Shri Jvalamukhi Devi

Shri Jvalamukhi Devi

I meditate in my heart on that beautiful jewel throne of bindu and nada, the circle of consciousness, in that cavity where a bright lightning-like colour competes with the effulgence of a pale red gem - Matrikabheda Tantra

Her name means 'Fiery Mouth', and while this is a synonym for a volcano, her name refers to her main cult site where a natural flame has burnt for time immemorial.

 

As Lalita represents the Waxing moon and Kali represents the Waning moon, this third goddess unites the two. Here, Kali represents moon, Lalita represents sun, but Jvalamukhi represents fire, and the primordial property of fire, which is to reduce all to ashes. Ashes are sacred to Shiva and to all sadhus. There is even an Upanishad which deals with the miraculous properties of ash -- the Brihad Jabala Upanishad.

It is this ash which is left after the body is consumed on the funeral pyre. The cremation ground is sacred in Natha symbolism. Further the ash produced by Jvalamukhi's fire is the ash of all material things at the end of time. It is also the ash left after sexual intercourse, and has sacred and healing properties. The dhooni is the sacred fire of the Naths and the sadhus. These fires were kept lit for so many years that there exist hills of ashes (bhasmagiri) all over India.

Just as Lalita and Kali have their own internal symbolism, their own mantras and their own yantras, so too with Jvalamukhi. The following extract is from the "Five Limbs of Jvalamukhi", a compilation including the worship details, yantra, mantras and 1,000 names of this goddess:

"Shri Bhairava said -- Listen Devi as I speak to you of Jvalamukhi, the essence of all, and her encompassing Devis, the knowledge which is hard to get, even for gods. Shri Devi said -- O Thou With Matted Locks! You are the Lord of All, Knower of all Shastras. From you lotus-like mouth I have heard many books and puja injunctions. O Natha, I pray You, speak to me of Jvalamukhi's great mantra, yantra, puja, and sadhana, her limbs and her practice.

"Shri Bhairava said -- Listen, O goddess Bhairaveshvari, to the mantra, yantra and limbs. I will speak of her rituals and sadhana. One should conceal and keep this very secret. There is one method to transcend this great universe, cruel and devoid of love O Maheshvari. This is by employing the mantra Hamsa.

"O Deveshi, this mantra was revealed by the eternal grace of Jvalamukhi. This mantra caused the creation of the Universe and the Maintenance of all that moves. (She said) "Day and night I create, I withdraw and I maintain. Whoever has obtained this mantra bestowing prosperity has attained the ultimate power of dominion. Jvalamukhi is the world mother, the very essence of the three gunas.

"By sattvas She creates the universe, by rajas She maintains, and by tamas She withdraws --therefore She is the self of the three gunas. She is the mother of the three worlds, the mother of the Devis. Listen attentively, Parameshvari, as I relate to you her mantra, yantra, meditation image, limbs and puja.

"In the Agamas the fixed rule is to commence with the mantra. This I now declare, Mahadevi. One should not reveal it, except to sincere seekers. At first pronounce Om, then Hrim Shrim Jvalamukhi mama sarvashatrun bhakshaya bhakshaya Hum Phat Svaha. This is the mantra of Jvalamukhi, and gives power over time, whatsoever is desired, wiping out (sins such as) killing brahmins or a guru or a woman, or eating what should not be eaten, or having sexual intercourse with those with whom it is evil, such as one's mother or one's children. This mantra is the washer-away of all this, O Devi, this is true, without doubt.

"Now listen, Deveshi, to the unfolding of the highest of the high of yantras. One should carefully conceal this bestower of enjoyment and liberation. At first one should make a hexangle consisting of interlacing triangles. In the centre one should draw a triangle, and in its centre should place the bindu, the abode of Shiva. In the central triangle and bindu is the great temple of Jvalamukhi. In the upper triangle is the Sundari Temple, it is said. In the lower triangle is the Dakshina Kalika Temple. Then one should draw a circle, and draw eight petals, outside of this drawing 16 petals. Outside this one should draw 10 petals. Outside of this one should draw three circles, and then an earth-square.

"This yantra of Jvalamukhi is like the creation of the qualities of the three worlds. One should not give it to the pupil of another, or to a bad person, or else one incurs the sin of killing a brahmin. Now listen to the layanga, Deveshi, worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu. O Deveshi, whosoever has this King of Yantras has whatever he desires.

"In the four doors one should worship the four protectors of the doors -- Ganesha, Dharmaraja, Vasuki and Nrisimhi. In the east is Gananatha, in the south Dharmaraja, in the west Vasuki, and in the north one should worship Narasimha.

"Then one should worship in the 16 petals the 16 Jvalas (Flames). By doing this in an anticlockwise direction, O Devi, one may gain various magical results. (They are) 1) Varuni 2) Vatyali 3) Varahi 4) Kulasundari 5) Kuvari 6) Kulika 7) Kunthi 8) Kutsita 9) Kutila 10) Kuhu 11) Kunti 12) Kumbeshvari 13) Kunti 14) Kuchari 15) Karuni 16) Kriti. These are the 16 Jvalas.

"Then in the eight petal lotus one should worship the eight maidens 1) Maya 2) Mohini 3) Bala 4) Bhagarupini 5) Bhagavasa 6) Bhirunda 7) Mridani 8) Baindaveshvari. These renowned maidens one should worship in the Chakra of the eight petals.

"Then one should worship the 10 givers of happiness of Jvalamukhi, O Parvati. If one does so in an anti-clockwise manner one gains success in the sadhana most certainly. 1) Brahmi 2) Shambhavi 3) Durga 4) Varahi 5) Kulakamini 6) Narasimhi 7) Kaumari 8) Matangi 9) Bhadra-Kalika 10) Ugratara. These renowned Devis are the 10 Kalas of Jvala.

"True sadhakas should worship in these 10 petals and then in the triangle above should worship Tripurasundari. In the triangle below one should worship Dakshina Kalika. In the centre one should worship Devi Jvalamukhi (with her attendants) Jvalini, Jatini, Jata and Jalandhari. Thus the layanga has been spoken to you.


[The numbers in the yantra, above, correspond to the following attendants or avarana deities:

Central Figure
1. Jvalamukhi 2. Tripurasundari 3. Kalika 4. Jati 5. Jatini 6. Jvalini. 7. Jalandhari
Eight Petals
8. Brahmi 9. Ugratara 10. Bhadrakali 11. Matangi 12. Kaumari 13. Narasimhi 14. Kulakamini 15. Varahi 16. Durga 17. Shambhavi

Ten Petals

18. Maya 19. Baindaveshvari 20. Mridani 21. Bhirunda 22. Bhagavasa 23. Bhagarupini 24. Bala 25. Mohini

Sixteen Petals

26. Varuni 27. Kriti 28. Karuni 29. Kucari 30. Kunta 31. Kumbheshvari 32. Kunti 33. Kuhu 34. Kutila 35. Kutsita 36. Kunthi 37. Kulika 38. Kuvari 39. Kulasundari 40. Varahi 41. Vatyali

Earthsquare

42. Vasuki 43. Narasimha 44. Ganesha 45. Dharmaraja 46. Dhadisha Mudra 47. Lavanasa Mudra 48. Sudhasa Mudra 49. Kshirasa Mudra 50. Three Pitha Asana 51. Rudra's Lotus Asana 52. Corpse Asana 53. Lotus Asana 54. Dispelling Fear 55. Giving Boons 56. Arrow 57. Lotus ]

"Now, Mahesvari, listen to the meditation images. Having meditated on Mahadevi in this manner, O Devi, a mantrin becomes the equal of Bhairava. Seated on a volcanic mountain, three eyed, seated on a triple pedestal, wearing flaming clothes and gems, beautiful of face, in the centre of a six-fold chakra, giving boons, holding an arrow and a lotus and dispelling fear, the form of awake-awareness, the cause of light in everything, (in this way) I bow to Jvalamukhi!

