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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
3
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.
Mahadevyaischa Vidmahe
Sarva Paapa Samanyaischa Deemahi
Tanno Ganga Devi Prachodayaat
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.
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.
6
The many forms of the Mother
7
The many forms of the Mother
Sundari/Kali
by Ramesh Kutticad
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 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, 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:
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
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
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The many forms of the Mother
Chidagni
The story of Sri Amritananda Saraswati
part 7
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:
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
14
The many forms of the Mother
Finding Freedom in
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.
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The many forms of the Mother
17
The many forms of the Mother
18