SriSri ChakraChakra The Source of the Cosmos The Journal of the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY

Blossom 16 Petal 3 September 2012 SeptemberSeptemberSeptember NewsletNewsletNewsletterterter

Since the last issue...

After returning from the In the latter part of July, Aiya camp ended, he had to honour a Toronto workshop Aiya and Amma left for Europe again, prior commitment he made to the conducted on June 2, he and but this time met up with Sri students in Australia and Amma remained in Toronto that Mathioli (Sri Akka) for Singapore, and was on a plane to following week to perform about 10 days. visit them for about three weeks. various private pujas. On the 9th Aiya had to miss the first two While he was abroad, Aiya and 10th of June, they went to days of the Vibhuti Saivaite performed several workshops, Washington DC to perform a Immersion camp, but was there house pujas, public pujas and wedding and then came back to most of the week. Even before conducted university lectures. Canada to do another wedding in Ottawa on June 16th and 17th. Aiya was back in Rochester the weekend of the 23rd and 24th because he was teaching one of the ILS (Interactive Learning Sessions) classes. That week was also quite busy since everyone was preparing for the annual Alankara (Pratishta) festival from July 1 to 3. In the second week of July, Aiya Thanks to Mayuran Saththianathan and Amma went to England for a for sending in photos of Aiya’s private visit but then returned in homam/ at the site of the time to conduct the Aadi upcoming Shree Shirdi Sai Amavasya puja at the temple. Sansthan in Sydney, Australia.

2 Past Events Aadi Amavasya, July 18 About 50 people sponsored this puja, in which individuals offer oblations to the departed souls of their fathers (if they do not know Pratishta Festival, July 1-3, and the thithi and month of their Guru Poornima, July 3 father’s departure, or have missed that date). The turnout was remarkable, Pratishta had a slightly lower considering the puja happened on turnout than in past years a Wednesday morning. After a because of the adjustment in short puja, sponsors went outside scheduling to coincide with Guru to perform tarpanam. Aiya, who Poornima. The first day was Good weather allowed all sponsors conducted the puja, offered the Sunday instead of the usual to perform their own tarpanams main kalasam with five pindams. Friday, and the festival went on as usual with a grand Aadi Puram, July 22 Varalakshmi Vratam, July 27 Ganapathi homam in the morning, followed by the utsava Vana Ganapathi’s procession around At least 75 sumangalis (married the temple at night. during women) sponsored this puja, and Early Monday morning saw a the final the subsequent number of spots Chandi homam, followed by aarthi of were set up, row by row, kalasa sthapanam and the Aadi surrounding the standing annapavadai being offered to the Puram atop the homakundam. Devi at midday. That night, the festival. A large lamp was dressed as a Devi’s chariot lit up the parking woman with the customary silver lot. Varalakshmi face fastened at the The temple’s children ran the top. All the puja sponsors show on Tuesday for the performed their own Sri Suktam Dattatreya puja, and puja was Falling on a Sunday this year, pujas to the small lamps before also done to Aiya and Amma, as many people were able to attend them, guided by Shankar aiya to well as the whole guru lineage, for the festival that celebrates the do the puja step-by-step, in Guru Poornima that day. Devi’s entrance into womanhood. unison. Shankar aiya presided over the Chandi homam on this day, which took four or five hours to complete. The Vana Durga murthi was bathed in milk by everyone present, then dressed, carried in procession, and finally given a short puja featuring a variety of snacks and sweets. The festival wrapped up at about lunchtime and everyone present was then given Kumaran aiya worships the Bhairava as Devi’s chariot waits to move on. mahaprasadam.

Vibhuti Saivaite Immersion Ramsuratkumar of Annamalai, as park. The kids were fed a pure (camp), July 28 to Aug. 4 well as various aspects of the vegetarian diet, even during the culture within Sanatana . outing and barbecue at the end of Arts classes showed them how to the week. Special thanks to all the The eighth year of camp was the string kalasams, tie malas, and camp admin, the temple admin, largest but many agree perhaps draw kolams. the counselors who gave their all the best. The temple took on 110 They learned the important to the kids during the day despite children from the ages of 8 to 19, aspects of and how to many sleepless nights, the medical who experienced a variety of operate a temple, and also spent a team, the parents who stayed on activities throughout the week. lot of time outdoors during sports site and ran the temple for the They learned about two saints, and games and during the full- week, and Aiya and Amma. See Sri Yogaswami of Jaffna, and Sri day outing to a local Rochester page 5 for camp pictures.