"With large swelling breasts, her face resembling the rising of a crescent moon, holding in her left hand a blossoming lotus-seed rosary, with her right hand dispelling fear, her beautiful body marked with three lines, seated in the centre of a triangle in an 11 petalled lotus, thus I remember Jvalamukhi.

"Like a particle of the rising moon, with a moon kala as her crest gem, with three beautiful eyes, seated in the centre of a 12 petal lotus seat, swaying with wine-intoxication, her body marked with three lines, surrounded by Jvala and the other Kula Maidens, (thus) I bow to Jvalamukhi, her transcendent majesty, mother of the three worlds. The three meditation images with their tantra and mantra have thus been declared."

Her mantra. This is one of those vidyas (a vidya is a female mantra) which has some direct meaning. The translation is Om Hrim Shrim O Jvalamukhi, Consume! Consume my Enemies! Hum Phat Svaha.

The gayatri. The gayatri is a mantra pronounced at the four twilights of dawn, midday, sunset and midnight. Each tantriki god or goddess has her or his own version. Jvalamukhi's is Om Jvalarupinyai Vidmahe Jagadbhakshinyai Dhimahi Tanno Jvale Prachodayat. This means: Om Let us be aware of the fiery form, let us meditate on the consumer of the world, may that fire direct our thoughts. To contrast the gayatris of Lalita and Kali: Om Let us be aware of Kalika, let us meditate on the dweller in the cremation ground, may that terrifying form direct our thoughts. Om Let us be aware of Tripura, let us meditate on the lady of sexuality, may that wet one direct our thoughts.

Her yantra. This is illustrated above. Firstly we have to consider that her attendants are Sundari and Kalika, in the top and bottom triangles of the hexagram. The four attendants are in the other angles. The Devi herself is in the bindu of the yantra, as usual. The petals are to be understood as follows: There are 27 Jvalas or flames. These are the maidens in the inner circle of 10 petals and the outer circle of 16 petals. Jvalamukhi herself is the 27th. The circle of eight petals contains the eight Kula maidens. (See Kulachudamani Ch 3).

Dharmaraja is the god of death (Yama). Vasuki is the king of the nagas or serpents. Nrisimha is an avatar of Vishnu. In the intermediate points are four mudras, and the Devi's four weapons which are arrow, lotus, dispelling fear and giving boons.

The four attendants of Jvalamukhi in four angles of the hexagram are Jati and Jatini -- terms denoting the hairstyle of the sadhu or sadhvini (female sadhu). These are similar to dreadlocks. Jvalini means the flaming one. Jalandhari is the goddess at the sacred centre called Jalandhara.

The attendants of the goddess are worshipped from the outside of the circle to the centre. The order is as follows: Ganesh, Dharmaraja, Vasuki, Narasimha. The 16 Jvalas. The eight Kula maidens. The 10 Jvalas. Tripurasundari. Dakshina Kalika. Shri Jvalamukhi Devi in sexual union with Mahadeva-Bhairava in the centre. The four mudras. The four weapons. The four pithas or bases of this Devi.

Various rites. The most important rite in her worship is a puja in which the 21,600 breaths are situated on the body of the worshipper. Each section is identified with the seven chakras. In the four petals is Ganapati and 600 breaths. In the six petals is Brahma and 6,000 breaths. In the 10 petals is Vishnu and 6,000 breaths. In the 12 petals is Rudra and 6,000 breaths. In the 16 petals is the embodied being and 1,000 breaths. In the two petals is the Paramatma and 1,000 breaths. In the 1,000 petal lotus are the two lotus feet of the Guru and 1000 breaths.

After this rite one is to resolve to pronounce the mantra Hamsa, which is called Ajapajapa, a word which means the non-recited mantra which is recited -- referring to the Ha Sa or sun moon breaths that every man and every woman makes 21,600 times a day.

We quote again from the "Five Limbs": Om, of this Shri Ajapajapa Gayatri mantra Hamsa is the Seer, Avyakta Gayatri is the Metre, Shri Paramatma Paramahamsa is the Devata, Ham is the Seed, Sah is the Shakti, So-aham is the Linchpin. The application is liberation from the sadhana of the unrecited mantra. Om Aim Hrim Shrim. Hail to the Rishi Hamsa on the head. (4) Hail to Avyakta Gayatri the Metre on the mouth. (4) Hail to the Devata Shri Paramahamsa in the heart. (4) Hail to the Seed Ham in the genitals. (4) Hail to the Shakti Sah on the feet. (4) Hail to the Heavenly Fragrance So-aham on the navel.

21,600. This number, divided by 27, is equivalent to the 27 lunar mansions (nakshatras) of Hindu astrology. Hamsa has the literal meaning of swan, and is said to be the vehicle of Brahma. But Brahma's true vehicle is Hamsa as 21600. A paramahamsa is an individual above (parama) Hamsa, that is to say one in whom sun and moon have ceased to revolve, a liberated being, free from time.

The 36 Tattvas. These tattvas are the cause of much confusion and are often viewed as if they were an emanationary system. This seems quite incorrect. The first two tattvas are Shiva and Shakti. These two are inseparable. Surrounding them are the three Shaktis of the supreme called Iccha, Jnana and Kriya. It is these three who give rise to all triangles, that is to say to all creation. It is this multitude of Shaktis which collectively is Maya. Maya is limitation through delusion. This delusion is caused by the number of possibilities. Maya Tattva is said to wear five kanchukas or bodices. Two of these are parallels of Shiva and Shakti -- limitation in respect of space and time. These two primordial restrictions give rise to three others, which themselves are reflections of Iccha, Jnana and Kriya. The first is limited desire, the second limited knowledge and the third limited activity.

An individual deluded by Maya consists of Shiva and Shakti under the terms purusha and prakriti. Purusha is the embodied Shiva, prakriti the embodied Shakti. Being deluded by Maya, the three primordial Shaktis of Iccha, Jnana and Kriya take the form of ego (ahankar), intelligence (buddhi) and memory or Association (manas). Incarnated in the five elements of space, fire, air, earth and water, the embodied being has five powers to sense, five powers to act, and five Impressions. These together make the 36 tattvas. It is the delusion of Maya which prevents an individual from realising her or his oneness with Shiva-Shakti and the three primordial Shaktis of Iccha, Jnana and Kriya.

Shri Kurukulla Devi

Shri Kurukulla Devi

Thou art the Adya Parama Shakti. Thou art all power. It is by thy power that we, the trinity, are powerful in the acts of creation, preservation and destruction. Endless and of varied colour and form are thy appearances, and various are the strenuous efforts whereby the worshippers may realise them - Mahanirvanatantra V, 2 (Woodroffe edition)

Sri Sarabeswara

Overcome difficulties, both natural and man-made

Are you oppressed by superiors in profession?
Are you threatened by blackmailers and miscreants?
Are you ill-treated by the family members?
Then, worship Lord Sarabeswara, who will come to your rescue readily.


The present day world is affected by natural calamities like earthquake, tsunami, floods, cyclone and lightning, besides man-made afflictions causing Ozone-belt depletion, Nuclear Holocaust, Abichara Prayoga, accidents, etc. The worship of Sri Sarabeswara, the most powerful manifestation of Lord Shiva, is very essential to combat these evils and to save the mankind from such catastropies. It is but curious to note that Lord Rudra, true to his name, took the avatar of Sri Sarabeswara to control the anger of Sri Narasimha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) , when the latter did not get appeased, even after annihilating the demon King Hiranya Kasipu.

