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INTRODUCTION

Hinduism is generally regarded as the world's oldest organized religion. It is currently
the worlds 3
rd
largest religion. Hindu is universally accepted as word that refers to
the religion of India. It has approximately 905 million followers.
Hindus call their religion Sanatana Dharma, with a Persian origin, used to describe
people who lived on the other side of the Indus River / Sindu River.
Love, nonviolence, good conduct and the law of dharma define the Hindu path.
There are many sections within Hinduism, but they share a common sacred literature,
a history of religious thought and a world view that place spiritual matters above
earthly concerns. The elements of the faith are:
o Reincarnation
o Karma (deeds in this life that determine our place in the next)
o Meditation
o Yoga


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HISTORY/RACKGROUND/EVOLUTION OF HINDUISM
Origins of Hinduism
Hinduism is the product of the various peoples that have occupied the region of India
through time. Some have described it as more of a way of life than a religion.
Hindu philosophy
Hindu philosophy had six branches, evolving from about the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century,
Samkhya, Vaisheshika, Yoga, Vedanta, Nyaya and Mimamsa.
Symbol of Hinduism
Aum (Om) is the main symbol of Hinduism. It is the sound heard in deepest meditation and is
said to be the name most suited for God. The ism is Hinduism means (1) everything from
Atheism to Polytheism. (2) Different interpretations of the same scriptures led to differences in
belief.
Hindus have always had great respect for Mother Nature and its creatures and cow is especially
significant because it symbolizes gentleness.
The Three Major Movements That Influenced Hindu Thought
Upanishadic - Hindu scriptures that consist of the core teachings of Vedanta and it is
dated to the Early Middle Ages around the 3
rd
to 8
th
centuries AD.
Jaina - Practices Non-Violence and also gave rise to Buddhism Created the concept of
Puja [Pu= Flower and ja= Offering ].
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Buddhist - Influenced Moksha and Karma in Hinduism and is followed by philosophical
streams of thought.

Hindu Beliefs
Dharma, a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the eternal law", by its adherents. The Hindu concept of
god is hard for non-Hindus to understand. Hindu beliefs vary widely, with concepts of God
and/or gods ranging from
Panentheism (God is the whole)
Pantheism (God is not a distinct being but is synonymous with the universe)
Monotheism (the existence of one and only one god)
Polytheism (the belief of multiple deities)
Atheism (the rejection of belief in the existence of deities with Vishnu and Shiva being
the most popular deities)
Monistic (god as an impersonal and unknowable entity).
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Hinduism is often referred to as Sanatana Dharma meaning 'the eternal path'. The belief is a
conglomerate of religious, philosophical and cultural ideas characterized by the belief in
reincarnation, the path to righteousness, and the desire to liberate from the cycle of births and
deaths.
Origin of Hinduism
1. The Indus Valley Civilization:
In 3000 and 2500 BCE, two ancient cities, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, were the
heart of this civilization, also referred to as the Harappa Culture.
Some of the buildings have been identified as worship houses, where archaeologists
discovered stone sculptures that may be early depictions of the Hindu goddesses
Parvati and Kali.
Other discoveries included charms against evil, thousands of flat seals and fire altars
that suggest religious activity such as animal sacrifice.

2. The Arrival Of The Aryans:
Around 1500 BCE, Aryans migrated into India from the northwest, destroying the
Indus Valley civilization. It flourished between 1500 and 500 BCE.
It was contained in a collection of hymns, ritual texts and philosophical works called
Vedas, and are considered Hinduisms earliest sacred writings.
The earliest Veda is Rig-Veda, which constitutes the earliest record of sacred
knowledge on Hinduism.

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Religious Divisions
Hinduism is divided into 4 major divisions:
Vaishnavism- devotees of Vishnu, Shaivism- devotees of Shiva, Shaktism- worships
Shakti, the Divine Mother and Smartism- accept and worship all major forms of God,
(Ganesha, Siva, Sakti, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda).
The Four Stages of Life
Student discipline mind and body, gain knowledge, learn rules and rituals, show
respect towards elders.
Householder have a family, care for elders, practice social and religious traditions.
Forest Dweller retire and transmit household duties to wife or son, read and study,
participate in religious pilgrimages.
Ascetic give up worldly life, wander, mediate, and attain salvation.
Four Goals of Life
Dharma conduct ones duties with compassion, no jealousy, cruelty or greed, be
good and pure.
Artha earn an honest living, provide for family, acquire wealth and power.
Kama pursuing love and physical pleasures to balance life and to sanctify marriage.
Moksha leading the soul toward salvation through honest and moral actions.



