Nityakarma

In addition to the normal activities associated with one's profession (varna dharma) and stage in life (ãshrama dharma), the daily routine of a devout Hindu is to perform pañcha mahã yagñas (five daily duties) and pañcha nitya karmas (five constant duties). These are the minimal practices which guide a person in everyday life and ensure peace, material and spiritual prosperity.

• Dharma (Righteousness): Live a virtuous life in accordance with the teachings of the scriptures. Cultivate virtues of purity, self-control, detachment, thinking of others first, truth and ahimsã. Be respectful of parents, teachers, and elders. Dharma also means performing all duties associated with one's normal profession, and individual and social obligations. Work must be performed purely for its own sake. This means that all actions must be performed for excellence and not merely for reward (nishkama karma). "Fix thy heart upon thy work, but not on its reward. Work not for a reward; but never cease to do thy work." (Bhagavad Gîtã 2.47)

 

• Tirthayãtrã (Pilgrimage): Regularly visit regularly holy persons, temples, and sacred pilgrimage sites. Such journeys provide freedom from routine life and thereby freshen the mind. Pilgrimages also help to create a sense of togetherness in the family, since all members undertake the pilgrimages together. .

 

• Utsava (Holy Days): Participate in festivals and holy days in the home and temple. Observe fasts on holy days. This practice inculcates God-consciousness, refreshes the mind and creates a sense of togetherness in the family and the community. Hindu sages tell us that occasional fasting prevents bodily diseases, restores the body's healing power, and heals the mind by removing lust, anger, hatred, pride, and jealousy.

 

• Samskãras (Sacraments): Perform various Samskãras in accor-dance with the scriptures. Samskãras are the religious ceremonies which mark and sanctify an individual's passage through life. They purify the mind by inculcating truthfulness in the mind, and purity and generosity in the heart.

 

• Sarva Brahmã (God is in all): God lives in the hearts of all beings. Practice this truth, realize it and be free.