Actions to be performed before entering a Devalay (Temple) and the underlying science

We all may be aware of certain actions that have to be performed when taking darshan (view) in a Devalay. For example, removing one’s footwear, doing Namaskar at the main door before entering the temple, not covering one’s neck at the time of darshan of the Deity. Many a times questions may have arisen in our minds as to what could be the reason behind these actions. Based on the knowledge provided by the rich shastras in the Hindu Dharma, the following article answers some of these questions.

1. What is the reason for removing all objects
made of leather before entering the Devalay ?

Leather objects made from the Raja-Tama predominant hide of animals emit Tama predominant waves, which create a sheath around the body of the individual. This sheath reduces the ability of the individual to absorb sattvikta present in the environment of the Devalay. As a result, the individual gets proportionately less benefit of sattvikta present in the Devalay. Hence, as far as possible, avoid wearing leather objects (such as waist belt etc.) on the body that create an obstruction for the sattvik waves while entering the sattvik environment of the Devalay. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 28th January 2005, 8.36 p.m.)

2. Why should we remove footwear before entering Devalay?

A. Wearing of Raja-Tama predominant objects like sandals and shoes
facilitates the entry of waves, which flow from the earth to Patal (Hell region)
into the Devalay and thereby reduces or destroys the sattvikta within the Devalay

Devalay is a centre for collective worship. For all to get utmost benefit of the Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) emitting from the Devalay, it is incorrect to visit a Devalay while wearing Raja-Tama predominant and dusty objects like sandals and shoes. They can facilitate the entry of waves flowing from the earth to Patal into the Devalay and thereby reduce or destroy the sattvikta within the Devalay. Should the prevalence of waves connected with Patal increase on the outskirts of Devalay, in a way, there is a likelihood of developing a subtle Patal. Therefore, as far as possible avoid wearing such objects while visiting a Devalay. Footwear should not be removed even in the Devalay premises, because of the presence of waves of Deities and its ganas (Assistants); especially in a Shiva Devalay, where His ganas are always present. Removal of footwear in the premises leads to the development of a sheath of Raja-Tama particles over the sattvik waves emitting from the Deity’s Idol. This reduces the sattvikta of the area and the individual also does not benefit from the sattvikta. Besides, if any gana (Assistant) becomes angry, the individual has to face its wrath and suffer spiritual loss. To avoid this spiritual loss, do not remove your footwear in a Devalay premises; remove them outside the premises instead. If this is not possible or if the Devalay is on the roadside, you should enter the Devalay only after a sincere prayer for forgiveness to the Deity.

B. Picture based on subtle-knowledge depicting
adverse effects of having darshan in a temple with the footwear on

1. Distressing vibrations in the picture based on subtle-knowledge: 2%’ – H.H. Dr. Athavale (Sanatan’s source of inspiration)

2. Proportion of vibrations : Person’s ego : 20 – 25%, Distressing energy : 1% and Black energy : 3

3. Other points

A. Since the footwear is made from Tama-predominant material, Tama-predominant vibrations from the environment are instantly attracted to it : Footwear is made from Tama-predominant material like rubber, leather etc. Consequently, Tama-predominant vibrations from the environment are instantly attracted to it. This is akin to like minded people getting instantly attracted to each other and their thoughts matching.

B. Due to dust particles in the footwear, even negative energies in the environment are attracted to it.

C. Due to the footwear, since black energy in them continually spreads into the person’s body, he is unable to absorb vibrations emanating from the Deity of the temple. As a result, he does not benefit from the darshan of the Deity.

D. A person who has darshan in the temple with his footwear on does not have bhav (Spiritual emotion) towards the Deity. The person incurs sin by performing this inappropriate action.

