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

Mudra Vadi and Mudra Sanji

One query. Can you explanin the sancity of saccred Muthra Vaddi.  reg.specification and the qualification of having muthra vaddi and some additional information how to preserve the same with regular pooja etc

One more question, what is the meaning of Viboothi Bag and sasthra of keeping the same. One of my friend told me that along with Mudra vaddi, we should keep Veboothi bag also. Is it true???

- from a devotee

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Mudra Vadi is Lord Sastha Himself. And it should not be bought from a shop or a store for price.. If you are ready for it, it will reach you automatically.

 Iam not telling this explanation of my own.. what i've learnt from many senior Guru Swamis, like my grandfather Kalpathy Chami Anna, My Guru and stalwarts like Kambankudi Mama and many others, Iam giving these statements.

My Grandfather (Kalpathy Chaami Anna) was the one who started the Pankuni Uthram festival at Sabarimala(which was closed till then). He made the temple open on Pankuni uthram day and on his own accord continued the puja for decades together -which went upto Athirudram - until his demise. His Mudravadi is still preseved and we are worshiping it.

The Mudra Vadi is not a mere Perambu- Stick - but a manifestation of Lord Sastha. 

There are certain rules and specification for the size of the Mudravadi and few treatments before getting it ready. 

The specifications for mudravadi (iam not commenting or refusing the system followed by various Guruswamis in their group. Each may have their own system) but this is the one- as taught to me by my Gurus:

The Vadi should have an odd number of kanus and at the same time be of the height equating to the size of 48 times of his fingers of the person who is going to do puja to it. (ie leaving the thumb, 12 times the size of remaining 4 fingers) then the vadi should be applied regularly with Nallennai and turmeric and should be placed above the homa kundam in such a way that the smoke of the homam reaches the Vadi. This is continued for a mandalam. and Now the vadi is packed with the silver and now the avahanam of the Lord is done and prana pratishta has to be done to the vadi installing the pancha prana in the vadi and make the Atma Pratishta and the Lord in installed on the Vadi.

After tagging/packing the mudravadi with silver - one has to do the Avahanam of Lord Sastha in it and install the divine force in the vadi. And the Vadi is adored to the Lord and pujas are done at Sanctum Sanctorum. After this once its brought back - daily puja has to be done for the Vadi - because its Sastha himself.

After this, pujas has to be done for it considering it as the Lord Himself. Now this may be taken to sannidhanam for a special puja and then brought back to home. Utmost Acharam has to be followed as and Now its equal to the Lord himself.

This is the reason many dont prefer having the Vadi at their home. I now recollect an incident shared by one illustrious Guruswamy: A renowned Sastha upasaka of yester years appeared in his dream to reveal the fact that his Mudra Vadi is not properly worshipped by the family which is having it now. And he requested him to make necessary arrangements to ensure proper puja is done 

For this purpose Moola Mantra Archana is prescribed - so upadesham of Sastha moola Mantram becomes mandatory. If not atleast the Ashtothra Archanas of Sastha Can be used to do puja. Abhishekam to the Mudra Vadi occassionaly whould also be done

(it is a practice not to keep the mudra vadi directly on the ground  - instead on a platform or in a plate filled with rice or Bhasma)

Qualification of the Mudra Vadi is decided by one's Guru and no one else... There is no second thought here... 

The puja methods for the Mudravadi is same as that of Lord Sastha including abhishekam and other rituals. Nitya Puja is a must once you have it and the minimum eligibility to worship Sastha in a Vigraha or Mudra Vadi would be initiation into Sasthru moola mantra.

