Why do we light lamp in front of deities in the evening?

• 1. Appropriate conducts during transition period (Sandhikal)
  
  • 1.1 Lighting black-incense (Dhoop) or incense-stick (Udbatti) in the premises (Vastu)
  • 1.2 Lighting a lamp in front of the Deities and paying obeisance to them
  • 1.3 Casting off the evil-eye from the children
  • 1.4 Recitation of Verses (Shloks)
• 2. Misconducts during the evening
  
  • 2.1 Actions forbidden in the evening

Our Sages and Seers devised an ideal structure of daily actions (Dinacharya), so that man is able to lead a healthy, contented and blissful life. Following the daily actions (Dinacharya), the rules and regulations associated with it is the only way to repay the debt of the Sages and Seers.

1. Appropriate conducts during transition period (Sandhikal)

The transition period (Sandhikal) is the period of 48 minutes, that is, two Ghatikas, before the sunrise and after the sunset. The transition period is Raja-Tama predominant. Influence of negative energies is more in this period. To get protection from these, Dharma has given importance to abiding by Conducts (Acharpalan) in this period.

Scriptures have described various Conducts (Achars) to be performed in the evening, so that there are good impressions (Sanskars) on man and he becomes equipped with good Achars, he is able to perform spiritual practice (Sadhana) in addition to getting protection from the negative energies.

1.1 Lighting black-incense (Dhoop) or incense-stick (Udbatti) in the premises (Vastu)

The increased influence of negative energies after sunset pollutes the environment in the Vastu. Distressing vibrations are generated in the Vastu. Light black-incense everyday to remove these distressing vibrations. For lighting black-incense (Dhoop), light coal or cow-dung cake in a specially made vessel for the purpose and place the black-incense (Dhoop) upon it. Hold the vessel in one hand and a cardboard in another, fan the fire with the cardboard to spread the smoke in the Vastu.

Black-incense is generally used in removing the distress caused due to ancestors. If black-incense is not available, light incense-sticks (Udbattis) in the Vastu regularly. Use incense-sticks of Chameli, Heena, Sandalwood and Kevada fragrances. The Saviour (Tarak) or Destroyer (Marak) frequencies of Deities are attracted to the fragrance of these incense-sticks as per the need and negative energies move away. Along with the Vastu, this action also helps in purifying the clothes.

By lighting the black-incense (Dhoop), the Saviour (Tarak) Shiva Principle is activated. Pure (Sattvik) vibrations are attracted in the Vastu. The Purity (Sattvikta) of the Vastu is enhanced. At the same time, the environment of the Vastu is also purified. When the Purity (Sattvikta) is enhanced, the negative energies get troubled and they leave the Vastu. Purity (Sattvikta) of the Vastu is preserved by lighting black-incense daily. If this is not possible, black-incense must be lit at least once a week.

1.2 Lighting a lamp in front of the Deities and paying obeisance to them

Most people suffer maximum distress from negative energies in the evening. Worshippers of the Aghori Knowledge take control of the negative energies that enter the environment in the evening and get evil acts done through them. That is why, mishaps and killings are more in the evening. This period is considered to be the ‘time of distress or ruin’. Light an oil-lamp in front of a Deity, to get protection from the negative energies present in the environment in the evening. At the same time, light a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) too in the courtyard. By lighting a lamp in front of the Deities, their Principle is awakened and those residing in the Vastu benefit.
Science underlying lighting of a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) in the evening: The evening time is considered to be the time of arrival of the Lakshmi Principle in the Vastu. Tulsi is essentially Sattvik. Principles of various Deities are attracted to the basil plant (Tulsi). By lighting a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi), the Purity (Sattvikta) in it is activated. This Purity (Sattvikta) spreads in the environment present in the Vastu and purifies it. The frequencies of Lakshmi Principle are attracted to the flame of the lamp kept in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) in the purified environment and enter the Vastu. This also purifies the Vastu and a protective sheath of Pure (Sattvik) frequencies of the Deities is created around the Vastu. At the same time, because of the Absolute Fire (Tej-tattva) frequencies emitted by the lamp, the Vastu and those residing in it are protected from the negative energies circulating in the environment.

