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Sraddhavan Labhathe Jnanam THE SCHOOL OF SREE LALITHA SAHASRANAMA THICHOOR·SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2017 Preface Sree Lalitha Sahasranama is the most secret and subtle method of Sadhana(1).It is a complete form of worshipping God as Mother.It is most helpful to those who seek Spiritual Improvement. Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Archana or Upasana of Sreevidhya will give comprehensive progress in ones worldly life as well as Spiritual enlightment. This is one of most ancient method of Sadhana. Secrecy in nature, family hierarchy in the Thantrik/Manthrik(2) area, complications in the Caste System in India- all these blocked this method from reaching  the common man! Because of Strict methods of Acharas(3) and due to deep rooted superstitions even sincere spiritual seekers have restrained from the practice of Sreevidhya. In the recent past “Samooha Lalitha Sahasranama Archana” conducted by Sree Mata Amrithanandamayi Devi has given life to this almost extinct Sadhana Samskrithi(4). Amma has removed the foolish and superstitious jacket of secrecy of Sreevidhya and distributed with pleasure, the real essence of practice of it. In the complicated modern era of fashions Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Archana has to be a part of our family life .Our evenings should be resonant with the sounds of Namajapa(5).This is the only way to re-create the sacred methods of Acharas, to give rebirth to our culture and to reunion of the broken family ties!

The Importance of Sree Lalitha Sahasra Nama : As indicated above it is an complete form of worshiping God as Mother.It is an ancient form of Upasana(6). Besides these we can do pooja(7) for all God and Goddesses by the archana of Sree Lalitha Sahasranama. According to the indications of Brahmandapurana this glorious Sthotram is written by Vag-devadhas like Vasini and others to do Upasana of Devi by the instruction of Devi. The Mantras in the Sree Lalitha Sahasranama is arranged in such a way to help the rising of the Kundalini power which is sleeping inside Mooladhara and to make shower of Amritham (8) by the union of Shiva and Sakthi. So the Sadhaka who is doing the Archana can undergo easily through the highly complicated Yoga-Marga. The Sadhaka will increase the skill and Pragalbya(9) in which area he is interested, according to the Sastra -”Yoga karmasu kousalam.(10)” This Upasana is helpful to the progress of both Spiritual as well as Worldly life. So that anybody can make use of this form of Sadhana including Ladies. This is the most suitable form of Sadhana to Grihasthas (11)also. Sree Chakra or Sree Yanthra :

Sree Chakra or Sri Yanthra Sri Chakra is the most important thing in the upasana of Sree Vidya. Thantriks shows more interest in doing Upasana of the subtle form of Sree Chakra than to the vivid and clear forms of Devis and Devas. It is believed that establishing this Yanthra in Houses and Business establishments will give all the prosperity and wealth. The most important part of this is a small dot(Sri Thripurasundari Devi) in the center and nine triangles which is interlocked to each other. There are 8 and 16 Dalas(12) in two rows surrounding this with a four faced rectangular fort. Four triangles which is faced upwards represents Shiva and five triangles faced downwards represents Sakthi. The dot in the center is Thripurasundaridevi or Sri Lalithaparameswari.The Dalas around denotes the powers of creation. The rectangle outside this is equal to a Srikovil(13) with four doors. In short Sri Chakra is a subtle structure of a Temple. The upasana of this Srichakra - claims  the Thantriks - creates so many Yoga-powers which will protect the sadhaka from the enemies and other obstacles.

Kundalini:

Position of Chackras in Shushumna This is the most attracting word for the Spiritual  Truth Seekers. So many fascinations and wrong conceptions are there regarding this. This word denotes the Serpent shaped power which is sleeping underneath the backbone. In the Yoga marga this power is considered as Devi. According to Yoga-sastra by various methods of Thapas, Japa, Manthra, Thanthra, Meditation etc this power can be roused and can gain many celestial and superhuman powers. In our body six Chakras- centers of Yoga- are there. They are in ascending order- Mooladhara ,Swadhishtana,Manipooraka,Anahata,Visudhi and Ajna. This ends in a thousand petaled lotus- Sahasrara - in the head which is the abode of Lord Shiva. Rajayoga marga is to arouse the sleeping Kundalini power from the Mooladhara and spreading through the six Chakras and to gain yoga power by the union with Shiva in the Sahasrara. About the seven centres (Six Chakras and Sahasra Padma) we can describe in general as follows:- Mooladhara Chackra( The Root Plexus): It situates in the base of the spine in between the Anus and Penis. This is the root chackra in the base and have four petals. It is called Mooladhara as it situtes in the base. It is believed that all powerfull Devi resides in Mooladhara Padma as Kundalini. Here Devi is called by the name Sakini Devi and she has five faces and related to the structure and working of bone system in the body.In the four petals it is seen the beeja manthras Vam -Sam(as in Sankaran)-Sham-Sam(as in Sadhak)). We can meditate upon Devi in Mooladhara as doing Abhisheka(Showering) with Water. Swadhishtana Chackra(The Sacral Plexus): It is the second one  situates behind the Penis with six petals . Power house of Shakthi is tha meaning of Swadhishanam. Kakini Devi is the presiding deity of this chackra who is having four faces . She is resides in the body fat and related to the working of that system in the body.The beeja manthras seen in the six petals are Bam-Bham-Mam-Yam-Ram-Lam . We can meditate on Devi in this Chackra as doing abhisheka of pure Milk. Manipooraka Chackra(The Solar Plexus): It is the third one situates behind your Naval place with ten petals. Yogis are told that they are hearing the sounds of Bells when they reach this Chackra and hence the name is Manipooraka.Lakini Devi is the presiding deity who is having three faces. She is residing in flesh and related to such activities of body. Dam-Ddam-Nam(as in Mani)-Tham-Ttham-Dam-Dham-Nam(as in Name)-Pam-Pham are the beeja manthras written in the ten petals of Manipooraka. We can meditate upon Devi in this Chackra as doing abhisheka with Ghee. The three centers described above are the fertile lands of superhuman and celestial powers. These are the areas where normal Sadhakas can be misleaded. Only a real Sadguru can lead and control the disciple through these centres and make him to realise the Self. At this time the Sadhaka will get all the worldly prosperity and wealth. In other words all the famous and outstanding personalities in the earth having many Sidhis are those who developed any one of these three centers. Anahatha Chackra(The Heart Plexus):

