The Pancha Nitya Karmas
Pancha Nitya Karmas means "five constant duties."
These traditional religious obligations, when properly performed,
bring one close to the holy feet of our Great God Siva and fulfill
the basic obligation we owe to our religion and ourselves. They
are listed below.
1. |
Upasana: Worship in the Home Shrine and Temple
The
dear children are taught daily worship in the family shrine
room - rituals, disciplines, chants, yogas and religious study.
They learn to be secure through devotion in home and temple,
wearing traditional dress, bringing forth love of the Divine
and preparing the mind for serene meditation.
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2. |
Utsava: Holy days
The dear children are taught to participate
in Hindu festivals and holy days in the home and temple. They
learn to be happy through sweet communion with God at such
auspicious celebrations. Utsava includes fasting and attending
the temple on Monday or Friday and observing other holy days.
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3. |
Dharma: Virtuous Living
The dear children are taught to live a life
of duty and good conduct. They learn to be selfless by thinking
of others first, being respectful of parents, elders and swamis,
following divine law, especially ahimsa, mental, emotional and physical noninjury to all
beings. Thus they resolve karmas.
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4. |
Tirthayatra: Pilgrimage
The dear children are taught the value of pilgrimage
and are taken at least once a year for darshan of holy persons, temples and places, near or far. They learn
to be detached by setting aside worldly affairs and making
God, Gods and gurus life’s singular focus during these
journeys.
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5. |
Samskara: Rites of Passage
The dear children are taught to observe the many
sacraments which mark and sanctify their passages through life.
They learn to be traditional by celebrating the rites of birth,
name-giving, head-shaving, first feeding, ear-piercing, first
learning, coming of age, marriage and death. |
Yamas and Niyamas:
Hinduism's Code of Conduct
Ten
Restraints, THE YAMAS
1. |
Noninjury,
ahimsa: Not harming others by thought, word or deed.
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2. |
Truthfulness,
satya: Refraining from lying and betraying promises.
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3. |
Nonstealing,
asteya: Not stealing, coveting or entering into debt.
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4. |
Divine
conduct, brahmacharya: Controlling lust by remaining
celibate when single, leading to faithfulness in marriage.
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5. |
Patience,
kshama: Restraining intolerance with people and impatience
with circumstances.
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6. |
Steadfastness,
dhriti: Overcoming nonperseverance, fear, indecision
and changeableness.
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7. |
Compassion,
daya: Conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings
toward all beings.
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8. |
Honesty,
straightforwardness, arjava: Renouncing deception
and wrongdoing.
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9. |
Moderate
appetite, mitahara: Neither eating too much nor consuming
meat, fish, fowl or eggs.
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10. |
Purity,
shaucha: Avoiding impurity in body, mind and speech.
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Ten Practices, THE NIYAMAS
1. |
Remorse,
hri: Being modest and showing shame for misdeeds.
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2. |
Contentment,
santosha: Seeking joy and serenity in life.
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3. |
Giving,
dana: Tithing and giving generously without thought
of reward.
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4. |
Faith,
astikya: Believing firmly in God, Gods, guru and the path to enlightenment.
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5. |
Worship
of the Lord, Ishvarapujana: Cultivating devotion
through daily worship and meditation.
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6. |
Scriptural
listening, siddhanta shravana: Studying the teachings
and listening to the wise of one’s lineage.
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7. |
Cognition,
mati: Developing a spiritual will and intellect with
the guru’s guidance.
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8. |
Sacred
vows, vrata: Fulfilling religious vows, rules and
observances faithfully.
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9. |
Recitation, japa: Chanting mantras daily.
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10. |
Austerity, tapas: Performing sadhana,
penance, tapas and sacrifice.
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