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Upcoming Events Sharada Navarathri, Oct. 15 to 25

Ganapathi Chaturthi, Sept. 19 The Brahmotsavam of this temple, Navarathri lasts a full three weeks from beginning to end. Falling on a Wednesday this The flag-raising, or dvajarohanam, year, Ganapathi Chaturthi is will take place the evening of Oct. usually the last exclusively 8. outdoor event of the year, subject About a week later, the start of Shankar aiya performs puja to the Devi as to good weather. Navarathri proper will see three Mahalakshmi, seated upon Kamadhenu. If sunny and clear, the festival full days of worship to the Devi as will be held outside on the deck Goddess Durga. Devi will take the Kedaragowri Vratham (last day), and a grand Vancha- form of Mahalakshmi over the next Nov. 13 Ganapathi homam will be three days, and the last three days conducted in the morning. At will see her become Goddess night, the utsava Ganesha murthi Saraswati. Beginning on Vijayadasami will receive puja and be taken Every third night, the Devi will day (even before Navarathri is around the temple in procession go around the temple in over), this festival on a palanquin. procession, and a different upasaka commemorates the Devi merging will perform Navavarana Puja with and occupying half every evening. his body. Married women Important days include Chandi typically perform this vratham homam and Vijayadasami on Oct. to pray for the well-being of their 24, water-cutting ceremony on husbands. Please call the temple Oct. 25, and kulurthi on Oct. 26. early to register as a sponsor.

Skanda Shashti, Nov. 14 to 18 In Three Months

Starting with nightly pujas to Devi willing, the next issue of Lord Murugan and his two lovely the Sri Chakra will be up on the wives, and culminating in Sura temple’s website at the beginning Samharam and Devayani and of December 2012. Valli kalyanam, this festival runs This magazine cannot keep Utsava Ganapathi and Siddhalakshmi for six nights. Those present are publishing without receive abhishekam at last year’s often given the chance to perform contributions! Articles, poems, Chaturthi celebrations part of the puja themselves. stories and photos about any spiritual topic are welcomed. Karthikai Vilakku, Nov. 27 The next deadline for article submission is November 10. Please e-mail us with your contributions or feedback about The temple is lit up like a this issue at Christmas tree this evening, and [email protected] or even though Karthikai Vilakku (or talk to Kamya or Abhi at the deepam) is only a one-night temple. festival, it is certainly one of the Sri Gurubhyo Namaha! most beautiful of the year. After the main puja is complete, scores of tea candles and deepams will Our sincere thanks and gratitude to this issue’s be set afire and the lights will be turned off. vvvolunteers: Aiya,a,a, Vilas Ankolekar,,, Sarmel Arudsothiy,,, This is the night that hundreds VVVenkateshwar Babu,u,u, B. JJ. aaayyyaraman, Ramesh Kutticad, of people perform girivalam in Anand Panikkar,,, Kumaran Perinpanatan, Mayuran Thiruvannamalai (pradakshanam of the Annamalai mountain, Saththianathan, Vimalan Sothinathan, Sreekant which is a 14-kilometre trek), in Subramanian, and Dhanuja Uthayakumaran. an act of worship to Lord Shiva.

The Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam ~ 6980 East River Road ~ Rush, NY 14543 ~ Phone: (585) 533 - 1970 4 The many forms of the Mother

Madhu and Nikhil take part in , where The kids learn teamwork activities on the outing sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers. VibhutiVibhuti SaivaiteSaivaite Immersion,Immersion, 20122012

Clockwise from top left: Amma trusts Pravin immensely during her first time in a canoe; Sahana akka instructs a class; Aiya and the admin team run the food table during the outing; the kids sit in complete silence during Vedic lunch; and Lord Nataraja decorated with the malas campers made during art class.

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MyMy AwakeningAwakening

by Dhanuja Uthayakumaran

I’ve been coming to the temple 2) I didn’t believe in any of this, inside, sit, and “try” and do for the past 12 years. I’ve had and japam—see if I could bring myself diksha for the past 10. In the 3) it would have been a waste of back. And I did! beginning I used to do my japam, money. I completely zoned out. I didn’t do puja, chant Shivapuranam, know what was going on around and listen to Lalita But my mother of course, me. I woke up and had the feeling Sahasranamam every day. Why? knowing her, forced me into going. of going somewhere. Seeing Because that’s what seemed like I was really bummed out. My something. But it wasn’t me the right thing. Everyone around friends and I planned to do so wanting to see this thing. It was me was doing it and to me, at the many things during our like something was controlling time, they seemed to have Christmas break but I was stuck me. everything. going to India. But during the I got up and started running. I Once I got into high school, the trip, on the second day, I had my had no idea where this way I saw things changed. I first experience. “controlling power” was taking started asking more questions It was during our time in me. I started walking up some about life and what we do at the Devipuram, where Guruji’s stairs and there I was. Staring temple. What was right at Her. I the purpose of doing felt like all this? I never got everything was any answers from answered, that anyone. Not even the she was right Devi herself. I still by my side, that went to the temple for I could do the sake of it, but anything I what was I really wanted and doing there? that everything Everything that I was going to be did completely okay. stopped. I would still I started do puja, but it was crying so much just me showing the because I was dhupam or deepam the happiest just so my mom knew person in the I was still a whole world. “believer.” People Aiya and some of the Rochester students in Devipuram during the Ever since that would tell me their India Yatra in December 2011. It was at the feet of Sri Sahasrakshi day, I knew experiences and Rajarajeswari that the author had her first experience with the Mother. why I was here, explain their concept what I’m doing. of Sri Vidya while I was there just temple is. I was telling a couple of It took me 10 years to realize why nodding my head, listening to all the temple boys, Ruban and and what I’m doing in life. that garbage. Jeilan, right before it happened Look around you and appreciate We heard that the temple was about how I didn’t believe in God the things that are right in front of having an India Yatra trip in and the whole japam/puja thing. you. People always say that December 2011. I didn’t want to Later that day, the kids were there’s a reason for everything. go for many reasons. To name a doing an abhishekam at the And sometimes you won’t few: Kamakhya peetam. I just stood understand what that reason is outside. What was I going to do but there’s still tomorrow. Be 1) I’ve been to India way too many there? But a few minutes went by happy for everything you have times and I had a feeling that I would go and live in the moment!

