A Havan is a sacred purifying ritual in Hinduism that involves a fire ceremony. It is a ritual of sacrifice made to the Fire god, Agni. After the fire is lit in a Havan Kund, things as fruits, honey, wooden goods et cetera are made to the sacred fire. It is believed that, this sacrifice would bring health, happiness, luck and prosperity. Other related archivesAgni, Fire, Hinduism, ritual, sacrifice

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havan:

an offering of fire in hindu worship

(See also: havan, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

HAVAN: Sacred oblations.

(See also: HAVAN, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Havan is a procedure of eradicating inner imperfections prevalent in our being. This procedure has all the healing techniques incorporated in it beautifully. It is a rare combination of accupressure, touch healing, meditation, psychiatry, knowledge and wisdom. It is a perfect amalgamation of thought and procedure.

ÔTruth always conquers.' Truth is being one on three planes of thought, word and deed. To understand truth, to be truthful, and to become a reflection of truth, havan is a vedic procedure. It is a step towards a completely healthy body, mind and soul. In reality it is the only way to cleanse the body, mind and soul to ignite soul power.

(See also: Metaphysics, Metaphysical Principles, Definition of Metaphysics, Metaphysical Techniques, Miracles, Creating Miracles Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, Peace of Mind, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Detailed description of how a Homa is performed.
During a homa, various rituals are performed successively in order to activate various energies and to also develop the right emotion to perform the homa. Some of these rituals are common and must be observed before every homa. After these rituals are performed, the main homa would begin wherein the rituals differ depending on which deity you invoke. The common rituals for all homas are described.

Read more here: » Homas: The different steps in a Homa and their significance

Homas is an ancient form of fire rituals, stemming from the Vedic Science. A homa can help you to get well, have good relationships, find a partner, have children and it may even remove bad karma or negative aspects in a horoscope or with Vastu.

Read more here: » Homas: Homa, the Ancient Fire ritual

 Vaastu instructions about Positive Energy Centres, Negative Energy Centres, Prayer Room, Planning of Prayer Room, The Havan and The Roof Of The Pooja-room.

Read more here: » Vaastu: Postive and Negative Energy Centres in Vaastu

Prasada is that which gives peace. Prasada is the sacred food offering of the Lord. During Kirtana, worship, Puja, Havan and Arati, the devotee offers sweet rice, fruits, jaggery, milk, coconut, plantain and such other articles to the Lord, according to his ability. After offering them to the Lord, they are shared between the members of the house or the Bhaktas in a temple.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Prasada: Hindu Symbols - Sacred food offering of the Lord - Prasada

Homas are powerful ancient fire rituals that have been performed in India by the Vedic sages for over 5000 years. Read more about the purpose behind the most common homas; Sudarshana homa, Lakshmi Kubera homa, Navagraha homa, Gayatri homa, Dhanavantri homa, Vidya homa, Kritya Pariharana, Mangala Samskarana homa Maha devi homa, Vastu homa, Aayushya homa, Punyahavachana homa .

Read more here: » Homa: About different Homas and their purpose

Agni and the Fire of Self-Inquiry

Self-inquiry (Atma-vichara), such as taught by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, is regarded as the simplest and most direct path to Self-realization. However, Self-inquiry is also very subtle and can be hard to accomplish even after years of dedicated practice. It depends upon a great power of concentration and acuity of mind along with an intense longing for liberation. One might say metaphorically that Self-inquiry requires a certain flame. It requires that we ourselves become a flame and that our lives become an offering to it. Without such an inner fire, Self-realization may elude us whatever else we may attempt. Therefore, it is important to look at Self-inquiry not simply as a mental practice but as an energetic movement of consciousness like the rising up of a great fire.

Read more here: » Agni: Agni and the Fire of Self-Inquiry

The mission of The Golden Age Foundation is to bring humanity into a golden era. The work is to bring about a fundamental change in the nature of each and every one of us where our consciousness undergoes a transformation.