Sri Sarabeswara in Vedas and ancient worksThe advent of Sri Sarabeswara has been vividly mentioned in Atharva Veda, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana and Brahmanda Purana. Special mention is also made in Rigveda and Thaitriya as well, at the Uttara bhaga of Sri Lalitha Sahasranama.

"Paayaanno Deva: Sarabasthva Payaath
Sathaarirogath Vipinorakaapyam
Vaiswanaro Kugari Ritchakebya:
Prethebyo Bhoothebyo Rusha: Krudanthan" ||
(Atharva Veda)

The Veda mantras affirm that all our sins are wiped off by chanting the powerful mantra of Sri Sarabha. Sage Veda Vyasa in his Linga Purana (96th Chapter) categorically says that those who worship Sri Sarabeswara, will get rid of all the afflictions caused by bad dreams, chronic ailments, poisonous bites, besides the great disasters caused by earthquake, floods, cyclone, thunder, lightning and such bad conglomerations.

"Sarva Vigna Prasamanam, Sarva Vyadi Vinasanam
Arichakra Prasamanam, Sarva Dukka Vinasanam,
Atraanyothpada Bookamba thaavagni Paamasu Vrishtisu
Thatho duswapna Samanam, Sarvabhootha Nivaranam,
Vishagraha Kshayakaram Puthra powthraadhi Vardhanam,
Thathraksha Daaranam Kuryaath Jangamaangey Varaananey"|| Linga Purana - 96

Avatar of Lord Sarabeswara: According to the Puranas, Hiranya Kasipu, the demon king, due to augmented audacity and ego, proclaimed himself as 'God' and entreated everybody to worship him. His pious and upright son Sri Prahlada refuted his father's action, by saying that only Lord Vishnu (Narayana) is the protector of the universe who is an all pervader. Out of rage and being exasperated by his son's continued disobedience, one day Hiranya hit one of the pillars in his palace with his mace, to find out whether Lord Narayana was hiding there, as believed by his son. To make his devotee's words come true, Lord Narayana appeared from inside the broken pillar, in the form of Narasimha, a man with a Lion's head, who killed the demon King in an encounter. Unfortunately His anger and fierceness did not subside, even after annihilation of the demon and the three worlds trembled in fear. All the Devas headed by Lord Brahma appealed to Lord Shiva to appease the anger of Lord Narasimha. The compassionate Lord Shiva sent His lieutenant Agora Veerabhadra to do the job, but it went in vain. The 'rajoguna' caused by tasting the blood of the demon did not let Lord Narasimha to calm down. Veerabhadra unable to subdue Sri Narasimha, prayed to Lord Shiva to intervene. There appeared the most terrible form of a combination of man, bird and animal. It was a queer combination of man with Saraba (Bird) and Yaali (animal), celebratedly known and worshipped by the name Sri Sarabeswara, being the Thirtieth avatar of Lord Shiva amongst His Sixty four incarnations.

Sri Sarabeswara, sporting two huge wings, (representing Soolini Durga and Prathyankira Devi), eight legs, the nose of an eagle, four arms carrying fire, serpent, a deer and the ankus, with fingers having sharp nails looking very fierce and turbulent, came flying and comforted Sri Narasimha with his two wings to calm down. But the fiery energy stored in the latter came out in the form of a bird called 'Kandaberunda' and started to fight with Sri Sarabha and this divine encounter continued for eighteen days. Lord Sarabeswara decided to conclude this 'sport'. By His will, Goddess Prathyankira Devi came out of one of his wings, took a huge physical form, gulped the 'Kandaberunda'bird and brought its end. Sri Narasimha realising his erroneous action, praised Lord Sarabeswara with beautiful epithets, which later became the Ashtothra (108 Names) of the victorious Lord. Lord Shiva then revealed to all the Devas that "to annihilate the Asura, Lord Narasimha came, and to appease Lord Narasimha, I have come as Sarabeswara. Be aware that we are both one and the same like water and water, milk and milk, ghee and ghee, both inseparable and to be worshipped as one".

"Yatha Jaley Jalam, Kshiptham, Ksheeram, Ksheeray Kruthang Kruthey|
Yekayeva Thatha Vishnu: Shiva Leetho Nachanyatha"||

Lord Brahma, out of gratitude for saving the universe from the anger of Sri Narasimha, worshipped Lord Sarabeswara with "Sri Sarabeswara Ashtothra". At the very appearance of Lord Sarabeswara glittering like thousand Suns, the rage of Narasimha subsided and the entire universe heaved with relief. Let Sri Sarabeswara protect us for ever, from any disaster.

Gayatri Mantra of Sri Sarabeswara: "Saluvesaya Vidmahey Pakshi rajaya Deemahi Tanno Sarabha: Prachodayath" ||

Sri Durga, the consort of Sri Sarabeswara:
Sri Durga, the Supreme warrior Goddess, out of all the 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva, specially liked and adored the form of Sri Sarabeswara and became His consort. Durga Sahasranama, bears ample testimony to this fact. Being Herself a great warrior, no wonder, She liked the most valiant Sri Sarabeswara - the greatest of all the warriors, who subdued the invincible Lord Narasimha.

Sarabeswara Temples in South India:
Between the towns of Kumbakonam and Mayiladuturai, at a place called Thirubhuvanam, Lord Sarabeswara is being worshipped as 'Kampakeswara' attributed to be the places where Brahma worshipped him. There are also other places of worship for Sri Sarabeswara at Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Dharapuram, Karaikkudi, Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram etc., In the vicinity of Chennai, Sri Sarabeswara is worshipped at Denupureswarar Temple (at Madambakkam near Tambaram), at Trisoolam Temple (Near Meenambakkam) and also at Kurungaleeswarar Temple at Koyambedu.

Lord Sarabeswara as Saviour: As already mentioned, the worship of Sri Sarabeswara is the most efficacious and timely one, among the Hindu Gods. Those who are suffering due to oppression from superiors in their profession, those who are ill-treated by elders and affluent relatives in their family, those who are threatened by blackmailers and miscreants to collect booty, and last but not the least, those who want to overcome difficulties both natural and man-made, should worship the most compassionate and valiant Sri Sarabeswara. He will come to their rescue readily.

Neela Kantaya Rudraya Sivaya Sasimousiney,
Bavaya Bava Nathaya Pakshirajaya theynamaha:|
Gangadaraya Sambaya Paramananda Thejasey,
Sarvesvaraya Santhaya Sarabaya Namo Namaha: ||

"Salutation to Lord Shiva, the most compassionate One, who radiates kindness and bliss all over. He appears with a blue-coloured neck, carrying river Ganga and the crescent Moon on His head. He removes all our sins and re-births, as the supreme Lord of the Universe. He is also known by various other names like Neelakanta, Rudra. Bavanatha, Gangadara, Sambava, Sarveswara etc. He came as the monarch of all the birds as "Pakshiraja", whom we adore as "Sri Sarabeswara", to protect us from the evils

The Five Limbs (Panchanga) of Bala

The Five Limbs (Panchanga) of Bala

Listen, Virachamunda, to the characteristics of jiva. It is supreme, whole, eternal, consisting of nothing, stainless. It is the ultimate atomic particle, the Natha, it is supreme Shiva, all pervading, it is above all, it is Hamsa, the soul of Shakti. It is the mind, the breath, the buddhi and the chitta, residing in the inspiration and expiration of the breath of all living beings. - Kaulajnananirnaya, VI, 4-6.

Bala Tripurasundari Shakti Sadhana

Chinamasta Mahavidya

One day Parvati went to bathe in the Mandakini River with her two attendants, Jaya and Vijaya. After bathing, the great goddess's color became black because she was sexually aroused. After some time, her two attendants asked her, "Give us some food. We are hungry." She replied, "I shall give you food but please wait." After awhile, again they asked her.