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HINDU GODS AND HOLY BOOKS
Hindus associate these three cosmic tasks with the three deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
These three deities together form the Hindu Trinity.
1. LORD SHI VA
The Powerful God:
Shiva is the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu
Trinity. Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities.
The Destructive Force:
Shiva is believed to be at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe, because of his
responsibility for death and destruction. Shiva dissolves in life in order to create, since death is
the medium for rebirth into a new life. The opposites of life and death and creation and
destruction both reside in his character.
Shiva is the god of the yogis, self-controlled and celibate, while at the same time a lover
of his spouse (shakti). Shiva represents the most essential goodness
Lord Shiva is conceived in his unborn, invisible form as the Shiva Lingam. The Lingam
represents the male creative energy of Shiva.
Shivas forms:
1) Panchavaktra form with 5 heads, a combination of all Shiva energies
2) Aghora (resides in the cremation grounds)
3) Ishana (most often appears as the shivalingam)
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4) Tat Purusha (meditating)
5) Varna Deva (the eternal Shiva)




Figure 1: Shiva meditating
2. LORD VI SHNU
Hindu God Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. Vishnu is the embodiment of mercy
and goodness that preserves the universe and maintains the cosmic order, dharma.
DEPICTION OF LORD VI SHNU:
General illustration:
1) Four hands
2) First hand is holding a disc/vaijra
3) Second hand is holding a conch/sankha
3) Third hand is holding a club
4) Forth hand is holding a lotus
5) Resting on top of serpents

Matsya: The Fish Incarnation, Kurma: The Turtle Incarnation, Varana: The Boar Incarnation,
Narasingha: The Lion Incarnation, Vamana: The Dwarf Incarnation, Parasurama, Ram, Krishna,
Buddha, Kalki.

From left to right:

Figure 2: Fish Incarnation
Figure 3: Turtle Incarnation
Figure 4: Lion Incarnation
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3. LORD BRAHMA
Lord Brahma is part of the Hindu trinity, known as the creator of the earth.
Variations of the God's name include the following:
Malay: Betara Berahma or Adi Berma
Tamil: Piraman
Thai: (Phra Phrom) or (Thada, from Dht)
ORIGIN
Brahma was born from a (kamala) lotus springing from Vishnu's navel. Brahma generated a
female partner, generally acknowledged as Saraswati, out of his own substance. She is his
daughter as well as his wife. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of wisdom and learning.
Representations:
Brahma has red skin and wears white clothes.
He has four arms, each arms holding:
I. the Vedas,
II. a scepter,
III. a komondul (a special type of water jug that is stilled used by Hindus during
worship),
IV. A bow or, variously, a string of beads or a spoon.
Brahma has four heads (chatur mukha brahma) facing the four quartem.
They represent:
I. the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva),
II. the four yugas (krita, treta, dwapara, kali),
III. The four varnas (brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya, sudra).

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Lack in Brahma Worships:
Although Brahma is one of the Trinity, it is hard to find a temple dedicated to
Brahma. Brahma is to be found to exist more in scriptures than in homes and temples.
There are many stories behind the reason do not pray to Lord Brahma. Most of them
revolve around Brahma being cursed by other Gods as he could not overpower his
thoughts despite being one of the Trinity.
HINDU SCRIPTURES
Composed in Sanskrit and regarded as central to the Vedic and Hindu literally tradition
SHRUTI & SMRI TI
Categories of texts that are used to establish the rule of law within the Hindu tradition.
Shruti - solely of divine origin and contains no specific concepts of law and preserved as
a whole, instead of verse by verse
Smriti - understanding and interpreting the oral tradition.
VEDAS
The Vedas form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
Categories of Vedas:
Rigveda - contain hymns to be recited, Yajusveda - contain formulas to be recited,
Samaveda - contain formulas to be sung, Atharvaveda - collection of spells and charms.

