Sri The Source of the Cosmos

The Journal of the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY

Blossom 18 Petal 4 December 2013 December Newsletter

Since the last issue... is now released in Tamil! The English version will be available He also presided over Karthikai in late December or early January. Deepam on Nov. 16th. The mini-calendar cards are There wasn’t a lot of travel in Nov 21st was the first bit of already available for free. Aiya’s calendar during festival travelling Aiya did in a couple of Later in December, Aiya and season. He was in and around months, as he went to San Diego other devotees will be abroad for Rochester starting from the end for a private . the annual Yatra from Dec. of August, and presided over He headed north over the next 20th to Jan. 4th. The focus this Ganapathi Chaturthi on Sept. 8. two days, attending a function for year is on the Navagraha sthalas The next three weeks saw him Sri Amma’s Nandalala Mission in . staying in town to prepare for in San Francisco on Nov. 23 and There is also a special puja Navarathri. After dvajarohanam 24. He also released a CD locally happening in honour of Aiya’s on Sept. 28th, he was grounded during that trip, and spent time in 70th birthday in Chidambaram on on temple property until the the Bay Area until Nov. 26th. Dec. 30th. It will most likely be at flag went down at the end of A similar CD release concert the Nataraja temple from 6:30 a.m. Navarathri in mid-October. usually happens in Toronto in to 1 p.m. IST. Aiya also presided over the first early December, but that event Lastly, look out for new policies and last days of Kedara Gowri will be postponed due to winter and procedures to soon be vratham (ending on Nov. 2), and weather concerns. Notice will be released, regarding the facilities throughout all six days of Skanda sent out in the Spring. for volunteers staying overnight Shasti (Nov. 3 to Nov. 8). The temple’s new calendar on temple property.

Past Events All events by Abhi Somaskanda The annual Ganesh festival began at 9 a.m. Ganapathi Chaturthi, Sept. 8 with kalasa stapanam and tarpanam in the temple’s yajnashala. In front of the kalasams, facing the spon- sors and kundam, a large turmeric Ganapathi was created and placed in a silver peetam, sur- rounded by kush grass and lotus flowers. A bowl on the left side of the makeshift Ganapathi collected the consecrated water that devotees poured of over Him with each syllable of Ganapathi tarpanam, a text released by Guruji Sri Amritananda Natha a few years ago. Once tarpanam finished, the turmeric was dissolved in the stream behind the temple, and homam commenced. After lunch, the uttsava Ga- napathi was adorned with a colorful dhoti, and decked out with shimmering jewelry. He was hoisted on the shoulders of delighted devotees shouting, “Arohara!” and taken in procession around the temple, treated to Everyone gathered at the Kashi creek to dissolve several sweets on the way. The evening concluded the turmeric Ganapathi after tarpanam was completed with maha prasadam.

2 Sharada Navarathri, Sept. 28 - Oct. 15

This year, the brahmotsavam’s focus was on different aspects of Mahal- akshmi. As per Sri Mathioli Saraswathy’s (Sri Amma) instructions, gooseberries were offered into the homam with each phrase of the Kanakadhara Stotram. In the morning, Aiya also performed the Sri Samputita Sri Suktam interspersed with the Kamalambika mula mantra and the Daridrya Dhwamsini sloka from the Sapta Sloki. In the evenings, devotees conducted either the Sri Chakra Puja in the sanctum, or the Kanakadhara homam. Every day, one of the Ashta ashtottras was also chanted dur- ing the kalasa puja. Devotees accordingly adorned the main murthi in the garba graham to reflect that day’s Lakshmi. Some of the alankarams included small dolls hugging Devi to represent Santhana Lakshmi, 16 different grains in bowls around the garba graham for Daanya Lakshmi, and gold-colored elephant statues on either side of Devi for Gajalakshmi. As usual, uttsava murthis were taken in procession for Durga, Lakshmi, and days respectively. On Vijayadasami, the main pradana kalasam, built by smaller kalasams on top of the main clay one and adorned to look like Devi herself, was taken out in procession. About 1000 people turned up for the final day, making the parade around the temple more festive than in previous years. The last three days saw the avarohanam of the flag, theertam to cool down The main kalasam, made up of the uttsava murthis, and finally kulirthi, where maha abhishekam was performed smaller kalasams and dressed up like the Devi to the main murthis and the Maha Meru using at least 10 different items.