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Touching the Source by Anand Panikkar

During the Vibuthi Saivaite it impedes your Immersion (camp) of 2011, the purpose. It’s almost kids and counsellors were like putting the brakes treated with a class by Aiya’s on. That happens to a childhood friend, Anand uncle, lot of people, I find, who was a direct student of Sri because it’s hard to let Sai Baba and spent years go of those ideas you’ve with Him at his ashramam. always held close to Among other topics, Anand you. uncle answered a camper’s At the same time you question about how he feel the desperation, developed an intense spiritual you’ll feel the fear— bond with the divine source of there’s no question the universe. about that. But that’s where faith comes in. When you can The simple answer is absolutely have total this—if you learn to be quiet, help—you would think there’s faith, the fear goes away because meaning your thoughts, you have still something you can physically you know the right thing will instant access to God all the time. do to help yourself. come through. It may not be the Maybe not all the time because So when you’re desperate, you result you want or expect, but the thoughts still interfere. No drop the ego. For me, I have seen faith will pull you away from matter how much we say we so many desperate situations as a being miserable from whatever want to lessen the ego, it’s still physician where we doctors have the result is, and take you to being there. It’s like if you have a dirty no answer. If you are functioning at peace with it. rag and no matter how much you as yourself, as a body and soul It’ll start initially with you wash it, it’ll still be dirty. But together, it’s going to be limited injecting yourself into a situation each time you wash it, it gets a because the very essence of what to affect the outcome. But then little bit cleaner. we can do in these forms is you’ll realize that if you inject, the That’s what happens when you limited. But if you’re functioning outcome is never what it’s meditate, when you do , with a greater source coming supposed to be because it’s never when you do puja—you’re getting through you, the result is much perfect. And then you can let go, a little closer each time. So you better. but you have to accept what the don’t always have instant If I have a patient, while I’m result is as being His will or Her access—at least I don’t. It’s easier walking to that patient, I ask, will. If you can live like that, life when I’m meditating because I’m “What’s wrong with this person?” becomes very easy. reflecting inside. And by the time I’m there, I have In my life, I’ve made bad choices. The biggest thing for me [when the answer because I’m asking for But if you surrender, you’ll soon learning with Baba] was that he help. I’m not trying to use the realize it’s impossible to make a could help me realize rue knowledge I acquired in medical bad choice. consciousness. It wasn’t about school because I know that’s But this doesn’t mean it’s okay to the tricks, the rings, the limited knowledge. never try and not do your duty to viboothi—because these things When you’re desperate, it’s a the best of your ability—you that were created don’t last. sickness. It’s a sickness because must still do that, but the trick is What lasts is the experiences and you know you can’t control it. But to do it without going after the the faith that takes you through if you can let go and ask for that result. I tell the kids you have to life. help, you’ll be amazed. Help is still study, but don’t worry about Usually the way this starts is coming from within you and it’s the A. Your job is to study. So when you’re desperate. I’m sure easy for us to link it to the Devi or you have to make the effort. The you have all experienced this; Swami because that’s our result will happen and whatever when something bad is mindset. It’s really difficult to the result, it’s what was supposed happening to you, you are able to consider something that you can’t to be. And the result will usually ask, and you’re able to ask see or touch because it’s be good if you do what you’re without the ego. You can say, unmanifested. supposed to do. “Please help me,” and there’s no But you have to go beyond the ego because if there was, you form [of Devi, Swami, etc.]. If you wouldn’t be able to ask for that stay with the form continuously, 7 The many forms of the Mother

