HINDUISM

HINDU DHARMA
SANAATHANA DHARMA

(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)

DR. N. GOPALAKRISHNAN, Ph. D., D.Litt.

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 018
w ww .iis h .o rg w ww .her it a gei n d ia new s.o rg

Heritage publication series -

Dhanyathman

Hundreds of questions are asked about various aspects of Hindu dharma.

Answering all these questions may not be possible always. Many of the
questions have different answers. The answers may also vary because
different Rishies might have given different answers for the acharas, vicharas,
sankalpas and traditions. Some of the questions should be answered through
spiritual angle and some through psychological and so on are the facts which
should be kept in the mind while answering any question. One should also
understand the level of knowledge answer seekers while answering the
questions or clarifying the doubts. Keeping all these facts in mind, I am trying
to give a compilation of the answers of the questions asked to me during the
last few years, by the people from all walks of life.

These answers need not be final. They are only guide lines for the reader to
seek better answers. Studying sanathana dharma, through questions and
answers is impossible, because sanathana dharma gives an entirely different
approach and vision of life. Hence comparison of the facts and figures given
in sanathana dharma with the texts or traditions of any other religion will only
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confuse the audience. Hence the approach adopted here is just give a rational
explanation for the questions in the light of science. When I say science, it
includes sociology, psychology, physics, chemistry, physiology, biochemistry
and so on. Sometimes the readers may feel that instead of getting an answer,
they are getting the application. True it is also aimed at in this book.

The heritage subjects of Bharath can be classified generally under customs

and rituals, the Indian spirituality, the heritage literature and also the scientific
and technological knowledge.

Of this the scientific and technological heritage of India has separately been
dealt with in specific text books published by Indian Institute of Scientific
Heritage earlier. Hence further explanations are not needed, even though more
and more information can be added.

I am herewith submitting this book for the youths and young generation of
Bharath, who are becoming the real torch bearers of the heritage of India. They
are now becoming the ambassadors of this great country. Their colleagues, both
friends and critics may ask many questions either for getting a correct answer or
for criticizing , our heritage. They should know what is what about India. They
should know as much as possible about the sanathana dharma not for
arguing and winning but for learning and teaching only. I am sure they will
undertake the mission of spreading the great heritage of our motherland to
million of Indians and foreigners.

I am submitting this book to the feet of my parents Sri. (late) Narayanan

Embrandiri and Smt (late) Sathyabhama Narayanan for their blessings which
enabled me to undertake this mission.

My pranams to one and all of the colleagues who are working with me with a
mission oriented outlook to achieve the goal of teaching our heritage to 100
million people by 31st December, 2010. Only because of their devotion and
dedication, the Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage could undertake such a
glorious mission. I am indebted to them all.

I feel specially indebted to Sri. Ramakrishnan Nair, Sree Printers, who has
done the perfect job of printing all the books of IISH with utmost sincerity and
devotion.

In the service of the motherland

1st January, 2008 Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan

What is Hinduism ?
The puraanas tell that Himalayam samaarabhya yaavath indu sarovaram tham
deva nirmitham desam hindustanam prachakshathey. The nation which starts
from Himalayas and ends in Indian ocean and which is created by the god is
known as Hindustanam. And those who are living there are Hindus.
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How the ‘Hindus’ are defined ?
Aa sindo sindu paryantham yasya bhartha bhoomikam maathru bhoo pitru bhoo
schaiva sa vai hindu riti smruthaa: Those who consider and respect the country
which extends from Indus valley ( sindu river ) upto Indian ocean as their
motherland, father land or holy land, they are the Hindus. ( all those consider
Bhratham as their own mother/father/holy land they are the Hindus)

Why it is said that Hinduism is not a religion ?

It is not created by an individual / prophet/ Rishi . So it is not the opinion
(matham) or advise of an individual. So it is not a religion. It is the contribution of
thousands of Rishies.

Who created Hinduism?

Thousands of Rishies, during the course of thousands of years could formulate
a perfect style/way of thinking and practicing various aspects and concepts in
the life. Those are codified as the customs and rituals or in short acharas.
These acharas combined together form the dharma . Dharma is the way of life.
So Hinduism is the way of life.

Why it is known as sanathana dharma?

Sanathana word means ( according to Bhagavath geetha) the one which cannot
be destroyed by any method and the one which is ever existing in everything
which is immovable and non perishable is the sanaathanam. So this dharma is
ever existing and it cannot be destroyed . So it is sanaathanam.

Is it not true that something which has a beginning , has an end also ?
It is true for the one which has a beginning. Sanathana dharma does not have a
beginning so it will not have an end also. If it starts decaying someone /avathara
will come to protect and energize to bring back the dharma with all its positive
results as it is told in Bhagavath Geetha.

What is the meaning of Dharma ?

Dharma is the one which is guiding, protecting, supporting, …you . Dharanaath
dharma …the one which is protecting you is dharma.

Can we say Hinduism and sanaathana dharma are the same ?

Yes! They are the same and remember that there is nothing like Hinduism . It is
an English word created by the foreigners. There are communism, socialism and
capitalism but nothing like Hinduism.

Why some people call it a religion?

When other pathways are known as ‘religion’, like the one based on Jesus,
Mohammed and so on, use of a similar word may help others to understand our
dharma easily if the word Hinduism is used. Hence people, particularly the British
started using the word Hinduism. Now everyone is using the same.

Is the word Indian and Hindu synonym ?

Definitely yes. According to the definition, the word ‘Indian’ is same as Hindu.
Majority of the politicians may not agree with that. Because they are full of wrong
impressions created during the last 250 years of foreign rule.

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Then where the Indian Christians and Muslim will fit in ?
They are also Hindus. They are Hindu Christians and Hindu Muslims. Just like
we say American Christian, Pakistani Muslim, etc.

When was Hindu dharma started?

None knows the answer. According the archeological evidence, the Vedas might
have got composed sometimes like 6000 - 8000 BC, in the present form. So the
dharma might have formed earlier to this. Since it is a way of life, none can
trace the beginning point of the dharma. If it would have been a contribution of
some individual, we can say from the period of that individual. Here that
approach focusing an individual is not possible

What are the archeological evidences on sanathana dharma ?

