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Sri Chakra

The Source of the Cosmos


The Journal of the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY

Blossom 16 Petal 2
June 2012
June
Newsletter
Since the last issue...

After returning from San the temples annual Pratyangira private wedding at the temple on
Franciscoin early March, Aiya homam. April 24. He remained travel-free
next journey outside the temple until the next
premises was for North Carolina. festival of
He went there for a couple of days Chitra
and performed private pujas on Poornima on
March 23 and 24th. May 5th,
The next week on Friday March which also
30, Aiya and Amma travelled happened to
across the border to Toronto, be an ILS
where he presided over the weekend.
wedding of one of his students. Aiyas next
Over the first week of April, journey out
Aiya went to Germany for a of state was
private puja. While he was there, to New Jersey
he also performed a homam and on the May
puja at the Forzheim temple, 26 and 27
which is something of a satellite The annual Pratyangira homam on April 15. weekend,
temple to the Rajarajeswari where he
Peetam. That weekend also happened to went to perform the wedding of
Years ago, devotees there be an Independent Learning one his students daughters.
learned the puja methodology Sessions (ILS) weekend, during The following weekend of June 2,
from two of Aiyas Canadian which devotees were in for a rare he and Amma headed back to
students, who went to Germany treat. One of Aiyas senior Toronto to deliver a full-day
and taught everyone what they students, Mr. Sri Ganesh, and his workshop about the scientific
knew. Now, the Forzheim temple family visited from India at that meaning of puja rituals. The
runs independently. While there, time and Sri G, as hes called by workshop, held at the Sri Sathya
Aiya also gave two lectures, and the temple family, delivered the Sai School in Scarborough, was a
his stay in Europe lasted about a ILS class to the adult age group. great success, and was attended
week. Aiya stayed local for a couple of by about 300 people.
Aiya returned to the States a weeks thereafter and performed a
couple of days before Tamil New
Years in mid-April, and was
present for that puja, as well as

2
Past Events Maha Pratyangira homam,
April 15

Tamil New Year, April 13


As in past years, scores of people
attended this homam, which took
place on the Sunday morning of
This Tamil New Year puja very the Tamil New Years weekend.
auspiciously fell on a Friday, and Those who wished to sponsor
puja was done in the evening the homam with an offering and
time. signed up ahead of time spent the
The puja was attended by at night before busily cooking away
least 50 people and was started in the temple kitchen.
and completed within an hour, All these naivedyams to
including the making of the Pratyangira Devi were later
sakkarai pongal. All auspicious combined and given to devotees
items for the new year were laid plate by plate as they approached
out on the puja tray, and after the the homakundam, to offer into the
initial puja concluded, everyone fire with their own hands.
present got the chance to offer All in all, the entire homam took
grains into the brass pongal pot. about 3 hours to complete, with
All those present received Aiya was the first to offer grains into several kilograms of red chilli
prasadam from Aiya after puja the sakkarai pongal, and everyone peppers being offered into the
and partook in the prasadam of else present followed suit. flames in the process. However,
sakkarai pongal. not one person felt the effect of the
chilli smoke, as
everything was
accepted by the
Devi.
After the main
homam,
Bhairava bali
was offered
outside the
temple and
everyone was
given the
Devotees were given naivedyam to put remaining
into the fire with their own hands, plate (unburned)
by plate. prasadam to take
Several kilos of chillis were offered into the fire. home.

Chitra Poornima, May 5


A great number of people
sponsored, however,
and Aiya also went
Due to beautiful weather, Aiya through an extended
conducted this puja outside by the puja process of offering
Kashi creek while regular milk abhishekam to the
Saturday puja went on as usual Kashi shivalingam, and
inside the temple. guiding every single
Unlike previous years, this sponsor through the
year s Chitra Poornima, the tarpanam process.
annual day of offering tarpanam This ritual is to be
to the departed soul of ones done if one does not
mother, lasted many hours. It know the day that his/
began at about the same time as her mother departed,
Saturday puja at 10 a.m., but only but wants to offer
finished around 12:30 p.m. oblations to her spirit. Everyone performed tarpanam puja in unison.

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The many forms of the Mother

Upcoming Events Aadi Amavasya, July 18 souls of their departed fathers.


