Unlocking devotion - An introduction to ABHISHEKAM

Have you ever wondered about the profound rituals that have been passed down through millennia in the spiritual traditions of India, and why we perform them? One such beautiful and mystic practice is abhishekam, which is not just a ritual but a transformative experience.
In this present age of existence, materialism has a strong hold on humanity, and people no longer know the true meaning of their lives. At a time like this, the sages tell us, the path of devotion is a natural and easy way to find real peace of mind, let go of our strong material attachments, and reconnect with the true purpose of our lives. This path of devotion has several tools at its disposal, one of them being the ritual worship called abhishekam.
Abhishekam is a form of worship using water. In Hinduism, as in many other spiritual traditions, water is an agent of cleansing and purification. Abhishekam is performed to a representation of divinity, onto which various substances are poured, such as water, turmeric and milk. All the while, mantras are recited, words invoking the deity’s highest powers. The deity is then dressed, decorated and offered food.
This is what we see on the outside. But, make no mistake, what happens on the subtle level goes much deeper, and the divine energy, activated and manipulated by the ritual, effects each of us in our very constitutions!
Although abhishekam is visibly Hindu, and may to some seem somewhat exotic, the energy it sets in motion is universal; it has no name, colour or religious affiliation of any kind and it speaks directly to the heart and soul. Abhishekam is in fact an easy means available to everyone, especially in this modern world, to help us in establishing a deep spiritual connection with Divinity.
How does this all happen? The ritual was scientifically codified by highly evolved beings in resonance with the energetic circuits of the human body, the intention and function being to awaken our spiritual nature buried deep within us.
The combination of the five metals of which the statues typically are made gives them extra power to attract, store and amplify spiritual energy. The spiritual vibrations of the recited mantras also have an effect on the statue, such that it returns the power of the mantra manifold times to those chanting with devotion. Devotion is indeed the essential ingredient, the fuel, as it were. The more devotion you have, the more it will be activated and amplified by the ritual. Thus, practiced regularly, it can lead to a heightened state of consciousness.
Besides being a very natural and effortless way to increase our devotion, there are many other benefits to performing or attending abhishekams.
Abhishekam is an easy, effective way to focus the mind completely on the Divine, forgetting for a while about all our problems, issues and, indeed, ourselves. As an exercise in concentrating the mind it is therefore a perfect precursor and aid to meditation.
When attending abhishekams, all you need to do is sit back and let the sacred vibrations flow through you. It allows you to experience divine grace and blessings and, if you can deeply immerse yourself in the moment, you can absorb intense spiritual energy. If you try it, you will probably experience that the sacred vibrations at work during abhishekam, bring you peace of mind, joy and healing.
The sages tell us that the Divine exists in all of us and the goal of spirituality is to truly know and realize this. The practice of abhishekam helps you to do this. It invites you to touch the infinite and experience that which is beyond any form.
If you would like to learn more about how to prepare and perform an abhishekam, watch the next two videos!
You can also watch an abhishekam streamed live from the ashram on our TH-cam channel, or visit your nearest Sri Premananda Centre (to find one, click here: sripremananda....)

[@shivapriya2059]

Jai Prema Shanti! ♥

[@user-sp3vt1cd3v]

Great explanation! I'm wondering does what you mentioned work equally on a normal idol (not consecrated, with no prana pratishtha done on it)?

[@PremanandaSwamiOfficialChannel]

If you practise it with devotion and concentration, it will benefit you no matter what you perform the practice on. But, like a better car drives faster, a consecrated statue made in the way that was proscribed by the sages will work better for its purpose, support your practice more and therefore you will benefit even more.