By Amrutvijaydas Swami
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Caught in the merry-go-round of materialism, the mind of man fluctuates between a multitude of turbulent thoughts which often derail his life and cause misery. It is not physical comforts man lacks, nor is there a shortage of material pleasures - he lacks the stability of mind to lead a purposeful, peaceful, and productive life. This stability of mind is provided by mandirs. Countless have experienced the steadying influence of mandirs in their lives. The divine vibrations and energy radiating in its vicinity have quelled many such turbulent minds.
John, from East Ham in London, visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, and commented, "I am not a Hindu, but I am in love with this mandir. I would visit every day if I could. I have no doubts that there is a force field of tranquility around this mandir. Words cannot begin to describe how having this mandir in my country makes me feel. Not a day goes by when I do not think of this mandir."
A mandir is the house of God. Darshan of the murtis enshrined within calms the wandering and confused mind and gives it direction. Regular discourses, prayers, devotional singing, and meditation also have a powerful soothing effect. Many aimless lives have been rejuvenated and given a true purpose. People have attained a satisfying balance amid the turmoil of daily problems. Such is the power of mandirs that they convert a person's negative, destructive, and destabilizing habits and emotions, such as addictions, anger, ego, hatred, etc. into positive, constructive, and stabilizing feelings of honesty, love, humility, compassion, tolerance, and others.
A mandir is the house of God. Darshan of the murtis enshrined within calms the wandering and confused mind and gives it direction. Regular discourses, prayers, devotional singing, and meditation also have a powerful soothing effect. Many aimless lives have been rejuvenated and given a true purpose. People have attained a satisfying balance amid the turmoil of daily problems. Such is the power of mandirs that they convert a person's negative, destructive, and destabilizing habits and emotions, such as addictions, anger, ego, hatred, etc. into positive, constructive, and stabilizing feelings of honesty, love, humility, compassion, tolerance, and others.
Yet, there are some who inquire, "Why spend so much money on mandirs? Wouldn't it be better to devote those resources to constructing more hospitals and schools?" A more nuanced question could be, "Why are billions of dollars allocated to the film industry and cinemas? Could those funds be redirected to enhance our healthcare and education systems?" This does not mean that schools and hospitals are not needed. They are, but so are mandirs - perhaps, even more so. Man has both body and soul, and both should be nurtured.
Mandirs consolidate man's faith in God and strengthen society morally, culturally, and socially. Schools will educate the mind, but who will educate the spirit? Hospitals will mend a broken arm, but who will mend a broken heart? Cinemas, amusement arcades, and discotheques will excite the mind, but where will one go for peace of mind? It is in these contexts that mandirs find their unique importance.
