Hinduism is the oldest Civilization & only one which is based on Science. In Hinduism whatever is practiced is not only based on beliefs but there are scientific reasons behind each & every tradition. All of us has visited temple & has done Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) around the Deity & temple. Walking around the innermost chamber of the shrine of the temple is called Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा). Not only around the Deity or the temple, Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) is also done around fire, trees & plants. But do you really know why Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) is done? What is the scientific reason behind that? The below explained facts might help to understand this concept clearly.
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 axis. This is called rotation & their rotation on their orbits is called revolution. Just like in solar system, the sun is at the centre around which the planets rotate, our Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) should be done with the Deity at the centre. The Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) should be done slowly & never in a hurry, our thoughts & actions must dwell into the Deity.
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Significance of the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) -
The word Pradakshina (प्रदक्षिणा) is the Sanskrit word where, ' प्र ' (Pra) is used as a prefix to verb & take on the meaning of onward or forward. Onward to दक्षिण (Dakshina) means right thus, the whole word Pradakshina (प्रदक्षिणा) means moving forward to the right.
यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मान्तरकृतानि च ।
तानि सर्वाणि नश्यन्ति प्रदक्षिणां पदे पदे ॥
Meaning- Whichever Sins have been committed by me in various births, all those gets destroyed with every step of the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा). O Bhagwan, please accept my Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा).
पदे पदे या परिपूजकेभ्यः सद्योऽश्वमेधादिफलं ददाति ।
तां सर्वपापक्षयहेतुभूतां प्रदक्षिणां ते परितः करोमि ॥
Meaning- One who at every step of the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) performed every day, offers worship to the Deity, that act gives the Fruits of the Ashvamedha sacrificial ritual (अश्वमेध यज्ञ) (the Ashvamedha Yagna was a way for kings to prove their sovereignty and claim their empire)l etc. & that becomes the cause of the destruction of all the sins, I do the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) all around You (with the same attitude).
Circumambulating (प्रदक्षिणा) in the clockwise rotation is associated as a straightforward, honest, impartial, amiable, compliant, submissive & auspicious gesture in praying the Deity. We assume that the Deity is on our right side, He being righteous in all ways. Typically, Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) is done after the completion of traditional worship (puja ritual), after paying homage to the Deity & after the sight of the Deity (दर्शनम्). It is supposed to be done with a meditative mood.
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There is the same way of Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) around all the Deities & around the plants, trees & the fire. But there is a difference in doing Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) at Bhagwan Shiva's temples. The circumambulation around the Shiva Lingam is done half which in Sanskrit known as Shivasya Ardha-pradakshina (शिवस्य अर्धप्रदक्षिणा) which means Half Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) of Bhagwan Shiva. The worshipers should start the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) as usual from the front & go clockwise keeping the right hand towards the Shiva Lingam till one reach the outlet (Gau-mukham) (गौमुखम्) for ablution water (i.e. bathed water) (अभिषेकः) of the Sanctum. The outlet for the ritual ablution (i.e. bathed water) (अभिषेकः) offered on the Shiva Lingam with water, milk, curd, coconut water, ghee, ashes (भस्मः) etc. is not to be crossed because, that ablution water (i.e. bathed water) is Sacred & in Hinduism the Sacred water (i.e. bathed water) is believed to be very auspicious & thus, one should not cross that outlet (गौमुखम्) for ablution water (i.e. bathed water) (अभिषेकः) of the Sanctum. So, the worshipers have to return in anti-clockwise direction till they reach the other side of the outlet (गौमुखम्) to complete the circle. After reaching the outlet (गौमुखम्), they have to return to the front in the clockwise direction. Thus, one Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) is completed.
There is also the significance of performing 03 circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा). The first circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) is to shed & unwind yourself from your worldly possessions & materialism. The second circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) signifies disconnecting yourself from the attachments. In the third & the final circumambulation you should unwind & disconnect from your own ego & sense of self. Thus, you disconnect yourself from materialism, attachments & ego. When you have successfully disconnected from all these three barriers in your thoughts, then you can easily connect yourself with the Deity. It is also stated in the scriptures that, the sins committed by the body are destroyed in the first round of circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा), the sins committed by speech are destroyed in the second round & the sins committed by the mind in the third round.
Historical account of the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) -
According to Shiva Puran, once Kartikeya was busy in vishwa vijay abhiyan so he was not invited during Ganesh's birth. So, Indra dev took the advantage & tried to give negative thoughts to Kartikey about the birth of Bhagwan Ganesh where Kartikeya was not invited. On the other hand, King Bali decides to perform maha yagna in the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam & Sumali (father of Tarkasur) tries to stop that maha yagna by raising the question that who will be the first god to worship in this yagna as all the devotees of every gods were invited. So, each one suggested the God they used to worship. This discussion heated into a quarell but later all the Rushis & Munis decided to visit Bhagwan Brahma & ask him to resolve this problem.
