Putra Prapti , Horoscope and Hariharaputran

For some obvious reasons... I had stopped looking Horoscopes for the past one year.. except for very few cases.... The main reason was when one of our family friend insisted me to see a horoscope regarding child birth... 

Even for getting a remedy - one's Karma has to permit him... 

In Bharata desham, birth of a child has always been a priority after marriage. After almost 10 years of marriage, and almost all the "Professional" astrologers have discouraged them. 

Analysing a horoscope for child birth has to be done very accurately... Most of the astrologers fail to differentiate between Childlessness and delay in Child birth.

Immediately a Sarpa Shanti is suggested by them.... And what people generally do is perform a puja at Kalahasti or visit Tirunageswaram and start complaining again.

And delay in child birth may be due to the bad influence of any of the nine grahas... First this has to be identified... only after this pariharam has to be suggested. Not every childlessness is connected to Naaga dosha.

Sarpa Dosha is caused due to various reasons.. One cannot simply generalize this... This occurs due to the wrath of the Serpent in previous birth. Due to Sarpa dosha, marriages may be delayed, Progeny may be denied and/or  miscarriages will occur. There are many varieties of Sarpa dosham. Based on this the parihara has to be decided. For most of the cases a simple pushpanjali (on appropriate place and time) would solve the entire issue... 

Yet another  important fact is, the devatas who actually control the navagrahas... For example to please (Chevvai) Mars, without pleasing Subramanya one cannot get 100% result and get the problem resolved.

And coming back to our case.. A lot of issues were present in both the horoscopes and something struck me... I closed the horoscope and returned it... My only suggestion was to fall at the feet of "My beloved". A Lord who can cause fear even to the Prarabdham... 

An archana for Lord Maha Sastha at a specific Sasthru kshetram  - for seven consecutive weeks. I suggested to light the lamp at their home during the same time (when the archana is done) and pray to the Lord earnestly to grant a putra prapti... 

prArthita putra pradaM vasanta nata bRndaM

dIrghAyuHpradaM dIna jana phala pradam

The one who bestows sons.He is worshipped in Spring by crowds of people.
He grants longevity. He bestows happiness to destitutes

Sastha is the only God who promises Putra praapti even in His moola mantram

I think its needess to say about the result... 

The story of Ayyappan - Arya Kerala Varman

Ive made a detailed research, spent many hours and labour and written this article... And the materials are copyright protected ! Please share only after Written permission.


The story of Ayyappan - Arya Kerala Varman

At Pandalam Palace

One of the most conveniently forgotten fact about Sabarimala -  is about Ayyappan !!! Yes !!! Not the Ayyappan you are thinking about, but a wonderful historic legend to be known by everydevotee who goes to Sabarimala.

Ayyappan ? Understand he is not the well known Manikantan. He was a forgotten hero (until very recently) in the annals of the Temple History. He is the actual reason for us to get back our Sastha Temple at Sabarimala. We did not know much about him. In this article, I would like to present the story of Aryan Kerala Varman that I collected from some sources.

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Bhaktaparipala Paada Renu

V.Aravind Subramanyam

Sabarimala Sastha

Worshipping Lord Sastha with His consorts has been in vogue in Tamil Nadu and Kerala from time immemorial. In various puranas it is said that Lord Hariharaputhra was born to Shiva and Mohini (Vishnu). He materialised himself the shape of a tiny child called "MANIKANTA" on the banks of Holy River Pambha, brought up by Pandiya King, healed the deaf and dumb boy of HIS Guru, gone to the dense forests as per evil designs of His stepmother, slained Demoness Mahishi, brought leopard milk for His step-mother and took to yoga at Sabari Hills.

From that day the temple of Sabarimala Dharma Sastha was worshipped by everyone with great devotion and reverence... 

Pandalam Dynasty

The Pandalam kingdom had its beginning around 904 AD when a scion of the declining Paandya kingdom of Madurai in Tamil Nadu took refuge in Kerala when attacked by the Cholas, and established the Kingdom of Pandalam. The Sasta shrine at Sabarimala had been there from time immemorial as the guardian deity of the people and rulers in and around forest area. When Pandalam dynasty was established the then king accepted the Sasta at Sabarimala as his family deity and ruled the newly formed principality as a devotee of Sasta

This story thereafter, is really interesting and to some extent mysterious too.

Destruction of Sabarimala Temple and the Settling of scores

Around tenth century - anarchy prevailed in those days in Kerala. People around Pandalam lived in perpetual fear of attack by Udayanan, and his gangsters who committed dacoit and murder. Udayanan, had come with his hordes from Tamil regions beyond the borders and dominated the regions of Kerala. Udayanan built up many fortresses on the mountain of Talappara, Inchippara and Karimala in the forests of Pandalam. The temple of Sabarimala where Dharma Sastha was worshipped from the very ancient past was on the route - a highway between Tamilnadu and Kerala, along which the merchants have traveled. Udayanan used to plunder wealth from the travelers and the villages nearby. This amount of success made Uadayanan so brutal, that he attacked the Dharmasasta Temple at Sabarimala. Udayanan and his hordes plundered this temple, destroyed it and broke the idol of Dharma Sastha into pieces. They also murdered the priest so that it would not be possible to conduct poojas there. The son of the priest escaped. He wandered amidst the mountain ranges awaiting an opportunity to wreak the vengeance up on Udayanan. Jayanthan, son of the priest, distressed by the gruesome murder of his father,decided to take revenge by killing Udayanan and his band, and to rebuild and consecrate Sastha temple at Sabari Hills.