She replied, "Please wait, I am thinking about some matters." Waiting awhile, they implored her, "You are the mother of the universe. A child asks everything from her mother. The mother gives her children not only food but also coverings for the body. So that is why we are praying to you for food.

You are known for your mercy; please give us food." Hearing this, the consort of Shiva told them that she would give anything when they reached home. But again her two attendants begged her, "We are overpowered with hunger, O Mother of the Universe. Give us food so we may be satisfied, O Merciful One, Bestower of Boons and Fulfiller of Desires." 

Hearing this true statement, the merciful goddess smiled and severed her own head. As soon as she severed her head, it fell on the palm of her left hand.

Three bloodstreams emerged from her throat; the left and right fell respectively into the mouths of her flanking attendants and the center one fell into her mouth.

After performing this, all were satisfied and later returned home. (From this act) Parvati became known as Chinnamasta.

In visual imagery, Chinnamasta is shown standing on the copulating couple of Kamadeva and Rati, with Rati on the top. They are shown lying on a lotus.
There are two different interpretations of this aspect of Chinnamasta's iconography. One understands it as a symbol of control of sexual desire, the other as a symbol of the goddess's embodiment of sexual energy.
The most common interpretation is one where she is believed to be defeating what Kamadeva and Rati represent, namely sexual desire and energy. In this school of thought she signifies self-control, believed to be the hallmark of a successful yogi.

 The other, quite different interpretation states that the presence of the copulating couple is a symbol of the goddess being charged by their sexual energy. Just as a lotus seat is believed to confer upon the deity seated atop it's qualities of auspiciousness and purity, Kamadeva and Rati impart to the Goddess standing over them the power and energy generated by their lovemaking.

Gushing up through her body, this energy spouts out of her headless torso to feed her devotees and also replenish herself. Significantly here the mating couple is not opposed to the goddess, but an integral part of the rhythmic flow of energy making up the Chinnamasta icon.

The image of Chinnamasta is a composite one, conveying reality as an amalgamation of sex, death, creation, destruction and regeneration. It is stunning representation of the fact that life, sex, and death are an intrinsic part of the grand unified scheme that makes up the manifested universe.

The stark contrasts in this iconographic scenario-the gruesome decapitation, the copulating couple, the drinking of fresh blood, all arranged in a delicate, harmonious pattern - jolt the viewer into an awareness of the truths that life feeds on death, is nourished by death, and necessitates death and that the ultimate destiny of sex is to perpetuate more life, which in turn will decay and die in order to feed more life.

As arranged in most renditions of the icon, the lotus and the pairing couple appear to channel a powerful life force into the goddess. The couple enjoying sex convey an insistent, vital urge to the goddess; they seem to pump her with energy.

At the top, like an overflowing fountain, her blood spurts from her severed neck, the life force leaving her, but streaming into the mouths of her devotes (and into her own mouth as well) to nourish and sustain them. The cycle is starkly portrayed: life (the couple making love), death (the decapitated goddess), and nourishment (the flanking yoginis drinking her blood).

Sri Chinnamasta

Hrdaya Eulogy

1.Always the assembly of gods place their heads to her feet [ is worship her)I am honouring her, the

bestower of all auspicious things

2.In every aeon she will be reborn for the continuity of sacrifice [yajna ]I worship Goddess Chinnamasta

who annihilates demons and evil beings

3.Rsi Vamadeva spreads the teachings of beautiful Vairocani effulgent as ten million suns.I pay

homage to her whose eyes flash like lightning

4.Blood gushing continuously from her throat, she satisfies all the yoginis who are devoted at her feet

5. Concentrate on this and say `Hum'. If you recite the mantra correctly, your enemies will disappear.

6. If you recite this mantra correctly "Hum Svaha', Chinnamastawill eradicate any afflictions distressing

you. Just as the wind blows away clouds, Chinnamasta blows away sufferings.

7.With only her stare, all fierce, cruel or demonic beings flee to distant place in order to escape her. To

her I worship

8.May there be victory to her who adroitly protects the world, forgives anger, and easily eradicates

deception and maliciousness of people. May there be victory to Chinnamasta who imparts

indestructible knowledge to kings, transforms demons ( into followers 0, and devours enemies.

9.Aarmed with a knife, she destroys even the smallest traces of wickedness of the Kaliyuga. As brilliant

as the divine blue lotus in the heavenly realms, her effulgence eclipses the sun's radiance.May there be

victory to her who frightens the assembly of rivals of gods; may there be victory to the dark forms, Kali,

Chinnamasta and Karali

10.All prosperity of the three worlds is bestowed by her who nurtures the three worlds and increase

knowledge by her power. Just as a lotus blossoms with sunshine, may Chinnamasta cause the

blossoming of the twiceborn

hearts. Chinnamasta is like both Sarasvati and Parvati.

11.O Mother, place a sharp dagger in your hand, whet it very sharply, and swiftly decapitate my

enemies. May your fame spread. Please destroy my enemies and wicked ones quickly. Please fulfill my

wishes and forgive me of any faults.

12. For her devotees, these are the twelve names that Chinnamasta likes to hear :

Chinnagriva

whose neck is severed

Chinnamasta

whose head is severed

Chinnamundadhara

one who holds a severed head.

Aksata

who is whole or uninjured

Ksodaksemakari

who is skilled in causing peace.

Svaksa

who has beautiful eyes.

Ksonisacchadaksama

who protects the kings of the earth

Vairocani

Indra's wife

Vararoha

finethighed

one [ beautiful ]

Balidanapraharsita

who delights those who present sacrificial offerings

Balipujatapadabja

whose lotus feet are honoured with sacrificial offerings

Vasudevaprapujita

who is worshipped by Vasudeva[Krishna]

13.These are the twelve names that Chinnamasta likes. By remembering this is in the morning when

one arises, one's enemies will be destroyed

14.Who remembers her will have the same wealth as the gods, enemies will be killed, and will be killed

and will be content and peaceful.Her worshipper will have good thoughts. Always they seek refuge in

her. This primodal Goddess is worshipped by Srisadi [ Vishnu, Brahman and Siva ] May Chinnamasta,

the most auspicious one, help us.

15. One cannot kill one's enemies without knowledge of this hrdaya.

16.Anyone who wants to destroy one's enemies quickly, recite them happily.

17. Having recited this, merit is acquired and life and health will be bestowed. This completes the

conversation between Mahadeva and Parvati, in the Srinandyavartta.

Om Saravasiddhi Vaminiye.

Sri Matangi Devi

Sri Matangi Devi is not one of the more commonly known goddess forms; however, She appears in varying conceptions all across the Indian subcontinent, from the frigid mountains of Tibet to the steaming jungles of Tamil Nadu. Her Dhyanas are very diverse, and change quite a lot depending on the Tantra consulted -- Her complexion can range from white (She is the Tantric Saraswati) to brown or black (She is a tribal Chandala; an outcaste) to blue or green (She is Meenakshi Madurai, and also a form of Kali); with two or four arms, holding various different weapons and other items -- most often a veena (Indian lute).

She is seated on an altar and has a smiling face and a green complexion. Her eyes are intoxicated. Her clothes and all of Her ornaments are red. Around Her neck is a garland of kadamba flowers. She is sixteen years old and has very full breasts and a very slim waist. She holds a skull on Her left side and a bloodied chopping blade on Her right, And She plays a jewel-encrusted veena. Her hair is long and wild, and the disc of the moon adorns Her forehead. She perspires slightly around Her face, which makes Her all the more beautiful and bright. Below Her navel are three horizontal folds of skin and a thin vertical line of fine hair. She wears a girdle of jeweled ornaments, as well as bracelets, armlets, and earrings. She represents the 64 arts and She is flanked by two parrots.