Kedara Gowri, Oct. 13 - Nov. 2 As in years past, Kedara Gowri vratham began on Vijaya- dasami and continued for 21 days. Every day, different people per- formed the Kedara Gowri puja in front of Lord Ardhanareeswara. A mercury lingam, the main kalasam, and a Ganapathi sat in the mandapam, and this year, 21 different kalasams surrounded them, energetically connected by darba. On the final day, several devotees poured these kalasams over the Ardhanareeswara murthi, and after an elaborate alan- karam, sponsors sat down with puja trays and offered upacharas to Her. This year, 21 individual pieces of 21 different prasadams were offered to Sri Ardhanareeswara on copper plates surrounding the murthi. After the puja, suvasinis offered each other saris adorned with other auspicious items, each seeking the other’s blessings.

is the interplay between Muruga Skanda Shashti, Nov. 3 - 8 and his two consorts, and Devasena. He first marries For six days, each of Subramanya’s Devasena, and then courts Valli. six faces was worshipped with a separate sa- Finding out that He has done hasranama. Devotees sat around the uttsava this, Devasena is upset, and He murthi and offered flowers and akshadas appeases her by offering her for each name. On the final day, Muruga sweets. This reflects the inter- symbolically killed the demon, Suran, who twining nature of the three main represents one’s negative qualities. Aiya nadis in the body, the ida, pingala, used Muruga’s to chop off Suran’s head, and sushumna. Finally, all three as well as the banana tree he was hiding sat together on the mandapam, behind. Once Muruga returned, devotees and archana was performed. bathed him and homam commenced. After the final arathi, everyone One of the highlights of the festival enjoyed maha prasadam.

3 , Mantra,

Karthikai Deepam, Nov. 16

Every year, the temple is illuminated by dozens of lights for Karthika Deepam. This festival commemo- rates the never-ending beam of light of the Eternal, or . The story goes that and were challenged to find the end of this light. Brahma got tired of looking and lied, saying that he had found the end. Vishnu, on the other hand, realized that there could be no end to this light. At the temple, this light was replicated with a wooden Maha Meru placed on the top of the homakun- dam, adorned with mini lamps. Similar to Thiruvan- namalai, eight different shivalingams were also placed around the homakundam in the eight directions. The sponsor performed puja to each one, and everyone had a chance to do namaskaram at each location. All present could light lamps around the entire yajnashala and in the main sanctum, making this one of the most fun festivals One of the eight directional Shivalingams around the ho- to take part in. makundam, mirroring the eight sannidhis in Thiruvannamalai.

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Upcoming Events

Event Date/time Location Thiruvempavai Dec. 9-18 Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, indoors Ardhra Dharshanam Dec. 18 Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, indoors Kids’ Raja homam Dec. 29 Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, yajnashala Thai Jan. 14 Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, garbha graha Maha Shivarathri Feb. 27 Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, indoors

In Three Months

Devi willing, the next issue of the Sri Chakra will be Our special thanks and gratitude up on the temple’s website at the beginning of March to this issue’s volunteers: Aiya, 2014. Kathy Allen, Vilas Ankolekar, This magazine cannot keep publishing without Venkateshwar Babu, Smt. Geeta contributions! Articles, poems, stories and photos about any spiritual topic are welcomed. and Sri Ramesh Kutticad, Mohan The next deadline for article submission is February Murali, Abhi Somaskanda, and 10, 2014. Please e-mail us with your contributions or Vimalan Sothinathan. feedback about this issue at sri_chakra_mag@srividya. org or talk to Kamya or Abhi at the temple. Sri Gurubhyo Namaha!

The Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam ~ 6980 East River Road ~ Rush, NY 14543 ~ Phone: (585) 533 - 1970 4 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra The Saint and the Goddess

During the Vibhuti Saivaite Immersion (camp) in early August, Aiya spent time daily with the parent volunteers and discussed various spiritual topics with them. The Sri Chakra thanks Mohan Murali, one of the volunteer dads, for sharing his audio of these talks.

would go and seek his blessings. After he finished the last puja of the day, an aide or assistant in the mat- Left: Periava in tam would come and bring only one his mid- handful of puffed rice to his hut. 30s or 40s That is the other thing, Right: Paramacharya lived in an 8-foot by Periava 8-foot hut, with a rope cot and an later in life, still aluminum plate. That plate would hale and be outside when the aide came with healthy the puffed rice. He would not enter in his late the hut. The aide would throw the 80s and handful of puffed rice and what- 90s. ever landed on the plate was the only thing Paramacharya would eat. That is a true sannyasi, not the brand of imitators who live luxuri- For those of you who don’t ously in the name of God. know, at 13 years old, Sri Param- So that’s all he would eat. acharya was a boy named Swami- No one knew how he had so much nathan when he became the 68th energy. When I spoke to the senior Peetadhipathi of the Kanchi mattam. wara puja. people who lived at the mattam, The stories of Paramacharya are There was a small spati- they would tell me that when he well-known—the way he talked, kalingam given to each of the five went to the river in the morning, the way he would look at you. If Shankara mattams by , they had to run to keep up with him! someone came to see him, he would who brought them down from the He would walk so fast—nobody say, “You have come to me for this Himalayas. Those crystal lingams knew how he had that much energy. question, haven’t you?” He could are still today, and that is what they There was a famous read people’s thoughts like he was do Chandramouleeshwara puja to. author named Ra Ganapathi. If reading a book. Amazing personal- Then, morning, noon, and night, you have not read him, read it. He ity. Sri Chakra puja has to be done. It’s approached Paramacharya and And God knows when he not just something you can throw asked to speak to him. Periava had time to rest or when he had together and do in 10 minutes. At automatically knew this fellow was time for anything. Because the the Kanchi mattam where Param- a journalist and knew he wanted schedule of a Shankara mattam is acharya was, Sri Chakra puja was to interview him. He said he will very strict—the Acharya who is in slow and elaborate. speak to him but Ganapathi was not charge has to do a full puja four After these pujas were allowed to publish anything he said times a day. Periava would get up at finished, God knows when he had until after he left the earth. Nobody four o’clock in the morning, bathe, time to meet the devotees and talk knows when they had time to do and do his daily rituals, and then he to them and listen to their problems. these interviews. would have to do Chandramouleesh- Even people like Indira Gandhi After the first puja, the

