Lesson video

Hi, I'm Mrs. Charalambous, and welcome to today's learning.

I'm so glad that I'm able to teach you today.

You're going to learn lots of interesting facts and see lots of interesting things.

Let's get started with today's title.

Your lesson today is Murtis and how they are Used in puja from the unit, Hindus: how do Hindus see Brahman? By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to describe how murtis may be used in puja.

Here are today's key words.

Let's take some turns saying the key words.

My turn.

Your turn.

Deity.

Deity.

Murti.

Murti.

Quality.

Quality, Puja.

Puja.

Deity: a god or goddess.

Murti: a physical representation of a deity, usually a statue.

Quality: a special characteristic of someone or something.

Puja: rituals of worship performed by Hindus.

Let's look at our lesson outline for Murtis and how they are used in puja.

Cycle 1: Why might a Hindu use a different murti in puja? Many Hindus believe in one God, Brahman.

Brahman can take many forms called deities.

Murtis are usually statues that represent deities.

You can find these in mandirs, which are a Hindu place of worship, or some Hindus keep murtis at home in a shrine.

Do you know any Hindus with murti at home? Here is an example of a murti in a mandir.

What can you see? Can you call out some of the things you can see? I'd like you to think about what links you can make with what you know.

You can share some of those thoughts that you're having with me now.

This murti represents the deity Ganesha.

The murti symbolises qualities of Brahman, shown in the design of the murti.

Let's have a look at some of the things that you spotted.

Did you spot the small eyes? Small eyes symbolise concentration on gaining wisdom.

In the hand, that's an axe.

The axe symbolises cutting through obstacles in life and things that hold people back, maybe in their everyday life challenges that they face.

Large ears show how wise people keep an open mind and listen, and the fruit at the bottom has been left to show devotion and love to Ganesha.

Murtis are often used to focus the mind during prayer.

Jun says, "The devotees may offer food, flowers, incense, and prayers to the murti." Izzy says, "Prayer and meditation are often conducted in front of the murti." Those are two very interesting facts that they have shared with us.

Hindus may choose different murtis, depending on what they are praying for.

This is because each deity shows a different quality of the one God, Brahman.

Jacob says, "Some Hindus might pray for wisdom to help them in school." Aisha notes that others might pray for protection to keep their family safe.

Let's check our understanding so far.

Why might a Hindu use a different murti during puja? A, each murti represents a deity and focuses on a specific quality, like wisdom or protection, B, each murti is for a different day of the week, C, Hindus all have the same murti in their puja Have a moment to think about what the answer might be.

That's right.

It's A, each murti represents a deity and focuses on a specific quality, like wisdom or protection.

Most Hindus believe Ganesha is a deity that helps remove obstacles and bring success.

This is a different murti of Ganesha from the one we've already seen.

What are the differences that you can see in this Ganesha and the one that we looked at last time? Many Hindus pray to Ganesha at the start of new ventures, like a new school year or a journey.

Most Hindus believe Lakshmi is a deity that is linked to wealth and prosperity.

This is a murti of Lakshmi.

I'll give you a moment to have a look and think about what she's holding and sitting on.

Those are lotus leaves, really significant flower in Hindu dharma.

Many Hindus like to pray to Lakshmi during Diwali.

They ask for blessings of wealth and abundance in their homes and lives.

Have you heard of the festival Diwali? Most Hindus believe that Saraswati is the deity of knowledge, music, and the arts.

This is a murti of Saraswati.

Can you see what she's holding? Some Hindus like to pray to Saraswati when learning new things, for help with playing instruments, and before exams. They ask for wisdom, focus, and success, and that's right if you said that's an instrument in her hand.

Well done.

Let's check your understanding with true or false.

Most Hindus should pray to Ganesha for wisdom or when they need help with their studies, true or false? False.

Why? Because some Hindus pray to Ganesha for removing obstacles.

So Saraswati is the deity associated with wisdom and knowledge.

Well done if you've got that tricky question right.

Let's move on to Task A.

Jacob says that his friend Vivaan is a Hindu and is starting a new school.

He's feeling nervous about making friends and adjusting to his new environment.

Aisha shares that her friend Prisha is a Hindu and has an important exam coming up.

She wants help focusing and doing well in her studies.

Explain which murti of a deity Vivaan and Prisha might choose to perform puja to.

Which quality of Brahman might they connect with? Pause this part here so you can get on with this practise task.

Unpause me when you're ready to move on.

Let's get some feedback for Task A.

