BHAGAVATI OF KERALA: Bhagawati is Mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala but is also worshipped in Goa and Maharashtra. In places around the world she is worshipped as Bhagavati Amman. Bhagavati simply means Goddess. She is also worshipped as Bhagavati Kavu, Rajarajeswari and in different forms; in some temples as Saraswathi in the morning, Bhadrakali at noon and Durga in the evening. But in generality Mother Bhagavati is worshipped in temples and homes as the manifestation of Parvathi, Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Durga, Kali and Kannagi. DEPICTION: Notwithstanding, Bhagavati is depicted in both her mild and fierce forms, usually reflecting Kali’s features. Her visage is also frightening - with sharp fangs, gaunt features, sword in one hand, a severed head in another. This scary image is believed to frighten away malevolent forces of the universe. TEMPLES: Bhagavati is believed to be the Kula Deivam of Kochi Kings. Generally Bhagavati temples have a reputation for being places for redemption from evil spirits, mangalya bhagya to unmarried women and for their annual festivals. Kavadi festival in Tundil Bhagavati temple is exciting. Bhagavati Temples of note are Attukal Bhagavati Temple, Chottanikkara Bhagavati Temple, Kodungallore Bhagavati Temple, Kavaserry Bhagavati Temple, Mangottu Bhagavati Temple. The Rajarajeswari deity in Chottanikkara is said to be untouched by human sculptor. It is laterite and irregular in shape. Attukal Temple is also known as ‘Sabarimala of Women’ denoting 'Attukalamma' who is Parvathi, Bhagavati and Kannagi. After she annihilates the Madurai City. Kannaki left that city and reached Kerala via Kanyakumari. She took rest at Attukal on her way to Kodungallor. Thottampattu song sung during the annual festival is based on her story. In Goa, several Bhagavati temples provide for Durga worship in the form of Mahishasur Mardini. In Tamil Nadu, the Mondaicaud Bhagavati Temple is situated in the western Kanyakumari coast. Here Bhagavati is worshipped as Parvathi. It is a pilgrim spot for Tamil Nadu and Kerala; the majority from Kollam district due to past imperial Chera, Chola, Pandya connections. This temple has several peculiarities. Vegetarian food is not a conservative issue here. The deity here is also linked to ‘Akilathirattu Ammanai’ which is central to ‘Ayyavazhi’ together with Arul Nool. ‘Akilam’ means world and ‘thirattu’ means collection. Ayyavazhi means ‘Path of the Father, a monistic dharmic belief. Ayyavali shares Hindu mythology and practice but carves it own concepts of dharma. MYTHOLOGY: Mythology reflects the cult of the terrifying protectress. The demon Daruka created havoc in villages, destroying crops, polluting wells and killing livestock. Villagers prayed to Bhagavati, who rose with all her fury, trident in hand. Her laughter thundered through the dark night and shook the skies. She challenged Daruka to a battle and after a fierce fight plunged her trident to his heart. She drank his blood and quenched her thirst. The sight of Bhagavati’s blood shot eyes frightened her consort and he sought refuge in the Northern Hills. Bhagavati remained in the villages as Guardian while they adored her furious persona. BHAGAVATIPAATTU: Means the song of Bhagavati. Mutippurapaattu is the adoration of the crown of Bhagavati. It is sung during Bhagavati temple or home rituals . The rituals involve the ritualistic drawing of the Mother Goddess in glowing colours of herbs and stones. Legend has it that the marriage of a Brahmin girl was delayed as she had not attained puberty. This led to all her children being excommunicated, giving birth to a flower tending community known as Pushpaka. They were assigned to making garlands to Goddess Kali and enjoyed the rights to conduct songs and dance festivals in Kaavus and upper-caste homes. RITUALS: This commences in the morning and lasts till noon. The Bhagavtipattu is conducted under a canopy of red and white cloth, leaves from the banyan and areca palms. The shape of the temple is drawn on the floor with rice paste. Ganapathi and Sawaswathi are invoked by chanting which is accompanied by bronze plate, elattaalam, maddalam, drums, cymbols, horns and pipe music. A pushpaka woman with painted eyebrows and braided clothes covered with a shawl places herself before the chorus. She holds a plate of rice and sways to the music and her slow dance till Mother Goddess possesses her to reveal through her mouth. A Kurup priest, garbed in red cloth, belt with tiny bells around the waist, joins in. He wields a sword and shield. Two women put themselves in the front platform pound rice and turmeric in a cloth covered mortar. To this is added various juices such as mango and banyan leaves, coconut and blood coloured liquid. The pounding increases with greater zeal with exciting music. Finally the mortar is toppled eastward. The rituals end with the symbolic destruction of Daruka and the singing of hymns to Mother Kali. The spreading water from the mortar is considered to be Bhagavati’s prasada. In some places goats and hens are sacrificed for their blood. Rituals to placate and appease Goddess Kali are found in most parts of the South with slight variations in theme, song and dance but ultimately all lead to the same direction – Mother Goddess worship. Hari Om By Yogi Ananda Saraswati Kenduli on the Bank of Ajoy River, Birbhum W Bengal India 1980's!
