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List Of Materials Used In Hinduism
This is a list of materials with religious significance in Hinduism. For more information, see the linked articles. List of materials *Agarwood or oud, resinous heartwood of certain trees, is mentioned in the Vedas. It is valued in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance. * Alta or Mahawar is a red dye which women in (North) India apply with cotton on the border of their feet during marriages and religious festivals. *Camphor, an aromatic solid, is widely used in Hindu religious ceremonies, burned to make a holy flame. * Charu is the name of a sweet porridge-like foodstuff used as an offering in Yajnas. *Ghee, clarified butter made from cow's milk, is a sacred requirement in Vedic ''yajña and homa'' (fire sacrifices). *Incense is also mentioned in the Vedas. Incense is burned both to create pleasing aromas and a medicinal tool, which is considered the first phase of Ayurveda and was assimilated into the religious practices of early Hinduism. *Kumkuma is a powder made from tu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified by adherence to the concept of ''dharma'', a Ṛta, cosmic order maintained by its followers through rituals and righteous living, as expounded in the Vedas. The word ''Hindu'' is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, it has also been described by the modern term ''Sanātana Dharma'' () emphasizing its eternal nature. ''Vaidika Dharma'' () and ''Arya dharma'' are historical endonyms for Hinduism. Hinduism entails diverse systems of thought, marked by a range of shared Glossary of Hinduism terms, concepts that discuss God in Hinduism, theology, Hindu mythology, mythology, among other topics in Hindu texts, textual sources. Hindu texts have been classified into Śruti () and Smṛti (). The major Hin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rudraksha
A ''rudraksha'' (IAST: ') refers to the dried Pyrena, stones or seeds of the genus ''Elaeocarpus'' specifically, ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus''. These stones serve as prayer beads for Hinduism, Hindus (especially Shaivism, Shaivas) and Buddhism, Buddhists. When they are ripe, ''rudraksha'' stones are covered by a blue outer fruit so they are sometimes called "blueberry beads". The stones are associated with the Hindu deity Shiva and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting mantras such as Om Namah Shivaya (; ). They are primarily sourced from India, Indonesia, and Nepal for jewellery and japamala, malas (garlands) and valued similarly to semi-precious stones. ''Rudraksha'' can have up to twenty one "faces" (, ) or locules – naturally ingrained longitudinal lines which divide the stone into segments. Each face represents a particular deity. Etymology ''Rudraksha'' is a Sanskrit compound word consisting of "''Rudra''"() referring to Shiva and "'"() meaning "eye". Sanskri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sacred Food As Offering
Sacred food as offering is a concept within anthropology regarding the study of food as it relates to religious ritual. Many religions have prescriptions about the correct preparation and cooking of food, besides the Taboo food and drink, taboos about forbidden subjects. Many religions have special spellings for the food, which sacralize it and, therefore, who will eat it; but there are foods sacred by its inner nature. In Brazilian Candomblé by example, fish are sacred for their connection to Iemanjá, horns given the relation to Iansan, Iansã. Consequently, those foods are considered offerings. This takes place in other religions too. Some examples include: *Sacramental bread, and sacramental wine, are elements in the Eucharist. *Chrism, also called myrrh, and holy anointing oil -- Element in anointing of the sick, baptism, and priesthood blessing *coconut: Ganesha in Hinduism *milk, betel leaves: Shiva in Hinduism *flowers, tulsi and fruit: Krishna in Hinduism *Oxalá in Ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prasada
200px, ''Naivedya'' offered to Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir in Mayapur, India">Mayapur.html" ;"title="Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir, Mayapur">Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir in Mayapur">Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir, Mayapur">Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir in Mayapur, India Prasāda (, Sanskrit: प्रसाद), prasad or prasadam is a religious offering in Hinduism. Most often ''Prasada'' is vegetarian food especially cooked for devotees after praise and thanksgiving to a god. ''Mahaprasada'' (also called ''bhandarā''),Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech, 2014The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies/ref> is the consecrated food offered to the deity in a Hindu temple which is then distributed and partaken by all the devotees regardless of any orientation.Chitrita Banerji, 2010Eating India: Exploring the Food and Culture of the Land of SpicesSubhakanta Behera, 2002Construction of an identity discourse: Oriya literature and the Jagannath lovers (1866–1936) pp. 140–177.Susan Pattinson, 2011Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Panchamrita
Panchamrita (, ) is a mixture of five foods used in Hindu as well as Jain worship and puja and Abhiṣeka It is often used as an offering during pooja post which it is distributed as prasad. The main ingredients typically include honey (मधु), sugar (शर्करा), cow milk (दुग्ध), curd (दधि) and ghee (घृत) The Abhiṣeka starts with ghee. A conch full of cow's ghee is poured on the head of the idol and it flows down up to feet. Then milk, curd, honey and sugar are poured. While a variety of additional regional ingredients such as, cardamom, banana, tender coconut, and dates are used, the five base ingredients remain the same across all of India. In Tamil Nadu, Panchamritam () is a mixture of banana, ghee, honey, jaggery and cardamom. In addition, other substances like seedless dates and sugar candies are added. Keralites may also include tender coconut. Some recipes also include grapes. Palani Dhandayuthapani temple located in Tamil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Incense In India