Like Chitra Poornima, the
tarpanam is offered en masse,
and every person doing the puja
Pratishta Festival, July 1-3, and This is the sister festival of Chitra will perform it themselves with
Guru Poornima, July 3 Poornima, where sponsors may the help and instructions of a
come to the temple and be guided main pujari. Please phone the
through tarpanam puja for the temple and register early.
In a fortuitous turn of events, the
annual Pratishta festival (temple Aadi Puram, July 22
anniversary) will coincide with multitude of sweet and savory
Guru Poornima this year. eatables. After taking her on a
Furthermore, Guru Poornima Aadi Puram celebrates the day procession around the temple, all
will be falling on the 3rd and final the Devi becomes a woman, and those present are given
day of Pratishta, which is the day this festival gives her all the mahaprasadam.
of the Guru. Lord Dattatreya is pampering that would be given to In recent years, Aiya has also
the main deity of this day and any young lady on this special day. been including a Chandi homam
receives full puja, homam and First, she is given milk on this day, which lasts about
chariot procession. abhishekam with kusha grass, four to five hours and is done in
The first day of Pratishta is then dressed, and finally given a grand form.
where Ganapathi receives the
same puja, and the second day is
for the Devi. That second day Varalakshmi Vratam, July 27 In Three Months
begins with a grand Chandi
homam at 5 a.m. and concludes
with the large chariot being Always taking place on a Friday Devi willing, the next issue of
pulled around the temple by night, this festival is short but the Sri Chakra will be up on the
anyone who wants to participate. jam-packed. Married women are temples website at the beginning
given first priority as sponsors, as of September 2012.
the puja entails worship to Sri This magazine cannot keep
Varalakshmi Devi, who takes the publishing without
form of a deepam to give contributions! Articles, poems,
prosperity to those who worship stories and photos about any
her. spiritual topic are welcomed.
The ladies sit row by row in the The next deadline for article
temples yajnashala and perform a submission is August 10. Please
step-by-step guided puja to the e-mail us with your
Devi with their own hands. The contributions or feedback about
general purpose of this puja, which this issue at
is very popular in Andhra sri_chakra_mag@srividya.org or
Pradesh, Karnataka, and parts of talk to Kamya or Abhi at the
Tamil Nadu, is for married ladies temple.
to pray for the well-being and Sri Gurubhyo Namaha!
prosperity of their husbands.
Only those who register early
The whole festival falls on will be saved a space. Our deepest thanks and
Canada Day long weekend this gratitude to this issues
year, so a very large crowd is
expected. to 18, and they will learn a wide
volunteers: Aiya, Vilas
range of cultural and spiritual Ank olekar
olekar,, V
Ankolekar enkateshw
Venkateshw ar
enkateshwar
Viboothi Saivite Immersion things, and also experience all the Bab u, Na
Babu, Navv een Chandar
Chandar,,
(camp), July 28 to Aug. 4 typical activities of a regular kids
Gratus Devanesan, The
camp. Campers learn chanting
and puja, but also play sports, Nandalala Mission,
Registration for this years camp have nature walks and a campout, R amesh K utticad, Anand
Kutticad,
closed on May 31, and the demand among other things. Panikkar
Panikkar,, V imalan
Vimalan
for spots was just as great as in This years main saint will be Sri
previous years. Yogaswami of Sri Lanka, and the Sothinathan, and
This will be the eighth year of secondary saint will be Sri Bhuvana Subramanian.
the Immersion for children ages 9 Ramsuratkumar of Annamalai.
The Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam ~ 6980 East River Road ~ Rush, NY 14543 ~ Phone: (585) 533 - 1970
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The many forms of the Mother

Nandana Varusham
Every year during Tamil New Years in mid-April, Pujyasri Mathioli Saraswati (or Sri Akka, as she is lovingly called)
explains the significance of the upcoming year and its historical meanings. This is an excerpt of this years speech, which Sri
Akka gave in the Sringeri mattam of the Sri Sharadambal temple in New Delhi. The Sri Chakra thanks Bhuvana
Subramanian for sending the text, and the Nandalala Mission for the original transcription.

I am happy to be here with all of you during Nandana varusham. We do not remember the number or
names of the Tamil New Year. There are 60 years in number and Nandana varusham is the 26th year. When I
say 26, it can be taken as a youthful number. It represents the youth as fearless, confident, energetic and
strong-willed.
In this Nandana varusham eye problems will be prevalent. People should take care of their eyes. This
year, airborne diseases and infections from pets will be rampant. Educate yourself about the diseases, be
aware of their effects and protect yourself from them. We may accidentally step on lizards, chameleons and
rats etc. They have some kind of effect. The only reptile we are wary of is the snake.
The very sight or movement is enough to set our BP high or bring chills down the spine. Beware of
droppings by birds. These droppings produce heat in our skin. You should wash the place with water at
once. Do not wipe it with cloth or tissue. These are indications of the type of illness coming your way. Learn
how to control your tongue and illness. It is better to apply ointment or balm rather than swallow tablets.
This year learn to manage the fear of illness and learn to heal the diseases.
To overcome this, use maasikkai. (gall-oak/majuphal/quercus infectoria). It has tremendous medicinal
properties. It can purify the air. It is available in nattu marundhu shop. Powder it and use it like you would
use sambrani. It prevents asthma attacks. It detoxes our system too. Maasikkai prevents wheezing. The
taste of maasikkai is like amla. Have at least one in the house. It is an antiseptic and can be compared to
Dettol.
You can make maasikkai into small bits. Have a piece in the mouth. The juice along with the saliva goes
inside the body and clears the lungs. It clears the phlegm in the chest and protects us. It also clears the
stomach. One-hundred and eight maasikkais can also be offered as a garland to Hanuman and later
distributed to people explaining its medicinal properties.
This year, Sun worship is very important. We have the Surya Medu, Chandra Medu and Sukra Medu in
our hand. Thats why we look at our hand as we wake up each morning. Our eye is the mirror through
which we see the world. Therefore it is imperative to worship Lord Surya. These mantras do not have any
restrictions (aacharam) imposed. They can be chanted at dawn.
Chant either of these mantras looking at Surya after you wake up early and brush your teeth. Siddhars
have worshipped Lord Surya this way. Chant these mantras 108 times silently in your mind and without

Sri Akka receives worship from Aiya and Sundhara during Navarathri 2010.