5 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra

mattam secretary would come So they took her carrying stacks of that morning’s to see Paramacharya. He newspapers—The Times of India, wouldn’t look at a lady—he The Hindu, The New York Times, lived as an example of how Boston Globe, Times of London, San a sannyasi should live. But Francisco Chronicle, everything. he agreed to see this family. Swami would be seated—he never Sannyasis carry a dhandam—a picked up the papers himself, mind staff. They will never go any- you—and the other fellow would be where without it and never put seated and he would read everything it down. If they put it down it to him, cover to cover. You can means something earth-shat- imagine how long that would take. tering is about to happen. And at any given time, Param- Sri Amma stood in acharya was up-to-date about the front of him as a teenager, economic or political or military took a bunch of flowers that situation in any country. He knew were nearby and placed them birthdays were celebrated here, not everything. A phenomenal person- on her head. And she addressed him in India. And people have asked ality. casually—“Hey, don’t you know me, “What have you done that she After Periava left this who I am?” Her parents were horri- wanted to be here?” This is her world, Ra Ganapathi started writing fied—how could this girl speak like home because she is the one who his books about him called Devathin this when the first thing you did in did bhoomi puja to this temple. She Kural, or “The Voice of God.” front of Paramacharya was shashta- said this her home; she opened the There are already something like anga namaskaram? yajnashala and the kitchen, and seven or nine volumes, and these Paramacharya looked up at her, put cooked the first rice in the kitchen are huge books. How did he and the dhandam down and did shashta- and gave prasadam to everyone. Paramacharya have time to do any anga namaskarams to her. And he If you walk with her, you interviews with all the other things said, “Amma, only now you have will start thinking she’s an ordinary Paramacharya had to do? No one come to see me?” Her parents’ woman—you have to be observant knew when he rested. minds were blown out of the water! to catch the snippets of things she If you read this books, your They asked Periava what was going will reveal about who she really is. mind will be blown—how Periava on here. One story—we happened to be at had so much information nobody He addressed Sri Amma’s someone’s house one time and I got knows. He was able to speak, mother and said to her that after the chance to cook for her. Amma read, and write 23 languages with she was married, her first child came into the kitchen after all the complete fluency, including, Latin, passed away. Then she and Sri curries were done. I put the lids on Japanese, Russian, Greek, Man- Amma’s father went on yatras and the patrams already, so they were darin, anything. The Greek royal religious pilgrimages because they covered. She came in and said, family—the queen or queen mother found they were not having another “Add a teaspoon of salt to this one, came to him and would speak to child quickly. When they went to some lemon in this one, a pinch of him with a curtain separating them. Thiruvanaikaavil, the mother stood salt in this one.” She said this with- She would speak in Greek and he in front of the Devi’s shrine and out even opening the vessels to see would answer back in Greek. He prayed to her, and then went around what was what! was unparalleled. the shrine. I asked her later, “Amma, He left this world in 1994 As she was going around, how did you know how to add salt just shy of 100 years old. In 1955, she felt like something hit her like and things to those different curries Sri Amma was about 15 years old an electric shock. She fell, they without even opening them?” She and Periava was middle-aged. carried her home and brought the replied, “For thousands of years, When she sat down in dhyanam, doctor, and the doctor told them she I’ve been standing there while no one could move her. She would was pregnant. This was all cor- people have offered me food. Do become completely rigid and have rect. Now Paramacharya asked Sri you think I come out of the statue fainting spells at other time. Her Amma’s mother, “Who do you think and taste everything? I know the parents became very nervous—they has come? That Akilandeeshwari food through the smell.” were an orthodox family. has come as a purna-avataram.” That gave me goose If she kept behaving like this, who So that is Amma. And pimples. I was silent for the rest of would marry her? remember, her 60th and 70th the day.