E. A person who has darshan in a temple without his footwear on obtains the Earth Principle from the Holy premises of the temple and also gets the benefit of its Holy waves. – Ms. Priyanka Lotlikar, Sanatan Sanstha (Jyeshṭha Shukla 2, Kaliyug Varsh 5112, 14th June 2010)

C. Since leather objects are not allowed in Hindu Devalays,
the environment remains sattvik there and since they are allowed
in prayer-places of some sects, the environment there is Raja-Tama predominant

Leather objects pollute the environment with Raja-Tama predominant waves and bring about a change in the attitude of all individuals, by inserting immoral thoughts in their mind. The inferiority of some sects is understood from their act of permitting wearing of leather objects, which are Raja-Tama predominant, in their prayer-places. On the other hand, Hindu Dharma makes the individual undertake atonement if it performs any Raja-Tama predominant act like this, which in a way is a provision to cleanse the sins committed by this act. How superior is the Hindu Dharma which tells us how to purify the Raja-Tama predominant waves after the act is committed, compared with the other sects that permit large scale performance of such acts. If so much of Raja-Tama is present in the sacred places of such sects, then how much Raja-Tama will be present in other places where the culture of such sects is promoted. Sects are man-made; whereas, Hindu Dharma is created by God Himself. That is why, there is such a vast difference in the Hindu culture and the culture of some sects. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, Jyeshṭha Krushna Dwitiya [22.05.2008 ],7.06 p.m.)

D. Due to the Chaitanya in the area of the Devalay it is cool;
walking barefoot on the ground there attracts waves which reduce body heat

It is easy for the highest order of sattvik and Chaitanya laden waves present in the earth at places of pilgrimage, areas surrounding the Devalays, and while having darshan of a Saint, to enter the body through the feet. Since the feet do not touch the earth while wearing shoes at such places, an individual is not able to imbibe the waves in the earth and hence, its sattvikta also does not increase. If an individual has some heat problem, then the heat waves are attracted by the earth waves present in the sacred area and are stored in the earth. The earth in places of pilgrimage is cool due to the presence of Chaitanya there. By touching the ground, the cool waves come into contact with the feet and are attracted into the body. They spread in the body and reduce the body heat. That is why, Dharmashastras recommend that one should walk bare feet in places of pilgrimage, areas surrounding the Devalays, and while having darshan of a Saint. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 22.11.2007, 12.29 p.m.)

E. If removing footwear within the Devalay premises is unavoidable,
then remember that it is incorrect to remove them right in front of the Devalay

Many people remove their footwear in front of the Devalay. As a result, a subtle wall of Raja-Tama particles emitting from the footwear gets formed, which obstructs the Chaitanya emitting from the Devalay and gets directed inside again instead of going out. Hence, a individual standing outside the Devalay does not get the benefit of the Chaitanya emitting from the Devalay. To avoid this, remove the footwear towards the right side of the Devalay.

1. The removal of footwear on the line in front of the Devalay leads to creation of a subtle-line, which resembles the subtle-line of the Patal region; as a result, the extremely hot flows of black fibres flowing along the subtle line of Patal get activated on the line formed by footwear and block the flow of waves emitting from the Devalay.

An Unknown Energy : ‘Why is the wall of Raja-Tama formed if footwear is placed in front of a Devalay ? Why are the Raja-Tama predominant waves not destroyed by the waves emanating from the Deity ?

Sri Gurutattva : The removal of footwear on the line in front of the Devalay leads to creation of a subtle-line. This line develops a resemblance to the subtle central line of the Patal region. The Raja-Tama particles from the footwear form a pull exerting field like a whirlpool that unites the line from the Patal region and the line of the footwear in equal proportion. This further leads to streams of very hot black energy fibres flowing on the line of Patal region, gaining momentum on the line formed due to the footwear. This blocks the flow of sattvik waves coming from Devalay. The flow of sattvik waves emitting from the Idol, though beneficial, is not strong enough to oppose the original line of Patal and hence, the restrictions on their movements. (Through the medium of Mr. Nishad Deshmukh, 16.05.2006, 8.26 p.m.)

 F. If it is unavoidable to remove footwear within the

Devalay premises, then it is correct to remove them on the right side of the Deity

Since the samashṭi task (For the welfare of the society) takes place in the Devalay, the tarak (Saviour) side (that is, the Sun channel) of the Devalay’s presiding Deity is always in an awakened state. Therefore, there are warm waves outside the Devalay. They disintegrate the Raja-Tama component being emitted by the footwear kept outside the Devalay. Also, since the act of destroying the Raja-Tamja-predominant waves gets localised (in the area where footwear are kept), the waves emitting from the Deity are better charged with activity and are emitted in a larger proportion. – Sri Gurutattva (Through the medium of Mr. Nishad Deshmukh, 16th May 2006, 8.25 p.m.)