I meditate on Matangi,Who, seated on a gem-studded throne, listens to the sweet utterances of the parrot,is aglow with youth,has one foot on the lotus, has her forehead bedecked with the crescent moon,plays on the veena,has a garland of jasmine flowers, has a fitting bodice adorning her,wears red garments,has a conch-vessel,is inebriated with honey sweet wine, has the vermilion mark on her forehead adding luster to it.Matangi, the daughter of sage Matanga, supportively plays the ruby-bejeweled veenaleisurely in her self-glorycharming in her sweet vocal expression of song her delicately soft limbs, lustrous like sapphires

ABOUT MATANGI

Matangi is a primary form of the all-powerful Goddess known in Hinduism as Devi. She appears most prominently as one of the Dasha Mahavidyas (Ten Wisdom Goddesses) of Tantric Hinduism, but may also be considered a more primal and fearful form of the popular Goddess Saraswati.
Whereas Saraswati presides only over Creation, governing traditional knowledge and arts, Matangi also contains elements of Destruction -- by which She severs the attachments that bind humans to the mundane world, paving the way for more unorthodox and revolutionary forms of Creation, knowledge and art.
She is called the Outcaste Goddess because She prefers to dwell outside the mainstream, and also because She facilitates the "polluting" process by which Divine Unstruck Sound is manifested on Earth in the form of human speech, literature and music. Meditation upon the esoteric aspects of Matangi provides a bottomless source of meaning, insight, and inspiration.

HER STORY

Goddess Parvati (Devi) was away visiting Her father Himalaya, when Her consort Lord Shiva began longing for Her, and growing jealous in Her absence. So Shiva disguised Himself as an ornament vendor and appeared at Himalaya s door. Parvati selected a few shell ornaments, but when She asked the merchant his price he asked Her to pay him with sexual favors. Outraged at his presumption, Parvati was about to curse the man when Her divine intuition revealed he was actually Shiva in disguise, apparently out to test Her fidelity. Concealing Her knowledge of His true identity, She replied, "Yes, fine, I agree. But not just now." And She sent Shiva on His way.

Later, as Shiva prepared for His evening prayers on the shores of Manas Lake, Parvati came to teach Him a lesson. She took the form of a beautiful outcaste girl, a member of the wild hunter-gatherer tribe known as the Chandalas. She was dressed all in red, Her body lean, Her eyes large, Her breasts full -- and She began a seductive dance by the lakeside, near the place where Shiva sat.

Enthralled, Shiva asked Her, "Who are you?" She replied, "I am Matangi, daughter of the Chandalas. I have come here to do penance." Shiva smiled. "I am the One who gives fruits to those who do penance," He said, and he took Her hand and kissed Her, and then He made love to Her. While they were thus engaged, however, Parvati abruptly transformed Shiva into an outcaste Chandala Himself -- whereupon He immediately realized that Matangi was his wife.

Parvati told Him, "Since You made love to Me in the form of a Chandala girl, She will henceforth be one of My permanent forms, to be known as Ucchista Chandalini." That is, Matangi, the Outcaste Goddess, who governs all that is leftover and polluted. And so Matangi took Her place as one of the Ten Wisdom Goddesses, the primary forms of Devi/Parvati. And some time later, when Parvati and Shiva argued and He threatened to leave, Matangi joined the other Mahavidyas in blocking His every exit, thereby demonstrating (among many other things) Devi's ultimate power over Shiva -- and His utter inseparability from Her.

This is only one of the many beautiful myths surrounding Matangi and Her origins. It is taken from the Praanatosini-tantra and other sources. Additional versions relate Her to such pan-Hindu Goddesses as Kali and Lalita Tripurasundari, as well as to more localized deities -- most notably, Tamil Nadu's Meenakshi Madurai.

ANOTHER DESCRIPTION OF MATANGI

(Here is another discussion of Matangi, courtesy of "Exotic India.")
The Goddess Matangi is one of the Dasha Mahavidyas (Ten Wisdom Goddesses). She is Siddha Vidya or Tantra personified, thus commanding occult power. On the mundane level, she is the daughter of the sage Matanga, who is said to have been the preceptor of Shabari of the Ramayana fame.

In the second image from the top, above, the background is a golden yellow, the face of stunning beauty. The bright white complexion of the Devi, the white color of the birds and that of the conch appear to be embossing the background. Matangi is seated on a throne of vivid green, her fingers moving over the strings of the veena (lute). Two lotus flowers dangle from a slender string tied to the upper part of the veena, which is shaped like a bird's head.
At the edge of her throne sits a parrot seemingly rapt in the music she is creating. Beside her is a conch-shell. The gentle intoxication caused by the honey-sweet wine mentioned in Her dhyana-shloka (set out below the image)> Madhur Madhu Madaam is suggested by the dreamy expression in Matangi's eyes. Two birds are artistically positioned and the subtle juxtaposition of light and shade makes the color scheme effective. The lotus flower under the feet of the Devi is in full glory of bloom.
Being a goddess of the Tantra system, the crescent moon on Matangi's forehead here reminds the aspirant on the path of Tantra of the sacrifices he will have to make to obtain siddhis. The veena tells us of her mastery over music, rather of the symphony of life in this universe, and of man's need to harmonize his life to avoid all jarring extremes. The old folk saying, "Tighten it not so much that it breaks, Loosen it not so much that no music emanates," is equally applicable to life.
The parrot, with its tendency to repeat all it hears, symbolizes the inexorable law of karma, the belief that one cannot escape the consequences of one's acts. It also represents the world of nature. With one foot on the lotus, the Goddess controls the terrestrial world in tranquility and serenity, while the other foot, lifted on to her throne, represents her sovereignty over the celestial domains. The devotee invokes her with the following verse:

Goddess, confer on us well-being,
confer superb prosperity,
grant form, grant victory, grant fame,
kill enemies.  Aum Maatangyai Namahe

Bagalamukhi or Bagala

Bagalamukhi or Bagala (Devnagari),(Bengali-বগলামুখী),(Oriya-ବଗଳାମୁଖୀ) is one of the ten Mahavidyas (great wisdom goddesses) in Hinduism. Bagalamukhi Devi smashes the devotee's (or the devotee's enemies') misconceptions and delusions with her cudgel. She is also known as Pitambara in Northern Parts of India

"Bagalamukhi" is derived from "Bagala" (distortion of the original Sanskrit root "valgā") and "mukha", meaning "bridle" and "face", respectively. Thus, the name means one whose face has the power to capture or control. She thus represents the hypnotic power of the Goddess. Another interpretation translates her name as “crane faced”.

Bagalamukhi has a golden complexion and her dress is yellow. She sits in a golden throne in the midst of an ocean of nectar full of yellow lotuses. A crescent moon adorns her head. Two descriptions of the goddess are found in various texts- The Dwi-Bhuja (two handed), and the Chaturbhuja (Four handed).

The Dwi-Bhuja depiction is the more common, and is described as the Soumya or milder form. She holds a club in her right hand with which she beats a demon, while pulling his tongue out with her left hand. This image is sometimes interpreted as an exhibition of stambhana, the power to stun or paralyse an enemy into silence. This is one of the boons for which Bagalamukhi’s devotees worship her. Other Mahavidya goddesses are also said to represent similar powers useful for defeating enemies, to be invoked by their worshippers through various rituals.

