Japa at Night

Japa at Night

Can we do japam during nights? becoz some people say only day time is suitable for japam and there wont be any result if we do japam during night? some others say night is suitable only for evil spirits? 

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According to me I name all these theories with one nine lettered word

 "S-T-U-P-I-D-I-T-Y"

One can very well do the japam throughout the day.. A person shall do the Japa not only at night but all the time -  unless when you are not breathing.. So all times are suitable for Japam

This doesnt mean that one need not follow any achaara or shuddi etc... Thats a different subject.

One must follow nityaachaaram and complete atleast a minimum count of all his nitya karmas and japams and then comtemplating the japam in the mind throughout the day shall happen.

Japam is of three types 

Vachika - loud recitation - effective

Upamshu - soft recitation - more effective

Manasikam - within the mind - most effective. 

Whether one is physically clean or not, or is walking, talking, eating, sleeping, a true devotee should never stop reciting the bhagawan naama and an upasaka his ishta devata's mUla mantra. 

But Shuddi and achaara has to be maintained for the first two types of japam. These rules do not apply for mAnasika japa, the superior among the three. 

Please Note, This is done only mentally and not even a single letter is uttered openly... Ive met people of both extremes.... Not even uttering the name of the upasana devata loudly and also people who chant out moola mantrams loudly sitting on bed(just to show off)

Apart from all these... the sastra itself prescribes chanting of certain moola mantrams during night... 

One classical example is Varahi... "Diva Na Smaret Vaartaaliim" - do not remember varaahi during the day...

Devatas like Ucchishta Ganapaty, Pulindini, VanadurgA, Kiratha Sastha etc. can be chanted during the night.. 

And for a true upasaka there is nothing called "No Result" 

The sole purpose of japam is to remove the mental attachment towards "Result" and turn it towards the ultimate truth.

Shri Maha Sasthre Namah

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?

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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.

ஸ்ரீ ராம மந்த்ரோபாஸனை

ஸ்ரீ ராம மந்த்ரோபாஸனை

The following article written by me for the souvenir of Sri Kodhanda Ramaswamy Temple on the Occasion of the 75th year Celebration - revealing various aspects of Lord Rama - from the view of Mantra Shastra than - bhakti marga alone. 

ஸ்ரீ மஹாசாஸ்த்ரு ப்ரிய தாஸன்

V. அரவிந்த் ஸுப்ரமண்யம், (சாஸ்தா அரவிந்த்) 

ஸ்ரீ மஹா சாஸ்த்ரு ஸேவா ஸங்கம் (தலைவர்)

94 B, மூன்றாவது வீதி, டாட்டாபாட், கோவை 12

Ph:(0)99946 41801 Email: aravindsai@gmail.com 

மனம் கனிந்த பக்தி ரஸத்திலே, இசையின் செறிவிலே, நாம ஸங்கீர்த்தன நாதத்திலே ராமனை நிறையக் கண்டிருக்கிறோம். ஆயின் மந்த்ர சாஸ்த்ர பூர்வமாக ஸ்ரீராம உபாஸனை குறித்து அறிந்தவர்கள்- அதனை செய்பவர்கள் மிகக் குறைவு.

ஸ்ரீ ராம நாமம் - தாரக நாம ஸ்மரணம்; அது சித்த சுத்தியை கொடுக்க வல்லது என்பது அனைவரும் அறிந்த ஒன்று.. 

நன்மையும் செல்வமும் நாளும் நல்குமே 

திண்மையும் பாபமும் சிதைந்து தேயுமே

ஜென்மமும் மரணமும் இன்றித் தீருமே 

இம்மையே ராம என்றிரண்டு எழுத்தினால்

எனும்படி "ராம" என்ற அந்த இரண்டு எழுத்தே ஒரு மஹாமந்த்ரம்... அது ஒன்றே ஸகல நன்மைகளையும் கொடுக்கவல்லது. எப்படி ஒரே மஹாவிஷ்ணு பத்து அவதாரங்களை எடுத்தாரோ, அது போல அந்த ஒரே ராம மந்த்ரம் பல்வேறு வகையில் பக்தர்களுக்கு அருள வேண்டி விரிவாக்கம் அடைந்துள்ளது.

ஒரு எழுத்தாளனாகவும், மந்த்ர சாஸ்த்ரத்தில் நான் கொண்டிருக்கும் சிற்றறிவை வைத்தும் பார்த்த போது, தந்த்ரங்களும், பாஞ்சராத்ர ஆகமங்களும் கொண்டாடும் ஸ்ரீ ராம மந்த்ர மஹிமை அதிசயிக்கத் தக்கது - பல்வேறு வகையானது.

(நான் கீழே குறிப்பிட்டுள்ள ஒவ்வொரு வடிவத்துக்கும் தனித்தனியாக மூல மந்த்ரம் உண்டு. அதனை குரு மூலமாகவே உபதேசம் பெறத் தக்கது என்ற காரணத்தால் அந்த மந்த்ரங்களின் பெருமையை மட்டும் விளக்கி அந்த மூல மந்த்ரங்களை நேரடியாக வெளியிடுவதை தவிர்த்திருக்கிறேன்... )

ராம பரிவார மந்த்ரம் என்றொரு அற்புதமான மந்த்ரம் உண்டு; சீதா - லக்ஷ்மண - பரத - சத்ருக்ன - ஆஞ்சநேய ஸஹிதமாக ஒவ்வொருவரையும் உடன் சேர்த்த இந்த மந்த்ர ஜபத்தின் பலன் தர்ம - அர்த்த - காம - மோக்ஷம் என்ற நான்கையுமே கொடுக்க வல்லது.