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Vedas has four parts:
Samhita - core part of Vedas; full of mantras.
Brahman - help in application/interpretation of samhita.
Aranyaka & Upanishat - philosophical part; Upanishat cover a spectrum of analysis of
the God and relation to it for the soul; Upanishat are also basic of Vedantic Thought.
PURANAS
A vast medieval literature of tales in ancient time. Total number of Puranas is 36: 18
main Purans called Mahapuranas and the other 18 called Upapuranas.
18 puranas describe the glorious act of god, the elaboration of the geography of the world
and the lineages of kings are also mentioned.
BHAGAVAD GI TA ( )
The Bhagavad Gita, known as Gita is a 700 verse Hindu scriptures. The teacher of the
Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna.
It consists of 18 chapters and is considered among the most important texts in the history
of literature and philosophy. This holy book mainly consists of Lord Krishna who was
his charioteer in the battlefield.
It explains the five basic concepts or "truths": Ishvara (The Supreme Controller), Jiva
(Living beings/the individualized soul), Prakrti (Nature/Matter), Dharma (Duty in
accordance with Divine law), Kaala (Time).
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ASPECT OF TEACHING / RELIGIOUS AND MORAL VALUES
General Principles
Dharma (Sanskrit) is the moral and social order or path of righteousness and living one's life
according to the codes of conduct as described by the Hindu scriptures.
Dharma: Four aspects of Bhagavat Purana:
a) austerity (tap)
b) purity (shauch)
c) compassion (daya)
d) truthfulness (satya)
Adharma:
a) pride (ahankar)
b) contact (sangh)
c) Intoxication (madya)
GOOD BAD
[Happiness, health, survival, pleasure,
peace, friendship, knowledge and truth
misery, sickness and injury, death,
infertility, pain, anger and enmity (a very
deep unfriendly feeling
Liberation from human life (moksha)

Remain in the cycle of repeated dead
and reincarnation.
*From ancient Hindu classification
Ethics
It is the soul of the complex moral and religious aspirations of a person.
Rita (Highest Good) - total harmony
of the cosmic or natural order

Anrita -Disorder, chaos

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Mahatma Gandhi re-emphasizes traditions shared in all the Indian faiths:
I. vegetarianism or harms reduction
II. active creation of truth through courage
III. rejection of cowardice and concern with pain
Brahmanical Hindu Ethics
1. Vedas / Collection of Hindu texts = Ultimate Authority of the religion. Veda means
wisdom, knowledge or vision. It is the original scriptures of Hindu teachings compiled by
Vyasa Krishna Dwaipayana in 1500 BC.
2. Each Veda consists of four parts :
Samhitas (hymns), Brahmanas (rituals), Aranyakas (theologies) and Upanishads
(philosophies).
Classical Hindu Ethics
Karma
Concept of reborn or reincarnated and live in another body.
Attempt to do good leads to moksha (high spiritual freedom).
Karma can be divided into three kinds
i. satvik karma = without attachment, selfless and for the benefit of others;
ii. rajasik karma = selfish where the focus is on gains for oneself;
iii. tamasik karma = undertaken without heed to consequences, and is supremely
selfish and savage.
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Upanishadic Ethics
Overcome problems relating to emotion, feeling, tendency and sentiment in striving for higher
calling which is self-centered.
Three virtues from the Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad, a Hindu religious text:
- Damnyata : self-restraint
Self-restraint is nothing but the withdrawal of the mind from its impetuous movement towards
objects outside.
- Datta : giving or self-sacrifice
Practice of charity should be carried out.
- Dayadhvam : compassion
Practice of mercy is important.
RELIGIOUS VALUES
Ten Yamas(Restraint)
1st Restraint - Ahimsa or Non Violence
The first restraint, Non injury (ahimsa) - not injuring or harming others by thought, word, or
deed.
1. Practice non injury, not harming others by thought, word or deed, even in your dreams.
2. Knowing that harm caused to others unfailingly returns to oneself
Mahatma Gandhi practices a non-violence way to win his country back from British Colonial.
His birthday in 2 October is celebrated worldwide as International Day of Non-Violence.
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2nd Restraint - Satya or Truthfulness
The second restraint, Truthfulness (Satya) - refraining from lying and betraying promises.
1. Do not engage in gossip, backbiting or bear false witness against another.
3rd Restraint - Asteya or Non-stealing
The third restraint, Nonstealing (asteya) - neither stealing nor coveting nor entering into debt.
1. Do not use borrowed resources for unintended purposes or keep them past due.
4th Restraint - Brahmacharya or Sexual Purity (Celibacy)
The fourth restraint, Sexual Purity (brahmacharya) - divine conduct, controlling lust by
remaining celibate when single leading to faithfulness in marriage.
1. Be restrained with the opposite sex. Seek holy company, dress and speak modestly.
5th Restraint - Kshama or Patience
The fifth restraint, Patience (kshama) - restraining intolerance with people and impatience with
circumstances.
1. Exercise patience, restraining intolerance with people and impatience with circumstances.
2. Minimize stress by keeping worries at bay and remain poised in good times and bad.
6th Restraint - Dhriti or Steadfastness
The sixth restraint, Steadfastness (dhriti) - overcoming non-perseverance, fear, indecision,
inconstancy and changeableness.
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1. Achieve your goals with a prayer, purpose, plan and persistence and be firm in your
decisions.
7th Restraint - Daya or Compassion
The seventh restraint, Compassion (daya) - conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings
toward all beings.
1. Practice compassion, conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.
2. Honor and assist those who are weak, impoverished, aged or in pain.
8th Restraint - Arjava or Honesty
The eighth restraint, Honesty (arjava) - straightforwardness, renouncing deception and
wrongdoing.
1. Maintain honesty, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.
2. Act honorably even in hard times. Be frank with yourself.
9th Restraint - Mitahara or Moderate Diet
The ninth restraint, Moderate Diet (mitahara) - neither eating too much nor consuming meat, fish,
fowl or eggs.
1. Moderate in appetite and enjoy fresh, wholesome vegetarian foods that vitalize the body.
2. Eat at regular times, only when hungry, at a moderate pace, never between meals, in a
disturbed atmosphere or when upset. Avoid junk food and drink in moderation.