Bagalamukhi is also called Pitambaradevi or Brahmastra Roopini and she turns each thing into its opposite. She turns speech into silence, knowledge into ignorance, power into impotence, defeat into victory. She represents the knowledge whereby each thing must in time become its opposite. As the still point between dualities she allows us to master them. To see the failure hidden in success, the death hidden in life, or the joy hidden in sorrow are ways of contacting her reality. Bagalamukhi is the secret presence of the opposite wherein each thing is dissolved back into the Unborn and the Uncreated.

Major temples to the goddess are situated in the Himachal Pradesh in the north, and at Nalkheda at Shajapur in Madhya Pradesh and at Pitambara Peeth in Datia Madhya Pradesh. Nepal, where the worship of tantric goddesses had Royal patronage, also has a large temple devoted to Bagalamukhi in the Newar city of Patan in Nepal near Kathmandu. The territory of the Bagalamukhi temple in Patan also has several other temples dedicated to Ganesha, Shiva, Saraswati, Guheswar, Bhairava etc. The main difference between any other temple and a Bagalamukhi temple is that if someone worships all the gods in this temple, they would actually worship all 330 million gods and goddesses at one place. Bagalamukhi Devi Temple is situated at Guma in Mandi, in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North India. Large numbers of Hindu devotees offer prayers here to fulfil their wishes. Bagalamukhi Puja is performed by an experienced Pandit, as any mistake in the ritual may result in bad effects.

Bagalamukhi Devi is one of the ten Hindu Goddesses of Power. Bagalamukhi Puja is performed according to Tantrik ritual, to defeat enemies. It not only decreases the power of the enemy, but also creates an atmosphere where they become helpless. The Abhimantrit Bagalamukhi Yantra is also used for the same purpose. It protects the person from enemies and evils. There is a beautiful Mandir of Ma Bagalamukhi in Varanasi as well.

Bagalamukhi maha mantra is as below: OM HLREEM BAGALAMUKHI SARVA DUSHTANAM VAACHAM MUKHAM PADAM STAMBHAYA JIVHAAM KILAYA BUDDHIM VINASHAYA HLREEM OM SVAHA

Bagalamukhi maha mantra's meaning is as below: Oh Goddess, paralyse the speech and feet of all evil people. Pull their tongue, destroy their intellect.

The Maa Bagala Devi temple of Guwahati in the State of Assam is situated near the famous "Shakti" temple of Kamakhya in the Nilachal Hills.Another Bagalamukhi temple is situated in the campus of Biraja Temple in Jajpur, Odisha. According to Shri Yogeshwaranand the author of Baglamukhi Sadhana Aur Siddhi these are the main precautions to do Bagalamukhi sadhana

1. first prepare yourself to do sadhna. It means to do hard work.
2. select a mature Guru and get Diksha.
3. there are two methods of this pious sadhna, first- Dakshinacharya and second Vamachara. In these both margs Dakshin marg is understood better because of Vedic method, but it is also said that in Kaliyuga Vama marg is better because of early achievements. Hence firstly decide the Marg to which you are going to accept.
4. After getting Dhiksha start your Mantra-Japa according to the directions of your Guru.
5. For any Bagalamukhi- sadhak it is necessary to use yellow garments, yellow Aasan, yellow(Haldi)rosary, yellow chandan(sandal)and yellow Bhog(dishes) in the worship of Bhagwati Pitambara.
6. To get Siddhi(kripa of Bhagawati) every one should try to go near Bhagawati by her worship, Hawan & Mantra- Japa, it means Advita  Bhava. (Advaita Bhava stands for that there is no difference between you and your Devta).
7. Every Sadhak (Priest or worshipper) should never tease any Jeevi---any animal, any bird or any human. He should never hurt anybody mentally or physically.
8. Bhagwati Bagala is Vaishavi  Shakti, so she is understood the Palankarini of the world.
9. This Mahashakti resides in all women, young and old, so never tease or harass women. A sadhak should always respect them like Bhagwati.

Above all directions are used in both Marga(ways) of Sadhana.These both margs are the ways who carry a Sadhak to his last Lakshya(aim)---Moksha. But some Sadhak use this Mahavidhya in Kamya-Karm. To do these Karmas one should use accurate methods, which are told by his Gurudev. In these Kamya Karmas this Mahavidya is used to kill anybody, attract anybody, to make any body mad, or for similar things. This Mahavidya is mainly used for Stambhan, Ucchatan, Vashikaran etc. To get victory in elections & suits this Mahavidhya is highly effective. The enemies of a Bagla-Sadhak can not stand before him. They are destroyed like mosquitoes. Any Kritya-Prayoga can not stand before this Mahavidhya. This Mahavidhya is also said Pervidhya-Grasani. It means any Prayog madeby your enemy or done by any other Tantrik can never effect any Bagala-Sadhak. This Mahavidhya is used in various ways. But one should not use it above mentioned methods. You may protect yourself, but never cause harm to any one by using the power of this greatest Mahavidya. But by any reason if a Sadhak becomes compelled to use these methods, he should learn them by his Gurudev.

Bagalamukhi sadhna is one of the great achievement in life because when you start doing Baglamukhi sadhna it is the symbol that you are on the right path of the life that is self knowledge or moksha. Hurdles in the path of moksha are kama, krodha, lobha , moha & ahankar. These are our internal enemies which can not be killed physically. When you start baglamukhi sadhna with no desire of fruit than you will feel that you are becoming more energetic & you are getting control on your thoughts because thoughts are first reason to do the good things or bad things. You will become what you think. And when you have control over it you can become what you want & you will achieve every goal in life.

Chandra Grahan in June 2011 in India – Chandragrahan – Lunar Eclipse June 15 and 16, 2011

Chandra Grahan in June 2011 in India – Chandragrahan – Lunar Eclipse June 15 and 16, 2011

Chandra Grahan, Total Lunar Eclipse, will take place on June 15, 2011 in India. According to NASA, the Chandra Grahan is a Total lunar eclipse and is visible in India, Dubai, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and western parts of Australia. The Chandragrahan will be taking place in India between 23:53 hrs and 03:32 hrs (11:53 PM on June 15 to 03:32 AM early morning on June 16, 2011).

Total Lunar Eclipse - the moon is fully covered - is from 12:52 AM to 02:33 AM on June 16, 2011.

Time in India is from night of June 15, 2011 to early morning hours of June 16, 2011. The time is same throughout India as per NASA.

Chandra Grahan and Hindus

Usually during a Chandra Grahan, a fast (Upvaas) is observed by certain communities in Hindu religion. The fast begins about 9 hours before the beginning of Chandra Grahan.

People also take a bath in cold water and chant mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Shiva like the Ashtakshara Mantra or Mrityunjaya Mantra. This is done whenever Surya and Chandra are under the influence of Rahu. Pregnant women chant the Santana Gopala Mantra.

What Precaution Pregnant Women Should Take During Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse?

Hindu Blog receives numerous queries regarding what precaution pregnant women should take during Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse? This is because many devout Hindus have numerous fears regarding Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse. There is a belief that pregnant women will be affected by Chandra Grahan but this has not been scientifically proved. The safe option adopted by most Hindus is to remain indoors during the period of Grahan. Pregnant women chant the Santana Gopala Mantra during Grahan.

The Santana Gopala Mantra is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is chanted for an easy and safe pregnancy and to get a healthy baby.

The Santana Gopala Mantra is

Om Devaki Sudha Govinda
Vasudeva Jagath Pathe
Dehimey Thanayam
Krishna Thwamaham
Saranam Kadhahaa

Deva Deva Jagannatha
Gothra Vridhi Karap Prabho
Dehimey Thanayam Sheegram
Ayushmandham Yashashreenam!

Ayurveda indicates that pregnant women should sit or lie down on a mat containing Darbha grass or Kusha Grass during Grahan. It is also advised to keep some Kusha Grass with the pregnant woman. This is advised more during Surya Grahan or Lunar Eclipse.

