Karma, It will consume you

Karma is something that is also very important amongst Hindu priest, the whole hindu population itself. Karma is apart of a few different religions.  A few of those religions are  Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, but they mean very different things to one group than the other.  Karma follows everyone. It is of nature and it cannot be helped. Karma is something that happens to a person either because of what they did in their current life or a previous. For every cause there will always be an effect. Whatever action a person takes there will always be a reaction.  It is almost as if the person that you are, no matter how many times you are reborn, will always suffer the karma of your former life or former self.

 It is a very hard cycle to try to break, but some have achieved. There are some things that can be done to become liberated or be released from the vicious cycle of karma. This victory is also referred to as moshka. I try to live better and holier every day. I have also been on a pilgrimage. Lots of other hindu priest have been on pilgrimages.  You gain a lot of respect and knowledge for and from the higher powers.  It gives you a tremendous enlightenment and it gives you time to reflect on life and the things that you have done. Everyone should seek this amazing blessing. Especially during these times. The world today is a very different place. Lots of people are going to have to endure the decline in their value of life for many  many generations to come unless they start deciding to live right.

A few of my favored rituals to partake in

 There are many different ceremonies that I enjoy partaking in. After all they all celebrate some vital point in one's life. But one of the ceremonies that I enjoy is the marriage ceremony(vivaha). Marriage marks the beginning of life as a householder. There are many different denominational variations, but most features are mostly the same. In this ceremony the bridegroom is welcomed, they exchange flower garlands, and the daughter is given in marriage.The marriage becomes confirmed by the tying of the sacred thread called Mangalsutra around the brides neck by the groom. The marriage can also be confirmed by the bride and groom walking 7 steps (septi padi) around the sacred fire. At night we then show the bride and groom the Pole Star. Then of course of the couple is blessed by the elders, and presented with gifts. It is a very memorable chapter in one's life.

Following marriage is the birth of a child. This ceremony is called Jatakarma. It welcomes the child in to the world. Once the child has been born, the father place a small amount of ghee,which is a type of butter, and honey on the baby's tongue and whispers the name of God in his/her ear. Then comes the name giving ceremony. After the child has been in the world for 11 days the parents partake in Namakarana. They dress the baby up beautifully in new clothes. The family astrologer then tells the family of the child's horoscope. The child's name is given based on the position of the moon in the birth chart.  Then there is another huge feast that accompanies this ceremony.

It is so many different ceremonies that are performed by priest it is hard to describe every single one of them. But every single one of them has a very sacred and dear meaning. I am glad I chose this path in order to bless others throughout their different walks of life.