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10th Restraint - Saucha or Purity
The tenth restraint, Purity (saucha) - avoiding impurity in body, mind and speech.
1. Maintain a clean, healthy body. Act virtuously. Worship devoutly.
2. Keep good company, never mixing with adulterers, thieves or other impure people.
MORAL VALUES
1. Respect for mother and mother earth
"This earth is my mother and I am the son of this earth" - Atharva Veda, 12-1-12
a. The concept of Mother Worship is deeply ingrained in the Hindu way of life and the
mother is considered as the first Guru of the child. (The first value that a child learns
from his or her family is respect for the mother.)
b. In Hindu tradition, everything good, blissful, protective and evil-destroying is
associated with a mother-image. Similarly the earth is treated as mother and is
respected.
2. Respect for father and ancestors
a. Hindus believe that bringing up children is a religious act- the Dharma of every
parent. Hindus consider the service of one's parents to be a pious and divine duty and
preventing any one from carrying that duty is considered to be a sinful act.
b. In Hindu families, respect for parents and elders is therefore strongly emphasized.

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FESTIVALS AND RITUALS
FESTIVAL
1. PONGAL FESTIVAL
Definition
Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over" or "spill over". Milk is boiled over the clay pot
on that day to symbolize material abundance for the household.
A traditional harvest festival intended to thank the Sun God Surya and farmstead
livestock that helped to create material abundance of people.
First Day (Bhogi/Indran)
Celebrated in honour of Lord Indra, the God of Clouds and Rains, for harvest.
Homes are cleaned and decorated with Kolam (a form of painting that is drawn using
colourful rice powder) and fresh harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane is brought in
from the field as preparation for the following day.
A special puja (farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and
sickles with sandalwood paste) is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting
of paddy.
Another ritual is Bhogi Mantalu, where useless household articles are thrown into a fire
made of wood and cow-dung cakes to keep the people warm during the last lap of winter.