The archeological studies carried out in Kalibhangan, Bhagavan pura,
Mehargarh, etc show that the oldest artifacts available are of the period BC
8250. So we can presume the Hindu civilization or the one something similar to
that started blooming during then. There may be difference of opinion for this
comment.

Is the Indus valley civilization same as the Hindu dharma civilization?

Definitely all the proofs available say so. Particularly those are available recently.
Even though foreigners and the so called Indian intellectuals wanted to distort the
true history and wanted to prove wrongly that they are different from Hindu
dharma. The conclusion is that both are the same.

But many people said earlier against this conclusion and few still
continue to say so. why ?
There was an intentional conspiracy to distort the facts which was spearheaded
and created by the British to confuse Indians through the Aryan invasion theory
and to create a feeling among Indians that they are also the invaders like the
British ( to Indian subcontinent). So they wanted to prove that Indus valley,
Harappan civilization, etc are entirely different from the Vedic civilization and
Hindu culture . This was fully utilized by our pseudo intellectuals and also the so
called secularists for creating a complex in the Indian mind.

Who were/ are the Aryans ?

The word Aryan does not mean any race or a group of people. It only means
the scholarly people. You know arya vaidya sala, aryaavartham, aryavepu,
aryaputra all meant for ‘scholarly’ meaning. During the last days of Maxmuller ,
he too commented strongly that, Aryan word has got nothing to do with a race.

Where can we see the use of this word in Vedas?

In Vedas there are a number of places where the Arya word is used as
“krunvantho viswam aryam = let us make the world a glorious one. Srunvanthu
viswe amruthasya putraa aaye dhamaani divyaani thasthu = the children of
immortals, Let us come together and chant the great songs. Here too the
message is Arya. Every wife , in olden days, use to call her husband of royal
family as aryaputra.

Why some people say the Vedic civilization and Hindu civilization are
different ?

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Vedic civilization itself is the Hindu civilization and they are not different. There
is nothing like Hindu civilization which is different from Vedic culture .

When was the Vedas written or composed ?

Vedas are known as anaadi which means the date of origin is not known. It is
also said that it existed from time immemorial. But the Veda Vyasa compiled it
in the present form.

What is the real meaning of the word Veda?

Veda was formed from ‘vid’ means knowledge. ( more details will be available
when we discuss about Vedas separately)

What the Vedas say about the date of its origin?

Brihaspati prathamam jaayamaanam thishyam nakshatram abhisambhaboova .
The delta cancri (thishyam) star when got occulted by Jupiter planet, and when
the planet moved forward, it looked as the star was born newly..

This is an astronomical phenomenon. The computer simulation studies on the

movement of the celestial bodies, showed that this occulting might have taken
place almost during BC 4275 or so. If this Vedic line might have written after
seeing this celestial phenomenon, then this line (which is in the last part of Rig
Veda) might have been composed about 6250 years ago. So the last part of Rig
Veda might have composed during this period. If this is true the first part might
have got composed about 2 to 3 thousand more years ago. The last part of
Vedas are composed of modern Sanskrit and the first part with vedic Sanskrit.
So the Vedas may be more than 7 - 8 thousand years old.

Is this observation agree with other scholars’ opinion ?

No ! This is not agreeing with Indian scholars Opinion. Indian scholars like
Balagangadhara Thilak, Jnanaanda Saraswati, Dayananda Sarawati, and so on
fix the period of Vedas 20 to 50 thousand years ago. Some other ‘scholars’ fix
the period around 1000 BC or so, like their western or Russian gurus.

Does it agree with foreign scholars?

Some of the foreign scholars started rethinking and proving that this period ( 6
– 8 thousand years old) may be correct. Some of them even conclude that
Vedas are of 2 to 3 thousands old only. Now a rethinking is picking up fast.
Some of them also fix the period as ‘many thousand years’ ago.

Does it mean that Hindu dharma is the oldest religion ?

If you want to label Hindu dharma as a religion , it is the oldest religion. If you
want to consider it as the way of life then also Hindu dharma is the oldest
codified systematic way of life in the world and Rig Veda is the oldest literature.

How the message of Hinduism spread from generation to generation?

This dharma spread from place to place and generation to generation through
the practice of acharas ( seen and heard) from the parents, books, illustrations,
etc. The messages also got transferred from mouth to ear by oral traditions

Did Hindu dharma spread outside Indian continent ?

Yes ! It spread through out the world, including African continent, American
continents and so on. Many archeological proofs are available now.
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What are the Acharas ( customs and rituals) in Hindu dharma ?
Acharas are those practices of our day to day life . Or it is the life style by itself.
In India the acharas are practiced for the following purposes and benefits

Acharath labhathe hi ayu: acharath dhanamakshayam acharath

labhathe suprajaa: aachaaro ahanthya lakshanam

Acharas are practiced for the psychological and physiological benefits and for
a long healthy life; acharas are followed for prosperity and wealth; acharas are
followed for strong family and social bondage. By following the acharas, one
gets a fine personality and dharmic vision. Says our dharma saastra books
and the acharyas.

Why the people should practice the acharas ?

In India, everyone practiced his/her dharma through these acharas. They could
get the psychological, physiological, family relation based, social bondage and
national integration based benefits. One should understand scientifically,
rationally and logically the meaning and message of every achara, practice
and teach the messages to others.

Who created these acharas ?

Thousands of Rishies created these acharas based on their experiences. They
taught them to their students. Some of these acharas were written in books.
Some were passed to generations through oral tradition of chanting the
Sanskrit lines which give the message of the acharas.

How the acharas used to get refined?

It is said that acharyaath paadam aadatthey paadam sishya swamedhaya
paadam sa brahmachaaribhya sesham kalakramena cha. One quarter of the
acharas is to be learned from the teacher and one quarter by the student
himself, one quarter by discussing with others and the last part during the
process of living ( by addition, deletion, modification and correction).

When these acharas were created/ written ?

These acharas were not written in one day nor within a period of a decade nor a
century. They were written during the course of thousands of years. The addition,
deletion. Modification and corrections were done continuously. Still the refining
is going on. In fact it is a process of updating which continues even today.

Where these acharas were written?

Majority of the acharas were written in kalpasastra, puraanas, itihasas and
some in Vedangas and so on.

Are these acharas written by Brahmins?

