Your Questions

(Sri Swamiji has a unique way of answering questions - asked or unasked - which crop up in the minds of the devotees . Though Sri Swamiji has time and again reiterated that transformation in the heart is the real answer to all questions, He does not discourage inquiry, for they form the first bonds between the Guru and the disciple. Starting from this issue, we will be publishing Sri Swamini's answers to various questions posed by the devotees.)

Q. What is the significance of welcoming respectable persons with Poorna Kumbha?

The practice of according welcome with Poorna Kumbha to saints, Yogis and emperors has been in vogue in India since many centuries.

What is a Poorna Kumbha? It is a pot containing pure water (or fresh cow milk), fresh twigs of the five special plants (Pancha Pallava), gem stones, fragrant substances etc., placed in a plate containing rice grains. A decorated coconut is placed on top of the pot.

The Pancha Pallavas and the gems infuse special healing energies to the water contained in the Poorna Kumbha. The serene vibrations emanating from this 'energised' water will ensure that the peace pervading the heart of the person (being welcomed) flows towards us.

The pot containing the sacred and energised water in fact represents our own body. The coconut place on the pot is the head. Coconut is called as 'Poorna Phala' (complete fruit). The outer shell represents the skull. The kernel is symbolic of the brain. The sweet water inside signifies the Jnana Ganga (river of wisdom). It was the conviction of our ancestors that coconut, like our brain represented fullness. The rice grains spread on the plate signifies the sacred land on which we live.

So, we see the Poorna Kumbha as our own body. Our body remains ordinary till the divine consciousness enters it. By showing the Poorna Kumbha to saints and yogis, we are imploring them to instil that divine consciousness in us.

In the ancient Indian tradition, kings were looked upon as Lord Vishnu. The kings also lived up to it. Because of this special status of kings, they are also eligible to be accorded Poorna Kumbha welcome.

Some say that Poorna Kumbha welcome should be accorded only during the day time. This practice has its basis in the fact that the Prana energy will flow easily in the presence of Sun god, who is considered as the source of Prana shakti.

If it is not possible to use the Pancha Pallavas and gem stones, one can use tender mango or betel leaves and Akshata (coloured rice) in their place respectively.

Q. What is the purpose of constructing shrines on top of temples? What is the significance of the tall pillar erected in front of temples?

This subject is explained in much detail in the Shaiva and Vaishnava agamas (text books on temple architecture). Stated briefly, the theme behind the construction of temples is this:

Deho devaalayah prokto jeevo dehah sanaatanah

Tyajedajnaana nirmaalyam soham bhaavena poojayet.

[The human body itself is a temple; The jeevatma living in it is the deity. Ignorance is the dirt which collects everyday in the temple. This should be removed. When ignorance is removed, it will be possible to realise that the universal consciousness itself is reflecting in me. This is the 'Soham' experience. This is the real worship.]

It is to remind the people about this fact that several schools of temple architecture were founded in ancient India. Though one might find many differences between the temple architecture of south and north India, there are some striking similarities too. Also, the architecture of south India attaches much importance to the element of beauty, the fundamental principle is never forgotten or overlooked.

Irrespective of the school of architecture, every temple will have a sanctum sanctorum(Garbha Gudi) as well as a shrine (shikhara). These are two most important aspects of a temple. The sanctum sanctorum is symbolic of the heart, while the shrine symbolises the head. Yoga tradition says that the heart is the seat of the light called prana. The shrine is constructed directly above the idol. It consists of a pot shaped structure. The surface underneath the pot is called as Kapala. Although the Prana has its seat in the heart, its activity potential lies in the head. Therefore, at the time of consecrating a temple, equal importance is given to the installation of the idol and installation of the shrine. In fact, a special ceremony called Kumbha Abhisheka (performing abhisheka to the shrine) forms an important integral part of temple consecration.

According to Agama shastra, not only the idol, but the entire temple symbolises the Almighty. Therefore special Kumbha Abhisheka is performed once in 12 years. Because the shrine has so much spiritual significance, it is kept at the topmost point of a temple. Just like a transmitting centre, it needs to be placed at a good height in order to transmit vibrations of peace and harmony.

Each and every part of the human body is represented in a temple. It is a vast subject in itself. In the human body, after the heart and the head, the spinal column occupies an important place as far as energy transmission is concerned. It not only keeps the body upright, but is also a highway for the Kundalini power. The tall pillar erected in front of temples signifies the spinal column.

When the Kundalini is kindled and finds its way to the top of the shrine, the blissful state results. To symbolise this, small bells are tied at the top of the pillar. Although the vertebral column ends near the neck, the spinal cord continues up to the Sahasrara (the thousand petal lotus). Therefore, the pillar in front of the temple will match the height of the temple itself. Because the spinal column is so important according to the Yoga shastra, the southern schools of architecture attach great importance to the pillar.

There are many more interesting aspects to understand in temple architecture. We will discuss about them sometime later.