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Hindu Temple and Human Body

 

The main parts of a temple are:

 

1.Garbhagraha (Sanctum Sanctorum) containing the image of God.

2.The Vimana over the Sanctum.

3.Arthamandapam in front of the Sanctum.

4.Prakaras arond the Sanctum.

5.The Gopura, the main gateway of the temple.

 

-Indian temple is only a reflection of the physical form of the human body. According to the Tirumular "our body is a temple".

-According to the Kathopanishad "This body of ours is a temple of the Divine."

-The macrocosm is reflected in the microcosm. The great cosmos is reflected in the human body.

-The parts of a temple are identical with the parts of the human body.

The Sanctum is the neck

Artha Mandapam is the stomach

Gopuram is foot

The prakara walls are the legs 

the Lord in the Sanctum is the Soul or the Jiva of the body. There are several versions regarding the comparison of the parts of a temple with the various centres or parts of a body.

 

The Sanctum Sanctorum is the most important part of a temple. A battery which is charged with current produces a stream of power. Similarly by concentrating on the image with appropriate mantras, the image becomes a storehouse of spiritual power from which flow a stream of grace to the soul of a devotee. According to the latest scientific theory, the sound once produced never dies. The hymns rendered by our great saints before the idols remain immortal by Divine grace. It is to preserve the sound waves that the Sanctum Sacnctorum of our temples are so cleverly built.

 

Thus we have seen that idols are not mere toys but symbols of God. The temples are not mere museums but centres of spiritual power. They teach us volumes of wisdom more than any number of books, give us a keener insight into the history of India and make us feel the tranquillity of eternal life.

 

Source: "South Indian Temples".---S. Padmanabhan.

 

Chakras and Temple

 

The concept of chakra features in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism. In Yoga, Kundalini Shakti means the ‘coiled power.’ It is compared to a serpent that lies coiled while resting or sleeping.

 

Chakras are vital energy points (Kundalini energy) in the human anatomy, i.e. breath channels, or nadis, and the winds (vayus), that are centres of life force (prana), or vital energy. They include:


1. Muladhara or root chakra located at the base of the spine in the coccygeal region (governs senses).  According to Vastu Mandala South-West (Nauritya) - Deity Lord (Demon) Nauritya influences protection, strength and stability.


2. Swadhisthana or Adhishthana at the lower stomach region or the sacrum of the human.  Vastu direction West (Varuna) - Lord Varuna (Neptune) Lord of Water or Rain. Formation of temple tank or water bodies in South or West will influence reputation, fame, prosperity and success.


3. Manipura or Manipuraka at the digestive glands (governs digestion through pancreas and adrenal glands) of the human. Digestion involves energy of fire. Female bears navel, womb and umbilical chord. According to Vastu Mandala Lord Brahma or Lord of Creation seated on lotus flower base (Adishtana) rules this point. Cosmic Brahma bridges the cosmic human navel or life. If this point in temple should be left open, the vital energy flows and the wholeness resides with blessings and protection.


4. Anahata, Anahata-puri, or Padma-sundara located at chest (governs lungs, immune system - thymus of human being). As per Vastu Mandala Lord Vayu or Lord of Wind rules this point. This grid relates to air and regulation of air. If this grid is allowed to flow air and the peace and comfort resides.


5. Vishuddha or Vishuddhi located at the throat i.e., thyroid glands (governs sound, speech communication and sence of security of human being). Mantras chanted by cosmic humanbeing bridges with cosmic Ishanya. Comic Ishanya is represented in OM, a Pranava Mantra form. According to Vastu Mandala Lord Shiva in Ishanya form rules this grid and represents the space or Akasha. Mantras chanted here will reverberate in space. If left free from obstacles and less occupation or weight, there will be balanced power.


 6. Ajna  or third eye located at pineal glands or between the eye brows; the two side nadis 'Ida' (yoga) and 'Pingala' are terminating and merge with the central channel 'Sushumna' (governs  higher and lower selves and trusting inner guidance of human being). As per Vastu Mandala this direction is also related to open spaces (‘Akasha’) and to the North East corner (Ishanya). The sanctum (Garbagriha or womb chamber) is recommended at this grid, the seat of the divinity.


7. Sahasrara or pure consciousness chakra located at the crown of the head - symbolized by a lotus with one thousand multi-coloured petals. According to Vastu Mandala Anja is the sanctum. The vimanam and shikara forms the space element and the currents of life ascends through the 'Brahma-randra shila' or stone slab placed at 'griva' (neck)of the vimana.  The finial of the shikara of the vimanam is the grid at which unseen sahasrara located.

 

How the temple structure can be compared with the human body. It is apt to quote the Sanskrit sloga from “Viswakarmyam Vastu Shastra”:

"Garba Gruha Sirahapoktam antaraalam Galamthatha
Ardha Mandapam Hridayasthanam Kuchisthanam Mandapomahan
Medhrasthaneshu Dwajasthambam Praakaram Janjuangeecha
Gopuram Paadayosketha Paadasya Angula Pokthaha
Gopuram Sthupasthatha Yevam Devaalayam angamuchyathe"

 

Meaning: Garba-griham (main sanctum) is equated with human head; antarala (vestibule)  is equated with human neck; ardha - mandapam (half-hall) is compared with human chest; maha - mandapam (main hall) is equated with the stomach; flag-post is viewed along with human male organ;and gopuram or temple gateway tower is viewed along with human feet.

 

Reference:

 

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