Welcome

Welcome = Swagat or Swagatam Su - Goodness Aatam – Coming of Coming of goodness or well being

Namaste Namaste – Greetings - is used all times and is the most popular form of greeting in India. Other forms are salam, namaskaram and so on. Namaste coined from two sanskrit words: Namah + Te I bow to you, I prostrate before you I negate my ego in front of others

Guest Atithi – coined from two sanskrit words: a + tithi Tithi – denotes the calendrical date Atithi – without calendricial date – a person who arrives suddenly without any prearranged program, which is gradually evolved into a cultural code of conduct for treating guest – Thus we have this saying : Atithi Devo Bhavah and became the procedure for the host-guest relationship. Devo /Deva – God Bhavah – Be it.

The Garland Flower garlands are generally offered as a mark of respect and honour. They are offered to welcome the visitors or in honour to the Gods and Goddesses.

For welcoming guests, for religious ceremonies etc The Aarti For welcoming guests, for religious ceremonies etc

Tilak Tilak is a ritual mark on the forehead a sign of blessing , greeting or auspiciousness. Made of vermilion (kumkum). It is applied on the spot between the brows which is considered the seat of latent wisdom and mental concentration. This is the spot which governs all our thoughts and actions. Putting the tilak on the guest’s forehead entreats him or her to concentrate on this spot. The same custom is also followed while bidding farewell to guests .

Camphor Burns and leaves no residue, Burning of ones ego/desires and seeks oneness with God or Brahman

OM OM IS THE PRIMODIAL SOUND THAT PERVADES THE ENTIRE COSMOS OM REPRESENTS THE HOLY TRINITY A – BRAHMA - CREATOR U – VISHNU- PRESERVER, MAINTENANCE M – MAHESH OR SHIVA - DESTROYER

Lighting a Lamp Why do we light a lamp? Lamp as a symbol of remover of darkness Light – symbol of knowledge Darkness – symbolic of ignorance

EACH REPRESENTING ONE OF THE FIVE SENSES OF HUMAN BODY AND BURNING OF FIVE POUTS – FIVE ELEMENTS IN THE UNIVERSE - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether – AND 5 FORMS OF RITUALS IDOLS, BATHING, FIRE RITUALS (HOMAS), RECITATION (MANTRA) AND MEDITATION EACH REPRESENTING ONE OF THE FIVE SENSES OF HUMAN BODY AND BURNING OF FIVE DESIRES OR VASANAS CAMPHOR LEAVES NO RESIDUE, THE SAME WAY THE EGO IS BURNED TO CLEANSE ONES SOUL AND BECOME ONE WITH THE BRAHMAN

Upanishadic chant ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA TAMASO MA JYOTIR GAMAYA MRYTOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI HI.

LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA – LEAD ME FROM UNREAL TO REAL TAMASO MA JYOTIRGAMAYA – LEAD ME FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT MRYTOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA – LEAD ME FROM DEATH TO IMMORTALITY OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI HI LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE

CREATION, PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION ARE CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIES OM AUM CREATION, PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION ARE CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIES SHANTI – PEACE

LEARNING TEACHER – GURU GU –DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE RU – REMOVER OR THE ONE WHO SHOWS U THE RIGHT PATH

GURU – SHISHYA Teacher - Student TEACHER – DISCIPLE RELATIONSHIP Born of out relationship both the inner and outer experience till he/she realises one’s potential and talents. In the course of achieving this transforming experience, the guru holds a special place. Now we will chant hymn Lord Budha taught, meanwhile each of you will light a lamp.

LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA – LEAD ME FROM UNREAL TO REAL TAMASO MA JYOTIRGAMAYA – LEAD ME FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT MRYTOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA – LEAD ME FROM DEATH TO IMMORTALITY OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI HI LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE