Forms of worship
For Hindus, To show devotion to God and/or religion through actions - for example, prayer. is a significant part of daily life. Worship expresses devotion and love to the gods and goddesses. Hindus believe that all living beings have The essence of a being. Can refer to body, mind or soul, depending on context, but usually indicates the soul that is reborn. (a soul), which connects them to In Hindu belief, the absolute reality that is the true essence of all existence, God.. Devotion to the gods and goddesses, known as Expressing love for the divine through adoration and rituals., is a way of connecting with Hindus believe that Brahman is the Ultimate Reality – the source of all life in the universe and the basis of all reality and existence. Brahman is uncreated, infinite and all-embracing..
Daily worship is often done at a shrine at home, and sometimes at a The word many Hindus use for a place of worship - a shrine or special place in the home or a building used by the community for worship and other events.. Hindus can also worship at Tomb or monument to a saint or other holy person., at A journey which has religious or spiritual significance, usually to an important religious place. sites or outdoors in nature.
There are some key ideas that Hindus use when worshipping. The four most important concepts are as follows:
- Hindu worship rituals based around making offerings to a sacred fire, to the fire god, Agni, while chanting from the Vedas. – fire worship. Hindus worship the god of fire, called Agni, using fire. Hindus burn offerings such as rice while reciting prayers and A sacred (holy) prayer or word which often is chanted or sung rather than just spoken..
- The word most Hindus use for an act of daily worship.– ritual of prayer and devotion. Puja is the general term for Hindu worship and devotion to gods and goddesses. This worship may take place at home or in the mandir.
- An act of worship and of adoration, using diva lamps made from cotton wool and ghee (purified butter).– receiving the blessing of the deities. Arati is a common worship ceremony where Hindus receive the blessings of the One god or goddess. In Hinduism, the word for gods and goddesses that many Hindus believe are different aspects of the one Supreme Spirit (Brahman).. Worshippers waft their hands over a flaming Clarified, purified butter. lamp and then cover their faces.
- Meaning ‘sight/viewing’. In Hinduism the aim of worship is to experience seeing a deity, and a deity seeing the worshipper and, because of this, blessing them. – ‘to see’. Hindu worshippers believe they see and are seen by the deities during worship. They sing hymns, called The Hindu word for songs in praise of the divine. Some are general and others are about particular gods and goddesses. or kirtans, and repeat holy phrases and A sacred (holy) prayer or word which often is chanted or sung rather than just spoken.. Prayer beads (known as japa) may also be used.
Worship using a mantra
Mantras are sets of words that are learned and repeated to help with worship or meditation. They can be used anywhere. There are many different mantras, but one famous example is the Gayatri Mantra. It is often used in Hindu morning prayer. It comes from the ancient scripture called the Rig Veda and is often performed to music.
| Source of wisdom and authority | What does it mean? |
| The Gayatri Mantra comes from the Rig Veda (3.62.10). It is not easy to translate the Gayatri Mantra into English, and many versions exist. Here is one simple example: “Let us adore the supremacy of that divine sun, the god-head who illuminates all, who recreates all, from whom all proceed, to whom all must return, whom we invoke to direct our understandings rightly in our progress towards his holy seat.” | This mantra is intended to be used in groups, as it begins with the words “Let us…”. Togetherness is an important part of Hindu worship. The mantra is often used in the morning because it praises the sun’s light. The sun is symbolic of Brahman (God), which lights people up, re-creates them and helps them to understand how to come close to the Ultimate Reality. |
| Source of wisdom and authority | The Gayatri Mantra comes from the Rig Veda (3.62.10). It is not easy to translate the Gayatri Mantra into English, and many versions exist. Here is one simple example: “Let us adore the supremacy of that divine sun, the god-head who illuminates all, who recreates all, from whom all proceed, to whom all must return, whom we invoke to direct our understandings rightly in our progress towards his holy seat.” |
|---|---|
| What does it mean? | This mantra is intended to be used in groups, as it begins with the words “Let us…”. Togetherness is an important part of Hindu worship. The mantra is often used in the morning because it praises the sun’s light. The sun is symbolic of Brahman (God), which lights people up, re-creates them and helps them to understand how to come close to the Ultimate Reality. |
The Bhagavad Gita teaches Hindus how to meditate in such a way as to develop a pure mind that sees the gods and goddesses clearly:
| Source of wisdom and authority | What does it mean? |
| The Bhagavad Gita (9.13–14) teaches: “Those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me [Brahman] as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible. Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” | The people the verses refer to as ‘great souls’ are people who are free from maya (illusions). These people are devoted to serving Brahman (God). Knowledge of Brahman comes from chanting, being focused during worship and meditation, and bowing down in worship. The verses suggest that all worshippers come closer to Brahman through these practices. |
| Source of wisdom and authority | The Bhagavad Gita (9.13–14) teaches: “Those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me [Brahman] as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible. Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” |
|---|---|
| What does it mean? | The people the verses refer to as ‘great souls’ are people who are free from maya (illusions). These people are devoted to serving Brahman (God). Knowledge of Brahman comes from chanting, being focused during worship and meditation, and bowing down in worship. The verses suggest that all worshippers come closer to Brahman through these practices. |