Temple Visit ‘good for health’ : College girls’ proved it
The Indian Express, Januray 1, 1983
Why go to temples for worship, when the same spiritual experience could be had at home in the pooja (prayer) room? For reasons of health temple worship is as good a health trip as it is spiritual. This is sought to be proved by a series of interesting experiments at the tourist trade fair now being held in Madras (December 31, 1982).
Teachers and students of Parasakthi Women’s college, Courtallam at the HR and CE stall in the fair through a set of experiments using laboratory gadgets reason out a scientific interpretation of the chanting of Slokas (hymns), the Abhisheka (bathing) of the idol and the offerings of fruits and leaves made to the gods. “Temple worship has a definite scientific reasoning behind it”, the assistant professor in charge said.
First the viewers are explained how there is a proportionate configuration to the sanctum sanctorum (inner chamber) and the idol it houses. The sanctorum is structured in such a way that the idol inside reflects any sound waves to the maximum effect. A tuning fork is vibrated in the hall with little sound reproduction, but when it is struck and placed before the entrance of small model of sanctorum a loud hum is heard. And the forks invariably produce a sound resembling the Hindu chant OM (Aum). The lecturer explained that among the various chants OM has the largest resonant effect and displaces a sizeable amount of atmosphere inside the sanctorum. This was possible only when the sanctorum and the idol are made of granite stone, as in most of the temples.
Next it is explained how the presence of ions increases amidst conditions other than in a dry one using a condenser to infer why the sanctum sanctorum is always kept moist by pouring water over the idol and washed with water continuously. Similarly the conductivity of the stone idol also increases when it is moist. This is demonstrated by measuring the conductivity of a dry granite stone and that of a wet idol.
The materials used for Abisheka (bathing) of the idol increase the conductivity of the stone, through their own values. PH value of a substance is the negative ion concentration it possesses and most of the materials used for Abisheka – milk, curd ,sandal paste, turmeric powder, vermillion powder, vibhuti/holy ash are of high PH values. And when these are poured over the idols they not only increase the conductivity of the idol but also ionise it.
A resistance reading on an Ohmeter of the idol after all these elements are poured shows the increased conductivity of the idol. The chanting of the Mantras, more frequently OM sets the air column inside vibrating and the highly sensitised idol conducts the ions of the Abisheka substance to the moist atmosphere. With the lighting of the camphor during the Deeparadhana (Arti) displaces the air which is partially charged with ions and these ions are inhaled by the devotees inside the sanctorum, the lecturer explained. These negative ions have the physiological function of fixing the oxygen with haemoglobin in the blood. They are concentrated on beaches and mountain tops at early mornings which explain doctor’s advice to heart patients for early morning beach walks.
The final inference, it is explained that a devotee’s presence in the sanctorum during Abishekas helps his physical system inducting more negative ions than he usually inhales. A visit to the temple is a good substitute for a morning walk, and a tonic for health.
But with temples becoming over crowded it wouldn’t be a wonder if these negative ions are submerged by excessive carbon di oxide exhaled in packed sanctorum which is meant to house only ten people at a time. Similarly the chanting of OM has also been reduced to a more inaudible mumble affecting its highly resonant quality.
Other scientific aspects of Hindu religion are also demonstrated by the enthusiastic lot. The posture of Nataraja for example though externally represents the asymmetric make-up of planets of the solar system the symmetry of the simple harmonic motion of the solar system is explained by rotating the statue on two vertical pins fixed at the statue’s head and the sole of the right foot; similarly the evolution of man through the Ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu. A parallel experiment to the musical pillars at some temples is also demonstrated.
The Indian Express, January 1, 1983.
Swami Harshananda
Swami Harshananda in his book Hinduism through Questions and Answers says: “once it is conceded that God exists, there must be an easy means of approaching Him and propitiating Him. That is the temple. The temple is the structure we put up with devotion for the residence of God when He descends to this world for our sake. It is something like camping of the king of a country in a part of his territory.
The structure of a temple is highly symbolical. Primarily it indicates God as a Cosmic Person. Alternatively it represents the body of man, with God residing in his heart. The temple may represent the whole creation.
In temples consecrated according to scriptural rites, the images are considered to be alive. Hence formal worship is a must. Those who want to visit the temple are expected to enter it physically clean and with the proper mood of faith and devotion. If worship is performed with faith and devotion, it generates peace and joy in our minds”.
When people of same faith come together it is easy to concentrate and meditate on God. The atmosphere is surcharged with devotion and the effect is manifold.
Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
The milk of the cow in reality pervades the whole of the body of the animal through its blood, but you cannot milk it by squeezing its ears or the horns; you can get the milk only from the teats. Similarly God pervades the universe everywhere, but you cannot see him everywhere. He manifests more readily in sacred temples which are full of the spirit of devotion diffused by the lives and spiritual practices of the devotees of former times.
From time immemorial, numberless Sadhus , devotees and men of realisation have come to these holy places to have a vision of god, and have prayed to him in an outpouring of their hearts, setting aside all worldly desires therefore god has equally present everywhere, manifests himself specially in these places.
Water can be had anywhere by digging into the earth, when, however, there is a well or a tank or a lake, one has not to dig for water, but can get it whenever one likes to have it”----Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Please read my earlier posts
1. Two Million Gods in India by Mark Twain
2.100, 008 temples in India
Pictures are taken from other websites. Thanks.