6 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra Behind the Kanakadhara Stotram

by Kamya Ramaswamy

For many years, I avoided sour a taste in my mouth as, well, a so I had no use for Kanakadhara learning the Kanakadhara Stotram, gooseberry. Stotram. although there were various classes I felt the purpose of chant- But I, like many others, and teachers willing to teach it to ing this stotram was antithetical to decided to learn it because it was groups near where I lived. The what I believed in; that the point of the theme of this year’s Navarathri purpose of chanting this is obvious worship should be for worship itself festival at the Rajarajeswari Pee- if you understand basic — and not to get something else—es- tam. I couldn’t attend but my guru “kanaka” is gold, specifically old pecially not gold. If you’re meant wanted his students to learn it and gold; and “dhara” refers to the act- to receive something great from the that was the only reason I finally ing of giving or bestowing. divine, it would be a natural by- made the effort. The origin story dates back product of prayer; not the purpose Chanting it wedged open to about 2500 years ago when Sri for which we pray. I mean, can’t we the window through which the Devi Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada was look around and see the everyday made me realize the true purpose going around from house to house gifts the Mother has showered upon of this stotram. The fault lay in and begging for alms (bhiksha) in us, and must we keep nagging her the glib telling and retelling of the the sannyasi tradition. This was for more? gooseberry story—it left out a lot the only way a sannyasi could eat, Do we pray to simply of details, and made it seem like the based on the charity of others— get stuff from the grand shopping goal was greed and material enrich- a true sannyasi should not know catalogue we call God, or do we do ment. In fact, the goal is actually where his/her next meal is coming so in order to spiritually evolve and limitless . from. change ourselves on the molecular Let’s go back to the desti- He came to the doorstep of level? For me, it was the latter, and tute woman living in the shack—she a lady who was destitute, but badly wanted to give him something to eat. She searched the whole house and found that the only morsel of food available was one goose- berry (nellikai/amla). She gave this gooseberry to Shankara, he created the Kanakadhara Stotram to beseech Goddess Lakshmi to give this poor lady wealth, and Goddess Mahal- akshmi consented and showered golden gooseberries upon her hut. It was a nice little feel- good story with a happy ending that resulted in millions of people in the forthcoming centuries chanting this stotram to apparently obtain the same results—really valuable fruit. This tale was supposed to inspire people to chant this thing, which it clearly did, but it left as

7 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra

didn’t just lose big in a casino and curse God and our luck for being guy from the next sannyasi but she become poor that week. It was trapped in that situation where we gave everything she possibly had to probably a long and painful process, were forced to slowly starve to a stranger and sobbed about the fact or she may have been poor all her death? Many people have turned she couldn’t give more! life. And she most likely didn’t just their backs on God for much, much That nth level of generosity run out of food that morning before less; often because they didn’t get hit a vein in Shankara that probably Shankara came along, either. It the life they planned on, failing to wouldn’t have been hit in any less was very likely days before she had realize that the things they fanta- extreme of a situation, and in turn, a proper meal, and she probably size about may not have been what the Kanakadhara Stotram came didn’t even know the gooseberry would have made them truly happy. tumbling out. It’s only in extreme was in the house. We often behave like overgrown levels of emotions that most of us Hunger does strange things children, throwing grown-up reach God, and it doesn’t matter to your mind. In university, I was tantrums at our divine Mother or what the emotion is—joy, anger, so hungry by the time my morning Father and venomously spitting out fear, sadness are all the same to Her. classes ended that I dreamt about the adult equivalent of, “I hate you! Here, it was humility. having a bratwurst every time I You’re a mean mommy!” The Kanakadhara Stotram passed the campus hotdog vendor This lady didn’t do any of came out of a one-two punch—the on the way home—and I’m a veg- those things, and it didn’t even cross lady’s incredible act, and Shankara’s etarian. her mind. Her poverty didn’t stop ability to recognize the greatness It is said the reason why her from exhibiting more generosity of such an act. Hand in hand, they Goddess wears a skirt made of than most millionaires. Now, it was are compassion and gratitude, two that saintliness that touched Shan- things we don’t have enough of in kara so deeply that he felt a level of this world. The golden gooseber- emotion that sannyasis don’t usually ries are all the riches of heaven and feel. Sannyasis are supposed to beyond, which are far more valuable be unaffected by this world and than all the gold on this planet. the plights of its people. When his We will only be free from mother died, Shankara was fa- this earthly bondage when we are mously said to have wondered how able to give to a stranger the way a sannyasi deals with the death of we would give to ourselves, for his mother. No crying or tears, just, that will show we truly see every “Hmm, what’s the protocol here?” organism as one. That is self-real- When someone that de- ization and that is the true gift of the human arms is to symbolize how, tached was moved by the actions Kanakadhara Stotram. at the end of the day, the acts we of a stranger, you better believe commit with our hands lead back to those actions carried great weight. satisfying our baser instincts. That’s The single gesture of this why the arms cover her stomach poor lady showed so many holy and genitals. We’re all animals, qualities that Shankara couldn’t and when it comes to taking care help but see Goddess Mahalak- of ourselves and our families’ basic shmi in her. After all, what other needs, we will ultimately sacrifice Hindu deity aside from Lakshmi everything else depending on where is depicted as giving 100 percent we each draw that line of despera- of what they have without the tion. slightest thought of holding back? Apparently, this lady was It wasn’t that Shankara one of the rarer people on this thought, “Wow, giving me that planet who didn’t have a line. A gooseberry was sure nice of stranger showed up at her doorstep, her… let me put in a good word and despite being starving and weak upstairs.” He saw the Divine (many of us would also be quite Mother in this lady, because who cranky), she ransacked the house else but a mother would be that for food and gave this stranger 100 self-sacrificing for her child? percent of what she found. What’s more, he wasn’t even her How many of us would child. This lady didn’t know this