These acharas were written by Rishies from all castes and from different parts
of India. They are also written in different languages. During the period when
acharas were written, none of the Rishies was known in their caste name. The
present type of caste system never existed during then..

Is it compulsory that every Hindu should follow these acharas ?

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It is left to his/her discretion whether to practice or not to do so. It is said that
Swagrame pooranmacharas anya graame thadarkhakam pattane tu thath
paadam yaatre balaath acharatheth. If you are living in your own village, follow
all the acharas. If you are living in other villages, follow one half of the acharas.
And if you are in a city /town one quarter of the acharas are to be practiced. But
in en tour, acharas need not be followed like a child.

From whom should we learn the acharas or its clarifications ?

The dharma sastra tells you that : Achinoti cha sastrarthan sishyaan
sadhayathey syudhi swayam acharati chaiva sa acharya it smrutha.
He who knows the scientific meaning of the acharas, teach the acharas simple
ways with examples and demonstrate it by self practice, is known as the
aachaarya. Take one quarter from this aachaarya.

Why Hindu dharma is also known as sanaathana dharma ?

Acharas are the foundations of Sanathana dharma. All the acharas together
make dharma. ( aachara prabhavo dharma). So Hindu dharma is correct.

How can we connect the acharas and dharma ?

Say for example the acharas to be performed by the mother is known as
Maathru dharma; by the father is known as Pitru dharma ; by the son is putra
dharma; by the husband Bhartru dharma and by the wife patnee dharma….and
so on . Even for the citizens we have Poura dharma, for teachers, the acharya
dharma, for the kings Rajadharma ....... and so on ! Now, the Sanaathana
dharma can be defined thus: The maathru dharma + pitru dharma + putra
dharma + putree dharma + bhartru dharma +......+ raja dharma = sanathana
dharma. The sanathana dharma has the following meaning also Sanaathana =
chira puratana (older than the oldest) + nitya noothana ( ever novel). Dharma =
dhaaranaath dharma = the one which is guiding you is dharma. So sanathana
dharma is the one which is very old and ever existing and the one which is
protecting you and that is practiced by one and all in bharath.

Should we blindly follow the aacharas of Hindu dharma ?

You can critically follow or blindly follow. You can accept or reject the messages
of dharma. You have the freedom for doing both. Nothing in this dharma is
strict.

What is meant by the freedom of the Individual ?

In sanathana dharma the followers have the freedom for criticizing the
negatives, evaluating the merits, correcting the superstitions and mistakes,
modifying the ideas based on desa ( place), kaala (time) and the condition of
the practitioner. Adding any novel ideas beneficial for human beings, deleting
which are irrelevant and obsolete , accepting anything good for the benefit of
individuals/family/society/nation, from anywhere or rejecting any outdated
practices are the main principles of the freedom.

Can the Hindus change the contents of religious books ?

They can make their own recensions and sakhas of any book. The old will
remain the same. New one created will be known in the name of the composer.
Any of the Hindu beliefs, thoughts, books, faiths, rituals, customs, concepts, can
be subjected to the above process of refining through addition, deletion,
correction and modification.
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Why sanathana dharma is not rigid ?
Because of the above freedom, Hindus have as many as 1280 basic dharmic
books (matha granthas with thousands of commentaries- there may be a
different version for this number ) where as the other religions have only one
book each. Something rigid or strict, followed without refining and questioning,
cannot exist in the world for a long period. As long as you have the freedom to
think, the flexibility is inevitable and progress is the part of it.

Why this oldest religion still survives?

Because of the great freedom given by our Rishies for taking good from
everywhere and rejecting bad at any time. Hindu dharma still remains strong
even after more than a thousand years of foreign aggression and massacre, in
India.

Who is the final authority in Hindu dharma, like the pope for Christians?
There is no final authority for Hindus whose words are final. You know
other civilizations like Mesopotamia, Greek, Egyptians, Babylonia,, ,,,,etc got
wiped out from the surface of the globe Earth. Bharatheeya dharma did not die.
It is giving light to billions of people world over. Its contributions are becoming
great subject for learning and practicing, world over. This is because everyone
has the freedom to add, subtract, delete, correct and modify the ideas and
practices. None is labeled as the final authority to direct or impose the rule.

Why do the Hindus have many religious books ?

Our forefathers knew that, all the knowledge required for the progress of the
human beings cannot be included in one book, nor one saint can contribute for
that. Hence our forefathers wrote hundreds of books for the benefit of the
human beings world over.

How the Hindu acharas are explained in books ?

Our Acharas are explained in these books in many ways like: presented as
stories, historical facts, rituals, customs, directives, guidelines, etc.

What are the rules to be followed while performing the acharas?

You know that there are three factors for modern physics, the time, the space
and the perceiver or the observer. In the same way there are three factors in the
Hindu acharas also, the time and place/space of performing the acharas and
the person who perform it. Hence one should select good time, sacred place
and cleanliness/suddhi of the body and mind. All the acharas are based on
these three factors.

In which book (s) Hindu acharas are explained ?

The acharas are explained in Puraanaas, Itihasaas, Dharmasastras,
Gruhyasootraas, Sroutha sootraas, Upanishads, Vedangas, Upavedas, and
Darsanaas. Different acharas are written in different books which we will
discuss in detail later part of this book.

Will the acharas remain the same without any change ?

Continuous refinement of each achara has taken place in the course of time
with the help of acharyas. The Gurus are the reformers of Sanathana dharma.

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Each acharya or guru can refine these acharas in the course of time and place,
depending upon the requirements /needs of the individual and the society.

Should we follow the acharas and the acharyas strictly/ blindly ?

Everyone has the freedom to refine the acharas by addition, deletion,
modification and correction, depending upon the time, place and other
parameters like country, where these acharas are performed. However refining
the acharas is done without loosing the spirit and message of the acharas.
There is nothing like ‘strictly following’ the acharas or acharyas.

How the Hindu acharas differ from those of other religion ?

Majority of the Hindu acharas are not part of Vedas. They are separately
compiled in dharma sastras. Each achara is formulated in such a way that
science and spirituality integrate in it. The merits of the science and that of the
value based scientific spirituality are integrated for personal/ family/social and
national progress.

What are the prime aims of the acharas ?.

Prime aim of acharas is not going to heaven or nearer to gods. But many people
think so. It is also not for getting the benefit during facing the final verdict of god.
It is for making our life comfortable, heavenly and divine, with as much values
added to it as possible.

Where the acharas to be performed by the family members are written?

Acharas to be performed by the family members are known as gruhastha
acharas. They are written in many books coming under the kalpasastra , which
is the fifth Vedanga . The part where this type of acharas are written is known as
gruhya sutra. Many gruhasta acharas are given in puranas also. Gruhastha
means family members.

Where can we read the acharas for mahayaagaas and yajnaas ?

The rituals connected with the performance of yagas are described in sroutha
sutra part of Kalpasaastra. Kalpasastra / Kalpasutra is the fifth vedanga.

In which part of kalpasootra, the acharas to be performed by the King,

Queen, citizens, professors, business men, etc are written?

This part is known as dharma sutra part of kalpasootra. Each and every aspect
connected with rules and regulation of the country, the fundamental principles,
directives for citizens, etc are written under dharma sastra or dharma sutra.

Are the dharma saastra and dharma sutra, same ?

Saastra word means what is giving you the instruction and guidance, The
dharma sastra is the one which is giving you guidance. Sutra means thread /
small set of words giving a great message. Hence dharma sutra is the same as
dharma saastra, which can give you message in few words or one or two lines
known as sutras

Where can we details of after death acharas and rituals ?

The after death ceremonies and during death ceremonies /rituals are known as
anthyeshti. They are also known as pithru medha karma. This is available in the
fourth part of Kalpa saastra known as pithrumedha sutra.
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How to compensate the mistakes in performing the acharas ?
For all the mistakes and omissions, we have prayaschitta. The word prayaschitta
means the acharas of repentance. It is also a part of kalpa saastra.

What is Kalpasutra /kalpasastra?

Kalpasutra is a series of voluminous books written by many Rishies each of the
book is known with the name of the corresponding Rishies. The major
kalpasutras are Boudhaayana kalpasutra, Aapasthamba kalpasutra,
Kaatyaayana kalpasutra and Maanava kalpa sutra. Each of the kalpasutra may
have more than five to ten thousand pages.

How these kalpasastras are divided for different acharas ?

Division of Kalpa saastra is done as Gruhyasutra, Dharma sutra, Sroutha sutra,
Pitrumedha sutra, Sulbasutra and Prayaschitta part. Some of the Kalpasutra
may have one or more chapters dealing with some other subjects also.

Why the acharas differ among Hindus ?

This is because different opinions are presented on the method of
performance in different Kalpasutras. All the Kalpasutra do not give the same
procedure for each achara. The explanations differ, hence the difference
seen in those who are following that kalpasutra.

Can you give example for such differences ?

Some people celebrate Sivaratri on a particular day another group may
celebrate in a different day. For one group, on the ekadasi day the srardha can
be performed for another group srardha should be performed on that day. This
difference is not serious. One should understand that the opinions of the Rishies
vary and it is permitted.

Can we see this type of variations in other religion also?

Do not try to compare our acharas with those of others. Their acharas are
explained in their prime text and connected with god or religion. Our acharas
may not have any direct link to religion or spirituality. Remember that this type
of variation is there in other religion also. Ramadan falls in different days in
different places. For many, the Christmas is on 6th January. Some Christians do
not worship Cross at all. These are all variations.

Are there descriptions of acharas in puranas ?

Many stories/ discussions /advise written in puranas are aimed at informing the
merits of the acharas. The acharas mentioned in puranic stories have more
spirituality in it. Particularly vrathas, pilgrimage, bhakti, pooja , performance, etc.

How the stories are used in puranas to convey the message of acharas?
In puranas, different stories of following the acharas are narrated. The stories
convey the merits of performing the acharas which motivates people to follow the
acharas. Focus is given through spirituality in puranas.

How the contents of itihasas (Epics) carry the acharas ?

The itihasas indirectly convey the merits and the messages of following the
acharas. It is easy to remember the stories and hence easy to remember the
merits of acharas also. This is also given as the Rishies advising Dhasaratha/
10
Kaikeyee/ Dharmaputra/ Rama/ Arjuna and to many others as dialogue/dis
ussion. The message gets into our mind like from that of a drama.

How many acharas are mentioned in Vedas?

Vedas give only ultimate truths, messages and facts of life. But in Yajurveda,
Yaga based acharas are mentioned. In sama Veda acharas connected with
chanting the sama gana are given indirectly . For achieving the target of many of
the great messages of Vedas the dharma sastras give the guidance through
acharas.

Does the Upanishad carry the explanations of acharas ?

There are more than 108 Upanishads and many acharas are explained in
Upanishads. The acharas connected with poojas, yoga, araadhana, bhakti,
manthra, thanthra, yanthra, etc. are also described in some Upanishads. In the
major 18 Upanishads, you may not see the description of acharas.

How many types of acharas are followed by people ?

One cannot classify the acharas in types. There are acharas which are
performed for spiritual benefits known as Mokaha acharas. There are acharas
performed for prosperity and happiness which are known as kaamya acharas.
The former has high level of spirituality in it.

Can we explain the merits of acharas in a nut shell ?

The acharas do have many merits which can be classified under FIVE
categories. Acharas beneficial for mind, body, family, society and nation.

How psychology/ mind is involved in acharas?

Each individual is a combination of physical body and mind. The mind is the
most important factor guiding the man/ family/ society and nation. Hence many
acharas are formulated to make the mind perfect and healthy. Either in individual
or as group.

What are the psychological benefits of acharas ?

Examples of psychologically beneficial Acharas : Chanting a mantra/ keerthan/
naama /etc. Faith in divine power and even the concept of god are created for
mental or psychological benefits. The faith or sraddha or bhakti in god is for
psychological benefits.

Do you mean to say that fear of god is good ?

We, Indians never say ‘ god fearing’ but we are god loving - Eeswara Bhakti is
what is required and not Daiva bhayam. Hence the bhakti has psychological
benefit.

What are the acharas for psychological benifit ?

Taking the blessing from elders, listening to the puranic and related stories,
taking food with family members, visiting friends and relatives, doing yoga,
sharing the problems with friends and family members………are all
psychologically beneficial acharas.

What are the physiological benefits of acharas ?

