This is the second part of my blog on Hindu Temple. Granite as the preferred choice of material for an Idol & the importance of Sound in a Temple are explained in great detail.
2. The “Power of Granite” & why it is the preferred choice of material for an Idol.
When Idol worship began in India is unknown, but surely it dates back to much before the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization (also known as Indus Valley Civilization < click here to know more from my earlier blog). White Makrana Marble is usually used in making Idols in North Indian Temples & Granite in South Indian Temples. Perhaps, local material availability has driven this choice. White marble mainly consists of Calcium Carbonate with little vibrational properties. Before we understand the “qualities of Granite”, here is a quick recap of the definition of Energy, Frequency & Vibration.
- Energy is what the Universe is made up of. It is the basic building block. Everything in the universe is made up of energy, and all energy vibrates at different frequencies.
- Vibration is periodic to & fro motion of an object – back and forth or up and down. It is caused by the transfer of energy from one object to another.
- Frequencyis how many times per second this vibrational motion repeats and is measured in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz). The higher the frequency, the faster the vibration. (Everything that is living & non-living vibrates at their own special frequency. Also different cells within our body vibrate at different frequencies. When our cells vibrate at a higher frequency, we are full of positive energy. A healthy human body has a vibrational frequency range of approx. 70 MHz).
- The scale used to measure the hardness of a stone is called “Mohs”. Soap stone is the easiest to carve with a scale of mohs 2. But granite has a Mohs scale of 8 and is very hard to carve but long lasting. Despite this difficulty, our sculptors (Shilpis) chose granite to make idols as it is the hardest stone found in India with some exceptional qualities. They became experts in carving with granite including making the smallest of objects with it.
- Composition of Granite from India is 70-77% Quartz Crystal (Silica), 11-13% Feldspar (Aluminosilicate minerals that contain calcium, sodium, or potassium) & small percentages of Iron, Mica, Lime, Magnesia etc. As we all know, Quartz has a high vibrational property and also has the highest composition in granite. Clear quartz has very high natural resonant frequency and the capability to amplify energy. The temple is a direct representation of the human body. Therefore, the space within a temple is made to vibrate in resonance with the space within the human body, thus creating a spiritual connection. Consecutively, the temple space is designed in such a way so that it vibrates in tune with the Universal Vibration as well.
3. A Sthapati (Temple Architect) is the person who is responsible for the construction of a Temple right from choosing a site up-to the final handing over. Constructing a temple involves several aspects of Engineering, Architecture, Knowledge of Itihasa (Ancient History) & Puranas, Psychology, stone transportation, music, dance, arts, economics, sociology & anthropology, astrology, space & time, Vāstu-śāstra etc.
The Temple Architect is also a master Shilpacharya (idol sculptor) who has a deep understanding of granite even knowing its gender – Male, Female or Neutral stones. Granite has all the Five Elements (earth, air, water, fire & space) – Pancha Bhutas in ideal proportions. Since Granite has the necessary moisture, porosity (minute spaces), crystalline granular structure, heat element, tone & grade/quality, it can absorb the divine vibrations emitted during the chanting of mantras via air & water and in turn energize the surroundings.
Moreover, all the Granite that is required for a particular temple has also to be sourced from the same area or mountain in order to maintain uniformity in quality. Therefore only an expert sculptor has the capability to choose the right granite stone to work upon.
4. Please watch a You Tube Video on “Vibrational and Electromagnetic properties of Granite” (<click here) . It shows the vibrational & electromagnetic properties of Granite by means of a lab experiment. (You may watch at 1.5X speed). A brief summary of this experiment is given below:
- Sample objects used are steel, brass, granite & Aluminum all in one inch diameter and having equal weight of 128 grams.
- As the base is vibrating, Granite is easier to move around compared to rest of the other objects.
- Then very little water is added to the up-to ¼” inches just enough to wet the base of the objects. It is found that Granite moves around easily, whereas the rest of the objects which show resistance when moved. (It is the Quartz crystal content in the Granite makes it special)
- Granite also has magnetic & electro-magnetic properties as shown in the video because of certain percentage of Iron content in the granite, but not as much as the steel rod though.
