Why are idols of deities adorned with ornaments during worship?

Contents

• 1. Importance and underlying science of ornaments
  • 1.1 Origin and meaning of the word ‘Alankara’
  • 1.2 Science underlying creation of ornaments
  • 1.3 Subtle ornaments
  • 1.4 Changes in ornaments according to the eras (Yugas)
  • 1.5 The objective and importance of adorning ornaments
• 2. Benefits of wearing ornaments
  • 2.1 By adorning ornaments the benefit of acupressure is gained
  • 2.2 Due to ornaments the chakras are purified and awakened
  • 2.3 Due to ornaments one is protected from negative energies
  • 2.4 Reduction in the black energy accumulated or stored in the body parts or organs
  • 2.5 On Holy festivals due to welcome of Deities with ornaments, their blessings are obtained
  • 2.6 Protection from negative energies during Holy festivals and religious rituals
  • 2.7 By adorning the ornaments offered to the Devi as Holy sacrament (Prasad), gain of Devi’s Energy (Shakti) and Chaitanya

1. Importance and underlying science of ornaments

In Sanatan Hindu Dharma ‘Adorning ornaments’ is considered an important conduct. Sari, vermilion on the forehead coupled with ornaments like earrings, necklace, bangles etc. is the identity of the traditional form of a Hindu woman. However, with time the importance of this invaluable gift started getting overlooked. From the viewpoint of materialism ‘Ornament’ became the medium of displaying opulence. Due to lack of education of our own Dharma, many actions such as applying a ‘Bindi’ in place of vermilion, not wearing ‘Mangalasutra’, the symbol of state of married woman etc. were adopted. Wearing ornaments like bracelets, bangles, nose-ring amounted to backwardness. In fact the ornaments are a medium that helps acquire Divine grace.

Features of ornaments: The pleasing radiance of ornaments on the face and the body dispels the raja-tama-dominant particles in the atmosphere. Hence, it is saviour in nature. Due to the radiance emitted by the ornaments the negative energies are also destroyed. So it is destroyer. The ornaments impart Chaitanya, Bliss (Anand) and Serenity (Shanti) to a person as per his temperament. Ornament functions according to the temperament of a person and is a form of God that teaches him to move towards perfection.

1.1 Origin and meaning of the word ‘Alankara’

‘Alankara’ means ‘Abhushan’. The word ‘Abhushan’ is associated with the word ‘Abharan’, which is made from the root ‘Bhru’. It means ‘Placing or wearing on the body’. There are different meanings of the word ‘Abhushan’. In Rugveda, it means ‘Bringing an Energy imparting object’, in Atharvaveda, it means ‘An object charged with the power of mantra’. The connotation of the word ‘Alankara’ is: ‘The medium to decorate externally the gross form gifted by God to man is ‘Alankara’.

1.2 Science underlying creation of ornaments

For carrying out the function of Vishnu Principle Sri Lakshmi acquired various Energies in Herself and began performing the function. These Energies adorned by Sri Lakshmi are Her ornaments which are in a subtle form. When we see an image or a picture of Sri Lakshmi these ornaments are visible in a gross form.

1.3 Subtle ornaments

When there is a discussion about ornaments, it is normally regarding the ornaments that are visible to the eyes. In reality, subtle ornaments are also present on man’s subtle body.

Subtle ornaments of man, that is, his Divine qualities: These subtle ornaments take the form according to the Divine qualities of a person. They are situated on a person’s Kundalini chakras in his body. They function as a protective sheath for the person. There are different ornaments for different qualities like expansiveness, warrior attitude, transparency, spiritual love (Priti) etc. More the defects in a person, more are the demonic ornaments in a subtle form in his body.

Association of man’s defects with the ornaments of demonic energies: Due to man’s defects, the negative energies create centers in his body and store their ornaments in them. For example, the subtle ornaments associated with the demonic energies are in higher proportion in the body of the traitors and heretics who are responsible for causing the downfall of the nation and Dharma. In short, the Divine and demonic energies are imparted to man through the medium of the subtle ornaments.

