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Significance of Rite

Rite, according to various texts, encompasses a range of religious ceremonies and rituals crucial for specific outcomes. Purana emphasizes ceremonial acts guided by figures such as a high-souled father or saintly hermits, including lustral rites and marriage-related rituals. Vedanta describes rites as scripted ceremonial acts aimed at achieving spiritual goals. Dharmashastra details various ceremonial actions tied to sacrifices, student initiations, and marital practices, highlighting their significance in maintaining harmony and fulfilling religious duties.1
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Synonyms: Ceremony, Ritual, Observance, Tradition, Practice, Act, Custom

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Rite'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Rite" encompasses various ceremonial actions, including rituals for reverence, marriage, recovery, and sacrifices, aimed at maintaining harmony, ensuring spiritual growth, and achieving religious goals, as prescribed in ancient texts.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra

(1) The series of acts or rituals up to the choosing of the Hotri that must be performed by the Adhvaryu.[1] (2) The ceremonial actions that are performed, especially involving the offering of clarified butter.[2] (3) The various ceremonial actions performed as part of the Jyotishtoma Sacrifice.[3]

From: Apastamba Grihya-sutra

(1) Designates the ceremonies conducted with the wife to ensure control and harmony within the marital relationship.[4] (2) Ceremonial practices outlined in the text that the student must perform as part of his initiation.[5]

From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra

(1) A ceremonial act performed without the recitation of the Mantra specifically intended for a girl.[6]

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Refers to the religious ceremony involved in the Shraddha, which has implications for both the feeder and the eater.[7]

From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra

(1) The ceremonial actions that are outlined for participants, including the reverence shown to the teacher and the practices performed during study.[8]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)

(1) The religious ceremony that was disrupted by the theft of the horse.[9] (2) The rites are religious ceremonies, specifically the lustral rites, which the king is preparing for, and Shunahshepha wants to be completed.[10] (3) The rites are guided by the son of the high-souled father, and after the rites are over, the son of the saintly hermit returns.[11] (4) The rituals had concluded, marking the completion of a ceremonial process, likely related to marriage and the beginning of a new phase for the participants.[12]

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) Religious ceremonies performed by the Brahmanas to aid Draupadi's recovery.[13]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

(1) Ceremonial acts prescribed in scriptures, which are discussed as traditional means toward achieving goals like heaven.[14]

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)

(1) The rite of carrying fire on the head is mentioned in the Samacara as an attribute of the study of the Veda, and the Upanishad also refers to the rite of carrying fire on the head.[15]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Plural form: Rites.