we make a lot of fuss about rituals and practices rather than appreciating the core spirit

Often we make a lot of fuss about rituals and practices rather than appreciating the core spirit behind the rituals and observations..

Often, more than the staple part of the ritual which reflects the spirit of the matter, the peripheral preparatory or incidental practices are observed more faithfully and in the long run, often the core issue is even relegated to oblivion.

Wearing a particular dress or wearing dress in a particular manner or having a shave or tonsure or using some toilet material for bath.. all these are peripheral..

However in connection with certain rituals we restrict and regulate such routine practices.. That is okay.

But in the long run, the rituals hold the sway.. and even mild deviation from some silly practices are termed as sinful.

Surely, this is not the idea.. this is not the spirit of the rituals.

Many rituals have procedural niceties which are just optional. In fact the basic laws like Vedas do not say anything about such practices

But some commentators of later period are very meticulous and fussy about some such things.

Many web shastrigals too

Some conventions assume the shape of staple practices and later on people worry more about procedures rather than substance.

For example if one fails to do sraddham or tarpanam on the prescribed day he is clearly a grave sinner.

But no one can really bracket a shave or haircut before the ritual as an equally serious sin or misconduct.

However the danger lurking on the other side is that if we try to allow some leeway in the procedural aspects we may get bolder and encroach upon areas where compromise is not permitted.

If a person is clear in mind about the dividing line and if he will not be haunted by regrets later then he can relax procedural aspects.

But we need not defy old practices which are harmless..

Maturity in approach holds the key