What is the meaning of ‘Pradakshina’ (circumambulation)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: ‘Pradakshina’means going around. ‘Dakshina’ meansthat which is done with skill. The English word ‘dexterous’ has come from the Sanskritword ‘Daksha’. ‘Dexterous’ means skillful. ‘Pradakshina’ means ‘in a very special way, being skillful’, avery skillful movement, that which is gained with skill, merit which you havegained skillfully. ‘Pra’ is to goaround. ‘Pradakshina’ is qualifyingby going around skillfully.
There are three layers when you go inside a temple accordingto the temple architecture. The first layer is herbal gardens, full of treesand plants. The direction in which the tree is to be planted comes under templearchitecture. All plantations are done according to the directions and windflow. There are medicinal herbs, flowers and trees in this outer layer and whenyou pass through this layer, you breathe in those herbal fragrances that cure emotionaland physical problems, and body imbalances. It used to be around one kilometer longand while passing through it, your whole body circulation is improved. Essentialfragrances and oils needed by the body are absorbed especially those of the Ashvat (peepal) tree. It is the onlytree which emits oxygen all the 24 hours. All other trees emit oxygen half thetime and carbon dioxide rest of the time. The tree helps a person to overcomemany problems, especially infertility.
‘Pradakshina’ is not done for the sake of the divine or some otherpurpose but for health benefits.
Then there is a second circle in which statues of many menand women are kept. One was asked, in earlier days, to sit and meditate therefor a while.
This way first circle makes you physically fit, vatta-pitta-kapha balances happens by inhalingthe air. The second circle frees your mind from all fantasies. Then finally youmove on to central part - ‘sanctum sanctorum’ - where you sit with your eyesclosed and experience the nothingness.