Hindu Rites and Rituals by K.V. Singh

Author:K.V. Singh [Singh, K.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789385890048
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2015-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

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Why Do Hindus Circumambulate a Deity in a Temple?

The Supreme Lord is the source centre and the essence of our lives. Recognizing him as the focal point of our lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the philosophical explanation of circumambulating—performig pradakshina or parikrama around—a deity. The true reason is that when we circumambulate a deity, we receive divine force because the idol constantly emanates energy in all directions. When we go around the image, we receive that exalted power from all directions and thus rejuvenate ourselves to face the challenges of life. It is, however, true of only such images that are properly, regularly, and sincerely worshipped by noble priests with pure minds and thoughts.

There is a correct and established way to do the pradakshina: it has to be done clockwise, always keeping the deity on our right side. In Indian philosophy, the right side symbolizes auspiciousness and, therefore, as we circumambulate, we keep the sanctum sanctorum on our right side and receive energy. There is another reason for going clockwise: as per the law of nature, the present moves to the future from left to right—the movement of time in a clock is from left to right; even the earth moves from left to right. Thus, devotees circumambulate from left to right of the main idol to receive divine blessings and strengthen themselves spiritually.

Besides deities, Indian scriptures advise that we must consider our parents and teachers also as the Lord. With this in mind, we should also do pradakshina around our parents, teachers and extraordinary personages to receive their blessings.

Another traditional practice is that after completion of special pujas, we customarily do pradakshina around ourselves too by rotating on the spot. In this way, we recognize and remember the Divine within us—aham brahmasmi—I am the Supreme Being.

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