Who is your Ia-deva(t)?

[Sb1995]

1) Who is your Ishta-devata? Or the God that you pray most to?
Ganeshji

2) What makes this deva most sacred to you?
Very powerful and very close to me
3) What is your favorite mantra regarding this deva?
Om gam ganapataye namaha

4) What is your favorite religious holiday? If none...share a quote or both
ganesh chaturthi

5) Born or raised Hindu? What inspired you or brought you to the path?
born and raised. my parents

 

[Poeticus]

born and raised.

"....born and raised; on the playground
was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys
Who were up to no good
Startin making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air..."

 

[Sb1995]

"....born and raised; on the playground
was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys
Who were up to no good
Startin making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air..."

i wistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said fresh and had a dice in the mirror, if i could say anything this cab was rare but i thought forget it yo home to bel air! I PULLED UP to the house around 7 or 8 and i yelled to cab driver yo holmes smella ya later, looked at my kingdom and i was finally there to sit on my throne as the prince of bel airrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[Ashoka]

I love that show!

 

[Maija]

that's about right, in it usually the 3rd page where all goes slightly off topic? never saw fresh prince coming, carlton is my fav!

 

[Vinayaka]

I thought Will's character was the worst. The Dad, the butler, and Carlton made the show.

 

[Ashoka]

I thought Will's character was the worst. The Dad, the butler, and Carlton made the show.

I loved Carlton

 

[Poeticus]

I loved Carlton

Namaste, Maija:

1) Who is your Ishta-devata? Or the God that you pray most to?

Goddess Shrī Kālī, Goddess Shrī Saraswati, Goddess Shrī Durga, Goddess Shrī Laxmi, Goddess Shrī Ushā [Vedic], Lord Shrī Vishnu (Lord Shrī Rāma - Lord Shrī Krishna - Lord Shrī Narsimha - Lord Shrī Kālki), Lord Shrī Sadā-Shiva, Lord Shrī Mitra, Lord Shrī Varuna, Lord Shrī Indra [Vedic], Lord Shrī Agni, Lords Shrī Marutā(h), Lords Shrī Ashvinau, Lord Shrī Hanumān, Lord Shrī Sūrya [Savitur & Vivasvant], Lord Shrī Bhaga, Lord Shrī Soma, Lord Shrī Vāyu, Lord Shrī Rudra [Vedic], and the list goes on...

2) What makes this deva most sacred to you?

I worship them, I prostrate to them, I offer them salutations, I offer them laudations, I offer them bhakti, I offer them pūjā, I offer them fire oblations, I offer them veneration, I offer them obeisances, I offer them my soul to guide, I offer them my life to spread Dharma far and wide - that no human falls short of hearing the divine revelations of the Holy Shrī Shruti Vedas and urge them to remember of old those life-struggles that the Hindu Seers experienced which have been immortalized through the Holy Shrī Smriti-s....I worship them, these Holy Shrī Gods/Goddesses to the effect of gaining nothing in return; of uttering their Shrī names eases my soul; of uttering the holy verses of those hymns which bring tears to my eyes; of offering oblations giving soulful thanks for giving me birth in a Sanātana Dharmic family; of vesting me with the chain-mail of Dharma upon my birth.

3) What is your favorite mantra regarding this deva?

"What harm can the withholders [Ishtāshva, Ishtaraśmir, those who hate the fire prayers] and any other do to those [me] who enjoy the protection (of Lord Shri Mitra and Lord Shri Varuna)!?!" (R.V.1.122.13)

4) What is your favorite religious holiday? If none...share a quote or both

Shivrātri. Hands down. Shivrātri is off the chain fun. Bhang. Bhang. Bhang. And, chanting "Har Har Mahadev" throughout the evening into late night.

5) Born or raised Hindu? What inspired you or brought you to the path?

I was born to Hindu parents. But, I was initiated when I was around 5 or 6 years old. Contrary to popular belief, Hindus in India are not born as Hindus. They are usually initiated through the Chudakarana rite.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Contrary to popular belief, Hindus in India are not born as Hindus. They are usually initiated through the Chudakarana rite.

O, RLY? Interesting. Leads one to wonder where all that "must be born Hindu" business comes from with some humbugs. I'll have to remember that.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

They are usually initiated through the Chudakarana rite.

I think this varies. Some people like priests might consider it the sacred thread ceremony. Others would consider it as a given that you were already a Hindu. Others might take the namakarana to be the correct ritual. that is when you get your Hindu name. So I'm guessing it varies. Some non-Brahmin Tamils I know don't even do the chudakarana. Still others might see the vidyaramba as the corrct one.

http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/Hindu-Samskaras.htm

So I bet it varies. Course, I could be wrong.

 

[Philomath]

Namashkar

1) Who is your Ishta-devata? Or the God that you pray most to?

2) What makes this deva most sacred to you?

3) What is your favorite mantra regarding this deva?

4) What is your favorite religious holiday? If none...share a quote or both

5) Born or raised Hindu? What inspired you or brought you to the path?

1. Shiva
2. Shiva
3. Om Namah Shivaya
4. I can't say I have one considering I've yet to celebrate any of them.
5. My interest in Eastern religions eventually lead me to Hinduism.

