Sri Chakra

The Source of the Cosmos

The Journal of the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY

Bhumi Puja
April 2021

Blossom 26 Petal 3 September 2021

Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam Sri Chakra
• 6980 East•River
srichakra@srividya.org
Road • Rush, NY 14543 • (585) 533 - 1970
Blossom 26, Petal 3

IN THIS ISSUE
Temple Bulletin 3
Connect With Us 4
Note from the SVTS Administration 5
Past Events 6
Upcoming Temple Events 7
Steps Towards Our Granite Temple 8
Aiya’s Vision XIII 10
Lalita’s Sahasra Namas IV 12
It was Her! - An intimate Devi experience 22
Sri Sivasaccidananda Mataji’s Ashram and Samadhi 23
Thoughts on Mantras: Gauri Mimaya 28
Lord Sanishwara & Purattasi Sani Kizhamai 29
Gānāmrutham - Essence of Sivapuranam IV 33
Gānāmrutham - Skanda Sashti Kavacam III 38
Gurus, Saints and Sages - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa IV 42
Naivēdyam Nivēdayāmi - Naivedyams for Devi Puja 45
Kids Korner! - Lakshmi vs. Sarasvati III 48
Kids Korner! - Bala Vidya Video Infographics 51
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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

RAJAGOPURAM
PROJECT
WWW.SRIVIDYA.ORG

Over the past 40 years, the Sri

Rajarajeswari Peetam (Sri Vidya
Temple) has evolved into an important
center for the worship of the Divine
Mother Rajarajeswari, attracting
thousands of visitors each year from
around the world.

As many of you may know, temple

TEMPLE LINKS
founder Sri Chaitanyananda (Haran
Aiya) has been speaking about the
need for a more permanent sacred
home for Devi for a number of years. Private Homa/Puja Booking: srividya.org/puja
With the grace of our Guru and Guru Rajagopuram Project: srividya.org/granite-temple
lineage, we have embarked on the Email Subscriptions: srividya.org/email
next phase in the Temple’s Temple Timings: srividya.org/events
development. The “Rajagopuram Event Livestream: srividya.org/youtube
Project” entails the construction of a Summer Youth Camp (VSI): srividya.org/vsi
unique new temple in granite for Sri Online Donation: srividya.org/donate
Vidya Lokamata Rajarajeswari Devi Learning at SVTS: srividya.org/learn
complete with traditional
Rajagopuram. To learn more, visit
srividya.org/granite-temple.

ALAYA NIRMANA GANAPATI PUJA

Sri Amma had advised the Temple to conduct a daily puja for Sri Maha Ganapati
on the location where He will be installed in the new Granite Temple. This daily
puja commenced on the auspicious full moon day on May 28, 2018 and has been
continuing since.

The Temple Board & Administration would like to invite all disciples to offer
their love and devotion towards the Rajagopuram Project by taking part in
performing this daily Ganapati Puja. All who have received mantra diksha from
Aiya, Guruji or Gurugaru are welcome and encouraged to sign up to do the puja
on the day(s) of their choice. Please contact the Temple Administration for
details.
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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Connect with SVTS

6980 East River Road
Rush, NY
14543
USA
1-585-533-1970
1-416-628-3786

www.srividya.org

info@srividya.org

Sri Vidya Temple

Sri Vidya Temple

Sri Vidya Temple

Sri Vidya Temple

Sri Vidya Temple

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Thank You
from the SVTS Temple Administration

Dear Devotees,

We hope all of you are well and safe. Once again, the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam wants
to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers who have helped keep the temple
open safely.

We celebrated the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam’s 23rd anniversary on July 2-5th, 2021 with
our annual Alankara Festival, which commemorates the founding of the Temple in
1998. For the first time in two years, we performed a special and rare “Dosha Nivarana
Rasi Mandala Puja” on Sunday, July 4th. This puja required several hours to perform
and was designed to address every kind of astrological dosham or difficulty. We want
to thank all the volunteers who helped make the Rasi Mandala puja a great success,
once again.

The 2021 Vibhuti Savaite Immersion Team put together another successful year. Due
to the various restrictions, VSI was administered virtually for the second year in a row.
Despite the challenges, the VSI administration team, counselors, junior counselors,
campers and parents had an immersive experience that focused on Svami Sivananda
Sarasvati and Sri Saccidananda Mataji as the Saints this year. We want to thank
everyone involved for your ingenuity, creativity and hard work to make this year’s VSI
a great success.

Our extraordinary volunteers continue to take part in the Shelter Seva, where hot meals
for 3 shelters are provided on a monthly basis. We have been humbled and encouraged
by the support, dedication, and generosity of the entire temple community.

We are incredibly grateful to all our dedicated volunteers who have supported all
temple activities and worked tirelessly despite the pandemic. We are also thankful to
all of our generous donors and sponsors who have supported the temple. We pray that
Sri Rajarajeswari will bestow Her most loving blessings on our entire community and,
indeed, the whole world so that all can enjoy good health and prosperity.

In Sri Rajarajeswari’s Seva,

Temple Administration

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

PAST EVENTS ... June 2021 to

September 2021

Jul Annual Alankara Utsavam

The Alankara festival was celebrated in the midst of the COVID-19

2-5 pandemic yet again. The festival was conducted in a grand fashion
while also adhering to strict cleaning and safety procedures. In
accordance to state guidelines, the festival began with a small number
of devotees and volunteers. The first day of the four-day festival
started with Vancha Kalpa Ganapathi homam with an offering of
108 modakams. Devotees were able to offer the modakams into the
homam themselves. The evening concluded with Maha Ganapati
Alankara puja and Rathotsavam. Rajarajesvari utsavam had an early
start with Chandi homam beginning at 5 am with Devi Mahatmayam
parayanam. In the evening, Devi mounted the beautiful Chapparam
and went around in procession for all to see. On Sunday, the grand
and intricate Rasi mandala puja was performed to remove dosha
and negative effects from the planets. Dattatreya kalasa puja and
homam were also performed. In the evening, children directed
and participated in the Dattatreya utsavam. The exciting weekend
finally concluded with Bhairavar Madai. It was a quiet festival due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it was stunning and eventful.

Jul Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima began with a Ganapathi Tarpanam early in the

23 morning. Then, in the evening Aiya and Amma were welcomed at the
temple by disciples. Aiya and Amma paid their respects to their Guru
Parampara. Sri Dattatreya Yantra puja was conducted by disciples
in their graceful presence as well. Several offerings were offered
to aiya by all disciples present, including a few offerings from the
temple youth and bala communities. In addition, a new fundraising
initiative was introduced as well as Amma’s line of spices, branded Sri.
These spice powders can be purchased at the temple bookstore. The
beautiful celebration concluded with mangala arati, blessings from
Aiya and Amma, the serving of Maha Prasadam and beautiful bhajans.