The fourth Chakra - Anahatha situates at the Heart side with 12 petals. The name derives from the sound of Shabdabrahmam or sound of boom when two objects are hitting each other, when reaching this Chackra. Rakini Devi is the presiding deity who is having two faces. She reside in the blood and controls the circulation system. Kam-Kham-Gam-Gham-Ngam-Cham-Chham-Jam-Jham-Njam-Tam-Ttam-are the twelve beeja mantras seen on the petals of Anahatha Chackra. We can meditate on Devi as doing abhisheka with Honey in this Chackra. The Sadhaka attains peace in general when reaches here. It is because this Chackra is related to the Hrudaya Kendra(Heart Center). All the Sasthras announces that Easwara resides at the heart. “Easwara Sarvaboothanam Hrid-dese Arjuna Thishtathi”(14) says Bhagavad Geetha.We can say that the Sadhaka overcomes almost all the hurdles when he reaches the heart. This hrudaya(heart) mentioned here is not the physical one which pumps blood in the body. The hridaya(Spiritual Centre) situates at the Right side of the Chest at a distance of two fingers from the center of chest. It is declared by Ramana Maharshy very clearly in an undoubtful manner. All the centers above heart are of Spiritual Sidhis(15). If only one breaks all the six centers- i.e  if one renounces all the worldly happiness-the kundalini reaches sahasrara and gets union with Shiva who resides there and then happens the Amrithavarsha(Shower of Nectar). Normally no yogis will wish to live in the Earth after that. Only a few Avathara purushas will come back and will work for the benefit of this world. Visudhi Chackra(The Throat Plexus): This fifth Chackra situates behind the neck and is having 16 petals. Jeeva attains purity (Visudhi) at this centre and hence the name So. Dakini Devi is the presiding deity of this Chackra and she is having only one face. She resides in the Skin and related to the working of the Skin system in body. Am-Aam-Em-Eem-Um-Uum-Rum-Ruum-Lrum-Lruum(Dont know the real pronouciation as these two letters are not used in present system of letters)-Eam-Im-Om-Oum-Am(seems to be repeating)-A: are the sixteen beeja manthras seen in the petals of Visudhi Chackra. It is told that in the 8th petal it is having Poison and 16th petal it is having Amrutha. So we can relate to the Amrutha Mathana Story told in the Puranas with this Chakra. In Visudhi Chackra we can meditate upon Devi as doing abhisheka with Curd. Ajna Chackra(The Brow Plexus): This sixth Chackra situates in the centre where the eye bows meet. It is having two petals. It is beleived that Sadhaka can hear the orders (Ajnas) of his guru at this centre and so the name. He achieves the powers of a master and can have highest intellectual capacities when reaches this state. He also can move alone in the spiritual path and does not require direct instructions from his guru. He also gains powers to lead other people in the right path by his own experiences. Ham- Ksham are the two letters seen in the petals of this Chackra. We can meditate upon Devi by doing abhisheka of rose water or ganga jal. Sahasrara Padma(The Crown Plexus): This is the last and seventh spiritual Centre which situates in the head with 1000 petals. It is believed as the abode of Lord Shiva. Presiding deity is Yakini Devi having her faces all around. She resides in the semen and related to the reproductive system. When the kundalini reaches the Sahasrara Padma it makes its union with Shiva and happens Amrutha varsha (Shower of Nectar). By this the Sadhak is uplifted equal to the state of a Deva (God/Goddess).In the sahasrara padma all letters and colours of the other chackras is repeated in ascending and descending order. We can meditate Devi in the sahasrara by doing Abhisheka with Panchamrutha(an offering to the God with five sweet food materials which is famous in the temples of India). All these Chackras or padmas described above are the sankalpa (mental creations)of Yogis. They exists in the subtle forms as energy forms and visualise to yogis when they are meditating upon it. It is not situated in the physical body at all. The modern science has not studied seriously about these energy centers. So we have no materialistic evidences regarding this. It is still a deficit of this Yogic Science. In general it is believed that these centres are existing in the Shushumna Nadi inside he backbone. Through the two nadis situated left and right of Shushumna, Kundalini is believed to be ascending and descending. Yogis explains that when the Kundalini reaches the respective Chackras it develops and seen in the form of a lotus. So these Chackras are aslo described as Padmas.