He continued his education with vengeance and became a Master of all forms of warfare, he then went to the Kings of various states and asked for help in defeating Udayan. The Kings were very impressed by his valour but nobody was ready to help him and bear the brunt of Udayan. This attitude of the kings disappointed Jayanathan and he went to Ponnambalammedu and started performing penance to please Lord Sasta.

Abduction of the Princess

Udayanan in one of his marauding expeditions reached up to the Kingdom of Pandalam. He saw the princess of Pandalam and wished to make her his consort, he sent the marriage proposal to the King, which was respectfully refused by the King. Enraged by the King’s denial he attacked the palace, plundered it and abducted a princess. Uadayanan dumped her into a dark prison and gave her one month to make up her mind or face demise. That night Lord Sastha appeared in her dream and informed that she will be soon rescued and Lord himself will take birth as her son. Concurrently Lord also appeared in the dream of Jayanathan who was at Ponambalammedu and instructed him to rescue the Princess and marry her so that he could take birth as their Son. While the burglars with their booty were traveling through the mountain routes, the son of the priest made a lightning attack on them and set the princess free. Since she was missing for more than 21 days from the palace, the royal family considered her to be dead and performed all her last rites. So Jayanthan eventually married the princess and they settled in an inaccessible forest region (near the present Ponnambalamedu), engaging in intense austerities and meditation. They earnestly prayed to Lord Dharma Saastha for a son who would be able to fight Udayanan, destroy him and liberate Sabarimala Temple.

Birth of Aryan

Soon the couple begot a child. The child was born on 14-01-1095 AD -they named the Child as -Aryan as blessed by Sastha. Aryan was Lord Sastha’s one of the prominent names. Jayanthan educated and trained Aryan in all fields of religion, science and military art. Aryan was given adequate training both in scriptures and warfare by his able father. It was the intention of the father to bring him up in perfect military discipline with sufficient background in spiritual matters. Aryan became extra ordinarily brave and intelligent.

When his father thought that it was the ripe time for him to be sent to his own palace. All details about his birth and bringing up were written in a letter addressed to the king of Pandalam. He sent the child to his uncle's palace. Of course the king felt over joyous when he came to know about his sister, believed to be lost for ever. When Aryan reached Pandalam everybody was delighted by his godly appearance. He defeated the best warriors in Kings Army, which made a great impact on the King; 

Aryan Kerala Varman

Aryan grew up in the palace. Even in youth several extraordinary faculties became manifested in him. He was a dear to one and all. Arya was adorned the position of chief of the King’s Army and the king gave him the full powers to rule the state. He was given the title "Aryan Kerala Varman" - who was addressed as "Ayyan" "Ayyappan" - a name of reverence by the local people (also a local name of Lord Dharma Sastha at Sabarimala)

Inspite of taking care of the governance of the state, Ayyappan often went to the sabarimala forest in solitude in order to meditate and contemplate on his mission.

Ayyappa to the rescue

Once, the King of erstwhile Punjar state Manavikraman, was on a journey and was surrounded by dacoits in the jungles of Vandiperiyar(Today's Pulmedu). King Manavikraman fought to his extent but was over powered by the dacoits. He started praying to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai and his prayers were answered when a young boy  riding on an elephant came to rescue of the King. It was Ayyappa who was wandering in the jungle, who had tamed a wild elephant and riding on its back. Ayyappa saved the King Manavikraman of from the Dacoits of Udayanan’s Group. He gave a “Perambu” - cane as his representative and asked to King to proceed to his Palace without any fear.

Though only of Fourteen years of age, he proved his mettle both as an accomplished warrior and a born Yogi. So Ayyappan decided to proceed with the mission of his life - To destroy Udayanan and his gang and rebuild the Sastha temple. So Ayyappan decided to build a powerful army. He instructed to the citizens, to donate one child from each family for the sake of the Kingdom.

Mission

Ayyappa's aim was to seek military assistance

-to put an end to Udayana's attacks;

-to restore peace and happiness to the people;

-to renovate Sabarimala temple which was burned to ashes in Udayana's attacks .

For achieving these goals , he intented to travel from Kayamkulam to Ambalappuzha , Cherthala , Alangad and finally to the Pandya Kingdom .

When he went to Kayamkulam - the Raja was thrilled seeing Sree Ayyappa in person , about whom he was hearing day-by-day as a super human teen as well as a sentinal to his citizen .The Raja promised all the help and allowed Ayyappa to collect soldiers from the Kalaries in the Western regions of his Kingdom .

Building the Army

Just before Ayyappa's departure from Kayankulam, a messanger came to announce the attack of Vavar the pirate, in the coastal areas. Ayyappa was excited and joyful to start attck as early as anything , as Vavar himself arrived to gather his fortune! The Karanavar ( head ) of Mullasseril family , who was the minister as well as the bravest soldier of Kayamkulam Raja, was to assist Ayyappa in the attempt. Conquering both body and mind of Vavar and converting him as a disciple , Ayyappa , with the consent of the Raja , gathered the nearby Kalari leaders and soldiers in the vast, beautiful ground at Pullukulangara .

Then he visited Ambalappuzha and Cherthala and conducted similar meetings. Kadutha, who was a great warrior and an expert in mountain-warfare, was a dependant of Pandala Raja. He played an indispensable role in defeating the armies of Udayanan and rescuing several Pandya Kings. Therefore Ayyappan called Kadhutha to assist in the mission.

Ayyappa’s Army included warriors like Kochu Kadutha the master of Sword fighting, Talapara Villan  and Talapara Mallan the perfect Archers and Vavar the warrior.