GODDESS KAMAKSHI: Embodying the autonomy of nature, She is defined as the Supreme Goddess of Beauty and Tranquility. Mother is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. As Lord Shiva’s wife, She known as Kamakshi in South India and Kamakhya in the East. The name means ‘the desirable one’ or literally ‘one whose eyes are full of desire.’ Shiva, opened His third eye to destroy Kama, the God of Love. What Shiva destroys and resists ends up becoming his better half – all with a twist! It is believed that Kamakshi annihilated the demon that arose from the ashes of Kama. The description in Lalitha Sahasranama, the central text of Shakti worshippers of Kamakshi is ‘She whose eyes awaken desire; She who has beautiful eyes.’ With such eyes, Kamakshi is said to have enchanted Siva, the hermit God and ensuring participation in worldly life. Goddess Kamakshi bestows prosperity, knowledge, fame and good progeny expeditiously in abundance. DEPICTION: In South Indian temples, the relationship between Kama and Kamakshi is glorified. Her symbols are associated with the God of Love. She is depicted as a beautiful woman seated on a lotus dressed in red color sari and is adorned with gold jewels, gems and pearls. She has a radiant face and four arms. She carries a noose, goad and parrot on the top left and top right hands, a lotus and a bow of sugarcane on her left and bottom right hands. She has enchanting eyes. She has ‘ka’ and ‘ma’ as her eyes. ‘Kaa’ refers to Saraswathi and ‘Maa’ refers to Saraswathi; so she has Lakshmi and Saraswathi as her eyes. ‘Ka’ may also represent Kanchipuram. In the Kanchi temple, Goddess Kamakshi is in sitting in ameditative yogic posture, the Padmasana. She has a Chandraperai – the shape of a moon like structure. TEMPLES AND PEETA: She is the goddess who sits on the Shri Chakra and considered to be the representation of Shri Vidya. She is also known as Lalitambika and Tripurasundari in some regions of India. The main abode of Kamakshi is the Kamakshi Amman temple at Kanchipuram. Other important forms of Tripurasundari are Meenakshi of Madurai, Akiladeswari of Tiruvanaikaval and Vishalakshi of Varnasi. ‘Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi, Kasi Visalakshi’ is a cliché attributed to Goddess Kamakshi and all are Saktis par excellence. Kanchi is said to be the most powerful peeta of Devi. It is also said to be the navel of the world from which the Nadis emerge and spread to the rest of the body. ‘Nadis are invisible non-atomic channels through which Prana moves along with Kundalini, who upon awakening the fire in Muladhara Chakra, sun in Anahata and moon in Sahasrara’. WORSHIP: Yoni puja means womb worship and this is the cornerstone of Kamakshi worship. She is worshipped in the form of a womb, a cleft in the rock, from where once a year a red fluid flows out following the first rain in June. But then, she is not Kama. Kama churns our passion for pleasure; Kamakshi arouses passion for the world at large. As Goddess, She is equal in stature to Shiva. Kama is merely a deva. Yoni puja can be taken both literally or metaphorically. The world worships mothers and Mother. In a male dominated society, worship of women in nearly all cultures is associated with procreative abilities. Human life is created by women. The red colour is also associated with women worship. It symbolizes red seed or menstrual blood that flows from a healthy body of a fertile woman not quick with child. Metaphorically, the womb represents Prakriti or nature, the material world and the fluid of life. The world has its opposites: life and death; fear and love; desires and passions versus attachment and detachment. Shiva, the Purusha, is an aspect of human imagination, does not acknowledge and engage Prakriti to form life. Brahma, in his egoist nature, claims to have created nature and wants mastery over creation. Thus he tries to possess her and claim as his own. An irritated Shiva, manifests as Bhairava and beheads Brahma. Bhairava thus becomes the guardian of the Mother goddess. Bhairava, despite his fierceness remains Bhola, the innocent one. He refuses to embrace and enjoy nature. It is with Vishnu’s help that the Goddess gets Shiva to be her husband; all with a little force and prayer. Thus Kamakshi is also depicted to be stepping on Shiva, symbolically awakening him from his inward looking meditative state. RAKTA-PRIYA: As manifestations of Gods differ, so do the devotees’ practices. The temple in Kanchi is basically vegetarian but some odd temples observe animal sacrifice. Sacrifice is common in Kali Durga worship, manifestations of Devi. This practice is on the decline. Thus