Not only in this Kaliyuga but even in the earlier yugas, the Kritha, the Thretha and the Dwarpara, Namasmarana has been the secret of liberation from bondage. The temple is the place where Namasmarana is natural and automatic and undisturbed. Therefore, going to it is imperative, especially in the Kali age when the air is full of wicked and ungodly thoughts.

That is the reason why in the Gita, Krishna has declared that "Among Yajnas, I am the Namayajna" the Yajna that has the sacrificial beast offered in the sacred fire, the animal Ajnana itself. For the cure of grief, for the earning of joy, temples where the Name of God can be remembered are very essential. "For Bliss, Smarana: For Smarana, temples", that is the series. There is nothing more fruitful than this, more blissful or more charming. "Having the greatly simple Name, the ever available Tongue, and the Temple where His Enchanting Image is installed so that you can sing His Glory in an exalted Voice... why should man hasten towards the gates of hell?" wondered Vyasa. His wonder was born out of his own experience of the efficacy of the Name and its Smarana. So too, Tulsidas! He lived constantly in the temple and sang of the joy he tasted. "Alas! When men give up the name and the Temple, and seek peace and joy in other places, I am reminded of the foolishness of those who forsake the rich and tasty fare on their plates and beg with outstretched hands for the leavings on others' plates", he lamented.

Even in Vedic Discipline, the Name and the need to make the mind stay thereon are emphasised as of utmost importance. "Om ithyekaaksharam Brahmam", "Om - that One Word is Brahmam" declare the Aryan Rishis. Examine, if you like, whether any Saint was saved, without the Name of the Lord or the House of the Lord! For Gouranga, the Jagannatha-mandir was the inspiration and the refuge. For Jayadeva, it was the Radhakrishnamandir. For Nandanar, it was the Temple at Chidambaram which provided the source of Realisation. Vallabhacharya, Kabir, Nanak, Meera, Radha, Ramanuja, Madhwacharya, Sankaracharya, Namdev, Tulsidas, Thyagaraja all attained Divine Vision and what is more, Divine Wisdom itself, in and through temples. What need is there to dilate more? Even in recent times, was it not in the Kali temple built by Rani Rasmani that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa tasted Divine Bliss and discovered his identity?