The preparation

While his stay at Cherthala , Ayyappa was in the Kalari of Cheeram Chira Mooppan. Mooppan' s daughter fell in love with Ayyappa. When this girl proposed her love, Ayyappa gave her advise and thus she could change her mind to a spiritual level. Meanwhile, the army was getting ready; 

With Erumeli as a center point, Ayyapa nurtured a powerful army which could fight Udayanan’s army in a very short time with the help of Vavar, Kadutha, Villan and Mallan. Ayyappan, with his army, marched through the forests, but the first attack was not that successful. Enraged by this, Udayanan conspired with a group of Chieftains abducted Cheramoopan's girl and killed Moopan's daughter. So Ayyappan asked all the members to observe strict Vrutham  before entering Sastha’s Poonakavanam. After the Vrutham for 56 days, they worshipped Kiratha Sastha at Erumeli for the victory in the war. All the army battalions started assembling at erumeli and in order to avoid suspicion, he ordered the troop to dress as tribal people.(present day Pettai thullal) 

Before the final attack on Udayan, Ayyappa distributed the Army into three groups :

1) Alankat Yogam under the leadership of Vavar

2) Amalpuzha Yogam under the leadership of Kadutha

3) Pandalam Yogam under the leadership of Villan and Mallan

Ayyappa kept the central command of the three groups with himself and started the pursuit of Udayanan from three sides North, South and East. Due Ayyappa’s Strategy to the attack from three sides Udayanan was caught in a mouse trap there

Ayyappa – mission accomplished

As soon as the army entered the poonkavanam – Ayyappan was totally a different person; beholding the winsome lustre of His face , he was serene and totally blissful. He never touched even a weapon; instead he was just leading and the army followed him.

The army proceeded towards the hideouts around lnjipara, Karimala, Udumpara, etc.  The Army released the Eastern ghats from the iron fists of Udayanan.

Very soon Ayyappan’s army, marched through the forests and annihilated Udayanan's army. Udayanan’s Army was no match for the Formidable Army of Lord Ayyappa and after a fierceful fight between the two Armies, Uadayanan was slayed by the hands of Kochu Kadutha at Karimala Kotta. Ayyappan's mission ended successfully.

When the royal entourage, proceeded near Sabarimala temple , Ayyappa instructed everyone to leave all the weaponry beneath a big banyan tree there, as carrying of weapons to a temple premises was a sacrilege. Accordingly, the sword, spears, clubs etc. were left at the foot of the banyan tree – today’s Saramkutti.

Ending the Play

Aravind Subramanyam,Author
at Pandalam Palace

After this, they proceeded to Sabarimala Sastha temple, where Ayyappan's father Jayanthan and others were ready to install a fresh idol of Sastha. Right from the moment he stepped into the holy mountain, Ayyappa was in silence and meditation. Until the completion of the Srikovil and installation of the idol, Ayyappan sat on meditation at the place where today’s Manimantapam stands. On the first day of the month of Makaram when the sun moved from the zodiac of Dhanus to that of Makaram, the re-installation of the idol was ceremoniously conducted. Ayyappa did the reconsecration in Sabarimala temple. Soon after the ceremony was over, a holy flame was seen at Ponnambalamedu and no one saw the Prince Arya Kerala Varman - Ayyappan thereafter. It was only thus everyone realized the amazing truth that their lovable , gentle , ameable , merciful young prince was the incarnation ( avatar ) of Sri Dharma Sastha !

Successors of Pandalam dynasty, Poonjar palace and some other living generation add credence to this story. Some monuments, historical Places of interest, folk songs are still available with us which put together vouch for this story.

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa !!!

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa !!!

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa !!!

Sword Used by Ayyappan
Puthen Veedu Erumeli

Puja Moorthis Which
Ayyappan Worshipped
at Pandalam Palace

Chirappan Chira -
Place where Ayyappan
learnt Kalari, Cherthala

Vigrahams - without worshipping

Dear Guruji / Anna, please clarify my doubts. Can we keep swami vikragams without worshipping it? Some people say you should not  buy it from shops. Then how will we get?

--------------------

Swamy Sharanam

For all puja Vigrahams made of metals like copper, bronze or framed pictures the presence of the Lord is invoked by avahanam and pranapratishta and in this case - the presence is there only till the end of the puja. 

But in the case of Ayudams like Shoolam, Vel and Mudravadi and vigrahams made of panchaloka, silver , Gold its nityam sannihitam - so the positive charge is more and will retain the sannidyam - presence of the Lord is always there... This may sound very nice to hear but please understand that this has its own implications . These days people keep all sorts of idols made of plastic, porcelain, rubber, glass, wood etc., but as per shastras even bronze is secondary when compared to gold or silver or panchaloha.

When you have a puja vigraham at home, please understand that you are having a supreme entity at your puja room. And understand each devata right from Maha Ganapati to Lalithambika or Maha Sastha, all are having their own parivara devatas! So even a single trace of act like neglecting the deities, will earn the displeasure of the Parivara. Unless you have the urge and craving desire for the Lord, do not keep on adding the vigrahams.

Question yourself whether you need the Vigraham first of all? For what purpose? If you are planning for something like marriage, promotion, health, financial crisis, happiness, gruha dosham, kalyana dosham, vastu dosham, power etc. etc.? without proper upasana, keeping any vigraham, even if it is made of Chintamani Stone, is useless.

Do we need to setup a CT scan machine at home so that we can get rid of ordinary headache? A simple amrutanjan or crocin would achieve the purpose! So, if one does not understand the significance of the Lord from Guru and does not receive it from him, buying the idol from a shop alone will not bring any good things by its mere presence.