Jul - Aug Vibhuti Saivaite Immersion

(Annual Summer Camp)

31-8 After the success of the virtual VSI program in 2020, it was decided
that this year would also be held virtually in accordance with state
safety regulations due to COVID-19. The program was conducted
virtually. There were about 80 participants including campers,
Junior Counselors and Counselors. This year’s saint of focus was
Aiya’s first guru, Swami Sivasaccitananda Mataji as well as Swami
Sivananda Saraswati. The campers as well as junior counselors
and counselors enjoyed learning about their lives from Aiya as he
told their stories over Zoom. Campers also had the opportunity
to participate in Puja and Chanting, Devotional Singing, Cultural
Arts and Movement classes. The virtual week was a great success,
but of course, everyone is looking forward to in-person VSI again!
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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Aug Adi Amavasya

Adi Amavasya is performed to honour departed paternal ancestors with

7 Tarpanam. As Aiya emphasizes the importance of performing this ritual for

your departed paternal ancestors, devotees who were unable to attend the
ceremony in person were able to follow along and perform Tarpanam with online
instructions broadcasted from the temple. The devotees who were able to come
in-person performed the Tarpanam then proceeded to offer their pindams
into the Kasi river and perform abhishekam and puja to the Kasi Shivalinga.

Aug Adi Puram

Adi Puram, which marks Devi’s entrance into womanhood, was

10 celebrated in a grand manner. The day commenced with an elaborate

Chandi homam early in the morning with a few devotees. Chandi
homam was followed by abhishekam, and a sari ceremony for the Devi.

Aug Varalakshmi Vrtam

Varalakshmi Vratam is a dipa puja dedicated to Goddess Varalakshmi.

20 She is said to confer boons on her devotees when worshipped on this

day. Puja is performed by women for peace, happiness, and harmony
for their families. First, Shodasa Upachara puja was performed for
Ganapathi which was followed by Sankalpam and finally concluded
with the Sri Sukta Shodasa Upachara puja for Mahalakshmi. Kalasams
were decorated as Goddess Varalakshmi and She was invoked in them.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THREE

MONTHS ...
September November
Devi willing, the next issue of the Sri
10 Vinayaka Chaturthi
03 Diwali
Chakra will be up on the temple’s
website at the beginning of December
29 Dwajarohanam
04 Kedara Gauri - End 2021.

October 05 to
This magazine cannot keep publishing
without contributions! Articles, poems,
Skanda Shashti
06 Navaratri
09
stories and photos about any spiritual
topic are welcomed.
Vijayadasami
14 Rathotsavam 10 Thirukalyanam The next deadline for article
submission is November 1,
Kedara Gauri - Start

15 Tirthabhishekam 18 Karthikai Deepam (in house) 2021. Please e-mail us with your
contributions or feedback about this
Dwajavarohanam issue at srichakra@srividya.org or talk

16 Kulirtthi
19 Thiru Karthikai Vratam to Virroshi at the temple.

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha!

*All events will occur at the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY, unless otherwise stated above. Please keep an eye out for Temple emails with updated information on
upcoming events due to restrictions that may need to be placed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our special thanks & gratitude to this issue’s volunteers:

Aiya, Adheesh Ankolekar, Vilas Ankolekar, Brian Campbell, Veena Ganeshan, Mangala Janahan, Suhina Kanapathipillai, Sripada
Kondur, Srividya Mathanaraj, Kamya Ramaswamy, Anjhane Raveendhran, Anandavimalan Sothinathan & family, Purnima Satya,
Priyanga Seyon, Luxan Shanthakkumar, Bala Vidya Team, Temple Administration, and the Granite Temple Construction Committee.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Steps
Towards
Our
Granite Temple
14 Site Work in
Progress!
After mobilizing on-site and
installing the NYS-required
elements, the contractor
has stripped the entire
site of topsoil, cut and
filled the building pad and
13 Vanaspati Shanti Puja & Tree Removal

constructed to sub-grade the

new driveway. The existing
lights, poles, trees and the
temple house have been
11 Master Plan Presented to Town

removed. The contractor

04 Sannidhi & Vigraham Sponsorships

10 Carving & Planning Continues

has maintained an excellent

effort since first mobilizing
12 Master Plan Approved!!
06 Pledges for the Main Temple
01 Alaya Nirmana Ganapati Puja

with no breakdowns, spills,

or safety concerns.
09 Carving is Underway
02 Ideas & Suggestions

08 Contract Signed
07 Giving Tuesday
03 Design Contract

05 Phase I

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Aiya’s Vision
Granite Temple & rajagopuram

(Part 13)

In this portion of the series, members of the Granite Temple Committee & Temple
Administration provide a General Update on the project’s progress thus far.

by the Granite Temple Committee & Temple Administration

The Rajagopuram - Granite

Temple project team has been
assisting with getting the site
prepared for construction.
As mentioned in the previous
portion of this series, the first
step unfortunately entailed the
removal of 32 trees at the project
site. This was completed on May
24th, 2021. The previous day
(May 23rd), puja was offered to
Vanadurga devi, the goddess
of forests. Panchopachara
Vanaspati Shanthi puja was
offered to each of the 32 trees
to thank them for their role in
this project. We plan to plant fruit trees in another area of the temple property to make
up for every tree that we have lost.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Site work is progressing in

preparation for the Rajagopuram
- Granite Temple construction.
On the morning of July 27th,
2021, the “temple house” as it
was popularly known as, was
moved off of the property to
make way for construction.
It was taken by an interested
party at no fee & no cost basis
for the temple. This house came
with the Rush property when it
was first purchased. It has many
memories associated with it
and has served variously as
volunteer accommodation, infirmary during the Vibhuti Saivaite Immersion camps,
accommodation for esteemed guests such as Sri Amma, and storage space for murtis
and puja items over the years. The temple house will be missed!

The Temple held an Open House on

Saturday, June 5th, 2021 (11am-4pm EDT).
Neighbors, local residents, the Town of
Rush and anyone interested were invited
to learn details about the Temple and
plans for the new structure. Tours of the
existing and proposed buildings will be
held by volunteers. All Covid-19 guidelines
were followed, for everyone’s safety. We
thank all the volunteers who made this
day a great success.

A new fundraising effort was introduced

as a sadhana one can do to realize our
Guru’s dream on Guru Purnima. Our goal remains to raise the remaining funds by 2023,
the year Aiya turns 80. If a hundred of us raise $10,000 each from our social circles, that
alone will raise 1 Million USD. Fundraising from our social circles of friends and family can
be a wonderful source of strength and support to help us achieve our dream. In order
to facilitate this, we are delighted to announce that you can now create your own
personal fundraising page on the temple website and help to build Devi’s permanent
home while also spreading the word about the temple.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Lalita’s Sahasra Namas (Part 4)

on the Temple’s Social Media Platforms
During the lockdown that started in March 2020, the Temple has been posting one nama
from the Lalita Sahasranama, along with its meaning, on a daily basis. These posts are
made on the temple’s social media platforms. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and
Telegram to get these updates on the daily.
This series will be a continued compilations of these namas for the Sri Chakra community.

