Total Pageviews

Sunday, December 16, 2012

TEMPLES AND Procedure for worship and the Science behind it


WAY OF WORSHIP our aims in life are four fold- Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha. Dharma or good conduct consists of 10 attributes. Firmness, Forgiveness, Control on senses, Rejection of others wealth, Cleanliness, Education, Truthfulness, Hatred to none, Courage and Development of personality. Desire under limits is good. Liberation from the cycle of births and deaths is related to sanyasins. Householders need samskaras and worship. Concentrating on a shape representing God helps in controlling the unstable mind. We do not worship idols as god. The idol is akin to the photograph which brings to our mind the person thereof. We invoke God into the idol and invite Him with zeal and enthusiasm as we do to our friend or relative. After welcoming him, we offer a seat, water to wash his hands and feet, bathe him, apply perfume, garland with flowers, light an incense stick, offer something to eat etc., These provide our mind happiness, satisfaction and tranquillity. The first step is lighting the lamps. To the right is a lamp with the wick dipped in ghee and to the left with its wick dipped in oil. Medical opinion suggests that the odour emitted by these lamps has beneficial effects on the lungs. The second step is ringing the bell. The sound waves that emanate are auspicious and arrest the external noises disturbing the mind and draw its attention to concentrate with devotion. Blowing of conch also serves the same purpose. These sounds are considered symbolic to OM. 3. The use of flowers, Tulsi, Bilva leaves etc., the fragrance of these has been found to be beneficial to our health. The use of Tulsi in particular has been explained in detail in Indian Express dated 18th May 1978. So also about the fragrance of flowers (Indian Express dt.29th Aug 1977) 4. Abhisheka: This involves bathing the idol with milk, curds, ghee, honey, sugar, banana, tender coconut water etc., in addition to pure water. We use the run off of these as theertha and consume it. Each one of these has useful elements for improving health. The potassium in banana and coconut water help fight cancer and also good for heart. Abhisheka is performed on saligrama, shivalinga and other idols made out of metallic alloys called panchaloha which generally contains gold, copper, iron and brass. The medical properties of these metals add up into the theertha. The saligrama and shivalinga found in Gandaki and Narmada rivers contain silica and calcium which when brought into contact with water etc., reportedly emanate electromagnetic radiations considered to be helpful for the optic nerves. That is the reason to bring the saligrama and shivalinga to touch the eyes after the Abhisheka. Examples of medicinal effects of these metals can also be seen in our practice of eating from silver plates, wearing golden ring in our right hand, drinking water stored in copper vessels etc., Each flower has a special property: Examples: Jasmine- keeps body warm and reduces phlegm. Sampige (Michaela Champak) Anti gas formant, improves fecundity. Jaaji- cures eye diseases. Kanagale- removes impurities in blood. Nandbattalu– good for eyes. Also, while worshipping with Tulsi, we inhale the aroma that helps in improving general health. Naivedya (offer of food to God) We offer a little food to God and then partake it ourselves. This normally consists of coconut and bananas along with others. Coconut and banana are the only items which grow without any one’s saliva mixed. The kernel and the water of coconut are used in the preparation of several ayurvedic medicines. Pradakshina Namaskara towards the end of the worship, we go round ourselves imagining God in the centre. This implies that all our actions should be centred on god. Another significant factor to note is that while going round ourselves, we are saluting the God within us. Language of worship
Why Sanskrit? Is a usual question. The procedure for worship and the mantras were handed over to us by the Rishis. When it is adopted in the same manner and language, a serene atmosphere develops. Translations cannot have the same effect. However, one should know the meaning. At the beginning of the worship, we invoke God into several organs of our body. Ultimately, we should feel that we have attained it. It is relevant to recall that Shree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa while worshipping the deity would worship himself ultimately. To reach that stage is the aim of worship. i.e., to feel oneness with the universe