I do agree that for those who are serious about upasana may have an interest in having the Lors's vigraham at home.. But for others there is no pramanam that allows one to keep Vigrahams without the eligible qualification(means mantra upadesham). Puja Vigrahams (even if you order or buy...) should come only through his Guru (with his acknowledgement) and one needs to continue his upasana till then, awaiting the grace.

For certain cases a vigraham may reach you unexpectedly - this is again happening only because of Guru Kripa and nothing elase...

Please understand... Bhakti itself is not upasana... But bhakti combined with upasana is what is expected. Upasana is both physical as well as a mental process where the pradhanyam or importance is to bhaava. Japa is necessarily a mental process and puja, (though done physically) is another great  mental process. The offering of various upacharams with the bhaava is what constitutes of puja. Thus when this bhaava is complimented by Bhakti, upasana is complete. 

Bhaava + Bhakthi = Upasana

Thus, without upaasana (involving bhaava and bhakti), one should not venture into vigraham and complex representations like mudra vadi, shoolam etc. A non-upaasaka who enjoys the Lord with bhakti always has approachable photos, small idols etc. definitely with this open approach he may progress towards upaasana.

If merely keeping the vigrahams is going you to fetch all luxuries, then all handicraft shops must have turned to Kuberapuri...

I met  person few days ago who has almost all vigrahams of all deities of hindu pantheon.(I gave a comment - Out of thirty three crore devatas, I think only one or two will be free from you). The pujas are done only once or twice a month whenever he goes home on vacation.  All other days they sleep inside the box.... What is the point is collecting these vigrahams?

(Ananya bhakti has no reasoning... he may see the Lord in Picture, Paper or any idol made of any material... thats a totally different subject... But we cannot assume ourselves that we have ananya bhakti)

So, unless one has the Guru to guide properly and firm faith in Lord, one should be careful in such things.

108 Sasthalayangal

From ancient times, Lord Sastha has been worshipped in Kerala. When Kerala was created by Parasurama, he wanted the supreme divine force to protect his land. He did penance on Lord Sastha; the Lord appeared 

"rakshitwam kEraLam rAjyam bArgavEna mahAtmana: 

prArtitOham vasishyAmi tatArtham kEraLE drudham" 

- Lord Sastha promised him to stay in the land of God's own country and instructed Parasurama to build as many temples, so that He can stay there.  

Thus Parasurama brought Sastha for the protection of the land and the people.and hence the presence of numerous temples dedicated to Sastha.

Certain places with dense growth of trees are considered sacred, and are the domiciles of the Lord. Those places where Sastha in various forms like Dharma Sastha, Bala Sastha,Vettakkorumakan etc. are called as Kaavu. Legends like Ayyappan Theeyattu and Keralotpatti says that Parasurama has constructed 108 Sasthakaavus.

After a search for many many years... I got the list of these temples few day back... Need to check with the text backup and the details regarding each temple... 

But Iam presenting the list here

May the ever compassionate Lord shower His blessings on us to serve Him more and more

Swamy Sharanam ! 

1. Thrikkunnapuzha Dharmasasthavu
2. Thiruvullakkavu sasthavu
3. Aryankavu dharmasasthavu
4. Chambrakulangara ayyappan
5. Chamravattam sasthavu
6. Achan kovil darmasasthavu
7. Kulathupuzha sasthav
8. Kolakkottiri ayyappankavu
9. Sabarimala sreedharma sasthavu
10. Kizhakedesam sasthavu
11. Meenachil sasthavu
12. Arakkulam dharmasasthavu
13. Mattil sasthavu
14. Cheruthazhathukavu sasthavu
15. Kalleli sasthav
16. Nandikeswarankavu sastha
17. Thakazhi dhramasasthavu
18. Chakkamkulangara dharmasasthavu
19. Aarattupuzha sasthavu
20. Manaloor ayyappan kavu
21. Manakodi sasthavu
22. Edathra sasthavu
23. Edathuruthi ayyappan kavu
24. Kanyakulangara dharmasasthavu
25. Nettissery sasthavu
26. Mulankunnathu kavu darma sasthavu
27. Udalakkavu sasthavu
28. Kodumpu ayyappa
29. Manakkadu dharmasasthavu
30. Thykkadu sasthavu
31. Akamala sreedharma sasthavu
32. Thottakkare molukurussy ayyappankavu
33. Ayyankuzhikkavu sasthavu
34. Kollankodu Pulikkodu ayyappan
35. Cherpulasery ayyappan kavu
36. Poonjal darmasasthavu
37. Punchapadam pulinkkavu ayyappa
38. Theeyadikkavu
39. Nagalassery ayyappankavu
40. Mundamuka ayyappan
41. Thichur sasthavu
42. Malamakkavu ayyappan
43. Nangulam sasthavu
44. Neriyamangalam sasthavu
45. Aanaparambu daramasasthavu
46. Thayankavu sasthavu
47. Perungottukavu sasthavu
48. Kothakulangara sasthavu
49. Mangalam ayyappan kavu
50. Chemeli dharmasasthavu
51. Pottankkavu
52. Thiruvarchanamkunnu
53. Malamakkavu ayyappan
54. Thrikkalathur sreeraman
55. Vayaskkara dharmasasthavu
56. Narayanamangalam ayyappankavu
57. Sakthikulankara sasthavu
58. Ayyappanpara sasthavu
59. Manalithara mullapallikavu
60. Kuttoor sasthav
61. Pattikkadu dharmasastha
62. Markkadakkavu sastha
63. Koodapuzha marathopalli sasthav
64. Neervilagam dharmasastha
65. Kaattuvalli dharmasastha
66. Karukuttikkavu
67. Kozhikkal kandan sasthavu
68. Ezhinjillam sasthavu
69. Kannanallur sasthavu
70. Kutiyothu temple
71. Kannadiparambu dharmasasthavu
72. Chethamangalam ayyappan
73. Chovvara sasthavu
74. Edaneer vishnu
75. Kolasserykavu sastha
76. Paduvilakkavu sastha
77. Kaarakkattu sreedharma sasthavu
78. Paandangari dharmasastha
79. Rampuram sasthavu
80. Kanimangalam sasthavu
81. Elampalli madathil dharmasasthavu
82. Cheerappanchira mukkalvattam ayyappa
83. Vyasachalam sasthavu
84. Karthyakulangara sreedharmasastha
85. Thechikkottukavu sastha
86. Mupuramkavu sreekandansasthavu
87. Varamsasthamkotta temple
88. Pullukulangara darmasasthavu
89. Thrikkadambu temple
90. Chathankottakavu
91. Kodannoor sasthavu
92. Mangattu kavu ayyappan
93. Velupilli dharmasastha
94. Rarothu ayyappa
95. Thrivuvaniyoor temple
96. Malamel temple
97. Areswaram sasthavu
98. Karimpuzha sreeraman temple
99. Chathannoor bhoothanathan (siva temple)
100. Ponnabalamedu
101. Koovapalli narkkalakavu
102. Mundarakodu ayyappa
103. Eramam muthukkattukavu ayyappan
104. Kochambalam
105. Erumeli dharmasasthavu
106. Kezhoor dharmasasthavu
107. Niram kaithakkotta sasthavu
108. Arangavu sasthavu

