Methods of worship
Hindus use a variety of methods of worship during their prayer in the temple and at home. These include:
- meditation 鈥 a quiet activity in which a person focuses on either an object or a thought in order to make their mind calm and clear
- puja 鈥 devotional worship and prayer performed in honour of one or more deity / deitiesOne god or goddess. In Hinduism, the word for gods and goddesses that many Hindus believe are different aspects of the one Supreme Spirit (Brahman).
- havan 鈥 ritual offerings that are burnt, usually following births or during other significant events
- darshan 鈥 meditation or yogaAny form of religious practice. Often used to mean meditation or adopting various forms of posture for the purpose of spiritual development. with a focus on the presence of a deity
- arti 鈥 a ceremony that takes place in front of the deities where all the four elements (fire, earth, water and air) are all represented in the offerings
- bhajan 鈥 singing and other music as part of worship
- kirtan 鈥 narration or recitation as part of worship
- japa 鈥 meditative repetition of a mantraA sacred (holy) prayer or word which often is chanted or sung rather than just spoken. as a way of focusing on worship
The Bhagavada Gita places importance on the impact of worship. It is used as a guide to encourage worshippers to become aware that they should be focused on God and continually be devoted to him. This will ultimately help them achieve mokshaEscape from the cycle of reincarnation. Term used in the Hindu religion. .
Indeed, they feel drawn toward God, even against their will, on the strength of their past discipline. Such seekers naturally rise above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures. With the accumulated merits of many past births, when these yogis engage in sincere endeavour in making further progress, they become purified from material desires and attain perfection in this life itself.
Question
Why are different methods of worship important to Hindus?
They are important because they allow for devotion to God through different ways.