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To be continued ...
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Blossom 26, Petal 3

It was Her!
An intimate Devi experience by Purnima Satya

We were on our way to the temple for July Festival. It was a typical drive to the
temple until one of the most memorable experiences happened before our eyes.

I was driving on the highway when I smelt something burning. I was not sure of the
cause but kept driving until something made me take an exit and pull into a gas station
somewhere in a completely isolated area. After I took the exit and came to a full stop, I
could see smoke coming out of the hood. I saw the oil tank cap was open. I am not sure
what happened, whether it was my fault or whether the person who looked at my car
when I took it in for service just recently didn’t close the cap properly. I wasn’t sure. One
of my friends who was travelling with me asked me to open the hood. When I did there
was nothing but a lot of smoke and looked as though it was about to catch fire.
Then, a lady next who was at the next gas pump asked if we needed any help. She
walked over and we all took tissues and wiped the oil spilling out of the oil tank. In fact,
that stranger lady helped us too by touching the ground in her bare hands to show us
how much oil had leaked out. It was actually raining and the leaked oil on the ground
made it even more invisible to see as the ground was just shining everywhere (as it
would on a regular rainy day). She was kind enough to call her brother who happened
to be an auto mechanic. She Facetimed him to help us fix the malfunction.

Once everything was sorted, we thanked her for all her help. She asked us where
we were headed to, and when we responded, she told us that she was from Rochester
and was just visiting the little town we had stopped in for only a short period of time.

She asked us where we were going in Rochester and we said to the temple. She
asked, “oh there?” with a namaskaram gesture with both hands. It turns out, she and
her family own a construction business in Rochester, helping a lot of businesses.

My feeling from that night is that THE lady who helped us was nothing but a
messenger of the Devi who came to help us in need.

She was wearing a red dress driving a yellow car and was pregnant! She wanted
us to call her if we had any issues during the rest of our ride or had questions or concerns.
REALLY! Which unknown person would say that? Is it not a miracle?

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Sri Sivasaccidananda
Mataji’s
Ashram & Samadhi
Every year during the Vibhuti Saivaite Immersion,
the temple’s annual summer camp, participants learn
the life histories of one or two saints. This year, the
immersive experience focused on Svami Sivananda
Sarasvati and Sri Saccidananda Mataji, who both
hailed from Sri Lanka.

While learning about these two greats, pictures of

Mataji’s ashram and samadhi were shared from a
recent trip to Sri Lanka. We thank Anandavimalan
Sothinathan and his family for sharing these precious
pictures from their visit to Sri Lanka with the Sri
Chakra and temple community.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Thoughts on Mantras:
Gaurī Mimāya
by Brian Campbell
gaurīr mimāyā salilāni takṣtyekapadī dvipadī sā catuṣpadī |
aṣṭāpadī navapadī babhūviṣī sahasrākṣarā parame vyoman ||
--Ṛigveda 1.164.41

This important Vedic mantra is an addendum in our recitations of the Durgā sūktam and so it
occurred to me to write a few words exploring select aspects of its meaning for those of us who chant
it regularly.

In short, the mantra elevates akṣara, the imperishable, indivisible unit of sound (here equated
with Vāk Devī, the supreme Goddess of the Vedas) to the highest principle of reality. Such subtle ex-
positions on the nature of language, sound, and cosmology are no stranger to the Vedas, nor to their
subsequent advanced development throughout Śaivāgama.

a r is the female buffalo-cow associated with Varuṇa (not to be confused with the cow asso-
ciated with Indra) and here clearly refers to Vāk Devī. Many implications can be drawn from gaurī such
as her primordial waters (notice the buffalo loves water) and the close relationship of Vāk with ākāśa
(the first and foremost of the pañca mahābhūtas). im a means the uttering of sound, specifically
the bellowing noise of cows, and suggests Her voice delineates the spatio-temporal limits of sacred
speech, simultaneously “measuring” and expanding, throughout the cosmos. Sa i i is the primordial
ocean that contains within it the seed of all the manifestations yet to be born. ak at refers to how
She creates (literally “cuts” into existence) all the forms out of the primordial waters and establishes
the line that separates two things both in both vāk (language) and artha (meaning) and, by extension,
vācya (words) and vācaka (objects). kapa means one-footed and refers to the prāṇava mantra oṃ
and sthiti. ipa means two-footed and is taken to be the first movement of creation, sṛṣṭhi, or from
Paramaśiva to Śiva-Śakti. Cat pa means four-footed and refers to the four feet, or levels (a play on
pada) of speech of which three remain hidden and the fourth being manifest as human language. a-
pa means the eight-footed and refers to the Devī as the protector of the eight Vāsus, as well as the
eight directions that encompass everything and expand everywhere. a apa means nine-footed and
refers to nine as the highest possible number, as well as to the zenith point above the eight directions,
showing how Vāk becomes everything, in every-way, and yet is above them all. Saha r k ar means
a thousand syllables and refers to Parā Vāk, the supreme level of undifferentiated reality-speech that
is beyond being and non-being, duality and non-duality, and yet, is the ultimate source from which all
being and manifestation is born. This state is equated to parame ma , the unsurpassable space
and highest principle from which all akṣaras emerge. Just as all sound manifests from ākāśa, parama
vyoman is the supreme ‘space’ of all reality, here identified with both the supreme Goddess and lan-
guage.

Śrī Vidyā upāsana ritually completes this idea by revealing a 1,000 syllabled mantra that is a
condensed form of the entire cosmos, invoked as the Śrī Cakra, or the very body of the Devī Herself.

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Lord Sanishwara &

PuratTasi Sani
Kizhamai by Kamya Ramaswamy

“And now it’s time for your friend and mine, Sanishwara!”

I wasn’t sure if Aiya was trying to be funny the first time I heard him say that, which
was in the middle of an expanded Navagraha homam, where we offered aahutis for
each of 108 names for each planet. As he later explained, it wasn’t a joke. People
often shudder at the mention of Saturn’s name, but it’s not that he brings misfortune. He
actually brings the highest heights along with the lowest lows. When he gives, he gives
more than can be held in both arms. But when you’re tired of all the stuff you’ve gotten,
he’s also the one who bestows detachment and asceticism upon you.

This leads to the short reason why we celebrate Purattasi Sani kizhamai —
Saturdays in the 6th month of the Tamil calendar. If
you happen to be at the temple on those days in
late September and early October, you’ll probably
see a packed house and people lining up at the
office to buy karuppu ellu potalams. These bundles
of black sesame seed wrapped in black cotton
fabric and secured with black thread are then
dipped in ghee and offered into the homam.

