Temple Entry

Temple Entry

This is a story about the mystery and miracle of Bhagavan. I am an American attending the University of Madras [Chennai]. Some days ago, a classmate and myself went to the Kapaleesvara Temple here in Madras. After one passes through the huge gate of the outer temple walls, one’s attention is attracted to the various signs that say­ `Non‑Hindus not allowed’. I had heard about such signs, but in all the years that I have been in India, I had never en­countered one. I told my friend to go on inside and that I would wait outside. Soon thereafter, an old man approached me. He said, “Please do not feel offended nor think badly of these people. This is merely the custom here.” As I silently held my peace, he went away. I began to talk to Baba in my mind thus: “Will this custom prevail forever? You, Yourself are Shiva, and though I’ve come to have Your darshan, I’m forbidden to enter inside. Is not the Lord everyone’s?”

As I was mentally conversing with Swami thus, another old man came up to me and said, “Come”. My righteous pride rose up and I remained where I was. Twice again he repeated—”Come”. So I follow­ed him inside. As we began to circumam­bulate the Holy of Holies, he moved his hand, and it was full of Vibhuti. He smeared it all over my forehead and then reached over to a Goddess carved into the rock and removed some kumkum [red vermillion powder], which he also applied. We continued around and as we approached Lord Kapaleesvara he said, “Look”. I beheld the Linga to my satisfaction and then he led me to the con­sort of Lord Kapaleesvara for Her darshan. Then he said, “Now, go.”

The next day I was on my way to Putta­parthi. Here is the mystery. Baba en­quired if I had enjoyed the darshan! Some people call `this’ the miracle—this transcen­dence of space and time. But to me the real miracle lies in His infinite care. As quickly as one turns toward Him, He is there with His compassion ready to respond. Such a small, simple act and yet to me it represented His greatest miracle of all­—His Love.

~John Grimes

Temple Entry – Purity, Devotion, and Sacred Approach

Temple Entry is not merely the act of walking into a sacred building; it is a spiritual movement from outer restlessness to inner reverence. A temple represents divine presence, purity, faith, and surrender. When a devotee enters with humility, the mind begins to turn away from worldly distractions and move toward prayer, silence, and remembrance of God.

A temple is a place where the atmosphere is charged with devotion, worship, mantra, and sacred feeling. People come there with different burdens: sorrow, fear, gratitude, hope, confusion, or longing for peace. The divine presence welcomes sincere hearts and helps them feel supported. Even a few moments in such an atmosphere can calm the mind and soften the heart.

Temple Entry teaches that outer cleanliness should be joined with inner purity. Washing the body, wearing clean clothes, and approaching respectfully are good practices, but the mind also needs cleansing. Anger, jealousy, pride, harshness, and selfish thoughts should be left outside as much as possible. The best offering is a humble and pure heart.

When entering a holy place, one should slow down inwardly. The world outside may be noisy, hurried, and full of demands, but the temple invites stillness. A devotee should not rush as if completing a task. Stand quietly, bow with feeling, breathe calmly, and remember that one is standing before the Divine.

Temple Entry is also a reminder of equality before God. Wealth, education, social position, age, and outer success do not matter in front of the Divine. The Lord sees sincerity, faith, and purity of intention. A simple devotee with love in the heart may be closer to God than a proud person with great outer status.

The act of bowing has deep meaning. It is not only a physical gesture; it is the surrender of ego. The head that is usually filled with pride, opinions, worries, and desires bends before a higher truth. This bowing teaches humility. It silently says, “O Lord, guide me, purify me, and remove my ignorance.”

Temple Entry should not become mechanical or careless. Sometimes people visit temples out of habit, social custom, or only for worldly gain. But the true purpose is to awaken devotion and transform life. A person should come out of the temple with more kindness, patience, truthfulness, and self-control than before.

The deity in the temple is a sacred support for concentration. The human mind finds it difficult to meditate on the formless truth directly. Therefore, divine forms help the heart love, remember, and surrender. Looking at the sacred image with faith gathers the scattered mind and gives it a pure direction.

Temple Entry also teaches the discipline of sacred behavior. One should avoid loud talk, gossip, argument, arrogance, and unnecessary distraction inside the temple. The atmosphere should be protected for prayer and meditation. Respect for the holy place is also respect for the faith of others who come seeking peace.

Offerings such as flowers, fruits, lamps, incense, water, and prayers are meaningful when given with devotion. God does not need our material objects, but we need the act of offering to purify ourselves. The offering becomes sacred when it carries love, gratitude, and surrender. Without feeling, even a rich offering remains empty.

A temple visit should inspire self-examination. The devotee may ask, “Am I living truthfully? Am I hurting anyone through speech or action? Am I remembering God in daily life? Am I becoming more humble?” Such questions make worship practical. Spirituality becomes real when prayer changes conduct.

Temple Entry is also an opportunity to feel the presence of God in all beings. After bowing before the deity, the devotee should try to see the same divine light in people outside the temple. Helping the needy, speaking gently, forgiving others, and serving with love are also forms of worship. The temple should expand into daily life.

The sacred bell, lamp, mantra, fragrance, and silence all have symbolic meaning. They awaken the senses and direct them toward the Divine. The bell reminds the mind to become alert. The lamp represents inner knowledge. The fragrance suggests purity. The mantra gathers thought and turns it toward God.

A devotee should not think that worship ends at the temple door. The real test begins after leaving. If anger returns immediately, if speech becomes harsh, or if selfishness continues unchanged, then the visit has not gone deep enough. The temple gives inspiration, but the devotee must carry that inspiration into action.

In the end, Temple Entry is a sacred practice of humility, purity, devotion, and inner awakening. It invites the seeker to approach God with respect, leave ego behind, pray sincerely, and return to life with a nobler heart. When the temple atmosphere enters the mind, every action can become worship and every step can move the soul closer to peace and liberation.

The Clang