Any acharas which can contribute to better health fall under this category of
acharas. It is told that sareeram adhyam khalu dharma sadhanam. Body is the
11
first tool for performing the dharma. Hence health is very important factor for
maintaining a dharmic life.

What are the examples of such type of acharas ?

Examples of physiologically beneficial acharas are: doing soorya namaskara (
Sun salutation) which is an ideal exercise for all the movable skeletal joints. The
soorya namaksara is composed of seven yogaasanas. Each of which can
contribute the best possible way to smoothen the movement of skeletal joints.
Hence soorya namaskara is known as the king of the exercises.

How many more such acharas can be named?

There are thousands of such acharas practiced in India. Few more such
acharas are mentioned here: morning prayer at the time of waking up (chanting
karaagre vasathe lakshmi…) for balancing blood pumping pressure of the heart,
touching the floor as bhoo vandanam ( samudra vasane devi…) for releasing
bio static electricity from the body through fingers, taking morning bath for
cleansing external body, prayer before taking food ( for activating salivary
glands and digestive enzyme glands) avoid keeping head towards north while
sleeping to keep the body position non-parallel to earth’s magnetic field for
facilitating the smooth blood flow to the brain, taking vegetarian food, putting
chandan/ kumkum/ bhasma/ on the forehead, keeping tulasi ( sacred basil) in the
back of the ear, cleaning the legs/hands and face after a long walk outside,…. (
you can find out many more examples)

What will be the sin if the acharas are not practiced ?

Acharas are not for purifying from papa nor for getting punya. It is purely for
our earthly life and health. Hence, if you are not performing acharas, it will
never create any sin. It is not the god’s responsibility to punish you. God is not
sitting for punishing us. These type of explanations are childish . But the merits
expected from the acharas may not be available, if they are not practiced.

How the fasting on a particular day benefits the health ?

Change in daily food gives an opportunity to balance the nutrition requirement of
the body. Fasting for few days purify the blood . Deposited fat gets partly
decomposed too. If enough water is taken blood purification takes place quickly
due to continuous filtration through kidney.

Why ekadasi vratha is followed?

It is mainly for changing the food once in 15 days. This change in food either
from rice to wheat or vice versa, gives the opportunity to fill the gap of the
nutritional lapses in our day to food intake. Ekadasi word has only one meaning:
the 11th day from New moon or full moon day.

Can an achara solve the iron deficiency in our body ?

In Kerala, there is an achara of preparing a semi dried food item ( known in
Malayalam as mezhukkupuratti ) on every Saturday, in wrought iron vessel
known as Cheena chatty. The iron content of this food will compensate the
deficiency of the iron. The iron needed for a week can be stored in our body.
Making one food item in this vessel once in a week is enough to meet the iron
deficiency.

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How sareera suddhi is effected through acharas?
There are five types of bathing explained in dharma sastra for the external body
cleaning. The Keralites and all those who are living in tropical climate should
take water bath. It should be done till their body gets cooled.

Why oil bath is taken ?

Oil bath compensates the natural oil layer on the surface skin of the human body
by the oil smeared . This oil protects the lipoprotein layer of our skin.

How blood can be purified ? is there anything mentioned in our acharas?

Very specifically it is mentioned in dharma saastra. Take two or three ( some
doctors even advise 6 – 9 glass ) glass water in the morning. This will definitely
purify the blood as you know it happens through filtration of blood by the kidneys,
during blood circulation.

How can one get more information about this type of acharas?
Think about each and every achara rationally, scientifically and logically. Discus
with good doctors and come to a conclusion. Never be biased and never justify
the superstitions in any of the achara.

How to understand the acharas practiced for physiological merits?

Think and analyze each and every one of the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly
acharas one by one. You will get numerous such acharas which have variety
of physiological benefits.

How the acharas strengthen family bondage ?

All the shodasa (sixteen) acharas like, naamakaranam, annapraasanam,
nishkramanam, upanayanam, vivaaham,…..etc fall under this category. The
concept of maathru devo bhava, pitru devo bhava, etc., the acharas connected
with pitrukarma/ anthyeshti, the gruhya acharas to be performed by the (married)
couples, ……..etc. are all examples for this type of acharas.

How scientific is the family bondage strengthening acharas?

There is sociology, psychology, etc in performing these acharas which
strengthen the family bondage, between wife and husband, children and parents,
brothers, sisters, grand parents and children, and so on.

How the wedding rituals strengthen the family relation ?

Tying the (knots) thali, putting the garland, holding the right hands (paani
grahana), doing the pradakshina and exchanging the rings are all symbolically
bringing a man and woman together giving the feeling that we are going to be
united from this particular day of marriage onwards.

Can we know more acharas under this category ?

Temple visit of the family members , taking food together, wife serving the food to
husband, mother serving food to children, praying together, celebrating the
wedding anniversary, celebrating the birth day, parents’ blessing the children,
fixing the date for earth breaking ceremony for new building a home, gruha
pravesa, etc., are all directly or indirectly connected for strengthening family
relations.

How a mother can strengthen family relations ?

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Mother and wife have major roles in strengthening the family bondage by
performing their respective maathru dharma and patnee dharma. Try to discuss
about this to grand parents and old people. You will get lot of information.

Can we go deep into more of these acharas?

If you are scanning the gruhastha acharas you will know that there are
hundreds of such acharas which we were thinking superstitions. These acharas
were formulated hundreds of years ago for strengthening the family relations.

How social bondage gets strengthened through acharas ?

The acharas which give the opportunity to bring everyone together without ego
clashes are classified under this category. These acharas will result in
strengthening the social bondage in the society.

Can you site few examples of such acharas?

There are hundreds of social bondage strengthening acharas: Celebrating the
festivals, like sivaratri, navaratri, janmashtami, onam, etc. are social acharas.
Inviting family members, relatives and friends for attending family ceremonies,
etc are the acharas strengthening the social bondage and relationships.

Why do we invite people for the marriage ?

This is a very important achara in which the happiness of the family is shared by
the members of the society.

Why people gather during the death in a family?

When someone passes away many people come to share the sorrow of the
family. Social bondage strengthening takes place when the happiness and
sorrow are shared with others. particularly among the relatives and friends.
During the days of happiness and unhappiness the people share the feelings
which results in strengthening the social bondage.