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste, you are now an Inner Sadhu, Philomath. All glories to the Sadhus and victory to the Inner Sadhus who permit the Sadhus to cross over your inner ways on the path to Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Your bravery be your guide. Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Philomath]

Namaste, you are now an Inner Sadhu, Philomath. All glories to the Sadhus and victory to the Inner Sadhus who permit the Sadhus to cross over your inner ways on the path to Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Your bravery be your guide. Om Namah Sivaya

:namaste

You always have the kindest words to say

Om Namah Shivaya.

 

[Poeticus]

I think this varies. Some people like priests might consider it the sacred thread ceremony. Others would consider it as a given that you were already a Hindu. Others might take the namakarana to be the correct ritual. that is when you get your Hindu name. So I'm guessing it varies. Some non-Brahmin Tamils I know don't even do the chudakarana. Still others might see the vidyaramba as the corrct one.

Hindu Samskaras - About the Rites of Passage in Hinduism

So I bet it varies. Course, I could be wrong.

Yes, it varies. I agree with those points.

I acknowledge that some also believe that someone born to an Indian Hindu family is automatically a Hindu. But, I also feel as if these very Hindus will never acknowledge a girl or boy born to Hindus of Slovenian or French descent, just because they are white. But, these very Hindus will have no problem with José from down the street becoming Hindu because he is brown. Too much coloristic favoritism...?

 

[Viraja]

Yes, it varies. I agree with those points.

I acknowledge that some also believe that someone born to an Indian Hindu family is automatically a Hindu. But, I also feel as if these very Hindus will never acknowledge a girl or boy born to Hindus of Slovenian or French descent, just because they are white. But, these very Hindus will have no problem with José from down the street becoming Hindu because he is brown. Too much coloristic favoritism...?

Namaste,

I don't think any color favoritism is in effect here - Hindus largely think it is only those of Indian descent practice Hinduism. It is extremely rare to come across a person coming from different race - White, African, etc, practice Hinduism. So in that perspective, many people assume things - such as thinking those children born to non-Indian parents might not be Hindu. As much as I know, many born Hindus are very happy to welcome Hindus of other races into the large family of Hinduism. Afterall, which Hindu doesn't like their faith to grow in number? This is my opinion.

 

[Vinayaka]

But, these very Hindus will have no problem with José from down the street becoming Hindu because he is brown. Too much coloristic favoritism...?

I have never seen that, and I have yet to meet a Latin American Hindu. It seems to me their culture is so engrossed in Roman Catholicism that it would be doubly hard.

As you know, skin colour within India itself varies widely.

 

[Poeticus]

I have never seen that, and I have yet to meet a Latin American Hindu. It seems to me their culture is so engrossed in Roman Catholicism that it would be doubly hard.

If only they realized how Roman Catholicism entered their shores.

As you know, skin colour within India itself varies widely.

Yeah, it's a wide spectrum.
- - - - - - - - - - -

But, I am sure you have encountered a few Hindus that must have said that you couldn't be Hindu because you were not born to Indian Hindu parents....

 

[Ashoka]

I have never seen that, and I have yet to meet a Latin American Hindu. It seems to me their culture is so engrossed in Roman Catholicism that it would be doubly hard.

As you know, skin colour within India itself varies widely.

If only they realized how Roman Catholicism entered their shores.

Yeah, but a lot of them mix it with indigenous beliefs. That's why you see shrines to La Santa Muerte in places like Mexico, and Our Lady of Guadalupe is mixed with Grandmother Toci of the Aztec Deities. It's more folksy Catholicism than anything. Most of them don't even listen to the Vatican much anymore (lol).

 

[Vinayaka]

- - - - - - - - - - -

But, I am sure you have encountered a few Hindus that must have said that you couldn't be Hindu because you were not born to Indian Hindu parents....

Only one person in my life said it, (some may have thought it ... how do I know?) and she was a small girl at a temple. After she made the rounds of the shrines with me, she changed her mind.

Other that that, the only people who said it flat out to my face were white non-Hindus, and then only a couple.

Most people at a temple recognise the familiarity I have with the protocol, etc. right away, and this includes several major South Indian style temples. But it's been almost 40 years now, so I've had some practice. But I act like an Indian when I see a new white face at our temple. I'm immediately pondering, "I wonder what that person is doing here." Very often it is somebody 'interested in Hinduism' but not Hindu.

 

[Poeticus]

Only one person in my life said it, (some may have thought it ... how do I know?) and she was a small girl at a temple. After she made the rounds of the shrines with me, she changed her mind.

Awww. So cuteee!!!

Other that that, the only people who said it flat out to my face were white non-Hindus, and then only a couple.

That makes sense. If I recall correctly, it was the Christian missionaries of Colonial India that started such propaganda. Too bad some Hindus believe in it still; worse is that non-Hindus still propagate it.

But I act like an Indian when I see a new white face at our temple. I'm immediately pondering, "I wonder what that person is doing here." Very often it is somebody 'interested in Hinduism' but not Hindu.

Hey, I think that is a good mechanism. It's like a sixth sense that routs out proselytizers. Out with thee! Out with thee!

EDIT: Dear OP, sorry for hijacking your thread, we will bring it back on topic around page 6.