Conclusion:
The vibrational property of Granite increases when it is moist or wet. This is one of the reasons why Abhisekham (the bathing ritual or cleansing) is performed on the Idol. Most commonly water, milk, ghee, honey etc. are used for this purpose. Among various types of granites, tests have shown that Black Granite has the highest vibration and therefore the preferred choice for making Idols.
3. Sound & its importance with respect to Energy, Frequency & Vibration.
Introduction:
Akasha (Ether or also called SPACE for want of better word) is the most subtle among the Five Elements as can be seen below, since SOUND is its only property. (Akasha or Space here does not mean empty space as sound does not travel in emptiness or vacuum and will require a medium (vibration of particles/atoms) to travel. Space here refers to a subtle substance called “Ether” or “Akasha” that is spread all over space.
Five Elements (Pancha Bhutas) vs Objects of Perception or Senses (Tanmatras):
- Ether (Akasha) – Sound (Shabda)
- Air (Vayu) – Sound and touch (Sparsha)
- Fire (Agni) – Sound, touch and sight/form (Rupa)
- Water (Apah) – Sound, touch, form and taste (Rasa)
- Earth (Prithivi) – Sound, touch, form, taste and smell (Gandha)
From the above it can be seen that the rest of the elements starting from Vayu or Air, keeps accumulating the perception/sense of the previous object and the highest gross element namely Earth is identified with all the five senses. Thus the subtlety keeps decreasing with the increasing gross nature of elements. Sound is a subtlest property and therefore in a Temple, idols of many Gods & Goddesses are shown holding Instruments that produce sound.
How is Sound produced by a Human Being?
“An individual with a desire to speak encourages the mind. The mind strikes the heat (fire element) center at the navel, which then pushes the air (wind) which is the carrier of sound. The sound as energy (Naada) then gradually moves up through stomach, heart, throat (voice box/larynx) & mouth (all these are Spaces within our body) as audible sound (Shabda)” – Quote from “Ganarahasya Prakashini”
In essence, when the Heat or Fire Element meets the Air or Prana Element, this union is called Naada or the seed sound or sound as energy. When Naada passes through Spaces in our body, it becomes audible sound – Shabda. Sound manifests in form as “Letter”, letter forms words and words make sentences. Therefore, our Universe depends on Naada or SOUND energy and on earth it is the primary source that created language. Our ancient Rishis or Sages understood this power of sound as SHRUTI (what is heard) and transmitted knowledge verbally through SMRITI (what is remembered), due to the absence of written language. Mantras were created by them to acknowledge this power of sound.
↑↑↑ Source & Credit < Prof M G Prasad
The heat generated in the body as mentioned above, is evident when we practice “Pranayama or Pranayam”. The body starts to sweat as we breathe. Pranayama as per OSHO is wrongly translated are “breath control”. As per him, “Prana” is life force or vital energy hidden in breath. “Ayam” is Infinite Expansion. Breathing not individually but identifying with the whole universe when doing so and therefore Pranayama means expansion of vitality!
The Mayas - Masters of Architecture & Sound manipulation:
The Mayans flourished in Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras & nearby countries) for thousands of years and still exist. Since ancient times, Mayans were known all over the world as master builders. They perfected the art of building temples & other structures and had a deep understanding of sound manipulation & acoustics. Please click on a one minute You Tube video “Acoustics at Chichen Itza” (<click here) that shows the Temple of Kukulcan in Chichen Itza, Mexico, built in gray limestone to manipulate sound. The sound of a handclap produces the sound of their sacred bird called quetzal. This shows their mastery over understanding SOUND and also their expertise in the exact knowledge & calculations involved in arriving at this astounding sound manipulation.
Conch Shells/Temple Bells & other instruments:
Blowing the Conch Shell or “Shank” is an important ritual in Temples. The sound made by the Conch Shell removes the inauspicious vibration in the environment, therefore purifying this space and creating a positive vibration. The sound of OM is produced when blowing the conch. Spectral analysis (Sound dB on Y axis vs Frequency (Hz) on X axis) done on blowing Conch or Shank shows that the inside spiral structure dampens the unwanted noise and sharpens the sound as it comes out (Click on a paper on “Conch Shell Acoustics” referenced below). Experiments have been conducted on the sound pressure level measured inside the “Mandapa” of Temple while blowing the conch and it exceeds 100dB. (The most sacred among the conch shells is the Panchajanya conch used by Lord Krishna (made of Pancha or Five elements) & held in upper left hand. It was used to signify the start of the Mahabharata war).
