Symbols and practices
The sacred syllable that represents the sound of the universe.
What is Om?
Way of life based on eternal, unchanging, and sustaining time-tested wisdom and values of life
What is "Sanatana Dharma"?
This action symbolizes removal of darkness and ignorance.
Why do we “Light the Lamp”?
Twin brothers who were raised in the forest by Sage Valmiki.
Who are Lav and Kush?
The most famous Dharma Shastras composed by King Svaymbhu Manu and is the very basis for all other scriptures.
What is Manu Smriti?
A pot filled with water or rice representing the inert body.
What is Kalash?
The 4 spiritual paths in Hinduism aimed at union with the divine
What are
Bhakti (devotion) yoga,
Karma (action) yoga,
Jnana (knowledge) yoga,
and Raja (meditation) yoga?
Walk around the sanctum sanctorum with folded hands often chanting prayers, recognizing Him as focal point in our lives.
Why do we do “Pradakshina”?
Rama asked Sita to undergo this test to prove her purity after the war.
What is Agni Pariksha (trial by fire)?
The concluding portion of the vedas, refers to the end goal.
What is Vedanta?
A flawless beauty despite its murky surroundings symbolizes purity and spiritual awakening rising above ignorance and worldly attachments.
What is Lotus?
The classification based on the Guna (characteristics or tendencies) and Karma (action) of the individuals.
What is the Varna system?
Chant this to invoke spiritual peace and tranquility across the three realms—body, mind, and the divine
Why do we chant “Shanti Shanti Shanti”?
This archer silenced the dog without killing it.
Who is Ekalavya?
These are the four auxiliary sciences or Upavedas associated with the Vedas.
What are Ayurveda(medicine), Gandarva veda (art), dhanur veda(archery) and Sthapatyaveda (architecture)
These 16 steps ritual offering shows devotion and honor to the deity.
What is Shodashopachara Pooja?
The 4 goals of human life, namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha - that is righteous conduct, acquiring wealth, satisfaction of desire and liberation.
What is "Purushartha"?
This symbolizes the breaking of the ego and offering of one’s pure self.
Why do we "Offer a Coconut"?
In incognito exile, Arjuna disguised himself by this name and role.
Who is Brihannala, a dance and music teacher?
The number of Upanishads in Vedas.
What is 1179?
21 in Rig Veda, 108 in Yajur veda, 1000 in Sama veda, 50 in Atharva veda.
108 important and authoritative.
This ritual is performed to infuse life / divine energy into an idol.
What is Prana Prathishta?
A collection of past karmas, which are ready to be experienced through the present body.
What is Prarabdha karma?
Applying this sacred substance serves as a reminder of life’s impermanence.
Why do we apply Bhasma / holy ash / Vibhuti?
This strategy led to the death of Dronacharya.
What is “Ashwatthama Hataha Iti, Narova Kunjarova”, the lie about Ashwattama’s death.
This is the total number of years in a complete cycle of four Yugas, known as a Mahayuga.
What is 4,320,000 years?