எதிர்ப்புக்களை போக்கும் ஸ்ரீ ராமன் :

ஸ்ரீ ராம மந்த்ரங்களில் ஒன்றான வீரராகவ மந்த்ரம் - எதிரிகளை வெல்லுவதற்கு உதவுகிறது. அதோடு மட்டுமல்லாமல் வாழ்வின் துரதிருஷ்டமான காலங்களையெல்லாம் கடக்க வைக்கவும் இம்மந்த்ரம் சிறந்தது.

எதிரிகளின் தொல்லைகளிலிருந்து விடுதலை பெற்று வெற்றி பெறவே ஒரு ராம மந்த்ரம் உண்டு. அதற்கு சத்ருஞ்ஜய ராம மந்த்ரம் என்று பெயர். ஸுபாஹு முதலான மன்னர்களால் உபாஸிக்கப்பட்ட இந்த மந்த்ரத்தை உபாஸனை செய்தே போரில் கூட வெற்றியை அடைய முடியும்.

படபானல ராமசந்த்ர மந்த்ரம் - ஸாக்ஷாத் ஸ்ரீ ஆஞ்சநேயராலேயே உபாஸிக்கப்பட்ட இந்த ராம ஸ்வரூபம் வீர ஸ்வரூபமாக விளங்குகிறது. இதனால் தான் ஆஞ்சநேய ஸ்வாமிக்கு மூவுலகையும் வெல்லும் வல்லமை கிட்டியது. 16 திருக்கரங்களுடன் வீர கருடன் மீதேறி வரும் படபானல ராம சந்த்ரன் ஆபிசாரிக ப்ரயோகங்கள், ஏவல் முதலானவற்றை தவிடுபொடியாக்குவதில் ஸமர்த்தன்.

ராகவ ந்ருஸிம்ம மந்த்ரம் என்றொன்று உண்டு... ராமனின் தார்மீக கோபமும், நரஸிம்மனின் உக்ரமும் ஒன்றிணைந்த இந்த மந்த்ரம் எதிரிகளிடமுள்ள பயத்தை அறவே நீக்கி மனத்துணிவை தருகிறது.

மழலை வரம் தரும் ஸ்ரீ ராமன்

ஸந்தான கோபாலன் மட்டும் தான் பிள்ளை வரம் தருபவனா என்ன? ஸந்தான ராமசந்த்ரன் என்றே ஒரு ஸ்ரீ ராம மூர்த்தி இருக்கிறான். பிள்ளை பேறு இல்லாதவர்கள் இவனை உபாஸித்தால் வீட்டில் மழலைகள் கொஞ்சி விளையாடுவது உறுதி.

பால க்ருஷ்ணனை நாம் நிறைய அறிவோம். குழந்தை வடிவில் இருக்கும் பாலராமனுக்கென்றே ஒரு மந்த்ரம் உண்டு இது சின்னஞ்சிறு குழந்தைகளுக்கு இருக்கும் பாலாரிஷ்டம் போன்ற ஸகல வித தோஷங்களையும் போக்க வல்லது.

வெற்றியை தரும் ஸ்ரீ ராமன் :

பட்டம், பதவி, அதிகாரம் புகழ் வேண்டுமா? பட்டாபிராம மந்த்ரத்தால் ராமனை வழிபடுவோர்க்கு இவை அனைத்துமே கேளாமலே தேடி வரும்.

எதிரிகள் என்றால் அவர்களையே எதிர்க்கத்தான் வேண்டுமா? அவர்களை ஸமாதானப்படுத்தக் கூடாதா? கோபாவேசமாக சண்டையிட வருபவரையும் கூட சாந்தப்படுத்தி, அவரது கோபத்தை போக்கடிக்கும் ஸ்ரீ ராம ஸ்வரூபத்துக்கு ப்ரஸன்ன ராமன் என்று பெயர். இந்த ப்ரஸன்ன ராம மந்த்ரம் எப்பேர்ப்பட்ட கோபக்காரரையும் சாந்தப்படுத்தி விடும்.

ப்ரதாப ராமசந்த்ர மந்த்ரம் ஸகல கார்யங்களிலும் வெற்றியை மட்டுமே தரும். 

வாழ்வின் துயர் நீக்கி மங்களங்கள் தரும் ஸ்ரீ ராமன் :

திருமணத் தடைகள் ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் ஆணுக்கோ பெண்ணுக்கோ, ஸ்ரீ கல்யாண ராம மந்த்ரத்தால் செய்யப்படும் வழிபாடு அந்த தடைகளையெல்லாம் நீக்க வல்லது.