Bear in mind the increased influence of the negative energies in the environment in the evening and as possible, return home before the lamp is to be lit in front of the Deities and the Tulsi and do not leave the house after the lamp is lit.

1.3 Casting off the evil-eye from the children

 

Children get affected easily by the evil-eye. Casting off the evil-eye means pulling out the distressing vibrations created in the body of a person due to the evil-eye, in some specific objects and thus removing the distress of the person. To cast off the evil-eye, rock salt-mustard seeds, rock salt-red chillies, coconut with water etc. are used. Evil-eye can also be cast off from a person who has distress from negative energies.

1.4 Recitation of Verses (Shloks)

 

Some of the Verses (Shloks) to be recited in the evening are as follows,

• शुभं करोतु कल्‍याणं आरोग्‍यं सुखसंपदा |
   शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्‍योतिर्नमोऽस्‍तु ते ||
  This means, “O flame of the lamp, you are auspicious and benevolent. You provide health and wealth and destroy the intellect of the enemies; hence, I pay my obeisance to you.”
  
• शुभं करोतु कल्‍याणं आरोग्‍यं सुखसंपदाम्‌ |
   मम बुद्धिप्रकाशं च दीपज्‍योतिर्नमोऽस्‍तु ते ||
  “O flame of the lamp, you are auspicious and benevolent. You provide health and wealth. You purify our intellect. We pay our obeisance to you.”
  
• दीपज्‍योति:परब्रह्म दीपज्‍योतिर्जनार्दन: |
   दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्‍योतिर्नमोऽस्‍तु ते ||
  This means, the light of a lamp is a form of Supreme Brahman. The flame of the lamp is a form of the Supreme God, who removes the sorrows of the Universe. “O lamp, eliminate my sins. O flame of the lamp, I pay my obeisance to you.”
  

Benefits of reciting Verses (Shloks):

• By lighting the lamp with the recitation of Verses (Shloks) like ‘Shubham karotu kalyanam…’, the destroyer task of driving away the negative energies is achieved.
  
• The Pure (Sattvik) vibrations created by the recitation of the Verses (Shloks) purify the house. That is how the distress of negative energies also reduces.
  
• By reciting Verses (Shloks) after lighting a lamp, the grasping power of children increases, they are able to study better, that is, their capacity to learn by heart increases, their speech gets purified and it helps in their pronunciation becoming clear.

After the recitation of Verses (Shloks), Stotras like Ramraksha, Hanuman Chalisa etc. should also be recited. After the recitation of Verses (Shloks) and Stotras, the Arti of the Deity should be performed and prayer should be made. For this entire worship, all the members of the family should be present, as possible.
Benefits of having all the family members attend the evening worship: When all the members of the family are present for the evening worship, it creates good impressions (Sanskars) on the children and they get spiritual benefit. Their Purity (Sattvikta) increases. They obtain Divine consciousness (Chaitanya) and Bliss (Anand). Because of the good impressions (Sanskars), moral values are enhanced and everybody’s life becomes happy.

2. Misconducts during the evening

 

In the olden days, the elders in the house used to be mindful about the distress caused by the negative energies in the evening. As prescribed in the scriptures, they used to light a lamp in the evening and gathering all the members of the family in front of the Deities, they used to recite verses (Shloks) and chant etc.; but today this practice is being ignored. We experience the harm being caused due to the structure of nuclear families today. The sound of recitation of verses (Stotras) is drowned in the cacophony of television channels. Most people are out of the house in the evening. From the small villages to the metros, we can see heavy crowds at the food stalls everywhere - Chinese food, snacks, fast food, ice-creams parlours etc.
Externally it feels pleasant watching the entertainment programmes on television channels in the evening; but do we ever give a thought to its effects ?

2.1 Actions forbidden in the evening

Since the influence of negative energies is more in the evening, some actions are forbidden.

