Sanatana Dharma…Hinduism. What are these?

Sanatana Dharma and Hinduism are synonymous. The term Sanatana Dharma, loosely translated as “Eternal Law or Way,” is self-referential. The term “Hindu” however, is a 12th century Persian abstraction referring to the Indic civilization they found espousing certain beliefs, practices and a way of life on the banks of the Indus (therefore Hindu) River. 

Over the centuries, the diverse adherents of Sanatana Dharma have adopted the references of Hindu and Hinduism. These adherents include those who accept the scriptural sanctity of the Vedas and other Hindu scripture; believe in one all-pervasive Divine (Brahman) who has no material form yet is worshiped in an infinite number of forms and from which all of existence emanates; believe in the concepts of karma, dharma, and samsara; and accept the ultimate spiritual goal of enlightenment or liberation (moksha). 

Other terms used to refer to Hinduism include Vedic, Sanskritic, Yogic, Indic and Ancient Indian.

The RED dot many Hindu women wear on their forehead…why?

The “red dot” or bindi, once primarily a symbol of marriage, has largely become a fashionable accessory for Hindu females of all ages, regardless of their marital status. Traditionally, bindis were red or maroon in color, circular in shape, made of vermilion paste (kumkum), and applied with the ring finger of the right hand. Today, bindis come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are often self-adhesive for convenience. 

The male version of forehead markings is called a tilakam and can be made of kumkum, sandalwood or sacred ash. It is applied in a variety of shapes including lines, U-shapes, and dots. The tilakam can be representative of an individual’s deity tradition. The adornment of tilakams are not as prevalent as bindis. However, the marking of either is amongst the first requisite steps in most rituals and sacred ceremonies. 

Both bindis and tilakams are placed approximately one centimeter above the center of the eyebrows, which is considered to be the sixth chakra, ajna, in Kundalini Yoga. The bindi is associated with the worship of God as the feminine divine. It is also indicative of the conceptual “third eye of spiritual wisdom,” as Shiva, the greatest of Yogis, is depicted as having. Bindis and tilakams may also represent interdependence of both the feminine and masculine aspects of the Divine. Lastly, the bindi and tilakam serve as reminders of a seeker’s ultimate goal of enlightenment or liberation (moksha).

Why are Hindu Gods BLUE in color? Or even animals?

The depiction of some Gods as blue toned is an example of the importance of symbolism in Hinduism. Blue, the color of the sky, represents the limitlessness of the sky and the universe. Blue is also the color of water, which is life-sustaining. Swami Chinmayanada, a spiritual leader, explained that the human eye sees that which is infinite as blue so the blue tone serves as a reminder of the Divine’s infiniteness.

Because Hinduism teaches that all of nature is Divine, Hindus believe that God manifests in the various forms that are found in nature, including animals, rivers, mountains and earth. For example, Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles, is depicted with an elephant head which symbolizes wisdom, as elephants are recognized to be among the wisest of animals. Hanuman, worshipped as the perfect devotee and depicted as a monkey, symbolizes the individual’s ability to quiet the ever-racing human mind through loving devotion to God and selfless service.

Do Hindus have Commandments?

Hinduism is a family of traditions that emphasizes personal experience and evaluation and thus, offers overarching guidelines rather than absolute lists of do’s and don’ts or commandments in regulating individual behavior. For a Hindu, all actions are to be guided by dharma. Hindu ethical values flow from one’s understanding of the nature of reality and inform the Hindu understanding of right and wrong.

How often is a Hindu supposed to pray?

Prayer is integral to Hindu practice. Many Hindus follow set, obligatory guidelines in terms of specificity of prayers as well as timing, frequency and length while others may be more fluid and individualized in their practice. 

One is not necessarily guaranteed moksha upon the performance of certain types or amounts of prayer nor is anyone condemned for lack of prayer, but progress towards moksha is proportional to spiritual effort. 

Hindus may pray at a personal, home altar which is usually placed in a room or space dedicated for worship; at a temple; or wherever they may be (and without an altar). Prayers may be to a specific deity or set of deities or no deity in particular. Prayer may also vary in form and include:

• Rituals and offerings conducted by the individual or a priest
• Chanting of a particular deity’s name or deity specific mantra (japa) using a mala.
• Often a mala, a looped thread that holds 108 beads, is used during chanting as an aid for keeping count and the devotee’s concentration.
• Chanting of time specific slokas, including upon waking, while bathing, while lighting a sacred oil lamp, prior to eating, before studying and prior to retiring for the day
• Chanting of slokas for peace and universal well-being (including nature)
• Singing of devotional poems
• Meditating
• Studying scripture

On special occasions, such as the purchase of a new home or the start of a new stage in life, Hindus may sponsor a prayer ceremony at their local temple or invite a priest to their home to conduct a prescribed ceremony. Rites and rituals may vary amongst various sampradayas.

Reference: More short answers to Real Questions About Hinduism by Hindu American Foundation