At the Rajarajeswari Peetam, they’re a little bigger

than a gooseberry (nellikai), and guests have the
unique opportunity to offer them into the fire with
their own hands—no handing them over to a priest
to do it by proxy. But at home, you can make them
any size you like. I make mine pretty tiny, but more
about that later.

It’s said that observe this day and offer a

karuppu ellu potalam or deepam to Sanishwara to
limit the depths of the ‘lows’ he may deal us. But
did you know that Sanishwara is largely regarded
as the lord of justice? That’s fitting, as his brother,
Lord Yama, is the god of duty or dharma. What?
You didn’t know those two were brothers? Keep
reading!

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Sani’s unfortunate childhood

Sadly, not every child is born into a stable household with parents who love them,
and little Sanishwara was no different. But his parents had a strange situation going even
before he was born. According to both the Markandeya Purana and the Harivamsa,
Surya, the Sun, married Sandhya,
despite her father warning her that
Surya’s light, heat, and brilliance
would be too much for her to bear.
She found years later that her father
was right, but she had already had
two children—Yama, the god of
death and dharma, and Yamuna,
as in the sacred river.

Needing a break but not

wanting to abandon her children or
anger Surya, Sandhya brought forth
her shadow as an exact double.
With this stand-in, named Chhaya
(the goddess of shadows), Sandhya left and disguised herself as a wild horse so she could
do penance without being found out. Chhaya was not a good stepmother, but no one
could tell the difference between her and the original Sandhya. With Surya, she had her
own children, which included Sani. The story goes that Surya’s light and heat were so
intense that even while Sani was in his mother’s womb, he was turned black by all that
energy.

While he was in his mother’s womb, however, he also developed his love for Lord
Shiva, whom he later adopted as his eternal guru. This is why in all of Hindu mythology,
there are only two characters upon whom Lord Shiva has bestowed his own name of
‘Ishwara’—first, Sanishwara, and second, Ravana, king of Lanka.

Sani had a difficult relationship with his father and didn’t get any help from the aloof
Chhaya. After all, his mother was really only someone else’s shadow. Surya didn’t believe
that Sani was really his son because
he was so dark, while Surya was bright
enough to light up entire worlds. Even
after Lord Shiva explained to him that
Sani was indeed his own son, Surya
wasn’t happy with him. Some variations
of this story say that both Sani and his
mother Chhaya were abandoned by
Surya, while others say Surya found out
Chhaya was an imposter after she had
an argument with Yama. When Surya
finally found Sandhya, the three of
them reconciled and Surya accepted
both women as his wives.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

But the versions of the story that say Sani was scorned by his father also say that
Sani then grew closer to Lord Shiva, performing intense penances even as a child to win
his favour. What made him most angry was people being subjected to injustice, as he
had been, and people like his father misusing their power. Lord Shiva ultimately granted
him the role of the presiding deity over justice and karma. In this position, he is known for
giving people things in abundance, or taking away in the same manner.

The lord of generosity and justice

Perhaps because Sani’s dark complexion was such a big part of his life, the colours
in which he is adorned in temples are dark blue or black. And this is also perhaps why
karuppu ellu potalams are entirely dark in colour. Of course, it goes against the job Lord
Shiva gave him to be easily swayed in someone’s favour just because they offer him
sesame seed bundles on an auspicious day.

But it’s still a part of the Tamil tradition, and not just for general good luck. Some people
who find their planetary positions in a less-than-favourable arrangement believe this will
help their fortunes during this time. People who are going through 7.5 years of Sani are
forewarned that this period will be challenging for them and full of obstacles. They may
find their fortunes somewhat stabilise by doing this, and you don’t even need to go to a
temple!

Here’s what you need to make homemade karuppu ellu potalams:

• A 9- or 10-inch strip of black or dark blue cotton cloth (or more if you want to
light the deepam for multiple or all four Purattasi Sani kizhamais
• Black or dark blue sewing thread (both this and the cloth can be found in a
department store or dollar store)
• Black sesame seeds (find them at the Indian store)
• Gingelli (sesame seed) oil, (find them at the Indian store)
• A wide/deep clay deepam/diya
(also found at the Indian store)
• A lighter/match

Cut the cloth into squares that are

about 1.5 inches on all sides. Put a tiny bit
of ellu in the middle—just enough that you
can put all the corners together and tie it
up without any of the sesame seeds spilling
out. Connect the corners and hold them
together with one hand while using your
other hand to tie the thread to secure the
gathered corners. All you’ll need is a few
loops around before you can tighten it and
break it off by pulling hard, and the thread
will stay. These little potalams are about the
size of one-third of one adult finger.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Your local Indian store will also sell clay diyas or deepams (make sure they’re clay)
in which you can fit many of these little potalams. Some families make a potalam for
each person in the family, while some might do seven (Sanishwara’s number) or maybe
just one big one for the whole family. You can make as many as you like! My family was
always in the habit of making nine because there are nine Navagraha.

Pour some gingelli (sesame seed) oil in there, soak the potalams in the oil, and
put the flaming deepam in a safe place outside. A concrete or stone porch works fine
as long as there’s nothing flammable close by—that fire gets big with nine potalams in
there! Concrete steps in your front or back yard or even on the tarmac of your driveway,
or the concrete on an apartment balcony away from anything flammable are good
spots. If you’re in a building, make sure putting a lit deepam on the balcony is allowed
by the building before you start.

Some people may say it’s okay to light the deepam and walk away, but to
ensure that everything burns completely it’s a good idea to stay until it’s done. It is also
recommended to stay and watch the deepam to get the effects from the smoke coming
out, as well as making sure nothing nearby catches.

As the deepam burns, chant Sanishwara’s mantra:

oṁ kākadhvajāya vidmahē khaḍgahastāya dhīmahi |

tannō mandaḥ pracōdayāt ||

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Essence of Shivapuranam (Part 4)

by Aiya

During the COVID-19 lockdown that started in March

2020, Aiya conducted several weekly sessions explaining
the ‘Essence of Shivapuranam.’ At the end of each
session, Aiya answers a few questions related to the
content. Here is the fourth installment of this series
containing questions that were asked based on the
content presented thus far.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Q & Aiya
Q: Aiya, are there any rules of chanting
Sivapurāṇam? Can it be chanted at any
time? How can we easily remember the
meaning, as it is Sangam literature Tamil?
Aiya: Many people who are used to the
orthodox way of worship, will lay down
rules saying that you have to bathe and
wear two pieces of clothing, sit down
facing a particular direction and chant. My
guru (Guruji), and my first guru (Mataji)
told me that you can chant Sivapurāṇam
anytime, anyplace. The exception is in
public places where you don’t chant it out
loud, unless there is a specific need for it. For example, in a temple, if they ask you
to chant, you can chant it in a temple out loud. In a funeral at a cremation, you can
chant Sivapurāṇam. Obviously the tonal variations are completely different for those
occassions. So you can chant it anytime anyplace and commit it to memory so you can
chant it all the time.

Q: Did Lord Nandi have any other Avatārams, incarnations, aside from
Māṇikkavāsagar? Is Nandi Dēvar from the 18 Siddhars the same Lord Nandi
who is Śiva’s Vāhanam?
Aiya: According to some people and commentators, he is in fact that Nandi, that Nandi
Dēvar is the one that is mentioned in Kailaś as Nandi Vāhanam, but I haven’t heard in
many other places where he is considered to be an Avatar.

Q: You talked about omens like when a dog howls. What kind of ill effects are
possible, on the body, mind, etc., when one hears a dog howling?
Aiya: They are more or less trying to foretell unpleasant events that are about to take
place in your environment. Having said that, if one is involved in a spiritual practice,
does not matter which - it can be chanting the 23rd Psalm or chanting Surah of your
choice from the Quran or chanting some ghata from the Buddhist or chanting the
Tirumurai or Sivapurāṇam - the primordial power that lies within you starts to rise up
through the series of chakras. Once it reaches the pharyngeal plexus, which is called
the Viśuddhi Cakra, nature will start to open up and communicate future events to you
through a series of events and sign. Only then will the omens become meaningful.

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Q: Are there any suggestions on weaving the Sivapurāṇam into Śri Vidya
Sādhana?
Aiya: Of course there is. You can wave the Sivapurāṇam into the series of pūjās that
you do. But as you know, the crown ritual of Śri Vidya is the Śri Chakra Pūjā. If you do
this properly, it will take you about four to five hours. So if you start to weave other
things into the Śri Vidya corpus like Śri Kramam, where you have Agni maṇḍalam,
Sūrya maṇḍalam, Sōma maṇḍalam, Brahma maṇḍalam, Viṣṇu maṇḍalam, Rudra
maṇḍalam, Īśvara maṇḍalam, Sadāśiva maṇḍalam. If you start to weave it through
this, the completion of the Śri Kramam will alone take four hours. This is if you have
all the time on Earth to do whatever you want, without going to work, without paying
your insurance, without going and finding out money for your mortgage and other
things like doing groceries, shopping or watching TV. If this is the case, be my guest!
You can weave it into anything you want.

Q: Is there any connection between Sivapurāṇam recitation and the activation

of specific cakras?
Aiya: This should be actually addressed when we start looking deeper into the main
body text, but I will just mention it to you. Since it begins with Namaccivāya Vazhga,
the moment you chant Namaccivāya, which is the Śiva Pañchākṣaram, it should hit
at the Coccegial plexis or Mūlādhāra Kṣētram. It should awaken the Kuṇḍalini and
should start to traverse. But it depends, again, on what degree of concentration
you’re able to chant it in.

Q: Just like Japam, is a Nyāsam required before reciting the Sivapurāṇam?

Aiya: Up to this point, I haven’t come across any texts that I have read where there
is a specific Nyāsam for Sivapurāṇam. This is the only hymn, from what I’ve read in
Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Maharashtriam, Marati, etc., that begins with the mantra
Namaccivāya. So, if you want to do a Nyāsam, that is your choice. You can do the
Namaccivāya for Śiva Pañchākṣaram.

Q: Is there a specific place you focus on when you chant the Sivapurāṇam?
Aiya: “Kaāyamē Kōvil, Kaḍi Manam Liṅgam. Īsanārkku Vāi Gōpura Vāsal.”This is in
Tamil, written by the 5th century saint, Tirumūlar, whose work is compiled in the 10th
Tirumurai. It says:
Kaāyamē Kōvil - the body with its 9 openings is your temple
Kaḍi Manam Liṅgam - the Atma Svarupam, the consciousness inside you, is the
Śivaliṅgam.
Īsanārkku - to that Lord
Vāi Gōpura Vāsal - the entrance to a temple is your mouth
So it will hit everywhere, every portion, all the systems, all the tissue systems,
everywhere. There isn’t anything specific. If you have desires for particular results,
for e.g. detachment, you can focus at the Viśuddhi Cakra and chant. If you want
victory over internal and external enemies, focus on the Pineal plexus, the Ājñā
Cakra, the point between the eyebrows and chant.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Q: For those who know Sivapurāṇam and Rudram, which one is more powerful?
Aiya: There’s no comparison between the two. You cannot compare. You’re comparing
apples to oranges here. One belongs in the Vēdās. Now let me put forth an argument.
In the Rudram, which is in the Vēdās, smack in the middle of the Rudram is the Śiva
Pañchākṣaram. “namaḥ śaṁbhavē ca mayōbhavē ca namaḥ śaṅkarāya ca mayaskarāya
ca namaḥ śivaya ca śivatarāya ca”. That is smack in the middle.

In Sivapurāṇam, you’re starting the most important mantra, the crown jewel, that
is embedded in the Rudram, which is the Śiva Pañchākṣaram, You are chanting and
starting with that. So you decide which is more powerful, whether it is this one or that
one. As far as I’m concerned, both are the same. They give you the same effect.

Q: Is there a reason why there is a tradition to sing Sivapurāṇam instead of

chanting it?
Aiya: Singing the Sivapuranam will enable the devotee to concentrate more. This way,
the concentration is much more. If you go to a funeral where a properly trained person
is chanting the Sivapurāṇam, you will find that it is like a smooth balm that is being
applied on someone. The sadness slowly leaves you and brings you down to a plane
where you are completely motionless and at peace with yourself. So you can sing it,
yes. Singing it is much more effective than chanting it.

Stay tuned for the next issue of the Sri Chakra to

continue learning more about Manikkavasagar.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Skanda
Sashti
Kavacam
a composition of the limitless love and
grace (Part 3)

Lines 108 - 141:

தாமதம் நீக்கிச் சதுர்வேல் ்ாக் tāmadam nīkkic cadurvēl kākka
்ாக் ்ாக் ்ன்்வேல் ்ாக் kākka kākka kanagavēl kākka
்நாக் ்நாக் நநாடியில்்நாக் nōkka nōkka noḍiyilnōkka

தாக்த் தாக்த் தடையறத் தாக் tākkat tākkat taḍaiyaṟat tākka

பாரக்ப் பாரக்ப் பாவேம் நபாடிபை pārkkap pārkkap pāvam poḍibaḍa
பில்்கி சூனியம் நபரும்பட் அ்் pilli sūniyam perumbagai agala
வேல்் பூதம் வே்ாஷ்டி்ப் ்பய்ள் valla pūdam valāṣṭigap pēygaḷ

