CULTURE

There are plenty of books which deal with the fascinating culture and customs of India, and this simple language guide is not the place for such detail. But it may help you to know the meaning of some Hindi wards, which are peculiar to the Hindu religion or are liked in some way to Hindu philosophy, as well as the names of the main characters.

The Hindu gods are Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer). Collectively, these gods are known as Om – pronounced (a-u-om) the sound of the all – pervasive universal power. All the other gods, and everything’s also, are manifestations of this force. Each member of the trinity has symbols of power and a wife:

· · Brahmas wife is sarasvati

· · Shiva wife is sati or parvati

· · Vishnu wife is lakhsmi. (The latter’s name can be spelt in a variety of ways, you’ll see lakhsmi, laksmi, lakshmi).

Shiva is recognizable by his Jutta (dreadlocks) Trishal (trident), and the naag (cobra) around his neck. He carried a conch shell, is often a blue colour, and is seen meditating on Mount Kailash and dancing (when he is called Natarj the king of dance). Shiva also has female incarnations one of which is the bloodthirsty Kali. She has a necklace of human skulls, four arms with weapons in each hand, matted hair and a protruding tongue, and gave her name to Calcutta. Shiva’s son is Ganesh, who has an elephant’s head.

Sarasvati is the goddess of learning and culture and carries a vinod (a kind of violin). Lakhsmi always has coins shooting out of her hands since she’s the goddess of wealth an auto – rickshaw waalaa worships his rickshaw as Lakhsmi since it provides his livelihood. Lakhsmi is also the goddess of beauty and pleasure Brahma is worshipped only in Pushkar Rajasthan,

few temples are dedicated to the Creator Vishnu is worshipped as Krishna or Rama not as himself .

Krishna is the favorite god in the Pantheon , and is seen in a variety of guises , for example :

· · With a flute, enchanting the cowgirls as a baby eating ghee

· · With a chakra (a discus with which he beheads his enemies)

· · Rama and his wife Sita are considered the perfect example of man and woman .

Hanuman son of Vayu (god of the winds), is a monkey faced god who helped Rama rescue Sita when she was abducted by Ravana, and who is often shown flying through the air with a mountain casually held in one hand on the mountain are various plants one of which is needed to save Rama’s son Lakhaman, who is dying from a poisoned arrow. Hanuman wasn’t sure which plant was the cure, so he brought the whole mountain.

A Mandir is a temple, and a Dharamsaalaa is a lodging- house for pilgrims. The word for (worship) is Puja, so an officiating priest is a Pujaarii . The opportunity of seeing a holy person (a Guru) a shrine or the image of a deity is known as a Darshan, the Guru himself is referred to as Gurujii – with the respectful jii ending. The word for holy or auspicious is Shrii, so in calling a married hindu man or woman Shriimaan or Shriimatii respectively the (Mr.) or (Mrs.) title is given added status.

A Brahmin is a priest who belongs to the highest caste or order other caste persons are the Kshritryaa (warrior), Vaishvaa (merchant) and Sudraa (servant). The untouchables are Harijan, also called by ruder names, such as Achhuut Log, Bhangii and Chandal.

During your travels you will probably meet the Sadhus, ascetics or wandering monks. They have taken Sanyas, a vow of renouncing the world (hence they are also called Sannyasi) and there are many different sects:

· · Siitaa raam baabaas, who worship Rama and wear white.

· · Shankar Achaariya baabaas, who wear saffron, cover their shaved head and don’t take drugs.

Both these sects follow Vishnu and worship him in his Krishna / Rama incarnations, they chant (here Krishna , here Raam ) . The sects below follow lord Shiva chanting (hare)

“Om namah Shivay” – salutations to Shiva.

· · Naath baabaas, who wear huge round earrings and usually have short hair.

· · Naagaa baabaas, the naked Sadhus, who cover them selves in ash and are bad – tempered.

· · Agori baabaas, who wear black, and supposedly eat corpses!

· · Bhoole baabaas, who have dreadlocks, wear red / saffron, may carry a trident, and who smoke dope.

All should be addressed as Baabaajii, Sadhus are believed to have magical powers, and villagers often think that by saying a (mantra), a line of Sanskrit (poetry) or a religious chant, Sadhus can curse or bless them.

In Hindu philosophy there considered to have been four ages (yug) the golden, silver iron and now the black age. Mankind has steadily worsened in character through these ages, his goodness is decreasing. So when there’s a problem in life, people will say (aaj to kaalaa yug hay)

Things are bad these days, literally, today is so the Dark Age.

Lastly, a word or tow of warning. Doubtless you’ll visit mosques, temple and other places associated with worship. if you go on a yatra , a pilgrimage and are offered prasad ( holy food ) , you must take it in your right hand and you must eat it . Photography is forbidden unless you have official permission. Before entering places of worship remember to remove your shoes. Wearing or carrying anything made of leather into a temple is frowned upon and don’t expose too much naked skin.

As far as general photography is concerned, it is always courteous to ask if your subject has any objections to being photographed. You can say (Photi Thiik hay?) is a photo OK?