How to behave in the Temple ?

Normally we visit the Temples and pray to the God and offer some presents

in the form of money, charity etc., But before all

that ,  we have to observe certain things which we know already. Discipline

is the chief cause for the peace and serenity.

When we go to Temple, one should not shout at ,  should not talk

loudly, should not laugh, should not talk about  materialistic

affairs and things.

One should see the cleanliness in the temple environment. If any

 coconut shells, the peels of Banana fruits and other dust are

found  in the temple , we have to collect them and place them i

n the dustbin which is arranged by the Temple authorities.

One should maintain the discipline even in the queue and should

not push others for urgency.

At the time of Darshan of the God,  have the Darshan and

close the eyes and pray to Him .

And we should sit for some time and meditate

Take the Teerdham submissivly in the standing position.

But at our Homes we have to take the Teerdham in the

sitting position.

In the Temple, if it is lord Siva, do the Deeparadhana

 (worshipping with oil lamp)  on left side.

If it is Lord Sree Mahavishnu the Deeparadhana should be

done on right side.

In the Temple of Goddess Parvati Devi or Sree Lakshmi Devi ,

if it is an oil lamp (gingily oil) we have to worship by placing that

lamp on left side. It is Cow Ghee lamp (Go ghrutam) we should

worship the Deity by placing the lamp on right side.

So we have to observe so many principles to follow the customs

Why the Caldera Flower ( Pandanus Odoratissimus)

 is forbidden for the worship ?

The Caldera Flower  also has another name Pandanus Odoratissimus

 and which is called as Ketaki Pushpa in Sanksrit Language.

In the Mythology, it is said once the Caldera Flower lied for the sake

of Brahmadeva. Then with this Lord Siva cursed the flower t

hat it is disqualified and  will not be used for any worship.

More over the Caldera Flower (the Ketaki Sumam) does not

 have any delightful  fragrance like other flowers which are

 worshipped. This flower has some kind of energetic

  fragrant which is  against to the nature and can not be enjoyable pleasantly.

Then by this qualities, the flower takes away the atmosphere of

 worshipping mood. Hence the Caldera Flower (Ketaki Pushpam)

is prohibited for worshipping the God. 

Why should we sit for some time  in the Temple after having  the Darshan of God.

All we visit the Temples to have Darshan of the Lord for

 many reasons.

But after the Darshan and also having the offer of Shada Gopyam

 from the Archakah (Preist) we have to sit atleast a few minutes

 in the Temple itself. It is the custom which is being continued

from our learned ancestors.

The reason  for sitting is to get some peace and also for the

Divine merit (Punyam). While  sitting there for some time

will be the cause for that  we can analyze certain things of good

and bad about ourselves  and think with peace of mind about the

 reality of our actions (which is Karma) also and  then come to

some conclusion for rectifing  our mistakes. 

Afterwards the thinking whihc we have in the Temple make us to

go in a right path in life.

And more over sitting in the Temple and  we close our eyes and

meditate for some time to control our mind which means the

waves of thoughts (Chitta Vrutti Nirodhah). Hence in this way also

it would be more benefit to us for controlling the mind of Sankalpas.

“Jananee Janma Bhoomischah Swargadapi Gareeyasi” who said ?

 

In these days we use that quotation in some contest which is great valuable.

 Raghu Vamsa Sudhambudhi Chandrah, Sree Rama chandrah who was

the incarnation of Lord Sree Mannarayana in Treyayuga as a Human

Being (Maanava Avatara) and is being known as Paripoorna Avatara

of God. He lived as the form of Dharmah  (Dharma avatarah) and had

 the real experience of Dharma, Artha, kama and Moksha which is

Purushardhas.

After Yuddha Kanda in Sree Ramayana, means after the

Ravana Samhara, in the Lanka (Ravana’s Kingdom)

Sree Ramah said that  “Jananee Janma Bhoomischah 

Swargadapi Gayeeyasi”.