பாபத்தால் தாபமுறும் மானிடர்களின் பாபங்கள் அனைத்தையும் போக்க வல்லது அஹல்யா வரத ராம மந்த்ரம்.

பாதாள ராம மந்த்ரம் ஒருவருக்கு பெரும் நிதியை கொடுத்து வாழ்வில் ஏற்றத்தைக் கொடுக்கக்கூடியது

க்ரஹ - பூத - பிசாசங்களால் ஏற்படும் துன்பங்களையெல்லாம் தடுத்து நிறுத்தி அருளை வழங்க்கூடியது கோதண்ட ராம மந்த்ரம்.

அற்புத வரம் தரும் ஸ்ரீ ராமன் :

இருகரங்களும் ஒரு முகமும் கொண்ட மனித அவதார வடிவிலேயே நாம் ஸ்ரீ ராமனை பொதுவில் காண்கிறோம். ஆயின் அவனுக்கு பல அற்புத தோற்றங்களும் உண்டு. 

ஐந்து முகங்கள் கொண்ட பஞ்சமுகராம மந்த்ரம் ஸர்வ ஸித்திகளையும் தர வல்லது. 

நான்கு கரங்களுடன் விளங்கும் சதுர்புஜ ராமசந்த்ர மந்த்ரம் பல நன்மைகளை கொடுக்கக் கூடியது; ஆரோக்யம், செல்வம் ஆகியவற்றையெல்லாம் தந்து பாபங்களை போக்கி, எதிப்புகளையும் மாய்க்கக் கூடியது இது.

இதே போல் சுக்ரீவன் உபாஸித்த ராம மந்த்ரம், ஜாம்பவான் உபாஸித்த ராம மந்த்ரம்(பல்லூகோபாஸித), லக்ஷ்மணன்  உபாஸித்த ராம மந்த்ரம், பரதன்  உபாஸித்த ராம மந்த்ரம், சத்ருக்னன் உபாஸித்த ராம மந்த்ரம் ஆகியவை தனித்தனியே பலப்பல ஏற்றங்களை தரவல்லது.

ஸ்ரீ தாரா தேவியின் மந்த்ரத்தையும் ஸ்ரீ ராம மந்த்ரத்தையும் இணைத்து செய்யப்படும் உபாஸனா முறைகளை நாம் வங்காள தேசத்தில் காண முடியும்.

ஸ்ரீ வித்யா ராம மந்த்ரம் என்றே ஒரு மந்த்ரம் உண்டு. பாலா - பஞ்சதசி முதலான மந்த்ரங்களுடன் ஸ்ரீ ராம மந்த்ரமும் இணைந்த இந்த மந்த்ரம் மஹத்தான பலன்களையெல்லாம் வாரி வழங்கவல்லது.

லக்ஷ்மணனும், பரதனும், ஆஞ்சநேயனும், ஸாக்ஷாத் பரமசிவனும் பூஜித்த அந்த ஸ்ரீ ராமனை -சாதாரண மானிடர்களான நாமும் பூஜிக்க ஒரு வாய்ப்புக் கிடைத்ததே நம் பூர்வ ஜென்ம பாக்யம். 

தாரக ப்ரபுவான அந்த ஸ்ரீ ராமசந்த்ர மூர்த்தி ஸகல ஜனங்களுக்கும் எல்லா ச்ரேயஸ்களையும் தந்து வாழ்வில் எல்லா நன்மைகளையும் அருளட்டும் !

|| ஸ்ரீ ராம ஜய ராம ஜய ஜய ராம ||

Sastha and Srividya - paper presented

On 12th December My Lord gave me an Opportunity and I presented a paper at Sri Vidya Pratishhthanam, at Kodungallur for the Conference of Srividya Devotees

Iam presenting an outline of the subject I cannot reveal the full article because Ive discussed the nuances of Sastha Moola Mantram, which I dont want to publish in this open forum.

Speaking for hundreds and hundreds of yugas with His thousand mouths, Lord Shesha cannot complete describing the Glory of Lord Sastha-

That being the case, a person like me will still dare to speak about Sastha and Srividya, relying solely on the grace of Sri Gurukrupa.

Lord Maha Sastha, known popularly as Hariharaputra, is the master in the age of Kali. He is praised as Pratyaksham Tu Kalau, Kalau Shasthru Vinayakau and Kaliyuga Pratyaksham

Paraabhattaarikaa Mahatripurasundari is the goddess of Supreme Beauty and Wisdom who pervades the three functional aspects of manifestation. The principal form of worship of Shakti is Shri Vidya

Son of Lalithambika

Though He is known as Hariharaputra, many will be surprised to know that Sastha is the dear most son of Lalitha and the upasana of Sastha is always in Line with Shrividyopasana...

Lalitha ParaBhattarika is none other than Maha Vishnu and there is no betham in between these two. If one sees the Bhasyam of Namavali such as Govindarupini -- Devi in the form of maha vishnu , Gopthri -- the operator or the maintenance of the universe who is Devi as Maha Vishnu, As in Narayini -- the shakti related to Narayanan or Mahavishnu. Narayini Sthuthi in Durga Sapthasathi calls her Vishnu Maya. Mukunda – one who gives Salvation Mukthi

Now though Sastha is commonly known as Hariharaputhra. It will be interesting to know the relationship between Sastha and Lalithambika. You can see an explicit reference of Sastha in Lalithopakhyana, as the Son of Lalitha Parameshwari.