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Second Day (Surya Pongal)
This is the first day of the Tamil month Thai and the celebration is dedicated to the Sun
God. The Sun God is offered boiled milk and jiggery and image of the Sun God is
sketched on a plank with kolam designs as a sign of gratitude.
New rice is collected and cooked in pots until they overflow. This overflowing of rice is
where the term Pongal comes from.
"Puja" (worship) of the Sun God starts after the auspicious moment of the birth of the
new month Thai. Prayers are rendered (offered) to the Sun God to seek his benedictions
(bestowed blessings).
Third Day (Mattu Pongal)
This days celebration is dedicated to the cattle as a form of thanks-giving to them.
(Cows and bulls have always held a special place in India as well as in Hinduism)
The cattle are bathed and their horns are painted and covered with shiny metal caps.
They are then fed with Pongal (a sweet dish) and taken to the village centers.
Devotees then pay their respect to cows by bending down, and touching their feet and
foreheads, followed by an aarthi (singing and dancing) and offering the cattle
prasadam (an edible material substance that is first offered to a deity).
Fourth Day (Kaanum Ponggal / Thiruvalluvar Day)
dedicated to the sun god, Surya as sun, the symbol of life on Earth. Surya are drawn on
that day and Surya is worshiped as soon as the auspicious month of Thai is underway
(having started and in progress).
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'Sakkarai pongal' (a sweet dish) is first offered to Surya. Sugarcane in the pongal is a
symbolic of sweetness and happiness in life, while the sugarcane stalks and coconut
symbolizes plenty. 'Sakkarai pongal' is offered to the Gods in propitiation of a plentiful
harvest in the forthcoming year.
On that day too, people travel to see other family members and leave food out on banana
leaves for birds to take. Some of them go to temples to worship and thank god for all
good things that are bestowed on them.

2. THAIPUSAM
Background Information
The Hindu festival of Thaipusam is about Faith, Endurance, and Penance.
Thaipusam is also a celebration of the good triumph over evil. On this day, Goddess
Parvati presented a lance to Lord Murgan to vanquish the demon army.
Thaipusam has become an important expression of cultural and religious identity to
Malaysian of Tamil Indian origin (A son of Shiva and Parvati).
First celebrated at the Batu Caves in 1888, Thaipusam is now the largest and most
significant Hindu public display in Malaysia.
Celebration
Before the festival day, there is an early morning chariot procession. Devotees approach
the chariot with bowls of fruit and even hold babies up to be blessed.
Groups of musicians and drummers add to the carnival feel, and pilgrims follow in
procession. A colourful event where women wear jasmine flowers in their hair. Yellow
and orange are the predominate colours of Murugan.
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On the day of Thaipusam, devotees go to different length to show their devotion. Some
join the crowds to Batu Caves, and climb the 272 steep steps to say prayer to Lord
Murugan. Some carry pots of milk on their heads as a show of devotion and love to God.
Others carry elaborate frameworks on their shoulders, called kavadis, which have long
chains attaching heavy objects hanging down their bodies with hooks. The body piercing
with hooks, skewers and small lances called 'vel'. Others pierce their tongue and cheek to
impede speech to attain full concentration.
The devotees who go to these extremes say they do not feel any pain because they are in
a spiritual trance which is induced by chanting, drumming or incense to bring them close
to Lord Murugan.

3. DEEPAVALI
Definition
A 5 day festival also known Diwali or Festival of Lights which falls around late
October to November. It is celebrated in recognition of the triumph of good over evil.
Deepa (means light) and pavali (means row), thus symbolizing the rows of lights.
Preparation is done several days before the celebration, houses and compound are
cleaned. Entrances of Hindu homes are decorated with kolam. The Hindus would also
prepare numerous delicacies, like omopudi, athirasam, murukku and laddu.
Celebration
On the day of the celebration, people would wear new clothes and celebrate.
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Decorating by illuminating the house and compound using candles/small
lamps/electric bulb, there is also distribution of sweets.
Cleaning houses and praying to Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Ganesha.
Open house is organized for relatives and friends to exchange greetings and
foster relationship.
Traditional Rituals
Devotees awaken at dawn for the ritual herbal oil bath. Donning new clothes, they go to
the temples to prayer in accordance with ceremonial rites. Later, they will distribute
cakes and sweets to neighbors and friends.

