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Re: Need to visit temples/punya kshetra

From the Bhakti List Archives

swamy swarna • February 10, 2002 


Dear Bhagawat Bandhus,

What Shri Ramakrishna wrote is true. I would like to
add a perception inspired by Him.

When we go to temple, we get the benefit of
'Sravanam', 'Keertanam', 'Smaranam', 'Archanam', and
'Vandanam', may be some more. When we chant Lord's
name at home, we get the benefit of the first three
only, as for most of us it is difficult to do Archanam
and Vandanam properly.

Also, as long as our senses are outward oriented, it
is essential for us to visit temples, Punya teerthas
and seek the company of Saints, to get the benefits of
Satsang.

When we evolve sufficiently He makes our heart His
dwelling and always gives us the benefit of His
company.

So while chanting of the Lord's name is certainly
essential and valuable as a spiritual sadhana,
visiting temples also is important.

Hari Om.

Swamy Swarna
--- Rama Krishna K  wrote:
> Priya Bhagawadbandhuvullara,
> Asmathsree Gurubhyo Namaha
> Srimannarayana Ramanuja Yathibhyo Namaha
> Srimathay Narayananayanamaha
> Srimathay Ramanujaya Namaha
> Jaishrimannarayana
> With reference to the doubt raised by a member
> regarding 'Need to visit
> temples/punya kshetra when chanting of Lord
> Srimannaraya is enough for
> salvation';  an analogy  as given by elders is
> Aradhana at home is akin to lighting within our
> house with utility for
> house members only.  Street lighting or public
> lighting is for the
> utility  of a larger public.
> One very important point  which many forget is, 
> temples-moorthy  have
> not come out of their own but on request  by many
> devotees at various
> times.  Temples are built due to the following
> reasons
> a.  To commemorate  the appearance of the Lord  to
> staunch devotees on
> various occasions
> b.  Building of temples by devotees themselves after
> Consecration of
> idols after detailed vedic activities
> 
> In both cases the Lord came only on detailed request
> as per the Agama
> Sastras as a guest to bless all the devotees  for
> ever, who visit Him.
> Once He is in Archa Form it is the duty of  all to
> take care of Him
> there after for ever  as per the Agama Sastras.  So
> as a fellow devotee
> it is the bounden duty of each and every one to pay
> a visit once in a
> while to the temple and get the blessings.  It is
> not out of compulsion
> that one is visiting a temple, but out of
> love/devotion one visits a
> temple.  Temples serve many other purposes like
> gathering of like minded
> people, sharing of devotional information, solace to
> mentally/physically/devotionally  weak  etc.  It is
> indeed impossible to
> think of ourselves sans  any temple at all to visit.
> 
> Jai Sriman Narayana
> 
> Kilambi   Ramakrishna Ramanuja Dasan
> 
> 
> 


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