• Sleeping, eating, drinking and having a meal
  
• Commencement of an auspicious task
  
• Giving white objects to others
  
• Exchange of money
  
• Crying
  
• Departure for a journey
  
• Taking an oath, abusing, quarreling, speaking indecently and the untruth
  

There are actions other than those enumerated here, which are forbidden in the evening as per the scriptures.

• The floor should not be swept in the evening: Raja-Tama predominant frequencies circulate more in the environment in the evening. Through the act of sweeping too, vibrations of Raja-Tama are generated, which attract the Raja-Tama vibrations present in the environment. Garbage collected in the premises (Vastu) during the day can be removed by sweeping before the evening.

• Actions forbidden for pregnant women in the evening:
  A. Should not stand at the doorstep of the house. This harms the foetus.
  B. Should not look at the animals return home in the evening. If a pregnant woman looks at these animals, the negative energies present in the legs of these animals can attack the foetus.

• Sitting on the banks of rivers other than the Ganga: The river Ganga is also known as ‘Gangotri’, that is, ‘the one that provides the source of Pure (Sattvik) frequencies from Shiva’. Because of the Pure (Sattvik) frequencies emitted by the Ganga water, the environment around the banks of the river Ganga always remains virtuous and full of Divine consciousness (Chaitanya). That is why, there is very little risk of distress from negative energies in this environment. As compared to this, there is very little Purity (Sattvikta) on the banks of other rivers. Hence, because of the movement of negative energies, there is more possibility of a Jiva sitting on the banks of these rivers getting distressed. Inferior negative energies moving around on the banks of the rivers contain more of the Absolute Earth (Pruthvi) and Absolute Water (Apa) Principles. Hence, these energies are able to merge with the human body, which is also made of the Absolute Earth (Pruthvi) and Absolute Water (Apa) Principles, in a shorter time. Hence, preferably one should not sit on the banks of the rivers in the evening.

• Study of Vedas: Evening is the onset of the night (also known as Pradoshkal). The Vedas command that study of Vedas should not be carried out in the Pradoshkal. It is also prohibited to read scriptures for committing to memory (Santha); but to recite Mantras to avert the evil (also known as Shantipath) is considered acceptable in this period.

Clarification of doubts related to Hinduism

• 1. Why do Hindus believe in many idols?
• 2. What is Shiva linga? Some say it is the male genital organ.
• 3. Why did Brahma create different castes as mentioned in the Vedas ? Is that good?
• 4. Why do Hindus not eat meat and eat vegetables, when plants also have life?
• 5. Why is Hinduism so confusing?
• 6. Why can’t Hindus pray directly to God ? Why do Hindus need a middle man ?
• 7. What is the real meaning of ‘Om’?
• 8. Why does God have wife and children in Hinduism?
• 9. Why don’t Hindus worship at regular times ?
• 10. Why could Hinduism not develop (like some other religions did) ?

Recently, a Hindu man sent out an email with some questions he was asked about Hinduism, that he needed answers to. Some of those questions and the answers to them are published here, as we all may come across such questions. Every Hindu should know the answers to such questions. This emphasises the need for taking and imparting education about Hinduism.

1. Why do Hindus believe in many idols?

 

Hindus worship God in His various forms as well as the formless aspect of God, as Hinduism teaches that ‘there is nothing but God’, that is, ‘God is in everything’. Some Hindus may worship a certain form of God for specific reasons, such as Sree Ganesh is worshipped to remove obstacles, Sree Dattatreya to overcome ancestral souls’ (pitar/poorvaj) trouble, the Mother Goddess to acquire divine energy (shakti) and supernatural powers (siddhi), etc.

Each idol is a representation of a Deity or Divine Energy. There are millions of Divine Energies and aspects of the Divine, each with a specific divine function in the universe. For example, the specific divine function or main divine aspect of Brahma is Creation (utpatti), while that of Sree Vishnu is Sustenance (sthiti) and of Shiva is destruction (laya.)