WashWash itit AwayAway Methods of -Burning, part 1

the end of it, there’s a steel bar. your memory and when you Someone is giving that steel bar a realize that’s what you have been push so that it swings like a doing, you’ve lost track of time. pendulum. It will go far one way Every time one passes on into and then the other, and so on. the beyond, there’s no beyond— this is what it is. You have to come back again. If you have not reached that stage of complete oneness and equanimity, you are going to come back. Throughout your life, you are going to carry impressions. The human mind is structured in such a way that it will quietly push back any unpleasant experience to the back. Any pleasant experience, it will bring to the foreground so that you relive it Recently, an upasaka asked Aiya again and again and again. But about why we do abhishekam and how with the unpleasant experiences, it is tied into the overall practice in you have to confront them and Sanatana Dharma. In this series, Aiya relive them and deal with them if gives a detailed answer to that question, you want to move forward. And and addresses the background as to how there are some mantras that will karma is created, preserved by us do just that—they will drudge throughout lifetimes, and eventually back all the rot that’s been kept destroyed. Thanks to Kumaran Eventually, it will come to a underneath. And as it comes up, Perinpanatan for sharing his recording standstill. I think the human you’ll be forced to deal with it. of Aiya’s answer. experience, the birth experience is Now, what does have to do with like that. You’ll find each abhishekam? I’ll get to that. Now, one of the principles upon successive swing is marginally When you die, what is it that which this faith is built is that we small than the previous one. So leaves the body? It doesn’t have a don’t just have three score [one ultimately, what is the aim? It has shape or a form, nothing, but score is equal to 20 years—ed] and 10. to come to rest. That is what that something is leaving the body. What the Bible says is that you which is inside of each of us is Today they call me Haran. But the have three score and 10 years, and yearning for. minute I die, this form will just be after that, you’re gone. I think the It wants to be completely at rest known as “the body.” They won’t supreme intelligence is not going without running after this thing, say, “Have they brought Haran to to just give you 70 years to clean running after that, analyzing this, the funeral parlour?” They’ll say, up your act. If He or She or It, analyzing that. That’s what we’re “Have they brought the body to whatever, is described all all- doing. Twenty-four hours of the the funeral parlour.” Something is compassionate, omnipresent, and day, anything that comes into our missing from that body. What is all-knowing, it has to have much heads, we analyze. “Oh, I have it? more intelligence than to give seen this person somewhere…” It can’t be the intelligence. each person three score and 10. Now you’re accessing your Because if I clunk you on the head Imagine there’s a string hanging memory. And in the time with a baseball bat, you’re still directly toward the ground and at between when you start accessing living and breathing even though

8 The many forms of the Mother

the causal body. Where you Absolute, in the eyes of the end up in the next life is Mother, all those lives are equal. entirely up to Her. Many people may not accept it, It has to do with but that is their problem. But for committing negative acts. each of these living beings, you Let’s say you wake up in the will carry some guilt, maybe a morning, put your feet down little with the cat and the dog, but and hear a crunch… you look a massive amount of guilt for down and you have just killing the child. All that guilt killed a big ant. You go on, will be quietly programmed into shower, get dressed, leave the your psyche while you are still house, get in the car and back alive. And after the causal body out of the driveway, and leaves when you die, it will take accidentally hit the the psyche along with it—all neighbour’s cat on the way these subconscious memories and out. You tell the neighbour, feelings that have been recorded keep going around the corner in you. and then a German Shepherd And when you are reborn, these jumps in front of your car things will enter the gene pool and you run over it as well. with you. And now you have to But then, you’re driving work this karma away… but along and you hit and kill a how? you might be unconscious. The small child—of these four things, mind is still going, and the which is the one that will remain Find out how to work the karma out intelligence has to do with the most strongly in your mind? The in part two of this series, in the next Sri mind. When you die, the mind child. But why? The ant, cat, dog, Chakra. also dies. So something that’s and child all had life. It’s because beyond the mind must be there. you identify the Finding out what that is, is what child’s body with this journey is all about. your own On the way, you will come existence, and across impressions that you have you carried with you maybe even subconsciously hundreds of years ago. God think it is more knows how many lives we have important than had. You have to take care of all the other three. those impressions and mute them And the creature and neutralize them if you want you will think to go forward. When a person about the least passes on, according to what our out of the four is scriptures say, the causal body the ant. moves on. This is how you carry But remember, those impressions with you, in in the eyes of the

9 The many forms of the Mother PathishadPathishad RudraRudra MantraMantra

by Ramesh Kutticad

One of the main morning bedside rituals of a Sri Vidya upasaka is chanting the Rasmimala of 37 mantras. One of the mantras is the Pathishadrudraa mantra. The fruit of recitation is Marga Sankata Hari, which is the removal of dangers/discomforts in one’s way or journey. The root word is ‘path,’ the way or route taken for travel. The suffix ‘shad’ will mean protection. The indicated is ‘’—a fierce, terrible form.

The dhyana sloka is: ‘Aatta sajja dhanurbaaNa TankaiNaM vRUshabhasthitam AnnapoorNaa samaaslishtam pathishadrudramaasraye’

The mantra as per Nityotsava/Parashurama Kalpasutra is: ‘ namo bhagavate rudraaya pathishade svasti maam sampaaraya’