(Inferior level action such as destroying Raja-Tama emanating from the footwear is a mission of the Deity’s tarak form only. Destruction of the higher level negative energies is a mission of the Deity’s marak [Destroyer] form.)

3. Why do we need to wash our feet before entering a Devalay ?

(Washing the feet before entering a Devalay increases an individual’s ability to absorb the sattvik waves and maintains the sattvikta of the Devalay)

‘When walking on the road, fine particles of dust stick to the feet / footwear. It is because of the Raja-Tama predominant waves emitting from the dust particles, that entering the Devalay without washing the feet reduce the individual’s capacity to absorb the Sattva predominant waves. Also, due to the emission of Raja-Tama predominant waves into the environment, the Sattva predominance of the Devalay is reduced. On the other hand, entering the Devalay after washing the feet removes the obstacle (dust particles) in receiving the sattvik waves. Additionally, reduced emission of the Raja-Tama predominant waves in the atmosphere helps maintain the sattvikenvironment of the Devalay. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 17th January 2005, 2.27 p.m.)

(Earlier, Hindus used to wash their feet in a pond outside the Devalays before entering them. Now-a-days, most Devalays either do not have such ponds or people are not aware of the importance of washing their feet before entering a Devalay, that is, they lack religious understanding and hence, enter the Devalay without washing their feet. This is one of the reasons for the reduction in the sattvikta of Hindu Devalays. – Compilers)

4. Why should we not cover the neck
with a cloth while having darshan of the Deity and the Guru,
while doing Namaskar, Japa (Chanting) and pradakshina (Circumambulation)
and while performing puja (Ritualistic worship) and havan (Offering oblations in the fire)?

(To benefit 100 percent from each sattvik wave and sattvik particle emitted by the Deity and the Guru, we should not cover the neck with a cloth)

प्रदक्षिणे प्रणामे च पूजायां हवने जपे ।
न कण्ठावृतवस्त्रः स्यात् दर्शने गुरुदेवयोः ।। – Vadhulsmruti, Shloka 140

Meaning : While doing pradakshina, Namaskar and Japa, while performing havan and while having darshan of the Deity and the Guru, we should not cover the neck with a cloth.

The underlying science : ‘When one is performing the actions mentioned above, sattvik waves emitting from the Deity or a Saint, revolve around the person in a spherical manner. If the person has good bhav, then these sattvik waves revolve around him for a longer period and start affecting the person’s mind and the body. If the person covers the neck with a cloth, then he is not able to benefit from these waves. Also due to the obstruction of the cloth, the Vishuddhachakra (Fifth centre in the spiritual energy system located in the neck in the subtle body) of a person is not awakened and thus the sattvik waves are not able to enter his body. We have to obtain 100 percent benefit from each sattvik frequency and sattvik particle emitted by the Deity and the Guru. For this reason, we must not cover the neck with a cloth. (Through the medium of Ms. Madhura Bhosale, 5th January 2005, 8.13 p.m.)

A. Picture based on subtle-knowledge showing the
adverse effects of having darshan with a cloth draped around the neck

Click on the below Subtle Drawing / Picture for a larger view !

<!–1. Accuracy of the picture based on subtle-knowledge : 80%
–> 1. Positive vibrations in the picture based on subtle-knowledge : 2% – H.H. Dr. Athavale

5. Why is there a rule in some Devalays that
males should remove their shirt before entering the Devalay ?

(Entering the garbha-gruha [Sanctum sanctorum of a temple] after removing the shirt laden with Raja-Tama predominant dust particles helps in imbibing sattvikta)