RITUALS
1. CHILD
In Hindu dharma, the birth of a child is considered a religious activity. Samskaras begin
prior to birth and the numbers of samskaras prescribed in various scriptures vary from
eleven to forty, some of the most significant samskaras are:
i. J atakarma (child birth)
The jatakarma ceremony welcomes the baby into the world and it is usually conducted
by relatives and community elders.
The father places a small amount of ghee (clarified butter, which is one of the five holiest
of foods, and is often used in the preparation of food for religious ceremonies) and honey
on the baby's tongue and whispers the name of God in his ear.
Brahmins (a high priest) would chant mantras (meditation) for a healthy, long life of the
child.
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ii. Namakarana (naming a child)
In Namakarana ceremony the child is given a name. Nama literally means name and
karana means to make, to effect.
Every parent has the duty to give a nice name to the child, which reminds the child of
some goal or objective in the life.
Whenever the child hears the name he will remember the meaning and purpose hidden in
it and will be inspired by its meaning. Afterwards a feast is usually arranged.
iii. Annaprasana (giving the child solid food)
This samskara is related to the time when the child is to be given solid food apart from
the mothers milk.
This emphasizes the importance of proper health care and nutrition for the child.
Time for performance: In the 6th, 8th or 10th month for the male child and 5th, 7th, 9th
or 11th month for the female child.
The objective of this ceremony is to pray to the gods with Vedic Mantras to bless the
child with good digestive powers, good thoughts and talents.
The father feeds a little of the sweet food anointed with gold to the child with Mantras
that say he feeds the child with food that may ensure a healthy life to the child and
prevent ill-health.
The Annaprasana ceremony should be performed at the time when the child gains
strength to digest cereal and preparations made from cereals.
iv. Mundan (shaving the head)
Mundan Vidhi is performed to carry out the first haircut of the baby.
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If it is carried out as per the Vedic Method it removes any deficiencies developed in the
child before birth. It is also said that the shaving of the hair stimulates proper growth of
the brain and nerves.
Hair collected during the hair cut are kept in between two puris (fried indian bread) and
then offered to holy waters like Ganges, Yamuna or any other holy water bed.
2. ADULT
Wedding
The Engagement Ceremony
A formal ring exchange - the bride puts the ring on the grooms right hand ring finger
while the groom puts the ring on the brides left hand ring finger.
A priest is invited to recite holy mantras; groom and bride are made to meet each others
family. The engagement rituals serve to form a bond between the partners.
Mehndi Ceremony
A day before the wedding, the hands and feet of the bride are decorated with mehndi
which signifies the love in a marriage. The darker the mehndi, the stronger the love.
Wedding Day
Processes:
1. Turmeric, sandalwood paste and oils are applied on the skin of the wedding bride and
groom to cleanse the body, soften the skin, and make it aromatic. They are then bathed
with chanting of Vedic mantras.
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2. Kanya Danam (offering of the daughter for the marriage (kanya means virgin girl, daan
means giving away) is performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in
presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The bride accepts her
change of status from a spinster to a wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands.
3. The priest chants appropriate verses in Sanskrit, the public is now notified that the
parents have expressed their consent by requesting the groom to accept their daughter.
4. Marriage ceremony begins and the parents bestow their blessings on the bride and groom
and pray to the Lord to shower blessings on them.
5. Circumambulation of the Fire - all solemn rites and ceremonies commence with the
performance of Homa (sacred fire ceremony). An atmosphere of purity and spirituality is
created by the burning of fragrant herbs and ghee and by the recitation of suitable
Mantras.
6. Mangalasuthra Dharana: tying of the thread containing the marks of the Vishnu or
Shiva in the neck of the bride by the groom.
7. Holy Akhsatha: a mark of their blessings and well wishes for the bride and groom to
begin their new married life, by sprinkling unbroken rice mixed with turmeric powder.
8. Saptapadi: walking of seven steps around the Agni signifies that the bride and groom go
together in all the seven planes of consciousness.
9. Grihapravesam: taking of the bride and the groom to the house of the groom
10. Sobhanamu is arranged by the parents of the bride in their residence first and in the
residence of the groom next, implementing a socially acceptable way for the joy of
beginning of their life as husband and wife.

