By the word “rituals”, certain religious observances and practices performed in a systematic way as per the directions given in the scriptures are meant. “Puja” (worship of God or deity), “sandhyaopasana” (meditation on God as the light of knowledge and wisdom at dawn and dusk), “homa” ( offering of oblations unto a deity in a duly consecrated fire), “upavasa” (ceremonial fasting) and “jagarana” (keeping vigil at night as a part of spiritual discipline) – all these are rituals.
The philosophical truths contained in the Vedas, Upanisads and other similar scriptural works are, very often, too recondite to comprehend. Apart from an incisive intellect, purity of mind resulting from a pure sinless life is necessary to understand them. Performance of rituals is one of the easier means to achieve this purity of mind. However they should be done meticulously with a proper knowledge of the spirit behind them.
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