The free translation of the meditative verse is, ‘Having a strung bow and arrow, also holding a chisel and deer, seated on the bull, and hugged by Devi Annapoorna, I seek refuge in the Pathishadrudraa.’ The translation of the mantra would be, ‘I bow to the lord Pathishadrudraa, let him protect me on the way and lead me to my destination successfully and peacefully.’ The idea of travel was difficult in the earlier days; the dangers in travel were innumerable, like thick forests without any defined way, wild animals, dacoits, and foreign people. To cross oceans, the only mode was a ship which had even more factors of danger in it and finally unknown diseases. Hence, few people traveled by foot, cart or in a ship. They also prayed for a happy and successful travel to the Lord. The bow and arrows are said to represent the senses and the mind, thus the image of a strung bow and arrow reminds us to keep alertness in any situation. The chisel represents the finer shaping of ideas like the creation of a beautifully shaped idol. Holding the deer represents restraint of the ever restless mind. The bull is said to be the personification of Dharma Devata; hence this indicates adherence to one’s dharma. The Devi who hugs the Lord is Annapoorneshvari. She represents the annamaya kosha, the gross body. Thus the deity to protect on the way is held closely by the gross body. Summarizing, we find the alter mind, with emphasis on fine details, restraining the flickering mind. The safety of the gross body is granted by the Lord Pathishadrudraa for a safe travel to successfully reach the destination.

‘aatta sajja dhaNurbaaNa TankaiNam’ = Having a strung bow and arrow, with a chisel and deer. Referring to the above idea, this will point to the ‘svasti’ and ‘sampaaraya’ in the mantra

‘vRUshabha sthitam’ = the Bull is the Lord of dharma and hence the Pranava mantra is elucidated in ‘Om’

‘AnnapoorNaa samaslishtam’ = Hugged by Devi Annapoorna, will point to ‘maam’

‘pathishdrudram’ = Lord Pathishadrudraa, the mantra says’ rudraaya pathishade’

‘aashraye’ = I take refuge in him. The mantra will say’ namo bhagavate’—I bow the supreme Lord.

Thinking on a higher plane of consciousness, in the journey of an aspirant to the final destination of the realization of the Divine, the protection of the body—‘sareeram aadyam khalu dharma saadanam’ verily refers to the gross body as the base of all . This includes the alertness of the mind in all situations, the fine points to be enjoyed like the chiseling of an idol, and restraining the mind to not wander in unknown areas as the pointers revealed. This will ensure a safe and successful journey to reach the divine. Thus, this mantra is to be chanted daily for the Sri Vidya upasaka to attain a state of being ever immersed in Shiva—‘satatam shivatamaavesha.’

10 The many forms of the Mother ChidagniChidagni The story of Sri Amritananda Saraswati part 8

The biography of Sri Zambia and Sahasranamam It was in 1977 Guruji had gone without fail. Amritananda Saraswati— to Zambia on deputation, to work Sai Baba bhajans were a who is affectionately as a professor of nuclear physics common event during such known as Guruji to most at Lusaka University. Guruji’s regular gatherings. In addition, family accompanied him, and those with some knowledgeable of Aiya’s students—was they stayed in Zambia for 2 years. background in scriptures and penned in Telugu by Smt. Though far away from his conducted religious Nethi Seeta Devi. These motherland, Guruji continued his discourses. In this fashion, those spiritual journey even in Lusaka Indians living in Zambia chapters were translated with chanting Lalita continued to keep in touch with into English and Sahasranamam, Navavarana their religious roots and Hindu pujas, etc. on a regular basis. If culture. graciously submitted to Guruji came to know that there Sri Balasubramanyam took an the Sri Chakra by was a Lalita Sahasranamam active part in all religious Venkateshwar Babu from parayanam going on, he would activities. He had Guruji by his join along with his wife and kids. side whenever he attended such Philadelphia in an It was here in Lusaka that he festival functions. Since all these ongoing series. met Professor Ramanathan, Sri functions were in the evenings Balasubramanyam, and Sri Guruji’s family accompanied him. Wijayaharan. There were many Though Indians in Zambia South Asian families residing in chanted Sahasranamam on a Zambia those days, and these regular basis, they were unaware families wanted to ensure their of its diction and pronunciation. kith and kin did Guruji explained in detail the not lose touch finer aspects of chanting with their culture Sahasranamam to others. and traditions. Gradually, they started liking These Indian Guruji and were eager to learn families had the about religion, customs, utmost devotion traditions, and about Hindu and had culture from him. Over a period celebrated every of time, the South Asians in Hindu festival Lusaka started looking up to religiously, but Guruji for counsel and guidance. some were limited The daughter of one Gujarati by their family residing in Lusaka was knowledge of ready to get married. rituals. To ensure Unfortunately, there was no continuity, they Hindu priest to conduct the would meet either wedding, so the Gujarati family weekly or approached Guruji to do it. monthly and Guruji said, “I do not know how chant Lalita to conduct a Hindu marriage. All Sahasranamam I know is Lalita Sahasranamam.

