A bottomless ocean of wisdom, Shri Guru Rajan Ji quenches my craving for Vedic insights, everytime my curiosity sparks a discussion. I am clearly of the tribe that surrenders to the cosmos, so not feigning to search for scientific mumbo jumbo backed doctrines about the temple bell (ghanta), 'm all ears and heart to what Shri Guruji is going to shed light upon. And even the lit ones salute certain experiences that cannot be quantified. Albert Einstein once said, ‘Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a Spirit is manifest in the Laws of the Universe — a Spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we, with our modest powers, must feel humble.’

Lead, copper, zinc, iron, tin, nickel, chromium mixed in a proportion bringing about a sound called Jaya Dhwani  that strikes a rapport between your left and right brain and touching to kindle the seven chakras in your body, the temple bell is of course science, but much beyond the same.

āgamārthaṃ tu devānāṃ gamanārthaṃ tu rakṣasām |

ghanṭānādaṃ karomyādau devatāhvāna lāñchanam ||

For the arrival of the gods and the departure of the evil entities, I ring the bell, as a sign of invocation of the deity.

Sound is an integral part of spirituality and it could vary from mantra chants to the absence of sound.

An theriac to the mental rush, ringing the temple bell makes you receptive for the cosmic gains inside the temple.

As the gong strikes the dome of the bell, what you experience is an energy that gradually tapers to a point and merges in silence. 

Tongue of the bell signifying Maa Saraswati, the circular body denoting 'Kaal chakra' - time and the handle associating with life force, the temple bell (ghanta) makes the sound 'Om' - the primeval energy that created the universe.

Ripples about Caitanya are created as the clapper and the dome of the bell strike each other and the sound generated simultaneously also emits frequencies of chaitanya predominant in Akash tattva (absolute ether element).

Transcendental sound also called shabda is one of the two manifestations of Brahman.

One who has realized and is well versed in Shabda Brahman, will realize Param Brahman.

So this time, when you enter a temple and ring the bell (ghanta), make sure to soak in the cosmic benevolence by standing beneath the bell, experiencing the vibrations for atleast 3 - 5 minutes.

As you allow the experience of this naad, you immerse in the rhythm creating a sacred space around yourself that bridges the finite and infinite.

Promoting a sense of connection with the paramount divine energy, the vibrations generated by the temple prayer have a soothing effect on our nervous system as they reduce stress, anxiety, restlessness and promote peace.

Indicating the continuity of past, present and future, the sound of the temple bell encompasses the masculine, feminine and neutral principles of existence.

As mentioned earlier, the sound created by the temple bell is 'Om' - that created the universe and beyond, so the four states of consciousness: wakeful, dream, deep sleep and the state of ekatma (being one with Self, the oneness of Self) are symbolized by the naad of the ghanta. 

Shri Guru Rajan Ji is a Vedic Scholar and an Astrologer with 35 Years of Experience