Hindu Prayers
India is the home of the world's
oldest civilizations. It is traditionally a land of
spirituality and faith. India is a secular state in
which religion plays a major role in the daily life.
Rituals, worship, and other religious activities are
very prominent in an individual's daily life. Prayer
or worship (Sanskrit : Prarthana) is considered to
be an integral part of the Hindu religion.
Some of the popular forms of prayers are mantras,
shlokas, aartis, chalisas, bhajans, and chanting of
god names. The main motive of Prayer or worship for
the Hindu worshipper is making a spiritual
connection with the divine; expressing one's love
and devotion towards god; obtaining their blessings;
and seeking wishes for the fulfillment of one's
desires.
Hinduism is often described as a religion of fasts, feasts and festivals. Fasting a Hindu tradition to please God, by controlling and curbing one's desires. Fasts most commonly known as Upvaas or Vrat are the days when devotees refrain themselves from food or water....
Aartis are the verses or sonnets (poetic or lyrical), in the introductory or in the form of praise of a God. Here we have provided you with aartis (devotional songs) of various Indian gods and goddesses. Aartis are performed during the puja of these deities....
Chalisa means "forty verse" prayers. Verses that praise and plead with devotion. They are recited over and over again or chanted by groups. The acts and deeds of deities are recalled in these verses to aid the devotee to meditate on righteous and noble qualities.....
Bhajans, musical pryers, can be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the almighty......
"Mantras" derived from the Sanskrit word 'man', meaning 'to think'. Mantra literally means 'instrument of thought'. Mantras are hymns, which are believed to benefit that chants them. Vedic mantras are said to have been divinely 'heard' (shruti) by ancient sages.....
The Name Chants (chanting of the Divine Name or naam jaap) has a very important place in hindu worship. Hinduism encourages worshiping God with name and form. Uttering or repeating of any of God's innumerable names is one of the recommended paths of sadhana (religious practice) for those seeking the path of bhakthi (devotion)....