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The many forms of the Mother

moving your lips. Chanting this The seed has lines running on
will definitely help you achieve the left side and therefore called
your requests and wishes lined up Idampuri. By keeping these two
for the day. in your money box, it will help
curtail the unwarranted
First Mantra: Om Lakshmikara, Om expenditure. Try it and you will
Mangalakara, Om Bhuvaneshwara, see the difference.
Om Kathirava, Om Kotisuryaprakasha, When you hear a bell ring you
Om Ulaga Mudalava, Om Surya namo know it is time to leave for home
narayana or school etc. But learn to hear the
bell ringing inside you it not
Second mantra: Om rahum shrim only means hunger pangs, it
haam braganathaya adithyaya swaha. means your sacred space inside.
Encourage the young children at
Nandana varusham can make home to ring the bell during puja
you incur you unnecessary time.
expenses. On looking back, you One of the attributes of
may feel that money has been Nandana year is inadequate rains
wasted on unwanted expenses. when needed or floods. In order
To curb and cap your spending, I to get timely rains and to avoid
have given you two special items. droughts and floods regular
One is a root called Jadamaanjal chanting of 4th verse of Thiruppavai
and the other a seed, Idampuri. If and 16th verse of Thiruvempavai is
you look at the root closely, it may suggested. Sri Akka seated during puja at the
have tiny seeds and on the whole Rajarajeswari Peetam during
it resembles the locks of Shiva. JAI NANDALALA Navarathri 2010.

Sri Ganga Gayathri by Naveen Chandar

Mahadevyaischa Vidmahe
Sarva Paapa Samanyaischa Deemahi
Tanno Ganga Devi Prachodayaat

Sri Ganga Devyai Namaha


Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

I always wonder when Aiya gives out gems like these, how fortunate we are and also how spoiled we
are. Aiya has given these rare gems that are potent, powerful and beneficial. We should learn to use them
effectively to create a positive outcome in our lives.
This Gayatri mantra was given by Ganga Devi to her son Devavrata, also known as Gangeya and later in
his life, more famously as Beeshma. She told him she would manifest immediately and any water that is
used at that time is as holy as the Ganges! That is the power of this mantra.

How this great mantra came into being


Shantanu, the Kuru king, was married to Ganga Devi and Devavrata (Beeshma) was their eighth son.
There is a little history of the other seven and who Devavrata actually was. You can read the whole story
by following this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhishma

Shortly after he was born, Ganga left the palace and her husband Shantanu, and took young Devavrata
with her to train him in the finer arts, so he would one day be prepared to assume the throne.

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The many forms of the Mother

Devavrata was no ordinary mortal. Ganga, the


favourite of the gods, was his mother. He was
taught political science by sage Brihaspati. Sage
Shukra, the guru of the gods and asuras, taught
him the rules of conduct. Lord Parashurama
taught him archery. Brahmarishi Vasishta taught
him the Vedas and Vedangas. Sage Markandeya
taught him the knowledge of renunciation.
When Devavrata completed his studies, Ganga
returned him to Shantanu so that the boy would
be familiar with his father, palace life, and the art
of ruling a kingdom.
As time goes by Shantanu fell in love with a
fisherwoman named Satyavati and asked her
parents for her hand in marriage. Her father
refused, as he was afraid that none of her sons
would become king, because Devavrata was the
heir.
Seeing the disappointment on his fathers face
Devavrata investigated and when he came to know
what had happened, he vowed that he would
remain celibate for the rest of his life, and he would
serve whoever ascended the Kuru throne.
That vow was so terrible or so austere that the
Devas rejoiced his sacrifice and named him
Beeshmathe one of the terrible oath.
In gratitude, his father gave him the Icchaa
Mrtyu (to be able to choose the time of his death
(not to be mistaken for immortality). His mother
Ganga appeared before him and in admiration and love gave him this Gayatri with the boon that she will be
there whenever he chants this mantra.
Beeshma was the great-great grand uncle (grandsire) of
the Kauravas and chose to die at an auspicious hour at
the end of the Mahabharata war. He asked Arjuna to
shoot an arrow into the earth and Ganga flowed out of
the earth, quenching his thirst. This Gayatri was what
he chanted to invoke his Mother Ganga.
Mother Gangas grace and compassion has now flowed
through our Guru, Sri Chaitanyananda natha.
Aiya, in his infinite grace shared this rare mantra on
this day, October 7, 2011, after he used this mantra at the
temple Kasi as part of the Navaraatri celebrations. He
now regularly uses it in pujas to sanctify the pancha-
patram and the kalasam.
Who gave it to Aiya? Aiya mentioned that when he
was performing a cremation/immersion on the banks of
the river Ganges, a sannyasi came to him of his own
accord and gave it to him, referencing the story related
here.
How, when, and why do we use this mantra?
While bathing, it equals Ganga snaanam (bathing
in the Ganges)
Invoke it into anything we drink
To purify puja articles
To purify our food before we consume it

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

7
The many forms of the Mother

Sundari/Kali
by Ramesh Kutticad

Glory to the padukas of Guru guiding us in the forest of ignorance.