Bhagwan Brahma said none of the God is first or last, each one are equal, there Indra dev appeared & said I am the king of the Gods so I should be the first to worship. But, Bhagwan Brahma suggested to go to Bhagwan Shiva to get the solution of the same. Bhagwan Shiva said if there will be the differences about who is the best amongst the gods then how can gods teach humans to stay away from such differences? No one is great or minor, every god has their own best qualities. Later, other Gods suggested that as Ganesh is the god of auspiciousness lets appoint Bhagwan Ganesh as the first worshipping God.
To this, Bhagwan Kartikeya, as he did not want that anyone question Bhagwan Ganesh's qualities in future. So, Bhagwan Shiva came up with an idea of a race competition. Bhagwan Shiva said that, the one who performes the Circumambulation of the world / universe (विश्व प्रदक्षिणा) three times & comes back first will become the first worshipping god. Bhagwan Kartikeya started Circumambulating (प्रदक्षिणा) of the universe on his peacock. Other Gods also had their different Vahanas which were faster than the Vahana (Vehicle) of Bhagwan Ganesh. Bhagwan Kartikeya thought that he has peacock, other gods also has fast vahanas & Bhagwan Ganesha have rat so Bhagwan Ganesha will not be able to win this race. But, Bhagwan Ganesha was very clever.
After everyone left to circumambulate (प्रदक्षिणा) the universe, Bhagwan Ganesha came up with an amazing idea. Bhagwan Ganesha thought that this whole Universe/ Multiverse is because of my parents - Bhagwan Shiva & Mata Parvati so circumambulating (प्रदक्षिणा) them will ofcourse considered as the circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) of the whole universe. So, he started Circumambulating (प्रदक्षिणा) around his parents (Bhagwan Shiva & Goddess Parvati) & justified his action by stating that the universe is contained (limited) within the figure of the parents & thus he won this race & later he was appointed as the first worshipping god.
This legend justifies the importance of the Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) & thus Hindus are attached to the practice of Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा), & it also shows the importance of parenthood in Hinduism.
The difference between प्रदक्षिणा (Pradakshina) & परिक्रमा (Parikrama) -
You must have noticed that there are two different names of circumambulation in Sanskrit- प्रदक्षिणा (Pradakshina) & परिक्रमा (Parikrama). Now let’s see the meaning & difference between these two different words. The literal meaning of the word प्रदक्षिणा (Pradakshina) is - moving to the right or a reverential salutation made by walking round from left to right i.e. clockwise direction. The literal meaning of परिक्रमा (Parikrama) is - going to or moving about. Now let’s see the difference between प्रदक्षिणा (Pradakshina) & परिक्रमा (Parikrama); moving around one & same object or place is called प्रदक्षिणा (Pradakshina) & going or moving from one place to another is called परिक्रमा (Parikrama). प्रदक्षिणा (Pradakshina) is done around the Deities, the temples, the trees (e.g. peepal tree), the plants (e.g. tulsi plant) & the fire (during marriage ritual). While the परिक्रमा (Parikrama) is done around the Sacred Rivers (e.g. Narmada parikrama) & the Sacred Mountains (e.g. Govardhan hill, Girnar, etc.).
Scientific benefits of performing Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) -
1. As the temple area is covered with the trees & plants, while circumambulating around the Deity, one is surrounded by the trees, thus getting oxygen & inhaling fresh air.
2. While doing circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) one can improve the blood circulation which helps in the cure of various heart-related diseases & it also helps in improving the mood.
3. Doing circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा), one can unburden stress, ego, worries, negative thoughts & negative energies.
5. While doing circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) one absorbs positive energy activated inside the temple which helps getting calm & peaceful mind.
7. It helps to get spiritually connected to the Deity.
8. Circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) also signifies that the Deity is the center of our existence. As the centre point is always fixed & remains the same. So, this reminds that the eternal truth i.e. the Deity is the centre of our life.
9. It helps destroying the sins done through thoughts, speech & body.
10. It also represents the respect & total surrender towards the Deity.
11. While doing circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) we do it with bare foot, this helps balancing the blood pressure & improving the sleep.
12. Circumambulating (प्रदक्षिणा) with bare foot regulates the nervous system.
13. The ritualistic movement of Circumambulating (प्रदक्षिणा) can aid in increasing concentration & focus.
14. The act of walking around the deity strengthens humility & a sense of reverence. It also helps to purify mind, body & soul.
Thus, this simple ritual have wondrous scientific & religious benefits. When such simple custom is performed with more faith then one experiences tremendous energies. So, now you have become aware of why we do circumambulation (प्रदक्षिणा) & I hope you will do it with full devotion whenever you visit the temple.
ज्येष्ठः कृष्णपक्षे ०३, २०७६