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How do you expect me to perform the marriage?” or it was his The girl’s father responded, “Please chant Lalita inbuilt will Sahasranamam and conduct the wedding. All power, he was that we want is you to perform the wedding. always aiming to What mantras you chant is immaterial.” reach the highest So, Guruji went ahead and performed the peaks of wedding by chanting Lalita Sahasranamam. spirituality. This This blessed Gujarati couple has remained desire in him “happily ever after” to this day! grew stronger Gujaratis are generally very devout. The day by day. Gujaratis in Zambia had converted one house Sri into a temple. Daily rituals were sincerely Wijayaharan performed to a few photos of gods and goddesses attended all in that shrine. Sri Gananathan thought it would functions, be more appropriate to have an idol in place of festivals, and all the photographs to worship and perform daily programs of rituals, so he successfully managed to get the idol spirituality that of Lalita Devi from India. were celebrated The next important question came up—who in Zambia. His will consecrate the Lalita Devi idol now? prized Naturally, they looked to Guruji for answers. possessions were Guruji said, “I have never consecrated any idol a tabla and a to this day. I do not know how to!” harmonium that The unanimous response was, “Please don’t say enabled him to so! We look to you for guidance. Only you can perform bhajans perform this holy task. Kindly accept our with utmost humble request.” Guruji and Wijayaharan (Aiya) in 2009. devotion. He Guruji was speechless. He did not know what was the people’s to do. favorite for He meditated that night. By the time he got up, he devotional bhajans. was fully aware of all the consecration rituals and It was his long unfulfilled wish that someone all associated holy chantings by heart. It was Devi would teach and guide him through the principles herself who taught Guruji everything to do with of Vedic worship. He was always on the lookout for idol consecration. Devi’s wonders were countless! such a noble soul. Since his initiation by Mataji, he Guruji picked an auspicious day and time for was on the lookout for a guru that could lead him to Lalita Devi idol consecration. He performed this higher levels in spirituality. event on a very grand scale following all necessary Instead, people discouraged him saying, “Why rituals, and Vedic chantings. Lalita Devi’s idol was learn these mantras? Why do these pujas? Being consecrated in a small suburb of Lusaka called non-, in case we make any mistake Kavyoowe. This Lalita Devi Temple has become the knowingly or unknowingly, these can destroy a main center of worship for all in Lusaka person completely. Better stay away from it.” Sri even to this day! Wijayaharan felt that he could never realize his unfulfilled dream to attain high levels of Sri Wijayaharan spirituality in this lifetime. Sri Wijayaharan was a close friend of Sri During one of his conversations with Sri Balasubramanyam and they had been living close Balasubramanyam, Sri Wijayaharan wondered to each other in Zambia for a very long time. Sri whether Guruji initiated people into Devi worship. Wijayaharan was a Sri Lankan Tamil and an Sri Balasubramanyam responded, “He has architect by profession. He was extremely devout initiated many. As long as one’s intention is sincere, and highly spiritual in his endeavors, and he was he does initiate.” initiated at a very young age by a disciple of Swami In addition, he said, “My wife went to India to get Sivananda. initiated. She met Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Sri Wijayaharan had taken on these initiated Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, and mantras very seriously, and these became his way expressed her desire to get initiated. He said I am of life. Whether it was the power of these mantras, not your guru. Your guru is in Africa. His name is

12 The many forms of the Mother

Amritananda Saraswathi. Go Detachment from common life “It is me who brought everyone and request him to give you While in Zambia itself, Sri into existence,” the Mother manthropadesam.” Balatripurasundari appeared in explained. “It is me who is Hearing this Sri Wijayaharan many forms to impart spiritual bearing everyone’s responsibility. got a glimmer of hope. This knowledge to Guruji. Along with It is me who is taking care of conversation continued. this, his inbuilt urge to share the everyone.” “Will he initiate me?” Sri knowledge of Sri Vidya, and “So what is happening to me?” Wijayaharan asked. thereby help others on the Guruji asked. “I see no reason why he will not righteous path was a huge Understanding Guruji’s initiate you,” Sri motivation. predicament, the Divine Mother Balasubramanyam replied. During almost every one of smiled and said, “Nothing is “As you know, I am not a Guruji’s interactions with the happening to you. You are safe ,” Sri Wijayaharan said. Divine Mother, she said, “Why do and sound in my arms.” “He does not differentiate,” Sri you need this job? Just stay with During the early days, Guruji Balasubramanyam assured him. me. I will give you everything.” was always worried that these “He will surely give you “That sounds too good!” Guruji divine interventions and divine manthropadesam.” replied to Her. “You have imbibed experiences were taking away his “So, can we go and ask him spirituality in me. You taught me time and energy, and was not sure tomorrow?” Sri Wijayaharan all sacred scriptures. You have if he was allocating the necessary suggested. “If he agrees, well and shown me the world. I am giving attention to his family and job. good! If he doesn’t, I will consider manthropadesam to all those who But, at the same time, he was him one of the many who seek it from me. Performing pujas enjoying his spiritual journey and declined.” and bhajans has become my way all the exhilarating experiences It was one of the days during of life. along the way! Navarathri. Sri Wijayaharan and “At this stage, in this state of Guruji’s life continued Sri Balasubramanyam went ecstasy, fulfilling my professional peacefully and happily in Zambia. together to meet Guruji and make obligations has become a big test The Divine Mother showered Her their humble request. on its own. Under such grace on him in the form of a “Why won’t I?” Guruji said. “I circumstances, if I quit my only home, car, prestige, wealth, and a will give it to you! These are the livelihood, what will I do? How professorship at a university. It days of Navarathri. These are can I feed my wife and children? I was in 1980 that Guruji’s really auspicious days. Panchami am not rich either!” deputation came to an end, and he is even better. I will initiate you “This job is no big deal!” the returned to Mumbai to take up his on that day!” Divine Mother responded. “You old job. As promised, Guruji went to Sri have attained Wijayaharan’s house on the high levels of auspicious day of Panchami and spirituality, performed Sri Chakra Puja and which cannot be gave him and his wife the confined by your manthropadesam. professional Sri Wijayaharan’s joy knew no status. Please quit bounds. Whether it was the effect your job.” of Guruji’s manthropadesam or “I am not alone,” Sri Wijayaharan’s dedication or Guruji said. “I both coming together, Sri have a wife and Wijayaharan reached greater three kids to take spiritual heights. Since then, he care of.” had established himself very well “Is it just your in the USA and consecrated his wife and kids?” own temple, the Sri Rajarajeswari the Mother asked. Peetam in Rush, New York “Is you who is Within four or five months since feeding them? Is it being initiated by Guruji, Sri you who is Wijayaharan migrated to the bearing the USA. It just seems like he may responsibility on have spent such a long time in your shoulders?” Zambia only to meet Guruji and “Then who is get initiated. it?” Guruji asked.

