By Velandy Manohar, MD
Former Chairman of Board of Trustees, CT. Valley Hindu Temple Society and
past Part Time Priest of Sree Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Middletown, CT.
Om Namo Ganeshaaya Namaha, Om Saraswatiye Namaha.
Om Nama Shivayya, Om Namo Narayana.
Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya, Om Namo Bhagvate Rudraya.
Om Namo Anjaneyar Namaha.
Namami Bhagvad pada Sankaram Loka Sankaram
Namo Paramam Rishibhyo, Namo Paramam Rishibhiyaha.
I. Introduction:
Hindus worship and meditate upon Almighty God in many different and particular ways consistent with their spiritual, cognitive, emotional and social development.
A. 1. Contemplation of Nirguna - Nir Akara Brahman :
This concept of God has no physical form and or attributes. Supremely evolved souls such as Bhagwan Adi Sankara and Ramana Maharishi are able to remain in blissful union with the Nirguna – Nirakara Brahman. This is an advanced level of worship where the boundary between God and devotee has been transcended by the devotees’ deep Spiritual Awareness and Abhyasa and God’s grace
2. Meditation on a Saguna – Nirakar concept of God:
In this state God remains formless but has special attributes such as compassion and Aishvaryam and Self-effulgent Incandescence. Individuals in various stages of development can attain these levels of evolution in spiritual awareness
3. Japa and Upcara pooja to the Saguna – Sakara manifestation:
Almighty God has attributes and forms with mythologically significant iconography. The forms, gestures, postures and accoutrements are symbols and masks of the dazzling Eternal being: The One without the second. In this state God can be worshipped through symbols, names (mantras) Idols: Pratimas or Vigrahas.
In Sections II A, B and C I humbly offer a detailed description of the Sacred Prana Pratishtha process and the specific steps that are involved and must be carefully completed sequentially to consecrate the idol or Pratima into Deity that is energized during the chanting of scriptures and prayers and specific rituals that are part of 18 step Pooja Vidhanam focused on the specific Deity. Prana is Life’s breath. Pratishtha is to establish this energy into the Idol/Pratima. The essential and sole focus of every act of worship during the Prana Pratishtha is the Idol /Pratima and not any the specific features of the Temple Superstructures be it the Flag on the superstructure and Kalasha at the summit of the Gopuram or Tower of the Mandir which will not be objects of reverence during the worship offered to the Consecrated Moorthy/Vigraha in a special Sanctum after the Prana Pratishtha. I have been blessed with the honor and privilege of participating in nearly a dozen Prana Pratishthas in our Sree Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Middletown, CT.
I respectfully offer an independent resource- a comprehensive description of the Prana Pratishtha ceremony in this Link #5. My eBook Sadhana Path has descriptions of important Temple structures, symbolism of the iconography of our Deities that we established and consecrated in our Temple with great reverence and humility as well as details about Pooja Vidhanam and how I with God’s grace was able to integrate the precepts from our scripture in my personal life as well as my Clinical work with my collaborative care Teams and in the Community joining hands with allies in advancing the cause at risk populations especially traumatized children, addressing expanding access, eliminating disparities in outcomes, enhancing quality of care, and ensuring affordability. I believe the people I interact with at home and in my community represent the Imperishable Brahman who is beyond Being and Non- Being. In their eighth discourse Lord Sri Krishna provides a comprehensive response to Arjuna’s questions: Who is the Brahman [Supreme Self]? What is the Adhi Bhuta [ Supreme Being]? What is Adhi Yajna [the Supreme Object of Sacrifice]? [DVIII,V1-2].
We have to address the answers provided by Lord Sri Krishna every day especially when we are consecrating the Idols, Pratimas of our God during the Prana Pratishtha so devotees who are as described in Discourse 7:16 O! best amongst the Bharatas, four kinds of pious people engage in My devotion—the distressed, the seekers of knowledge, the seekers of worldly possessions, and those who are situated in knowledge, who visit their Temple for darshan and offer Pooja, will be able to attain restorative and redemptive goals during our visit and through the course of our Sadhana Path from each encounter with the Dirty as we go forward.
B.