Guru - Mantra Upadesham

After the reply to Mr.X regarding mantra upadesham.. Iam receiving many mails and messages personally from people expressing their doubt regarding this "Mantra Upadesham" and Upasana...

1. How to Get Mantra Upadesham

2. How to approach Guru for Upadesham

-----

Let me throw some light in this Area...

But before that read my following articles (Read in Once again... EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ IT)

Guru - Sishya Relationship

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/06/guru-sishya-relationship.html

Guru - Sishya Relationship Part 2

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/06/guru-sishya-relationship-part-2.html

Mantra Upadesham goes two way - The first one is for exceptional cases where a Mahan or Guru takes Karuunya towards a Sishya and gives him mantra upadesham even without asking. - please note this happens only for exceptional cases due to the accumulated merits of upasana of Purva Janma and this cannot be examples.

The next way  -

a Sishya has devotion towards a particular God and he identifies himself with a particular person as his Guru. First he must openly declare his surrender to his Guru.

He has to literally plead to the Guru for getting a mantra upadesham. It is said that even the Guru has to wait until the sishya asks or rather beg for the upadesham at least three times. Once the Guru is satisfied that the Sishya is a "Sat Patram" he can consider him. (please note : Only Consider).

Because the guru gives mantra to a disciple and because she or he embodies the spirit and life of that mantra. According to the Kularnava Tantra, there is no difference between devata, mantra and guru. "Devata in truth is the same as mantra; mantra in truth is the same as the guru. The fruit of the worship of the devata, mantra and guru is the same."

Moola Mantram is actually going to take you to the divinity. When one is not ready to shed his Ego even for the sake of Mantra upadesham to his Guru, then how can one attain salvation?

I have personally seen both extreme cases of  "so called Sishya" either demanding mantra upadesham from the Guru or his ego preventing in surrendering to the Guru for asking Mantra upadesham.

(Here again the Age, Qualification or Status of a Guru is not a criteria. I wish to quote a real life experiece known to me personally. A 58 year old sishya was a very great devotee and wanted mantra upadesham. He developed a Guru Bhava towards 18 year old person. The young Guru in turn took the person to many other Upasakas including his own Guru.

But the Sishya was very clear... "All these Upasakas are great undoubtedly... But you are my Guru... and I shall wait till u give me upadesham". He literally waited for about a decade to get his first mantram from his Guru.

This is true Guru Bhakthi !!! )

So I come back to square one - Ultimate surrender to Guru is the best way to get mantra upadesham.

Tatviddhi Pranipatena Pariprashnena Sevaya 

Upadekshyanti Te Jnanam Jnanina Stattwadarshinah

Understand the true nature of knowledge by approaching a Guru. If you prostrate at their feet, serve them and question them with an open & guileless heart, those wise person will give you the upadesham of the divine. - says Krishna in Geetha.

However great a person may be, his close associates cannot understand his greatness, often they take him to be as ordinary human being like them. This is the effect of Maya.

A sishya must not get into this trap.

One has to really feel blessed for getting each oppurtunity to serve Guru,salute Guru, Pray to guru, doing namaskarams to Guru. "Whenever/wherever you see your  Guru do namaskaram - says Kularnava Tantram.

Even if you think over the feet of Guru (Guru Paduka) it gives  the result greter than puja or Khetra Darshanam. So if you can see him in person - never miss the oppurtunity to do Namaskaram to him.

Once you see you guru, even if it is a crowded hall or road - fall like a danda(stick) and do sashtanga namaskara.

I have seen many such sishyas doing namaskarams without even a trace of ego.

From my personal experience I can say - this act instantaneously kindles the Karunya of Guru towards the Sishya.

(Beleive me - the same person mentioned above is around 70 years now. He will still, at once , fall down at the feet of his much Younger Guru - wherever he sees him)

My association with many illustrious Gurus have taught me this basic lesson called Guru Bhakthi. So Iam really surprised or rather shocked to see the deteriorating form of Guru Bhakthi...

Many people approach me me for instruction, clarification and initiation. Most of them are sincere who are highly devoted. They need mantras to get their problems solved, achieve something or gain some material or rarely some spiritual benefit. Many other are interested in gaining powers and benefits in the society we live in today.