Read more here: » Enlightenment: Services of The Golden Age Foundation

The Secret of Agni (Agni Rahasya):

In ancient Vedic thought, the individual soul was symbolized by fire. Our inner soul, hidden like a secret flame deep within our hearts, abides inextinguishable throughout all our states of consciousness of waking, dream and deep sleep. It endures as the witness through our every birth and death, through all the many sojourns in the various worlds and planes of existence of our soulÕs vast manifestation.

Read more here: » Agni: The Secret of Agni

A personal reflection on God by Deepti Naval. ”My concept of God is slightly unconventional. I understand God as a formless power or a cluster of concentrated energy from which all life originates. But I would still love to explore my concept of God as I'm not completely convinced that what I've envisaged is actually the correct form of God.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Deepti Naval

The Vedas contain revelations of the eternal Truth. The culture of a community or a nation is derived from the values that people live and uphold in their lives. The word Veda is derived from the Sanskrit vid , to know.

They contain knowledge in every field of worldly science , under the following broad headings - the sadangas or six limbs: Siksa or phonetics, kalpa or the code of rituals, vyakarana or grammar, nirukta or etymology, chandas or literature, and jyotish or astronomy. Along with these, four upvedas o r subvedas consist of the four sciences: Ayurveda or medicine, dhanurveda or new archery, gandharvaveda or music and sthapatyaveda or architecture

(See also: Vedas, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Vasanta Navaratri

THE DIVINE MOTHER or Devi is worshipped during the Vasanta Navaratri. This occurs during the spring. She is worshipped by Her own command. You will find this in the following episode in the Devi Bhagavata.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Vasanta Navaratri: Worship in Hinduism - Vasanta Navaratri

The Kavadi Festival

Perhaps the most potent propitiatory rite that a devotee of Shanmukha undertakes to perform is what is known as the Kavadi. The benefits that the devotee gains from offering a Kavadi to the Lord are a millionfold greater than the little pain that he inflicts upon himself.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Kavadi Festival: Festivals in Hinduism - The Kavadi Festival

MOTHER SARASWATHI

Mother Saraswathi, is divine knowledge personified, the embodiment of knowledge of the Absolute. The sound of Her celestial veena awakens the notes of the sublime utterances of the Upanishads which reveal the Truth, and the sacred monosyllable, Om. She bestows the knowledge of the supreme, mystic sound and then gives full knowledge of the Self as represented by Her pure, dazzling snow-white apparel. Therefore, to propitiate Saraswathi, the giver of knowledge, is the third stage.

From " Hindu Fasts & Festivals " by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Saraswathi: The Hindu Godess Mother Saraswathi

Holi:

IN DAYS of yore, there were communities of cannibals in India. They caused much havoc. They threatened the lives of many innocent people. One of them was Holika or Putana. She took immense delight in devouring children. Sri Krishna destroyed her and thus saved the little children. Even today, the effigy or figure of Holika is burnt in the fire. In South India, the clay figure of Cupid is burnt. This is the origin of the great festival of Holi.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Holi: Hindu Festivals - The Holi Festival

There are great truths behind the ancient mythology of Hinduism. You cannot ignore a thing simply because it has a garb of mythology. Do not argue. Shut up your mouth. Keep your intellect at a respectable distance when you study mythology. Intellect is a hindrance. It will delude you. Give up arrogance and vanity. Cultivate love for imagery. Sit like a child and open your heart freely. You will comprehend the great truths revealed by mythology. You will penetrate into the hearts of the Rishis and sages who wrote the mythology. You will really enjoy mythology now..

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Mythology: Hinduism Mythology and Symbols

Outward symbols are necessary and beneficial. When viewed from the right angle of vision, you will find that they play a very important part in your material as well as spiritual life. Though they may look very simple and unimportant, they are very scientific and effective.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Symbols: Symbols in Hinduism