Dancing with Siva

Resource 7: A Children's Primer

In a story from the Siva Purana, Sukavan and Sukalai die, leaving 12 children who fall into bad company. Disturbing a sage's meditation, they are cursed. God takes pity. They grow into ministers, all becoming great Sivajnanis. Children of all backgrounds can prosper with Siva's grace.

OVING HINDU PARENTS WORLDWIDE HAVE CALLED FOR A COMMON RELIGIOUS CODE TO TEACH THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. THEY HAVE ASKED, "WHAT IS THE MINIMUM I MUST DO TO DISPATCH MY DUTY TO MY RELIGION AND MY CHILDREN?" THE WORLD Hindu Federation of Nepal discussed this need at its international conference in Bali in late 1992, and shared their concern with me at that time. In response, I told the Bali Mahasangha that I would work with my research staff to prepare the minimal duties for parents to pass on the Sanatana Dharma to the next generation. The result was ten shlokas summarizing the five essential Hindu beliefs, and the five corresponding observances performed in expression of those beliefs. Acharyas concur that these are sufficient to know and follow to be a good Hindu. We first published these in HINDUISM TODAY'S March, 1993, edition, along with the very popular primer for children covering Hinduism from A to Z. Both of these are assembled here as A Children's Primer. In this section you will also find an illustrated summary of the essential Hindu samskaras, or rites of passage. These sacraments are vital to Hindus, for whom life is a sacred journey and every crucial step is acknowledged through traditional ceremony. There are many types of samskaras, from the rite anticipating conception to the funeral ceremony. Each one, properly observed, empowers spiritual life, preserves religious culture and establishes bonds with inner worlds as the soul accepts and matures into the responsibilities of each succeeding stage of life. The modern Hindu child raised up with these precepts, practices and sacraments will be a fully functioning human being, one who is tolerant, devotional, fair, fearless, obedient, secure, happy, selfless, detached and traditional.