In Lalithopakhyana, there is a detailed description about the Mohini Avathara. Prakruthi is Lalithamba’s her first incarnation says Lalithopakhyanam. Mohini is Her second incarnation. Yes ! during the amrutha madhanam, when there was a commotion between the Devas and Asuras, Lord Vishnu went to a secluded spot and started meditation of Sri Lalita Devi, who dwells within Him as the aspect of power. Due to this meditation he manifested as a form of Lalita Devi. Taking this incarnation as an embodiment of
eroticism, Vishnu approached the celestials and demons.

thasyam vai janayaamaasa saasthaaram asuraardhanam

So Sastha is considered to be the dear most Son of Lalithambika.

There are many more interesting facts in support of this.. Devi is attributed as "Aapeena Vakshoruhaam". Even for Ganapaty and Subramanya he fed the breast milk only through a cup. But the aspect of Shri Matha was well established with Sastha himself. After the divine incarnation of Sastha, Vishnu returned back to his original from from the Mohini Avathara. Sastha, as a child, began to weep for his parents. This outwardly appears to be a mere childish action, but it was the divine leela to establish the motherhood of Lalithambika. The real mother – Shri Matha fondled with Sastha and suckled him with the milk of wisdom.
Sastha was breast fed by Lalithambika herself.. This incident is very much clearly recorded in books like Kanchi Puranam, Kamakshi Vilasam and Devi Parakramam.

Srividya – Kanchi and Sastha

nagareShu kAnchI – says Bharavi, the author of the great classic – kirAtArjunIya, praising Kanchi as the greatest of cities. It is the only Mokshapuri in Southern India –Kanchi literally means the ornament worn by women around their girdle – called Oddiyana. Kanchi is the foremost Shakti Pitha – called Mahoddyana Pitha (Kamarupa – Assam, Jalandhara – Jalandhar and Purnagiri – Badari being the others). This Peetha is presided over by Sri Charyanandanatha and Sri Parabhattarika themselves as Maha Gurumurtis.

Kanchi is also considered the Nabhi Sthanam or the navel of the Brahmanda. As we know, the navel is the point of origin for all nAdis in the body and is considered to be the storehouse of power. Sri Kamakshi being the source of power for all Devi and Devatas in the world, Kanchi is rightly called the Nabhi Sthana. Sri Lakshmidharacharya in his Samvit Stuti says thus: `O Samvidrupini! At Nabhi Mandala of the Brahmanda, beyond the regions of darkness (i.e. Muladhara and Swadhishthana), you appear as the lightening of parA samvit, hoding pAsha and AMkusha in your hands, seated on Kamakoti Simhasana'.

Sri Lalita Sahasranama describes the greatness of Kamakoti with the names - kAmakoTikA and kAmAkShI. Sri Bhaskararaya comments thus on the name `kAmAkShi' - it is the extraordinary name of the deity who presides over Sri Kamakoti Peetha. Lalitopakhyana of Brahmanda Purana describes the glory of Kanchi and names it as the holy place where the Upadesha of Sri Lalita Sahasranama was given by Lord Hayagriva to sage Agastya.

Every Shrividyopasaka will know that the physical form of Laitha parameswari can be witnessed only at Kanchipuram. It is her Rajadhani... Lalitha parameshwari's headquarters is Kanchipuram - the Shri Nagaram of Bhuloka.. The whole of Kanchi Kshetram is Shrichakraakara(in the form of Shri Chakram). And the Bindu is Kamakshi Sannidhanam.. And an interesting fact the unknown fact is that Right behind Kamakshi is her beloved son with his consorts.. Poorna and Pushkala. We may all know that the position of Guru is our Shri Chakra Puaja Paddathi is right behind the Bindu - the sthanam of Devi. The city of Kanchi itself is in the shape of Srichakra with the Garbha Grha of Amba forming the Maha Bindu. Sri Kamakshi represents pure Parabrahman.

When the whole Kanchi Mandalam is considered as Shri Chakram - Lalitha Parameswari's Sanctum is the Bindu and Sastha's position is right behind the bindu. Ie the position of the Guru.

The upasana of Sastha in the Shrividya cult is maintained with utmost secrecy that too only with a few specific schools of Shri Vidya... In general the practice of Srividya - in the Saubhagya Vidya of Dakshinamnaya one can find Sasthru moorthi. Sastha, (w.r.t to this area) helps the upasakas in begetting children and to overcome the enemies. In the Sadi Vidya - Sastha is one of the Gurus in the Ogatraya

Dharshana Kramam

It is a practice of great shrividyopaskas entering the Kanchi Kshetram must worship all the deities with due Mudras and mantras (iam not explaining the deities and the mudras in this blog) and Finally, one should worship shAstA with the his moola mantra and display khaDga, pAsha, karavAla and other mudrAs and conclude the dharshanam at his Sannidhanam.

