Why do we ring the bell in a temple?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna to all!

We began a new question in our previous post. Why do we ring the bell in a temple?

The main reason for doing so is that it produces the auspicious sound of “Om”. In Bhagvad Gita Lord Krishna has said that “I am the sacred syllable Om”. So the act of ringing the bell is akin to remembering or calling the Lord before beginning the worship.

Ringing of the bell is done even while doing daily pooja in Indian homes.

As we start the daily ritualistic worship (pooja) some of us ring the bell, chanting:

Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam

gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam

Kurve ghantaaravam tatra

devataahvaahna lakshanam

I ring this bell indicating

the invocation of divinity,

So that virtuous and noble forces

enter (my home and heart);

and the demonic and evil forces

from within and without, depart.

So the next time you ring a bell in a Hindu temple, know this reason and then you will enjoy doing the act!

That concludes this section for the fortnight. We will see a new question in the next post.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about Til known as Sesame in English and Sesamum Indicum in Latin.

1. It’s a well known edible oilseed
2. It is considered a powerful aphrodisiac
3. Bed wetting by children is effectively controlled by giving them sweets made of sesame seeds
4. Its crushed leaves act as an excellent remedy for dandruff

That concludes the post for the fortnight.

Till the next post on 6^th October, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Why do we ring the bell in a temple?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna! We will discuss a very interesting question in this post. Whenever we visit any hindu temple, it is commonly observed that there is a bell placed inside. It is very common to see people ringing the bell on entering the temple. Every wondered why is the bell placed there? No! It has been happening for ages now. But no one has the time to find out why!!

Is it to wake up the Lord? But the Lord never sleeps. Is it to let the Lord know we have come? He does not need to be told, as He is all knowing. Is it a form of seeking permission to enter His precinct? It is a homecoming and therefore entry needs no permission. The Lord welcomes us at all times. Then why do we ring the bell?

Let us know the reason for the same in this post.

The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. It produces the sound Om, the universal name of the Lord. There should be auspiciousness within and without, to gain the vision of the Lord who is all-auspiciousness.

Even while doing the ritualistic aarati, we ring the bell. It is sometimes accompanied by the auspicious sounds of the conch and other musical instruments. An added significance of ringing the bell, conch and other instruments is that they help drowned any inauspicious or irrelevant noises and comments that might disturb or distract the worshippers in their

devotional ardour, concentration and inner peace.

….to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about a commonly used herb known as Pudina, commonly known as Mint in English and called Mentha Arvensis in Latin.

1. It is a spreading aromatic herb
2. It is extensively used in Indian cooking
3. It is an ingredient of most prescriptions for stomach ailments because of its digestive properties
4. Elephantiasis and varicose veins are also cured by prolonged use of the drug
5. Juice of its green leaves instilled into the nose and the ear helps to deal with parasites infecting them
6. It is also beneficial in cases of urticaria

That concludes our post. Till the next post on 22^nd September keep on chanting the Radhekrishna namam and enjoy supreme bliss.

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam