temple bells

A GREAT INVENTION OF THE PAST - J.K. SIVAN

I have chosen to write this in English so that even non Tamill knowing Hindu friends can best understand the content of this message.

We Hindus, cannot think or visualise a temple without its huge bronze or panchaloka bell. Right from my childhood I have been attracted by the sound of temple bells in my life. I derive a sense of inexplicable happiness and contentment whenever I hear it ringing while worshipping the deity and when Arathi is performed by the priest in the temples.

I have pulled the bell rope to sound the bell in many temples, whenever it was possible for me to do so, even as a small boy during my visits to the temple. I remember having jumped high to touch the rope which was kept away from children's reach in some temples. I always love to hear the special sound the temple bells make.

I know, like me, many have lost themselves for a moment whenever the sound of temple bell echoed and reverberated in the the temple precincts, as it brought some sort of a soothing feeling to the heart and mind. The temple bells always made a long and deep impression in the mind, partcularly when hearing them from a distance, particularly, when everythying is silent around.

The temple Panchaloka bell sound reminds us of the chanting of the pranava manthra 'Om', the most powerful and sacred of all mantras in hinduism, found in Vedas. I have experienced a positive energy within me while hearing the ringing of temple bells.

In all rituals, at home and elsewhere, during pujas, and holy events, we chant the sloka while ringing the bell, ''Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam, Kurve ghantaaravam tatra devataahvaahna lakshanam” which means ''in order to invoke the divine Form, I sound this bill, thus ensuring that various virtuous and noble forces enter my heart and pervade me, destroying the bad and evil forces from within and without my body”

Is it not true that the temple bell sound drives away the negative forces out of us, and around us, bringing in the positivity and energy? Have we not felt that whenever we visit a temple we are charged with some ineplicable spiritual and positive force and energy? . The temples are therefore thoughtfully designed in pyramid form to attract and spread the maximum positive energy from the ether.

We read a lot and learn that most popular temples, such as Thirunallar, Chidambaram, Rameswaram, Thiruchendur, Kasi and various other holy places are identified to have vital earth magnetic lines which meet with some divine play where history records the occurrence of great religious events ever since the unknown past.

When you hear the sound of the temple bell, it first creates a vacuum, a blank in the mind for a few seconds, and then provides an opportunity to focus our attention on the Almighty, to draw in healthy positive energy within us thus depriving us of so many other unhealthy thoughts occupying our mind.

it is difficult for anyone to stop the thinking at will. We carry numerous problems daily from ever so many places to our homes, brood over them while lying in the bed which robs our inherent peace. There is no other remedy to stop the worldly thoughts entering our minds, while entering the temple other than the sounding of the temple bells.

That is why the huge bells are placed before entering the sanctum sanctorum at the entrance of temple. It greatly helps to cast aside the worldly thoughts in our mind and think of Him. In a nutshell, the sound of the temple bells disconnects the worldly thoughts from our mind, and helps us to sincerely invoke the divinity inside us. It makes us think of Him with sincerety and intensity, creating a welcome, happy mind set within us. We shout ''Har Har Mahadeva'' , ''Govinda'' ''Arohara'' ''Amme Narayani'' etc., forgetting us, devoid of all other thoughts, while the bell rings and vibrates the holy sound.

According to Hindu Agama Sastra, the temple bell should be made of pancha loha - (five metals) which are, copper, silver, gold, brass and iron. They represent the five elements of this universe whence we originate and end.

In fact the temple bells produce an inexplicable auspicious strength within us because of its sound. Along with the temple bell, in many temples, while the priests perform Aarti, the temple drum , round big metal plates like huge ''jalara'' which is known as Sekandi, ''berikai'' and conch are also sounded simultaneously. These effectively drive away the worldly disturbances, calm one’s thoughts and motivates concentration on Him.

I feel we have no words to thank our ancestors for the invention of temple bells. Only for attaining the benefit of a healthy life and Peace, certain other religious followers in Western world and Far east too, have followed the system of ringing bells at their holy places.

I am attaching the bell sound at Chidambaram Nataraja temple. You may click the link given https://youtu.be/5p3FNoVOTuwhttps://youtu.be/5p3FNoVOTuw