My Hindu Priesthood
Hindu priests are scholars or teachers in the fields of Vedic rituals and scriptures, dharma and Hindu philosophy. They are also commonly acknowledged as a Purohit, Pandit, Bhatji, Guruji etc (पंडित, पुजारी, पुरोहित, गुरुजी , भटजी). They learn to recite the Sanskrit hymns from Vedas and Puranas with unspoiled precision. These mantras and the ritualistic operations (Upchara) that go with the mantras together form the Hindu rituals. Priests often invest years achieving perfection in these executions. In contemporary Hindu culture, a priest performs Hindu religious rituals such as puja, yagya, shanti and ceremonies.
The journey of my Hindu rituals began with studies of history of Vedic philosophy and performing agnihotra every day in my adolescence. As an ardent student of modern science, I started exploring the logic of religious practices around me. When I think about it now, it is in the very core of a Hindu to attempt to seek the truth, rather than simply believing in it. As the exploration continued, the architecture of Hindu rituals began to amaze me. Psychology, spirituality, yoga, mantra, Ayurveda and nature were woven carefully in those rituals. It was an all-in-one package blended into the everyday life for centuries. We were receiving this without making any special efforts for it. Because of my thirst for perfection and logical thinking, I left no stone unturned to discern how this ancient knowledge harmonises with the modern sciences.
I believe that the secret to marvellous Hindu family life is in the rituals they perform.
To perform the Hindu rituals accurately, knowledge of Sanskrit grammar is essential for a priest. Only then the benefits can be passed on to the hosts. My aptitude for languages helped a lot in reciting Sanskrit hymns and chants. You can’t not fall in love with this perfectly designed ageless mother of human expressions.
A priest must understand the logic of the ritual, the meaning of the hymns and finally must have devotion to the Almighty. A ritual must not be another mechanical thing or just a job for the priest.
Priest must be conscientious in performing rituals with dedicated meticulousness and focus on accuracy of the mantras. It is a service to eternal Brahma and the society.
Along with performing the rituals for many years now, I also take satisfaction in exposition of Vedic philosophy and history (वैदिक तत्वज्ञान, इतिहास अभ्यास तथा प्रवचन). The core of our rituals is quite wholesome. However peripheral supplements have ended up in many rituals while passing them on through generations. I make an attempt to connect to the young generation and explain this logical separation.
I reside in Melbourne and communicate in Sanskrit, English, Hindi and Marathi (हिंदी, मराठी) during the rituals.
If you wish to contact me for performing a Hindu religious ritual in Melbourne, send an email to seekorbelieve@gmail.com
Some Prevalent Hindu Rituals
हिंदू धार्मिक विधी, अनुष्ठान, पूजा, यज्ञ
- Pooja — सत्य नारायण पूजा, गणपती प्रतिष्ठापना, नवरात्रि घट स्थापना, लक्ष्मी पूजन, रुद्र अभिषेक, नूतन मूर्ती प्राण प्रतिष्ठापना
- Property related rituals — भूमि पूजन, गृह प्रवेश, वास्तु शान्ति, उदक शान्ति
- Life events — उपनयन, ग्रहमख्, विवाह, मंगला गौरी व्रत, वयोवस्थाभिध शान्ति हवन, Havan on birthdays
- Astrological rituals — ग्रह शान्ति, नक्षत्र शान्ति
- Newborn — नामकरणम्, सुवर्ण जल प्राशन
- Havan/Homa — विष्णु सहस्रनाम हवन, गणेश होम (अथर्व शीर्ष), श्रीसूक्त हवन (लक्ष्मी), गायत्री मन्त्र हवन, मृत्युञ्जय मन्त्र हवन, नरसिंह, सुदर्शन होम, शिव होम
to name a few…