How the national integration and acharas are linked ?

Any achara which is performed in which the name of our motherland, culture, or
part of the nation, like seas, mountains, cities, great men, heroes, etc come
that will give a reminder for the national pride. This directly will result in the
national integration.

Can you site few examples in which the acharas help national integration?
Acharas for national integration can be narrated like this: Doing prathasmarana
by chanting the mantras in which the names of holy mountains, rivers, cities,
heroes, etc., are mentioned. Reading Ramayana and Mahabharatha can fetch
benefits of National integration because Sri Rama traveled from Ayodhya to
Kerala and then to Rameswaram and back. Similarly Pandavas traveled all the
way from Hastinapura (present Delhi) to Palakkad district of Kerala. This
narration itself will result in the national integration. It can also be achieved
through national languages, Sanskrit, cultural traits on dress, food, Vedic and
puranic messages, pilgrimage, etc. these are all part of Indian heritage and
achara.

How can we classify all these acharas for removing the superstition ?
There are three types of acharas. The acharas not relevant for 21st century are
known as anacharas. The acharas which produce negative results are
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duracharas. The acharas which produce good and positive results /effects are
sadacharas.

What are the sadacharas ?

Acharas which can produce good effects and which are already described in
detail in many pages above are known as sadacharas. The beneficial effects
means the effects for individuals, family, society and nation.

Can you give few examples for anacharas ?

Some say that Vedas should not be heard by women, Vedas should not be
chanted by lower caste people, one should not touch the lower caste, should
not visit a patient on a particular date. These are all anacharas if not properly
described. Few more anachaas are hanging Chinese music instruments
fingshui for vaastu based benefits and for solving family problems, blindly
following ‘This week/month for you’ type of astrological predictions appearing
in magazines, astrological prediction that Mr. X will become the prime minister,
changing the position of windows or the position of kitchen, based on the advise
of the so called vastu experts, etc are anacharas.

What are duracharas in Hindu dharma ? How to eradicate them ?

There are hundreds of sadacharas in Hindu dharma. Unfortunately there are
few duracharas also. These create problems, if we do not analyze them
properly, rationally, scientifically and logically. Almost all these duracharas
crept into the our culture at a later period. Majority of them are only decades
old, and some are centuries old and none is millennia old. None of them is the
part of Vedic acharas. Duracharas are those customs and rituals which can
create permanent negatives and bad effects for any one or more than one
individuals(s)..

Can we give examples of some more duracharas ?

Cursing somebody, chanting mantras for negatives, sacrificing chicken, goat,
camels and any other animals in the name of gods or demons, offering liquor as
a part of religious rituals, misinterpreting the acharas for negatives .etc are
duracharas.

Can we site examples on misinterpretation of a sadachara to durachara ?

One of the serious duracharas is dropping half burnt human dead body in the
holy rivers like Ganga .Yet another durachara is the belief that if someone dies
in dhanishta panchaka ( dhanishta to revati five days) there can be five more
deaths in that house.

Are these duracharas superstitions ?

Remember, there are a number of good information in vaastu and astrology
which should not be misinterpreted or misutilized. They create superstitions
about silly things. One has to take the benefits from Vaastu and astrology
instead of practicing the non-senses advised by quack astrologers and
‘vaastu experts’.

How to identify the truths and facts on these acharas ?

Analyze and classify all the acharas under Sadacharas, duracharas and
anacharas. Select and use the best after refining them based on the scientific
principles, rational thinking and logical analyses.
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How to improve ourselves ?
Use your ears /eyes /tongue /thoughts /work positively to improve yourself.
Acharas are only one among many methods for improving ourselves. According
to Lord Krishna the aims and pathways for a better life is ( Bhagavath Geetha)
Uddhareth atmanaatmaanam na aatmaanam avassadhayeth aathmaivahi
athmanobhandhu: athmaiva ripuraathmana: The ultimate aim oflife is elevating/
raising/ uddharanam of ourselves and never belittling ourselves . We
ourselves are our best friends and we ourselves are our worst enemies.
(This upadesa has been given in the 6th chapter 5th line of Bhagavath Geetha).
So let us elevate and improve ourselves, our family, our society and our
motherland. Let us never denigrate ourselves, our family, our society, our culture
and our motherland.

How to use science in our day to beliefs and acharas?

Lord Krishna has given another message for improving ourselves jnaanam
vijnaana sahitham yath jnaathwaa mokshyase asubhaath. Every bit of spiritual
knowledge and achara / vichara / sankalapa /… should be analyzed and
practiced scientifically for avoiding the superstitions.

How much acharas are to be performed in our life ?

Lord Krishna’s third message for improving ourselves is: swalpam apyasya
dharmassya thraayathe mahato bhayaaath: Follow at least some dharmic
values as acharas. It will protect us from many serious negatives in the life.

If others are not following the acharas how to influence them ?

Whatever we are doing (or not doing) are factors connected with us. Nobody
has given us the responsibility to examine / investigate what others are doing (or
not doing). Worry not too much about others . If possible inform them the merits
of practicing the acharas. Never try to argue and convince anyone.

Should we practice acharas the meaning is not known ?

If you find practicing the acharas can produce good results, even if you do not
know the meaning follow them with faith.

Can we follow the acharas without analysing ?

Na hi kalyaana krith kaschith durgathim thaatha gacchathi: If you do good and
follow good achara, the results will definitely be good.
.
If someone is ignorant about his dharma how to proceed ?
Inform them the facts and truths. Never argue nor try to win over him. You duty is
over the moment you inform him the benefits and facts.

What is god ?
The omnipotent omnipresent power controlling / guiding an atom and also the
universe and also the power which is existing in each and every living being is
the god.

What is the size, shape, colour, etc. of god ?

There is no size, shape, or colour for god. It is for the sake of common man we
make the pictures. Like we make a globe for teaching about the earth.

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Does the god have the names ?
The god does not have any name. For quick memory and recollection we call
different names to different natural phenomenon. After all nature is the direct
manifestation of god and that itself is god.

Why do we give so many names to god?

Each name has a meaning. The names convey a great meaning so we give the
names. Lekshmi means glory and prosperity. Saraswati means the one whichis
flowing. Parvathy means the torrential force or energy. Ganesa means the one
which is controlling everything in group. Krishna means black and attracting.
Rama means which gives you happiness. And so on

Can we see god with our naked eyes ?

