Chapter 12 - Importance of constructing temples stated as Dharma of rich devotees by Bhagawan Shree Hari

Importance of constructing temples stated as Dharma of rich devotees by Bhagawan Shree Hari. 

Shri Narayan Muni said:- 

A householder should build with devotion and according to his affordability, a Hari-temple, which is strong, well white-washed and has a circular corridor around. 1. 

‘O Suvrat! A householder receives more and more prosperity as he builds the temple stronger and stronger. 2. 

The temple should be beautiful, facing the East and in front of it, a Garuda Mandap should be erected on the ground. 3. 

A pleasant pilgrim-dormitory (Dharmashala), should be built around the temple which is suitable for the stay of the travelling devotees of Vishnu. It should be surrounded by a compound wall. 4. 

A garden full of trees, flowers and fruits should be developed near the temple. In that garden, there should be a small well filled with clean and sweet water. 5. 

Lord Vasudeva should be installed (consecrated) at the centre of the temple; Goddess Ambika, in the north-east corner, the Sun- God, in the south-east corner; Brahma, in the south-west corner; and Shiva, along with his son Ganesh, in the north-west corner. Those idols should be consecrated in a ceremony by following proper procedures. 6 - 7 

Names of twenty five Tantragam of method of pooja. 

As described before, the systems of worshipping Hari, called Pancharatra or Saptaratra have been proclaimed by God Himself and classified by the sages at proper time in this world as well as in heaven. Those Tantras (Agamas) are twenty five in number. Their names are 1. Hayagriva 2. Vaishnava 3. Paushkara 4. Gargya 5. Galava 6. Prahlada 7. Naradiya 8. Shri-prashna 9. Shaunaka 10. Shandilya 11. Aishvara 12. Tarkshya13. Vasishtha 14. Jnana-sagara 15. Svayam-bhuva 16. Vishvokta 17. Satyokta18. Kapila 19. Narayaniya 20. Atreya 21. Nara-simha 22. Aruna 23. Baudhayan 24. Sananda 25. Ashtanta With the help of any one of these trantric texts and following the Vaishnava procedure, installation of the temple and daily worship should be carried out. 8.- 13. 

The householder who is wealthy enough should build temples of Shiva, Ganesh and Parvati in the same way. 14. 

Months granting better result in Pratistha-Vidhi. 

The months Chaitra, Vaishaka, Jyestha and Phalgun are auspicious for consecration of Gods; but according to some, the month of Chaitra is not auspicious. 15. 

For the consecration of Vishnu, the month of Magha is not good. Similarly, the southern solstice (Dakshinayana), is forbidden for the consecration of Gods. 16. 

The bright fortnights of Magha, Phalguna, Vaishaka, Jyestha and Ashadha are the best for consecration of Shiva. 17. 

The man who builds a temple and a pilgrim dormitory (Dharmasala) protects his seven generations from the circuit of worldly existence. 18. 

Proportionate to the number of bricks used for building a temple, the man who builds it lives those many thousand years in heaven. 19. 

That man definitely begetss Moksha who builds the best, beautiful and strong temple of Vasudev; the great God. 20. 

He who builds a new, moderate-quality temple of Vasudev obtains Vaikuntha-Lok, which is honoured by people. 21. 

‘O twice-born (Vadava)! He who builds an ordinary temple of Vasudev, with limited expenditure, certainly gets Surendra-lok. 22. 

Whatever fruit a rich man avails by spending lots of money is availed by a poor man who builds an ordinary temple with his own effort and according to his capacity. 23. 

By consecration, man achieves sovereignty; by merely creating a temple, he obtains supremacy over three worlds; by worshipping God consecrated in the temple, he gets Brahma-Lok; and by doing all these three things, he obtains equality to God. 24. 

Without being affected by pride, he who builds a temple for the pleasure of Hari saves hundred ancestors and himself gets to live in Vaikuntha. 25. 

He achieves great merit, who renovates the old temples and monasteries by repairing, plastering, white-washing etc. 26. He, who sweeps the temple, whitewashes it and lights the lamp, goes to Vishnuloka. 27. 

Merits of charitable endowements. 

Those people who construct small as well big wells and lakes beget never-ending merit. 28. 

Wise people say that he, whose lake becomes full with water during the rainy season gets fruits equal to that of Agnistoma- sacrifice. 29. 

He, whose lake becomes full with water, during the autumn (Sharat-Kala), gets the fruit equal to the donation of thousand cows. 30. 

He, whose lake becomes full with water during Hemanta season, gets the fruit of a sacrifice in which gold is donated as Dakshina. 31. 

