Ans: Temple is the powerhouse where the energy of God is absorbed and is delivered through the vigraha (the divine idol). Hence it is important to go to a temple.

Detailed Explanation: Though God is everywhere, we need a temple to physically feel His presence and focus on Him. A:layam, the word for temple means a place where the energy of God is absorbed. And vigraham (idol) is the one which captures the power of God and passes it to those who visit the temple. We can compare it with Lift irrigation where water is lifted through pumps and distributed. The vigraham is purified and sanctified with vedic processes. And it purifies and sanctifies anyone who comes there. That is why we call it as “vigraham” – vise:she:na gra:hayati  Temple is similar to a power house. Electricity may be present in the air but it needs a system to latch it and receive the power. The one that receives the power is a:laya and the one that delivers it is vigraha. 

Ans: An idol becomes worshippable, when certain vedic procedures are done. Otherwise it is just a doll.  Many people don’t get a chance to do the same. Moreover, only in temple can one share the joy of experiencing God with others and where everyone feels the ownership of God.

Detailed Explanation: A TV newly bought won’t play all the channels until the required procedures are done. Similarly, an idol purchased becomes a worshippable vigraha, only if its sanctified with proper procedures. Many don’t get a chance to do the same and hence a temple is important. A person also gets to share the joy of experiencing God with others (be it group chanting or singing) at a temple better than in a house. In a house, one is limited by the number of people they can share the joy with, and are constrained by neighbors who might find it disturbing. In a temple, everyone feels the God is their own.  At home, our ego kicks in and it becomes “my God”. In a temple, everyone can say “our God”, “our temple” and that is how it becomes a place fit for worship by everybody. There is discrimination based on caste,  religion or other criteria. So, temple is very much needed as a place of worship. 

Ans: God does not impose any restriction as such.  In order for us to receive the grace of the all- powerful force properly, we have to follow certain things. And those include sna:nam, dhya:nam and mark on the forehead which will equip us to receive His grace properly.

Detailed Explanation: God has no restrictions; no rules and He is ok with anything. However, we need to follow certain things and equip ourselves to receive the grace of the all-powerful one.  Sna:nam (bath), sandhya (twilight prayer), mantra (that which protects the mind), japam (meditative chanting) and dhya:nam (meditation) – all these are samska:ras for us to make us fit for receiving His grace. A doctor gives suitable medicine after conducting many checks. Eventually, the medicine prescribed by doctor might not be very costly. But to arrive at that conclusion he must go through many screenings. He is qualified and he qualifies us also with that prescription. Similarly, if one is serious about realizing God then one must equip oneself for God with certain qualities and qualifications. Snanam (bath), Dhyanam (meditation) and mark on the forehead etc are all part of it.

Ans: Any powerful area that controls the lives of many people needs to be protected and only people with proper qualification can enter the same. Sanctum sanctorum contains the almighty God. Hence it is only appropriate that qualified people are allowed there. 

Detailed Explanation: In the cockpit area of a flight only the pilots are allowed to enter. Things seem simple from outside – a few buttons and listening to instructions with a headset.  Then why are there so many restrictions? The reason is that – it is a powerful area that controls many people and one requires proper qualification to enter the area. It needs a skillful person to run and protect that area. The sanctum sanctorum is the area of all-pervasive controller of the universe! When we have restrictions entering places like the cockpit area, labs in many departments how can everyone without proper qualification enter the room of the almighty perumal?

Ans: When one observes so many rules for things which are pretty mundane and relatively small, we need to be even more careful with God, the all-powerful one. It is equivalent to meddling with the high-power electricity grid.

 Detailed Explanation: A person is appointed in a chemistry lab to take care of things there, must be a qualified person with some degree in chemistry. He needs enough qualification to work out things in the lab and understand what is present. There are multiple chemicals in the lab when not handled properly can lead to destruction and cause harm. Qualification is always needed to do anything. To be with vigraha, which is the powerhouse of God, one definitely requires  qualification. When one observes so many rules for things which are pretty mundane and so small, don’t we need to be even more careful with God the all-powerful one? Its equivalent to meddling with the high power electricity grid. And hence only qualified persons handle the vigraha of perumal. 

Ans: Water, the life-giving source helps rejuvenate the body.  One engages in spiritual activity to charge the mind and it’s important to energize the body before charging the mind.

Detailed Explanation: Water is the life-giving source. Life gets energized with water. One may not eat for two days. However, the tiredness is replaced with energy just taking a bath. The fresh energy in the body is due to water. Bathing oneself is to energize the body before charging the mind. One goes to temple or does pooja to energize the mind and spirit. It is important to energize the body before charging the mind. This is the reason one takes a bath when one wakes up in the morning or is physically tired after doing some work. To rejuvenate the mind or spirit one can chant manthra or some sankalpa.