A Blunder with Lakshmi Ashtotram

Yesterday it was about Devi and so today its Mahalakshmi...

In Tamil there is a proverb - "Ezhudinavan Ettai Keduthan".... One who wrote, spoiled the text...

This is 200% applicable to Lakshmi Ashtotram.... in which almost everyone is making a very big mistake because of a person who made a mistake first...

Before getting into the subject, we must understand that, all these Ashtotram, Sahasranamam etc are told in ancient texts as Stotrams only.... On a later date... These Stotrams were split up into individual Namas for the purpose of Archana....


For example, vishwam vishNur vashatkAro, bhUtha bhavya bhavatprabhuH is Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram... when it is split up, it becomes, "Vishwasmai Nama:, Vishnave Nama: , Vashatkaraaya Nama: etc etc...

Similarly Lakshmi Astotra Shata Nama Stotram goes this way....
prakṛtiṃ vikṛtiṃ vidyāṃ sarvabhūtahitapradām|

And when split up, the namavali goes this way

Sloka 1

prakṛtiṃ vikṛtiṃ vidyāṃ sarvabhūtahitapradām|

śraddhāṃ vibhūtiṃ surabhiṃ namāmi paramātmikām||1||

Om Prakrtyai    namah
Om Vikrtyai   namah
Om Vidyayai    namah
Om Sarva-butha-hita-pradayai  namah
Om Shraddhayai   namah
Om Vibhutyai   namah
Om Surabyai   namah
Om Paramatmikayai  namah

Sloka 2

vācaṃ padmālayāṃ padmāṃ śuciṃ svāhāṃ svadhāṃ sudhām|

dhanyāṃ hiraṇmayīṃ lakṣmīṃ nityapuṣṭāṃ vibhāvarīm||2||

Om Vace              namah
Om Padmalayayai  namah
Om Padmayai   namah
Om Suchayae   namah
Om Swahayai   namah
Om Swadhayai   namah
Om Sudhayai   namah
Om Dhanyayai    namah
Om Hiranmaiyai   namah
Om Lakshmyai   namah
Om Nitya-pustaayai  namah
Om Vibhavaryai   namah

Sloka 3

aditiṃ ca ditiṃ dīptāṃ vasudhāṃ vasudhāriṇīm|

namāmi kamalāṃ kāntāṃ kāmākṣīṃ krōdhasambhavām||3||

Om Adityai    namah
Om Dityai    namah
Om Diptayai   namah
Om Vasudayai   namah
Om Vasudharinyai  namah
Om Kamalayai   namah
Om Kantayai   namah
Om Kamakshyai   namah
Om Kroda-sambavayai namah

Now looking into the meaning of the the last line ie
namāmi kamalāṃ kāntāṃ kāmākṣīṃ krōdhasambhavām

Om Kamalayai   namah  - Salutations to Goddess Kamala
Om Kantayai   namah  - Salutations to One who is the Consort of Vishnu
Om Kamakshyai   namah - Salutations to one with attractive eyes
Om Kroda-sambavayai namah - Salutations to one who manifested on Anger

Does this make any sense? Iam sure Mahalaksmi will be angry to hear each time when the archana is done with this nama...

The blunder had occurred while splitting the Namas...

Somebody has made a mistake while splitting and all other publishers.... (they dont bother about the correctness of the information) just copy and paste the same thing... And invariably in all Lakshmi Ashtotram books you see the same mistake...

Sri Lakshmi ashtothram will give Lakshmi kataksham- It gives you wealth and all round prosperity. But we see many people still suffering inspite of doing archana regularly.... How can one expect result when the ashtotram itself is wrong? Will we be happy if we are called "Oh Angry Faced fellow" ? So this must be reason for not getting 100% result...

Now let me present my approach....
Namami kamalam kantham kamam shirotha sambhavam
Om Kamalayai   namah  - Salutations to Goddess Kamala
Om Kantayai   namah  - Salutations to One who is the Consort of Vishnu
Om Kamaayai namah - Salutations to one who is attractive 
Om Ksheeroda sambavayai namah - Salutations to one who is born out of Ocean of Milk

This version tallies with the Puranic story of Mahalakshmi Manifesting from the ocean of milk during Amita Matanam (Churning of the Milky Ocean). This makes sense...

