Sri Bharatamata

Ashtottaram 46

 

46) OṀ NITYA SEVITA BHŨMYAINAMAH:

            OṀ (AUM) - NITYA - SE'- VI-  TA - BHOO- MYAI- NA--MA- HA

 

(Nitya: means-Daily; That which exists always; Sevita: means-service; homage; worship)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The word 'nitya' is generally used in the Hindu scriptures, in two senses: what is eternal, daily. That which is beyond time, space and causation, and hence unaffected by them is called 'nitya'. Only the ātman (the Self or the soul) and Brahman (the Absolute or God) fit with this definition. As applied to karmas or prescribed rites, nitya (or nityakarma) refers to the obligatory duties to be performed daily, such as the sandhyā, gāyatri japa and pancha-mahā yajnās. They gradually lead to chitta-suddhi or purity of the mind which is the stepping stone towards Jnāna Yoga. Practicing any yoga should be preceded by the performance of nitya and naimittika karmas (occasional, but compulsory rites).

 

In India, especially in South India, when you visit temples like Tirumala, you see devotees in thousands and thousands visiting the Lord on a daily basis. They don't mind waiting in the long lines with small children for hours and hours, to get a glimpse of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy. On festival and religious auspicious days the devotee number is in more than hundred thousand per day. The temple executive committee has expressed their concern over waiting times exceeding 24 hours and working very hard to find ways to reduce that waiting time. The temple doors are always open 23 hours per day and it still is not enough time for the devotees. The daily worships start early in the morning before dawn and continue throughout the day, seven days a week and 365 days per year.

 

On the other hand, church goers especially the younger generations are declining on a daily basis in western countries, especially in America and the studies show that the numbers of church goers are less than 20% compared to 10 years ago. Even at Vatican, Christians flock around the Pope's place only during Christmas time. This comparison is only to show how important daily worship in a Hindu's life is. Majority of the Hindus worship gods and goddesses on a daily basis at homes. They get up before dawn and take shower and perform pooja (worship) at least few minutes if not elaborately. Especially, the household wives do daily worship without fail. Laborers and workers who do not have that luxury, when going to work on their way when they see a temple, they stand in front of the temple and pray to god for a second and proceed. Of course,  there are some who perform ritualistic worships for hours including sandhyāvandanam (praying to Sun god with water before dawn) and agnihotram (worshipping fire god), on a daily basis and especially we see that in retired Hindus. They pursue devotional path very vigorously.

 

So, it's natural for Hindus to worship gods and goddesses on a daily basis and our motherland is 'Nitya Sevita Bhūmi'.