Why do we go to the temple? This question sometimes comes to our mind, especially after we have not gone to the temple for some time or when there are other interesting things that conflict with temple events. Sometimes children ask us that question either due to genuine self-introspection, part of teenage angst and rebellion, or an excuse to pursue other more alluring events. This write-up is not a sermon, but an attempt to provoke more thinking. Just as each one of us has his/her own relationship with our parents; no one can or has the right to censure others on their relationship with the divine parent.
According to Hindu Philosophy if Bhagavan (God) is present everywhere, why do I have to go to the temple?
I have used this allegory to explain the significance of mootis (consecrated statues) in the temple. Radio waves (like Bhagavan) are everywhere, but you need a fine-tuned radio receiver to listen to music. The fine-tuning is done by ‘prana pratishstan’ ceremony performed at the time of the consecration of the temple when we invoke the divine to reside in the moortis. The temple is the concert hall which is best suited to appreciate the music.
Another way of thinking is that the temple is a giant super magnet charged by the divine and each of us is a tiny magnetic material that becomes magnetized when we visit the temple and spend some time there. The magnetism persists for some time after we leave. Hence, we must return periodically to recharge.
Visiting the temple is also like visiting our favorite grandparents with a beautiful house whose advice and help we seek, who grant us gifts, and where we can be children again by eating sweet prasad (blessed sweets distributed in the temple), sing and occasionally dance.
None of these allegories are perfect but based on our own situation may be more or less applicable.
It is true that Bhagavan is present everywhere, and the miracle of manifestation can be seen everywhere, but have we attained the mental state to experience the ultimate cause of everything? Visiting a temple, experiencing the auspicious ambiance, and doing devotional services are processes that are designed to calm our senses, to guide them inwards, thereby helping us to prepare for experiencing our divine nature.
Most of us are not self-aware of our true quest to realize our divinity. Occasionally, in fleeting moments we become aware and then quickly get immersed in our daily routines just like card-players in a train who occasionally glance out of the window to realize where they are and where they are going, but again get too engrossed in the card game, sometimes ending up traveling to wrong places. After many cycles of reincarnations based on our karma, we get more and more in-tune with our ultimate aim of moksha (merging with divinity). The serene surroundings of the temple are very conducive to bringing self-awareness.
The moortis or consecrated statues in the sanctum of the temple have forms that were revealed to ancient seers during their state of deep meditation, while some represent artists’ interpretation of historic descriptions from scriptures narrating ancient history. Both human male, female forms as well as forms featuring a fusion of both human and animal morphology are present. These various Deity forms are worshipped in multiple ways according to the scriptural injunctions and depending upon one’s inclination and devotional attitude. The beauty of Hindu Dharma is that one is free to choose and worship any of these manifestations. This great diversity in the approach corroborates with the infinite variety of human attitudes and experiences and is valid as long as the underlying unity is understood.
The temple is a giant collection of symbolism as well as spiritual aids which is available to all devotees to use based on the individual stage of their personal spiritual journey. To aid us in fostering is the attitude of contemplation, there is a statue of a tortoise that pulls in its head and four legs, representing our five senses which we should turn inwards when we concentrate on Bhagwan. There is also a statue of Nandi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva who teaches us to be patient, as he has sat in front of Shiva motionless for eons, calm but alertly waiting for Shiva’s next order.
After a recent adverse health event, I was fortunate to have our local temple and fellow temple devotees to help get my body and mind back on road to recovery and experience the Divine bliss through rekindling the relationship with Bhagavan.