So I request all our readers to please make this change in your books and do the archana to Goddess Mahalakshmi and earn the grace of Ksheera Saagara Sutaam

So its
Om Kamaayai namah 
Om Ksheeroda sambavayai namah 

Lakshmi personifies all that is happy. In fact Lakshmi kataksham is what is yearned for....

So here is wishing you all the prosperity Goddess Lakshmi can shower.

Maataa Meenakshi and Peter Pandiyan

Since our navaratri theme this year is Mother Meenakshi, let me write about HER MAJESTY, the Empress of Madurapuri....  A real life incident to show her care towards her children. Meenakshi appeared as a three-year-old girl three times in History. First during the ‘Puthirakamestshi yagna’- (her actual incarnation), next during the aranketram of ‘Meenakshi Ammai Pillai Tamil’ by Kumaraguruparar(during the regign of Tirumalai Naicker) and Latestly before Rous Peter - during the British rule.

The East India Company was actually ruling Tamilnadu during 1812 and Rous peter was the Collector of Madurai.  Rous Peter was kind hearted person and respected and treated people of all faiths equally. 

Unlike other English officers, Peter cared a lot for the welfare of the people. He also restored peace, prosperity and justice in Meenakshi's Pattanam (Madurai).. The people had a great regard for Peter and felt that he is equal to the Great Pandiyan Kings. Because of this attitude, the people called him with the popular name ‘Peter Pandian’.

As a district Collector, he was not only in charge of the temple town, but also for the Temple administration. Peter had the habit of going around the temple everyday before beginning his daily work. 

One night the city experienced huge thunder storm with lightning. Peter was inside his bungalow in deep slumber.. Suddenly a three-year-old girl appeared at his residence and dragged Rous Peter by his hand outside the house. As soon as they left the compound, a lightening struck the building and the bungalow collapsed to pieces and destroyed the room, where the collector was sleeping. 

Everything happenned within few seconds... Peter was takenaback and was in total shock. Soon he came back to himself, and found the mysterious little girl walking away.

He immediately followed her... though he ran after her, he could not keep up with the girl. The tiny tot always seemed to be the same distance away in front of Peter, however fast he walked. 

She playfully entered the Meenakshi Temple and went straight to the Sanctum Sanctorum of Meenakshi... and right in front of his eyes... there she disappeared.

Peter was sure that the empress Herself has come in the form of that mysterious girl... For Shri Matha everyone - including Peter is her Child. The Ruler Meenakshi had come to save a good man from calamity.

Peter was ever-grateful to Mother Meenakshi and donated many jewellery and other gifts to the Minakshi Temple. Among which, a notable one is a set of golden stirrups studded with diamonds and red stones to the temple for use on the idol of Sree Meenakshi when taken in procession in the streets of Madurai.

He also wished that after his death he should be buried in a position that enabled his eyes to face the temple. It is interesting to note that Rous Peter’s grave is positioned the way he wished while the pther graves faces the other way.

The stirrups offered by Peter Pandiyan adorns the Horse Vaahanam on the day of procession. Even now this is used when Goddess Meenakshi riding the horse is taken out during festival days.  He also donated a Jade necklace which is still preserved, in the temple museum.

maata marakata shyama maatangi madhushalini 

kuryaat kaTaaksham kalyani kadamba vanavaasini

Hariharaputra Jananim

Suddenly today early morning as soon as I got up, a Dikshitar Krithi flashed in my mind for no reason. Especially the words ... "Hariharaputra Jananim" (Mother of harihara putra)... 

A strange combination of words indeed... mother of son of Hari & Hara

I always have a fascination towards Muthuswamy Dikshitar and at one point of time, I had almost all krithis of Dikshitar and was enjoying exploring its meaning.

