Why We Do Parikrama: Ritual Meaning and Inner Significance

Question

In one place it says: “At his words, Lakshmana and Shri Rama said ‘very well,’ circumambulated the sage, and prepared to depart.” Here, what is the meaning of circumambulating the sage—(a) in terms of ritual practice (karmakāṇḍa), and (b) in terms of philosophical analysis (tātvik vivechan)? Often, when we do worship or ārati, the person leading it tells us at the end to stand where we are and turn once, twice, or thrice clockwise—do a pradakshina.

Answer

Parikrama means “to remember that all movements in the inner world of the mind—and in the created world—are circular.” Parikrama is a “turn,” a circular motion. It reminds us that creation and our life are circular, not a line that starts at one end and finishes at another; everything moves in cycles. The four Yugas move in a cycle, the whole creation moves in a cycle. Our months, seasons, and years are cyclical; life and death are cyclical.

It also means “churning.” On the path of practice, take a noble thought and churn it—do it once, then again, then again; keep circling back to it. Don’t drop it; keep contemplating it in a circular rhythm.

Parikrama also signals that the Supreme is at the center and creation turns around Him. Keep God at the center and yourself on the circumference—that circumference is pradakshina. In a temple, God sits at the center and the circumambulation path runs around Him to remind us: keep God at the center of even the smallest act. Otherwise the ego swells—we put ourselves at the center instead. What we must do is keep God at the center in every deed: “God is acting; not I. Without His power, how could I do anything?” The temple’s pradakshina path exists to keep this memory alive—remember the Divine in every small action; do not place ego at the center.