In the Kingdom Lanka, there were  Ashta Iswarya, all kinds of

Nava Ratna Gemes and other richest comforts which can not be

 found any where in the world at that period  and even also 

that can not be seen in  Ayodhya  Kingdom in richness.

Sree Rama ,after  entered the the Lanka  with Lakshmana ,

Vibheeshana and  others, then  Vibheeshana  had shown

all those wealth to Sree Rama and  asked Him  to stay there

permanently and rule the kingdom.

Then Sree Rama Chandrah refused his offer so softly and said

 modestly “ I have to go back to my place and live there and also

 said  “Jananee Janma Bhoomischa Swargaadapi Gareeyasi””.

Hence our   own native land is more greater than Heaven. 

Why do we ring the bell  when the Harati (Arati) is given  to the God ?

In the Temples , the bells are  rung  many times at the time of offering

Naivedyam (Prasadam), prayer for awaking  in the morning  timings,

when the temples are closed, and the Harati is given to the Deities and Gods.

The meaning for ringing the bell, the evil spirits and wraiths will go

 away at that time and also inviting all the Deities to the temple at that time.

The God reaches to the Idol with the supreme part (Amsa) at the

Harati time, and not only that all the Devotees should  have the darshan

of that Supreme Amsa reaches from the God and have the feelings of

blessings from Him. So at that time in the light of that Harathi the

 Devotees can see the Lord with ecstacy.  The ringing of the bells

 are called as Jaya Ganta ninadam.

What is the Altruistic View (Paramardham) of Akshatah (Akshintah) ?

In all the auspicious functions of Hindu customs, the Akshatah are being used

 for all the items. The Akshatah are unbroken grains of husked rice mixed

with turmeric or saffron. 

We use Akshatah  to both bless youngsters and worship God.

The Brahma deva who is creator of this Universe (Srushti Karta) writes

 the destiny of  every creature and the man also on their forehead

(lalaata likhita vidhih). The results of all Karmah (actions) were

written on their heads.

Every human being is born to experience their bad and good. Mostly

 man /woman does suffers from their fate of sorrowness due to the

 bondage (Bandham). 

So that, on any  auspicious time, the eldelrs,

and the Pious persons those who always  do deeds of charitable and

merit ,bless with those Akshatah on our heads.  All we believe due

to those blessings atleast our fate (which is on our heads since

when we were born it was already written  our fate) can get

changed  to  good, to some extent. Such a great belief in all the

Hindu customs the Akshatah are being used with blessings.

The Akshatah which are placed on heads by the elders or the

pious persons, certainly  fall on the ground. Hence one should

not trample  them under the feet.  So that, then we have to

 collect the Akshatah from the ground and put them  at

 a separate place where no body walks there.

For every customs it was given a Altruistic View meaning.

Why the  Betel-leaf is the place for the Devatas. ?

In Hindu customs, for all the auspicious functions and also for the devotional functions the

betel leaves are compulsorily used.

The name, the petal Nagavalli which is Betel leaf  called as Devataa Dalam (the petal of Gods). 

   In the foot stalk of that Betel-leaf (which is Nagavalli dalam) the Goddess 

Sri Mahalakshmi lives. In the middle part of Betel leaf Goddess Sree Parvati Devi 

stays and the end part of the Betel leaf the Goddess and the Vidyalakshmi which is 

Saraswathi  Devi lives what the Ancient scripts say.

On that Betel leaf (Nagavalli Dalam) the Deities  and Gods like Indrah, Manmadhah, 

Brahmadeva, Sree Mahavishnu and Parameshwara (Lord Siva) always surrounded by 

their followers.

Hence the Nagavalli which is Betel Leaf is most auspicious thing in the customs. 

Such Nagavalli must not be eaten in the fasting days. Normally after meals the betel 

leaves can be eaten as Tamboolam which is good for digestion for certain reasons.

The dried betel leaves and broken leaves should not be used in the functions.