SELF AWARENESS AND PERSONAL

GROWTH
ASSIGNMENT-3
 Hindu customs and traditions date back to 8,000 BC and have a continuous
recorded history for over 2,500 years. Several elements of our diverse traditions and
cultures have had a profound impact across the world, that what makes India not just an
ancient society but a modern State. Indian custom and tradition has either a scientific,
logical, historical, social or spiritual significance. Many of our customs are designed to be
simple but powerful reminders or pointers of profound philosophical truths. This is one of
the factors that have kept Indian culture alive across centuries.

A distinctive feature of Indian culture is its thorough understanding of nature,

human values and dignity of man, his or her relation with other fellow beings in the
universe and with the universe as a whole.

Like any other Indian or a devote Hindu, I practice some traditions and cultures
that not only stand for scientific but also stand for traditional values.

Like most of us, after morning chores of having had brushed teeth and just after
coffee, I believe in having my Snana (Bath).

In Vedic culture bathing is considered a sacred act to be accompanied by

meditation on the Lord and recitation of prayer. The scriptures describe the benefits of
taking a cold bath early in the morning. Such a bath can purify even a sinner, for it has
the power to wash away all external and internal contamination. Taking an early morning
cold bath increases one’s knowledge and determination and affords peace of mind. It
removes unhappiness, lamentation, degradation, and bad thoughts. In short, it counteracts
all the ill effects of sin. All this in addition to hygienic values that a early morning bath
results in.

This is normally followed by lighting of a lamp at the puja room. Lighting of

lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wicked, the ego. When lit
by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally
perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such
knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals. A single lamp can light hundreds more
just as a man of knowledge can give it to many more. The brilliance of the light does not
diminish despite its repeated use to light many more lamps. So too knowledge does not
lessen when shared with or imparted to others. On the contrary it increases in clarity and
conviction on giving. It benefits both the receiver and the giver.

This is followed by prayer to the almighty to guide us from the unreal, lead us to
the Real; from darkness, lead us unto Light; from death, and lead us to Immortality. Bless
with all our daily needs.

And yet another ritual I follow is to seek blessing of elders, teachers and noble
souls either by bowing to them or touching their feet.  Touching the feet in prostration is
a sign of respect for the age, maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders personify. It
symbolizes our recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices that they have
done for our welfare. It is a way of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another and
creates an environment of mutual love and respect among people ensuring in the family
and society. 

This normally gets extended to saying Hi or G’ morning to friends and colleagues

and a simple gesture of placing our right hand on the chest and saying Namashivya to
our elders within the campus.

And finally end of the day just before retiring to bed I normally thank the lord for
all the knowledge and blessing of the day