For Nitya Pooja:

1. One may use each mantra of Pushusa sukta or Shri Rudram for Shodasha Upacharas.

2. During Abhisheka, one may recite Srisukta, Durga sukta, Sasthru Sooktam and Rudram if time permits.

3. It is necessary to do archana with the moola mantra preferably with bhasma

3. One may then do archana with Sahasranama, Trishati or Ashtottara and conclude with Dhupa, Deepa and Naivedya

 The Velichappadu or Sthanikaas have this Mudra Vadi in the hand once they get into trance and seated as the physical representative of the Lord, they had all the power and were able to predict things crystal clear. During Traditional Sasthe Preethi pujas, the Mudra Vadi is haded over to Chellapillai - who is the son of Lord Sastha.

And Mudra Sanji 

Similar to Mudra Vadi the Mudra Sanji gets equal importance is Sasthru Upasana. And this Mudra Sanji is given to a person - this is further more confined and decided by Guru only by the merit and caliber of the Sishya. It is not a must that Mudravadi must accompany mudra sanji - again I come back to the Golden Rule - GURU VAKYAM PRAMANAM... Its the Guru who will decide it..

Only when the Guru feels satisfied that the sishya is a Sat-pathram and has raised to a level of Guru, he may give this Mudra Sanji or Vibooti Bag to him. This Bhasma Sanji - is pratyaksha Sastha. All the rules that are followed for Mudravadi also holds good for Mudra Sanji.

This Mudra Sanji is generally not a new one but the one - which is being used by the Guru. This is passed on to the Sishya - generation after generation. In short - a person who has the capacity to solve the problem of others, who come to him is given this rare oppurtunity. Regular vibooti bag is totally different from Mudra Sanji (today one may get a beautiful Vibhuti bag from Giri Trading Co and keep it, and you can very well know what worth it has.)

Even today I handle my Mudra Sanji with utmost care and Iam nervous whenever I touch my Mudra Sanji. There are also many practical methods as to how to give the prasadam and whom to give the prasdam from the Mudra sanji... Iam afraid that I cannot disclose more facts on this.

There are still many who claim to have the Mudra Vadi and Mudra Sanji of Kottarakara Harihara Iyer, Palai Baskara Iyer and other such Veterans. This itself shows the importance of Mudra Vadi and Mudra sanji

Having a Mudra Vadi (or Mudra Sanji) and maintaining it with proper worship - is a difficult process. When Shri Harihara Iyer offered to give the Mudaraivadi to Neelaknada Sir, he refused to accept it as he felt he does not desere to have it.

Unfortunately, we find today - the so called Gurusawmys walking with Mutharivadi like walkingstick..!!!!

Meaning of Harivarasanam

After the posting of Lokaveeram.... Many of our devotees are mailing me to post the meaning of Harivarasanam too... I had been to Chennai for a "Hariharaputra Sapthaham" at the wonderful Perambur Ayyappan Temple and so could not do it immediately...

With a very great mental solitude and vibration I gained from Perambur Ayyappan.. Iam presenting the Harivarsanam here..

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Let me give a small introduction about Harivarasanam before we get in to the meaning...

Many people are under the impression that “Harivarasanam" was written by Jesudas.... This wonderful work was composed by Shri. Kulathur Iyer(who lived at Chennai belonging to the illustrious Kambankudi family..) If I remember right, He published it in a book called

"Darma Sastha Stuti Kadambam" (A garland of praises to Lord Darma Sastha)

It is again a myth that this "Ashtakam" is song to make the Lord sleep.... How can you make the Master of the universe sleep? The ashtakam says "devam-ashraye.." - I take refugee in you.. I surrender to you... How can you surrender to a sleeping person?

And the "Sharanam Ayyappaa Swami Sharanam Ayyappa" doesn't appear in the earlier texts and might have been a later addition... [dear devotees... it is not Sararanam Ayyappa... or Charanam Ayyappa... its Sharanam Ayyappa]

Now the audio recording at Sabarimalai has "Panchadreeshwara Mangalam...." added after Harivarasanam - which is again from the work of Shri. Kambankudi Kulathu Iyer (Last Sloka of Sasthru Shatakam - 100 verses on Lord Sastha)

In the early 1950s the area was just a wild jungle - with only a handful of devotees visited. One devotee, a Menon, stayed there at Sannidhanam and he was very fond

of this Ashtakam and used to recite it at the Sannidhanam. Some years later, due to administrative reasons he was moved out and he died as an orphan. Thirumeni Eashwaran Nampoothiri, an old Mel Santhi of the temple remembered his friend and started reciting Harivarasanam while closing the doors... Thus started a tradition that continues to this day.

