. They also smear each other's faces with gulal or red powder.
5. Some groups of people can be seen who sing and dance and go from one locality to another.
6. Usually the throwing of coluored water continues   till mid day.
7. In the afternoon people wash their coluored faces and hands and take bath.
8. They wear new cloths and go to the houses of their friends and relatives and greet each other. The elders bless the children.
9. Dhulandi fastens the love, affection and brotherhood. On this day the feeling of untouchability, high or low is forgotten.
Other Posts you will like to read -  

(10.1.18) Holi - The Festival of colors
===

(13.1.14) Holi - rituals, customs, traditions
====

(13.1.15) Holi - Legend
====

(13.1.16) Holi - Dhulandi
====

(13.1.17) Holi - Rang Panchami
===
(13.1.18) Tips for safe Holi
===

(13.1.15) Holi Legend / Origin of Holi festival

Legend of Holi 
Holi is a festival of colours and light jubilation. It brings everyone out of the boredom and seriousness of the routine life. The story behind the celebration of Holi is as follows - 
Once there was a king of demons whose name was Hiranyakashipu. He was arrogant and did not like any people to believe in divine power. He wanted them to worship only him. He had a son named Prahalad who was the devotee of Lord Vishnu. His father Hiranyakashipu did not like it. So he tried to deviate him from his devotion to Lord Vishnu. But he ( Prahalad ) did not give up worshiping Lord Vishnu. His father tried to kill him in many ways but he was saved every time. Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika had a boon that she would not be burnt in the fire. So he asked her (Holika ) to sit  with Prahalad in the fire. But she was burnt and Prahalad was saved by the grace of Lord Vishnu. Since then this festival is celebrated in the memory of the victory of good over bad. 

Other Posts you will like to read -  

(10.1.18) Holi - The Festival of colors

(13.1.14) Holi - rituals, customs, traditions

(13.1.15) Holi - Legend

(13.1.16) Holi - Dhulandi

(13.1.17) Holi - Rang Panchami
(13.1.18) Tips for safe Holi

(13.1.9) Manas Pooja / Mental Worship

Mental worship / Manas Puja 

Manas Puja or mental worship is the worship of the deity of the person's choice in his mind.In this worshiping the person meditates on the deity and imagines as if he is performing a ritualistic or real worship of the deity of his choice. While performing mental worship, the person thinks or feels that the deity gives more importance to the devotion than the offerings. The mental worship can be done with sixteen upchars or ten upchars or five upchars as it is done in the ritual Hindu Puja. 

The Process of Mental Worship
Sit at a peaceful place on a piece of cloth made of wool. Meditate on the deity and then follow the following steps :-
(1) Padhya - O god, I offer water for washing your feet, please accept it.
(2) Aachaman- O god, I offer you water for sipping, please accept it.
(3) Snan -  O god, I offer you water for your bath, please accept it.
(4) Vastra  - O god, I offer you clothes to wear, please accept it.
(5) Gandha - O god, I offer you scented substance, please accept it.
(6) Pushpa - O god, I offer you flowers, please accept it.
(7) Dhoop - O god, I offer you incense please accept it.
(8) Deep - O god, I offer you light, please accept it.
(9) Naivedhya - O god, I offer you eatables, please accept it.
(10) Pushpanjali - O god, I offer you handful of flowers, please accept it.
Then offer the obeisance to the deity and chant the following prayer-
" You are my Mother, You are my Father, You are my Kinsman, You are my Friend, You are Learning, You are Wealth, O Lord of gods , You are my all."
This is the process of mental worship.

(13.1.8) Hindu Marriage and Types of Hindu Marriage

Types of Hindu marriage -
Vivah or marriage is one of the sixteen sanskaars of the Hindus.
According to Manu Smriti, there are eight types of marriage -
a. Brahma vivah
b. Dev vivah
c. Aarsh vivah
d. Prajaapatya vivah
e. Asur vivah
f. Gandhava vivah
g. Rakshash vivah
h. Paishaach vivah
1. Brahma vivah - In this type of marriage. The girl is married to a learned person in the Vedas. The father of the girl invites the bride groom to his house and gives his daughter to him.
2. Dev vivah - In this type of marriage the father marries of his daughter to the person ( Purohit ) who performs yagya (sacrifice).
3. Aarsh vivah - In this type of marriage the father of the girl get a cow and a bull from the person ( the bride groom ) and marries off his daughter to him.
4. Prajapatya vivah - In this type of marriage the father of the girl marries off his daughter after asking them both (the bride groom and the bride) to perform their duties sincerely.
5. Asur vivah - In this type of marriage the bride groom gives money to the father of the girl and then the father marries off his daughter to him.
6. Gandharva vivah - In this type of marriage the boy and the girl enter into the married life with their own choice. Usually parents do not play any role in such type of marriage. It is like a love marriage.
7. Rakshas vivah - In this type of marriage the man forcibly takes away the girl from her father's home and marries with her.
8. Paishaach vivah - In this type of marriage the man seduces the girl when she is sleeping or intoxicated and marries with her.

Related Posts will like to read :- 

(1) Hindu Vivah Muhurat for the current year 

(2) Hindu Vvah men Sat Vachan ( Seven vows in Hindu marriage) 

(3) Saat Phere and Saptpadi 

(4)Toran 

(5) Solah Sanskaar

13-1-3 Toran (Custom of Hindu Marriage )

Toran - A Marriage Ritual 

What is a Toran - 
A Toran is a small board made of wood. It has a symbol of swaastik and a painting ( picture ) of Lord Ganesh on it. Toran is a symbol of auspiciousness and prosperity. According to some other legend Toran is a symbol of victory. The Toran is hung on the main gate of the bride's home.
Toran Puja or Toran Maarnaa --
Toran puja, which is popularly known as Toran Maarnaa, is an important ritual of the Hindu marriage, particularly in Rajasthan and in some other adjoining states.
How is Toran Puja performed - The bride groom reaches the bride's home with his friends, relatives and other Baratis. He rides on a mare. The mother of the bride and other women welcome him ( the bride groom ) at the gate. She does his Aarti also. The Pandit recites some holy Mantras. Then the puja of the Toran is performed. After this puja, the bride groom touches the Toran with a stick or a sword.
Legend -
According to a legend, there was a demon whose name was Toran, who stood at the gate of a city to guard it. He did not let the gods enter the city to worship etc. He also put obstacles in the marriages and other auspicious activities. Only after killing him, the gods were able to enter the city easily. Since then this ritual is known as 'Toran Maarnaa'. The touching of the Toran with a stick or a sward by the bride groom is symbolic of killing the demon Toran.

Other related posts :-  
1. Saat Vachan in Hindu marriage 

2. Toran , Hathlewa , Granthi bandhan

3. Solah Sanskar of the Hindus