Blessing

===Hinduism===
{{more citations needed |section |date= December 2017}}
{{See also | Guru-shishya tradition | Sampradaya | Parampara }}
[[File:Aarti-night.jpg|right|thumb|[[Aarti]].]]
In [[Hinduism]] [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] is a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It is modeled on the idea of giving a gift or offering to a deity or important person and receiving their approval ({{Lang|sa-latn|Ashirvād}}). During the Puja involves an '[[Aarti]] plate' or 'Aarti lamp' is circulating around a deity or person and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deity or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate or lamp is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead – the purificatory blessing, passed from the deity's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee.

During the [[naivedya]] ritual, a devotee makes an offering of a material substance such as flowers, fruits, or sweets. The deity then 'enjoys' or tastes a bit of the offering, which is then temporarily known as [[bhogya]]. This now-divinely invested substance is called [[prasāda]], and is received by the devotee to be ingested, worn, etc. It may be the same material that was originally offered, or material offered by others and then re-distributed to other devotees. In many temples, several kinds of prasada (e.g. nuts, sweets) are distributed to the devotees.

[[File:Hindu-priest-blessing.jpg|thumb|left|Hindu priest giving blessing.]]
[[Darśana|''Darshan'']] is a term meaning 'sight' (in the sense of an instance of seeing or beholding; from a root {{Lang|sa-latn|dṛś}} 'to see'), [[Vision (spirituality)|vision]], apparition, or glimpse. It is most commonly used for "visions of the divine," e.g., of a god or a very holy person or artifact. One could "receive {{Lang|sa-latn|darshana}}" of the deity in the temple, or from a great saintly person, such as a great [[guru]]. The touching of the feet ({{Lang|sa-latn|pranāma}}) is a show of respect and it is often an integral part of {{Lang|sa-latn|darshan}}. Children touch the feet of their family elders while people of all ages will bend to touch the feet of a great guru, [[murti]] (icon) of a [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]] (God) (such as [[Rama]] or [[Krishna]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.siddhayoga.org.in/glossary.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180724/http://www.siddhayoga.org.in/glossary.html|url-status=dead|title=Welcome to Siddha Yoga Path in India|archive-date=July 21, 2011|website=www.siddhayoga.org.in}}</ref>

There is a special link between worshipper and guru during [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]s, in which people may touch the guru's feet in respect ([[Pranāma]]), or remove the dust from a guru's feet before touching their own head.

Another tradition is {{Lang|hi-latn|Vāhan pujā}} (Hindi) or {{Lang|ta-latn|Vāgana poojai}} (Tamil {{Lang|ta|வாகன பூஜை}}) 'vehicle blessing'. This is a ritual that is performed when one purchases a new vehicle.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
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