Sastha and Sri Chakra

It will be interesting to note that there are a set of songs very much popular in Kerala known as Sastha Paattu. It is a 17th century anthology of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Lord Sastha, written by the poet-saint known as VeeramaniDasar. These songs are known both for its poetical and musical qualities, and for its religious, moral and philosophical content.

Shri.Manidasar belonged to the illustrious Kambankudi family who lived in Melilla near Punalur. He was an ardent Sri Vidyopasaka. He exclaims the glory of the Lord and concludes his songs praising "the son of Lalitha".

Or aarum vimsathiyum or dasamum or eezhum seerai inai seernthu sri purathil vaazhum engal paaraalum lalithai petra balaka

Surprisingly these songs are very much available in Kerala and and these Tamil songs are written in Malayalam script and in Tamilnadu it is known only to a handful of few. The songs also include detailed description of Shri Nagara, Chintamani Griha and the devatas who surround Lalitheswari.

The source of inspiration for all these songs came from a small hamlet in the banks of Thampraparani - known as Karanthapuri. It will be very interesting to know the fact the power house of all the Sastha Kshetrams lie here. The unique worship of Lord Sastha is known as Sastha Preethi actually originated from here. The Kulathooril Ayyan there is worshipped not in the form of a vigraham but in a stone peeta with a beautiful Shri Chakram engraved on it. The Srichakra established is free from scratches to this day and every line is crystal clear even after innumerable years. I have been blessed to see the Srichakra personally and it is amazing to see the clarity of lines in the Srichakra

Even at Sabarimala - the ultimate temple of Sastha among the devotees - the Lord is seated on a Srichakram and not on a Sasthru Yantram. Till few years ago there was a practice of chanting Lalitha Sahasranamam inside the manimandapam which has come to a cease very recently for reasons unknown.

There is also an exact Navavarana Puja kramam for Sastha fitting the Sri Chakram’s 9 avaranas. The Pravesha Krama goes from innermost bindu to the Bhupura. In the Bindu is seated Poorna Pushkala Samedha Maha Sastha, around the Trikonas are Dharma Sastha, Asithanga Bhairava and Vyagrapadha and similarly there are 9 avarana devatas exactly like Lalitambika


Srividya Kshetram

Many temples which is associated with the Srividya cult definitely has Sastha with them. You may be the mooladhara kshetram Thiruvarur is "Srividya Temple" in other words. Here the temple dharshan is done exactly like the Srividya deeksha kramam. It starts with 28 lettered Maha Ganapathy sannidhi and all the Srividya Devatas including Matruka aksharas are housed in each shrines. Lord Vanmeeka natha is Sadhashiva here and Lord Thyagaraja is "Shiva - Shaktyaikya Swarupini". The alankaram here shows only the face of Lord Shiva and Shakti and the Paada Darshanam is shown only during the Pankuni Uthram day. The uniqueness of this paada Darshanam is  - the right leg of shiva and the left leg of devi alone is shown. And the more interesting fact is if one takes a pradakshinam and looks at the back side of the vigraham - its a single pinnal jadai - hair dressing of a woman.

And then comes Kamalambika sannidhi. And at the very entrace of Kamalambika welcomes Sastha. One has to worship Sastha and only then proceed to devi Sannidhi. Kamalambika is the ultimate Kamakala Swarupini. Ucchishta ganapati the mula virat swarupa of Kamakala is also seen in front of devi.

Muthuswami Deekshitar a great Srividyopasaka sees no difference between Sastha and Lalithambika - in his Kruthi Hariharaputram, says "pushpa SarEkshu kArmuka dharaM" - Sastha is visualised as three eyed, clad in red, Having Pushpa Saram, Ikshu Kodhandam and having the ratna chashakam.

Upasana Kramam

Interestingly the Sahasranama of Sastha has many unique namas which is exclusive only to Srividya kramam. Example,
Pancha Brahma Parayanaya, Kubjika Mantra Vigrahaya, Hreemkaraya, Hreem Manase, Hreemkara Rasa pesalaya, Humkara Kruthi Su Prabhave, Bindu Priyaya Nama, Baindavasanaya

And apart from this there is an exclusive puja Paddathi for Sastha which has everything similar to that of Lalitha kramam. My Paramaguru who was an exponent in Srividya (whose kuladevata was Shasta) worshipped the Lord 100% with the Srividyopasana paddathi.

In our Sasthru Guru parampara, I was able to trace out and find out many more hidden treasures in the near past.  Right from Pratha Smaranam, Snana Vidhi, Thantrika Sandhya, Pathraasadhanam, Chathushshashti Upacharam, Navavarana Puja and even Vishesha Argyam. – everything we have exclusively for Sastha

And even the Mantra upadesha kramam is more or less Similar to Shrividya Kramam.

In Shri Vidya after Ganapathy, its Bala Mantra upadesham. Then comes Matangi and Varahi who are the Mantri and Senapathi of Lalithamba. Correspondingly Bhuvaneshwari and Chandika Mantropadesham is given and then leading to Panchadashi and Paduka Deeksha.

Interestingly the upadesha kramam we follow for Sasthru Upasana is equated to the same order.