8 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra Secret Code in Tantra

by Smt. Geeta and Sri Ramesh Kutticad (Yogamba sahita Atmaanandanaatha) part 2

includes these 28 also. The remain- ing 52 are in Shiva/. Another name in Lalitha Sahasranamam–shuddha vidy- aankuraakaara dvija pankti dvayo- jvalaa’ can be seen through this code. The 32 teeth of Sri Devi are described here. Suddha vidyaa is the 32nd in the line of . Hence that number is inferred. This number is split into two, likened to the two cotyledons of a sprout. So, we can infer two sets of sixteen each. They are likened to the dvija. Here the word dvija can be decoded with this, ‘j’ is eight and twice of eight as said by ‘dvi’ is 16. A variation of this code is used by while explaining about the ‘chalaakshara .’ He says the vowel will In the last Sri Chakra, the nidhanaa.’ He splits the name into point to the number of syllables in ‘an+aadi+ nidhanaa’. Nidhana the particular name and the conso- authors explained the re- means death. He chose to decode nant to the number of names with lationship between man- the word ‘aadhi’ which is prefixed this number of syllable. For ex- tras, scripture, numbers with the code. ‘aa’ is zero since it ample if we find ‘khi chah ghu’ in and sounds, which work is a lone vowel, ‘da’ is 8—reading the , using the said method, this them together will result in 80. He will mean kh’ two names with ‘I’ together to unlock differ- then explains that there are 80 types three syllables, next will be ‘cha’— ent layers of meaning in of deaths elaborating with the help two names ‘with ah’ the16 syllables the ancient texts. They of Shiva/Linga Purana and ‘an’ is (half of the anushtup meter), next continue their explana- the negation of these. Since Sri will be ‘gh’ four names with ‘u’ six Devi is eternal there is death and syllables. tion with several more hence no birth. Sri Mahesanatha in his examples. The same is referred in an- natha navaratna malika has identi- other name’s commentary—mRtyu fied the breath with Sri Guru. He taaru kuThaarikaa.’ Here he takes decodes the number of breaths from the word taaru and decodes it to get the last line of the ‘sanmaar- ‘ta’ equal to 8 and ‘ra’ equal to 2; gam matta mayooramiide.’ When Sri Bhaskararaya has used on reading them as per practice will read with the katapayaadi code, this these codes in his commentary get 28. These 28 types of mrthyu will reveal the number thus: ‘matta- on Lalitha Sahasranamam, while are explained and also he refers to mayoora’ will translate into num- explaining the name ‘anaadhi- the other above said name which bers as 5, 6, 5, 1 and 2.

