Pran Prathistha to be Conducted in Ayodhya’s Ram temple

January 10, 2024

The consecration ritual to infuse the divine spirit into the Ram idol at the Ayodhya temple, known as pran pratishtha, is approaching. Preparations will commence on January 16 leading up to the main ceremony to be conducted on January 22, which will transform the statue into a living deity capable of receiving worship and blessings. The intricate Vedic ceremony known as pran pratishtha transforms an ordinary statue into a divine idol imbued with the spirit and powers of a deity. But how does this alchemy giving “life” to stone or metal actually work?

Meaning of Pran Pratishtha

In Sanskrit, pran pratishtha literally translates to “establishing the life breath.” Essentially, it refers to the ritual process that consecrates a new murti (sacred image) or temple and vivifies it to become a conduit for receiving prayers and channeling divine grace.

The multi-step practice manifests the belief that divinity in Hinduism exists equally within the devoted and the object of devotion. Without worshippers’ faith fuelling it, an idol remains mere artifact.

Prominent Stages of the Ritual

Several key ceremonies conducted by priests using Vedic mantras define pran pratishtha:

Shobha Yatra – A festive public procession allowing community devotion to flow into the new idol or temple.
Adhivas – Purification baths in materials like water, grain and milk to cleanse impurities and heal cracks.
Abhishek – Consecrating wash containing holy substances according to the deity.
Netronmeelan – Opening the eyes by outlining with a gold needle dipped in anjan (kohl).

Only once these rites catalyze its transformation from physical form into divine embodiment can the murti fully receive direct puja (worship), listen to prayers, and channel blessings.

Scriptural Origins

While the underlying principles are delineated in the Vedas dating back millennia, the specific pran pratishtha methodology draws from ancient Hindu supplementary texts like the Puranas explicating Vedic wisdom.

Each deity invocation uses distinct mantras and materials aligned with that god’s mythology and preferred offerings. Even the number of procedural steps holds symbolic meaning.

When is Pran Pratishtha Performed?

Temples typically conduct pran pratishtha for a new permanent murti before fully finishing construction. At minimum, the inner sanctum housing the idol requires completion.

The living infusion ritual also applies when replacing damaged idols incapable of further channeling divinity. The essence gets transferred into subsequent statues.

For household shrine idols more easily transported, pran pratishtha can recur each time the devotee shifts them to a new location. Though some objects like the unique Shaligram stones innately embody divine presence obviating such processes.

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