Mother who is referred to as Rakta-Priya or one who enjoys blood is increasingly becoming vegetarian. In any event, the red color of blood is linked to womb worship with whom Kamakshi shares with hers sister Lakshmi and Saraswathi. Goddess Kamakshi is mainly worshipped in South India. She is the patron deity of many families. MYTHOLOGY: Legend has it that Goddess Kamakshi appeared when Manmatha or Kama the God of Love was burnt to ashes by Siva’s third eye. Kama had interrupted Siva’s yogic meditation and earned that wrath. That happened the precise moment when Siva was to end his meditation. He was detached and Kama’s arrows came continuously at the Lord of Vairagya prompting Parvathi's embrace. Flames and sparks emanated from Siva and incinerated Kama into ashes. This appeared as a small mound of ash. The chief Ganas of Siva shapes the ash into the form of a man and begs Siva. Siva breaths life at the ash figure by glancing it. Thus emerges the character Bhanda. He was taught mantras by Chitrasena and performs austerities. He gets a boon from Siva Peruman that no-one born of sexual union would be able to kill him. Since he originated from a dead deva, Kama, he was born as a demon. Anyway, Bhanda was a product of Siva’s anger. His rajasa guna took charge and he chased and chastised the gods. He took over Indra’s city and his army. They took refuge under Siva’s lotus feet who asks them to take refuge in Devi. They hide in a secret passage in Kanchi. But Bhanda comes looking for them in Kanchi for expressly killing them. Indra then performed a yajna dedicated to Devi. From that yajna arose Sri Chakra and the beautiful Goddess Kamakshi. She appeared in her ethereal cave and stomped her foot in the city of Kanchi in the manner of an earthquake and made Bhanda stumble and fall. She kills him and dug a hole for his burial and erected a victory stone. The Gods erect a temple in Kanchi in Her honor. The rays of the sun, Gayatri, spread out the rays and its 24 letters came to be symbolised by the 24 pillar Mandapam or the Great Hall. The four Vedas became the four walls. The sanctum was shaped in the form of a triangle. Kamakshi abides in Sri Chakra Triangle and so the inner Sanctum was fashioned as a Triangle. In the Inner Sanctum Devi was seated on the OmKara (Omkaarapeetham, in Tamil). SUPREME DIVINE AND ADI SHANKARA: Although Kamakshi is addressed as the consort of Siva, She manifests as Supreme Divine and Mother Goddess. In his Soundarya Lahari Verse 15, he writes “The Goddess sports the moon on her coiffure; a crown on her head; Vara and Abhaya Mudras, crystal rosary and a book on Her hands. Homage offered just once to Devi, inculcates a virtuous mind to think of words of honey, milk, and raisins in praise of Her”. Once Devi was in Ugra Kolam, which in Tamil means angry appearance or mode. As Ugrasvarupini, manifested Kali, She slipped out of the temple at night and caused mayhem in the city. No-one had the courage to obtain dharshan or tharishanam. Devotees saw Adi Shankara emerging from Ekambaranathar temple and begged him to visit Kamakshi Amman Temple. He reassured them that he will intervene to calm Her down. It is said that Kamakshi was angry due to Avaidika religions being practiced; alien religions such as Buddhism and Jainism had encroached into Hindu society. Shankara was unhappy that devotees were calling Kanchi Kamakshi as the angry Goddess. ‘Ugra’ is not a pleasant description of Kamakshi. Thus he ran past the Victory Column to the Inner Sanctum or Garbhagraham. He shed rivers of tears at her feet. His eyes turned to Sri Chakra at Kamakoti Pedam and the Ashta Devis surrounding it. Legend would have it that Shankara drew out the anger from Kamakshi and reposed it in Sri Chakra. He eulogized: ‘You are Padmasini residing in the lotus flower. You are Chaturbhuja, Rajesvari, Sri Vidya, Paramesvari, Sakalakalavalli, Kalachakra Sorupini, Mulasakti, Adhisakti, Armasakti’ and pleaded her to shed her anger.. Mother soon gave up her anger and became the epitomic goddess of peace and tranquillity. She transforms as Sorupini, Beautiful Goddess Kamakshi. Shankara also received reassurance that She would not leave the temple and wander into the city without his permission. This was sort of a curfew imposed by man on God! This tradition continues to this day in that Kamakshi receives permission from Shankara before She ventures out of the sanctum. This event also has much to reveal about the great acharya as being a manifestation too. Mother also ordered that Sri Chakra should be the object of worship. By propitiation of Sri Chakra, Brahma became the progenitor of the cosmic egg