Unless you reach that level it is impossible to see even seeing through inner
eyes. Many things which we cannot see are existing like atoms, electrons, air,
billions and billions of galaxies.

Why to worship god ?

It is not necessary if you feel it is not worth. To know that human beings have
limitations and what all taking place in the world are almost beyond the control
of human brain, we have to know that divine power. For knowing that divine
power we should remember it frequently. For this purpose we are using the
method worship.

Will the god get angry if we are not worshipping ?

The god is not bothered about anything like you worship or criticize. God is not
bothered about your flower, nivedyam, lamp, manthra, pooja or temple. The
worship of the god, prayer, manthra, pooja, etc., are all for ourselves.

What is the relation between the god and human beings ?

Since we got birth on this earth from our parents, our relation with our parents is
divine. Like that we are here because of the god, the omnipotent omnipresent
power which gave us this shape size, and all what is inside and outside our
body.. So our relation with god is divine. It is just like human relation, we have
relation with god or divine power.

Why should we worship at all ?

We have three debts according to Hindu dharma. The debt towards god is
known as Deva runa, that towards parents and our forefathers is known as Pitru
runa and the last one is Rushi runa towards the Rushies who created the
sanathana dharma.

How to get rid of these runas ?

These three runas are permanent and we cannot get mukti from this runa.
Hence we always remember and worship god. We remember our parents even
after their death by performing the pitru srardha. Before chanting any manthra
we remember the name of the Rushi who composed them. Thus we repeatedly
offer our homage to all the three. Thus arose the worship of god, according to
Indian customs.

Does it mean that we worship god for offering our thanks ?

17
Yes! definitely it is for the same. And also to know that something beyond our
capacity is existing and it is guiding us. So many negatives from our mind can
be wiped out.

Is the concept of god in all religion same?

No ! In Semitic religion it differs significantly from that of the Indian religion or
sanathana dharma. Even though people say that it is the same, it varies
significantly. And in no way it can be compared too. The qualities described for
Semitic god are almost opposite to Hindu gods.

Can we point out one major difference?

One of the most crucial differences is that in Semitic religion, the people are
god fearing people. In our case we are god loving.. The feeling of fear is negative
where as the feeling of love and bhakti is positive.

What is meant by bhakti ?

Bhakti is devotion and love with respect. It is the sharing of the feeling.
Bhaktham means dividing. Dividing between yourselves and god. Every feeling
is an interrelation between god and human beings. This bhakti is at an ordinary
man’s level only. When you get immersed in the realization of divine power, all
the terms will vanish.

How the human relation can be extrapolated to that of god?

We have friendship, brotherly relation, relation between lovers, parental relations,
etc. This is extrapolated towards divine - human relations.

How many types of bhakti can be explained?

As I told you bhakti is the feeling between the bhakta and the divine power.
There are five positive and one negative (sixthe) type of bhakti in sanathana
dharma.

Can we explain these six bhakties in a common man’s language ?

I shall try to do so with examples. There are saantha bhava bhakti which means
the relation is silent, neither asking for something nor expecting anything from the
god. Here the devotee is enjoying the feeling that I am with god. Vidura and
Bishma had this type of bhakti towards Lord Krishna

What is the second bhakti bhava ?

The second bhakti bhava is the daasya bhava, where the god is the manager or
master and you feel that you want to become the servant. This relation between
god the master and you the servant is daasya bhava. Bhakti that Hanuman had
towards Rama was dasya bhava bhakti.

How can we explain the third bhava ?

The third bhava is sakhya bhava. Which is like the relation between two friends.
God is my friend and we stay and walk together and discuss each other about
everything. The relation between Arjuna and Krishna was sakhya bhava bhakti.
To some extent the relation between sudhama and Krishna was also like this.

What is the fourth bhava bhakti ?

The fourth bhava bhakti is the maadhurya bhava bhakti. The relation between
the 18 –20 years old Gopikas and 10 –11 years old Krishna was narrated as
18
madhurya bhava bhakti. Same bhakti could be seen for Bhakta Meera towards
Lord Krishna. The sweet feeling in the mind.

What is the fifth bhava bhakti?

The Vaalsalya bhava bhatkti is the fifth bhava in which the god and yourself are
like the parent and child. You as the parent and god as the child. Thygaraja
swamigal had the this type of relation with Lord Rama. Many ladies used to
chant keerthans about Krishna as though Krishna of childhood (infant Krishna)
and their relation with Krishna is like towards a small child in the hands of the
mother.

Should we remember all the five bhavas bhakti in the order ?

Not at all required. There is no order. It is only the relation according to which
you have to explain.

What is the last one or sixth bhava Bhakti which is said to be negative ?
It is known in many names like. Satru Bhava Bhakti or dwesha bhava bhakti or
dweshya bhava bhakti etc. In this bhava you feel that god is your strong enemy.
Kaamsa felt so with Krishna. Ravana felt so with Rama. Hiranyakasipu also felt
so. Their mind was filled with hatred and enmity towards god or divine power.
Many atheists fall under this category of negative bahakti.

What is the relation between puranic dwesha bhakti and atheism ?

It is simple. Anyone who hate the god or would like to go on criticize the
divinity, their mind is always filled with the eeswara smarana (memory) which is
required (even though negative) and that smarana is same as the bhakti.

What is the punishment given to dwesha bhava bhakthaas by god ?

Remember that the dwesha bhava bhakti is said to be the best form of bhakti.
This is repeatedly mentioned in Bhagavatha purana. In this bhava you always
remember the god as your satru. You know we remember our enemies more
than our friends.

Is there any science in Bhakti ?

Definitely ! Bhakti has a powerful part in psychology. Faith is the basis of
bhakti and every feeling of the mind can be guided and controlled by bhakti.
This is particularly applicable to fear, failures, worries, complexes, tension,
anger, etc., which are negative feeling in our mind.

What is the use of bhakti ?

It gives us lot of support during crisis in our life. It gives us relief, happiness,
consolation, motivation, during failures and confusions

How to use bhakti in our day to day life and demonstrate it ?

Bhakti is demonstrated through different type of worship. Worship is as a result
of bhakti.