9 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra

When reversed, this will varsham. type of code break in the com- point to the number 21565. Again Using the above data lets us mentary of the name srungaara ‘maarga’ when decoded will point to examine some more codes in rasa sampoornaa. Here srunga is numbers 5 and 3, reverse of this is and . two and rasa is six, hence twice 35. Adding both these numbers will In the Parasurama Kal- six, which is 12. Ara means petals. give the total breath in a day 21, pasutra the numbers of the guru Thus twelve petals are seen in the 600. devatas are numbered as anaahata chakra, Hence the anaahata In another code, there are ‘muni veda naaga sankhyaa.’ Thus dvani is the real meaning referred to certain groups which have universal decoding with the above guide we in this name. number of members in them. Pak- find the divaugha will have seven, In the Trailokhya Mohana sha/stana/srunga will mean 2—there the siddhaugaha will have four and Kavacham we find a vidya which are two fortnights; one waxing and manavaugha will have eight gurus. has ‘netra vedaatmakair varnaih one waning. Stana means breasts of The third and fourth ava- yutaa’. Using the code we find a woman, they are two in number. ranas of the Sri Chakra are num- numbers two and four, reversing Srunga means horns and there are bered as ‘naagadala’ and ‘manvas- them will derive the number 42, the two horns in all animals. ram’—as per the above it will mean number of syllables in that mantra. Netra will point to both two eight petals and fourteen triangles. In the dhyana sloka of and three, since we have two physi- Further, the seventh and eighth are Naabhi Vidya said above further cal eyes and one is the eye of wis- numbered as ‘vasvanala kona’ is we find a reference to ‘raaja vidyaa dom. will point to the number also mentioned, which is translated sthanaa.’ When decoded with the three. Agni is tretraagni. above guide, Veda will point to number it will point four, since there are four to the highest . Shara (arrows) will mantra Sri point to number five—Sri Sodashakshari Lalithamba and Manmatha vidyaa and (cupid) each have five flow- two will point ery arrows. to the two Ruthu/rasa will variations, point to number six—since namely Ma- there are six ruthus in a hashodasi and year, tastes (rasa) are six in para shodasi. number. will point to This is a the number seven; tradi- small begin- tionally there are sapta ning from —seven sages. Gaja, which larger Naga will point to the perspec- number eight—we find tives can be elephants or snakes in such unfolded. I numbers in the . happily af- Vasu will point firm my love to number eight, there are and pranams astavasu. will point to the entire to the number eleven since Gurumandala, they are so, aadityaa will for having refer to twelve since their Sri Bhaskararaya Acharya was a famed and revered Sri Vidya graced this little number is such. Manu will upasaka from centuries past. child in sharing point to fourteen, since they this informa- are such in number. Raja will point to eight triangles and seven trian- tion. The journey starts now for our to sixteen since traditionally there gles. experience. are sixteen kings in the bharata Sri Bhaskararaya uses this

10 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra Q & Aiya

During Navarathri at the temple We all love this year, hanging out with Aiya, a different person was drinking tea, and given the sometimes getting some chance to perform guidance on how to either travel down our own Navaavarana puja or paths to the Devi. Here’s Navaavarana an excerpt from a talk homam each evening. where he addressed questions about Navaavarana puja. the puja items. This is why you do Q. Why do you make viseshargyam the preparations yourself and do in a certain way here, and why do your japam while doing it. Your other people make it differently? mind will not go out of control. Aiya: What you pour in the visesh- Q. What is Navaavarana puja? If you’re getting others to help with argyam patram doesn’t really matter the preparations, they better be as much as the mantras that go in it. Aiya: There are nine curtains, and chanting internally as well. That’s You can just use plain milk if that’s behind those curtains, there is a the only way to avoid contaminat- what you want. If someone gave light. Between you and the Devi are ing the puja, but you can’t be sure you bread and cheese to eat morn- these nine curtains. Unless you lift what’s going on in others’ minds. ing, noon, and night for 90 days, each veil up, you will not be able That’s why you do it yourself. how would you feel? That’s why to see the light. So while you are we change up the viseshargyam for doing the Navaavarana puja, you are Q. What if we can concentrate the Devi, and that’s why it’s good if lifting each curtain until it reveals already—do we still have stay quiet different people prepare it in differ- who you really are. and do japam? ent ways.

Q. What is the proper way to pre- Aiya: The Devi gave you five Q. How did you find your formula pare for Navaavarana puja? things in your body—skin, muscu- for preparing viseshargyam? lature, liquid tissue (blood), bones, Aiya: Whatever patrams, fruits, and bone marrow. Take these things Aiya: Back in the 1970s, there was other items you need, from wash- away and only the central nervous no Internet and the only computers ing to arranging them, you should system is left. All the changes that that existed took up three floors of do it yourself. The more people are occur first occur in the plasma, a building. All I had was books. involved in preparation of the puja, because it travels everywhere in People would send me old books the more difficult it will be for you the body. It enters and exits every from back home to Zambia, and I to concentrate when performing it. system. While you are preparing gleaned what I could from them. Why? Because whatever thought viseshargyam for the external puja, When I came to this country, I ad- processes are going through their you chant to prepare the visesharg- justed for what ingredients I could heads when preparing will go into yam for the internal puja. find locally.