The first of the Dasa Mahavidyas is Kali, also known as Adya, DakshinaKalika
or Vidyaragni. The third is Sundari who is also known as TripuraSundari,
Shodasi, or Srividya. The seer or rishi of the former is Mahakala Bhairava and
the latter is Anandabhairava or Dakshinamoorthi. The meters of chanting are
Ushnik and Gayatri respectively.
The traditions declare two types of routes for the aspirant, the Kali kulam and
the Sundari kulam. The tantras declare that the primordial power when seen on
the left is Sundari and on the right is KalivAme Sundari dakshiNe kalikA.
Vama can mean left and also beauty, and creative urge. Dakshina can mean
right and also skill/strength and fee (as in havana dakshina- the completion of
any ritual is after offering the fee (dakshina) the last activity of the ritual, hence
signifying an end).
Hence Sundari is attributed to the creative urge with all the essences of beauty,
and Kali to the end (annihilative force) with a fierce aspect. Since matter is
neither created nor destroyed it changes from one form to another, the cessation
of a particular form is annihilation and the emergence of another is creation.
Thus we find both have a common point to which one travels while the other
emerges from it.
This is an attempt to find the common grounds of the above deities.

The form: The meditative verses of these two deities are examined.

Kali: ShavArUdAm mahAbhImAm ghora damshtrAm hsaNmukhIm


caturbhujAm khaDgamuNDavarAbhayakarAm shivAm
muNDamAlAdharAm devIm lalajjihvAm digambarAm
sadA sancintaye Kalim smashAnAlaya vasinIM

Kali is meditating in the midst of a cemetery; having a huge naked form with a dark hue;
terrific fang;, standing on a corpse; having a sword and severed head; gestures of dispelling
fear and granting desires in her hands; with her face filled with laughter; wearing a garland of
severed heads.

Sundari: dhyaye kameshvarAnkasthAm kuruvindamaniprabhAm


soNambarasrgalepAm sarvaNgInavibhUshitAm
saundaryasevadhim seShupAshANkusojvalAm
svabhAbhiraNimAdhyAbhisevyAm saravaniyAmikAm
saccidAnandavapuSham sadayApANgavibhramAm
sarvalokaika jananIM smerAsyAm lalitAmbikAm

Sundari, the personification of beauty and bliss, the only mother of the three worlds, is red-
hued; clothed with red garments; decorated with golden ornaments; seated on the lap of Shiva
Kamesvara; holding a noose, goad, sugarcane bow and five flowery arrows; glancing with
piety and a smile on her lips on the throne surrounded by animAdi devatas

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The many forms of the Mother

Though the differences between the above are very prominent, there are subtle similarities.
Dark hue is absence of any color. Red is at the end of the spectrum in VIBGYOR, representing the whole
visible range from Violet to Red. Ultraviolet or infra-red will appear to us as black. Thus continuance of
Sundari as Kali is seen from ultraviolet to violet and Sundari to Kali is seen from red to infra-red.
Both are full of joy hasan mukhIm in Kali and smerAsyAm lalitAmbikAm for Sundari; only the
expression is different. Kalis laughter is like a thunder clap (attahAsam), while Sundari has an Anandollasa
vilAsa hAsam (peals of laughter filled with joy). The same thunderous laughter of Kali that annihilates
everything becomes a gentle smile with a change of form to Lalita on commencement of creation.
Both have four arms. Sundari holds the noose and goad denoting the attractive (attraction to the
undivided knowledge) and repulsive (repulsion to the dual knowledge). In terms of states of mind, the
sugarcane bow is the pure mind and the five flowery arrows denote the worldthese are held separately,
not connected, hence denoting the upasakas state of detachment.
Kali displays gestures of removal of fear and granting boons, referring to the removal of the notion of the
other and thus bestowing bliss of an undivided state of mind. The sword denotes the scriptures, which help
in the removal of ego, and this is shown as the severed head. Thus we can conclude the noose and goad are
identical in function with the gestures of dispelling fear and granting boons. Likewise are the sugarcane
bow and arrow in reference to the sword and severed head.
The Lords of Kali and Sundari are Mahakala and Shiva Kamesvara respectively. Both are in eternal union
with their consorts. MahakAla ratAture and siva kAmesvarAngkasthA are the words describing this
state. Both are identical to their consorts, are auspicious and blissful in nature.
There is another meditative verse which unifies the above:

samvartAnala kOTi nIradarucam pAshANkusumAshugAn


khaDgam mundamabhamaikshvarIm varam hastAmbjujairaShtabhih
kAmesAnasivOparisthitAm tryakshAm sadAvahantIm parAm
srIcintAmaNibIjarAja vapuShIm dhyAye mahAshoDhasIm.

