Hindu Worship

By A.J. Valenti and (Dr.) Ian Mifsud

Introduction to Hinduism
950 million people worldwide follow the religion of Hinduism, nearly fourteen
percent of the population. The religion stresses prayer, meditation, offerings, and
the importance of the soul, as well as the belief in reincarnation and karma.
Hinduism and Buddhism have many similarities most likely because both
religions originated in India. These similarities include the belief in
reincarnation, karma, meditation, and achieving enlightenment, among others.

Puja, Mantras, and Yantras

The Hindi name for Hindu worship is puja, the act of showing allegiance and
gratitude toward a deity. Followers of Hinduism practice puja through repetitive
prayer or mantras, visual tools called yantras, hymns, and meditation.

The Caste System

The Hindu caste system is very important to the religion as a whole. People are
born into a particular caste system and cannot move up or down in caste during
the same lifetime. Ones birth given caste is determined by his or hers
predetermined duty in life, or their dharma.

Top of the Caste System: The Brahmins

The Brahmins at the top of the caste consist of religious leaders, priests, and
teachers. These individuals were the spiritual and intellectual elite, and purity in
all parts of life was essential to this caste. They ate a strictly vegetarian diet, and
did not handle anything impure.

Second in the Caste System: The

Kshatriyas
Next were the Kshatriyas, the rulers and the warriors. Although they were lower on
the caste system than the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas had more power in society than
that of the Brahmins.

Third in the Caste System: The Vaisyas

After the powerful Kshatriyas came the Vaisyas. This caste consisted of artisans,
traders, farmers, moneylenders, and other wealthy professionals.

Fourth in the Caste System: The Sudras

Following the Vaisyas were the unskilled laborers known as the Sudras. The Sudras
performed tasks such as manual labor and others of the sort that don't require
training or skill.

Bottom of the Caste System: The

Untouchables
At the very bottom of the caste system were the Untouchables. This caste consisted
of the unemployed, the poorest of the poor, and the homeless. These individuals
were the lowest in Hindu society.

Reincarnation and Karma

Hindus believe in reincarnation after death, and that how one acts during their
lifetime determines which caste they will be born into in their following life. The
term karma translates to act, or deed, appropriately. Hindus also believe-similarly to Buddhists,-- that a human being may not necessarily be reborn as a
human being depending that persons previous karma. The immortal soul is
known as the jiva.

Worship Customs
The majority of Hindu homes have a shrine meant solely for worship. The shrine
usually is a small room with sacred pictures, flowers, water, incense, and even
statues. Hindus most commonly worship alone because Hinduism calls for
personal worship rather than communal, so one can feel more connected to the
gods. The average Hindu worships three times a day, repeating mantras while
focusing their attention on yantras. Hindu temples do exist, however, most go to
worship individually or with a few family members or close friends.

Works Cited
1. "Planar Sri Yantra Pictures." Planar Sri Yantra Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 28
Mar. 2016.
2. Goyal, Sachin. "Kuber Puja Vidhi For Diwali Festival With Mantra To Get
Wealth." Ekunji. Ekunji, 18 Oct. 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
3. "Hindu Worship." BBC. BBC, 27 Sept. 2005. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
4. Ross, Kelly L., PhD. "The Caste System and the Stages of Life in Hinduism."
The Caste System and Stages of Life in Hinduism. N.p., 1996. Web. 28 Mar.
2016.
5. "10 Facts about Brahmins." Fact File RSS. Fact File, 19 Aug. 2015. Web. 28
Mar. 2016.