Significance of Religious acts
A religious act encompasses a wide array of activities performed with spiritual intentions across various contexts, including cooking rice, ceremonies requiring a spouse's participation, and rituals honoring ancestors for spiritual benefit. These acts, derived from texts like the Purana and Dharmashastra, aim at fulfilling spiritual goals, such as attaining dharma, artha, and kama, or enhancing connection to the divine. Overall, religious acts are intrinsic to cultural practices and the spiritual journey of individuals, reflecting adherence to faith and moral principles.
Synonyms: Ceremony, Ritual, Worship, Devotion, Observance, Practice, Rite, Sacrament, Practice.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Religious acts'
In Hinduism, a religious act encompasses various ceremonial practices and rituals performed with reverence toward God, contributing to individual spirituality, adherence to Vedic principles, and fulfilling cultural observances like marriage and ancestor remembrance.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Rituals or practices associated with one's faith that may be obstructed by the wife's behavior.[1] (2) Ceremonies or practices performed by religious figures to address divine matters or appease spiritual entities.[2] (3) Activities associated with faith or worship, such as making gifts and conducting rituals with the use of sesamum.[3] (4) Rituals or duties performed in accordance with religious practices, notably by husbands in relation to their wives.[4] (5) Specific performances or rituals that are undertaken as part of the religious observance framework.[5]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) Rituals or actions that are required to be performed in accordance with spiritual teachings and obligations.[6]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Actions performed for spiritual purposes or in accordance with religious tenets.[7] (2) Rituals or performances conducted for spiritual purposes, not aimed at fulfilling personal desires.[8] (3) The duties and practices prescribed for individuals in accordance with their chosen mode of life, often based on Vedic guidelines.[9] (4) Actions or rituals performed in accordance with spiritual or religious beliefs and practices.[10] (5) Actions performed in adherence to religious beliefs, such as sacrifices and vows.[11]
From: The Padma Purana
(1) Any form of devout practice that aims to connect the practitioner with the divine, particularly through worship of the Shalagrama.[12] (2) Spiritual or ethical actions performed in accordance with divine guidance and moral principles.[13] (3) Actions performed in accordance with spiritual or religious beliefs and practices.[14] (4) Rituals and duties that a wise man performs, facilitated by the physical body obtained through having sons.[15] (5) Any action performed that is in accordance with religious principles, potentially leading to the accrual of merit.[16]
From: The Skanda Purana
(1) An essential practice recommended for achieving spiritual benefits, specifically referenced in the context of bathing in the Tirtha.[17] (2) A duty performed in honor of one’s ancestors, which is essential for spiritual merit and satisfaction of the forefathers.[18] (3) The observance related to remembrance of ancestors that enables divine attainment over ten generations.[19] (4) The Shraddha, a ritual connected with remembrance of ancestors that is mentioned as essential for gaining spiritual benefit.[20]
From: The Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The various sacrifices and good deeds performed by King Harishcandra with the help of his citizens.[21] (2) Rituals and practices conducted for spiritual benefit, often in reverence to the divine.[22]
From: The Markandeya Purana (Study)
(1) Actions performed as part of a faith practice, illustrating the historical use of animal’s meat.[23] (2) Ceremonies or rituals that require the cooperative presence of a wife, as her participation is deemed essential for success in attaining dharma, artha, and kama.[24]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Ceremonies or practices carried out with spiritual significance, aimed at achieving a higher purpose.[25]
From: Bhagavad-gita Mahatmya
(1) Activities performed for spiritual or religious purposes, occurring at a night deemed fit for such practices.[26]
From: The Bhagavata Purana
(1) Actions performed in worship or reverence that are offered or deposited in God.[27]
From: The Vishnu Purana
(1) The rituals and duties performed by the people of Bharata, contributing to their spiritual progress and the attainment of heaven or liberation.[28]
From: The Agni Purana
(1) Rituals performed to achieve desired spiritual outcomes and results.[29]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Ritualistic engagements that align with spiritual beliefs, often performed before invoking the power of truth.[30]
From: Dasarupaka (critical study)
(1) Various rituals and worship practices that women were permitted to undertake, usually in partnership with their husbands.[31]
From: Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
(1) The various rituals and practices performed by devotees of Shiva, which may or may not include wearing sacred items.[32]
The concept of 'Religious acts' in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Religious act" reflects activities with spiritual intent, encompassing cooking and sharing rice, virtuous actions aiding others, and rituals by Bahirambhat, which some argue he has not adequately performed.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Actions or rituals performed as expressions of religious belief or practice.[33] (2) Actions considered virtuous and deserving of merit, such as giving to animals and the needy.[34] (3) Refers to the rituals and practices followed by Bahirambhat, which some critics believe he has failed in.[35]
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) An activity carried out with a spiritual intention, in this case related to the cooking and giving away of rice.[36]