Turtle in the temple & importance

 

 

When we go to a temple, a yellow colored gold or brass turtle is often seen at the entrance of the temple looking towards the idol of God.

After all, why is there a tortoise in the temples?  What is it, let's try to know the reason behind it…

Tortoise is a virtuous creature.

In Indian culture, there is always a temple in every village, every city or just like that, everywhere.  The Indian tradition itself has been following the Sanatan culture from the beginning.  It is believed and elders always used to say that tortoise has got a boon from Lord Vishnu to awaken Kundalini.  Therefore, there is a tortoise in front of every temple.  Because of Sattvagun, the tortoise has attained knowledge.

The tortoise had surrendered before Lord Vishnu.  Kachhwa teaches man devotion and controlling the senses.  Without surrender the ego inside any human being cannot end and when the ego is over then the feelings of humility arise inside the human being, that's why, the turtle's neck always bows down.  His attention is always fixed on the feet of the deity.

In some temples, the neck of the tortoise appears to be raised.  Lifting the neck means awakening the Kundalini.  Due to the blessings of Lord Vishnu, the Kundalini Shakti of the tortoise is awakened.

To inculcate the desire for spiritual upliftment and to inculcate the feelings of love, devotion and humility in the mind, therefore the tortoise remains in the temple forever.

 A tortoise has 6 parts and a man has 6 enemies.

A turtle has 6 parts (4 legs 1 mouth 1 tail) and a human has 6 enemies

 Anger

 envy

 desire,

 Greed,

 Work

 Lie

The devotee should leave all this and come to the temple, like a tortoise leaves all this and bows his head.

 Just as a tortoise extends love by giving love to its child, similarly God must have a loving eye on us, such is the feeling.

The way the tortoise does salutations with its six limbs, in the same way we also have to worship God, the tortoise is present in the temple to remind us of this.

Just as a tortoise can contract all its senses at will, similarly it is important for a devotee to exercise restraint and control his senses while going before the Lord in the temple.  Tortoise teaches us that devotion to the Lord is not possible without controlling the senses.

Saluting the tortoise and entering the temple premises means:

 The tortoise is greeted while entering the temple.  The temple is entered only after saluting him.  This means that the true grace of the Lord comes only after approving the qualities of the tortoise.

 Shri Shivay Namosto bhyam!