‘To help in retaining the sattvikta of some Devalays where the Deity is in an awakened state or the Idol is Swayambhu (Self-originated), it is appropriate to remove the shirt laden with Raja-Tama predominant dust particles and then enter the garbha-gruha, have darshan of the Deity and then offer puja objects. In such places, therefore, only males are allowed inside the garbha-gruha. In any karma (An act) the woman is a direct flow of supply of Shakti (Divine Energy), while the man is the doer in the form of Shiva. Therefore, it is important that he imbibes maximum of sattvikta. In karmakanda (Spiritual practice of rites, rituals and observances performed at the physical level) it is accepted that it is enough to wear minimum clothing consisting of cotton or silk around the waist and let the rest of the body uncovered. This retains the purity of the ritual for a longer period and the worshipper gets the benefit of Chaitanya. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 13th November 2005, 2.20 p.m.)

6. Why should we do Namaskar to the main door of a Devalay,
the doors of the sabhamandap (Hall in a temple) and garbha-gruha ?

A. Namaskar to the main entrance door of the Devalay and Garuda-dhwaj (Flag with emblem of Garuda [Eagle])before entering the Devalay is like seeking permission for entry in the area of dominance :

A Devalay is the seat of Shakti of a Deity, hence, the ganas of the Deity are present in subtle form beside the entrance doors. Therefore, Namaskar to the main entrance door and the Garuda-dhwaj denote seeking permission to enter the Devalay for darshan of the Deity.

B. Namaskar to the main entrance door and Garuda-dhwaj of the Devalay denote developing the ‘impression of humility’ by the individual for entering into region of Deities.’ – Dharma-tattva (Through the medium of Mr. Nishad Deshmukh, 4th January 2007, 7.02 p.m.)

C. Namaskar to the main entrance door and Garuda-dhwaj of the Devalay denotes pleading to various inferior waves moving about in the Devalay, through the medium of Namaskar and making an easy entry into the Devalay :

‘A Devalay is a home in the manifest form to God’s Dharma oriented Divine set up. Therefore, Shakti always remains active on all the four sides of the Devalay and protects it from attacks of negative energies. When a individual from the outer environment enters the Devalay, which is a source of sattvikta, it encounters the resistance for its entry from the energy that opposes Raja-Tama particles. An individual with a spiritual level of 40% and above can tolerate the opposition and easily proceed inside; but other individuals with lower spiritual levels cannot tolerate the opposition from the Divine Energy and can suffer from distress such as headache, nausea, fatigue and blurring of vision. However, when a individual does Namaskar, the waves opposing the entry get pacified and it can enter the Devalay with ease. Therefore, as far as possible, all visitors should enter the Devalay only after doing Namaskar according to the spiritual science.

1. Namaskar to Garuda-dhwaj : Garuda is a Principle that holds the particles of Dharma associated with Sustenance and hence, Garuda-dhwaj is found in front of the main entrance doors of all Devalays. The sagun (Materialised) layout of the Devalay based on particles of Dharma associated with Sustenance and the Divine Principle active within lasts only in the form defined by their state. At the same time, Garuda emits these particles of Dharma associated with Sustenance in the three dimensions of the nature (The flow of energy – at the level of Ichha [Will], Kriya [Action] and Dnyan [Knowledge]) provides Chaitanya to Sattva particles present in the environment. Thus, it also acts as a medium that maintains the environment neutral) Namaskar to the Garuda-dhwaj that carries so much importance amounts to Namaskar to and expressing gratitude towards the Vayu (Absolute Air)-form Divine Principle. Namaskar to Garuda dhwaj suppresses the waste gases present in the outer environment that oppose the entry into the Devalay and thus the individual can enter the Devalay easily.

2. Namaskar to the main entrance door of the Devalay : The Devalay is a sagun form of the region of Deities. Namaskar to the main entrance door amounts to making an impression of ‘humility’ on the self, before entering the region of Deities and receiving their blessings. The act of Namaskar generates Divine qualities in the subconscious mind of the individual, as a result the Deity’s blessing get attracted towards the individual. This enables the individual to imbibe sattvikta. without encountering any resistance. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mr. Nishad Deshmukh, 4th January 2007, 7.05 p.m., 7.22 p.m. & 7.31, p.m.)

Reference : Sanatan’s Holy text ‘How should one have darshan in a temple’