2017-Worship-Vs-Circumambulation
சேஷாத்ரிநாத சாஸ்திரிகள்
Sakthi Vikatan
Seshadrinatha Sastrikal Column
Question and Answer Columns as in Sakti Vikatan
Posted Date : 06:00 (14/03/2017)
What is proper: Perform circumambulation first before Mulavar Darasan or
Vice Versa?
- பா.ராஜேந்திரன், சென்னை-44 P. Rajendran, Chennai-44
1. For the one with supreme Bakthi, both procedures are acceptable. In his
mind, there is no difference. All of them appear as one to him. As you
said, there must be a procedural propriety for anything. Circumambulation
is one of the services to the fixed deity (Mūlavar). The import is we
ambulate around him. Of the 16 kinds of services to Bhagavan,
circumambulation is the last item. Performing Dharsan of the Mūlavar first
before circumambulation is acceptable and appropriate.
2. We can offer our worship, homage and Bakthi to the deities, as we do
the circumambulation. There are temples without deities along the
circumambulatory path. There are temples without circumambulatory path or
court. Under those circumstances, we worship the Mūlavar and do
circumambulation.
3. Instead of doing Dharsan first of the Mūlavar, going around the
courtyard of the temple and entering later are preferred. It is improper
to desist from worshipping the circumambulatory deities along the path. We
may fear that coming to temple to offer the first worship to the central
deity or Mūlavar, we defeated the purpose by offering the first homage to
the deities along the pathway around the temple. Therefore, we must offer
the first worship to the Mūlavar and later to other deities. This will
obviate the trembling fear in us. This observance is superior.
4. Offer first prati-ṣṭhā to the Mūlavar; later to other deities. In
certain temples, there may be a tradition to receive permission from a
deity before obtaining Dharsan of the Mūlavar. In Tiruvilvāmalai Temple,
the first Dharsan is paid to Lakshmana before worshiping Rama, according
to the local tradition.
5. In temples without special requirements, rules, injunctions or
tradition, offer the first homage and worship to the Mūlavar, the premier
deity. It is not faux pas to offer first worship to a deity of your vow,
choice or desire, before you worship others.
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