TEMPLES AND SCIENCE:-

Temples have exercised an enormous influence on our social life although they did not exist during the Vedic age. The yaaga shaala of the Vedic period metamorphosed into a temple due to the influence of bhakti (devotion) cult. A temple is a link between man and God, between earthly life and the divine life - between actual and the ideal. The idols placed could be made of stone or wood etc., but the force behind is the one that is contemplated upon. Since it is difficult to concentrate on an abstract force, our ancestors must
have provided several forms (got out of their own tapas).They were daarshanikas (meaning ones who had darshana- seen the forms).The idols are established duly following the procedures of Agamas and placed in a temple constructed as per Vaastu shaastra.
What we are expected to do?
Perfect silence and cleanliness has to be maintained in the temple.( not to convert it as a social gathering).Priests should be selfless, honest and friendly. It is desirable to establish a central trust (fund) to organise a training college for the priests. The priest should be paid substantially so that he need not depend on individuals' payments.(dakshinas). In order to maintain the temple in a tidy condition, volunteers of the areas should form groups and take up the work in batches. The object should be to provide a place where the devotee would get peace and could concentrate. Temple should be a place where people get peace and satisfaction. Progress naturally follows. An important point to be noted is that it is necessary to impress on the
 powers controlling the administration in our country that the income 
accruing from the temples should be used for the development and
  maintenance of the temples only and not to be diverted elsewhere.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TEMPLE WORSHIP:-
As Shree Ramakrishna preached, though God is equally present everywhere,
 He manifests himself in temples the same way as water can be got anywhere by drilling a well, it is easy to get water by digging a well near a lake or a tank. Till recently, Hindu temples were considered as symbols of ancient superstition.

Huge ancient temples can be seen throughout the length and breadth of India (and now days, even in other countries). Most of these temples are founded by great Rishis. For the devotees, they are centres of peace and power. Some of the modern researches tend to support the wisdom of these ancient people and the significance of these temples.

Science has ventured into the fields of extrasensory perceptions, telepathy, psychokiness,
 precognition and parapsychology and such other elusive phenomena. It
is now recognised that these are natural abilities with an expanded
  field of human consciousness. Thus we understand the role of temples in the evolution of ethical and spiritual man. Modern scientists like Einstein, Eddington, Max Plank, Heisenberg, Alexis Carell and others have been talking in transcendental terms like our  rishis.

The great thinker Romain Rolland said, "I believe it is
 
possible that Hindu explorers in the course of their journey have seen
 many objects which have escaped our eyes". Dr. Leonid .L. Vasiliev, an internationally recognised physiologist said, "The discovery of the energy underlying extra sensory perceptions will be equivalent to the discovery of atomic energy".Even Julian Huxley agrees on the untapped possibilities of extra sensory perceptions.


Temples

are not just places where idols are placed, but living centresnof
 
active emnation of spiritual energy which helps man to evolvenupwards.
 The shapes of idols are evolved to hold different aspects of the divine energy. Therefore, our temples are repositories of great scientific secrets of man and the universal force. These should help man in his struggle for inner development. While entering the temple, one should keep his heart open for the divine power to enter. A calm and serene mind is the prerequisite for receiving the divine communion. When we turn towards something higher, we should get a sense of well being. There have been several cases of miraculous cures of illnesses after undergoing strict discipline in temples.

A FEW ADDITIONS (AS RECEIVED)

Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path
 passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here. Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust .The main idol is placed in the core centre of the temple, known as "Garbhagriha" or Moolasthanam.
In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This Moolasthanam is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be
 maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol .What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the shlokas 
.
 

The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the
 surroundings .Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it isthe positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.
Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the
 effect of all energies .The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or poojaris performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver .When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress . The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura . The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensilsin the Moolasthanam /Garbagraham. Theertham,
the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain
 water cleaning the dust off an idol . It is a concoction of Cardamom, Karpura (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Clove, etc . Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values.Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy . Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & Tulsi leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and Pachha Karpuram (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners . It is proved that Theertham is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized .Hence it is given as prasadam to the devotees. 
Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one
 is refreshed slightly .The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Our practices are NOT some hard & fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams.
All  the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched,
 studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as 
“elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed
 as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.
courtesy:
shivashankara rao"

No comments:

Post a Comment