| Essence Of Hinduism |
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HINDU RITUALS AND MYTHS |
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| These three
functions - social, historical and symbolic-which we have so far considered are objective
in character. But ritual is cherished more often for its subjective influence than for its
objective aim. Therefore let us see what the subjective functions of ritualism are. Ritualism has the obvious psychological function of providing an outlet for religious emotion. Every emotion tries to seek an outlet in action. It finds satisfaction in something that is done under its influence. Joy expresses itself in shouts and laughter, and sorrow expresses itself in groans and tears. Religious emotion too craves for expression and finds it in the prescribed ritual. The worshipper has the satisfaction, after going through a long ceremony, that he has done something with a holy purpose, and that this act of his is different from his secular acts, that it is a thing apart and sacred in character. Take, for instance, the funeral ceremonies, which a dutiful son has to perform after the death of his father. There is no doubt that they afford an outlet to the sacred filial affection of the mourner, which struggles to express it. |
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| About Hindu Rituals And Myths | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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