Depending on the mission of Its particular Incarnation, the Divine may take a form accordingly. For example, while most forms of Deities show the Deity’s ‘Savior of devotees’ aspect (symbolised by the Deity’s hand raised in blessing) and ‘Destroyer of evil’ aspect (symbolised by the Deity’s weapon carrying hand), the destroyer form of Sree Durga has weapons and destroyer symbols in all Her hands.

2. What is Shiva linga? Some say it is the male genital organ.

 

The words ‘Shiva’ and ‘linga’ are from the Hindus’ ancient, scriptural language Sanskrit (Sanskrut). ‘Shiva’ means auspiciousness and ‘linga’ means a sign or a symbol. Accordingly, the Shiva linga is the symbol of Lord Shiva. It is the "symbol of God, who is all-auspiciousness."

It is a misconception (stemming from the time that Hindu literature came into the hands of non-Hindu scholars) that the Shiva linga represents male genital organs. To be able to understand Hindu scriptures, a spirit of deep inquiry about the Divine is required and such a spirit is developed with daily spiritual practice (sadhana) as per the spiritual principles of Hinduism.

3. Why did Brahma create different castes as mentioned in the Vedas ? Is that good?

 

Please tell which verse refers to this in the Vedas, as this is a misconception. The Vedas talk about the system of spiritual classes based on one's spiritual constitution (qualities) and deeds, to provide a path to every person to progress to God-realisation. The caste system is a social ill, as is discrimination found in all societies, not limited to Hindu society.

4. Why do Hindus not eat meat and eat vegetables, when plants also have life?

 

Hindus' Holy Scriptures like the Bhagavad Geeta recommend a vegetarian diet, as it is a spiritually pure (sattvik) diet, while a non-vegetarian diet is a spiritually impure (tamasik) diet. The health benefits of a vegetarian diet and the fact that animals feel much more pain than do plants, are established scientific consensus!

Hinduism teaches one to overcome the spiritually inferior components of raja-tama to progress in the spiritually pure component of sattva, as it promotes spiritually pure qualities like love, courage, economy, fairness, etc. 

5. Why is Hinduism so confusing?

 

Imagine a first-grade student looking at Ph. D. level curriculum; it would seem confusing! Hinduism is comprehensive. It has many Scriptures (4 Vedas, 108 Upanishads, 18 primary puranas, 18 upa-puranas for each primary purana, Itihasas, the Bhagavad Geeta, tantras, samhitas, upa-samhitas, and 1000s of other shruti and smruti texts; and many other books, compositions and commentaries by the acharyas) that provide a profound system of attaining complete and direct knowledge about the Divine.

Even a literal study of Hinduism's many Scriptures can take lifetimes. Add to that the fact that most scriptures of Hinduism are in Sanskrit, which needs several years to master. Otherwise, one is often at the mercy of widespread mis-translations by non-Hindu (often anti-Hindu) so-called scholars.

Hinduism can be confusing to one who has not studied and understood its basic principles, which are like the grammar to understand a language. Hence, rather than trying to understand Hinduism with one's own limited intellect, it is important to learn it from an authority on the subject, that is, Hindu Saints/Gurus. They can make us well versed in the “grammar” to understand and live Hinduism (Dharma).

6. Why can’t Hindus pray directly to God ? Why do Hindus need a middle man ?

 

In Hinduism, accessing God is not just limited to prayer, but there is a system of spiritual paths to experience that one is none other than God! Hinduism's Scriptures like the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita are not man-made, but have come directly from God or His Incarnation.

Unlike ideologies that emphasise the separation between human and Divine, Hinduism teaches that with the guidance and grace of a spiritual authority like a Guru, it is relatively simple to progress to the constant experience of Divinity in oneself and everything.

7. What is the real meaning of ‘Om’?

 

Some Hindu Scriptures like the Mandukya Upanishad are entirely devoted to the explanation of ‘Om’, which may give some idea about how profound this syllable is - it is considered to be the primal sound, Divine syllable.  

