SIGNIFICANC OF TEMPLE WORSHIP
NURANI C. SHIVARAM
( TROY, MI )
Our country abounds in Punya Kshetras ( Holy Temples ) and Punya Teerthas ( Holy Bathing Places ). The Temples and Theerthas are places where sages of old dedicated their spiritual powers ( Tapas ), so that erring mortals who are incapable of observing the austerities and who are susceptible to sins may be purified and blessed when they make pilgrimages to these temples or bathe in the Theerthas.
Our sculpture, music, dance, mantras and every aspect of our culture are dedicated to the Gods in the Temple and so the temples have become the repository of all that is best in our heritage. We have our history also from the inscriptions in the temples. The ancient monarchs, great devotees as they were, took pride in raising Temples for Gods and not residential palaces for themselves as proved by the fact that while most of the palaces are now either dilapidated or uninhabited, the grand temple edifices stand in glory even to this day. If our religion has survived many vicissitudes in the past, it is because of our temples and the festivals associated with them. Though schools, hospitals, banks and other social organizations may be necessary in the context or present times, these institutions cannot serve their respective purposes, in the absence of sacrifice and devotion. The one cure for all human ills is the power to endure them with faith in God’s Grace.
Bhakthi ( devotion ) alone can give the power of endurance. Temples are the agencies for the cultivation of Bhakthi. Hence the need and obligation to build and maintain temples in every place. What is the significance of making offerings to the idols installed in temples ? This is done as an expression of gratitude to the Power that created all things. We will be guilty of gross ingratitude if we do not offer first to God what we eat or wear.
It is not every one can do Pooja ( worship ) at home and make offerings to God. Offerings are made to God in the temples on behalf of the entire community. At least once a week we should go round the temples, reciting Nama Japasms and doing Bhajans. By doing so, we will derive real and lasting peace of mind. It is the offering of the objects of the five fold joys that is known as Panchopacharas to God namesly Gandha ( Sandal Paste ), Pushpa ( flowers ), Dhoopa ( Incense ), Deepa ( Lamps ) and Naivedya ( Food ). There are also Shodosopacharas ( 16 offerings ) and Chatur Shasthi Upacharas ( 64 offerings ). All these upacharas come within the ambit of the rituals of worship.
It may be asked, why all these elaborate rituals ? will not silent prayer do ? The answer is that a true devotee acknowledge the ultimate source and the inner substance of these objects of his enjoyment and uses them only after tendering them to that source in humble gratitude. Only the best and purest should be offered to God and this will ensure that every man will seek and take delight only in such things that are fit to be offered to God. This will make our lives perfect and pure.
The lesson that we have to draw from all these forms of worship at the temples is that we should do our duty and enjoy the right things in the world, placing the entire responsibility for our not being lured by them, on God. This is not a philosophy of inaction or idleness. It is a philosophy of action with the emphasis on the dedication of our action and enjoyment to God Almighty.
NURANI C. SHIVARAM
( TROY, MI )
Our country abounds in Punya Kshetras ( Holy Temples ) and Punya Teerthas ( Holy Bathing Places ). The Temples and Theerthas are places where sages of old dedicated their spiritual powers ( Tapas ), so that erring mortals who are incapable of observing the austerities and who are susceptible to sins may be purified and blessed when they make pilgrimages to these temples or bathe in the Theerthas.
Our sculpture, music, dance, mantras and every aspect of our culture are dedicated to the Gods in the Temple and so the temples have become the repository of all that is best in our heritage. We have our history also from the inscriptions in the temples. The ancient monarchs, great devotees as they were, took pride in raising Temples for Gods and not residential palaces for themselves as proved by the fact that while most of the palaces are now either dilapidated or uninhabited, the grand temple edifices stand in glory even to this day. If our religion has survived many vicissitudes in the past, it is because of our temples and the festivals associated with them. Though schools, hospitals, banks and other social organizations may be necessary in the context or present times, these institutions cannot serve their respective purposes, in the absence of sacrifice and devotion. The one cure for all human ills is the power to endure them with faith in God’s Grace.
Bhakthi ( devotion ) alone can give the power of endurance. Temples are the agencies for the cultivation of Bhakthi. Hence the need and obligation to build and maintain temples in every place. What is the significance of making offerings to the idols installed in temples ? This is done as an expression of gratitude to the Power that created all things. We will be guilty of gross ingratitude if we do not offer first to God what we eat or wear.
It is not every one can do Pooja ( worship ) at home and make offerings to God. Offerings are made to God in the temples on behalf of the entire community. At least once a week we should go round the temples, reciting Nama Japasms and doing Bhajans. By doing so, we will derive real and lasting peace of mind. It is the offering of the objects of the five fold joys that is known as Panchopacharas to God namesly Gandha ( Sandal Paste ), Pushpa ( flowers ), Dhoopa ( Incense ), Deepa ( Lamps ) and Naivedya ( Food ). There are also Shodosopacharas ( 16 offerings ) and Chatur Shasthi Upacharas ( 64 offerings ). All these upacharas come within the ambit of the rituals of worship.
It may be asked, why all these elaborate rituals ? will not silent prayer do ? The answer is that a true devotee acknowledge the ultimate source and the inner substance of these objects of his enjoyment and uses them only after tendering them to that source in humble gratitude. Only the best and purest should be offered to God and this will ensure that every man will seek and take delight only in such things that are fit to be offered to God. This will make our lives perfect and pure.
The lesson that we have to draw from all these forms of worship at the temples is that we should do our duty and enjoy the right things in the world, placing the entire responsibility for our not being lured by them, on God. This is not a philosophy of inaction or idleness. It is a philosophy of action with the emphasis on the dedication of our action and enjoyment to God Almighty.
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