Only a handful of few are really having the mix of bhakti, inner drive and wisdom. I still find myself searching for a person "who crave to reach the Lord" and seek mantra upadesham for that purpose.

I pray to the divine lotus feet of Lord Bhaktaparipala who is the Lord, the mantra, the Guru, the Sishya, the question, the answer and everything.

Garuda Puranam

Swami Saranam,

Some one asked me about above book, Iam not aware,Can we keep and

read garuda puranam at home?? what is the meaning of Garuda Purnam?? I

heard its related to soul etc., if you dont mind if you have

information regarding what happens to the soul after it leaves the

body...

Regards

--------------

The Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Puranas. It is actually structured like any other normal purana - explains the glory of the Lord and the creation etc etc. 

Since it is in the form of dialog between Mahavishnu and Garuda it is named as Garuda Purana.

And it is a misconception that this book should be read only during the occasion of any death in the house. We have made our own ideas regarding various texts - like reading Mahabharata. Since Mahabharat has tales of war and killings, people think that it may bring disharmony and fights to the household.  

Similar is the case with Garuda Purana. It is wrong to say that one should not keep Garuda Purana at home. The entire epic is in the form of wonderful conversation between Garuda and Lord Vishnu regarding the meaning of human life. The Lord explains the life of the soul after death. Because the epic deals with death, people blindly say that Garuda Purana should not be kept at home. It is only a myth. One can very well  keep this book at home.

And many consider it unlucky to read this text except during unfavorable occasions. If that is the case and why Vyasa has listed this book as one among the Puranas ? Please understand that all the Puranas are fit for Parayanam and certain texts specially suit certain occasion. Thats all.

Garuda Purana is a more a scientific book of facts than a book of religious preachings.  

He, who takes birth, shall have to die. He, Who dies, shall have to take birth. This is law of Nature. Death is a a natural process that nobody can avoid. A section of Garuda Purana deals with process connected with death, the ritual and detailed description of the journey of the departed soul. 

The reason behind the rituals we do and their esoteric significance are also explained. For example the donation we give - The first object that should be donated is an umbrella (chhatra).  On the way to Yama’s abode, the preta has to pass long stretches where there is no shade at all and the sun shines very brightly.  If an umbrealla is donated , it can be held over the preta’s head as it is taken Yama’s abode.  The preta suffers less.  The second object that should be donated is a pair of sandals (paduka).   There is a possiblbility that the preta may land up in asipatravana naraka.  If you  remember, there the sands are very hot and sinners have to dash over the hot sands to a cool grove that is in the centre of the hell.  If sandals are donated, the preta does not have to walk over these hot sands, but gets to ride a horse.  The third object that should be donated is a seat (asana).  If a seat is donated, the preta gets enough food to eat as it is taken to Yama.  The fourth object that should be donated is a water-pot  (kamandalu).  If a water-pot is donated, the preta does not suffer from lack of drinking water on the journey.  The fifth object that should be donated is clothing (vastra).  If clothing is donated, Yama’s messengers do not torture the preta on the journey.  The sixth object that should be donated is a ring (mudrika).  If a ring is donated, Yama’s messengers allow the preta to travel at his own pace.  They do not rush him and goad him to travel fast.  The benefits of whatever is donated percolate through to the preta himself.  Sometimes they directly reach the preta.

According to merits earned by the departed soul, his life after death is decided. The travel of the dead person to the other lokaas in a different body is explained in Garuda Purana in detail. The yathra to Yama loka is described. After reaching Yama loka one's Papa and Punya are evaluated. Yama then gives the jeeva a new body called yaathanaa sharira - that is a body for suffering. (There are twenty eight different punishments for the sins one is committing in this world.. It also explains the different kinds of Sins which lead to different Hell. Iam not listing it here... If our readers are interested let me know I shall list it)

In this Yaathana Saharira - body which is meant for suffering, one has to suffer for the sins committed.

To put it simple -  the soul of a true bhaktha reach the abode of their ishta devatha after the death. For all others who have committed punya and paapa go to swarga and narakaa to enjoy for punyaa and suffer for paapaa respectively.

After that enjoyments and suffering... they take another birth in this mundane world and again enter into the cycle of Karma and start doing paapa and punya. This cycle is never ending; 

The law of Karma is very well established here and it tells - what janma a person, gets for his sins... So no one can escape from his own actions. Each action is having equal and opposite reaction

(The list is elaborate for each karma - example : Who deceives a friend becomes a mountain-vulture; who cheats in selling becomes an owl... the list goes on and on. Again Iam not detailing it here)

This is what is explained in Garuda Purana...

Great punya is acquired from reading or hearing the Garuda Purana. So by reading Garuda Purana one gets mental clarity and gets a chance to purify himself and help to cross over the ocean of existence !

The person who reads or hears this purana, is guaranteed happiness in this world and also the next world. This gives the true knowledge. And so Garuda Purana is a text which should be revered and not ignored or feared

Mantra Upadesham

Query :

Dear Aravind Guruji,  iam reading all your writings regularly and i have developed a guru bhava towards you... I consider you as my manasika guru and now i have a crisis from which only you can help me.

Can I get the mantra of Kirata Varahi? Can u give me the upadesham of this mantra?

You are the only person who can help... my astrologer has analysed my horoscope and said its full of problems and adviced me to do this upasana

.....................

It is actually very ridiculous and funny to hear that an astrologer recommends the "Upasana" of Varahi, that too specifically Kirata Varahi for a problem with one's horoscope. A mantra sadhana is not that easy as you think. You can directly ask me that you are in need of this mantra if you are interested -  I shall say yes or no.

