In Hinduism, anointing oil plays a vital role in religious rituals, healing practices, and personal spiritual growth. Known as “Abhishekam” (ritualistic anointing), applying sacred oils is believed to offer several physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. These oils, often infused with herbs and natural essences, are considered a bridge to connect individuals with the divine.
Here are 12 spiritual and practical benefits of using anointing oil in Hinduism:
1. Purification and Cleansing
Anointing with sacred oils helps to purify and cleanse both the body and mind. It is often used before prayers or during temple visits to remove negative energies and emotional blockages. Oils like sandalwood, sesame, or ghee are considered purifying.
2. Connection with Divine Energies
Oils act as a medium to invite divine energies. When applied, it enhances the connection with gods and goddesses. It is used during Puja (worship) to make an offering to deities. For instance, sandalwood oil is known to invite Lord Shiva’s presence.
3. Enhances Meditation and Focus
Essential oils like sandalwood, rose, and jasmine are often applied on the forehead (third eye chakra) to deepen meditation. This clears mental clutter, enhances focus, and raises spiritual awareness. The fragrance soothes the mind and allows for deeper introspection.
4. Healing and Protection
Anointing oil, especially with herbs like tulsi (holy basil) or neem, is believed to offer healing properties. These oils strengthen the immune system and offer protection from negative entities or energies. They are also used to alleviate physical ailments.
5. Chakra Balancing
Anointing oil helps in balancing the body's energy centers, or chakras. Applying specific oils to different chakra points can align the mind, body, and soul. For example, lavender oil is often used to balance the heart chakra, fostering love and compassion.
6. Mental Clarity and Emotional Stability
Anointing oils are believed to calm the mind and promote emotional balance. Oils like sandalwood and lavender bring mental clarity, reduce stress, and relieve anxiety. Regular use can help manage emotional turbulence.
7. Improved Relationships and Social Well-Being
When used in conjunction with mantras, anointing oils enhance one's aura, making them more compassionate, calm, and approachable. This can improve relationships and create positive interactions with others.
8. Enhances Personal Aura and Energy
Anointing oils amplify one’s aura, helping to project positivity, warmth, and kindness. This makes the individual feel more confident and radiates a spiritual glow, attracting positive circumstances and people into their life.
9. Spiritual Growth and Insight
Using anointing oil regularly can elevate spiritual consciousness. It’s often used by yogis, spiritual seekers, and during spiritual practices like Homa (fire offerings) or Puja to enhance spiritual insight and connect to the higher realms.
10. Calms Restlessness and Induces Sleep
Anointing oils like lavender or chamomile are known to induce sleep and relax the mind. Applying a few drops before bedtime can help in calming restlessness, reducing insomnia, and promoting peaceful sleep.
11. Sacred Rituals and Devotional Acts
Anointing is integral in many Hindu rituals. For example, applying oils like sesame or ghee during Abhishekam (ritualistic bathing of deities) purifies the idol and invites divine blessings. It’s believed to cleanse sins and enhance spiritual devotion.
12. Manifesting Intentions
Oils, when combined with prayer and intention, become potent tools for manifesting desires. You can anoint yourself or objects (like a yantra or talisman) while reciting a specific mantra to charge your intentions with divine energy.
Practical Day-to-Day Solutions for Using Anointing Oils
- Morning Meditation: Apply a small amount of sandalwood oil on your forehead to activate the third eye and increase focus.
- Pre-Sleep Ritual: Use lavender oil on your temples to help relax the mind and encourage peaceful sleep.
- Daily Prayer: Anointing your body with sesame or ghee oil while chanting mantras before a Puja amplifies spiritual energies.
- Chakra Healing: Apply jasmine oil on the heart chakra and sandalwood on the crown chakra during meditation to promote emotional healing and enlightenment.
- Protection: Dab some tulsi oil on your wrist to protect from negative influences and stress throughout the day.
How Anointing Oils Affect Physical, Mental, and Social Wellbeing
Physical Wellbeing: Sacred oils like neem, turmeric, or sesame contain medicinal properties that purify and detoxify the body. They soothe the skin, enhance immunity, and promote physical health.
Mental Wellbeing: Oils like sandalwood and rose calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and provide mental clarity. They are often used in aromatherapy to enhance mood and alleviate depression.
Social Wellbeing: Anointing oils like jasmine and rose enhance one's aura, making individuals more sociable and likable. This positively impacts relationships, fostering understanding, empathy, and kindness.
How Anointing Oil Affects Personality
Regular anointing can:
- Boost Confidence: The physical act of applying oil and reciting mantras strengthens one’s inner resolve, making them feel more self-assured.
- Increased Compassion: Oils such as jasmine and rose promote heart chakra activation, encouraging empathy and kindness toward others.
- Heightened Spiritual Awareness: Regular anointing leads to mindfulness, deep spiritual reflection, and inner peace, gradually shaping an enlightened personality.
Importance of Mantras While Anointing
Reciting mantras while applying sacred oil amplifies its spiritual effects. Some mantras include:
Gayatri Mantra: To invoke divine light and protection.
- “Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ, Tat-savitur Vareṇyaṃ Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi, Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt”
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: For healing, longevity, and protection.
- “Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”
Shiva Panchakshari Mantra: When anointing with sandalwood for spiritual growth.
- “Om Namah Shivaya”
Lakshmi Mantra: While applying oil for prosperity.
- “Om Shreem Maha Lakshmyai Namah”
Hanuman Mantra: For strength and protection.
- “Om Hanumate Namah”
Other Relevant and Lesser-Known Facts
Oil in Sacred Offerings: In temples, oils like sesame, ghee, and mustard are poured over deities during Abhishekam to sanctify the atmosphere and bring blessings.
Historical Significance: In ancient Vedic rituals, oils were an integral part of offerings to deities and for healing purposes. The Vedic texts outline the significance of oils in various spiritual practices.
Planetary Remedies (Graha Shanti): Anointing oils are also used for astrological remedies. For example, mustard oil is used for pleasing Shani (Saturn), while jasmine oil is used to balance the effects of Venus.
In summary, anointing oil in Hinduism serves as a powerful spiritual tool with profound benefits for physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Regular use of these oils, combined with the chanting of mantras, not only elevates one’s spiritual state but also leads to holistic growth, improving every aspect of life.