Explain which murti of a deity Vivaan and Prisha might choose to perform puja to.

What quality of Brahman might they connect with? Your answers may include Vivaan might perform puja to Ganesha.

He is known as the remover of obstacles for Hindus and could help Vivaan overcome his nervousness and make new friends as he adjusts to his new school.

Ganesha represents the qualities of wisdom.

Prisha might perform puja to Saraswati.

For many Hindus, she represents the qualities of knowledge, wisdom, and learning and could help Prisha concentrate and succeed in her exam.

Let's move on to Cycle 2 in Murtis and how they are use in puja.

Now we are going to look at How is puja personal to some Hindus? For some Hindus, focusing on one deity for a specific murti helps them to connect with qualities of Brahman that feel meaningful in their lives.

Hearing from different Hindus can help us understand more about Hindu worldviews.

Dhanu, Het, and Kavita are going to share how puja is personal to them.

As you can see, Dhanu, Het, and Kavita are all different ages, so it will be interesting to see their insights.

This is Dhanu at home, and here's what she had to say about puja.

"I do puja twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

The deity I feel is most meaningful in my life is Ram or Rama.

I ask for help in making good choices and how I can do my best by my family and others.

I believe and have faith he will help me and guide me through the right path in life." This is a murti of Ram.

It's Dhanu's murti that she does puja to at home.

Some Hindus focus their puja towards Ram/Rama because he represents qualities of courage, duty, compassion, and honesty.

If any of you know the Diwali story, this is Ram from the Diwali story of Ram and Sita, or as some of you might know, Rama and Sita.

Ram is seen as a symbol of doing what is right and being a loyal family member.

Let's check our understanding with true or false.

Hindus pray to Ram/Rama mainly for wealth and good fortune, true or false? It's false.

Why? Because prayers to Ram are for guidance in making good choices, not for wealth.

This is Het at home.

He's doing puja front of his shrine.

Let's see what he has to say about puja.

"I puja to Hanuman every morning before school.

I ask for strength and focus for my day ahead.

He gives me courage and helps me face challenges with confidence.

I trust that Hanuman will protect me and lead me on the right path, helping me grow into a better person for myself and my family." This is a murti of Hanuman in a mandir Some Hindus focus their puja towards Hanuman because he represents qualities of strength, devotion, and courage.

Hanuman is seen as a symbol of loyalty, selfless service, and protection, always ready to help those in need, and some of you might remember Hanuman from the Diwali story if you've been taught it.

He is the person that helped Ram.

Let's check our understanding.

Why does Het pray to Hanuman every morning? A, to ask for wealth and good fortune for the day ahead, B, to learn more about Hanuman for the day ahead, C, to feel strong, focused, and brave for the day ahead.

That's right, it's C, to feel strong, focus, and brave for the day ahead.

This is Kavita carrying out puja at home.

Here is what she had to say.

"I do puja with my mum in the morning before I go to school.

I pray to Radha because she makes me feel loved and happy.

I ask her to help me be kind, happy, and nice to others.

I know she will help me be a good person." This is a murti of Radha.

Some Hindus focus their puja towards Radha because she represents qualities of love, devotion, and purity.

Radha is seen as a symbol of deep love and faith, showing how to be kind and loyal, especially in relationships with others.

Let's move on to Task B.

Write three sentences about why murtis are important for many Hindus during puja.

Think about what qualities murtis have and how they might make a difference in the way Hindus feel or connect during puja.

Pause the video here so you have some time to reflect before writing.

Once you finish writing your three sentences about why murtis are important for many Hindu during puja, unpause me.

and we can go through some feedback together.

Feedback for Task B.

Write three sentences about why murtis are important for many Hindus during puja.

I'm sure lots of you have written great sentences, and here is what your answer might have included.

Murtis are important in puja because they represent the presence of deity, helping Hindus feel closer to them.

The specific qualities of each murti, such as symbols of strength or compassion, allow Hindus to focus their thoughts and connect with these qualities of the deity.

This makes the prayer feel more personal and meaningful as if the deity, with all its unique qualities, is present to receive their devotion.

Let's summarise today's learning from Murtis and how they are used in puja.

Today, we have learned that many Hindus see Brahman through different deities.

We've learned many Hindus use murtis or images of deities to focus their worship.

We also now know that murtis show different qualities of the deity they represent, and that puja is personal to each individual.

Thank you for joining me today.

I hope you've enjoyed studying with me and learning lots.

Hopefully, I'll see you soon.

Bye.