அல்்ற் படுத்தும் அைங்ா முனியும் allaṟ paḍuttum aḍaṅgā muniyum

பிள்டளை்ள்தகின்னும் புழக்டை முனியும் piḷḷaigaḷdinnum puzhakkaḍai muniyum
ந்ாள்ளைிவோயப் ்பய்ளும் குறடளைப் ்பய்ளும் koḷḷivāyp pēygaḷum kuṟaḷaip pēygaḷum
நபண்டளைத் நதாைரும் பிரமராடசதரும் peṇgaḷait toḍarum piramarāṭcadarum
அடியடனக ்ணைால் அ்றகிக்்ங்கிை aḍiyanaik kaṇḍāl alaṟikkalaṅgiḍa
இரிசகிக ்ாட்ைரி இத்துன்ப ்சடனயும் irisik kāṭṭēri ittunba sēnaiyum
எல்்கினும் இருடடினும் எதகிரபடும் அண்ணரும் ellinum iruṭṭinum edirbaḍum aṇṇarum
்னபூடச ந்ாள்ளும் ்ாளைி்யாை்ன வேரும் kanabūsai koḷḷum kāḷiyōḍanē varum
வேிடைாங ்ாரரும் மகிகுப் ்பய்ளும் viṭṭāṅ gārarum migubala pēygaḷum
தணடியக ்ாரரும் சணைாளைர்ளும் taṇḍiyak kārarum saṇḍāḷargaḷum
என்நபயர நசால்்வும் இடிவேிழுந்தாடிை enbeyar sollavum iḍiviḻundōḍiḍa
ஆடன அடியினில் அரும்பாடவே்ளும் ānai aḍiyinil arumbāvaigaḷum
புன்டன மயிரும் பிள்டளை்ள் என்பும் punnai mayirum piḷḷaigaḷ enbum
ந்மும் மயிரும் நீணமுடி மணடையும் nagamum mayirum nīṇmuḍi maṇḍaiyum

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

பாடவே்ளுை்ன ப்்்சத்துைன் pāvaigaḷuḍanē palagalasattuḍan

மடனயிற் புடதத்த வேஞசடன தடனயும் manaiyiṟ pudaitta vañjanai tanaiyum

ஒடடியச் நசருககும் ஒடடியப் பாடவேயும் oṭṭiyac cerukkum oṭṭiyap pāvaiyum

்ாசும் ப்ணமும் ்ாவுைன் ்சாறும் kāsum paṇamum kāvuḍan sōṟum
ஓதும் அஞசனமும் ஒருவேழகிப் ்பாககும் ōdum añjanamum oruvaḻip pōkkum
அடியடனக ்ணைால் அட்நது குட்நதகிை aḍiyanaik kaṇḍāl alaindu kulaindiḍa
மாற்றார வேஞச்ர வேநது வே்ணங்கிை māṭrār vañjagar vandu vaṇaṅgiḍa
்ா் தூதாநளைடனக்ணைாற் ்்ங்கிை kāla tūdāḷenaikkaṇḍāṟ kalaṅgiḍa
அஞசகி நடுங்கிை அரணடு புரணடிை añji naḍuṅgiḍa araṇḍu puraṇḍiḍa
வோயவேிடை்றகி மதகிந்ட்ைாை vāyviṭṭalaṟi madigeṭṭōḍa
படியினில் முடை பாசக் யிற்றால் paḍiyinil muṭṭa pāsakka yiṭrāl
்டடுைன் அங்ம் ்தறகிைக ்டடு kaṭṭuḍan aṅgam kadaṟiḍak kaṭṭu
்டடி உருடடு ்ால்ட் முறகிய kaṭṭi uruṭṭu kālgai muṟiya
These lines define the protection from subtle forms of negativity such as negative
charms, black magic, etc.

Lines 142 - 154:

்டடு ்டடு ்தறகிைக ்டடு kaṭṭu kaṭṭu kadaṟiḍak kaṭṭu

முடடு முடடு வேிழகி்ள் பிதுங்கிை muṭṭu muṭṭu vizhigaḷ piduṅgiḍa

நசககு நசககு நசதகில் நசதகி்ா் sekku sekku sedil sedilāga
நசாககு நசாககுச் சூரப்பட்ச் நசாககு sokku sokkuc cūrppagaic cokku
குத்து குத்து கூரவேடி ்வே்ால் kuttu kuttu kūrvaḍi vēlāl

பற்று பற்று ப்்வேன் த்ணந்ரி paṭṟu paṭṟu pagalavan taṇaleri

த்ணந்ரி த்ணந்ரி த்ண்து வோ் taṇaleri taṇaleri taṇaladu vāga
வேிடு வேிடு ்வேட் நவேருணைது ்வோை viḍu viḍu vēlai veruṇḍadu vōḍa
பு்கியும் நரியும் புன்னரி நாயும் puliyum nariyum punnari nāyum

எ்கியும் ்ரடியும் இனித்நதாைரந ்தாை eliyum karaḍiyum inittoḍarn dōḍa

்தளும் பாம்பும் நசயயான் பூரான் tēḷum pāmbum seyyān pūrān
்டிவேிை வேிஷங்ள் ்டித்துய ரங்ம் kaḍiviḍa viṣaṅgaḷ kaḍittuya raṅgam
ஏறகிய வேிஷங்ள் எளைிதகினில் இறங் ēṟiya viṣaṅgaḷ eḷidinil iṟaṅga

These lines protect the devotee from poisons, vicious animals, insects, etc.

Lines 155 - 163:

ஒளைிப்புஞ சுளுககும் ஒருதட் ்நாயும் oḷippuñ juḷukkum orudalai nōyum
வோதம் சயித்தகியம் வே்கிப்புப் பித்தம் vādam sayittiyam valippup pittam
சூட்சயங குன்மம் நசாககுச் சகிரஙகு sūlaisayaṅ gunmam sokkuc ciraṅgu
குடைச்சல் சகி்நதகி குைல்வேிப் பிருதகி kuḍaiccal silandi kuḍalvip pirudi

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

பக்ப் பிளைடவே பைர நதாடை வோடழ pakkap piḷavai paḍar toḍai vāzhai
்டுவேன் படுவேன் ட்த்தாள் சகி்நதகி kaḍuvan paḍuvan kaittāḷ silandi
பற்குத்து அரட்ண பருஅடர யாப்பும் paṟkuttu araṇai paruarai yāppum
எல்்ாப் பி்ணியும் எநதடனக ்ணைால் ellāp piṇiyum endanaik kaṇḍāl

நகில்்ா ்தாை நீ எனக ்ருள்வோய nillā tōḍa nī enak karuḷvāy

These lines eliminate all physical ailments.

Lines 164 - 167:

ஈ்ரழ் உ்்மும் எனககு உறவோ் īrēzh ulagamum enakku uṟavāga
ஆணும் நபணணும் அடனவேரும் எனக்ா āṇum peṇṇum anaivarum enakkā
மண்ணா ளைரசரும் ம்கிழ்நதுற வோ்வும் maṇṇā ḷarasarum magizhnduṟa vāgavum

உன்டனத் துதகிக் உன் தகிருநாமம் unnait tudikka un tirunāmam

These lines help the bhakta to realize all fourteen worlds and elevate themselves
and their spirituality.

