Why Do We?
1. Namaste
The spark of life in me and the spark of life in you, the Spiritual essence in us is Divine & same. To that Almighty Divine Lord in you my Namaskaar(Salutations). Watch a video of Swami Chinmayananda on why do we do Namaste? The hands that are greeting you are made similar to Swami Chinmayananda's hands. He wore a watch in his right hand because he always believed that if our intentions are noble, its the right time to act. He always had a small mala with him with which he did Japa.
2. JAPA MALA
Japa is a training by which the ever-dancing rays of the mind are compelled to behave in some order and rhythm and thereby bring out, of their co-operative effort, a single melody of repeated mantra-chanting. It’s a training in concentration & purity of mind, holding on to a Mantra. Japa Mala is used to bring the mind back to focus easily and to ensure a fixed quantity of Japa is done in sadhana. The mala can be of Rudraksha, Tulasi, vaijayanti, sphatik or anything else.
3. Tulasi
That which is incomparable in its qualities (tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi) is Tulasi. Antioxidant, anti-microbial properties of Tulasi help in treating respiratory problems, asthama, diabetes, stress etc. Tulasi is an adaptogenic herb which rejuvenates the body and increases vital energy. Tulasi is also a symbol of supreme devotion.
4. 108
We breathe 21600 times in a day. Considering 12 hours of active work, it is 10800 breaths. One should remember the Lord with every breath. Hence 108 is symbolic of devotion throughout the day. Vedantically it’s the movement from 8(creation) to 1(Infinite Reality) crossing over 0(Maya)
Astronomically it is 27 Constellations x 4 directions each in our Galaxy. 108 Suns is the distance between Sun & Earth. 108 moons is the distance between moon and earth. Chanting 108 times is to be in tune with the Universe within & without.
5.Pradakshina
We cannot draw a circle without a centre point. The Lord is the centre, source and essence of our lives. Recognising the Lord as the focal point in our lives, we go about doing our daily chores.
6. Kalash/coconut
The Kalasha(pot) represents our body. The water from the sacred rivers in the Kalasha symbolises purity of mind, devotion and detachment. The leaves represent prosperity & simplicity. The coconut symbolises selfless service. Every part of the tree – the trunk, leaves, fruit, coir etc. is used in innumerable ways. Taking in salty water it converts it into sweet nutritive water. The thread represents the love that binds all of us in creation. The Kalasha is placed in a plate of Akshata(rice) representing the Knowledge of the Imperishable Truth that is the basis of this whole creation. Thus a kalasha is a symbol of auspiciousness. It also represents the Goal of life, its means and the realised one who has discovered this Goal OF life. its means and the realised one who has discovered this Goal OF life.
7. Bells
Ringing the bell or Ghanti/Ghanta, produces an auspicious sound of OM, the Universal name of the Lord. It invokes auspiciousness within and without. It produces a sharp, reverberating, deep and a lasting sound which can empty all thoughts and one can become ‘Silent’. Before we enter the temple – to awaken us from our preoccupation with thoughts and to prepare us for the Higher, a bell is used.
8. Lamps
Fill the heart with the oil of love, place in it the wick of a single-pointed mind, light it with the Knowledge of the Truth, protect it from winds of desires and remove the darkness of ignorance with this luminous lamp of Knowledge which reveals the Self within & without.
9.Flowers
Flowers have fragrance(vaas). Flowers are offered to the Lord signifying the offering of our vasanas(inherent tendencies) in an attitude of devotion. When we act in the world in this spirit, our existing vasanas are exhausted and no new vasanas are created. This way we purify the mind. Floral essence is used in healing. Flowers invoke happiness, love and heightens the feelings of satisfaction.
10.Yagna
A yagna is the symbol of co-operative endeavour for a selfless cause. Everyone comes together, sheds their differences in the fire of inspiration and works in a team spirit for the cause, which is greater than any individual. It also represents fulfilment of desires through single-pointedness. With every offering one chants – idam na mama (this is not for me), which is symbolic of the selfless attitude of Giving. The whole creation lives in the yagna-spirit of service & selfless givin