In brief, the syllable ‘Om’ or ‘Aum’ is taken to consist of three phonemes, ‘a’, ‘u’ and ‘m’, variously symbolising the 3 Vedas, the Hindu trimurti (‘a’ representing Brahma, ‘u’ Vishnu and ‘m’ Shiva) or the 3 stages in life (birth, life and death). ‘Om’ is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism - omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence.

8. Why does God have wife and children in Hinduism?

 

This is a misconception. In Hinduism, God (Ishwar, Brahman) does not have wife or children, as the God principle is unmanifest. In the context of Deities, the male deity is the Purush or Principle aspect of God, the female deity is the Prakruti or Energy aspect of God, and children refer to the combination of those Divine Principles and Energies.

For example, Sree Durga is the Divine Energy of Shiva who is the Destroyer principle of God, and Sree Ganesh is the Divine Principle spiritually born of Sree Durga and Shiva principles. It is like the color yellow comes from a combination of green and blue colors.

9. Why don’t Hindus worship at regular times ?

 

In Hinduism, there are various systems of worship. In the path of ritualistic worship (karmakand), there are auspicious times during each day, week, month and year, to perform such worship. For example, one should perform ritualistic worship after taking a shower in the early morning hours and soon after sunset.

However, Hinduism teaches to progress from worship limited to regular times, to worshipping the Divine all the time; only the mode of worship will differ accordingly. This constant communion with God is achieved at higher stages in the spiritual journey, through constant remembrance of His Name and contemplation on the Divine.

People who do not follow any form of worship are found in all communities, not limited to the Hindu community.

10. Why could Hinduism not develop (like some other religions did) ?

 

This is a misconception. Hinduism is already the most developed, advanced system and science; the concern should be not about developing it, but to understand, live and preserve it!

If one is referring to spreading the way some religions did, Hinduism historically has not spread like that, as the whole world used to be Hindu before religions were created and spread. Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) teaches the way of peace and expansiveness, devoid of sectarianism that causes divisive evangelism, forced conversions and disharmony. However, it is the need of times that Hindus take and impart Hinduism education, and stand united to stem the tide of such assaults.

From forumforhinduawakening

Why Hindus do not eat beef ? Or why Cow is holy ?

Once again like most Hindu concepts there are multiple answers to this. 

1. Cow is a pet -

A simplistic answer will be a question - why do Westerners no eat
dog's meat, or cat's meat ? The obvious point is that people world over
do not eat their pets, and cow in the least is a pet.

Why don't people eat their pets ? Because people get emotionally attached
with the pets. A pet becomes a family member. Also most civilized people
people protect those who are under their protection. The same point has emtionally
been emphasized by a story from Hindu scripture -literature 'Raghu Vamsha
by Kalidas. In the story, King Dilip, forefather of Lord Rama, offers
to a lion his own life in exchange of a divine cow that is under Dilip's
protection. Such is the Hindu scriptural reverence for the defence of
those under your refuge.

2. Cow's usefulness for Indian agricultural economy -

Similarly one can ask why do people in the West not eat horse meat?
In the west, the agriculture depended on horses till last century, hence
horse meat is not part of western diet. Similarly, agriculture in India
from ancient times to even now largely uses oxen for farming. So you
don't destroy the 'work horse' of agricultural economy. Cows, oxen thus
have been crucial for Indian agriculture.

3. Dietary considerations -

Unlike Chinese diet, Indian diet uses milk and milk products to large
extent. In the hot, hardy Indian climate, the milk yield goes down.
The average milk output of an Indian cow therefore is lower compared to
cows in cooler climates. Hence in order to protect the milk yield, in
the old days, the numbers of milch cattle had to be protected. The best
way known to man, to protect certain species is to make it 'holy'. Thus
by giving cow a 'holy' status, the sages ensured its protection.

The importance of milk in Indian diet arose from the keen observation
of nature by the sages. The newborn of all mammals are nourished by
mother's milk. If milk is good for defenceless babies, then it must be
good for man, who was vulnerable from physical defences, compared to
all other animals. Interestingly, it is only human being that drinks
milk of other species. From all aspects such as milk yield,
domesticability, availability of fodder etc, a cow is most suitable.
Yet, this does not explain veneration of cow by Hindus. 

