Post the Diwali festival, comes the quintessential Diwali vacation… off to a beach or hill-station to spend some time in the mid-term break before the second term of school/college starts again. And if you are holidaying anywhere in India, it is highly unlikely that your vacation will be without at least one temple visit 😊! Oh yes, I can see the faces the younger gen will make even reading about this… well, I have two teenagers in my home!!
When we visited a temple, my younger daughter was curious about the घण्टा “Ghanta/Bell” that we have outside the गर्भगृह (Garbhagriha / Inner sanctum) of all temples. These big Ghantas are rung while entering the temple garbhagriha. We also have the smaller ghantas at home that are used during pooja times by the elders. Did you know there is a shloka specially for this घण्टा ?
While ringing the bell, the shloka chanted is –
आगमार्थं तु देवानां गमनार्थं तु रक्षसाम्। घण्टारवं करोम्यादौ देवताह्वान लाञ्छनम्॥
It means –
आगमार्थं तु देवानां - with the purpose of inviting the Divine forces
गमनार्थं तु रक्षसाम् - with the purpose of driving out the Evil forces
घण्टारवं करोमि आदौ$ - I sound the Ghanta in the beginning
देवताह्वान लाञ्छनम् - as a mark of invoking the Divinity
Ringing of the bell is considered auspicious. It is said to welcome divinity and dispel evil.
The temple bell is made from metals like copper, silver, gold, lead, iron, tin, and mercury. At our homes, we have smaller bells made of silver, brass, or steel.
Why do we ring the bell?
The ringing of the bell causes vibrations that are in sync with the vibrations of the associated planets depending on what the bell is made out of.
Secondly, in the olden days the sound would keep wild animals and predators away.
Thirdly, the sound disengages the mind from the ongoing thoughts and brings it in focus on the deity and worship. The mind becomes more receptive to the pooja or aarti that is in progress.
Hence, the घण्टारव (Ghantaarav/Sound of the Bell) is said to bring in divinity and drive out the evil forces for the devotee – both in the outside world and inside the mind!
So, the next time you visit a temple or are a part of a pooja or aarti, don't forget to ring the bell and chant this shloka!
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$ संधि-विग्रहः / Sandhi Vigraha - Two words joined in shloka have been separated.
Dear Prajakta,I am Vaiju Rege, I enjoy reading your posts. I just want to add that when one rings the bell at the entrance of a mandir, one must stand under it to let the vibrations act on your body and then proceed inside.
Praju
In my younger days when o actively participated in Aartis I realised when you are hearing the lound pealing of a ghanta or Taal or chipalya you cannot think negative thoughts....the rhythms n sound drives out all negativity n makes your mind pure n chaste
Driving out wild animals I don't know. But driving out wild thoughts really happens ....I have personal experience
yet another wonderful article Prajakta ... In today's era, it's very essential to calm your mind and fight the evils which are within us like anger , jealousy etc ... but for today I will certainly await India's big win to ring the bell loud 🔔🔔🔔