| It
will not be out of place here to dilate a little upon a few of the
more important rituals and sacraments that have embellished Hinduism
since ages.
Sandhya, Puja and Homa are the most
important rituals still in vogue. Jatakarma & Namakarana,
Annaprashana, Upanayana, Vivaha and Antyeshti including Shradha are
the more common Samskaras or sacraments prevalent even today.
Sandhya is the ritual practised at dawn, noon and dusk. Ceremonial
sipping of water (Achamana), rhythmic breathing (Pranayama),
expiation of sin (Aghamarshana), offering water to Sun-god (Arghyapradana),
repetition of the Gayatri Mantra coupled with meditation on Sun-god
and obeisance to Sun-god (Upasthana) these comprise the ritual. |