4. Logical higher explanantion for how 'useful' became 'holy' cow -

The one quality that distinguishes humans from other animals is that of
'gratitude'. It is Hindu gratitude that takes a 'dumb' cow to a higher
plane of thought. After our birth, our mother nourished us with her
milk when we were totally helpless, for a year or two. Thereafter it is
cow's milk that nourishes us for the rest of our lives. The Hindu
respects the mother as the lifegiver, hence the term  Matru devo bhava
meaning 'see God in your mother'. He then extends the same logic and
the same gratitude furher to a cow who nourished him with her milk too.
In every civilized society mother is respected and venerated, she is
never cosidered as object of 'consumption'. The Hindu extends the same
logic, same courtsey to a cow. Thus this extension of gratitude makes
cows 'holy'.

(Ref: Sanskruti Poojan by Pandurang Shastry Athawale, Sadvichar Darshan
Trust, Mumbai, 3rd Ed, 1988, pp 205-8, in Hindi/Gujarati/Marathi)
 

5. Scriptural support

Indian scriptures describe Lord KrishNa as a cow herder in his youth.
His childhood stories regale Hindus even now. A one particular story
about Govardhan tells that it was KrishNa who asked cow herders to stop
worshipping Indra - a powerful God in the heavens, and then asked
them to worship cows since they gave them their livelyhood. Once again
the subtle teaching for cowherders was 'see God in everything', even in
your work. Approaching work as worship makes every menial task a joyful
and rejoicing endeavour. It will also make you feel God as something
close and not something distant.

A famous hymn in praise of Gita, the most sacred Hindu text, compares
Gita to a cow, Lord Krishna as the milker, the essence of Upnishads
as the milk.

The Hindu thought goes beyond mere kindness to animals as the SPCA
(Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in the West wants.

Even though cow herds have been prevalent in India for over 5000 years,
the ideas of 'cow tipping' and lassoing are unheard of.

6. Symbolically, cow represents the qualities of earth - ever giving,
ever nourishing. The Hindu reveres all animals and the cow is revered as
representative of all animals and many other animals are revered as
carriers (Vaahanas) for the demi-Gods.

(Ref: Dancing with Siva, By Sivay Subramuniya Swami, Himalayan Publ,
3rd ed, 1993, p.193)

Science in Hinduism

Traditions in Hinduism were considered mainly as superstitions, but with the advent of science, it is becoming evident that these traditions are based on some scientific knowledge and moved from generations to generations as traditions.  Though the common people did not know science in it, they were following it very faithfully over the years.  This article is an attempt to bring forward the science involved in these traditions and rituals.  Ancient Rishis, which were scientists actually, did not tell the common people the science involved in these traditions, but instead related them with the God and religion, so that the common people would benefit from them.

Another contributing factor is that the Hindu traditions are made depending on the climate of India as Hinduism is the main religion in India.  Even in India, there are different regions with different climate, so they vary from region to region.

1.  Why every Hindu should have a Tulsi plant in front of his/her house?

Answer: The Latin name of Tulsi plant is ” Ocimum Sanctum.” It is also called as Holy Basil.  For thousands of years, Tulsi has been worshiped by Hindus.  It is considered as a sacred plant and it is necessary for every Hindu family to have a Tulsi plant in front of their house. The recent studies, have shown that Tulsi plant releases Ozone (O3) along with oxygen, which is very essential for ecological balance.  World Ozone Day is celebrated on 16th September of every year, at which time some environmental organizations distribute Tulsi plants in large number.

Besides that Tulsi has lots of medicinal uses and is a very important herb according to Ayurveda.  Tulsi leaves are supposed to strengthen our immune system.  So, the Tulsi leaves are mainly used for treating fever, common cold, cough, sore throat, and respiratory disorders.

Therefore, I think not only Hindus but all of us should have a Tulsi plant in front of our house.

2. Why Hindus worship some particular trees and not all the trees?

Answer: It is true that Hindus honor all the trees but some particular trees and plants are considered sacred and have been worshiped over thousands of years.