1.4 Changes in ornaments according to the eras (Yugas)

In Satyayuga as the behaviour of man was limited by moral values, there was no need for external ornaments. In the course of time as per the need the proportion of wearing ornaments increased. In Satyayuga the ornaments prepared from natural resources were worn like flowers, leaves of a tree etc.

In Tretayuga, the fruit of a tree also came to be used as an ornament such as a garland of Rudraksha. Ash was also applied to the body.

In Dwaparyuga, as the proportion and influence of raja-guna increased, there was higher proportion of wearing ornaments in the gross form. In this yuga use of gold ornaments started.

In Kaliyuga, the medium of external ornaments to absorb the Divine qualities became more necessary. In order to understand the importance of usefulness of external ornaments.

1.5 The objective and importance of adorning ornaments

• Enhancement of beauty: Man has attraction towards his body. Ornaments accentuate the beauty of the body.

• Through the ornaments worn after marriage (Soubhagyalankara), women reminded of loyalty towards their husbands (Pativrata-Dharma): The ornaments worn by married women are called Soubhagyalankara. Vermilion (Kumakuma), mangalsutra, bangles, toe rings etc. are Saubhagyalankaras. Wearing a minimum of these ornaments by married women has been elucidated as necessary by Scriptures. Constant reminder to a married woman of loyalty towards her husband (Pativrata-Dharma), is the objective underlying creation of Saoubhagyalankras.

• Bestowal by Deities of Their frequencies through the medium of ornaments: For the benefit of man, the form of Deities have been created with ornaments. Frequencies of the Absolute Fire Principle (Teja-tattva) are emitted from the Deities. These frequencies reach man through the ornaments worn or adorned. This is the reason, as per Hindu Dharma the idols of Deities are embellished with ornaments while ritualistically worshipping them. For example in Dipavali, prayer is offered to Sri Lakshmi, requesting Her to adorn ornaments. At that time this shloka is recited:

  रत्‍नकङ्‌कणकेयूरकाञ्‍वीकुण्‍डलनूपुरम्‌ ।
  मुक्‍ताहारं किरीटं च गृहाणाभरणानिमे ।।

  Meaning: 'O Devi, please adorn thick bangles with precious stones (Kankan or Kaanda), armlet, a girdle around the waist, earrings, anklets, pearl necklace, crown etc.

  In this way, by offering ornaments to Deities in ritualistic worship, the worshipper gains Absolute Fire Element (Teja-tattva) from them. If it is not possible to offer ornaments, then one can offer unbroken rice as a symbol of ornaments to the Deities.

• Absorption of Chaitanya of Deities through ornaments: Through the ornaments worn by a person, he is easily able to absorb the Chaitanya of the Deities. Through the medium of ornaments, this Chaitanya gets accumulated close to the body and it is emitted into the environment as per the requirement.

• Obtaining blessings of the deities by welcoming Them on holy festivals with the medium of ornaments: On the day of holy festivals and religious rituals and on some auspicious days the deities subtly descend on earth. On that day, by adorning ornaments, welcoming of the Deities happen appropriately. The deities are appeased and bless him.

• Protection from negative energies during Holy festivals and religious rituals: During any Holy festival or religious ritual, there is a war between Deities and negative energies. This takes place sequentially in the Universe, atmosphere and at the place of the ritual respectively. Consequently, there is a possibility of the people celebrating the Holy festival and those present for the religious ritual experiencing distress due to negative energies. In such circumstances, by wearing gold ornaments a protective sheath of Divine Chaitanya is created around the person and he is protected from negative energies.

• Ornaments as a medium of merging with Deities: The Teja-tattva emitted rom Deities is emitted through the ornaments worn by them. The gold ornaments worn by a person are also associated with Teja-tattva. The ornaments worn by the person help in absorbing the Principle of Deities.

• Gain of the saviour and destroyer principle (Tarak-Marak) of the Deities as per the requirement: A person benefits maximum by wearing ornaments attracting saviour or detroyer (Tarak-Marak) principles of Deities as per the need. For example, if the ornament has the design of a lotus or a flower petal it absorbs the Deity's saviour Principle. If the ornament has the design of Sudarshan chakra, arrow, cobra (Naga) then it attracts the Deity's destroyer Principle and emits it as per the requirement.

