Prana pratishtha: Difference between revisions

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'''''Prana pratishtha''''' ({{IAST3|prāṇa pratiṣṭhā}}) is the [[Ritual|rite]] or [[ceremony]] by which a ''[[murti]]'' (devotional image of a deity) is consecrated in a [[Hindu temple]], wherein hymns and [[mantra]] are recited to invite the deity to be resident guest, and the ''murti''{{'s}} eye is opened for the first time.<ref name="elgood14"/> Practised in the temples of [[Hinduism]] and [[Jainism]], the ritual is considered to infuse life into the Hindu temple, and bring to it the numinous presence of divinity and spirituality.<ref name="elgood14"/><ref name="bharne53"/>

The ceremony marks the recognition of the image of god to represent "a particle of the divine whole, the divine perceived not in man's image as a separate entity but as a formless, indescribable omnipresent whole", with the divine presence a reminder of its transcendence and to be beheld in one's inner thoughts during ''[[darśana]]'' in the temple.<ref name="elgood14"/>

The Sanskrit word ''{{IAST|pratiṣṭhā}}'', which in general usage means "exerting" or "placement", used in connection with a murti is translated by Apte as "the consecration of a vessel or dwelling".<ref>For "the consecration of a murti" for ''{{IAST|pratiṣṭhā}}'' see: Apte, p. 653, column 1, meaning 13.</ref> The corresponding adjective ''{{IAST|pratiṣṭha}}'' means "installed" or "consecrated".<ref>For the meaning of ''{{IAST|pratiṣṭha}}'' as installed or consecrated see: Apte, p. 653, column 2, meaning 4.</ref> ''Prana'' means "life force, breath, spirit". The phrase ''Prana Pratishtha'' is a ritual that means "establishment of the image in its vital breath"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Waghorne |first1=Joanne Punzo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsRRxFvu7XoC |title=Gods of Flesh, Gods of Stone: The Embodiment of Divinity in India |last2=Cutler |first2=Norman |last3=Narayanan |first3=Vasudha |date=1996 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-10777-8 |pages=43–45 |language=en}}</ref> or "bringing life to the temple".<ref name="bharne53"/> It is also referred to as ''[[Murti]] Sthapana'' (image placement inside the temple), or the composite word ''Pranapratishtha''. Traditionally, this was the step when the eye of the murti was sculpted open,<ref name=bharne53/> inside the ''garbhagriha'' (Purusha space of the temple) of a [[Hindu temple]].

This ritual typically involves a ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]]'', chanting of Sanskrit [[mantra]]s, as the deity is moved from outside into the center place. It includes inviting the deity as a resident guest of the temple, bathing and cleansing the deity, similar to welcoming a revered guest after a long journey. This is followed by dressing and seating the deity in a place of comfort, with the image's face oriented towards the east (signifying the sunrise), followed by ''Nyasa'' ceremony with hymns (act of touching different parts of the ''murti'', symbolizing the presence of various gods as sensory organs – [[Indra]] as the hand, [[Brahma]] as the heart, [[Surya]] as the eyes, etc.).<ref name="elgood14" /> The priest recites specific mantras and performs rituals to infuse the idol with ''prana''. During this process, the deity descends into the idol, making it a living representation.<ref name=":0" /> After the infusion of prana, the deity is considered consecrated and blessed. Devotees often seek the deity's blessings at this point. The ritual also includes the spraying of scented water and flowers, with the ''Chaksu͡unmilan'' ceremony (Sanskrit: "chakshu unmilan", opening of the divine eye) marking the high point of the ritual.<ref name="elgood33"/> The image is then considered as consecrated. In large and ceremonial public temples, the ''murti'' may be retired at sunset just like a guest retiring to bed, and then woken up at sunrise with pleasantries, washing, offering of fresh clothes, food and interaction with the devotees.<ref name="elgood33"/><ref name="Fuller67"/><ref name="Rodrigues3"/> Some temples may include elaborate procession, as community events such as traditional singing and dancing events to mark the celebration.<ref name="elgood33"/>

*{{cite web |last=Sadhguru |first=Jaggi Vasudev |author-link=Sadhguru |work=Sadhguru.org |title=Prana Pratishtha – The Science of Consecration |url=https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru/mystic/prana-pratishtha-the-science-of-consecration}}

*{{cite book |last=Apte |first=Vaman Shivram |title=The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary |year=1965 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |location=Delhi |isbn=81-208-0567-4}} (Fourth revised and enlarged edition).

*{{cite book |editor-last=Doniger |editor-first=Wendy |author-link=Wendy Doniger |title={{IAST|Purāṇa}} Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts |year=1993 |publisher=State University of New York |location=Albany, New York |isbn=0-7914-1382-9}}