It starts similarly with Ganapaty; Like Bala who is the daughter of Lalithambika its Satyaka Mantram, who is son of Lord Sastha. Then Bhoothesha and Krushnabha’s mantrams who are the Mantri and Senapathi of Sastha. Hariharaputra Mantram and Kiratha Sastha Mantram is given which both are stand alone mantras clubbed into Sasthru Upasana  - similar to Bhuvaneshwari and Chandika included in Lalithopasana. Then comes Ashtakshari Sasthru Maha Mantram similar to Panchadasi and ends with Guru Paduka Deeksha.

Sasthru Moola Mantram
(please excusue me if this is a bit confusing... but I can not reveal the actual moola mantram here)

And finaly coming to Sasthru Moola mantram its XXX - XX - XXX

The first alphabet of Sasthru beejam is fourth Gha, Gha is an alphabet which is nothing but Shudda Vidya

Shudda Vidya is the 32nd Thathwam. So anything related to this signified by the number 32.


Shuddha vidyangurakara dwija pangthi dwayojjala - says Lalitha Sahasram
Lalithopakhyanam has 32 Chapters.
The ucchishta Ganapati upasana which is nothing but Srividya is same 32 lettered with the same Gha beejam

Shudda Vidya ie 32 is again signified in Maha PrAsada Avarana Puja.

Avarana krama for Maha prAsada Vidya is different from regular Srichakra Navavarana and is described in the Krama Tantras. Also, one should understand that the Maha Prasada Vidya does not refer to prAsAda bIjA – parAprAsAda or prAsAda parA, but instead to the 32-lettered vidyA – which is described as avidyAcChedinI or parA chintAmaNi in the Tantras. The AvaraNa procedure for mahA prAsAda, which is given along with mahA pAdukA during pUrNAbhiSheka in dakShiNAchAra sampradayas.

Most of the Srividya Upasakas perform the Maha Prasada pUjA in Srichakra itself, visualizing the Avaranas as described in Kubjika Tantra. The Maha Prasada Aavarana puja has Sastha in the Ninth Avarana.

Interestingly this Shudda Vidya 32 is signified in all the different Sastha Mantras.

ie Harihara Putra Mantram (the one which is suppose to give Putra Labha and Shatrnu Nashanam) is 32 lettered.

The Abheeshta Varadha Sastha Mantram given by Raivatha Rishi (in the book Mantra Mahodathi by Mahidara) is 32 lettered

Another popular Mantram of Sastha starting with "Sarvagnja"  is also 32 lettered.

And Coming Back to our Ashtakshara Maha Vidya of Sasth,

GHA is Shudda Vidya

When the Para Shivam which is without Chalanam developes a desire it is called Sadha Shivam. This Sadha Shivam's Shakthi is shudda vidya. Shuddha vidyA - the condition which is operating upon sadAshivam, causing it to identify itself with the phenomenal world.

Next part of the beejam – is Agni thathwam. In pancha bootha thathwam this signifies Pradhama Dravyam ie Vishesha Argyam. In other words all the things related to puja – the dravyams for Bahya Puja.

The next part indicates left ear ie the Nivruthi Margam. Ie the puja done within – Athma Vicharam or Anthar Muka Samaradhya.

A Lotus exists in water but the water doesnot stick to the Lotus leaf. But without water it cannot exist. Here in this state this bedha buddhi is Maya. The ultimate one is seen as two entities.

So in a Upasana  - both the Margas are complementing with each other. Once cannot exist without the other. Even Lalitha Sahasranama says Bahir Mukha Sudurlapa (it desnt says its tmpossible - it says its a little difficult)

When u think of any divine form inside – you contemplate on him and the same is installed on a Vigraham or a Picture outside and its worshipped. So what is done inside is done outside. The Same is Shudda Vidya.

So when the Supreme One becomes Two because of bedha buddhi – it is approached both through Chidda Shuddi and Bhahya Puja. This is XXX - Sastha's beejam

Na ma: - understand Iam not this Jeevan

XXX - XXX - Iam the Supreme Secret –ie knowing the Self - Atman
This is XXX XX XXX

The Supreme One is divided into two because of bedha buddhi. So by internal and external puja one has to understand that he is not the jeevan but the Supreme being.

This is the goal of Srividyopasana and the Same is Sasthru Vidya

Sastha Upasana is nothing but Srividya.

Before coming to this programme yesterday I had an opportunity to goto Kanchipuram to have the Darshan of Shri Lalitheswari. To my total surprise, the new Pancha Brahmasana made for her, kept for Lord Sastha.

Lord Maha Sastha was seated on Pancha Brahmasana surrounded by the 15 Nitya Devis as if showing me my mother Lalitha and her Laalitha Sudha – Sastha both are one and the same.

Lalita Trishati Parayanam and Srichakra Meru in house

Dear Swami,

Iam doing the parayanam of lalitha trishati and sahasranama.. But Iam not initiated with any mantra... But my friend says that 'devotion that matters' and leave rest to devi and she will take care of rest. So Iam continuing my parayanam... But still when I read some books which says initiation is a must, I get confused

Is this right to do the chanting? Also can we keep Srichakra / Meru in our house?