Lines 168 - 177:

சரவே்ண பவே்்ண டசநயாளைி பவேநன saravaṇa pavaṇē saiyoḷi pavane
தகிரிபுர பவேநன தகி்நழாளைி பவேநன tiribura pavane tigaḻoḷi pavane
பரிபுர பவேநன பவேம்ஒளைி பவேநன paribura pavane pavamoḷi pavane

அரிதகிரு மரு்ா அமரா பதகிடயக aridiru marugā amarā padiyaik

்ாத்துத் ்தவேர்ள் ்டுஞசகிடற வேிடுத்தாய kāttut tēvargaḷ kaḍuñjiṟai viḍuttāy
்நதா கு்்ன ்தகிர்வே்வே்ன kandā kuganē kadirvēlavanē
்ாரத்தகிட் டமநதா ்ைம்பா ்ைம்ப்ன kārttigai maindā kaḍambā kaḍambanē

இடும்படன யழகித்த இனிய்வேல் முரு்ா iḍumbanai yaḻitta iniyavēl murugā

த்ணி்ா ச்்ன சங்ரன் புதல்வோ taṇigā salanē saṅgaran pudalvā
்தகிர்ா மத்துடற ்தகிர்வேல் முரு்ா kadirgā mattuṟai kadirvēl murugā
These lines appeal to the Lord to sever the cords of the samsaric birth and death
cycles.

Lines 178 - 197:

பழநகிப் பதகிவோழ் பா் குமாரா paḻanip padivāḻ pāla kumārā

ஆவேினன் குடிவோழ் அழ்கிய ்வே்ா āvinan kuḍivāḻ aḻagiya vēlā

நசநதகின்மா மட்யுறும் நசங்ல்வேராயா sendinmā malaiyuṟum seṅgalvarāyā
சமரா புரிவோழ் சணமு்த் தர்ச samarā purivāḻ saṇmugat tarasē
்ாரார குழ்ாள் ்ட்ம்ள் நன்றாய kārār kuḻalāḷ kalaimagaḷ naṇḍrāy

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என்நா இருக் யான் உ டனப் பாை ennā irukka yān u naip pāḍa
எடனத்நதாைரந தகிருககும் எநடத முரு்டனப் enaittoḍarn dirukkum endai muruganaip
பாடி்னன் ஆடி்னன் பரவேசமா் pāḍinēn āḍinēn paravasamāga
ஆடி்னன் நாடி்னன் ஆவேினன் பூதகிடய āḍinēn nāḍinēn āvinan pūdiyai
்நச முைன்யான் நநற்றகியில் அ்ணியப் nēsa muḍanyān neṭriyil aṇiyap
பாச வேிடன்ள் பற்றது நீங்கி pāsa vinaigaḷ paṭradu nīṅgi
உ ன்பதம் நபற்வே உ ன்னருளைா் u nbadam peṟavē u nnaruḷāga
அன்புைன் இரஷகி அன்னமுஞ நசான்னமும் anbuḍan iraṣi annamuñ jonnamum
நமத்த நமத் தா் ்வே்ா யுதனார metta met tāga vēlā yudanār
சகித்தகிநபற் றடி்யன் சகிறப்புைன் வோழ்் sittibeṟ ṟaḍiyēn siṟappuḍan vāḻga
வோழ்் வோழ்் மயி்்ான் வோழ்் vāḻga vāḻga mayilōn vāḻga
வோழ்் வோழ்் வேடி்வேல் வோழ்் vāḻga vāḻga vaḍivēl vāḻga
வோழ்் வோழ்் மட்ககுரு வோழ்் vāḻga vāḻga malaikkuru vāḻga
வோழ்் வோழ்் மட்ககுற ம்ளுைன் vāḻga vāḻga malaikkuṟa magaḷuḍan
வோழ்் வோழ்் வோர்ணத்துவேசம் vāḻga vāḻga vāraṇattuvasam

These lines express the devotee’s abundance of bhakthi, praises and pleads with
the Lord to rid them of all the bonds to maya, illusion and attachment.

There are only a few more lines left!

Keep an eye out for the next issue of the Sri Chakra to learn
more.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Sri Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa (Part 4)
by Luxan Shanthakkumar
adadhar - whom henceforth we will call

G Ramakrishna - was now head priest

at the Radha-Govinda temple within
Dakshineshwar. This meant that he was
responsible for upkeep and the daily rituals of
the idols.

One day, as Ramakrishna was doing puja,

Mathur noticed that the way he conducted his
rituals was different from how the other priests
did it. When Ramakrishna sat down for puja,
there seemed to be a curtain of oblivion that
separated him from the outside world. He was
totally unconscious of the presence of those who
gathered around for the service. Sometimes he
would sit motionless for hours and it would take
people great difficulty to return him to ordinary
consciousness.
One of the most prominent
religious figures of India These number of occurrences of these
during the 19th centry was Sri incidents began to escalate as he began to
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. experience the effects
He was a master of the mystic of the mantras as he
chanted them. One
arts whose unbearable longing
such case is where he
for the Diving Mother propelled chanted the syllable
him to heights that many could “Ram” and immediately
only dream of. found himself in the midst
of a circle of fire guarding
himself and the place
Here is the third segment of Sri of worship from all evil
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s influences. From time to
life history. time, he would actually
feel his kundalini rise from

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

her abode in the muladhara kshetram and traverse through the other 6 centers of the body,
turning the buds into fully blooming erect lotuses. The radiant tejas on his face, his deep focus,
and the atmosphere of purity about him instilled great devotion and love within the audience that
gathered for the daily rituals. However, Ramkumar -
Ramakrishna’s elder brother - was troubled seeing that
Ramakrishna’s love for solitude was growing stronger.
He noticed Ramakrishna would spend his leisure hours
by himself seated under a tree or walking along the
banks of the Ganges in the early mornings. Ramkumar
decided that he would teach his younger brother the
elaborate procedure of Kali
worship so that once he
passed Ramakrishna would
take his place in the temple. In order to start, however, Ramakrishna
would need to be formally initiated into the worship of Kali. At this time
there was a brahmin in Calcutta named Kenaram Bhattacharya who was
known for his devotion and experience with Kali. The guru agreed to
initiate Ramakrishna and the following day a beautiful ceremony took
place. It is said that as the mantra was uttered into his ears, Ramakrishna
was totally overwhelmed with religious emotion and plunged into a deep
meditation. The great Ramakrishna’s story has just begun to unfold and
the infinitely compassionate mother has now roped in her dear child and
begun to guide him to the door of infinity.