and the universe; Vishnu and Siva received their respective portfolios. The Shivite poet-saints Thirunavukkarasar, Thirujnana Sambanthar and Sundarar sang beautiful songs on Kamakshi. Her Shakti radiates throughout the world from her sanctorum at Kanchi. Hari Om Yogi Ananda Saraswati GODDESS SYAMA KALI: The Divine Mother is known as Maha Kali, Nitya Kali, Smashana Kali, Raksha Kali, and Shyama Kali. When there were neither the creation, nor the sun, the moon, the planets, and the earth, and when darkness was enveloped in darkness, then the Mother, the Formless One, Maha Kali, the Great Power, was one with Maha Kala, The Absolute. Syama Kali is yet another of Her manifestations. She is four handed, holding khadga and severed human head in upper right and lower hand respectively. The upper right and left are in varasa and varada mounting on a dead body respectively. Syama can be said to be just another name for Dakshinakali. She is worshipped in Dakshina Kali mantra and confirms to dhyana of the first Mahavidya Kali. Syama’s tongue protrudes, the red color symbolising activity. The tongue is held by her white teeth symbolising sattva or spirituality. Looking at Syama’s right we see good, and the left, bad. Her nudity implies a that she is garbed in space or sky clad. In her absolute, primordial nakedness, she is free from all covering of illusion. She is nature or Prakrithi stripped of ‘clothes’. Thus she is beyond name and form, completely beyond the illusory effects of Maya. Shyama Kali has a somewhat tender aspect of Kali. She is thus worshiped in the Hindu households. She is the dispenser of boons and the Protectress, in times of epidemic, famine, eartquake, drought, and flood. Smashana Kali is the embodiment of the power of destruction. She resides in the cremation ground, surrounded by corpses, jackals and terrible remale spirits. From he mouth flows a stream of blood, from her neck hangs a garland of human heads, and around her waist is a girdle made of human arms. How do we comprehend the Divine paradox of Mother? Fierce, black in color, large, shimmering eyes, destructive, triumphantly smiling amidst the slaughter of billions of demons, wearing kecklace of skulls and Trident that flashes like lightning and a knife etched with sacred mantras and infused with Divine Shakti, Kali stands peaceful and content, suffused with the fragrances of jasmine, rose and sandlewood. Syama Puja is a festival dedicated to Mother Kali. It is celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month, Ashwin and coincides with the pan-Indian Lakshmi Puja. Worshippers honor Mother in their homes in the form of clay idols andpandals. Tantric rites and mantras are uttered with revereance in the night session of the prayers. Shyama Sangeet, the devotional songs attributed to Mother Kali are sung in both folk and classical tunes to highlight motherly bonds of affection between the universal female principle, Mother and Her children. Syama sangeet sings the glory of Mother in a practical human life background. For example “You are a poor farmer, mind of Mine! You have let the precious field of human life sit for too long. If only you had planted right a golden crop would be yours by now!” ..... “The Guru planted the seeds, but the rains of your devotion must irrigate the fields....” etc During celebrations, Pandals also houses other forms of the Tantric Goddess, Mahavidyas. Hibiscus flowers, sweets, rice and lentils are offered to mother. Animal blood is offered in a skull. While meditation goes in throughout the night, Mother is offered animal-sacrifice abundantly. Mother is Jnana Shakti, the energy of Wisdom, the intuitive illumination within, as compared with the intellectual contemplation of the external. Knowledge is conceived, wisdom is intuited. When Mother takes away the darkness of the Dark Luminosity of the outside world. Mother grants ullumination of the Dark Luminosity of the inner word. Thus is the greatness and Grace of Mother. Jai Maa Kali. Adi Kali, Maha Kali, Maya-Kali, Jai Maa Kali. by Yogi Ananda Saraswati Srmati Tulasi Devi... SRIMATI TULASI DEVI MAHARANI OM Satya Sanatana Dharma Ki Jai! OM Shri Maha Lakshmyei Namah! OM Tulsayei Vidmahe, Vishnu Priyayei Dhimahi, Tanno Vrinda Prachodayat! OM Shukraaya Namaha! Planet Venus day: Fridays! The Tulasi tree is a most important plant (The queen of herbs), and is often seen at numerous Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna. Tulasi is considered to be a pure devotee of the Lord who has taken the form of a tree. Tulasi (Holy Basil) Tulasi (Holy Basil) is considered as Goddess Lakshmi's form. Tulasi is the most sacred