Nitya (Daily): These daily practices include the performance of five primary duties:
- Pranam: Offering devotion to the guru and God.
- Guru Vandana: Worshipping the guru by singing hymns and verses in their praise.
- Smrita: Contemplation on scriptural texts.
- Sankirtana: Devotional singing of hymns and prayers in praise of God.
- Pradakshina: Circling the prayer house or idol of God as a form of worship.
Nitya Kriya (Regular Rituals): These rituals are practiced throughout the day and include various forms of worship and meditation.
Naimittika (Occasional): These occasional practices are performed on specific occasions or according to the individual's circumstances. They include rituals such as:
- Brata (Vows): Observing specific rules and restrictions during certain days for spiritual purification.
- Vrata (Festivals): Celebrating religious festivals and holidays in honor of deities.
- Yatra (Pilgrimage): Visiting holy places and temples for spiritual growth.
- Dana (Charity): Giving to the needy and performing acts of charity.
Kamya (Desire-Motivated): These practices are performed with the desire for specific outcomes or benefits, such as prosperity, health, or success. They include rituals like:
- Yajna (Fire Sacrifice): Offering oblations into a sacred fire to please the gods and seek blessings.
- Homa (Fire Ritual): Invoking the power of the gods by offering specific substances into the fire.
Niyama (Observances): These are guidelines for daily living that promote moral and spiritual conduct. They include practices such as:
- Satya (Truthfulness): Speaking the truth and avoiding deceit.
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Respecting all living beings and refraining from causing harm.
- Brahmacharya (Celibacy): Abstaining from sensual desires and excessive indulgence.
- Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Minimizing attachment to material possessions and cultivating contentment.
Sanyama (Control): These practices focus on controlling the senses, mind, and vital energies to achieve a higher state of consciousness. They include:
- Pratyahara (Withdrawal): Restraining the senses from external distractions and focusing inward.
- Dharana (Concentration): Fixing the mind on a single object of meditation.
- Dhyana (Meditation): Sustained focus and contemplation on the chosen object of meditation.
- Samadhi (Union): The state of complete absorption and communion with the object of meditation.
It's important to note that these courses are flexible guidelines that can be adapted according to individual needs and circumstances. The ultimate goal of tup dasma is to create a harmonious balance between the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life, leading to self-realization and the attainment of divine love and grace.