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MORAL ISSUSE: DIVORCE
Divorce means the termination of a marital union. In other words, couple undergoes legal
separation from each other. In Hinduism, divorce is strictly prohibited because one breaks the
sacred bonds gifted by God. For Hindu, they believe that there is no such concept of divorce.
However, the current modern worlds divorce rate increases tremendously. Divorce is not just
related to Hinduism, it is a worldwide well recognized serious issue. Divorce brings adverse
effect to the family and to the society. However, on hindsight, this issue happens for a reason and
couples opted for separation due to several important circumstances which will be discussed later.
We strongly believe divorce is a wrong action taken by couples nowadays but concurrently, in
our paradigm, there are still some circumstances where we believe that divorce can be allowed.
The current status quo shows an increasing rate for divorce. Divorce was once a rare
phenomenon. It was when during the 1970s the divorce rate started to double. The number of
divorces even tripled from 400,000 in 1962 to 1.2 million in 1981. The increase in the divorce
rate came not from older couples but from the baby boom generation. One sociologist at Stanford
University calculated that while men and women in their 20s comprised only about 20% of the
population, they contributed 60% of the growth in the divorce rate in the early 1970s. It has
turned into a deadly trend that everyone follow suit. Now, it does not even surprise us to see
every year, parents of over 1 million children divorce.
Currently in India, divorce is still a taboo and is looked upon as a social stigma by the
Hindus. The divorce rate is lower amongst developing countries. The divorce rate in India is
even lower in the villages in India but higher in urban parts of India. Divorce rates in India urban
sphere are shooting up these days.
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Due to the modernizing and globalizing modern world, there are Hindus who chose to
divorce because of some reasons. There was a passage of the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 which
introduced specific and limited grounds for divorce into Hindu society. Nevertheless,
the procedure for divorce in India for Hindus is a long process, and somewhat tedious. Hindu
scripture that refuses to recognize the right of women to divorce under any circumstances have
generally been the guiding force behind the legal sanction of divorce in Hindu society.
So far, the government and Hindu leaders have been unable to reach a consensus on the
issue. News in Tribune Express dated 17 October 2011 raised this issue. Hindu spiritual leader
cannot accept this clause which is not part of the religion. The opposition pointed out several
factors, such as conversion to another religion and sexual problems, as potentially justifiable
reasons for the divorce of a Hindu couple. Nonetheless, no conclusion can be made among both
parties and this debate will most probably continue for a long time. In many circumstances,
Hindu women in India who wanted to take the step for divorce, resort to suicide or compromise
in their marital life rather than opting divorce.
According to the tenets of Hinduism, marriage is a sacred relationship, a divine covenant
and a sacrament. Marriage is meant for procreation and continuation of family lineage and is an
obligatory duty, part of Hindu dharma, which, once accepted should be upheld by both the
parties throughout their lives. Marriage is therefore a sacred bond, which cannot be dissolved
through divorce on some personal or selfish grounds. According to Hindu Law Books, women
are born to serve. Hindu scriptures does not allow woman to leave their husband under any
circumstances.
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Traditionally speaking, in Hinduism there is no concept of divorce, especially when
women cannot seek separation from their husbands. Marriage is a sacrament, sanctified in the
presence of gods. During marriage a couple vows to stay together forever and uphold traditional
family values in accordance with Dharma. The bride is given to the bridegroom as a gift from the
gods, whom he can never abandon, without incurring the sin of violating the marriage vows.
Marriage is a sacred relationship between two people, which is predestined because of their deep
connection and joint karma in their previous lives. It is a commitment that extends beyond this
life, up to several generations. Hence any notion of separation is a sacrilege, as seen as a
violation or injurious treatment of a sacred object, which will result in terrible consequences
awaiting both the parties in their future lives. Whatever difficulties the couple may have, society
and the scriptures expect them to take them in their stride, as a part of their karma, and continue
their journey together.
Hinduism is also deeply concerned with karmic obligation. Thus, marriage is not seen
solely from the perspective of an earthly rendezvous, but as something that carries over into the
afterlife. In the past, woman who left their family and bonded with her husband are at the mercy
of her husband. They are expected to assist their husband to perform the responsibilities in public
life. They depend on their husband for revenue and food because the past society treated them
differently. The husband could also choose to abandon her and she had no right to divorce or
remarriage. The woman was not even able to leave her husband's home. In contrast, men had no
such restrictions on their freedom. For that reason, the concept of separation is seen in terms of
blasphemy, an irreverent towards religious teachings.
