"In the world, is there anyone more compassionate than the Lord who has created this world and us and has also given us the freedom to refute His existence?(!)"

-- Sri Sri Swamiji

Recently, a devotee in the course of his conversation with Sri Sri Swamiji placed the following question before Him -
"A close friend of mine does not accept the concept of Temples and worship of God. He once questioned me, 'in the name of worship people use milk, curd, etc. for Deities in the Temples and waste food products while so many are unable to get even a morsel of food. Is such worship really necessary?' Thinking over it I feel that he is right! I also wonder if it is not foolish to limit the omnipresent, omnipotent Lord to an idol in a Temple and worship. Please clarify this."

Sri Sri Swamiji, "A man lists out all his good deeds to his employee. He further lists out the good turn he had done to the helpless. He feels proud of it. At the same time, he feels confused within - 'why did I do these! Was it really necessary?' At times he even wonders if he had really gone overboard in his charity! He fumes and frets if the anticipated result ('phala') is not attained. However, does the same man feel proud and goes around boasting about the good turn done to his lover or wife or dear children? In fact, he hesitates to reveal them as it might create envy and resentment. As far as he is concerned, an employee and others do not belong to him! He has no love for them. Any good turn done to those for whom you have no love becomes a burden; it is done with hesitation and doubt. At the same time, the question of burden does not arise in the case of his lover or wife or children because he loves them. If one raises any question (for rendering help/service) it points to absence of love. Love does not raise any question.

In the world, is there anyone more compassionate than the Lord who has created this world and us and has also given us the freedom to refute His existence?(!) To what can this (refuting the existence of the Lord) be likened? It is akin to 'uttering with the tongue that there is no tongue'! For, is it not because of the presence of that 'Chaitanya' (Consciousness) within that you think! That you speak! And, THAT LORD occupies the last place in the list of man's - devotees' - priorities! Thus, such a question arises.

First, let us go into the question of why we should attain the Lord. All in the Universe, from the four-faced Lord Brahma to the little ant, are continually engaged in some work. Why? What for? Only for 'sukha' (comfort/happiness). All desire happiness. But, are we really happy? It appears as if one is enjoying happiness but is it not plain that one ultimately suffers only sorrow? Nothing and no one - educational qualification, high post, wealth, wife, children, long life - bestow the anticipated happiness.

One may not have suffered sorrow till date but this does not assure a happy morrow. When sorrow strikes others does that not make it clear that it (sorrow) would strike us as well! One may argue that one need not face sorrow if he would conduct himself well. However, the reason for the sorrows faced now is not the result of our present conduct. It is the result of our earlier karmas.

Through meditation on the Lord (dhyana) we should, firstly, learn to be unaffected by sorrows rather than try to be free of sorrows. Later, we should merge in the deep, blissful samadhi that is free of these thoughts. If this is attained there can be no sorrow at all; for, (in this state) there is nothing apart (from you). Is this not verily Advaita! Therefore, in the world, there is no such classification as those interested in worldly life and those interested in spiritual life. All are interested in 'sukha'. The worldly seek happiness in the wrong place and in the wrong way while the spiritual aspirants seek it in the right place and in the right way. That is the difference. However, it is the life of a Jnãni that is verily the supreme.

The worldly people mistaking worldly life as joy bestowing may turn to spiritual life when struck with sorrows. But never will the Jnãnis - the knowers of Brahmn - turn to worldly life feeling bitter with their life. Therefore, it is the life of Jnãnis that is supreme. Thus, Temple worship is verily the easily usable simple way of worship for the masses to attain to this greatest state.

First of all, let us try to know what is a Temple? Only one who is omnipresent is verily the Lord. There is no place where He does not exist! Why then set aside a place specially for Him? The Lord is ever pure. Why then 'abhisheka' for Him? There is nothing apart from Him. Why then decorate Him? Why offer food to one who is ever content ('nitya truptan')?

This world is within the Lord's control. And, that Lord can be controlled by Mantra and Bhakti. Temple is the place where that power of the Lord is installed ('pratishta') with Mantra and Bhakti. A Temple verily represents the structure of the human body.

The seven 'prahãrãs' in the Sri Ranganatha Temple (Sri Rangam) represent the seven yoga chakras in the body. The five 'prahãrãs' in most of the Siva Temples represent the five 'kosas' of the body. The three and a half 'prahãra' in Sri Kamatchiamman Temple, Kancheepuram, represents the 'kundalini shakti' that lays coiled up in three and a half circle at the lowest end of the spinal cord in our body. In a Perumal Temple one notices the 'Sesha Vahana' (Serpent vehicle) in three and a half circle. The 'kodi maram' in all Temples represent the spinal cord.

It is verily 'Ganapati' who lays dormant at the Moolãdhara unaware of his own 'shakti' (power). It can be awakened only through 'brahmacharya' (celibacy). Hence, if 'Ganapati' is awakened wrongly one turns mad, like the elephant. If this is raised upwards it moves up like the serpent. This is verily Subrahmanya. Since this starts from the 'moolãdhara' he (Subrahmanya) is Ganapati's younger brother. As there are six knots in this 'nãdi', Subrahmanya is six-faced.