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OurOurOurOur HomeHomeHomeHome

by Sreekant Venkata Subramanian

Saturday we would come to this To some, this would seem as if it temple, a rather long drive from was a chore but to me there was a Southfield, Michigan where we hidden joy in helping out. It used to live in those days. I can cannot be described—the feeling still remember every Saturday we you get when you feel like you’re a would have to go and get milk part of something bigger than from the fridge for the regular yourself. This temple had become abishekam. a family to me. Every Saturday, Tharuman and I have moved a lot for various I would have to run by the office, reasons and those who know me which happened to be the room generally ask, “Where do you live across from the old kitchen now?” I ended up in this little (which was the only kitchen) and town called St. Catharines, get car keys from Raji aunty to situated in the Niagara region, her little car’s trunk, which held a which also happened to be about fair amount of milk. We then took an hour or so from the temple. that milk to the fridge of the house I can remember one such week, and replaced it with the milk that there was a Kanda Shashti It seems as if it was just a few was put in last week. festival going on. I would go to days ago that I entered this little It was a constant cycle. When school in the morning, come back temple (yes, a very little temple at we took the milk, we needed to quickly and be ready in 20 the time) in 2001. We stayed for always make sure we checked the minutes to head down to the an hour or so and watched the date on the milk or we would get temple to help set up. It was such end of the evening puja which a sufficient yelling. Mind you, this an awesome time. was done by Mohan uncle. routine did not stop even in the As time went by, our temple had To me, there was one thing that coldest of winters but it didn’t its extension and eventually the stuck in my head. It was the sight matter. annual camp started to run. That of watching a man blow into a was when Aiya started getting all conch shell. I had the kids to learn the never seen anything Shivapuranam. I like that before. went through the Fortunately, we kept words day in and coming back to this day out but for little temple situated some reason it in what I felt like was never stuck. Then in the middle of one day, I thought nowhere since we why not just play it initially missed it the in my sleep? Three first couple of times to four days later it trying to find it. had just stuck in my In those days, our head. temple was a whole The one year we lot different. Most of didn’t have camp the inside wasn’t gold was in 2010 when plated and the we had the Ati yajnashala extension, Rudram which we have now The author (lying down), with his surrogate siblings (L to R), kumbhabhishekam had yet to be Venodan, Tharuman, and Sankavi, in May 2005. All are still instead. I had constructed. Every temple volunteers to this day reached my final

