The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s6.22

v1.c8.s6.22

"In the beginning this Universe existed in the shape of darkness" (tamo-bhūtam; 'Manu Smṛti', I. 5). "In the beginning (of creation) there was darkness hidden in Darkness" (RV. X. 129. 3; 'Taitt. Br.', II. 8. 9. 4). The darkness in the Garbhagṛha is a necessary condition for the transformation which is wrought in the devotee. In darkness his change is effected and a new life is attained. The rite of Garbhādhāna had to be performed at night and also those which preceded the felling of the tree. If then the light is waved in front of the image, this illumination is an act of recognition of the God in the potent, superluminous darkness, revealed now and known further in all the images outside on the walls of the temple, of the many gods, the Devas, the shining ones, in the light of day. The effulgence, the images of the gods, which are carved on the walls and set into their niches is the splendour of the Hiranyagarbha, the Golden Germ, the light which shines from the primordial Darkness. It shines from the superluminous darkness of the Garbhagṛha across the walls and is seen in front of the 'ghanadvāras', the niches; their actual designation is "massive doors". Nobody can pass across them. They are irradiated from within. Through them the splendour of the Hiranyagarbha appears translated into the form of the figure of the god in each of the niches around the body of the temple. In other words, and on the 'plan', the Vāstumaṇḍala, the suns of all times are around the Brahmasthāna and in the outer border of the square, are the regents of the moon and the stars.