The mantra:
Dakshina Kali mantra has 22 syllables and Sundari is of 15 syllables. In the Sri Vidya kAdhi Panchadasi
mantra, the three ka and two ha letters pertain to the Shiva and the three hreem pertain to
both Lalithamba and Kamesvara. The rest pertain to Lalithamba.
Similarly in the Dakshina Kalika mantra, the four hUm pertain to Mahakala, four hreem to both
Mahakala and Dakshina, and rest pertain to Dakshina Kali. Thus we find the hreem kArAs represent the
Shiva-Shakti union is there in both mantras.
The break-up of the mantra into vowels and consonants will result in creating 37 parts to the
Panchadasi mantra, while the Dakshina Kalika mantra will result in 84 parts. These will signify the 36
tattvas and the tattvaatiita parasiva in Sundari and the myriad of 84 lakh entities including the tattvaatiita
parasiva in Dakshina Kalika.

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The many forms of the Mother

Since Dakshina is dissolution all downward, eight petals and a The Stotras:
the myriad entities are counted. bhupura. There are a set of 108, 1000 and
And as Sundari is creation, the On a super-imposed view the 300 names asttotara satam, a
tatvas (or basic building yantra of Kalika can be mapped sahasranamam and trisati for
blocks) are enumerated. onto a Sri Yantra. Thus Kalika is both devis. There is a kavacam
On seeing the vowel inherent in Sundari. There is a (armour) made of many
distribution in both mantras, it is puja paddati wherein the Sri variations of the mantras of the
unique to note that both mantras Yantra itself has Kalika attendant deity in both the system of
have the tattvaatiita parasiva deities mapped onto it; thus, worship, respectively called
indicated by the E kArayad Sundari is inherent in Kalika. jaganmangala kavacam and
EkAdasamAdhAram bIjam koNa trailokyamohana kavacam.
trayotbhavam (the 11th vowel is The Attending deities: The ka kAra Kalika
the base), which is the The initial main worship in a sahsranAma has six names with
substratum of creation. puja is to the laya anga devatas. the prathama kUta of Sundari
Dakshina has one a kAra They are a part of the central around the 520th name. This
indicative of the Shiva tattva deity. Sundari and Kali have the shows clearly that KalikA is
(EkaivAhamVedas) while layanga devatas in the same inherent in Sundari. The Lalita
Sundari has 10 a kAras, which format. The sadanga devatas, Saharanamam has a name
signify the creation of various thithi nitya devatas and the Kleemkarias the letters ra and
entities (bahusyAm prajAyeti). gurumandala are there for both. la are interchangeable this can
The vowel A signifying AnandA The vidyavatara guru mandala of also be read as krIm kAri.
is there in Dakshina, as shown in nine gurus is there, and separate The name rasgynA is a direct
her meditative verse hasan for each Devi. Thus, the identity reference to the krIm-kArA.
mukhIm, also she is described as found here is the format of the Since this bijakshara is denoted as
aTTahAsAm. Further there is puja, which have the same rasa by many Kalika tantras,
another vowel i signifying the notation though there are varying Sundaris form is therefore also in
ichha shakti/will in dakshina deities. Kalika.
denoting that dissolution is by the
divine will.
The vowel I as seen both in
Sundari and Dakshina, denotes
the IKshaNa (the totality of
view), which is required for both
dissolution and creation. The four
I kAras in Sundari will denote
the four saprsha tattvas by which
the whole world is first felt by the
creation.
Since space is subtle the first
solid creation which is felt is air.
There are 10 I kAras in dakshina,
which shows her intent for
dissolution in all directions.

The Yantra:
The yantra of Sundari is the
well-known Sri Chakra. The
yantra has a bindu, trikona,
astakona, two dasa kona, fourteen
kona, eight and sixteen petals, and
a bhupura (square with three
lines). The central figure
consisting of triangles is formed
by the intersection of four
upward triangles and five
downward triangles.
Kalika has a yantra with a
bindu, five triangles pointing

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The many forms of the Mother

We all love hanging out with Aiya,


drinking tea, and getting some guidance
on how to travel down our own paths to
the Devi. Heres an excerpt from a
workshop where he explained the
Q & Aiya
significance of rituals and chanting.