- V.Aravind Subramanyam (Sastha Aravind)

Coimbatore

www.mahasastha.com

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Harivarasanam Viswamohanam Haridadhiswara Aaradhyapadhukam

Arivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who is seated on a supreme Simhasana, One who enchants the universe, One whose holy feet is worshipped by Surya(Haridadhiswara - is Surya), One who kills enemies(of good deeds), One who always dances the cosmic dance, Oh Hariharaputra Deva! (Son of Hari and Hara !)- I take refuge in thee.

Sharanakirtanam Shakhtamanasam Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam

Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One whose mind gladdens on hearing the Sharana Gosham, One who is the great ruler(of the universe), One who loves to dance, One who shines like the rising sun, One who is the Master of all beings, Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Pranaya Sathyaka Praananayakam Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanjitham

Pranavamanidram Keerthanapriyam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who is the darling of his dear most soul Sathyaka(son of Lord Sastha), One who grants all the wishes of the devotees, One who shines with a divine glow, One who is the very abode of “OM”(Pranavam), One who loves songs, Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Thuragavahanam Sundarananam Varagadhayudham Vedavarnitham

Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who rides a horse, who has a beautiful face, One who has the divine mace as his weapon, One who is described by the Vedhas, One who bestows the grace like a teacher, One who loves songs, Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Tribuvanarchitam Devathathmakam Trinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam

Tridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who is worshiped by the three worlds, who is the soul of all divine beings, One who is the Three - eyed Lord, One who is worshipped by devas(Tridasha = Devas), One who grants all the desires, Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam

Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who destroys fear(of Birth & Death), who grants brings prosperity to the devotees like a father, One who is enchanter of the entire universe, One who is adorned with the holy ash(Voboothi) as ornament, One who rides on a divine white elephant, Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Kalamrudusmitham Sundarananam Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam

Kalabhakesari Vajivahanam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who has an enchanting smile, who has a beautiful face, One who has an enchanting , soft, pretty form, One who has Elephant, Lion and Horse as his Vahanas Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Srithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam Sruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam

Sruthimanoharam Geethalalasam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye

One who is dear to the people (who have surrendered to him), One who fulfills all the wishes, One has Vedas as his ornaments and One who is the very life of Good people, One whose glory is wonderfully praised by the Shrutis(Vedas) and who enjoys divine music Oh Hariharaputra Deva! - I take refuge in thee.

Sastha – the Lord of the Vedhas

Sastha – the Lord of the Vedhas

The Vedas declare the nature of the Supreme Truth in many ways. Sometimes they call It Brahman (the great and glorious essence);

other times they call it Sat (Being); still other times they call it Purusha, other times Vishnu, Rudra, Atma, Paramaatma, etc. How are we to reconcile all these various names? Surely they all refer to one Supreme, as the Vedas declare that there is only one Supreme Cause -- ekam eva advitIyam.

It is beyond doubt that Lord Maha Sastha is the Supreme Being described in the Vedas.

Fortunately, the Vedas themselves offer a reconciliation of all these names, contained in the various Upanishads and even in the text of the Veda proper. In the Purusha Sukta, found in all four Vedas, the Supreme Brahman is described as the being who exists everywhere. This most important Vedic hymn praises the transcendental "cosmic man" – the Parama Purusha, the personification of the all-pervading Brahman- who is none other than “Sastha”

There are even more direct Veda vaakyas on our Lord Sastha.

In the Yajur Veda, we see for example,

“Sastha adhipathir vo asthu” - (Sastha is the ultimate ruler), a reference to the supremacy of Sastha over every being.

