Hindu Rituals 12 and 13

Hindu Rituals 12 and 13 

12. Why is parikrama (pradakshina) done only in a clockwise manner?

You will find some things like the definition of Pradakshina etc, repeated from the previous post. They are best read together. Otherwise one may lose the continuity. 

'Hinduism' is the oldest Civilisation and only one which is based on Science. In Hinduism whatever is practised is not based on beliefs but there is scientific reason behind each and every tradition and culture. All of us visit to temple and has done Parikrama, Pradakshina or Circumambulation around our deities and temple. Walking around the innermost chamber of the shrine housing the temple deity is called Parikrama. Not only around the temple even Parikrama is also done around fire, trees and plants as well. But do you know why Parikrama or Pradakshina is done? What is the scientific reason behind that?

The meaning of Parikrama(Pradakshina) according to Vedas

According to Rig Vedic verses Rig: 2.42.3 and 2.43.1 - 'Pra as an adjective means very much, It is also used as a prefix to verb and take on the meaning of onward, forward. Onward to Dakshinam or south is Parikrama (Pradakshina) .

According to Skanda Purana Ch.9 v.68 -In the word Pra-Da-Ksi-Na the syllable Pra dispels sin, Da bestows what is desired, Ksi causes the destruction of Karman and Na is the bestower of salvation. It is said that the sins committed by the mind are destroyed by the first step (of pradaksina), the sins committed in speech by the second and the sins perpetrated by the body in the third step.

According to this only the number of Pradakshinas is one for Ganapathi, two for Soorya (Sun), three for Siva, four for Devi and Vishnu

Why Parikarma (Pradakshina) is done?

It is performed so that one can unburden all his stress, ego,worries, negative emotions and materialism with which one has entered the temple and it helps one to be able to get into one's spiritual self to connect with God in the temple.When we do the Parikrama, our body absorbs the entire positive energy activated inside of a temple, thereby helping us to attain peace within ourself.

In what way one should take the rounds?

It is done in a clockwise direction for an odd rather than for an even number of times. It is usually done three times .It is done slowly with folded hands and visualizing the deity in mind all the time.

The significance of doing in clockwise direction

Walking in the Clockwise Rotation or Right is Dakshina (South) is associated as a straightforward, honest, impartial, amiable, compliant, submissive and auspicious gesture in praying to God .We assume God is on our right side he being righteous in all ways .

The reason is not, as a person said, to avoid a traffic jam! As we do pradakshina, the Lord is always on our right. In India the right side symbolizes auspiciousness. So as we circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum we remind ourselves to lead an auspicious life of righteousness, with the Lord who is the indispensable source of help and strength, as our guide - the "right hand".

So now you have become aware of why we do Parikarma. Do it with full devotion whenever you visit the temple

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13. Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?

The Lord, the life in us, pervades all living beings, be they plants or animals. Hence, they are all regarded as sacred. Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us the vital factors that make life possible on earth: food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc.

Hence, in India, we are taught to regard trees and plants as sacred. Indians scriptures tell us to plant ten trees if, for any reason, we have to cut one. We are advised to use parts of trees and plants only as much as is needed for food, fuel, shelter etc. we are also urged to apologies to a plant or tree before cutting it to avoid incurring a specific sin named "soona".

Certain trees and plants like tulasi, peepal etc., which have tremendous beneficial qualities, are worshiped till today. It is believed that divine beings manifest as trees and plants, and many people worship them to fulfill their desires or to please the Lord.

Hinduism worships divinity not just in the forms of humans but also in the form of nature. Mountains, rivers, animals, plants, rocks, planets and even stars are considered divine. Trees being nature’s major processors of solar energy which is vital for our existence, and yielding flowers, fruit, wood or medicine, have been worshiped by the Hindus as a matter of gratitude.

Importance in festivals :

During the festival of Vat Purnima (or Vad Savitri) women observe a fast and tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well being of their husband.

Importance mentioned in scriptures :

In Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 15, Verse 1), Lord Krishna describes our world like a banyan tree that has different branches. Similar references are also found in the epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Rigveda has documented about 67 medicinal plants, Yajurveda 81 species and Atharvaveda 290 species.The Ayurveda describes the clinical uses of thousands of medicinal plants.

In Popular Mythology :

Kalpavriksha or Kalpataru is a wish-fulfilling divine tree in Hindu mythology. The Kalpavriksha originated during the Samudra manthan or "churning of the ocean of milk". Sage Durvasa and Adi Shankaracharya, meditated under the Kalpavriksha. The birth of Ashokasundari, the daughter of Shiva and Parvati, is attributed to the Kalpavriksha tree. Another daughter Aranyani was also gifted to Kalpavriksha for safekeeping

Sacred Trees in India:

Here are list of few trees which are considered sacred in Hindu culture

1) Banyan Tree

Banyan tree is one of the most venerated trees in India. In Hindu mythology, the tree is called Kalpavriksha, the tree that provides fulfilment of wishes and other material gains. It symbolizes Trimurti - Lord Vishnu is believed to be the bark, Lord Brahma the roots, and Lord Shiva the branches. The Banyan tree is mentioned in many scriptures as a tree of immortality. In iconography, Shiva is visualized as Dakshinamurti, he who faces the south and sits under the Banyan tree.

2. Peepal Tree

The Peepal tree is another highly significant tree in Hinduism. It is also called the Sacred Fig or the Bodhi Tree. It was a peepal tree under which Buddha had meditated and gained enlightenment. It is considered the king of the trees in Hinduism and is obviously very important in Buddhism too

3. Ashoka tree

The Ashoka tree is a small evergreen rain-forest tree that has beautiful and fragrant red and yellow flowers. It is considered to be a sacred tree in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The tree used to be a centre piece in every palatial garden in India. In Ramayana it is said Sita devi sat under a ashoka tree.

4. Sandalwood

The Sandalwood is another plant that is considered holy and is used in worship rituals all over India. The tree itself is not worshipped but its wood, which is very fragrant, is used in worship which gives it a lot of religious significance. The wood is turned into a paste and then used to decorate the idols and mark foreheads of the devotees

5. Coconut

Coconut trees are used for all kinds of religious purposes, mainly utilizing the coconut fruits in puja (religious ceremonies) and all kinds of traditional food preparations. Some say that the fruit represents Lord Shiva, with the three black marks on coconuts depicting his eyes.

6. Mango

Mango tree is another auspicious tree in Hindu religion.The branches are used for yagna workship.While the Mango leaves are considered very sacred. Leaves are tied at the entance symbolically to absorb negative energies from entering the home. Mango leaves are put in kalash to worship Varun (god of water).

7. Banana

Though the banana is not a tree, yet it is considered a tree because of its structure and size. The trunk of a banana is used to erect welcoming gates, and its leaves are used to serve food to guests. According to ancient scriptures, the banana tree is equated to “Devaguru Brihaspati” or planet Jupiter

8. Neem

Neem is greatly respected for its medicinal uses, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal properties. In Hindu culture, it is associated with Goddess Sitala Devi (in north India) as well as Goddess Marimman (in south India) who are both associated with giving and healing of skin ailments like small-pox.

There are many other sacred trees which have a place in Hinduism. Hindu culture believes “to honour nature is to honour ourselves, to honour ourselves one should honour all of nature”.