Question on Widowhood in Hinduism

The Position of Widows in Hinduism

Recently, I received a question from a concerned Mr. Bala regarding the position of widows in Hinduism. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative misconceptions on this issue which leads to needless pain and misplaced disdain in the society. Below are excerpts from his email and my response.

Bala wrote:

"Radhe Krishna,

Namaskaram Swami,

I would like to know why widows are not allowed to do any pujas or activities in the temple. For example: Doing aarathi, they say only sumangali (explained in my response) only can do it…"

"Recently I went to the temple for some special puja, after all the puja finished the gurukkal (priest) asked for three sumangalis to perform aarati, then came three ladies to perform the aarati, of which one of them is a widow. Immediately one of the ladies told her that she cannot do the aarati because she is a widow, later arguements broke out.

I was very upset about the incident, more over it happened in a temple. The worst thing is that the widow cursed the other lady saying that she will also be a widow one day."

Click Here Read my Response 

Atma - Our Soul

Atma - Our Soul

Religion seems to have all the answers doesn't it. All the mysteries of life can be answered by religion. For instance to the question 'Who am I?' The answer is the most unobvious. It's not our body nor who we think we are or whom we call ourselves. Instead it is this indestructible, intangible part of ourselves that is the soul. This soul was created by God, religion's doctrines state, and it is unaffected by death, disease or destruction. It is ever pure.

If not for the fact that all these qualities of the soul can be experienced, one could conclude that this is an escapist theory, trying to distract us from the realities (especially the harsh realities) of life.

Yes! We can experience our soul. From personal experience I can tell you that when I experienced my soul for the first time, it created a paradigm shift in the way I perceived my life. I felt complete and an unfading feeling of fulfillment started to take hold within me. I felt an affinity with the my guru and all those sages and rishis who spoke so loftily about the realities of life. Finally, I understood, and I could share the same sense of profoundness about life. It is an amazing experience to touch into the atma.

The atma is that part of us that is immortal, the Life of our lives as my guru used to say. The atma has a discernable form like our other bodies though it is made of spiritual elements. It is the deepest of five bodies or sheaths of existence within us. Click here to continue reading the Hindu Philosophy Lesson on Atma - Our Soul.

 Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a festival to celebrate two important events in Hindu mythology. The first is the anniversary when Lord Murugan received the Vel from His Mother, Goddess Parvathi. The second event is the day that God Shiva danced the ananda tandava and revealed His form of Nataraja to the devas, sages and priests gathered at the hallowed Shiva temple of Chidambaram in Tamilnadu. Thus Thaipusam is celebrated in both Sivan and Murugan temples, though Thaipusam is more popular as a Murugan festival. Thaipusam is a one day festival which usually falls on the last week of January or beginning of February.

Hindu Prayers

Hindu Prayers are a collection of mantra and devotional songs that you can learn and teach others, especially children. The meanings of these prayers and how and when best to say them are explained. You will find prayers in Sanskrit, Tamil and English.

Click Here to learn Hindu Prayers.

The Hindu Names Database

Share your comments on The Hindu Names Database, Hindu Naming Traditions and Namakarana Samskara - Hindu Naming Ceremony here.

"This is an expanding and comprehensive database of Hindu names. One of the public services of My Hindu Page is to collect contemporary and ancient Hindu names and provide their meanings. Apart from the names, systems of naming in Hinduism, the namakarana samskara (the Hindu name giving ceremony) and other articles related to Hindu names and naming will be included to provide a comprehensive understanding of Hindu naming."

To access The Hindu Names Database and read the articles connected to it Click Here.

ITS WAR! WAR! WAR! FOR THE SAKE OF peace?

Alright, I have kept silent long enough about this war between Israel and Hamas. Now I've got to say my piece. Though what triggered me to ponder on this issue is not this war, but the Mumbai terrorism incident.

A few days ago I stumbled upon a very disturbing piece of transcript. It is a transcript of a few phone conversations between the Mumbai terrorists and their 'handlers' (as in dog 'handlers') in Pakistan. Here is an excerpt of the most benign part of this conversation.

"*Mumbai terrorist: *Greetings! What did the major-general say?
*Pakistan caller:* Greetings. The major-general directed us to do what we
like. We should not worry. The operation has to be concluded tomorrow
morning. Pray to God. Keep two magazines and three grenades aside, and
expend the rest of your ammunition."

Click Here to continue Reading this article.

Thaiponggal / Makar Sankaranti

Thaiponggal is a three to five day thanks giving festival celebrated in the second week of January, usually January 14th or 15th. The period marks the northward progression of the sun (uttarayana) after the winter solstice. It is a day of thanks giving to Mother Earth and the Sun, on which crops that provide food and commerce depend. This festival is celebrated throughout India. In the northern Indian states it is Makar Sankaranti, in Andhra Pradesh, Pedda Panduga. In the states where the holy Ganga river flows it is called Gangasagar Mela. It is considered very auspicious to dip in the purifying waters of the Ganga during this festival. In Tamilnadu it is Thaiponggal.

Click Here to continue reading this article about Thaiponggal / Makar Sankaranti.