The Maithrayini Upanishad Says

“Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Sastha, Pranava and Brahman – is one and the Same”.

The Kalagni Rudropanishad calls Shiva as “Sarva Sastha”

These Veda vaakyas clearly spell out the principle that the concept of Sastha encompasses all other deities. Even otherwise, the meaning of the word “Sastha”has perhaps the deepest philosophical significance of any name of God, over and above even the terms Vishnu, Siva, Brahma, Indra, etc. The latter terms respectively mean “pervader”, ``pure'', ``great'', and ``king'', and are applicable to any number of things, including the individual self. However, Sastha means ``One who rules all the creatures'', which by implication can only refer to the Supreme.

Though the Sastha temple at the holy Sabari hills is very famous, it is to be noted that there are innumerable Sastha shrines throughout the country. Sastha is not only the Lord who is in Sabarimalai… Infact Lord Sastha is the actual source for Ayyappa incarnation..

Lord Sastha is the Primary force; He has two consorts – Poorna and Pushkala. Sastha has taken eight divine incarnations for His divine missions. Out of his eight incarnations, the most popular avathara or incarnation is stationed at Sabari hills as Ayyappa (as brahmachari or bachelor).

But Maha Sastha as a principal force, resides in his abode as Poorna Pushkala Sahitha Hariharaputra. Even during the Vedhic age when deities were worshipped only through fire, Sastha had a significant position and was worshipped in stone idols. The Vedhic seers (rishis) who lived in dense forest had Sastha as their ishta devata and that is reason we find numerous Sastha shrines in the forest area today.

Thus, Sastha’s worship who is the Supreme Lord of the Vedhas will bestow health, wealth and all the good things in life one can desire... and also grant moksha after the life.

It is to be noted that that Lord Hariharaputra is the most celebrated Lord among the Vedhic community of Brahmins. He is the Ishta devata, Para devata and Kula devata of them. During the magnificent Sastha Preethi celebrations held at every nook and corner of the world today, one can witness the significant role of the Vedhas in the rituals.

Sastha is called “Vipra pooja” – one who is worshipped by the Vedhic Scholars.

All our saints and ancestors have stated unambiguously that in Kaliyuga, Sastha’s worship is the only way of salvation.

“Kalau Sasthru Vinayakau”- Sastha is the only master in Kali

It is true that the Vedas themselves often praise other gods. However, it should be understood that that the personality to which the vaakyas refer is only Maha Sastha – the ultimate divine force.

Among the most important duties of Vedhic Bramins, the Vedhic Yagnas stands first. Vedic yajnas such as Vajapeya, Pashubhanda, Jyotistoma, Ashwamedha are well known. Out of the forty samskaras a human has to perform, these Vedhic yagnas are to be done at least once in a lifetime. This is of top-most value in the life of every householder. Whatever he gets from his farms, from his trade and commerce, whatever he earns from his job, must be shared with other members of universe.

If one observes the Hariharaputra Sahasranama carefully, it will be evident that Sastha is explicitly described as the Lord who gives the fruit of these Vedhic yagnas.

Namas which clearly explains the Vedhic yagnas which are not to be found even with the famous Vishnu, Shiva or Lalitha Sahasranamas are very clear and continuous in Sastha’s Sahasranama.

From the namas like Dwadasaahakrathu preethaa, Aptoryaamakratu mayaa, Poundareeka Phalaprathaa, Pasubhanda phaladhaathre, Vaajapeyathma Daivatham etc – the only point being made is that the ultimate Truth explained in the Vedhas is none other than Lord Maha Sastha.

Taittria Aranyaka Says:

Anthah Pravishtas Sastha Jananaam Sarvaathma |

Sarvaa: Praja Yathraikam Bavanthi |

"Where all are united, He who has entered within, that are born, and is the self of all, is beyond comprehension, He is Sastha the ruler of all things”