Dikshitar’s kritis are a treasure house of Agama, tantra, vedAnta, shilpa, itihAsa, purANa, kShetra and tattva-bodha. He was a much-travelled man and that is reflected in his compositions. Most of them contain descriptions about famous temples and their chief deities. It is a great privilege to sing and listen to those glorious kritis 

I was attracted mainly because of the the unique, informative and brilliantly crafted lyrics of the Krithis. His Sanskrit lyrics are in praise of the temple deity, and the songs also contain much information about the history of the temple, and its background, thus preserving many customs followed in these old shrines.

Now I started pondering over the small Kamboji Krithi 

marakatavallIm manasA smarAmi 

madanajanakAdi dEvapAlinIm

harahRdayA vEshinIm mOhinIm 

harihara putra jananIm naLinIm 

krUra daityAdi bRnda marddinIm 

guruguhAdi nuta vahnivAsinIm

This ‘marakatavallIm manasA smaraami’ was composed by Dikshitar at a place called ‘virinchi puram’, a small town near kanchipuram. The Lord here is ‘maargasahaayeshvara swami’ and his consort is ‘marakatavalli’.

It was to Virinchipuram that Dikshitar's ancestors belonged and it was from this village that his grandfather and father had migrated to Tanjavur 

Now coming to our interesting fact of "Hariharaputra Jananim"... 

Puranas exclaim about the Mohini Avataara of Vishnu... and I always hold a view that this Mohini Avatara of Vishnu is none other than Devi Parashakthi Herself. Devi and viShNu are one and the same - two sides of the same coin.

Now, Devi in the form of vishNu is "harahRdayA vEshinIm mOhinIm" who, took the form of Mohini and enchanted Hara's heart and She is ‘hari hara putra janani’- the mother of Hariharaputra

(Some people erroneously sing this as ‘hari hRdayA veshni’ which does not make any sense. It literally means 

‘viShNu took the form of a lady and enchanted viShNu himself.)

In this temple maragatavalli is the mohini rUpam of viShNu. To enforce their identity, the devi sannidhi here in this temple is ‘marakatavalli’ the mohini form of vishNu - who is the consort of Shiva.

vandeham Shakthi Nandanam

Shri Chandikayin Charitham - Story of Goddess Durga in Tamil

Shri Chandikayin Charitham - Story of Goddess Durga in Tamil

Devi Mahatmya of Markandeya Purana describes the greatness of Chandika Devi. The glory of Devi is beyond words. This story was given by Rishi Sumedhas.

She incarnated Thrice - First to kill Madhu and Kaidabha and then to destroy Mahishasura and then to annihinlate Sumbha and Nisumba...

This story of Chandika Devi is brought in Tamil written by V.Aravind Subramanyam as Shri Chandikayin Charitham, for the devotees of Durga who are are interested in learning the divine mother's story but do not understand Sanskrit or who could not do the parayanam of Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati)

This book discusses the entire Devi Mahatmyam, without deviating from the Original text.

The book also has the collection of slokas and other informations on Devi.

Worshipful Acharyas has blessed the book with their Blessing Note.

Along with the book a wonderful picture of Chandika Prabhavam is also given, which may be used for worship. This picture is created based on the intricate details given in the Rahaysa Traya of Devi Mahatmyam.

As you may already know,  Our previous release Shri Lalithayin kathai explained the glory of Goddess Lalitha and Shri Maha Satha Vijayam described the greatness of Lord Sastha. You all will remember how the book was a commendable work and Magnum Opus on the Lord. The book Lalithayin Kathai was a extraordinary success which went for second edition within a span on 4 months.

Now, Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam is bringing out the book titled 'Chandika Charitham' (Tamil). Thru this we wish to reach out out more devotees and spread the glory of the Lord.

It will not be an ordinary or regular book, but a worthy book TO PRESERVE.

Contemplating on the divine leelas of the divine mother Durga, gives one the taste of divine nectar itself .

Interested devotees may avail this opportunity and obtain the divine grace of Shri Matha.

The cost of the book is Rs.100/-

Those who need a copy may contact:
V.Aravind Subramanyam,President, Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam,
94 B, Third Street, Tatabad, Coimbatore 641012.
(Tel: +91- 99946 41801 E-mail: aravindsai@gmail.com)

Panchayatana puja

sir i want to know about panchayadhana pooja.

