Fw: A Hindu Temple

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- M.G.Prasad

hindupriesthood

Thursday, July 18, 2002 3:10 PM

A Hindu Temple

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mprasad (AT) stevens-tech (DOT) edu

 

A HINDU TEMPLE (DEVAALAYA)

 

M.G. Prasad, Hindu Temple and Cultural Society, Bridgewater, New Jersey

 

 

Introduction:

 

The origin of the word temple can be traced to word the “templum”

which were used by Roman soothsayers indicating a section of the sky and also a

piece of the ground to gaze and mark divine signs for foretelling the future.

Eventually, temple referred to a building constructed at the site. A Hindu

temple refers to in Sanskrit language to Devaalaya consisting of two words

namely Deva (God) and Alaya (House).

 

Purpose:

 

In Vedic Hindu view, an individual’s body is referred as a temple with the

indweller as God. The Vedic seers (Rishis) having realized God within themselves

gave designs and functions of temples in scriptures (agama shastras) of Vedic

Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma). Its purpose is to enable a devotee to use a

physical temple and the ritualistic worship as a reminder to the spiritual

journey to be carried out within oneself. In addition, it also serves as a

place for celebrations of Hindu religious festivals.

 

Architecture:

 

A Vedic Hindu temple’s architecture is a divine and yogic representation

of a human being as shown in the figure (ref: Agama kosha by S.K. Ramachndra

Rao). The feet represent the spire (rajagopura). The hands represent the

walkway (prakaara) encompassing all around the temple. The main hall (mandapa)

represents the abdomen. The entrance porch (antaraala) represents the heart.

The sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha) represents the head. The deity is

consecrated with religious rites in the sanctum sanctorum. There is

proportionality between the size of the deity in the sanctum sanctorum and the

sizes of the temple construction details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship Rituals:

 

The ritualistic worship (pooja) of consecrated deities (vigrahas) is carried out

by priests on behalf of devotees to remind them of the inward yogic process of

approaching the indwelling God. The various steps in a pooja offered to the

deity with prayers and mantras (in Sanskrit) include steps such as washing feet

and giving sacred bath using milk and water. Then with screen closed the deity

is decoratively dressed with special cloths, flowers and ornaments. After the

decoration the screen is opened to devotees to signify removal of veil of

illusions so that devotees can see the beautifully decorated God. Then fruits

and food are offered and incense sticks and lamps are waved to the deity.

During the waving of lamp by a priest, devotees need to see with eyes open the

radiating face of the fully decorated deity so that its memory will provide the

spiritual joy. Then the priests distribute the sacred water (teertha) and sacred

food (prasada) that devotees drink and eat for spiritual blessings. Thus the

entire ritualistic worship can also be seen as expressing love, devotion and

respect to one’s guest of honor. The joyful resonance between the

external and internal worship provides the bliss.

 

The elaborate worship of consecrated deity along with sacred rituals with Vedic

mantras and the materials used in rituals such as water, milk, flower, incense,

sandal paste, bells, conch-shell etc is to help devotees to focus their mind on

the Supreme Being. The Vedic seers have recommended the temple and rituals so

that devotees through sensory experiences can spiritually experience the bliss

of God. It is inspiring to remember the words of my Sadguru Sriranga, a

seer-yogi, “The worship of deities and rituals in a temple should be

carried out with child-like loving mind by the devotees as little children play

with joy using their toys as medium.

 

Role in Vedic Hinduism:

 

Vedic Hinduism or Santana Dharma is based on the Vedas and Vedic

literature. Solutions and approaches to all levels of inquiry into the nature

of soul, universe and God are provided in Vedic Hinduism. Rituals, Music,

Dance, Yoga, Meditation, Vedanta etc express its many facets. The celebrations

of Vedic Hindu festivals bring out the various aspects namely religious,

cultural, educational and social. A devotee focusing on the meaning of the

Vedic mantras and ritualistic procedures will gain the spiritual knowledge. One

focusing on the prayers and feelings in rituals will experience joy of devotion.

One focusing on service in a temple will experience the joy of selfless

service.

A temple plays an important role in providing a sacred place and means for

spiritual development of a seeker.

 

Concluding Remarks:

 

A Hindu temple (Devaalaya) has not only religious purpose but also

spiritual, cultural, educational and social objectives. It provides a place for

devotees to focus and develop their spiritual insight. A Hindu temple in essence

can be recognized in three forms. The first is oneself with God within. The

second one is a dedicated room (with altar and deities) in a home. The third

one is the Hindu temple in which devotees participate collectively that

reflects the pluralistic nature of Vedic Hinduism or Santana Dharma. Thus a

devotee needs to integrate all the three forms of temples to develop the

spiritual insight and enjoy the peace and bliss.

 

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