By tradition, and as prescribed by our scriptures Hindu temples are conceived and constructed to provide the devotee with a representation of the following:
1. The three States assumed by God : Iswara, Hiranya Garba and Viraat:
2. The five sheaths
3. The six energy centers
4. The whole Temple complex is a Tirtha - sthana; a crossing place.
C.
1.The Temple complex is a crossing place (Tirtha - sthana) where the Divine being descends in obedience to his own promise to take birth to uphold Dharma and a place for the soul to soar to the Almighty God much like the space probes that are launched to the farthest reaches of space from the Kennedy space port in Florida.
a. The materials and lay out of the Temple complex can be seen as body of the Creator, the Vara daa (the giver of boons) and Blissful refuge of His devotees. Out of respect for this manifestation of Almighty God installed in the Temple we remove our shoes as we enter the Devasthanam (The abode of God)
b. The installed Moorthi is in its Essence (Sat = Truth and essence) a sacred symbol of Iswara. The iconography and the substance of the Pratima/Idol are perceived as Iswara after it is propitiated and consecrated during the Pranapratisthapana ceremony.
c. The Sanctum sanctorum, inner circumambulatory passage, the inner wall and the outer circumambulatory passage around the Sanctum sanctorum represents Hiranyagarbha. This is that Amsa (fragment) of the Almighty God that forms the substrate of the Universe with a special power that of toti -potency, its creative potential is infinite just like an embryonic stem cell.
d. The outer wall of the Temple complex and such structures as the Gopurams, represent the Viraat moiety of Almighty God. The material in the manifest universe constitutes Viraat.
e. Thus, Hiranya Garbha and Viraat can be designated as the creative mind and physical mass of Iswara.
2. The superhuman Rishis declared that a Human is an individualized representation just as the Consecrated Moorthi is of Iswara. Despite our obvious limitations (senses, space and time, name and form) human beings are endowed with Gods creative potential. Human beings also have three states corresponding to Almighty Gods three states. These are Prajna, Thaijasa and Visvaan.
a. Prajna is the subtlest transcendental state of Supreme Bliss where we are one with the Iswara. We unconsciously enjoy it in our deepest state of sleep,(Turiya state) while immersed in ignorance and are able to consciously attain this state in Samadhi as a Jivan mukta.
b. Thaijasa is the state of subconscious mentation which is generally experienced in a dream state.
c. Visvaan is the conscious state of human beings when we are aware of our surroundings.
d. Thus the Universe and man both have a common plan, as well as the efficient and material cause viz. Almighty God. What the Bible says and what our Rishis assert are true viz., God created us in His image and Uddalka’s Upadeśa vakya to his son Svetketu “Tat Tvam Asi dear lad” (That Thou art).This is one of the four Maha Vakhyas in Vedanta from the Chaandogya Upanishad.
e. This individuation of God as man involves five sheaths or bodies. In order of increasing subtlety they are: The first consists of the gross physical structures – Anna maya Kosa. The outer wall of the temple represents this.
f. The second sheath is the energy/metabolic components i.e., the Prana maya Kosa, which corresponds to the outer circumambulatory passage.
g. The third sheath is the mental aspect, or the inner wall of the temple represents Manomaya kosha.
h. The fourth is the Vijnana maya kosha (the aspect of wisdom) corresponds to the inner circumambulatory passage and the wall of the sanctum sanctorum.
i. The fifth and most subtle of the five bodies is the Ananda maya kosha which is the vigraha in the sanctum sanctorum.
Thus, the principles involved in Almighty Gods plan in the manifest Universe and His individuation as man are by Gods guidance and grace brought together in harmony in the Temple. Can we all get along together just as well as this? We can try and never tire or ever surrender. We can make offerings and offer fervent prayers to Lord Ganesha and totally devote one’s mind, body and spirit to Lord Sri Krishna in harmony with this ashirvadam in Discourse XVIII verse 66. to be established in a serene state of mind termed Stith-Prajana. There is a detailed discussion about the process of developing this Serene state of mind in Discourse II verses 54 – 72
These precepts and other invaluable teachings in SBG can empower us spiritually and psychologically to minimize the ever-present hindrances and disruptive influences that are referred to the three miseries or Tapa Traya: Adhi Bhautika, Adhi Daivika and Adhyatmika. These must be addressed while successfully performing the detailed prayers that are part of Pooja Vidhanam on a daily basis and especially during the comprehensive and complicated prayers offered during Prana Pratisthapana for devotees to experience fulfilment and satisfaction.
