Worship Flashcards Preview

Hinduism > Worship > Flashcards

Flashcards in Worship Deck (15)
Loading flashcards...
0
Q

What might be found in the shrine room?

A

Pictures/images, water from the River Ganges, kum-kum powder, tumeric powder, sandlewood paste, flowers, small bell, arti lamp, small ghee lamp, incense, food offerings

1
Q

What is puja?

A

The closest word to ‘worship’. Paying respects/homage to God in hope for God’s blessing. It is an individual act of devotion, and it takes place in the shrine room every morning and evening

2
Q

Explain the actions of the puja

A
  1. Clean + dress - respect
  2. Prayers + bell - invite
  3. Water + seat - welcome
  4. Panchamrit bath + sacred thread
  5. Spices + rice - calm + relaxed
  6. Flowers at God’s feet - rid of desires,devotion
  7. Incense - fragrant, rid of desires
  8. ghee lamp lit + waved
  9. Food offered - thank for bounty
  10. Arti - 5 elements, blessing, light, knowledge
3
Q

Explain the actions of arti

A

A form of worship using lights. The arti lamp is lit and rotated, the bell is rung, and hands are passed over the flame + head. This represents the 5 elements of earth (earth, air, wind, water, fire), accepting light + blessing, destroying the darkness of ignorance and receiving light of knowledge

4
Q

What is the Gayatri Mantra?

A

A chanted prayer praising God, repeated over and over again, and used between other prayers

5
Q

What are bhajans?

A

Hymns sung as part of worship at home or in a temple

6
Q

What is a Havan?

A

A sacred fire - blessed by a priest, which forms a centre-piece of worship. Offerings of rice and ghee are made to the fire (Agni). This is sometimes used at home

7
Q

Explain the actions of worship in the temple

A
  1. Take off shoes - respect
  2. Bell - gain attention
  3. Offerings - blessed food = Prashaad
  4. Darshan - ongoing, seeing image, most important
  5. Arti - music, lamp, prayers, money
  6. Singing - devotion
  7. Prashaad + water
8
Q

What is the Garbha-Griha?

A

Centre focus, inner sanctum where image (murti) of deity is, ‘womb house’

9
Q

What is the Shikhara?

A

Tower-like structure/spire directly above Garbha-Griha, symbolises sacredness of vimana, represents liberation

10
Q

What is the Vimana?

A

Whole of the inner shrine

11
Q

What is the Mandapa?

A

Hallway with a roof and pillars, where people sit

12
Q

What is the Porch?

A

Entrance hall

13
Q

What is the basic shape of a mandir?

A

Like a mountain, providing the most beautiful palace for the Gods (divine royalty)

14
Q

What is the Antarala?

A

The bit between the main shrine and the mandapa - the steps