Balakumar

Guntoor

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First let me clarify - that "MY ANSWER TO THIS QUERY IS NOT GOING TO PLEASE MANY OF YOU ". But my Gurunathar has told me... "when you find something wrong - against Sasthras - record your objection and point out the mistake once. Even then if they continue, then its their fate"

So with my Gurus words Iam answering this query.

There is a difference between stotras and maala mantras... Stotras are praises of a particular deity and can be chanted by all... But certain stotras are called Maala Mantras which definitely needs initiation / upadesham for chanting. Any stotras which has Rishi and Nysam had to be taught by a Guru.

You have lots and lots of Stotras on every devata but people always want "the forbidden fruit"

People today are of "Know All" attitude and their Ego does not permit to get upadesham from a particular person as his/her Guru. (A small test if you get annoyed or irritated by reading this line, then please excuse me - you are also in the same zone)

Lalita Trishati is one such powerful Maala Mantra and only people having Srividya Upadesham can chant it. This is not for common folks...

Lalitha Trishati has 300 Names which is divided into 15 groups of 20 naamas each. The Srividya Moola mantram of Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari has 15 letters and for each letter 20 names are attributed and so 15 x 20 =300. So it is very obvious that initiation into Srividya is the basic qualification to Chant Trishati.

And you say your friend says "Devotion That Matters" - when devotion is the factor where does the question of breaking the rules come? A true devotee will never go against the will of his Lord. The same Lord say Lalita in your case have clearly instructed that this has to be secretly maintained and must be given only as upadesham.. So how can you act against Her instruction and gain pray to Her ?

Please read the Poorva Bagam and Uthra Bagam of Lalita Trishati. 

When Agasthya approaches Hayagreeva to teach him the important stotra (Lalitha Trishati), Hayagreeva hesitates because that one stotra is extremely secret.

Then Lalitha herself appears before Hayagreeva and asks him to teach Agasthya, the most secret of the stotras called Laltha Trishati. Then Hayagreeva teaches him the Lalitha Trishathi stotra.

When Agasthya himself is not exempted from Guru Upadesha, how can people like us take this as granted? 

And today we have Cassettes, CDs, MP3s and even Youtube having Trishati..... 

Doing things which are prohibited in the Sasthras will not only stop the results expected but also will yield Nishpalam ie Negative Effects.

Please understand.. IAM NOT THREATENING but iam talking out of consideration towards you... 

There are many "So called " Gurus who give permission to their disciples (?? !!) to chant whatever they want. They may say "No upadesham required"... Infact by saying so they become partners in sharing the sin. Who can give permission for acting against Shasthras ? 

Today many astrologers or the oracles simply suggest "Chant Trishati for 41 days" ; "Do Srichakra Puja" (They neither have any knowledge on what is Srichakra Puja nor who is Lalitha) 

My question is, for an ordinary headache a simple crocin or anacin will do.. you need not go for a brain surgery

Do not attempt to make any mistakes and then blame God.

Please understand Bhakti Maarga is Different from Mantra Marga or Upasana Maarga.... For being an Upasaka one needs bhakti but Being a Bhakta itself will not qualify you to act yourself as an upasaka. 

There are numerous other stotras on each and every deities which can be chanted by everyone- you can chant it heart-fully.. Instead of chanting the Stotras without upadesham, you chant all these stotras and pray to her that I only only this, Iam 200% sure that Devi will immediately bless you and grant all your wishes - BECAUSE OF YOUR SINCERITY

After reading all this.. do you want me to answer the the next question of keeping a Meru in the house ?


If there is atleast one  "YES" then I shall answer it

Shatru Samhara Subramanya Trishati

I have got a book of Shatru Samhara Subramanya Trishati given along with the magazine ................... 

What is the procedure for doing this Shatru Samhara Subramanya Trishati Archana ? 

Srinivasan

Coimbatore

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This Subrahmanya Trishati is one of the important text of the Kaumara sect.  This Trishati is a  secret prayoga and destroys one's enemies. The skandArchana kalpadrUma and other kaumAra texts refer to this secret method. 

Subrahmanya Upasana is an important upasana which has to be handled carefully because it can directly influence the Swadhishthana Chakra. The most required quality is Vairagya.

So the methodology and usage of of this Trishati is taught only to a very few deserving upasakas and not to all. 

Unlike other Trishati Stotra or Namavali, this one is more of a prayoga and one has to be very very careful in handling this. This is mainly used only as an Archana by Subrahmanya Upasakas

This Trishati is also known an "Shiva Subramanya Trishati" because the names are divided into six groups with the Shadakshari mantra coupled into six mantras depicting the Six faces of Parameshwara(Sadyojatati.. etc)

And not every one can chant this mantra. The basic requirement to handle this Trishati is - getting the upadesham of Subrahmanya Shadakshari Mahamantram.

Subramanya is meditated that He is of red color with six heads and 12 arms, and embraces the goddess ShaShTi who is seated on his lap

And this is one of the most powerful prayoga ie by doing archana with this Trishati ones enemies gets lost forever. But this Kamya Prayoga is always a sharp knife to handle. It may backfire any moment. 

And one has to satisfy all the conditions given below to have the desired result 100%

• Ladies are strictly not allowed to chant this Trishati as they may not be able to sustain some of its effects.
• The first and the second varnas are alone eligible to handle this trishati.

