Tag Smriti

Upachaaras Five Ten Sixty Four Offering To God

But the import of the word is 'welcoming, making one comfortable, saying things that ere agreeable, offering that are close to one's heart'

In Hindu tradition God is offered all these as we would one who visits our home.

There are strict rules for this.

There are different Upacharas.

Five-Panchopachara,

Six-Shadopachaara,

Shodosupachaara-Sixty four.

Some opt for the Ten Upachaaaras.

Of these the sixty-four are practiced in temples, while Five or six are at Homes.

In some texts, Snana or Bathing is taken as a Upachaara, while in some the other Upachaaras are done after the Bath(Snana)

It may be noted that these procedures are not prescribed by the Vedas.

These are later developments set by Smritis and for Temples in the Agama Shastra.

A. Pancha Upachaara.

Basic Qualification To Be a Hindu

Any one who is insearch of Truth is a Hindu, though the term is incorrect and has been thrust by the West.

The Correct term would be Sadhaka,' 'One who practices, for every Sadhaka is a search for Truth.

However some Values may be referred to as benchmarks.

1.Letting Good Things reach you, keeping an open mind.

'Bhadram Karbipi Srunuyaama Devaah"'-The Rig Veda.

'Let Noble Thoughts reach My ears from every side"

2.Let Me speak nothing but The Truth.

Saytanna Pramadhidavyam-Taittriya Uapnishad.

'May I Speak nothing but the Truth'

3.Let me follow Nothing but the Righteous Path.

Dharmanna Prmadhidavyam- Taittriya Mantra Kosa.

4.Let me do what is Good for others.

'Kuchalaana Pramadhidavyam-Taittriya.