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Home > Temples of Kerala > precedures and sigificance precedures and sigificanceAs pradakshina is meant for mental peace it has to be done most reverently. The Amsumathi-aagama further spells out the following. Padaath padaanuramga chheth karouchala uivarffithou Sthuthirvaachihpdi dhyaanam chathurangam pradakshinam In other words four rules are to be observed while doing pradakshina. viz. (i) it has to be done slowly by small paces and not hurriedly, (2) with folded or stationary position of hands, (3) by chanting manthras of deity and (4) visualising the presiding deity seated in the heart of the worshipper. If one does pradakshina at regular intervals and daily, it results in changing the disturbed poise of the mind of the worshipper taking it to deeper contemplations of the ultimate truth. During pradakshina one forgets one's own body and mind. The worshipper will be chanting hymns and perceiving the deity with total surrender. The ideal attitude of the devotee is Sarvadharrn.an parithyajya mamekam sarary.am vraja aham thvaa Sarvapapebhyo mokshayishyamihma sucha (abandon all dharma and take refuge in me so that I would redeem you from all sins and give moksha). During devotional rounds the subtle vibrations of the meditating mind of the devotee unite with the paramaathma, symbolized by the deity, and this helps him to attain bliss. Asathomaa sadgamaya, thamasoma jyothirgamaya, Mrthyormaa amrthamgamaya, Om saanthi saanthi saanthi (Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light and from mortality to immortality. Let there be peace, peace, peace). This vedic prayer (Brahadaarnyaka upanishad, 1.3.28) is relevant only for an. ordinary devotee. But for a practical Veaaanthin temple has little relevance as he treats his heart itself as the abode of god. For an atheist such concepts have little significance. Moreover, many seers, saints or ardent selfless devotees might have done pradakshinas as prescribed in Saasthras in the temple and the contact with their feet every particle of sand in this path has been made sacred. Therefore either pada-pradakshina (by walking) or sayana-pradakshina (by lying and rolling) around the path with full concentration on the deity gives great solace to an ardent devotee, who believes in total surrender to the Almighty.
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