Pictures that say a thousand words

Snapped in Bengaluru, 930pm on 13th Feb 2010. Pl. click on the image to see in full size.

Homan for Success in Exams

The banner reads:

Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swamy Mutt

Homam for Students Success in Examinations

On Feb 28-2010 @ 8.00am

As most of you would know, a “Homam” (also referred to as Havan, Yagya, Yagna, Homa) is a ritual involving offerings into a consecrated fire.

Behind the ritual is the spirit of sacrifice and the thought of well-being of the entire society and all forms of life. “Homam” constitutes an important part of most Sanskaras in Hindu belief system. The ritual also finds echoes in certain forms of Buddhism.

On a related note, see this picture (courtesy: fundoozone):

visa-hanuman-mandir

It reads (in Hindi):

The Mandir of Miracle-Visa Hanuman-ji

Mandir has special pooja to get visa for (going) abroad


Also read: Divine Intervention? Indians Seek Help From the ‘Visa God’ (may need subscription)

Additional resources:

What is a Hindu Havan?

Wikipedia entry on Homa

B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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5 Responses

  1. K. Harapriya says:

    Here is another new deity –valentine Krishna. Check this out.
    http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100206/jsp/frontpage/story_12071426.jsp

    Is this an example of Hinduism absorbing and finally obliterating foreign influences or one of rendering itself irrelevant?

  2. Mo says:

    This is an example of Hindu Dharma
    Hindu dharma is a practical way of life. To enjoy life we need
    Dharma, artha, kama & moksha.
    So what is wrong with prayers for what we need as long as it is within parameters of dharma. Makes perfect sense

  3. Dirt Digger says:

    The homam or havan or Yagna is performed by a certain person(s) (the yajaman or karta) with the aid of the priest (advaryu/pandit/vadhyar). The larger context of the Yagna is sacrificing something to celestial beings to get their blessings/support in a particular action. While the actions might be different in modern times than ancient, performing those actions should not be curtailed because it was not done a thousand years back (ex. Puja for visas).

  4. B Shantanu says:

    Thanks for the link Harapriya!

    Mo and DD: No I am not saying anything is wrong, nor am I in favour of curtailing anything…but somehow the idea of doing a Yagya/Homa/Homam solely for a particular benefit (which is transient) rebels against the concept of “Nishkam Karma”.

    Don’t you think?

  5. arun says:

    hello,

    What do you think? What is wrong in that?.

    Aren’t the doctors by saying “everything will be alright” to a dying patient doing the same as what the person doing a homa?.

    There are more than a crore of students (engineering, civil and others) coming out every year in india, aren’t they a large number to offer prayers, support or anything of that sort?

    Regards
    Arun