11 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra Chidagni The story of Sri Amritanandanatha Saraswati part 11

The biography of Sri Amritananda Saraswati—who is affectionately known as Guruji to most of Aiya’s students—was penned in Telugu by Smt. Nethi Seeta Devi. These chapters were translated into English and graciously submitted to the Sri Chakra by Venkateshwar Babu from Philadelphia in an or creation until the age of 47 years, weeds and bushes. There was ongoing series. how did all this happen? hardly any human presence in this It was the grace of his area. Lack of water and electricity Guru, his reverend master bestow- compounded the complexity of the ing Poorna deeksha and reincar- task on hand. nating him as “Amritanandanatha Except for a few shepherds Saraswathi.” That, along with his and the village head making an oc- self-evolution were no mere coinci- casional visit, it was extremely diffi- Devipuram dences, but the Divine Mother also cult to ever find any humans in that showered him with her love and neck of the woods. Yet this place It may be mind boggling grace. surrounded by hillocks and dense to comprehend the Divine Mother’s Fondly called “Guruji” at forest provided peace and tranquil- game plan and the players she home and abroad, Prahlada Shastri ity, along with a sense of mystique chooses. Blessed are those souls continued with his quest in seek- and aura. who get the opportunity to play a ing the truth by sincerely following Guruji pondered, “Who vital role in her plans. his master’s divine ordinances on a would come all the way to this de- For someone like Guruji, regular basis. serted place if and when the temple who was never serious about God, Accompanied by the Put- is built?” worship, or meditation, questions revu brothers, he visited Naarapadu But at the same time Guruji arose as to what made him success- village for the first time. Naarapadu very well knew that this place was fully perform Sri Yajnam in such a village was about 20 miles away the outcome (or gift from Divine grand scale. What exactly hap- from Visakhapatnam. This entire Mother) upon the conclusion of pened? What was the power behind area resembled a small forest. The Devi Yajnam. So there was no way him? For someone who was deter- donated land and all the land in its he could simply rule it out. mined not to think of God, religion, vicinity was covered with shrubs, Since then it was Guruji’s

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ritual to spend every weekend at congregation of saints performing a KhadgaMaala Devathas in their Naarapadu. Every Saturday and grand chanting Saama Veda. respective assigned positions. Sunday after finishing his morn- If performing a yajna is consid- “Along with them, follow- ing chores and breakfast, he would ered great, then performing a yajna ing the prescribed texts, Ganesha, venture out to Naarapadu along chanting Saama Veda is considered Surya, Shiva, and Vishnu with his lunch in a carrier box. even grander due to the epic propor- and Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi must Upon reaching this place, tion and participation by this mas- be consecrated. Please make sure he would venture out walking all sive ocean of pious saints! that all deities bear human feminine over the location, hillocks and Guruji’s inner conscience form. In coming days, I will let you anywhere he could find a walkway could clearly hear the Divine Moth- know how they should look like, to explore this pristine virgin forest er stating, “I am the one and the and what attributes they need to pos- land. Guruji never gave up since only one! I am here in the shape of sess.” he knew the Divine Mother would a yoni. I am the Kaamakhya! The With utmost humility and show him the way one day. Shivalingam you found here is self- reverence, and following the Divine During one of the explo- evolved (swayambhu). Hence forth Mother’s instructions, Guruji dug ration jaunts going north, Guruji Lord Shiva is the protector of this three feet deep, and within this happened to stumbled upon a 9 sacred territory. Build a Lord Shiva triangle, he was able to find the Sri feet wide by 6 feet deep triangular a temple on the hill top. Those who Chakra. shaped pit oozing water from un- drink the water from this sacred Following the Divine derneath. Guruji looked inside and pond will be rid of all diseases and Mother’s instructions, Guruji con- found a Shivalingam inside. He ailments. Those who pray to me structed a Lord Shiva Temple on the drank the water and it tasted divine with utmost devo- and delicious. tion will be blessed Devotees Finding a pit in the shape with everything they from of a female vagina with spring wa- wish for!” Rochester ter, and finding a Shivalingam in it In addi- got the appeared amazing to Guruji. With tion, the Divine chance no further thought or any hesita- Mother instructed, to visit the Shiva tion, Guruji started chanting Lalitha “Dig three feet deep temple as Sahasranamam immediately. In the within this triangle, it stands process, even without his knowl- and you will find a today in edge, Guruji delved into a deep Sri Chakra made of Devipuram meditative state. five precious met- Guruji was able to visual- als. Consecrate this ize what happened over 250 years divine Sri Chakra ago at the same location. There at the nadir of the was the presence of a very large Sri Chakra Temple you are about top of the hill with his accumulated to build. savings. Upon completion of the In addi- temple and subsequent consecration, tion, it is Guruji’s elder sister, Mrs. Suryal- essential to akshmi, was assigned to perform consecrate religious rituals and look after the Navaava- upkeep of this temple. Guruji was rana De- able to join her in these activities ev- vathas and ery weekend. Guruji’s sister never ever felt lonely, as she kept herself occupied all the time performing ab- hishekam to Lord Shiva, or engaged in the upkeep of the temple and its surroundings. One fine day, a little girl in a white dress appeared from no- where in front of Mrs. Suryalakshmi and said “Are you not afraid to stay

Aiya and many others have performed puja at the Kamaakhya peetam. 13 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra

