
Pancha Nitya Karmas is a sanskrit term that means, "The
five continual duties of every Hindu." When these religious
obligations are complied with adequately they draw us closer to God
and to the realization of our own nature.
- Upasana - worship in the altar at home or in the
temple. It refers to the religious education that the children
receive at home, through the example of the adults, who teach them
to carry out their rituals duly at the home altar on a daily
basis.
- Utsava- holy days. Participation in the different
festivals of Hinduism, as well as the participation in the holy
days, is impressed upon the children, both at home and in the
temple. Utsava also includes fasting on Ekadasi,
as well as attending the temple during festivities.
- Dharma- living a virtuous life. It is impressed upon
the children to live a life of high moral and ethical values; to
comply with ones duty and to maintain good behavior; to respect
their elders and the sannyasis; to follow a life of
respect for religious values, especially to maintain the principle
of ahimsa, or to not damage or hurt any living being in
thought, word or action; teaching the children and youth about
Hinduism, its holy scriptures and the exemplary lives of its great
saints and masters. These are instruments for the development,
evolution and maturity of future generations.
- Tirthayatra- pilgrimage. The children are exposed to
the value of making pilgrimages to holy places and temples, with
the objective of receiving benedictions and inspiration from holy
persons through darshan. It is important that the children
acquire religious and spiritual values while making such voyages,
where the central focus is not the satisfaction of the senses but
God, the guru and the religion.
- Samskara- rites and ceremonies of passage. The
children are taught to observe the different sacraments of
Hinduism, which sanctify and emphasize the diverse transitions in
one's life. It is important to impress upon the children, from a
young age, the meanings of the sacraments and affection towards
their tradition, culture and religion.