“What?!?! The story just begun”? Yes, you read that right.
Watch for the next issue of the Sri Chakra to keep reading.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Naivedyams for
Devi Puja by Palaniappan Muthukumarasamy

The basic puja format, pañca upaca̅ra pu̅jā, includes food as one of its five offerings. The
type of food offered depends on which deity you are performing puja to. For Devi puja, the
Lalita Sahasranamam provides a guide on what to offer. The list of food items mentioned
in LSN also provides details regarding the health benefits for those who consume the
prasadam, as well as where. Aiya once mentioned a study where the food offerings including
fruits were monitored with a special kind of photography to measure the aura around them
before and after puja. There was evidence that the growth in aura was 3 times more than the
normal measure after chanting of various mantra. The different varieties of naivedyam are
mapped to the chakras in the body. Some examples are as follows:

“pāyasanna-priyā She h e eet ri e a a am

(Visuddhi)
This sweet rice, or payasam, is prepared by cooking rice in cow milk and natural
sugar to make it sweet. Payasam prepared in a proper way is believed to help in
building minerals in the body which in turn becomes helpful for digestion. Some
minerals present in cow milk that helps in digestion are vitamin A, Potassium,
Magnesium and Zinc. Payasam is also called the ultimate food (paramannam)
because of its simple preparation.

“snigdhaudana-priyā She h e hee mi e ri e

(Anahata)
This is prepared by mixing clarified butter and rice together. The butter helps in
producing fat that supports the growth of the human body.

“guḍānna-prīta-mānasā She h e ri e mi e ith a er

(Manipuraka)
This is prepared by mixing melted jaggery, or palm sugar, with rice. Jaggery is
loaded with antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium. These minerals also
prevent early aging and boost resistance against infections.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

“dadhyannāsakta-hr̥dayā She h e r ri e
(Svadhisthana)
This is prepared by mixing rice with yogurt. There are a variety of benefits in taking yogurt
as it contains many minerals and nutrients necessary for a healthy body such as Calcium,
vitamin b12, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. It also helps in strengthening bones.

“mudgaudanāsakta-cittā She h e ri e mi e ith ree ram

m ha
(Muladhara)
This is prepared by cooking 2:1 portions of rice and green gram (Moong). This can also
be made in sweet pongal by adding jaggery or into savory pongal by adding ginger and
pepper.

“haridrān-naika-rasikā She h e ri e mi e ith t rmeri p er

(Ajna)
This is prepared by mixing turmeric powder to the rice and cooking it together.

“haridrān-naika-rasikā She h e a
(Sahasrara)
This is the final name in the series, which states that She loves all foods.

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Story Time with Kamya Aunty

by Kamya Ramaswamy

Lakshmi vs.
A Child Searching For Sarasvati
His Mother’s Divine Love
A Challenge (Part 3)

A demon bride?

D
espite being given enormous amounts of wealth and marrying the Princess of the
land, the farmer was still a dullard. He believed in superstition and ghost stories,
and had no education and not much common sense. He often stammered in
tight situations and
was not able to think
on his feet. This is
why, after Goddess
Lakshmi blessed
him with a grand
wedding and then
left him to his own
devices, it didn’t
take long for him to
stumble.

At night on
the day of the wedding, the farmer walked through the
massive palace toward the room where his new bride
was waiting. Each room was bigger than the biggest halls
he had ever seen, and each had a myriad of shadows
dancing through it in the glow of the moonlight. The
farmer’s footsteps boomed and echoed as he nervously
made his way through the corridors, feeling lost and
increasingly afraid. The servants had retired for the
evening, and the palace that was always busy during
the day, became ghostly and deserted at night.

It was at this moment that he remembered a story

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

his friends had talked about between themselves

growing up. They said to beware of demons posing
as new brides on their wedding night. Sometimes,
the legend went, a demon would gobble up a
bride, disguise itself as her, and wait to gobble up
her groom. The way you could tell whether it was a
demon posing as a bride, was if it moved closer to
the groom when he sat down beside her.

The farmer entered the room where the Princess

waited and slowly approached her, frightening
himself more with scary thoughts as he went near.
He sat down on the bench where the Princess sat,
albeit three full feet away from her. The bride, her
face covered in a veil, gently slid over a foot.

Was she actually a demon bride?

Stay tuned for the next Sri Chakra to find out.

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 Sri Chakra ● September 2021

Meet the Deity:

DATTĀTRĒYA
Bala Vidya is now on YouTube!! Here is an infographic summarizing the, " Meet Dattatreya " video. The
link to the video is below. Try following along with this infographic while watching the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBOjNribT2I

SUDARŚANA
CAKRA KĀMADHĒNU
spinning, disk-like This divine cow
weapon of Viṣ ṇ u grants the wishes
and desires of all her
devotees

TRIŚŪLAM
trident of Śiva

ŚAṄ KHA
conch of Viṣ ṇ u 

Ḍ AMARU
2 headed drum of Śiva

JAPAMĀLĀ
string of prayer
beads KAMAṆ Ḍ ALAM
water pot

4 DOGS
FUN FACT!
in front of
Dattātrēya which In our temple,
symbolise the we have 2
vēdas. kāmadhēnus.
We begin every
major pūjā
including
Saturday pūjā
with
kāmadhēnu
pūjā.

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/hBOjNribT2I

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

WHO'S DATTĀTRĒYA? WHO ARE DATTĀTRĒYA’S

Viewed as the guru or gurus
PARENTS?
The incarnation of the trimūrti: He was born to Anusūyā and her
Brahma = god of creation husband Sage Atri.
Viṣ ṇ u = god of preservation The Vedic sage Atri is known
Śiva = god of dissolution to have started ātrēya g tra.
All three of these deities make up "datta" = given or presented
Dattātrēya The divine trinity have "given"
Dattātrēya gained enlightenment themselves in the form of a
by observing his surroundings, son to the sage couple Atri
which provided him 24 gurus such and Anasuya.
as: "atreya" = son of Atri
pr̥thv = earth
vāyu = wind
ākā a = sky
varuṇ a = water
agni = fire
sūrya = sun
In our temple’s lineage, Dattātrēya
is the 3rd guru

WHERE IS DATTĀTRĒYA IN
THE TEMPLE?
The temple is designed to map out
a yogi that is lying down.
Dattatreya represents the right
shoulder of the yogi

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/hBOjNribT2I

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Food & Naivedyam

Importance of Food
Bala Vidya is now on YouTube!! Here is an infographic summarizing the, "Food and Naivedyam -
The Importance of Food" video. The link to the video is below.
Try following along with the infographics while watching the video.
https://youtu.be/a_Eg2JzhVq4

WHY IS FOOD
IMPORTANT?
food is one of the
building blocks of our
body
food give us the energy
and life to carry out our
day
food is an essential need
for all living things

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR FOOD TO REACH US?

The farmer
plants and Food is ready
The cook uses the
harvests the to eat!
The market sells the vegetables and
vegetables vegetables and grains. grains to make food.
and grains.

Therefore, it usually takes

MUCH longer to create
the food than to eat it!

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/a_Eg2JzhVq4

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Blossom 26, Petal 3

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

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