Q: Why is upanayanam (the thread; unfortunately, that seems them the mantra and say okay.
sacred thread ceremony) done to be the pattern. After five or six years they come
only for boys and men? back and say, Aiya, Im not
Q: Swami says, Only in the getting anywhere Im trying to
Aiya: Ha ha ha ha ha! depth of silence can you hear the do meditation and nothing is
Wonderful questionI love this! voice of God, but you encourage happening. And then I say,
Anybody in this room show me a people to chant the Vedas out Okay, now you sit down and
place where in any of the four loud. What is the significance of learn how to do puja.
Vedas where it says a woman chanting the Vedas out loud? Do you think the rishis were
cannot do puja? In the old days, idiots? They knew exactly why
before the 2nd century A.D. Aiya: Whether it is Vedas or you have to ring the bell and
believe me, I have studied this. If mantras or anything else, there show the lamp and offer
you look at the old pictures, you are three ways of chanting. naivedyamevery one of the
will see the ladies wearing the The first waylets say you are sense organs will gradually be
poonal/yajnopavitam thread. making an investment toward the taken to a point of focus. Once
Then, slowly the MCPs took external universe, which is of you are able to focus completely,
overmale chauvinist pigs. limitless size. If you chant Om, dont do external puja. Then
And why, can you tell me why loudly and strongly, what will manasika puja is enough and much
they kept the women away from happen? Every action will have more powerful.
this? Studies have been done on an equal and opposite reaction;
this. If a woman and a man the universe will respond back to Q: In temples, why dont the
receive the same mantra at the you. Here, if the investment is Navagrahas face each other?
same time from the same guru, if one, the return is one.
they have the same power of Secondly, if you sit there and Aiya: Because the energies that
concentration and same chant the Rudram, maybe moving are supposed to emanate from the
application and they put in the your lips but with no yantras beneath the Navagrahas
same time chanting the mantra, involvement of sound or the vocal do not mix. So Surya is facing
she will get mantra siddhi in chords, the investment is one but east, Sukra is facing east, Budha is
three months. He will have to the return is 10 times more. The either facing east or north, Guru is
wait two years to get it. third way, if you can just sit and facing north, Chandra is facing
Why? Because the hormonal hear the Vedas being chanted west, Mangala is facing south,
structure in a woman is 80% inside your mind, the investment Sanaishwara is facing west, Rahu
estrogen, which allows them to is one and the return is 1000. and Kethu are facing south. If the
concentrate much deeper than a But for you to be able to hear the murthis do have yantras
man. A man has 80% Vedas chanted inside, first you underneath them, it wont be okay
testosterone. I say more than the have to chant it out loud for a long if the pujas are not being done
men, the girls should be given the time! As soon as youre born you properly. Only then, the energy
upanayanam and the Gayathri cant go run in the Olympics. will be there.
mantra. In most homes even If theres a conflict, what should
today, its the lady who cooks and Q. Is external puja really you do? If it is a square
shes the one who feeds the necessary? Why cant I just mandalam, put a Ganapathi in all
children. If shes doing Gayathri surrender to God right away? four corners. Problem solved.
while feeding the child, thats That energy will not move from
Gayathri prasadam going into the Aiya: Most people come to me that place, and if it cant move, it
child. and say, I dont want to do this wont harm you.
It is wrong to think only men puja, Aiya is it really necessary?
and boys should be given the I just want to do japam. So I give

11
The many forms of the Mother

Chidagni
The story of Sri Amritananda Saraswati
part 7

The biography of Sri Amritananda Saraswatiwho is affectionately known as


Guruji to most of Aiyas studentswas 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 ongoing series.

Guru Dharshanam
While these divine visions were happening to Guruji at regular intervals, he visited Visakhapatnam. On
hearing about his experiences, Gurujis maternal aunt advised him to seek the guidance of a guru, and
warned him not to pursue the spiritual path on his own.
She had intentions of taking our Guruji to her guru. Since her guru was a staunch follower of the
Dakshinamoorthi tradition, Guruji was a little uncomfortable with the associated customs of this tradition.
So Guruji declined the offer.
Gurujis maternal aunts nephew, Sri Gunturu Subrahmanyam, who happened to visit Visakhapatnam at
that time, mentioned his spiritual master, Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha or Guru Garu, residing at
Anakapalle, and wanted Guruji to meet him. He also mentioned that this spiritual master, who was 60
years old at that time, had been highly devoted to God since he was 8 years old.
Hearing this, Guruji jotted down all his unanswered questions on a piece of paper and gave it to his cousin.
He said to the cousin, Please pass these questions to your master. Upon receiving his answers, I will come
with you to meet him.
Gurujis questions were many:

What is the difference between visions of imagination, and the actual


divine occurrences that happen?
Did the divine occurrences happen as a matter of fact or was there strong
reason behind it?
Were these occurrences a way to show me the unseen divine?
Were these divine occurrences my imagination or real happenings?
What is the difference between sleep, unconsciousness and death?
How different is the experience of unconsciousness from death?

Along with this lengthy list of unanswered questions, Guruji


mentioned about the scriptures he read, and the subsequent divine
experiences he encountered until then.
Gurujis cousin approached Guru Garu and handed over this
questionnaire from Guruji. Upon reading this Guru Garu said,
Who is he? Before I respond to these questions, I would like to
meet him in person.
So, Guruji was left with no alternative but to meet Guru Garu at
Anakapalle. Once Guruji approached Guru Garu, he said, Do you
have answers to my questions? Instead of responding to his

Guru Garu with his Dattatreya murthi,


which now sits inside Aiyas temple.