The Adhy Atmika duhkha or tapa is that which is caused by bodily suffering and mental anguish. Hereditary diseases like leprosy, disabilities like blindness or lameness and diseases caused by the violation of the rules of health and sanitation are classed under this. The mental agony caused by worries and anxieties, attachment and aversion, also comes under this group.
The Adhi Daivika duhkha or tapa is that which is caused by Daiva. The word Daiva includes the power of time, nature and the unseen hand of fate. Diseases caused by the changing seasons, misery caused by the elemental forces like floods and fire, suffering caused by black magic or gods who are displeased, natural tribulations due to hunger, thirst and old-age belong to this group.
The Adhi Bhautika duhkha or tapa is that which is caused by other Bhutas or living beings, like wild animals, snakes or enemies.
Some of these, like hereditary diseases or physical disabilities cannot be got rid of. Hence, they must be endured. Some like the diseases caused by change of seasons or the machinations of enemies can be countered by taking appropriate precautions. However, raising the mind to the level of the spirit, thus transcending the limitations imposed by the body-mind complex, is the best solution to offset the effects of Tapa Traya. Link #6 offers detailed descriptions of the Tapa Traya.
Nobody could have dreamed we could have a temple such as this Sree Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in our midst. But with God’s grace accrued by our devotion and single minded, faithful pursuit of the spiritual goals individually and collectively we were able to come as brothers and sisters, as children of one God and successfully build this Great Devasthanam which has developed into an importantTirthsthana as well as a place of pilgrimage. We planned and successfully completed twelve separate Prana Prathista ceremonies. These grand wondrous events included Prana Pratishtha of Sri Rama Parivar with Lord Sri Rama carrying his bow. I imagine many would find it especially moving to obtain a precious darshan of Rama Lala, a strong Five-year-old Lord Sri Rama carrying a bow and arrow as described with emphasis in DX V 31: amongst wielders of weapons, I am Lord Ram.
The whole process from the moment of receiving the hugely anticipated carefully packed carte to the final step of Prana Pratishtha in the Sanctum is extremely fraught, stressful and worrisome. I learned to manage the great stress of waiting for the special Idols/ Pratimas to be transported and delivered from India and then participate in the processes to unpack, nervously inspect for any damage of imperfections, and carefully resting it in the appropriate preselected location in a sanctum in accordance with the religious practices lead by Priests with community members and the Priests chanting our scripture and singing Bhajans by placing my trust in God especially These two verses Discourse IX V34 and Discourse XVIII V65 were especially helpful during times of heightened fear and anxiety. D IX: V 34. "Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. Having dedicated your mind and body to Me, you will certainly come to Me. DXVIII- V65: Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. Doing so, you will certainly come to Me. This is My pledge to you, for you are very dear to Me.
It became clearer to me, the more I worked on these major events the Chanting of the Scriptures and singing Bhajans also restored equilibrium, eased anxiety, and enhanced focus on the process of consecrating the Idol which will mean so much for our community. The Continuous flow of prayers and chanting God’s name repeatedly during the various processes such as performing Havan is very helpful to reset the tense mind set and become part of the flow of events. This potent influence of Japa- repetition of God’s name on the course of human lives is asserted in Discourse X, 25: yajnanam japa-yajna : Amongst chants know Me to be the repetition of the Holy Name.
II. Prana Pratishtha. The process of consecrating an idol or Pratima by infusing with Spiritual energy of the
Divine Self – the Creator of time, pace and all creation. Please refer below to resource link #5 and Link #8 for more detailed information on this historic blessing bestowed on us by God’s grace.
A.
The Six energy centers of our Human body are also represented in the Temple.
Long before the Vigraha is consecrated, the following steps are taken to empower the Moorthi and connect it to the life supporting, nourishing and forgiving Bhoomi.