Some devout Hindus fast (Fasting or Upvaas) on Grahan day but pregnant women should avoid fasting and should follow the usual routine prescribed by the doctor.

The most important thing that pregnant women should do is to avoid getting tensed with the fear of grahan. Eclipse is a natural phenomenon. If you are so concerned remain indoors.

There are some evil-minded people in the guise of astrologers who try to take advantage of people during Grahan by suggesting costly pujas etc. Avoid such people.

Next Lunar Eclipse is on June 15 and 16 in 2011.  

Story of Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahanam in Hindu Religion

Surya Grahan, solar eclipse, is widely mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Hinduism. There is also an interesting myth regarding the occurrence of Surya Grahan. It happened during the Samdura Manthan (churning of ocean) episode in the Puranas. Rahu (Demon) and Mohini, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, are the main characters in the incident.

The Amrit (elixir) that was obtained from churning the ocean was cunningly stolen by Ausras (Demons). Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel, to win back the Amrit. She achieved her mission by enamoring the Asuras, they fell for her beauty and handed over the Amrit to her.

Mohini returned to the Devas and started distributing it. Devas sat in a line and mohini gave a portion to each one of them. Rahu, an Asura, who found out that they were tricked took the form a Deva and sat in the line between Chandra (Moon God) and Surya (Sun God).

When Mohini approached Rahu, Chandra and Surya realized that Rahu was not one among them and soon identified him as an Asura. Mohini soon severed the head of Rahu which flew into the sky. Rahu’s, depicted in the form of a Snake head occasionally, continued to live and decided to avenge Surya and Chandra.

Thus periodically Rahu engages in a war with Surya and Chandra. The Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) and Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse) takes place when Rahu gobbles up Moon and Sun respectively. Surya and Chandra then fights to free themselves.

Rare midnight solar eclipse on June 1-2

New Delhi: The second partial solar eclipse of 2011 will happen on June 1. The eclipse will not cover India but can be seen from the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

The eclipse begins at sunrise in Siberia and northern China at about 00:55:18 IST and the maximum eclipse will occur at 02:46:11 IST. Even though the eclipse is a midnight eclipse, it can be viewed from latitudes north and nearby to the south of the Arctic Circle where the Sun is visible for 24 hours during summer months.

Northern most Norway, Sweden and Finland will get to witness the rare phenomenon with an eclipsed Sun hanging above the northern horizon. Other countries that fall in the path of the eclipse include Canada, China, Iceland, Japan and North Korea

Another celestial spectacle can be witnessed only a couple of weeks later when the first lunar eclipse of the year occurs on June 15. The eclipse is a total lunar eclipse and will be visible from India.

The first solar eclipse of 2011 happened on January 4 and was a sunset eclipse visible from central Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northwest China.

The next partial solar eclipse will occur on July 1 in the Southern Hemisphere and will be visible a D-shaped region in the Antarctic Ocean south of Africa. Since the July 1 eclipse covers a remote and uninhabited portion of the Earth, it could very well be an eclipse that nobody will see.

The largest partial solar eclipse of 2011 will happen on November 25 and the event will be visible from the southern South Africa, Antarctica, Tasmania and New Zealand.

 

Sarvartha Siddhi Sadhaka Yoga June2011

Misconceptions and blind beliefs in Astrology

Misconceptions and blind beliefs in Astrology

Misconceptions and blind beliefs in Astrology

Misconceptions and blind beliefs in Astrology

It is highly unfortunate that in the land where Vedic astrology was born, most people, even a lot of astrologers, have a lot of misconceptions and blind beliefs about several basic facts of astrology. An astrologer propagates a wrong theory and a dozen people believe it . They tell a dozen more and soon it becomes an accepted norm! Misconceptions about Mangal dosha, Rakshasa Gana, Kalasarpa dosha and Sadesati have a lot of far reaching effects in our society full of superstitions, especially in marriage matters.

Click on each item below to learn what the Shastras of astrology really say about them and how the ignorant or “matlabi” pundits take people for a ride by inducing a fear psychosis!

Mangal/Kujadosha

Rakshasa Gana

Sadesati

Kalasarpa dosha

Mangala/Kuja Dosha

One of the biggest misconceptions and fears in the Hindu society with respect to marriage is the presence of Mangala Dosha or Kuja Dosha in the chart of a boy or a girl. I have seen a countless number of good matches being rejected by people just because the boy or the girl has Mangala Dosha present in the chart.

Even the various Shastras of astrology differ as to in which houses it is present, what the exceptions are and what the effects and remedies are. According to some authorities Mars is placed in the 1,2,4,7,8,12, from lagna causes Kuja Dosha. Some authorities omit the 1st house and some others omit the 2nd house.

Some astrologers thump the table and quote Parashara and Varahamihira to prove their point. To start with most of the astrologers only have a very hazy idea of the sastras. On top of that, let me tell you that the existing shastras and their translations are not very pure! Take for example the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra of Rishi Parashara. In chapter 2 verse 5-7 we have the following: “Rama is the incarnation of the Sun, Krishna of the moon, Narasimha that of Mars, Buddha that of Mercury, Vamana that of Jupiter, Parashurama that of Venus, Koorma that of Saturn, Varaha that of Rahu and Matsya that of Ketu”. Sounds great. However, according to astrology Parashara was the father of Vedavyasa who wrote the Mahabharata. According to our calculations the Mahabharata period was 2500 BC to 3200 BC., or around 1200BC. according to the western historians. Buddha belonged to the much later and fairly authentically recorded period. He died in 544BC. Then how did Parashara say that Buddha is the Avatara of Mercury more than a millennium before? If he were forecasting then he would have clearly stated that “Buddha avatara will be born”. Obviously some of the people who wrote the shastras added a few things of their own!

Rishi Parashara, in his Brihat Parasara Horasastra, chapter 81, verse 47 said the following: “If Mars is placed in the Lagna, 12th, 4th, 7th and 8th houses, without any aspect or conjunction of the benefic planets, the husband of such a woman will certainly have an early death.” So it is clear that if Mars has the aspect or association of a benefic, there is no dosha. It must be noted that in the very next verse, verse 48, he gave the other important exception as follows: “The yoga in which a woman takes birth and becomes a widow, if a male takes birth, he also becomes a widower. If a woman with the widowhood yoga marries a man with similar yoga, such yoga will be cancelled.” So the 2nd exception given by him is that this feared dosha is cancelled if both the girl and the boy have mangal dosha.

However by and large the majority of the astrologers include the 2nd house also in the mangala dosha and accept the 6 houses. As there are 12 houses in a horoscope and as Mars in 6 houses causes Mangala Dosha, it simply means that 50% of the people born have Kuja Dosha of some level. Hence it goes without saying that this Mangala Dosha is not something which will ruin a person, because it is not the intention of God to condemn half of mankind.

The prevalent misconceptions are that, if a person has Martian affliction it will either ruin the marriage or will cause one’s death or the death of the partner. Especially if a girl has Kuja or Mangala Dosha, called “Mangali”, she is looked upon as a devil by the mother-in-law. Nothing can be farther than the truth. First let us examine what the Kuja Dosha is all about and how it affects marriage.

The planet Mars symbolizes courage, aggression, vitality, confidence, fighting spirit and warrior qualities. If Mars is placed in any of these 6 houses, it gives aggressive tendencies to either the person or the spouse. In certain cases if Mars is malefic to the native, it also gives danger to life, provided that other bad combinations are also present. These two are the main negative qualities. Hence the first reason for the “Dosha Complex” is that – in the olden days the ideal wife was regarded as one who is meek, obedient and submissive. Hence a girl with the so called Martian afflictions, who is likely to have courage and fighting spirit, was considered by our MCP society as a girl with “Dosha”. The second possible reason for the “Dosha Complex” is that during the war torn middle ages when a lot of the sastras were written, a “Martian person”, who is normally well built, courageous, aggressive and has fighting qualities, was a prime candidate to be recruited by the king for his army and hence the chances of his death or serious injury were quite strong. In the present changed circumstances it is foolishness of the highest order to be scared simply because one has
Mangal Dosha.