12
The many forms of the Mother

questions, Guru Garu said, number of times I need to chant (present-day Mumbai). Once
Please come and meet me at 4 each mantra? coming back, Guruji was fully
a.m. tomorrow. Guru Garu said, I will not involved in his daily routine.
Guruji went to meet Guru Garu impose any restrictions. I will not Research work and dedicated
at 4 a.m. the next morning. teach you any traditions. You are meditation kept him busy.
Guru Garu cordially invited unique in your own way! During those days, Guruji had a
him, and said, I wish to give you Meditate with these mantras small photograph of Santoshi
some mantras. Are you willing to whenever you want to. If you Maatha. Occasionally, he would
accept them? dont feel like doing so, please stare at this photograph of
Guruji said, I am not here for dont. You need no regulations on Santoshi Mata, particularly at the
mantras. I am here for responses place or day or time! Even if you sword in her right hand. There
to my long unanswered questions. dont practice that is fine with were few occasions when this
Please give me answers to my me!
questions. Guruji
Guru Garu said, No! I will not then
give answers to your questions. I asked, In
wish to give you something else. case I have
Are you willing to take? any
Guruji was in a fix. He felt that doubts can
by saying yes, it would bring an I write to
additional responsibility to him, you? Will
which he did not want. At the you reply
same he also felt by saying no, it to me?
would mean he lost a great Guru
opportunity. He did not know Garu said,
what to do. You need
Ultimately, Guruji gathered not write
courage and asked Guru Garu, to me.
By accepting these mantras, Answers
what will it do? Good or bad? to your
Guru Garu said, Only good! questions
These will do you no harm! will come Sri Santoshi maa, who is widely worshipped in the Mumbai area.
Guruji responded, What from
happens in case I dont chant these within you! These mantras are sword would turn into a flower
mantras? Are there any powerful. They will generate the garland.
compulsions or restrictions response and clear your doubts. Guruji was not the one who
associated with these? prayed regularly, but was well
Guru Garu said, You need not The Yoga Sakthi Mission familiar with rituals. Beloved
worry about the consequences. I Guruji, having been initiated by mother taught Guruji that the one
am giving them to you. I will bear Guru Garu, returned to Bombay who offers the prayers and the
the consequences, if any.
Hearing that, Guruji readily
agreed to get the diksha from
Guru Garu. Contrary to the
divine diksha Guruji received at
Balaji temple, this time he was
receiving mantra diksha from a
human.
It was then that Guru Garu gave
Guruji nine mantras. They were
Maha Ganapathi, Subrahmanya,
Chandi, Surya, Dattatreya,
Prasada Panchaakshari, Guru
Mantram, Baala Tripurasundari,
and Sowbhagya Vidya.
Guruji then asked Guru Garu,
Okay! You have given me all
these mantras and I have taken
them. Can you please tell me the

13
The many forms of the Mother

the Yoga Sakthi worry, I am going to perform


Mission on a regular Purna Kumbabhishekham to
basis. He started you! Guru Garu then sprinkled
showing keen interest water on Gurujis head.
in the activities going From then on, Guruji had two
on there. gurus. Initiation by two masters
Sri Krishnamurthy boggled Gurujis mind. Sri
was performing Svaprakashananda Thirtha (Guru
Durga pujas and Garu) was considered a siddha, a
homams on a very yoga purusha. Professor
elaborate scale in Krishnamurthy was considered
those days. an expert and a well-versed
Generally they were laureate in spiritual sciences and
an all-day affair. the Vedas. In addition, he was a
After having seen all true practitioner of Kaulachaara
this, Guruji (the left-handed path).
wondered why these Gradually, Guruji grew closer to
one to whom the prayers are rituals should be an Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha.
offered are both one. Sri Santoshi all-day affair when people need to Yet, Guruji retained his
Mata enlightened Guruji with go to work, and when ladies toil
Sree Suktham, Purusha Suktham, for hours to make necessary
Puja rituals, and many other arrangements. So, Guruji referred
mantras. to multiple books and other
Yoga Sakthi Mission was a references to provide necessary
spiritual organization located in material for completing Devi puja
Bombay. This mission functions in 90 to 120 minutes.
from a location on Nepean Sea It was not just in Bombay, but
Road. During those days, this Sri Krishnamurthy was
was the premier location in performing pujas and homams all
Bombay for anyone to learn yoga. over the country. Once, he was
They also conducted spiritual going to Kollur Mookambika
retreats, Durga pujas, and Temple to perform a homam and
meditation classes on a regular had invited Guruji and Ammah to
basis. join him. As Guruji was busy in a
conference he could not join Sri Guru Garus samadhi in Anakapalle.
Sri Krishnamurthy was the
He gained moksha on Guru
individual responsible for the Krishnamurthy immediately. He
Poornima Day, 2003.
astounding popularity of Yoga was able to be at the Mookambika
Sakthi Mission in those days. Temple for purnahuthi on the
Whenever possible, he would fourth and final day. Upon the unconditional devotion and
invite sadhus, spiritually completion of purnahuthi, Sri dedication to his first spiritual
enlightened people, poet laureates, Krishnamurthy gave purna master.
and other well-respected diksha to Guruji and Ammah. It was around this time that
individuals to offer lectures and As Guruji had been given purna Guruji was appointed as
workshops at this mission. diksha, Sri Krishnamurthy said Professor at Lusaka University in
One day, Guruji along with his that Guruji could initiate others Zambia. At this time, he was
family visited the Yoga Sakthi into Sri Vidya. Sri Prahlada unable to concentrate and manage
Mission. Sri Krishnamurthy Shastri henceforth became both work and his spiritual
introduced himself to Guruji, and popular as Sri endeavors. Since his conscience
quickly developed a close bond Amritanandanatha. was also against his research
with him right from the first Guruji went back to Anakapalle being used for military defense,
meeting. He encouraged Guruji to to meet his first spiritual master Guruji considered this offer as a
offer lectures on a regular basis at Guru Garu, and conveyed to him blessing in disguise and
the mission. Guruji also everything that that transpired. immediately left India for Africa.
developed a liking towards this Guru Garu patiently listened to
organization, and started visiting Guruji, laughed and said, Dont