plant. According to Skanda Puranam..."One's body becomes pure just by touching this holy plant. One who water's HER daily will never have the fear of Yama (YAM RAJ/ cosmic King of Death). Tulasi leaves are believed to have medicinal values like curing skin diseases, cough, fever etc., One must do pooja to Tulasi only after taking bath. Tulasi dalam should not be plucked during grahanam (eclipse), ekadasi, after sunset. Women are not eligible to pluck tulasi. Only men & children (Girl child below 10 years) are eligible. One must chant Lord Vishnu nama while plucking Tulasi, so, that tulasi won't get hurt & the pooja performed with such dalams give infinite punya. Tulasi should always be plucked in pairs. Women are eligible to water Tulasi , offer pradakshinas, chant Tulasi stotrams & perform Tulasi vivah during karteeka masa with Gooseberry plant. They are not eligible to touch or perform prayers to Shaligrama.' Tulasi dalams are used in the worship of: Lord Vishnu (all ten forms of Vishnu - Dasavatara), Shree Mahalakshmi, Lord Shiva (It's a tradition to worship Shiva with Tulasi leaves & Lord Vishnu with Bilva leaves during Kartheeka masa. One must never differentiate between Hari(Vishnu) & Hara (Shiva), hence the exchange of these Holy dalams. Tulasi dalams should not be offered to Lord Ganesha. Whosoever worship Ganesha with Tulasi will suffer with severe poverty. Lord Hanuman can be worshipped with Tulasi dalam. It's our Hindu tradition to take holy teertham after concluding daily prayers with a holy chant of blessings (vedic phrase of blessing).*(fresh water with few Tulasi leaves becomes holy theerth equivalent to Ganges). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Tulasi plant also possesses curative properties and is said to be an antidote to snake-venom. It destroys mosquitoes and other pests and purifies the air. It even is said to ward off the messengers of Yama, the ruler of the dead, who will not enter a house containing a sprig of Tulasi. This is also one of the reasons why devotees wear the Tulasi as neck beads. When death occurs, the funeral pyre should be constructed of Tulasi, palasha, and sandal-wood. Tulsi- most worshipped plant in Hindu culture. It has a mythological background as tulsi is considered as lord Krishna's wife. Literal meaning of tulsi is incomparable so as the name suggest, it really has properties that are incomparable with any other herb. Every thing mentioned in Indian mythology has a scientific background. So as the culture of planting tulsi in center of court yard in Hindu homes. It is a strong belief that those who plant tulsi in there houses never get ill, as it is very lovable to lord Krishna and lord Krishna has blessed this herb with this property. Scientific reason of this story is that tulsi contains such a chemical composition that no mosquitoes and flies can come near the plant because of it s peculiar odor. Thereby by planting tulsi in courtyard prevents entry of these creatures in house thus rendering home safe from any diseases caused by these organisms. Root of Tulsi is powdered and kept overnight in water, if taken daily early morning proves to be very beneficial in diabetes. --Tulsi juice drops are very effective in earache. --Tulsi juice when mixed with ginger juice is very effective in abdominal disorder in children --Powder of tulsi leaves added with saunth (dried ginger) and sugar when taken with hot water is a famous remedy for fever --A Tulsi seed processed in castor oil is very effective remedy for hair lice problem. --It is said that if one Tulsi leaf if swallowed daily, that person never suffers from cancer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAvzwnc16Ag http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAvzwnc16Ag http://www.stephen-knapp.com/tulasi_devi_the_sacred_tree.htm http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/worshiping-tulasi.php http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Hindu%20Primer/tulasi.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_2JrDINBJA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es7C-qNM8_I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWD00mNTGEE Praised by Brahma, Madhava, Shiva, Indra
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Trishula Sandra Das
Practitioner of Jyotish, Yoga Tantra, Ayurveda, Shakti Sadhana for 40 years. ~ VedicAstrologer ~ ~ Researcher East & Western Wisdom, Past Life Regression, Mysticism ~ ~ Mind Body Soul~ Believer in Love, Humanity, Peace, freedom & Soul Mates ~ Baul Scholar ~ ~ Qigong Master ~ ~ MOTHER ~ ~Photographer~ Archive
May 2022
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