We believe that the way of teaching from Hinduism that prohibits divorce is indeed a
righteous way to establish a harmonious family and society. Hence, we strongly agree that
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divorce is definitely an unjust action that is taken by tons of parent in the world. The scriptures
of Hindu equate women with Mother Goddess and her sacrifices ensure the prosperity of a
family, but nowadays man and woman were haste in marry, then building a home, talking about
babies and future like they have a clue. Then a fight broke up and divorce happen. This is a
typical way of how children are reared without the presence of their father or mother.
Children are often forced to suffer from the backlashes of the conflict. Studies shows half
of those children grew up in settings in which the parents were warring with each other even
after the divorce. In some cases, children grow up in a broken home with a single parent.
Generally, they have an unstable family background with inadequate guidance from the single
parent who is usually the breadwinner. This leads to emotional unbalance, stunted proper growth
and poor education. One national study found an overall average of one lost year of education for
children in single-parent families.
Secondly, things just get worst, happiness is not found after divorce. To support this,
studies shows one-third of the women and one-quarter of the men felt that life had been unfair,
disappointing and lonely after their divorce. They opted for remarriages that includes adding
stepchildren in the new family tree.
Heres the opinion from a demographer who had done research about the exact impact of divorce
to our future generation.
A few decades ago, children of divorced parents were an oddity. Today they are the majority.
The fact that divorce is the norm may make it easier for children to accept their parents' divorce.
But what will it do to their marriages in the decades ahead? No one will know until it's too late
to do anything about it.
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This opinion clearly shows that a future full with divorce is not even imaginable and if
we really reached that point, no one can stop it.
What divorce and remarriage brings is the reshuffling of family members together in
foreign and awkward ways. In the end, everything is blurred and confused in these newly
revised families. Stability of a family structure therefore is not there. Children looking for
stability are often insecure and frustrated. One futuristic commentator imagined this possible
scenario:
On a spring afternoon, half a century from today, the Joneses is gathered to sing "Happy
Birthday" to Junior. There's Dad and his third wife, Mom and her second husband, Junior's two
half-brothers from his father's first marriage, his six stepsisters from his mother's spouse's
previous unions, 100-year- old Great Grandpa, all eight of Junior's current "grandparents,"
assorted aunts, uncles- in-law and step cousins. While one robot scoops up the gift wrappings
and another blow out the candles, Junior makes a wish ...that he didn't have so many relatives.
The severity of divorce rate posed a greater threat to our family and society security. We
should no longer treat this as a minor issue anymore.
Considering the rising numbers of divorce, we narrow down the reason for divorce,
which is, the oppression of women. According to Hindu law books, women were born to serve
and they have minimal rights in wanting a divorce. The ancient Hindu scripture do advise men to
treat women honourably and keep them happy in order to beget progeny and continue their
lineage. The scripture that equate women with Mother Goddess, call upon men to treat them with
respect and dignity. Without her, her husband is incomplete. She brings her part of the karma to
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the marriage and by assisting he in his duties fulfills his destiny. They warn the consequences
that befall unchaste women, who neglect their families and their duties.
However, woman nowadays can stand head and shoulders above men. Women are
proven to be successful and are able to achieve equal status and right as men. It is a different
story compared to the past when discrimination occurs.
Some circumstances which are violence, alcoholism, money and etc. are the main factors
that propel divorce among partners. We could not bear to ignore as this is a fact that is clear right
in front of our eyes. The modern world show to us that human ethics are deteriorating. It is often
to see men seek for more partners to satisfy their lust while their wife at home is sidelined.
Overload work burden drive them insane and coupled with alcoholic attitude, they can treat their
wife violently once they return home. Some husbands treat their wife badly due to adjustment
problems after marriage. They dislike their wife for some reasons like attitude and emotional
problems. Some are due to arranged marriage which is very common in India. In contrast,
women who opted to abandon their husband when he faces hardship are common too. This is a
wrong act. The same goes to women who choose another man for money, fame or sex and betray
her husband.
In conclusion, to properly amend this serious issue in Hinduism perspective together with
our own moral standpoint and current world scenario, we come to a definite conclusion that, the
couple is advised to keep the marriage for the sake of the harmony of a family. From the very
beginning they are destined to complete each other and counseling can help to improve their
relationship. However, when those circumstances mentioned above happen, they are advised to
go for a divorce to benefit both sides of the parties.
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