• Absorption of Deity's Principle by use of ornaments when waving a lit lamp (Aukshan): Gold or silver ornaments are used while doing aukshan. Primarily, a gold ring is used. It is associated with Teja and Sagun Principle. The void of the ring, that is, its inner rounded part is associated with the Deity's Nirgun Principle. Due to this sattva predominant frequencies are emitted from this void. Due to the design on the ring, raja predominant frequencies are emitted from it. An average person can easily absorb these frequencies.

• Functioning as a protective sheath: Ornaments act as a sheath for the person. Gold ornaments were created for protecting an average person from negative energies. By wearing ornaments a person is protected from the negative energies at least by 10 percent. The attack of negative energies is first on the ornaments worn by the person. That is why a person is affected to a very less proportion. The ornaments affected by negative energies are removed, purified and then re-worn.

2. Benefits of wearing ornaments

2.1 By adorning ornaments the benefit of acupressure is gained

There are various points on a man’s body associated with repective body organs. The Chetanashakti flow in the body is obstructed due to various reasons. The distress in a specific body part is alleviated by pressing the associated point. This science is called acupressure method.

By wearing ornaments on various parts of the body, the points in that part of the body are pressed and acupressure healing occurs. In ancient times the people wore ornaments with the Bhav of abiding by conducts (Acharas). Hence healing occured on them. From this it is clear that the use of ornaments through the medium of Acharadharma at the Chaitanya level for acupressure was practised by the ancient Vedic people.

Spiritual experience of a lady with negative energies distress regarding ornaments: During acupressure the mantrik from Hell distressing a lady manifested. The ornaments worn by her such as the earrings, bangles were distressing the mantrik. So he removed them and wore them at wrong places, that is, the bangles on the ears, the earrings on the feet and the anklets in the hair. The lady felt that the ‘Mantrik was disrespecting the ornaments’.

This spiritual experience of the woman shows that due to the ornaments the negative energies are distressed.

2.2 Due to ornaments the chakras are purified and awakened

Ornaments are associated to particular body part. When a person wears a specific ornament on a specific body part, the Chaitanya functional through the medium of the ornament reaches the relative chakra through that specific part. For example, the chakra associated with the throat is Vishuddha chakra. Hence, when a woman wears an ornament called ‘Kanthamani’ or a fitting necklace, the Chaitanya activated through the medium of Kanthamani reaches the Vishuddha chakra. With this the Vishuddha chakra is purified. Due to the purification of the chakras the proportion of negative energies distress is reduced. When people not having negative energies distress wear ornaments the chakras associated with the ornaments are awakened and they get spiritual experiences. For example, women or men wear a gold chain around the neck. Due to this the Anahata-chakra is awakened. Due to this the Bhav of the person wearing the chain towards God is activated. The length of the chain should be such that it touches the chest.

2.3 Due to ornaments one is protected from negative energies

Negative energies give distress to a person through various ways like they enter the person's body etc. The subtle process of protection from negative energies through ornaments is as follows: Due to the protective sheath generated by the ornament negative energy cannot give distress.

Subtle process taking place when the negative energy gives distress from outside

• When a person wears an ornament on a specific body part, for example, on wearing bangles, a protective sheath of Chaitanya frequencies emitted from the ornament is created around the hand.

• Due to this sheath the negative energy is unable to distress the person.

Subtle process taking place when a negative energy enters the body of a person and gives distress

• When such a person wears ornaments, due to the protective sheath generated, the negative energies in the body of the person is restrained.

• Due to this the negative energy does not get black energy from other negative energy or from Hell.

Thus, by wearing ornaments the negative energies distress is reduced. In ancient times the warrior kings adorned ornaments and they would be protected from black magic of the enemy.