O Suvrat ! He, whose lake is full with water during the winter (Shishira) season, gets the fruit of Agnistoma- sacrifice. 32.

The man, whose lake is full of water during the spring (Vasanta) season, gets the fruit of Ati-ratra sacrifice. 33. 

The man, whose lake is full of water during the summer season, gets the fruit of Ashvamedh sacrifice. 34. 

He, in whose lake cows and good people always drink water, saves the whole of his race (from doom). 35. 

It is said that, his merit is measureless, in whose lake all the thirsty creatures drink water. 36. 

Great importance of tree-plantation. 

The shade spreading trees like; Banyan tree should be planted, around the lake, so that the planter achieves fame in this world and also in heaven permanently. 37. 

The house holder, desirous of happiness, should create gardens around the lake and beautify it with auspicious trees. 38. 

All the trees which provide useful fruits and flowers should be planted in the gardens. Trees useful for service to Gods (Dev-karya) and service to manes (Pitru-karya) should also be planted. 39. 

He, who plants: one Ashvatha, one Neem, one Nyagrodha, ten Tintidi, Kapitha, Bilva and myrobalan (Amalaki), one each, and nine mango trees, would never go to hell. 40. 

The householder, who devotionally performs meritorious charity in this world and is dedicated to Vishnu becomes eternal. Hence, one should engage in charity with devotion. 41. 

Planet-adoration and Greatness of Householdership. 

The householders, especially kings who are desirous of happiness, should worship Nava-Grahas according to prescribed procedures every day, every month and every year. 42. 

One should worship the planets (Graha) which are in an adverse position with special efforts. The planet, so propitiated gives happiness. At the same time, the planet which is not duly propitiated may be slighted and could create trouble. 43. 

The sun in the seventh place caused Ravan to fall. The moon in the eighth place caused Hiranya-kashipu to die. 44. 

The demon Namuchi who was troubled by the Planet: Mars (Mangala), was killed on the battle-field and the Pandavas were controlled by the Planet mercury (Budha) at the time of playing dice. 45. 

King Suyodhan was killed because the planet Jupiter (Guru) was in the place of Janmalagna and Hiranyaksha was killed in the battle because the planet (Shukra) was in the sixth place. 46. 

King Soudas had to eat human flesh as he was troubled by the Saturn (Shani), and king Nala, who was troubled by the Planet (Rahu), had to wander about on the earth. 47. 

Similarly, king Sangram-jit was troubled by the planet (Ketu). Thus, many kings were troubled because of planets in adverse positions. 48.

Remedy through Daan of woes of Grahas. 

Therefore, knowing the positions of troubled planets from the astrologer (Jyotirvid), one should pacify them, by giving alms. 49. 

It is said that, donation of ruby is liked by Sun, donation of pearls is liked by Moon, of coral is liked by Mars, of emerald by Mercury (Budha), of Garut-mat- jewel by Jupiter (Guru), of Topaz by Shukra, and of blue diamond is liked by Shani. Rahu and Ketu like donations of Jewels, Gomeda and Vaidurya. 50. 

While performing the act of pacification of Grahas, a cow should be given to Sun, a conch to Moon, a reddish bull to Mars, gold to Budha, Yellow cloth to Guru, white horse to Shukra, a black cow to Shani, black iron to Rahu and ordinary iron to Ketu. These are the donations, recommended by sages, for the Grahas: Sun etc., The Grahas will be pleased by, bathing, donations, offering oblations and worshipping. 51. 

These Grahas do not cause trouble to those, who respect Gods and Brahmins; follow their teachers’ advice; listen to the sermons (Pravachanas) everyday given by the good people; offer oblations to God; and are keen on seeing sacrifice; have pious mental feelings, mutter prayers and give donations. 52. 

Nourishing the ascetics living in forests, the virtuous people, the poor people and the beggars is beneficial for the householders. 53. 

O Brahmin! With this very intention, the second stage of religious life (Grihasthashrama) is described as superior to the other Ashramas, by the sages, in Puranas. 54. 

When a guest arrives at a householder’s residence, the latter should stand up respectfully, salute him, offer him a seat and adore him properly, welcome him with sweet words and feed him. When he becomes pleased, be sure that all the three worlds are pleased. 55 - 56. 

If the householder does not behave like this, he suffers on this earth as if he has fallen into a dark, sullen well. 57. 

O Brahmin! There are innumerable animals: deers etc., and birds that fill their own stomachs. If a householder holdsthe same attitude, doesn’t he belong to the same category ? 58. 

Thus ends the twelfth chapter entitled, ‘Ritual of charitable deeds in Householdership,’ in the fifth Prakaran (part) of Satsangi jivan, an account of the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra (the rules of the code of conduct). 12