Why we go to Temples ?

A conversation between Guru and disciple.

Disciple : Why should we go to the temple to worship or pray ? Since Bhagavan is every where, why can't we do it at home or where ever we are?

Guru: Air is distributed everywhere. But when you use a fan, more air will circulate in a small area. That is why we use hand held fans and electric fans. Fire is with in a log of wood. But only when they are subjected to friction, fire emerges from that. Likewise, when so many powerful *Manthraas* are chanted and so many rituals are performed, the divine presence becomes more significant and the positive energy and vibration from the chanting, rituals and dhoopa, deepa gandham becomes many fold in a temple. Also it is a place to meet other like minded devotees and will lead to more Satsang .

This is explained in this sloka in Thanthra samucchayam :

Sarvathragosi bhagavan kila yadyapithwa-

maavaahayaami hi yathha vyajanena vaayum

goodho yathaiva dahano mathhanaad upaithi-

hyavaahithopihithat hhaatvamupaisich aaryaamÂ

It must be remembered that , Bhagavan Sri Krishna , Sri Rama , Arjuna, Parashurama , Adi Shankara and many other Rishis have installed Temples equipped with specific Manthraas and Rituals . These temples are abodes of Bhagavan whose live presence is a reality being daily experienced by numerous Bhaktas .

This is the last one of the nine types of Bhaktha Prahlada described to his father Hiranyakashipu and this is the final stage of bhakthi. When the surrender to Bhagavan is complete, Prahlada says, devotee becomes a jeevan muktha and when the "prarabdha karmaas" (karmaas accumulated from the previous janmaas) get exhausted, the body just falls and Jeevathma merges with Bhagavan.

Aathmanivedanam or self surrender happens in two stages: one is the initial stage without the intense feeling (Bhava-hina aathmanivedanam) and one with intense feeling of separation from Bhagavan which is called Bhava-yuktha Aathmanivedanam. The second type is described in Gita by Bhagavaan :

mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca

"Those whose minds are absorbed in Me and whose lives are wholeheartedly devoted to My service, derive great satisfaction and bliss from constantly enlightening one another about My tattva and performing kirtana of My name, form, qualities and pastimes.

tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te

Here, Krishna is saying : "Those whose minds and lives are devoted to Me and who always meditate on Me, always speak about Me and derive satisfaction in Me alone. Their minds feel relaxation and comfort only by thinking about Me, and they are constantly desirous of perpetual union with Me. I bestow upon such bhaktas buddhi-yoga, transcendental intelligence and knowledge by which they can attain Me." (Prabhupada' s translation)