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year of high school by then. I can event you will hear them talk my questions, my feelings went remember at dinner one fine day, about how everyone was running blank. I just felt at home. Of Aiya came up to me while I was around and trying to help out, course, our temple had grown in with my mom and said, “Okay, so even old aunties who could barely those two years but it had you will be doing the archana for walk. maintained the charm that kept 11 days to the main kalasam It was a tale that was similar to me coming back every weekend as while Tharuman does when was building a bridge a child. sankalpam,” and then with a and even the squirrels and ants I walked up to my old friend, smile graciously walked on. were moving things. Regardless Tharuman, and gave him a hug, I was in shock now because I of how big a job they did, nobody regrouped and caught up for needed to learn the Shiva and was any more important than about a minute, then instantly as Lalita namavalis and I needed to anyone else. though he had forgotten I had not make sure my pujas weren’t The Devi and Aiya must have been at the temple for two years rusty for this festival. I practiced thought the lesson was better he told me to help Aniruth make a day by day with my mom (who taught by involving us than by detailed list for tasks for the has generally been my teacher for simply telling us, because that upcoming July festival (which I most things). incident really made us step up to kept calling the May festival by Ati Rudram finally arrived and the plate. habit). I was ready to my best ability. At During this the end of the second or third day alankara I remember Priya akka came up festival I had to me and told me to chant the a chance to Khadgamala Stotram, which I see kids who didn’t happen to know too well at used to help the time. So I quickly ran around out here and and found Abhi akka, who helped there now me pick it up in one night. I have taking up learned most things last-minute bigger roles like this. I can thank nobody but and the Devi herself for this. becoming This Ati Rudram was a big deal coordinators. for me because I was heading to I had the India for two years, so for me this privilege of was almost the last time I could bringing a have been at the temple like old bunch of The tent flood during the great rainstorm of Ati Rudram, 2010. times. young kids Ati Rudram came and went like (who were a flash of light. It had taught us Finally, it’s my last day of school, about my age when I started here) more than just the Rudram or for two years have passed and I am to Kashi and showing them the me, the namavalis and the ready to get back to North fun of doing puja with our own Khadgamala Stotram. It taught America from India. As I was little twist. me that as a group we can heading back, the first thought Their reaction to the fun, and the accomplish anything. that ran through my mind was, optimism and potential they In the September 2011 issue of “Sreekant! What changes have showed made me realized that the Sri Chakra magazine, happened. How will you cope? this temple is something more. Tharuman wrote about the Will you fit into the rhythm like This really is my home—scratch events of the tent flood during Ati old times or will it all be gone?” that, our home. Rudram. If you ask anyone who On my first trip out to the happened to be present for that temple I finally walked in and all

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KnowingKnowing aboutabout SriSri VidyaVidya vs. KnowingKnowing SriSri VidyaVidya part 1

by Sri B. Jayaraman and Smt. Vijayalakshmi

Let us first understand the difference between knowing about Sri Vidya versus knowing Sri Vidya. Knowing about Sri Vidya is a mere collection of data or at the most organizing, processing and assimilating the same into knowledge. Knowing Sri Vidya is the internalizing or imbibing of that knowledge and reflecting the same in our attitude and behaviour in society. Since Sri Vidya is Atma Vidya, the internalized knowledge of Sri Vidya is called Self Realization. Details of the worship of a specific path is Acharam. Performing worship after understanding the details of that path is Anushtanam. Contemplating on those principles is Anusandhanam. Internalizing and reflecting those imbibed principles in behaviour is Anubhoothi. Knowledge about Sri Vidya is obtained from one’s guru, lectures by the guru bandhus and senior upasakas, from text books and also nowadays through websites, etc. One may obtain mantra initiation also. Mere knowledge of Sri Vidya or mantra initiation does not make the disciple a real Sri Vidya upasaka. Through the grace of Guru Roopini Lalitha, the principles of Sri Vidya will have to be internalized and imbibed, and should be reflect in the upasaka’s way of life, behaviour and interactions with society.

Anushtanam sadhana, Navavarana puja, and kundalini are certainly the next steps towards realization. But if the sadhaka intensely concentrates only on the activity, it will only cleanse his accumulated vasanas and thus prepare him with Chittha Shuddhi (purity of mind) for knowing Sri Vidya. However, realizing Sri Vidya would still be a few steps away.

Anusandhanam Contemplation is certainly the next higher and necessary step towards realization. It is still a mental activity and hence one should not get stuck with this thinking activity but proceed further towards Anubhoothi, which is Realizing or being in the experience of knowing Sri Vidya.

Anubhoothi It is an effortless activity—one’s own natural experience. It is not an artificial behaviour by any compulsions. The impact is felt by others in society. It is usually a Blissful state. Principles of Sri Vidya are best understood only through living by those principles.

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In any spiritual path there are may have to make some sacrifices A very important guest is clearly two distinct phases— in his food habits. In the second coming to your house and you Preparatory and Implementation. phase he learns how to maximize need to give a grand welcome to The first stage is knowledge of him. Your house is a mess. First that aacharam and sadhana you will remove unwanted (Anushtanam)—one objects and clean the house. Then should collect all relevant details, you will decorate the house with understand, get convinced and some paintings/handicrafts. adjust/prepare oneself to adopt Before gold polishing an old those principles. Often this would brass item, it is first cleaned with require some personal sacrifices. acid and then coated with gold. The second stage is Similarly, in any spiritual path Anusandhanam—sincerely including Sri Vidya, the upasaka adopting/implementing those is first cleansed of his negative values/principles in life. Based on inflictions by hard work one’s sincerity and intensity, the (Anushtanam) and then enriched Grace will dawn on the upasaka with enlightening thoughts and and one will get Anubhoothi. Let his energy as he nears the finish practices of that path through us look at some simple examples. line. Anusandhanam. Over time, and An athlete prepares himself for a A person prepares to attend a with the grace of the guru, the 100 metre running race. In the wedding reception. First, he upasaka gets Anubhoothi. preparatory phase, he should do removes the bad odour from his physical exercises and make his body by bathing. Next he applies Watch for part two of this article in body capable of withstanding the perfumes for the occasion and the next issue of the Sri Chakra. stress of high speed running. He dresses himself well.

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Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

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