What are the moorthams to b placed on that.

please clear my query

Manikandan, Chennai

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Panchayatana puja is the

system of worship which was most common in every Brahmin house till few decades ago.

The Panchayatana is a system which consists of

the worship of five deities:

"Adityam Ambikaam Vishnum Gananaatam Maheswaram"

Aditya is Surya; Ambika is Devi; Vishnu is

Narayana; Gananaatham is Ganesha, Mahesvara is shiva.

These five are the great divine force whom every householder worships as pancha devata puja.

Based on the tradition

followed by the family, one of these deities is kept in the center and the other four surround it and worship is offered to all the deities.

Adhi Shankara systemetised the Sanatana Dharma(Hinduism) and classified it into broad Six categories.

Shaiva - with Shiva as the Presiding deity

Vaishnava - with Vishnu as the Presiding deity

Shaktha - with Devi as the Presiding deity

Ganapatya - with Ganesha as the Presiding deity

Kaumara - with Subramanya as the Presiding deity

SoWra - with Surya (planets) as the Presiding deity

People mistake that Shri Shankara actually started this Panchayatana puja system - which is wrong. Deva Puja and Archana is one of the most important duties imposed by the Shastras. The Shastras are filled with details of the Panchayatana puja details and Shankra only prescribed us to follow it without fail..

The panchayatana scheme represent the five elements:

AkAshasyAdhipo viShNuH agneshchaiva maheshvarI |

vAyoH sUryaH kShiterIshaH jIvanasya gaNAdhipaH ||

Akasha : Space : Vishnu

Vahni : Fire : AmbikA

Vayu : Air : Aditya

kShiti : Earth : Shiva

Jala : Water : Ganapati

All the five deities are not Panchaloka or any other metal idols; But these five are represented by small natural stones found in various parts of Bharatha Desham.

Deity Stone River Place

Ganesha Red Sonabhadra Sone Bihar

Surya Crystal Vallam Tamil Nadu (Tanjavur)

Vishnu Saligrama Gandaki Nepal

Shiva Bana Linga Narmada Madhya Pradesh

Ambika Swarna Mukhi Swarnamukhi Andra Pradesh

The image of that particular devata is kept in the centre, surrounded by the other gods.

If he is a devotee of Vishnu, he places the idol of Vishnu in the centre with the other idols surrounding it. If he is a devotee of Lord shiva, a lingam is placed in the middle with the other images around it. If he is a devotee of Suryanarayana, he has a sphatika as the central object of worship.

The positioning in the panchayatana poojas are as follows:

Shiva Panchayatana Puja

• Shiva at the center
• Aditya at Southeast
• Gananatha at Southwest
• Ambika at Northwest and
• Vishnu at the Northeast.

Ganapathy Panchayatana Puja

• Ganapathy at the center
• Vishnu at Northeast
• shiva at Southeast
• Adithya Southwest and
• Ambal at Northwest

Vishnu Panchayatana Puja

• Vishnu at center
• shiva at Northeast
• Ganapathy at Southeast
• Adithya at Southwest and
• Ambal at Northwest

Ambal Panchayatana Puja

• Ambal at center,
• Vishnu at Northeast,
• shiva at Southeast,
• Ganapathy at Southwest and
• Adithya at Northwest

Adithya Panchayatana Puja

• Adithya at center,
• shiva at Northeast,
• Ganapathy at Southeast,
• Vishnu at Southwest,
• Ambal at Northwest

Along with this people worshipping Subramanya will include Him in the form of a (silver) Snake or Vel (spear)

shaiva ca vaiShNavam shaaktam sauram vainaayakam tathaa .

skaandam ca bhaktimaargasya darshanaani Shadeva hi ..

I can surely say - till panchayatana puja was strictly followed in our country we were really flourishing. Though the technical advancements were not present people were peaceful, satisfied and happy.

Only when this Panchayatana stopped during english invasion- we began to loose our glory- happiness, mental peace and everything.

Panchayatana Puja is a systematic procedure which involves physical and mental discipline, requires inner and outer cleanliness. This - when done systematically will surely bring the progress in the material world and the final truth - awareness of the true Self. By following it, one obtains the Lord’s Anugraha, without

which liberation is not possible.