Some of the examples are Peepal Tree (Ficus religiosa) and Audumbar Tree (Ficus racemosa).  These two trees are 24-hour oxygen generators and cannot be planted manually.  They grow on their own mainly through the birds, which eat their fruits.  Audumbar tree is associated with Guru Dattatreya, one of main Hindu deities and cutting or dishonoring the tree in any way is considered as a sin.  Both of these trees are very important for ecological balance.  So by associating them with Hindu deities, they have been protected, so that no one would cut them.

3.  Why Hindus pierce ears of a baby?

Answer: After a baby is born, it is a general practice in Hindus to pierce his/her ears. Actually, it is a part of acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture and acupressure is not new to Hindus.  Even it is said that these techniques originated in India and later they were conserved and modified by Chinese. Outer part of ears carry a lot of important acupuncture and acupressure points.  The point where the ears of a baby are pierced is known for curing asthma.  That is why even ancient Hindus used to wear earrings but now a days most Hindus do not wear earrings.  They do not even pierce the ears after first piercing.  The holes in their ears become invisible after as they grow up.  Only Hindu female wear earrings as a tradition.

But there are males of some castes in Hinduism who wear earrings as a tradition till now.

4. Why Hindus do not eat meat on particular days?

Answer: Hindus do not eat meat on particular days not limited but including:

Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays of every week, Sankashti Chaturthi, Angarki Chaturthi, Ekadashi, Gudhipadwa, Akshaytrutiya, Diwali (all the days) and many more auspicious days.

Amongst this, the reason for not eating meat on some particular days excluding weekly days is purely religious.  Killing of animals is considered as a sin in Hinduism.  So, people avoid eating meat at least on those auspicious days to maintain sacredness of that particular day.

The reason behind not eating meat on weekdays including Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays is that as a human being we need only a little amount of meat to fulfill requirements of our body such as iron, vitamin B12 and other vital nutrients.  But human being basically is an animal and we get addicted to eating meat.  As we all know eating excessive meat is not good for health.  It can cause diseases like piles, kidney stones, colon cancer, blood pressure, heart attack, etc.  Then also people cannot refrain themselves from eating flesh.  Therefore, Hinduism has placed some restrictions by assigning the days to particular deities.  E.g. Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Thursday to Lord Dattatreya, and Saturday to Lord Hanuman. In this way, people have been assigned some religious restrictions and as most of Hindus are religious, they do obey this rule.  In this way, they restrict the meat in their diet which is good for their health.

5. Why only some castes are allowed to eat non-vegetarian food and others are not?

Answer:  Basically, who should eat and who should not depends on the occupation of a person.  If you ask a modern doctor, he will simply tell you that if you have need for more calories and you do a lot of physical labor, then only you should eat nonvegetarian food.  If your occupation is of sedentary type and you eat a lot of high-calorie food, you are bound to gain more weight and invite all sorts of diseases related to obesity.

The medieval caste system of India was based upon the occupation of a person.  Therefore the people from a particular caste doing more physical labor were allowed to eat meat.  For example, job of a Kshatriya was to fight with enemy and protect the people.  So, they required a lot of energy.  Hence, Kshatriyas were allowed to eat meat.  In the same way, a farmer who requires a lot of physical work was allowed to eat meat.  On the other hand, other castes like Brahmins who do Prayer and intelligent work requiring less hard labor were restricted from eating meat.  In the same way, weavers, businessmen were not allowed to eat meat.

Aside from that, some nonvegetarian products like meat and chicken are hard to digest.  If you do not have enough body movement, it will be hard for you to digest that food and you will be unnecessarily inviting the ailments.

6. We get the human body after our soul passes through 84,00,000 species.

Hindus believe we get a human body after our soul passes through 84,00,000 species.  Initially, critics of Hinduism used to say that this is just a myth so many species do not exist.  But with the advent of science, it is revealed that there are about 84,00,000 species on the earth.  So, the above statement is symbolic for the fact that human being is born through evolution and we human being is the most advanced stage of evolution.