Post Last Edit by kirhmuru at 4-4-2012 09:43
According to the Skandha purana, the ringing of temple bellsabsolves man from sins committed over hundred births.
Why Do We Ring The Bell In A Temple?
Invariably in almost all Hindu temples there are one or more bells hung fromthe top near the entrance to the garbha griha. Hindus go to the temple to have"Darshan" (vision) of the Lord first before starting the worship orprayer. The purpose of Darshan is to establish communication between ones own"Aatman" (the divinity within you) and the "Paramaatman" (theSupreme Divinity). Darshan of the Lord is an essential and primary part of theHindu faith, even before any form of worship is started. The devotee rings thebell as soon as he enters, thereafter proceeds to have Darshan of the Lord,following it with prayer or worship.
The Bell, known in Sanskrit as the Ghanta/Ghanti is used in all poojas forinvoking the Gods.The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as anauspicious sound. It produces the sound of "OM" the Universal name ofthe Lord. Most Mantraas (prayers) and vedic chants start with OM. Allauspicious actions begin with OM. It fills the mind with peace, makes itfocussed and replete with subtle sounds.. The ringing of the bell drowns anyirrelevant or inauspicious sound, and pervades the whole atmosphere.Thisreminds us of all pervasive nature of the supreme (Sarva-vyaapi). Even whiledoing the ritualistic "Aarathi" the bell is rung. It is sometimesaccompanied by conch blowing, beating drums, clashing of cymbals and othermusical instruments. Hindus chant the following prayer while ringing the bell to start their daily worship.
Mantra to be recited before ringing the puja bell
Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam
gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam
Kurve ghantaaravam tatra
devataahvaahna lakshanam
Means: I ring this bell indicating the invocation of divinity, So that virtuousand noble forces enter (my home and heart); And the demonic and evil forcesfrom within and without, depart.There is another patam followed"Kuryaath ghantaravamtatra" .Ultimately devatas are aahvan-invited" |