However, Mangala Dosha is not something that can be ignored. It does cause marital discord. Before marriage it is very essential to match horoscopes for Kuja Dosha. If a person has Kuja Dosha in the horoscope the spouse must also have Kuja Dosha. This way the Dosha is cancelled. Otherwise both should be without any Dosha. Various “authorities and experts” have given a lot of exceptions and cancellations for the Dosha. They are so many that almost everything is cancelled! The truth is that in majority of the cases the so called exceptions and cancellations do not work.

P.S.Iyer’s tips: In 1991 the late Sri P.S.Iyer, one of the acknowledged giants of Indian astrology and an authority on the marriage aspects, gave a discourse to several budding aspirants of astrology in Mr. K.N.Rao’s house and I was one of the fortunate ones to attend it. He was quite clear in stating that Mangala dosha is present in 6 houses. This Kuja Dosha or Mangala Dosha must be examined from the Moon, Venus and Saturn also. He even gave the details of the percentage of Mangala dosha in each house. In 8th house the dosha is full, in lagna 1/2, in 7th 1/4, in 4th 1/8 and in 12th and 2nd houses 1/16. As per the exceptions and cancellations, he was very specific about the following:

No dosha if mars is in its its own house or exaltation house. No dosha if aspected by a benefic.

If a strong benefic is placed in the 9th house then the dosha of Mars in the 7th and 8th is cancelled.

However he also advised that apart from the Mars, the planets Saturn, Sun and Rahu also cause similar dosha! From the point of view of causing dosha, if Mars causes 100% dosha, Saturn causes 75% dosha, Sun causes 50% dosha and rahu causes 25% dosha. These doshas must also be evaluated similarly!

As per the koota matching his advise was to give more importance to dina, gana, rasi, yoni and rajju and less to the others. So much so for the nadi dosha fear!

The matching of horoscopes and especially the extent of Mangala Dosha is the job of an experienced astrologer and must be done after carefully analyzing both the horoscopes.

Rakshasagana

The second major misconception while matching horoscopes of marriage is Rakshasagana. Once again this becomes a highly objectionable thing in case of a girl.

While matching horoscopes for a marriage under the Koota matching system, the birth stars in which the Moon is placed at the time of birth, called Janma Nakshatra, in which the bride and bridegroom are born, are analyzed and matched for various compatibility factors. One of them is the Ganas of the nakshatra. All the 27 Nakshatras come under 3 groups. They are Deva Gana, Manushyagana and Rakshasagana. If both bride and bridegroom are born in the same Gana then the matching is supposed to be the best. So the best combination is Deva-Deva, Manushya – Manushya and Rakshasa-Rakshasa. In the Gana matching this combination gets 4 out of 4 points. The next best is between Deva-Manushya and Manushya-Rakshasa. This gets a score of 2 out of 4 points. The last and worst combination is Deva-Rakshasa which gets a score of 0 out of 4 points. This is as per the detailed South Indian Dasha Koota matching system. In the North Indian Ashtakoota Matching system the Gana matching is allotted 6 points and you get either 6, 3 or 0.

Unfortunately too much importance is given to this Gana matching because of two reasons. Firstly as in case of Mangala Dosha, the person born under Rakshasagana has more confident and aggressive tendencies and hence this becomes a major taboo for a girl. Secondly a good Gana matching enhances prosperity. However, what the average public and even a lot of astrologers fail to take into account is the fact that, out of the total 35 point Koota matching, the Gana matching carries only 3 points. What is even more important is the fact that out of the 9 planets we are only taking into account the Ganas of the stars in which the Moon is placed at birth and totally ignoring the Ganas of the stars in which the balanced 8 planets are placed.

Hence it is foolhardy to attach too much importance to Gana dosha.

Sadesati

One of the most terrible periods, according to the believers in astrology, is the dreaded 7-1/2 years of Saturn transit called “Sadesati” in North India and “Elinatishani” in South India. When the transiting Saturn transits the 12th, 1st and 2nd houses from one’s Rasi, i.e., where one’s Moon is placed in the birth chart, it is called Sadesati. ( Saturn takes 30 years to make one round of the zodiac hence 2-1/2 years in each sign multiplied by 3 = 7-1/2 years).

While it is true that during this 7-1/2 years Saturn transit period people do experience some tensions and troubles, it is nothing to be scared about. On an average every man has to go through at least 2 sadesatis during his life time. The results of the sadesati transit vary considerably from person to person depending on the planetary configurations in one’s birth chart. Even while giving some troubles and tensions, it does not deny you success. For example when Mrs. Indira Gandhi became a Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting in 1964, she was going through her Sadesati! In January 1966 when she became Prime Minister she was still going through her Sadesati!! There are thousands of people who not only got away scot-free during sadesati, but actually prospered during it.

All kinds of dreadful results are forecast by the astrologers to scare the people and apart from living under fear, people spend a lot of money quite unnecessarily on all kinds of remedies. Actually the pundits love Saturn, Mangal, Rahu and Ketu, the fearsome four names in Indian astrology, as they have given more money to them by way of remedies than the benefic like jupiter or sun!

There are plenty of remedies for sadesati, the most effective being the daily reciting of Hanuman Chalisa or the Dasaratha Shani stotra.

Saturn, which according to Hindu mythology is the son of Sun God, is an excellent planet. No other planet can give what Saturn can. In fact having a well placed saturn in ones chart is one of the best things to hope for! When Mrs. Indira Gandhi re-elected PM, she was going through the mahadasa of Saturn. When Amitab Bacchan was at his peak, he was also going through Saturn mahadasa. Unfortunately people and the pundits ignore the positive side of Saturn and project it only as an evil planet.

Kalasarpa dosha:

This is another highly feared combination. You will be surprised to know that the ancient classics of astrology have not even mentioned it! Yet it has become one of the most feared doshas, because Kal means death and Sarpa means snake. When all planets are to one side of Rahu and Ketu Kalasarpa Dosha is supposed to be caused. This is considered a very bad yoga which gives rise to misfortunes and is supposed to be a major obstruction to ones progress. This dosha is said to be severe when all planets are within the arc from Rahu to Ketu in their natural motion direction.

There are supposed to be 12 types of Kalasarpa doshas, based on the placement of rahu from the lagna to the 12th house. These 12 have been named after 12 fearful sounding snakes: Anant, Kulik, Vasuki, Shankhapal, Padma, Mahapadma, Takshak, Karkataka, Shankhanaad, Patak, Vishakata and Sheshanag. It is not known who cooked up this nonsense, but rest assured that it is none of the Rishis from Parashara to Varahamihira. Obviously some new 20th century “Rishis” of Delhi and U.P!!

The latest astro-stunt by the “Pundits” is the introduction of “partial kalasarpa dosha”. The basics parameters of this are undefined, so anyone may have it!! A lot of unscrupulous astrologers are scaring people about this dosha and extracting money for the so called remedies. The remedy of course depends and varies according to the financial status of the innocent man!

From practical point of view this is not found to be a hindrance to progress. I have the horoscopes of a lot of people who have this so called dosha and are doing quite well in life. One of the most notable exceptions is the horoscope of Jawaharlal Nehru, the late prime minister of India. If someone can rise to that level with kalasarpa yoga, then its not a bad one really!!