14
The many forms of the Mother

Finding Freedom in

Faith by Anand Panikkar

During the Vibuthi Saivite Immersion One time, we were catching a and came to this country and
(camp) of 2011, the kids and train from Madras (Chennai) to things happened to me that made
counsellors were treated with a class by Bangalore and Swami just gave me stop and reflect and go back.
Aiyas childhood friend, Anand uncle, viboothi to a regular guy on the When I first met [Swami], I
who was a direct student of Sri Satya street, just like that. And he said didnt want to leave; I didnt want
Sai Baba and spent years with Him at to me, You know, anyone can do to go to school, I just wanted to
his ashramam. Among other topics, this. Im just doing it to show you renounce the world and stay with
Anand uncle answered a question that theres something worth him. And he said, No, no, no,
about how one can keep unwavering listening to in all this. I draw you you have to go to school, youre
faith despite negative external in with what I create and then I going to become a doctor, and you
influences. teach you. will go to the States. It was just
Because thats all he taught; something that had to happen.
Having been so close to [Baba] connecting within yourself was What I can tell you is, what faith
and having spent so much time his whole thing. And he used has given me absolute
with him, I have seen this compassion, gratitude and love as fearlessness. Because whatever
happen. And its human nature the easiest ways to communicate happens, I can accept it as what
to be critical of someone who what he wanted you to learn. was supposed to be. Faith gives
appears to be a spiritual person; What faith is for me is thisit you that freedom. When you
spiritual people are especially minimizes the ego. And he told want a specific outcome and you
targeted. It is the truth that you me that I would go through cycles dont get it, youre miserable. But
knowin my mind, if you dont where I would be so ego-driven. if the outcome is not that
have faith, you cannot progress. He told me this, and it happened; important to you as the journey,
For me, I just think of a question it was just something I had to go its a lot easier.
and the answer is there; it is through. But then I got educated
almost as though he has heard
me. Sometimes later on he will
come back to me and ask me if Im
satisfied with his answer. One
time I was with Swami in his
ashramam and he wanted me to
meditate all night. I was sitting
there in front and he was on his
bed, and we were each
meditating, and it was the most
unbelievable experience.
It took two years of just sitting
and letting the thoughts come in
and out and trying to experience
that stillness. Gradually, the
space between the thoughts
became wider and wider and the
next thing I knew [Swami] was
waking me up hours later. He
had the power to give you any
kind of experience you wanted.
He said the miracles he did in
creating things was just to get
your attention; he was much
more than that. When he was still in school, the author met a young Sri Satya Sai Baba.

15
The many forms of the Mother

Teacher Guru
vs.
The following has been composed by an anonymous Sai Baba devotee, and has been printed and reprinted across the Internet.
Although the Sri Chakra has only published original material to date, the editor made an exception for this beautiful and
enlightening piece. It perfectly illustrates the subtle but powerful impact the right guru can have on a student.

A teacher takes responsibility of your growth


A Guru makes you responsible for your growth
A teacher gives you things you do not have and require
A Guru takes away things you have and do not require
A teacher answers your questions
A Guru questions your answers
A teacher helps you get out of the maze
A Guru destroys the maze

A teacher requires obedience and discipline from the pupil


A Guru requires trust and humility from the pupil
A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey
A Guru strips you naked and prepares you for the inner journey
A teacher is a guide on the path
A Guru is a pointer to the way
A teacher sends you on the road to success
A Guru sends you on the road to freedom

A teacher explains the world and its nature to you


A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you
A teacher makes you understand how to move about in the world
A Guru shows you where you stand in relation to the world
A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego
A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego

A teacher sharpens your mind


A Guru opens your mind
A teacher shows you the way to prosperity
A Guru shows the way to serenity
A teacher reaches your mind
A Guru touches your soul
A teacher gives you knowledge
A Guru makes you wise

16
The many forms of the Mother

A teacher gives you maturity


A Guru returns you to innocence
A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems
A Guru shows you how to resolve issues
A teacher is a systematic thinker
A Guru is a lateral thinker
A teacher will punish you with a stick
A Guru will punish you with compassion

A teacher is to pupil what a father is to son


A Guru is to pupil what mother is to her child
One can always find a teacher
But a Guru has to find and accept you
A teacher leads you by the hand
A Guru leads you by example
A teacher instructs you
A Guru constructs you

When the course is over you are thankful to the teacher


When the discourse is over you are grateful to the Guru
When a teacher finishes with you, you graduate
When a Guru finishes with you, you liberate

17
The many forms of the Mother

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

18

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