The Temple and the Devotee

[Guest guest]

The Temple and the Devotee

 

When we want to meet our superiors or persons highly

placed in life, we observe certain etiquette, norms

and decorum. Therefore it is but natural that the

devoted who wants to visit the Lord of the universe in

a Temple, is expected to observe a certain code of

conduct. Taking bath, wearing freshly washed clothes

is a must. If and when possible in the Puskarini

attached to the temple, he should observe silence and

try to withdraw the mind into the thoughts of God.

After having the darshan of the deity and getting his

individual worship he any, performed, he should

circumambulate the main shrine three, five or seven

times. Then he should any down to the deity from a

place outside the dhavajastambha, taking care to see

that his feet do not point in the direction of any of

the minor deities. Visiting the shrines of the minor

deities is his next duty. Before leaving the precincts

of the temple, he should sit quietlyin some corner and

mediate. Since distribution of alms to deserving

beggars in the vicinity of the temple is considered

meritorious, the devotees are advised to do so.

 

Apart from there general rules to be observed by the

devotee, he should be aware of the daivapacaras, modes

of behaviour which will offend the deity in the

temple. This is very important because when a temple

is built and the image is consecrated ceremonially,

the power of the deity will manifest itself through

that image. This is technically called arcavatara.

 

The following are some of the modes of behaviour which

will offend the deity in the temple, and bring misery

and suffering upon the transgressor: not observing the

rules concerning personal, environmental and

ceremonial cleanliness, missing the important

festivals of the temple, not making obeisance or

circumambulation, carelessly trebling the things

offered to the deity, not offering the best line of

things even though one can before to do so, have no

faith or devotion, engaging in surely secular and

non-religious activities in the presence of the deity,

boisterious behaviour, observing caste restrictions,

misusing the things belonging to the temple and so so

on.

 

Taken from:

All About Hindu Temples, Swami Harshananda

 

 

 

 

Discover

Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out!

http://discover./stayintouch.html