Even today, (at the Holy place called Subrahmanya in Karnataka) Subrahmanya has been installed and worshipped only as a snake ('nãgara'). The point on the forehead between the eyebrows just above the nose to which Subrahmanya is raised is the 'Ãjna' chakra. Rudra is the destructive power. It is through this third eye that is the 'Ãjna' chakra that Rudra destroyed Manmata (Deity of love). Surya (Sun Deity) is verily the thousand-petal Lotus on the head.

As sound ('dwani') emanates from one's navel ('nãbi') it is verily (Lord) Brahma. It is verily for this reason it is said that Brahma was born off (Lord) Vishnu's 'nãbi'. Lord Brahma is four faced. The four faces are verily the four Vedas. Vishnu is verily the Atma swaroopa in the heart. The mind ('manas') that is close to the Atma swaroop is verily Durga who is Vishnumaya (Vishnu's sister).

Man is not as weak as he deems himself to be. If he could destroy his 'indriyas' and do dhyana he can become a deva. He can even become 'deivam' (God). But, a divine stimulation is required for this transformation. This is like the already formed curd (from milk) that is needed to transform milk into curd. It is the Divine power that bestows that divine stimulation, which our Maharshis have installed in Temples. This is like the all-pervading Sun's heat being augmented when passed through a lens.

If one questions, 'will the Lord's power emerge through a stone or mud?' the answer is a simple, 'the Lord is omnipotent; omnipresent; all knowing; would He then not know that His Bhakta is worshipping only Him through this stone/mud? Out of sheer compassion He blesses one through the very stone/mud.

One may wonder, "It is said that the Lord has conducted divine Lila with Bhaktas in Holy Places such as Pandarpur, Tirupati, Guruvayur, Puri Jagannath, etc. but I am unable to see it." Does not magnet attract only the iron? It is not in its nature to attract other metals. Likewise, only the Bhakta is able to comprehend the Divine Presence.

Temples and all structures in it have been established by the Maharshis through their 'tapo bala' (spiritual strength). The Maharshis through their Divine insight ('Jnãna drishti') have grasped and given us the ways through which that Divine power should be protected so that it does not diminish. This is verily the way of Temple worship.

If we can rightly follow the ways (as offered by the Maharshis) that Divine Power will remain so without diminishing. If, however, any fault occurs in it the Divine Power will diminish. 'Abhisheka' is verily a part of this. The rules of Temple worship lays down the things that have to be used in performing 'abhisheka' to the Lord. Ayurveda speaks of bath (even for a man) in milk, curd, tender coconut water, etc. for stimulating the spiritual power in him.

The 'compassion' that a man feels only while visiting Temples is the deception of the mind that has no desire for the Lord. When a new Temple is intended one questions, 'are there not enough Temples? Why more?' Well! I put forth the following question for argument sake, "Does he pose the same question when his wife desires new dress? Does he ask her, 'are there not enough dresses? Why more?' Is that not a wasteful expenditure? Is not television a wasteful expenditure in the world? Is not ostentatious living a wasteful expenditure? Are not ostentatious dressing and food wasteful expenditures? Is not cinema that is called as entertainment a wasteful expenditure? What about musical concerts? Is that not a wasteful expenditure? Are not sports such as cricket, tennis wasteful expenditures? Can't those who shed tears seeing the expenditure on the Lord stop these wasteful expenditures and help others? Are not crores and crores of money wasted in these! Are not everything other than simple food and clothing required to cover one's body unnecessary!

Are we not the ones who finally consume the 'naivedya' (food offerings) to the Lord! We can of course use the milk, curd, 'pancha-amrutam'! Even economically, does not a Temple offer employment to many!

Just as amusements make the mind cheerful, so too, the grief stricken people place their burden at the Divine Feet of the Lord in Temples and attain peace of mind. Today, the number of mentally depressed would have been countless but for the existence of Temples. Temples have been constructed in such a fashion as to bestow mental peace even as they step into them. Even as a man suffering from the heat of the sun needs the shade of a tree the Temple is the place of rest (solace) for the 'jiva' tormented by the sorrows of 'samsãra' (life). In fact, Bhagavãn Sri Ramakrishna has shown Vivekananda, Bhavatãrini (Goddess whom Sri Ramakrishna worshipped) breathing. A man spends in thousands, unnecessarily, in useless ways for his own comforts. His benign nature (towards fellow humans) raises its hood only when question of spending for the Lord comes up! How deceptive (is he)?

The law experts' words are final in so far as one desires to the know the governing laws! Likewise, in each field it is the words of the experts in the particular field that are decisive! In matters relating to the Lord the words of a Tom, Dick or Harry cannot be considered as the authority! The 'pramãna' (proof) for this is only the words of the Vedas, the ancient Rishis, the Bhaktas of the historical period and the Mahãns who lived in the past and those living today. A thing does not cease to exist for the mere reason of all in the world loudly exclaiming its non-existence. For the same reason that which does not exist does not come into existence. Temple, spirituality and worship of God are far deeper than what I have just explained. This much will suffice, for now."

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna