The Significance of Pradakshinam.

We go round the sanctum sanctorium in the temples and sometimes the deities in the pujas or yajnas at home in a clockwise direction. This is called Pradakshinam. We always assume God is the center of our existence. He also exists everywhere. So when we do Pradakshina or circumambulation, we accept that our actions and thoughts are always centred around God. The center point is always fixed and remains the same at whatever distance we do the pradakshina. So we are reminded of the eternal truth that God is the center of gravity and the main focus of our existence. This is the main principle of pradakshinam.

The world is always rotating around itself on its own axis as well as around the sun. All the planets also rotate on their own axes. This is called rotation and their rotation on their orbits is called revolution. Just like in solar system, the sun is at the center around which the planets rotate, our pradakshinams should be done with god at the center. The Pradakshinam should be done slowly and never in a hurry, as though we are running to finish that mission. Paramacharyal says when we do Pradakshinam, we must walk as slowly as a fully pregnant woman walking with a vessel full of oil, taking care to see that not a drop of oil spills !
Our thoughts and actions must dwell on God.

It is customary to do Pradakshinam always in a clockwise direction. This is because we assume that Lord is always on our right side. This reminds that we must always lead a righteous life , in the right path called Dharma.

At the end of the pujas , it is a custom to do pradakshinam around ourselves three times & this is called “ Atma Pradakshinam”. We bow to the supreme divinity within us, chanting

Yani kani cha paapaani janmanthara kruthaani cha

Thaani thaani vinas(h)yanthi pradakshina padae padae

May those omissions and commissions done in this life and also in the previous births and the resulting afflictions perish with every pradakshina.

After Pradakshinam, Namaskara is done as a sequel. If the deity faces east, we must do it facing north and vice versa. Inside the temple, we must do only
“ Anjali” (folding the palms together, bowing the head). If we do namaskaram to a deity inside the temple, we may inadvertently show our back to yet another deity. So in temples, it is safe to do namaskaram near the Dvajasthambam, with the main deity on our right side. But it is necessary to make sure that we do the namaskaram, facing only the north. In case it is otherwise, always face north and only then do the namaskaram.
We chant,
Thava thvam na jaanaami keedhr(u)s(h)o(a)si mahaes(h)vara
Yaadhr(u)s(h)o(a)si mahaadaeva thaadhr(u)s(h)aaya namo namah

Oh Lord, what is your nature? I do not know your nature. Whatever be your nature, I offer salutations to you who are of that nature.

Then we offer salutations, chanting


Pradakshina namaskaaraan samarpayaami


Oh Lord, I offer you circumambulation and prostration.

Thus pradakshinam is yet another concept, typical of Hindu culture.

Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Asha,
That you look up to this site for emotional upliftment is encouraging to read, but at the same time, I feel sad to read that you are going through troubled times. Well, Asha, the Law of Cycles plays an important part in our lives. Rest assured, all will be well very soon. Face the trying period with faith in God and strength of mind. We have no choice.
I have given in the special shlokas, the following;
During difficult times
Please chant this minimum 32 times or more, if possible.
Good luck & all the best, Asha.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Vandhana,
Thankyou very much for the quick F B.
Let me be very frank ( I hope you don't mind!). After reading your post in Cheeniya's thread, I now know what all you read in this column & for which ones, I can expect a feed back from you ! It is fine, Vandhana - as we put it colloquially,- that that person, that that choice !
Besides this, I plan to post ( punish you all ?) with a brief write up about New Year on 14 th. I am planning both in english & tamil.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Sri,
I welcome you to this sub forum. I feel honoured that you read my post and bothered to send a feed back.
You are right, Sri. I must have specifically mentioned it( never to do namaskaram facing south-the pitru direction) in the post. Thanks for helping me, edit my post.
Well, Sri, I take the liberty and request you to read my articles regularly. You are free to point out any discrepancy, which I shall edit and correct.
Am I asking for too much ??
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Vidhi,
Thankyou for the feed back.
That you feel homesick does make me sad !
In Madurai Meenakshi Kovil, there is a deity Siddhar. Till I got married, I used to do 108 pradakshinams regularly for exams etc. Even now, when I go to Madurai, I cannot leave the temple without doing atleast 12 no:s !
I personally feel, you must exert physically when asking for boons to God in the temple. So instead of dropping money in the hundi, I prefer to do pradakshinam.
Hope & pray you visit a temple soon, Vidhi !
Love,
Chithra.