“That’s true.” walking towards the little girl. This Mrs. Suryalakshmi asked little girl finally stopped at Meru the little girl, “By the way, who are Temple construction site. For the you? Where are you from?” very first time Mrs. Suryalakshmi The little girl with a twinkle was able to see this girl in day- in her eye responded, “I am I. I light. came here to give you company.” Justifying her name “Shy- Mrs. Suryalakshmi said, ama,” this cute little girl, though “Okay! So you are here to give me dark in complexion, was extremely company, and so am I, here to give beautiful. By the time Guruji’s you company.” sister could reach her, this cute little While engrossed in con- girl, the Divine Mother herself in versation with this cute little girl, the form of Bala, vanished. Mrs. Suryalakshmi went to sleep When Guruji came from that night. When she woke up in the Visakhapatnam next Saturday, his morning, to her surprise she saw the sister anxiously narrated what hap- little girl was going away towards pened, and curiously asked Guruji the Meru Temple construction site. who that girl could be. alone in this deserted area?” “Why are you leaving?” Guruji responded, “Who Impressed with the demeanor of she called out. “Wait! Let me else can it be? It is the Divine this little girl, she responded “Why come!” Mother herself as a Bala. Well, she should I feel lonely when you are This cute little girl neither looked very simple because we have here with me?” stopped nor looked back. Mrs. not decked her with jewels yet.” The little girl responded, Suryalakshmi did not stop and kept  Story Time with Aiya

While volunteers dress There are certain places, the Devi each week it is said, that will facilitate a soul during the Saturday to attain mukthi (liberation) after this one lifetime. For example, puja, Aiya usually tells if a person happens to die within the crowd a short story the city limits of Kashi, they will about some aspect of get . Also, if they get final the divine. This story dharshanam of the Nataraja murthi is about Pundalikan of in Chidambaram on Ardhra dharsha- Pandharipur, who was nam day, it will give them moksha a great devotee of Sri after this life. Thirdly, there is being born . in Thiruvarur that will assure libera- tion, and simply thinking of Anna- malai at the moment of one’s death. These four places are commonly mentioned when talking about holy places that will liberate someone from the cycle of birth and death.

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But there are other similar places meal and were resting. Every day, that are little known. Pundalikan would gently fan them One such place is in the until they fell asleep. state of Maharashtra in India, in a tiny area called Pandharipur. Krish- na was one day speaking to the holy sage Narada, and was talking about his devotees. He said to Narada that he has countless people visit him in Dwaraka every day, and they are no doubt devoted to him. But at the end of the visit, they always want something material. Krishna asked Narada when he was going to find someone who would simply ask for and everlasting blessings. Narada said there is one such person like that, in the town of Pandharipur. So Krish- na took his wife, Rukmini, with him and set off to visit that town. They arrived outside the home of a young man named Pundalikan some time Krishna was touched by instantly have their sins washed in the afternoon, and were expecting this young man’s devotion to his away. to be invited in. parents and said he had never met Then, Krishna pointed out Moreover, it was pouring anyone who would stick so stead- to Pundalikan that this wish was rain when they arrived. Krishna and fastly to his . He offered to still for his parents and not really for Rukmini stood outside the house give Pundalikan a boon. Pundalikan him. He prompted him to ask an- and Krishna shouted, “Pundalikan! said that every morning, he carries other boon. Pundalikan asked that This is Krishna, king of Dwaraka! his parents four kilometres to the Krishna should always remain in I have come to visit you!” Pundal- Bhima river to bathe them, and it is that spot so that all devotees could ikan appeared in the doorway but to quite tiring. He would really like if worship him. Krishna’s surprise, he told him to be Krishna made the river flow right in Krishna then naturally quiet and stay outside. Krishna and front of his house. formed a murthi of himself that is Rukmini were puzzled. Krishna granted him his standing in Pandharipur to this day. Usually, people would wish, and the Bhima river instantly It is a swayambu murthi, meaning usher Krishna into their home with curved to the area where they were it is not manmade—it is a figure great fanfare but he didn’t under- standing, to form a crescent moon that appeared naturally, or by divine stand why someone who Narada shape. To this day, anyone who intervention. Dharshanam of this told him was a great devotee would bathes in that part of the river will murthi will grant a person libera- behave in this way. He yelled out tion after this again to Pundalikan but was again lifetime. to remain outside. Then, Punda- Also con- likan ran out with a few bricks, nected to that placed them on the ground, and told is a sixth way Krishna and Rukmini to stand on of getting them so they wouldn’t be standing moksha—be- in water from the rain. ing cremated After a few more minutes, in Dwaraka. Pundalikan ran out again and fell on Krishna’s feet, asking him to forgive him. The reason for his strange actions was because his elderly parents had just had their afternoon

To today, the Bhima river curves in the shape of a crescent moon. 15 Tantra, Mantra, Yantra

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

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