The holistic solution; which treats and heals the root of the problem is NAMASMARAN. It heals the heart and soul of universe. It inspires us; to worship these deities; not as a matter of mere tradition; but as a source of universal rejuvenation, unity and harmony! It gives several creative and holistically benevolent ideas, plans and projects; in and around all the temples and places of worship, which in turn can rejuvenate the mankind!

1. STRESS
AND
KULADEVATA
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR
In India; thousands of family groups worship different
kuladaivatas or kuladevatas. Kula means pedigree and

2. daivata or devata means deity. The temples of these deities
are present in different villages and people assemble
periodically in these temples and worship the deities with
different customs and traditions. The yearly congregations
are called jatras and constitute a great event of cultural
rejuvenation, unification and harmonization.
In my view these kuladaivatas or kuladevatas are the divine
doors to the home of ultimate truth. They are divine branches
of the root embodying eternal truth. These are divine
channels or divine routes; to the abode of absolute truth.
As I have discussed in my books such as Hitguj and
Shambhavi, the temples in general; constitute; the unending
springs of vitality and rejuvenation. These are the places
where individuals can consume the sacred sap of
enlightenment and transcend above their petty ego, petty
aspirations and petty pursuits.
NAMASKAR is prostrating in front of the idols. We may feel
that this is meekness or lowliness. But that is not so. In fact;
just as a person with bamboo spine; cannot bend due to
inability; similarly a person with mental rigidity and
inflexible ego; is unable to prostrate or do NAMSKAR. It is
egoistic arrogance and lack of humility. It is not a sign of
strength but a sign of weakness and fragility. It is a sign of
apprehension and phobia of breaking; if one bends!

3. NAMASKAR or prostration; is an achievement in terms of
being able to surrender one’s ego, subjectivity or pettiness; at
least to some extent!
Recently I visited and stayed in the temple of Shri Dev
Narayan (our kuladaivata); situated in a scenic place called
Walaval. Apart from the superlative rejuvenating experience,
I also realized that we visit these places; only periodically and
as a matter of custom and tradition. But otherwise we neglect
them. We get engrossed in trivialities of life; and lose the vital
core of our life residing in these temples! These sources of
eternal empowerment and enlightenment are therefore;
grossly “emaciated”, “weakened”, “paralyzed” and
“helpless”!
The holistic solution; which treats and heals the root of the
problem is NAMASMARAN. It heals the heart and soul of
universe. It inspires us; to worship these deities; not as a
matter of mere tradition; but as a source of universal
rejuvenation, unity and harmony! It gives several creative
and holistically benevolent ideas, plans and projects; in and
around all the temples and places of worship, which in turn
can rejuvenate the mankind!