When our brain/mind is calm and not focusing hard, it produces alpha waves which falls in the middle of the brain wave spectrum. These alpha waves are in the range of 8 Hz to 13 Hz and release serotonin which is a mood elevator and a sense of well-being prevails. As these waves travel through our body they restore, refresh & renew energy flow. This is the reason we must visit temple, especially when we are in a hopelesss mood.
The other sound producing objects used in a Temple are Temple Bells & Gongs, playing of musical instruments like drums, cymbals, nādḥasvaram (a wind instrument considered very auspicious in South India). All these instruments are used to enhance the divine vibration around the temple complex.
Those who are scientifically inclined can view a paper below by Lisa Taylor, Prof. M G. Prasad & others on this subject of Conch Shell Acoustics. (Few portions are highlighted in yellow for a quick reading )
Shabdha (Sound or Word) Brahman & Para (Supreme) Brahman as per Amritabindu Upanishad:
द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये तु शब्दब्रह्म परं च यत्।
शब्दब्रह्माणि निष्णातः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति॥
dve vidye veditavye tu śabdabrahma paraṁ ca yat |
śabdabrahmāṇi niṣṇātaḥ paraṁ brahmādhigacchati || Verse 17||
Translation: Two kinds of Vidya or Knowledge needs to be understood 1) Shabda Brahman (Shabda means Sound or Word, also known as Apara Vidya) and 2) Para Brahman (also known as Para Vidya or transcendental knowledge or knowledge of Supreme Self). The former is termed as lower knowledge and the latter is higher knowledge. The One who has understood & well informed on “Shabda Brahman” will realize the “Para Brahman”. Thus the final goal is to realize the Supreme Self, for everything else is lower knowledge.
ग्रन्थमभ्यस्य मेधावी ज्ञानवीज्ञानतत्परः।
पलालमिव धान्यार्यी त्यजेद्ग्रन्थमशेषतः॥
granthamabhyasya medhāvī jñānavījñānatatparaḥ |
palālamiva dhānyāryī tyajedgranthamaśeṣataḥ || Verse 18||
Translation: After studying the scriptures, the wise one, who is solely intent on acquiring knowledge and wisdom, should cast aside the scriptures completely, like a man who has reached the rice casts off the husk. (Realization of the Supreme Brahman is rice and everything else is husk!)
Comments: Shabda is vibrational sound or Mantras and the primary mantra as we all know is “Pranava”, the Celestial Sound – OM. Sound is the subtlest of all Tanmatras (senses) with Space as it’s only Mahabhuta (Element). After understanding Shadba Brahman, we move on to Para Brahman or transcendental knowledge. But the audible chant of mantras (Shabda) is still considered as lower knowledge. The process is to move from audible chant to chanting only in the mind and then on to complete silence during meditation & merging with the supreme self or Para Brahman. This is considered higher knowledge! Thus, the one who has completely understood Shabda Brahman will realize Para Brahman!
Conclusion:
Sound energy is sound & vibration. Mantras are thus “sound energy” measured in decibels (dB) which causes vibration & this vibration measured in Hertz is called frequency. In our body it is the vibration within that creates sound (going from Naada to Shabda) and this sound in turn pushes the air molecules nearby to vibrate another object – Sounds are caused when an object vibrates, but can sound cause another object to vibrate? (<click here). If sculptor chooses the granite stone of right tone & quality, then positive & divine vibrations will emanate from the idol during the chanting of mantras and the blowing of conch & other instruments.
A human being who is healthy will have a vibrational frequency in the range of 62-70 MHz. If cells are vibrating at a higher frequency than this range, it would mean that they are full of energy and this keeps our mind & body healthy! Blowing of conch shells, ringing of Temple Bells & Gongs, playing of musical instruments like drums, cymbals, nādḥasvaram (a wind instrument considered vey auspicious in South India), together enhance the divine vibration around the temple complex.
In the next & final and concluding part of my blog on Hindu Temple, I will explain the significance of Water & Fire in a Hindu Temple and also how our five senses are invigorated upon visiting a temple.