Is bhakti for demonstration to the public.?

Bhakti is also for demonstration and social acceptance. Bhakti cannot be
directly demonstrated because it is the feeling that you posses. Worship is the
method through which you demonstrate the bhakti. Demonstration is an
important part of spirituality , particularly applied spirituality.
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Then what is the real spirituality ?
The knowledge about the ultimate truth, fact and essence of everything in the
universe, is known as the true spirituality or spirituality. That is the knowledge
of real spirit behind everything. It is the same as Jeevaathma, Paramaathama
and Brahma chaitanya.

What is the applied spirituality ?

Just like we have chemistry and applied chemistry, physics and applied physics,
mathematics and applied mathematics , we in India also have spirituality and
applied spirituality. Spirituality has two pathways. One on the knowledge that
each and everything has the omnipotent omnipresent divine power. Hence love
all serve all hurt none. Keep all the positive feeling in our mind and no hatred to
anyone. This give the people the message to co exist, respect each other, serve
all living beings, help and support everyone. This is the major part of the applied
spirituality. There is a minor part of applied spirituality for our own benefit. That
one is the worship of divine power through temples, yaagas, yajnaas, etc.

What is the benefit derived out of worship ?

The benefit is for ourselves, family, society and nation. And it can even go to the
whole mankind. Through worship many acharas are incorporated into our day to
day life to achieve the benefits, which is also applied spirituality.

What is meant by worship ?

Adopting a series of rituals and customs while creating a relation with god.
Adopting these acharas for human welfare through worship is aimed. Practical
aspects are undertaken in this spirituality and god.

Is the worship connected with apologizing to god for mistakes ?

In the end of every ritual we may use one or two lines towards that also. But
worship is not repentance or apologizing. Worship is for building faith in
ourselves.

How many types of worship are there in Hindu dharma ?

There are very specifically two branches of worship. One the ancient Vedic
method of worship through offering to fire as Havana or homa. All the yagas,
gana homas, mruthyunjaya homas, etc are all part of the Vedic rituals. Veda
mantras are used for this branch of worship. The second may be named as
pournaic branch of worship where idol worship is the main path way.

Why Vedic method is not common now ?

Minor form of Vedic methods are also adopted now . But major yaagas etc
needs money, time, Vedic knowledge etc. Where as in puranic method an idol
is enough and the method is simple.

What are the basic principles of puranic methods ?

Idol is consecrated and it is considered as the prathima or prathibimbam or
vigraha. Temple is built in the shape of yaaga saala, sanctum sanctorum is like
uttara vedi in yaaga sala and idol stands in the center place of fire in the
uttaravedi of yaga sala.

What is the role of temple ?

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The temple is built with general Vedic geometry pattern like a yaga sala. And
the vigraha is the main point of attraction and worship. In vigraha worship, a
series of manthra, thanthra and yanthra based procedures are adopted.

What are these vigrahas made of ?

Vigrahas can be made of granite, marble, clay/ laterite, wood, metal/ pancha
loha, lamp, pictures and manorupam (any imaginary form)

How the vigraha worship is done and what is the science in it ?

There are eight types of worship according to sanaathana dharma saastra..
Every Indian should know what is meant by the Indian method of worship.
Different books and acharyas may give different explanations but they are never
contradictory. They may give complimentary explanations, even though prima
face you may feel they are contradictory. The eight methods are given below.

Sravanam : The worship method adopted using the ears/sruthi. Listening to

good keerthans, mantras, prayer, naama japa, stories of puraanaas .

What is the science behind the sravanam ?

Listening to mantras give neurolinguistic effects and many types of hormones
are produced in the brain. This will directly influence the brain chemistry. It
balances the brain waves, heart performance, blood pressure, adrenalin level
and also the cholesterol level.

What should we listen during worship ?

Melodious mantras from Vedas, keertans and melodious bhajans are excellent.
But listening to the songs carrying the negatives and painful feelings may not
give the pleasant experience.

What is the difference between the keerthans and mantras in sravanam ?

While listening the Veda mantras one need not understand the meaning,
where as while chanting the keerthans knowing the meaning and messages ais
important.

Is sravanam advised in modern medical system ?

Yes!, It is very much advised in modern health system also for psychosomatic
diseases and also to relieve the tension, in our day to day life which may be
called as manthra therapy.

What is the second method of worship ?

Darsanam is the second method of worship. Getting the vision/darsanam and
seeing the pleasant image/picture of divine power. It can be the picture of
nature, living and non living beings with the realization that the divine power
exist in each and every living and non living beings.

How ‘darsanam’ is beneficial in our day to day life ?

Watching a good picture and happy pleasant faces give happiness to all of us.
This is the simple meaning and aim of darsanam. Seeing a good idol, picture,
beautiful color, colorful image with correct size and shape to give pleasant
feeling of darsanam

Can we give examples of the benefit of darsanam ?

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Pilgrimage to temples, visiting great scholars and great avathaaras who have
devoted their life for human welfare and also seeing all the divine people who
came to the earth for serving all the god’s creations. Every pleasant site gives
happiness and every unpleasant site gives worry and unpleasant feelings also.

What is the third method of worship ?

Keerthanam is the third method and it is the melodious way of chanting the
manthra or sloka . Under keerthanam comes chanting mantras, keerthanas,
naama, telling stories, giving upadesas, guiding people, appreciating good
actions and satkarmaas. These are all known as keerthanas .

How keerthans effect us ?

Chanting manthra gives the same effect as listening manthra. For chanting
Veda manthra you need the training in the sruthi. If sruthi is not maintained
properly, it may result in the negatives. Hence it is advised not to chant Veda
manthra without proper training.

When manthras and keerthans should be chanted ?

In three sandhyas the Veda manthras or keerthans can be chanted. It is more
appropriate in early morning and late evening.

What are the factors to be monitored while chanting mantras ?

Cleanliness of body, mind, words, food and work . In short sareera , mana,
ahara, vaak, and karma suddhi are the minimum criteria plus the knowledge to
chant the Vedas with clarity.

Can anyone chant veda mantras ?

Anyone can chant puraana and itihasa mantras. Veda manthra can also be
chanted by anyone provided he/ she has the training for chanting with swara
known as veda jnaanam.

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