Or If you are really telling the truth then take your horoscope to another proper astrologer who will guide you properly.

Please let me make clear.... Iam receiving many mails like this claiming that Iam their manaseeka Guru etc etc.... A Sishya is a person who must have one to one relationship with his Guru. And one must follow the words of his Guru without a second thought... Only if a person has this maturity he is fit to called to be sishya.

If one can follow 100% what the Guru says then this Maanasika Guru may work out.. But people leave out most of the advises and conveniently choose "selected areas" and claim to be Maanasika sishyas.

And I personally dont accept the concept of Maanasika guru or Manasika Sishya unless a sishya 200% follows his guru. Unless a Guru knows his sishya well, how can he guide him? Ofcourse there may be exceptional cases... But that doesn't happen always.

Similarly for a Guru - A person who cares for his sishya's upliftment without even a trace of selflessness is a Guru.

Today in both sides we have corrupt people....

Today there are sishyas who pressurize and demand upadesham from Guru.. "if are hesitating to give me this mantra upadesham I shall goto some other Guru." or they  make payments in the name of dakshina and get the mantra.

And on the other hand - there are Gurus who are having an inner fear that they may lose their sishya and so venture into dramatic actions.

A very popular person - may be known to most of Ayyappa devotees - claiming himself to be a Gurunathar - he gave a particular mantram as "Mantra Upadesham" to few persons.  The best part is this person has not even got any single mantra upadesham in his life time. A person who gives upadesha without the mantra adhikara is sure to face disasters.

And some more cases - Mantra upadesham thru Phone, thru email - what is all this ?

Many may accuse me of being partial and threatening. But what Iam speaking is truth and only truth. From many real life anecdotes ive seen - my sincere advise is to stay away from such uncalled practices.

When you have Guru Bhava towards a particular person - first shed your ego and hesitation with him. Approach your Guru directly  with utmost humbleness and surrender to him completely. Only then you are eligible for mantra upadesham.

A mantram  is a subtle form of the Lord himself... and the potentiality of mantram varies from person to person. So only a Guru can select a mantra that suits the capacity of the sishya to proceed in his sadhana. By this the Guru purifies the sishya's mind and pray to Lord to obtain the divine grace for the upliftment of the sishya  Not only this - the guru actually is now shouldering the karmic burden of the disciple ... Now it is also the Guru's responsible to take his sishya for salvation. So he takes up the sishya's Karmic burden and prays for its dissolution.

Please understand.. Until the Sishya gets the Gnana(wisdom) the Guru will not attain Moksha. Guru is such an embodiment of compassion. So, direct grace of Guru is vital in any mantra upadesham.

And so, mantra upadesham other than procedural krama order is not going to give any result.

The Ever compassionate Lord

Few days ago... I was contemplating on my great grandfather and was browsing his old photographs at sabarimalai... The Pankuni uthram festival of 60s, 70s and 80s.... As my usual practice I took some of these to show it to a devotee close to my heart, who "celebrates our Lord" - and with whom I share most of my ideas...

Each photograph conveyed a story... we were really thrilled to see the Sabarimalai of yester years... Everything so orderly, so calm and peaceful those days.... Especially when we saw a the photo - Thatha Standing all alone in the Padhinettam padi, (http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2011/01/padhinettam-padi.html) we were reminded of the unruly rush that we had during Jothi... and we all had a craving desire whether we could "get back" that Sabarimalai....

"Whether is it possible to have such a sabarimalai hereafter?" 

- we asked the question and we ourselves gave the answer - "NO".. "the golden days are gone"... 

But we never expected "Bhakta Paripala" was hearing us and was smiling at us...

Very soon we planned for our Sabarimala trip. The utsavam had just begun and to our utter surprise the crowd was almost nil at Pampa. We were excited... and went ahead and everything was almost magically done. When we reached Pathinettampadi to our pleasant surprise - it was totally free..  We were enjoying the very sight of the Ashtadasha Peetam... Satya Dharma swaroopam was all alone - waiting for us.... The best part is - we had an opportunity to take similar photograph in front of the holy steps - just like my great grand father...  

Though there is no one to stop us... How long will we stand there? And finally we decided to move... - After all how can the intense yearning of the heart be contained?  Our Lord is waiting for us....

We rushed to our beloved Lord...  Ayyappan looked as fresh as a newly blossomed Lotus! 

One of my favorite quote is - "We leave sannidhanam to come back"... Now, needless to say our darshan was near perfect. We spent almost 4-5 hours with our Lord with no one to stop us or pull us.

To cut a long story short I felt that the Lord himself held our hands, took us to Sannidhanam and brought us back - just because we desired for a peaceful dharshanam like the olden days. We didn't even prayed - we just expressed our desire amongst us- and he made it a reality.... 

Even a very small -true desire of us is heard by Him... 

After returning from the Yatra - I got a messgae from Him....

In one of my old articles Ive written : - "This once unlettered boy, whom He took under his benign and protective care, as a fond father would do, and made him what he is today" - these words are proved 200% true once again.. Not only as a fond father  but more than a compassionate mother he is taking care of me.... 

I thanked him for being "my life" and granting us the opportunity to serve him. For the yeomen service rendered by my ancestors, the ever merciful Lord is  keeping up his promise generations after generations.

In answer to this he gave His same benign smile..

... 

Kanthamalai and Ponnambalamedu

Can u clarify about sacred ponnambalamedu and kanthamallai. Is there is any temple over there ?

- a devotee

----------------------

Kanthamalai and Ponnambalamedu - both are two different entities..

As Ive already explained it here

Sastha Temples and Shat Chakras

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/08/six-sastha-temples-and-shat-chakras.html

Kanthamalai is not a place which exists in the physical plane. Its like Kailasam and Vaikuntam... they exist but you cannot see them...