2.4 Reduction in the black energy accumulated or stored in the body parts or organs

For imparting distress to a person, negative energies create centres in his body parts or organs and fill black energy in them. Due to this black energy, the person can experience distress like pain in that organ, distortion of the organ etc. By adorning particular ornaments on those particular organs, due to the Chaitanya present in them, it helps to reduce the black energy accumulated in the organs.

Spiritual experience: Destruction of the black energy of the associated organ by adorning sattvik ornaments and experiencing bliss: On 8^th June 2007, with a feeling of heaviness I was experiencing unenthusiasm and distress. So I wore a nine yard sari and started adorning ornaments one after the other. Consequently, with the touch of each ornament with the particular organ, I was experiencing lightness. While getting my photograph clicked I had the awareness that, 'I am smiling towards H.H. Dr. Athavale and He is also reciprocating'. Instead of the camera, I was having a darshan of His Holy Feet. My yearning for God realisation was increasing and I was continuously experiencing gratitude. With the eradication of the distress experienced since morning, I was obtaining or experiencing bliss. Through this I realised the importance of or essence of a nine yard sari and sattvik ornaments. - Ms. Gayatri Butte, Goa

Through this spiritual experience, one can get the inspiration to follow the conducts elucidated in the Hindu Dharma. One can also understand the importance of abiding by Dharma and its benefits. Adorning ornaments is a part of abiding by Dharma itself. Ornaments have more ability to absorb the sattvikata and Chaitanya of Deities. This is the reason why adorning ornaments in Holy festivals and religious rituals has been advocated.

2.5 On Holy festivals due to welcome of Deities with ornaments, their blessings are obtained

On the day of Holy festivals and religious ritual and on some auspicious day the Deities subtly descend on Earth. On that day, by adorning ornaments, wee of the Deities happens through him appropriately. The Deities are appeased and bless him.

2.6 Protection from negative energies during Holy festivals and religious rituals

During any Holy festival or religious ritual, there is a war between Deities and negative energies. This takes plsequentially in the Universe, atmosphere and at the place of the ritual. Consequently, there is a possibility of the people celebrating the Holy festival and those present for the religious ritual experiencing distress by negative energies. In such circumstances, by wearing gold ornaments a protective sheath of Divine Chaitanya is created around the person and he is protected from negative energies.

2.7 By adorning the ornaments offered to the Devi as Holy sacrament (Prasad), gain of Devi’s Energy (Shakti) and Chaitanya

Together with coconut, flowers etc. the devotees offer objects like various ornaments, bangles, cloth etc. to the Devi. Through them, the person benefits from the associated Devi principle. This benefit is at a subtle level therefore the average people do not understand it. The one’s who have subtle Knowledge or sixth sense that is can perceive the subjects beyond the five senses, mind and intellect, can understand this.

Subtle effects after wearing bangles offered to the Devi:

• On wearing the bangles offered to the Devi as Holy sacrament (Prasad), Chaitanya is attracted towards the bangles from the Devi Principle present in the Universe.

• The frequencies of this Chaitanya spreads in the body of the woman wearing bangles.

Subtle effects after wearing the anklet (Payal) offered to Devi:

• On wearing the anklet offered to the Devi as Holy sacrament (Prasad), a spiral of Shakti having Devi Principle gets activated.

• Through this spiral the frequencies of Shakti are transmitted or spread in the body of the woman who has adored the anklet.

• Also spirals of Chaitanya get activated in the anklet and are transmitted in the upward direction in body of the woman wearing it.

Spiritual experience: On adorning the Deity’s crown as blessing, the black covering formed on the head getting or being pulled in the void of the crown: In September 2006, I visited the Sri Balaji temple situated at Goa. As a blessing, the priest placed the Deity’s crown on my head. At that time I felt that the covering of black energy formed on my head is being pulled in the void of the crown. - Ms. Madhura Bhosle, Goa

Through this spiritual experience of Ms. Madhura Bhosle the importance of adorning the ornaments offered at the Holy Feet of the Deity becomes evident. If one has adorned ornaments to display opulance or for enhancing beauty as he has adored ornaments as per his or her choice, then the benefit from it is minisqual as compared to the benefit acquired by adorning ornaments for spiritual benefit.