India is the world's main incense producing country, and is also a major exporter to other countries. In India, incense sticks are called Agarbatti (''Agar-wood'': from Dravidian Tamil agil, agir, Sanskrit , meaning "stick". An older term ''"Dhūpavarti"'' is more commonly used in ancient and medieval texts which encompasses various types of stick incense recipes. Incense is part of the cottage industry in India and important part of many religions in the region since ancient times. The method of incense making with a bamboo stick as a core originated in India at the end of the 19th century, largely replacing the rolled, extruded or shaped method which is still used in India for ''dhoop''. '' Dhūpa'' (incense) and ''gandhā'' (perfumes) are two of five accessories of religious worship in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism; others being ''puṣpa'' (flowers), ''dīpa'' (lamp) and ''nivedya'' (food). Worshipping deities with these five accessories is generally considered as a way for a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vibhuti
In Hinduism, ''vibhuti'' (), also called ''bhasmam'' or ''tirunīru'', is sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. Devotees of Shiva apply ''vibhuti'' traditionally as three horizontal lines across the forehead (also known as '' tripundra)'' and other parts of the body. According to the '' Shiva Purana'', the particles of ash which cling to the skin when ''tripundra'' is applied are to be considered to be individual lingams. The scriptures further state that ''bhasma'' purifies the soul and elevates the devotee of Shiva, and that works done without wearing ''bhasma'' are fruitless. There are various methods for the application of the ashes, according to the ''Shiva Purana'', and various mantras to be recited during application. Other uses Another meaning of ''vibhuti'' is a 'glorious form', in contrast with avatar, a reincarnation of Brahman. In the third chapter of the Yoga Sutras, which is called ''vibhuti-pada'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Turmeric
Turmeric (), or ''Curcuma longa'' (), is a flowering plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia that requires temperatures between and high annual rainfall to thrive. Plants are gathered each year for their rhizomes, some for propagation in the following season and some for consumption or dyeing. The rhizomes can be used fresh, but they are often boiled in water and dried, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow shelf-stable spice powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries ( curry powder). Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma. Although long used in Ayurvedic medicine, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that consuming turmeric or the principal turmeric constituent, curcumin, is effective for treating any disease. Curcumin, a bright ye ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lakshmi
Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvati and Sarasvati, form the trinity of goddesses called the Tridevi. Lakshmi has been a central figure in Hindu tradition since pre-Buddhist times (1500 to 500 BCE) and remains one of the most widely worshipped goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Although she does not appear in the earliest Vedic literature, the personification of the term '' shri''—auspiciousness, glory, and high rank, often associated with kingship—eventually led to the development of Sri-Lakshmi as a goddess in later Vedic texts, particularly the ''Shri Suktam''. Her importance grew significantly during the late epic period (around 400 CE), when she became particularly associated with the preserver god Vishnu as his consort. In this role, Lakshmi is seen as the ide ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vishnu
Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation (sattva). Vishnu is known as ''The Preserver'' within the Trimurti, the triple deity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Brahma and Shiva.Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism' () (1996), p. 17. In Vaishnavism, Vishnu is the supreme Lord who creates, protects, and transforms the Hindu cosmology, universe. Tridevi is stated to be the energy and creative power (Shakti) of each, with Lakshmi being the equal complementary partner of Vishnu. He is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism. According to Vaishnavism, the supreme being is with qualities (Saguna Brahman, Saguna), and has definite form, but is limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman, and the primal Atma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ocimum Tenuiflorum
''Ocimum tenuiflorum'', commonly known as holy basil, ''tulasi'' or ''tulsi'' (), is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is widely cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific. This plant has escaped from cultivation and has naturalized in many tropical regions of the Americas. It is an agricultural and environmental weed. ''Tulasi'' is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes, and also for its essential oil. It is widely used as an herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda. It has a place within the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving the plant or its leaves. Morphology Holy basil is an erect, many-branched subshrub, tall with hairy stems. Leaves are green or purple; they are simple, petioled, with an ovate blade up to long, which usually has a slightly toothed margin; they are strongly scented and h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rigveda
The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' (, , from wikt:ऋच्, ऋच्, "praise" and wikt:वेद, वेद, "knowledge") is an ancient Indian Miscellany, collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts (''śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one Shakha of the many survive today, namely the Shakala Shakha, Śakalya Shakha. Much of the contents contained in the remaining Shakhas are now lost or are not available in the public forum. The ''Rigveda'' is the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text. Its early layers are among the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language. Most scholars believe that the sounds and texts of the ''Rigveda'' have been orally transmitted with precision since the 2nd millennium BCE, through Indian mathematics#Styles of memorisation, methods of memorisation of exceptional complexity, rigour and fidelity, though the dates are not confirmed and remain contentious till concrete evidence surfaces. Philolog ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