1. The Base stone called the Aadhara shila is placed. This represents the lowest energy center of the individualized deity and corresponds to the Mooladhara chakra. This in turn represents Prithvi.( Earth )
2. There is a depression in the base stone in which a few grains are placed this layer represents the Swadishtaana chakra. It denotes the Apah or water. The seeds and germination symbolize the emergence of the product of the interaction between water, the earth principle below and the fire energy principle above: the biomass including all forms of life.
3. A Copper or Granite pot containing Jewels and Gold is placed on the layer of Grains. This represents the Fire energy (Agni) principle and the Mani pooraka chakra. The main repositories of the Agni principle in the universe are the stars which are represented by our Sun. The Sun supports all life forms, the circulation of wind, the formation of clouds and the distribution of rainfall.
4. A Gold or Granite Lotus is placed over the Copper or Granite pot. A Tortoise made of Gold or Granite is placed over the Lotus facing in the same direction as the Deity. The Lotus and the Tortoise together signify the principle of Vaayu principle and correspond to the Anahaata chakra at the level of the heart. The Vaayu principle connotes not just the energy of the universe but also Praana. This is a subtly active form of energy that supports the basic mechanisms of life and consciences. The Lotus represents the plane of creation where visible life forms and immanent life experiences occur. From this point onwards in terms of self-development humans can acquire transcendental experiences. God’s energy descends to this plane of consciousness and strengthens the nascent ascending energy stream of the individual. When humans are reborn out of the Heart Chakra, they are ready for a Transcendental Spiritual life.
5. The Tortoise in Hindu mythology supports the whole universe. In the form of Kurma avataara Lord Maha Vishnu supported the process of churning the milky ocean for nectar. After retrieving the Nectar from the Asuras by manifesting an Amsa (Vibhuti- a particle) of Himself as Mohini (enchantress) He distributed the nectar to the Devas. Mohini as you know is the co-parent with Lord Shiva of Lord Ayyappa who is installed in this our temple. Bhagwan Lord Sri Krishna describes in the detail in the 10th discourse of Srimad Bhagavad Gita which is named Vibhuti Yoga the relationship of the Creator and all of Creation including each one of us which are amsas emanating from His divine Being.
6. Above the Tortoise is installed a Copper tube called Yoganaala. It denotes the neck region and the Visudhi chakra. The Visudhi chakra and the space within the tube are symbolic of the Aakaasa principle. This is the subtlest field of energy in which other elements evolve to manifest themselves finally as the universe.
7. The culminating end of the tube represents the next energy center (the sixth) Aajnaa chakra located between the eyebrows. This is the seat of the highest state of mind where in a supreme spiritual effort the mind along with all its energies expands and merges into the unconditioned cosmic consciences of Iswara. This is the site of Lord Shiva’s Third eye.
8. In the process of preparing for the installation the Vigraha the next step involves the placing of a Neutral stone is placed over the Yoga nala. This represents the Supreme Reality beyond all attributes called Nirguna Brahman.
9. Above the Neutral stone is placed the Seat stone of the Idol. If the idol is that of a female deity the seat stone will be a male stone and if it is a male deity, it will be a female stone. This illustrates the essential unity of the apparent polar opposites seen in universal phenomenon. (The harmony of Ying and Yang).
10. This juxtaposition of the Idol and the Seat stone also symbolizes the Union of the Divine energy or Shakti (material universe-Prakriti) and the Divine Consciousness as Lord Shiva at the Sahasrara Padma. This is a thousand petalled Lotus at the zenith of the human head. This state can be attained when individual selves evolve in the transcendental state of Iswara.
11. The Idol is installed on the stone, which represents the union of Ishwara and Viraat or from another perspective it can be seen as the conjunction of Paramatma and Prakriti.
12. A Gold plate with mystic designs and is placed on the Neutral stone. This is called the Yantra.
13. An adhesive paste made of 8 materials and mixed with butter will be placed on the Yantra and Stone platform. The Idol is placed on the Seat stone and Yantra. This process of fixing the Idol on the paste is called Ashtabandha. The Idol is connected to the homa kund by a sacred thread. This symbolizes the opening of the inner energy channels to the Idol to infuse it with the power of the universe.
