A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

83 hymns
birth of a child, entering the precise
astronomical coordinates. All important
events in the life of a person are decided
upon after consultation of the horoscope.
(See also ASTROLOGY.)
hospitality
Offering a meal or shelter for the night
to a stranger who asked for it was one
of the traditional duties of a Hindu. If a
person was refused hospitality he could
‘unload’ his sins on the unwilling host.
Hospitality was especially important
towards brahmins and SAMNYÄSIS. On
the other hand, hospitality was not to
be abused, and strict limits were set.
Hindu literature is full of stories about
hospitality refused and punishments following,
as well as about poor people
sacrificing their last possessions for a
guest, who turns out to be God in the
guise of a poor man (daridra Näräyaæa)
who amply rewards his hosts. (See also
ATITHI.)
hotø
A Vedic priest whose task it was to
recite the hymns of the Øgveda.
Hoyÿalas
Dynasty of rulers in Karæätaka
(1006–1346), great warriors and
administrators as well as defenders of
the Hindu faith and builders of temples
distinguished by a unique style, a kind
of Indian roccoco (Belur, Halebid,
Somnathpur).
Hø•ikeÿa
(1) (‘lord of the senses’)
An epithet of Vi•æu or Kø•æa.
Hø•ikeÿa
(2), also Rishikesh
Mountain and place of pilgrimage 30 km
north of HARDWAR.
human sacrifice
See SACRIFICE.
humility (dainya)
One of the virtues to be cultivated by a
VAIÆŒAVA who, according to an old
verse, is supposed to be ‘more humble
than a blade of grass’. It is further specified
as the effort to put oneself down in
comparison to others, not to mention
one’s own merits, to serve one’s spiritual
master and all other devotees.
hymns
The Øgveda is a collection of hymns
(süktas) that are essential components
(MANTRA (1)) of Vedic rituals; they are
still used and recited by brahmin priests.
Besides these, another genre of hymns,
called stotras (praise), has become very
important in connection with the worship
of deities such as Vi•æu, Ÿiva and
Devï as well as Gaæeÿa, Hanuman and
other lesser devas, and humans deemed
to be manifestations of a deity. Epics
and Puräæas contain many such hymns,
and great äcäryas (masters) such as
ŸAŒKARA (2), RÄMÄNUJA and MADHVA
(2) composed hymns that are used in
worship. Most of the works of the poetsaints
of the Indian Middle Ages are
hymns in vernaculars (Tamil Prabhanda,
Hindï bhajans, Mahratti abhaögas).
Much of popular Hindu religious practice
consists of singing such hymns.
There are many popular collections,
such as the Stotramälä and Stotraratnävalï,
which contain hymns to many
different deities.