Sasthru lokam is known as Tejovathi or Mahakaalam and at this Sasthru lokam- the hill in which the Lord resides is known as Kanthagiri or Kanthamalai. 

Kanthamalai is a place which exists in the Sukshma Plane and cannot be seen with the naked eyes.. 

It is in this Kanthamalai the Supreme Lord Maha Sastha resides with Poorna and Pushkala, His eternal consorts and all his devotees reach this FINAL ABODE and worship him there...

Just like we say "Sri rangam" as Bhooloka Vaikundam and Chidambaram as Booloka Kailasam - Since one cannot reach here directly,  some people consider Ponnambalamedu to be the Kanthamalai of Bhoolokam..

But please be clear Kanthamalai is totally different... Ponnambalamedu is one among the eighteen hills that surround Sabarimalai...

Ponnamblamedu - the mound of pon ambalam - Golden Temple....

It is the most sacred and divine place... The spot is very sacred and the divinity charged there in the atmosphere is beyond imagination..

The rahasya behind is - it is actually the spot where Parasurama installed the Adhi Moolasthanam - Temple of Sastha (Which probably might have been in Gold - as the name suggests)

Later during the historic age, this temple was destroyed and looted by a dacoit named Udayanan..  during this time the advent of Ayyappa took place who annihilated Udayana and instructed the then Pandalam Raja to construct the Dharma Sastha temple - the present temple - where it is situated now. When the temple was rebuilt - Ayyappan finally merged with the jothi which appeared at Ponnambalamedu

(I am not elaborating this wonderful history of Sabarimala and Arya Kerala Varman here.. If devotees are interested to read please let me know - I shall write the detailed story as a series later)

Few years ago, when I was doing research for my book Shri Maha Sastha Vijayam - while discussing with Shri Viswanatha Sharma, he shared me his experiences there and showed me the photographs taken at the ponnambala medu..

We dont find any temple there now.. I was told that there were ruins of a temple- but nothing is to be seen now... today we see a yantram with "XX" beejam engraved there...

There is also a pond there named as Seetha Kulam and there is a cave just below the concrete platform - which is almost not reachable now... 

I personally have a feeling that apart from this concrete platform which is seen now the holy spot is elsewhere - but very closely located in the vicinity... 

And it is holiest of holy spots and it is not an adventure or testing the divinity.. so most of the devotees wont venture to go there...

Kaanthamalai vaasane Sharanam Ayyappa.... 

Ponnambala Vasane Sharanam Ayyappa...

Doing Abhivaadanam during Namaskaaram

Namaskaaram

Namaskaram literally means a salute; traditionally it is practiced from the childhood days, to train the children to respect the elders and also to pay obeisance to the Lord God in temples. It is a gesture of action used to indicate respect & reverence. 

One most important point to be noted.. One should not do namaskarams to any person in Deva Sannidhanam - this is a very big sin. But if One's Guru is standing in the sannidhanam, and the person is doing namaskaram to God its double sin. 

Whenever one gets an opportunity one has to do namaskarams to his Guru... its indeed a very great punya. And whenever one's Guru is there(in a sabha- group of people), one must not do namaskarams to anyone else other than his Guru... Even if Guru and Parama Guru(Guru's Guru) is there, one has to do namaskaram only to his Guru.. Only if he permits or asks, he can do namaskarams to others.. or else it is a very great sin

In the case of doing Namaskarams to others - One cannot Just like that do namaskarams to everyone... One must have the capacity to accept the namaskaram.

By doing Namaskarams to a person, he actually transfers a part of his sin to the person who accepts the namaskaram. A part of the punyam gets transfered from the person accepting it to the person doing the namaskaram. 

If one is doing namaskaram to a person who is not fit to the position, one must be ready to partake his sins.... 

Generally one should not do namaskarams to the persons who is younger than him - But this rule does not apply if the person is doing namaskarams to his Guru or a Sanyasi. A Guru may be much much younger than the Sishya - But his position(as a Guru) is the important factor here..

Those with Guru padhuka Deeksha generally dont do namaskarams to anyone other than Guru and Devata.

Abhivaadhanam

Yesterday during our Satsang - we were discussing about chanting and not chanting "Abhivadhaye..." during the time of Namaskaram

ie after doing namaskAram, he must keep the palms over ears, and then announce his Rishi lineage, gotram , sUtram (family lineage), family Veda, and sharman (name), and then touching the feet of the elders they prostrated to. 

While doing AbhivAdanam an important point to be kept in mind is - that abhivadanam should be done only to a person who can say pratyabhivadanam (ie blessing words in return)

In general it is a compulsory practice that all those who are adorned with upanayanam (who wear the sacred thread), when he does namaskaram must tell abhivaadhanam.. 

This is the general rule. 

But there are few exceptions to be noted.... 

devAn nadIn sabhAM vRukShAn agnikAryaM tathA yatim |

daNDavat praNamet bhUmau na abhivAdana mAchret || 

When one is doing namaskAram for 

• before devatas

• to a sabhaa (group of people),

• to the trees such as peepul or palAsam,

• before the agni

• before the sannyaasis

During all these occasions one should not chant the Abhivaadanam...

While doing namaskaarams at temples or puja gruham (at home)... Abhivaadanam should not be chanted... Also there is no abhivaadhanam while doing namaskaarams to ladies (only for one's own mother he can do abhivaadhanam)

Abhivaadanam should be done only on a one to one basis and you cannot do that to a group or to a single person in a group

But AbhivAdanam during performance of Karmas like Sandhya vandanam is allowed.