14. A number of preliminary steps are taken before the Vigraha is placed on the Seat stone. In a Yagna sala next to Sanctum many homas and rituals are offered to invoke and consecrate the Deity. The Vigrahas are traditionally immersed in water (Jalaadhi-vasa) in grains (Dhaanyadivasaa) flowers (Pushpaadhi-vasa) The on one or two nights before installation the vigrahas are placed on a special bedding a ceremony called Sayyanadhi-vasa.
B.
After the Idol is firmly established on the Seat stone all the appropriate Stotras and Mantras are chanted, and rituals performed to consecrate and infuse divine energy into the deity. This process is called Praana pratisthapana. After this the main Kalasha containing holy water is brought to the sanctum and poured over the Idol. Water from many kalashas is poured over the deity and the vimana of the sanctum. This is called Kumbabhisekham.
These are usually followed by several offerings and elaborate ceremonial worship, [Upcara Pooja] which concludes with waving of deepas and ringing of lights. This is referred to as Deepaaradhana.
C.
Hindus do not worship the material content of the idol. We worship God through His symbols and attributes that are incorporated into the iconography of the idol by chanting mantras that describe his symbols and attributes and pays homage to His glory, expresses gratitude for his beneficence and appeals to His love of mere mortals for his grace and forgiveness.
Even the Preeminent Advaitan, Lord Adi Sankaracharya, a votary of the Nirguna brahman has composed songs of sublime beauty and lyrical excellence to particular deities including Bhaja Govindam, Ganesha Pancharatnam, Soundarya Lahiri and Sivanandalahiri. (only partial list by far) He [Lord Adi Sankaracharya] said with respect to Idols the following “Although Parabrahman is all pervading, one should accept that he is more present in one particular place. Just as we see Maha Vishnu in a SALIGRAM, a small round stone…”
The Preeminent Visishtadwaithan the Self Effulgent Ramanujacharya reiterated this opinion “Although the Lord is all pervading using His Omnipotent powers. He (who has everything from whom everything arises and to whom everything returns) appears before His devotees to accept their adoration and offerings through His image.”
The Ocean of wisdom and love of God the enlightening treasure of Hindus VISHNU PURANA has this treasury of salutations to Lord Maha Vishnu.
“O Transcendental self! We bow to you as the causes of all causes. The principal shape beyond compare. Beyond nature (Pradhana: Subtle material and Intellect). You are ever present with in our bodies as within all beings as the intrinsic principle of all.
The Supreme State (liberation) is your core; the Universe is your shape. You are the unborn, and the Eternal
O Universal self! we bow to you under that elemental shape, from which beasts and men have sprung, gods, living beings, ether and the elements sound and all the qualities.
O Giver of rewards, we worship You as the Eternal lord and law, whence virtuous individuals who dwell in the heavens obtain their just rewards.
OM TAT SAT- Sarvam SRI KRISHNA ARPANAM ASTU
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Power in the temples by Srikant. publisher: Srikant. printed by Integral books – Payyanur, Kerala, India.
2. The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and rituals by A. Parthasarathy. printed by Shailesh printers, Bombay India.
3. Explaining Hindu dharma, a guide to teachers: RMEP of Chanistor Publications. Published by Vishwa Hindu Parishad. ( UK )
4. Great Religions of the World – PART V: D. ECK, LECTURES 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9
Publisher: The Teaching Co., VA. USA
5. what is consecration? - significance of pran prathisha of a murti idol (pujayagna.com)*
6. bhagavad gita - what is the meaning of threefold miseries? - hinduism stack exchange
7. Book Promotion 2023 (velandymanoharmd.com) This offers brief sketches on both the Books. A. “Sadhana Path” and its companion book, B. “ The Wonder of it All, Amen” The website of the Temple is cvhts.org. The temple structures and deities that are installed, consecrated and worshipped in our Temple are the subject matter of my first book.
8. Lord Sri Rama’s precious sacred Vigraha will be consecrated on Jan.22, 2024 by God's Grace and loving guidance. (velandymanoharmd.com)