What actually is Prana Pratishtha? : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 What actually is Prana Pratishtha?

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Free Press Journal (22-1-2024)

People in general and Ram Bhaktas in particular are going gag an over the historic Prana Pratista of Lord Ram Lulla Mandir in Ayodhya today at 12.20 PM. There are many debates took place for the last several weeks both in the main stream media and on social media and these debates are centred around the Prana Pratista matter. But what actually is a temple’s Prana Pratista as per the Agama Sastra?

Agama Sastra Vidwan, Vedic Scholar and the one who conducted Prana Pratista of many a temple, Borra Vasudeva Charyulu shared his knowledge on the subject. He is now working as the Chief Priest at the Apara Bhadrachala Temple in Mutharam village in Mudigonda Mandal in Khammam district.

Prana Prathishta is not done by any individual, it is done by a selected priest assisted by a team of vedic scholars. As per Adi Sankaracharya, a temple is regarded as a human body. The temple’s main dome is the head, Sanctum Sanctorum is throat, the main Idol is heart, inner light is lamp, compound is stomach, steps are thighs, Gali Gopuram is feet and the temples is Dwaja Sthamba.

Incidentally, in one of his keerthana, Nitya pujalivivo nerichina noho
pratyakshamainatti paramathmuniki || Saint Annamacharya also makes a similar comparision. (Here is my regular worship to my lord in front of me.

Body itself is a temple and head is its tower. His graceful glances are like temple lamps to one’s conscience.

Speech itself is Mantra. The buzz of world is like ringing sound of bells. All good tastes are offerings to the God in one’s inner self.

All movements and actions are expressions of conscience. This life is for His service. Deep sighs are like fans to Lord Venkataraya)

The process of actual Prana Pratista will begin with invoking all the five elements, earth, water, air, fire and the light through conducting Brahma Nyasa. The main priest and the team of priests invite Jeeva Kalash into the Kumbham. Curd, Milk, ghee, cow urine are used in the Abhishekha that follows. This ritual will be followed by many Homams such as Vaastu, Akalmasha Prayachitham homam and Raksha Bandanam.

Special Yagnas will be performed to put prana into the main Idol and it will be done by putting the Yantra in place. Each and Every Limb of the Idol is given Prana by chanting of Vedic Mantras and Hymns. The priests then do the Digbandhana so that the prana is there in the Idol forever. This will be followed by special archanas. After Prana Pratista, the priests and Vedic scholars will chant Vedic mantras for the well being of all those present there, the country and the universe. The entire rituals will end with the blessings of priest and Vedic scholar, who pray for the well being of the universe, Sarve Jana Sukhino Bavanthu, Loka Samastha Sukhino Bavanthu!