Ashtangayoga:

Yoga marga is not an easy way. External and internal purity and a way of life like Sages is required. Yogamarga has Eight portfolios. According to Patanjali these are Yama,Niyama, Asana,Pranayama,Pratyahara,Dharana,Dhyana and Samadhi.Yama includes Ahimsa, Satyam,Astheyam(do not wish to have others belongings), Brahmacharya and Aparigraha (do not take others belongings).Brahmacharya is an most miunderstood word. Most of the people understand it as non marriage.But Brahmacharya is more manasika(mental) than sareerika(physical). This is very clear from the advice of Vasishta to Sreerama as “Mana: kritha kritham Rama”(16).In this meaning Sreekrishna who is told to be having 16008 wives is a Yogi and a Poorna Bramachari.So Brahmacharya in its true meaning is a difficult task of mental equilibrium. Niyama includes Soucha(neatness),Satisfies with whatever one is having,Thapas,Swadhaya (study of Vedas,Puranas and other Sastras), Eswara Pranidhana (complete surrender to God). Asana means nothing but Sitting in a comfortable way only. Pranayama is the controlling of Breath. Mind or more clearly Prana and Breath are interrelated to each other is the basis of this. So by controlling our breath we can control our Prana. But anything goes wrong it is very dangerous. So only with help of an expert one should practice Pranayama.Those who are doing Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Archana daily will automatically develop a method of Pranayama which is suitable to him/her. For those no need of special training in this. Next is Prathyahara.It is turning the mind inward from the Senses and objects. Dharana is immersing the mind in the object of Meditation. In continuation mind becomes Nischala(a state of non movement) which is called meditation.When all other thoughts are controlled and mind becomes concentrated on the object of meditation in its final stage the one who meditates and the object of meditation both gets into oblivion- it is the real Dhyana. After that one gets liberalized from the thoughts and control of space and time and get raised to Self Realisation is Samadhi. Those who returns from Samadhi will become a Poornajnani (all knowing one).In a state of bliss of self realization one understands that the world is nothing but his own self and nothing is different from his self! Samadhi is an all knowing and all pervading blissfull state and not an absence of mind or intellect.

To the Sadhakas: In the archana of Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Eswara is considered as affectionate Mother. So Sadhaka will be treated with love and affection for a son by Mother. Here there is no concept of Right and Wrong. If any, it will be rectified by the beloved Mother and she will lead the Sadhaka by herself. All the matters discussed above is to get an overall idea only. Those who is doing Archana with full faith,devotion and sincerity will get easily all the things needed for Sadhana. If one practices sincerely ,in due course, he will get a Sadguru and will attain self realization. So no need to get worried about the difficulties and obstacles in the Yoga- marga.

The School of Sree Lalitha Sahasranama,Thichoor: It is established to study ,propagate and to do archana of Sree Lalitha Sahasranama. Doing the Archanas in our own Houses is the main object. It is established by Shri A B Shanmughan the (late) Acharya of Vijnana Ramaneeya Ashramam Palakkad. in Thichoor ,Thrissur Kerala. It also conducts Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Classes by HH Swami Prabhakarananda of Mankara. One free medical clinic also run by Dr Krisnadas for the poor people. Medicines available are distributed free of cost.

Hari Om! Rajesh A B, Co ordinator of Sree Lalitha Sahasranama,Thichoor. Ph:8452909242 Email:rajeshthichoor@gmail.com

Notes:(1) sadhana-a specified path towards God normally initiated by a Guru. (2)Thanthrik-who is an practitiner of Thantra, a kind of rituals. Manthrik-who is expert in using certain Mantras. (3) Achara-rituals.(4) Samskrithi- a method of life or practice.(5)continuas chanting of manthra or names of god(6)Upasana-doing penance or following certain paths for pleasing God.(7) Pooja-worship.(8)Amritham-nectar which is explained by yogis as flowing from sahasrara after which the yogi will become deathless.(9)Pragalbya -expertness (10)Union with God increases the expertness in Acts.(11)Grihastha-who lives along with family(12)Dala-petal(13)Srikovil-innermost building of a temple.(14) he Arjuna ! God resides in the heart of all -living and nonliving.(15)Siddis- gain of some boon(16) done with our mind is the real activity.