• One has to complete 6 lakh Purashcharana of Subrahmanya Moola Mantra.
• Proper Sandyopasana  has to be carried out 
• Ahara niyamam and other anushtanas has to be followed stricly.
• He has to follow strict Brahmacharya for Three days before starting the process.
• On the day of worship one has to complete Sahasra Gayatri japam (1008) times and then start worshipping Subramanya with this Trishati. 
• The puja is concluded with Ksheera (milk) arghyas three tims to the Lord. 

• The next day of the puja, the Lord will still be in Ugra and He has to be calmed down with Panchamrita Abhisheka

The best advice is to start this practice after receiving proper permission and blessing from one's Guru who has given the Subramanya Mantra upadesham.

Remember... this Trishati when recited it without following the proper rules not only affects the upasaka but also his Guru

Iam totally shocked to see this text given as a free supplement to a spiritual magazine (and with full of mistakes) 

Even for a person who satisfies all the above rules, the text warns that he has to definitely undergo heat and burning sensation in the body because of its intense energy.  Iam really worried what will be the result and suffering a layman will be experiencing when he follows it blindly.

May Lord Gnanapanditha gives us the wisdom to earn His grace and worship him properly.

Subramanyom Subramanyom Subramanyom

Connection of Sastha with Srividya Upasana

sidharth kris

could u plz tell me the details of connection of sastha with srividya upasana....

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Connection of Sastha with Srividya Upasana

You will find a brief explanation regarding this in my book "Shri Maha Sastha Vijayam"... and I shall try to throw some more light in the area:

Sastha is the dear most son of Lalitha and the upasana of Sastha is always in Line with Shrividyopasana...
Every Shrividyopasaka will know that the physical form of Laitha parameswari can be witnessed only at Kanchipuram. It is her Rajadhani... Lalitha parameshwari's headquarters is Kanchipuram - the Shri Nagaram of Bhuloka.. The whole of Kanchi Kshetram is Shrichakraakara(in the form of Shri Chakram). and the Bindu is Kamakshi Sannidhanam.. Right behind Kamakshi is her beloved son with his consorts.. Poorna and Pushkala...

I've heard from scholars like Harshanandanatha that a shrividyopaska entering the Kanchi Kshetram must worship all the deities with due Mudras and mantras and finally end the journey with Lord Sastha by worshipping him with Kalyana Shastru mantra and display the Khadga, pasham karavala and other mudras.
In general the practice of Srividya - in the Saubhagya Vidya of Dakshinamnaya one can find Sasthru moorthi. Here he is worshiped in the forms Darma Sastha and Kirata Sastha.

Sastha, (w.r.t to this area) helps the upasakas in begetting children and to overcome the enemies.

You can see an explicit reference of Sastha in Lalithopakhyana, as the Son of Lalitha Parameshwari. Shri.Manidasar of the illustrious Kambankudi family (also a devi upasaka) exclaims the glory of the Lord and concludes his songs praising "the son of Lalitha"

Though you find these details and explicit references...

The upasana of Sastha in the Shrividya cult is maintained with utmost secrecy that too only with a few specific schools of Shri Vidya...
In the Sadi Vidya - Sastha is one of the Gurus in the Ogatraya

For example if you observe carefully you can find Sastha in the 9th avarana of Maha Prasada vidya (Mahaprasada Avarana has to be worshipped after Urdhwamnaya Puja -only by the Poornabhishiktas and that too - with Sri Guru's guidance)
My Paramaguru who was an exponent in Srividya (whose kuladevata was Shasta) worshipped the Lord 100% with the Srividyopasana paddathi.

I dont know how many of us are aware of the fact the power house of all the Sastha Kshetrams lie at Karanthapuri(today - Kallidaikuichi) - in the banks of river Tamrabarani. The Kulathooril Ayyan there is worshipped in a stone peeta with Shri Chakram engraved on it...
(Due to the merits accumulated for thousands of my previous births - the Lord gave me an opportunity to touch the Srichakram here and offer my worship with my own hands)

And even at Sabarimalai - the Lord is seated on Srichakram and not on a Sasthru Yantram.
There is an exclusive Srichakra puja paddathi for Sastha(which is unfortunately not available with anyone and Iam searching for it)

And let me conclude this with a "Deva Rahasya" which was shared to me by a great Srividyopaska:

Devi has four powerful deities guarding her kingdom. The two are the powerful deities Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Nrisimha and Sashaktika Maha Vamana. The third is Kalasamkarshini Kali and fourth is our Master - Lord Shasta accompanied by Purna and Pushkala.

A special thanks to you - because of your question, I had a great opportunity to contemplate on these wonderful informations and on my mother Lalitha and her Laalitha Sudha.

ஓர் ஆறும் விம்சதியும் ஓர் தசமும் ஓர் ஏழும்
சீராயிணை சேர்ந்து ஸ்ரீ புரத்தில் வாழுமெங்கள்
பாராளும் லலிதை பெற்ற பாலகா உனை மறவேன்

Swamy Sharanam
V.Aravind Subramanyam
www.mahasastha.com