THE PURPOSE OF HINDU TEMPLES

THE PURPOSE OF TEMPLES

The temples are meant for social get-together and Satsangh (meeting of good people). The temple is a representation of the human body with 9 holes (two eye sockets, two ears, two nostrils, mouth, anus and ureter). The ideal temple would thus have nine windows or doors or openings representing the human body. The idol represents the soul within the body (Not to be confused that the idol has supernatural powers and can grant any wish if properly pleased by bribing !)

In a proper temple there would be something for awakening the five senses. Hymns or Music for the ears (hearing sense), lights for the eyes (sense of sight), water sprinkling for the skin (touch sense), Incense sticks and flowers for nose (sense of smell) and prasad for tongue (sense of taste).

Thus temples are places to awaken the senses. What for? Only with alert senses one would be able to attain progress in life. Thus those who seek better quality of life, need to awaken their senses. It also implies that if someone does not want material progress but spiritual progress, then he / she does not have to awaken the senses or even go to temples. Material progress and spiritual progress are two diametrically opposite paths. One can probably chose only choose one at a time. If one has pent up desires in mind, he / she may go to temples for Satsangh or at least intentionally awaken and strengthen their senses by developing a strong healthy body. They have too keep themselves away from habits which weaken the senses such as too much food, smoking, non veg food, alcoholism, drugs etc. Then do your dharma without deviating from the prescribed path that is ‘Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu’ (let all become happy) or ‘ Avanavan atmasukhthinu acharikkunnava aparannu sukhthinay varenam’ (An action that one does for happiness of oneself, should result in creating happiness for others also). Thus only mutually beneficial businesses should be indulged in. Other businesses may not give lasting peace even if they can create loads of money and end up with hatred and competition with others.

How to pray:

That is right. There is a way to pray. During the exam time one may run to the nearest temple and pray that he be passed in the exam with the condition that if the wish is granted, the idol is promised a certain offering ! This is the wrong way. Because several misunderstandings are there in this way of praying.

1). The first is that you are assuming that the God is there to grant your desires. Desires are what one should actually get over. God only can help you to do that. A desire is actually a personal weakness of those who pray. Instead of seeking a way to get over the desires, they end up praying to God to satisfy the desires, which is patently wrong. Desires are never going to be satisfied for ever. They keep coming and we end up praying!

2). The second fault is that everyone is given the capability to sustain oneself and attain the personal wishes and God cannot give you anymore even if you pray. If you pressurise God to make you run as fast as Usain Bolt, then God would be obviously under stress ! Thus it is to be understood that we ARE capable of achieving what is normally desirable to us. If we get worked up by the prosperity of someone else which is clearly beyond one’s own capability, then even God cannot grant your wish, however hard you pray !

3). The third fault is that we tend to forget that the God is the creator of all things. I wonder if God would like to have any other offering than fresh smelling flowers that too in their own bushes itself unplucked! So God will be more pleased if you can water the plant instead of plucking its only flower for prayers ! Offerings in money and Gold etc may be like offerings in paper and stone respectively to the creator, that is they have no value to him. Anyway if selfish people who would not normally donate money to charity, offers a part of their wealth to temples for the guarantee of the idol to take care of their wealth, and if that money is used to benefit the poor people, a good purpose may be getting served. Hopefully such monies won’t end up only in lining the temple trustee’s pockets !

So what is the right way to pray?

One can pray to realise one’s desires without hurting anyone else’s life.

Another pray can be to guide one the right path of achieving the desires.

Another can be to reassure oneself that he is capable of realising the goals.

God has given you everything. What else do you need?

The best prayer can be to help one transcend the desire itself !

Happy praying !