After darshan in the temple
Question~ After darshan in the temple, why do we sit down on the platform outside for a while.
Answer ~ This ancient tradition is made for a specific purpose. In fact, quietly sitting on the foot of the temple, one should recite this shloka. The shloka is
अनायासेन मरणम् ,
बिना देन्येन जीवनम्।
देहान्त तव सानिध्यम् ,
देहि मे परमेश्वरम्॥
Anayasen Maranam
Bina denyen jeevanam.
Dehanth tav saanidhyam,
Dehi mey Parmeshwaram
The meaning:
Anayasen Maranam means that we should die with ease, without any trouble and never fall sick and be confined to the
bed, die by suffering, but let our life go as we go about our daily life.
Bina denyen jeevanam means there should be no life of dependency. Never have to be with anyone for support. Just as a person becomes dependent on others when he is paralyzed, do not be paralyzed or helpless. By the grace of Krishna life can be lived without being dependent and begging.
Dehante tav sanidhyam means that whenever death comes, let it be in God’s presence. As at the time of death of Bhishma Pitamah, lord Krishna Himself stood in front of him. Let life be
released while having this darshan.
Dehi mey Parmeshwaram O God, grant us such a boon.
While reciting this prayer do not ask for worldly things, those God Himself gives us according to our eligibility. That is why one must sit and say this prayer after having darshan.
The word ‘prarthana’ means – ‘pra’ means ‘special’, ‘best’, ‘highest’ and ‘arthna’ means request. Prayer thus means ‘special and highest request’. The darshan of God in the temple should always be done with open eyes. Some people stand there with their eyes closed.
Why close our eyes, when we have come to see? Open our eyes and look at the form of God, nija-swarupa, of the divine feet, of the lotus face, of the shringar, take full enjoyment, fill our eyes with the beautiful nija-swarupa. When we then sit outside after darshan,
then meditate on the form we have seen with our eyes closed. Meditate on our own soul within, closing our eyes and if God does not appear in meditation, then go back to the temple and have darshan again.