The 5 Constant

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The 5 Constant Daily Duties of a Hindu
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The 5 Constant Duties

• Throughout life a Hindu must practice five
  constant duties (pañcha nitya karmas). These are
  the minimal practices which guide a person in
  everyday life and ensure peace, material and
  spiritual prosperity.
• Dharma (righteousness)
• Tirthayatra (pilgrimage)
• Utsava (holy days)
• Samskaras (sacraments)
• Sarva Brahma (God is in all)

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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 and not merely
  for reward.
• "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)

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Tirthayatra (pilgrimage)

• Regularly visit holy people, temples, and sacred
  pilgrimage sites.
• Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Hinduism. It
  is an undertaking to see and be seen by the
  deity.
• The River Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus,
  it is life, purity and a goddess to the people of
  India. The sacred water washes sins away.

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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.

• Diwali is the Indian festival
• of light, it is dedicated to
• Lakshmi the goddess of
• wealth. It is the Hindu new
• year.

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Samskaras (Sacraments)

• Perform various Samskãras in accordance 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.
• There are 16 main Samskãras. These range from
  conception to funeral ceremonies.

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Sarva Brahma (God is in all)

• God lives in the hearts of all beings. Practice
  this truth, realize it and be free.

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The 5 Daily Duties

• In addition to the 5 constant duties, a devout
  Hindu is to perform five daily duties (pañcha
  mahã yagñas). These also help guide a person in
  everyday life and ensure peace, material and
  spiritual prosperity.
• Worship God (Deva Yagna)
• Study the Vedas scriptures (Brahma Yagna)
• Contemplate on teachings of holy men (Pitri
  Yagna)
• Provide alms (Bhuta Yagni)
• Show hospitality (Nara Yagna)

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Worship God (Deva Yagna)

• Worship God in the form of a family deity
• In the home shrine through prayers and
  meditations.
• Helps one to become God-conscious in all daily
  activities.
• Arouses a sense of togetherness
• in the family, since the family
• members worship together and
• participate in the rituals, chants,
• singing, and study of scriptures.

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Study the Vedas Scriptures

• This practice refreshes one's mind with sacred
  knowledge
• Helps to preserve and enrich such knowledge.

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Contemplate on the teachings of sages holy
people (Pitri Yagna)

• This practice is intended to serve as a reminder
  to preserve, enrich and continue one's cultural
  heritage and family values.

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Provide Alms (Butri Yagna)

• Provide food for those who are in need (Bhuta
  Yagña). This practice is intended to create the
  spirit of sharing with others.

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Show Hospitality (Nara Yagna)

• Serve guests with love, respect, and reverence.
• This practice is the basis for the traditional
  hospitality of Hindu households.

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