MAHAMERU from DEVIPURAM

Sri Amritananda Natha

MAHA MERU from DEVIPURAM

by
Sri AMRITANANDA NATHA

Sri Vidya Trust Devipuram, Anakapalle 531 001 Andhra Pradesh

First Edition Published by

January 2007 Sri Vidya Trust, Devipuram Ammulapalem Post (Via) ANAKAPALLE 531 001 Andhra Pradesh India Tel: +91 8924 207652 Email: seva@devipuram.com Web: http://www.devipuram.com

Edited by Designed by:

Michael Bowden Imagic Creatives Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore 71 Tel: +91 80 25356310/1/2 Email: imagiccreatives@gmail.com

Maha Meru

An Introduction
The Maha Meru, or Sri Meru Chakra, is a three-dimensional projection of the great yantra known as Sri Chakra, said to be the Mother of all Mandalas. The sublime geometry of the Sri Chakra is revealed wisdom. It is not of human origin. It is nothing less than the genetic code of the Cosmos. It is intelligent. As one commentator aptly explained, Sri Chakra is the technology of the Absolute, skillfully fashioned in Divinitys own self-image.
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Every yantric shape emits a very specific frequency and energy pattern. Sri Chakra is said to contain within itself the essence of all other yantras, and thus it contains the essence of all traditions. Certain powers, for example, are ascribed to the sixpointed Star of David, the Christian cross, the five-pointed star, the Egyptian and Meso-American pyramids, and so on. The Merus particular configuration is revered in all Eastern traditions: It integrates the essence of Indian Mother Goddess worship, Mahayana Buddhism, Chinese feng shui, the Eleusinian mysteries of the Ancient Greeks, and so much more. Once received from a proper and well-intentioned Guru, the Maha Meru can bring unbounded happiness and every good thing in life. In its Maha Meru form, Sri Chakra radiates an aura of Love and Order, literally creating a sacred space around itself. Wherever it is placed, it brings order, peace, happiness, health, and wealth in short, everything that is needed. Just keeping it in ones home will confer great blessings, because the Meru subtly connects itself to the other major yantras in the world. Its mere presence is said to cleanse the home of defects under both the vaastu and feng shui systems; to ward off and neutralize negative energies and the evil eye; to protect against unfavorable planetary influences; and to bring about healing, prosperity and peace of mind. People of all beliefs, religions and sects may reap the benefits of peace, healing and prosperity by installing the Maha Meru in their homes, offices, shrines and places of worship, as well as in hospitals, healing centers, prayer halls and wedding centers.
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It may be given as a loving and auspicious gift for newlywed couples embarking on their lives together, for adult children setting out on their own, for friends and relatives moving into a new home or embarking on a new endeavor; even as a corporate gift from employers to valued employees in each case, it will empower the recipient in every possible way. This very special Maha Meru comes to you from Devipuram, India your Global Resource for Goddess Worship, and seat of Sri Meru Nilaya temple, the largest, most unique Maha Meru in the world. Here one can literally walk into and circumambulate a true Sri Chakra, meeting life-sized murthis (divine images) of all the yoginis within. The establishment of this extraordinary temple has an amazing and inspiring story behind it one that is intimately related to the creation of these distinctive Devipuram Maha Merus. Guruji shares this story in an exclusive conversation elsewhere in this booklet.

Devipuram Maha Merus are available in two sizes: 5 x 5 x 2.5 (complete with an elegant, specially designed box) 10 x 10 x 5
The Maha Merus are currently available in the following metals and finishes. Bronze/ Bright Finish Bronze/ Antique Finish Bronze/ Silver Coat Bronze/ Gold Coat Pure Silver Pure Silver/ Gold Coat Pure Gold
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When ordering Pure Silver and Pure Gold Merus, devotees are given the option to supply the metal for making their Merus. Only a limited number of these special Devipuram-inspired Maha Merus will be created. Please send a query to merus@devipuram.com to obtain further details about the Maha Merus and how they may be obtained; or contact us at +91-8924-207652. Also please be sure to spread the word about these extraordinary Maha Merus to your friends, relatives and fellow seekers!

The Merus of Devipuram

A Conversation with Guruji
Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (Dr. N. Prahalada Sastry), affectionately known as Guruji, was born in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, the first child of Sri Narasimha Rao and Srimati Lakshminarasamma. Blessed with divine experiences early in his childhood, he developed a spiritual inclination that was to intensify later in life.
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Having graduated from Andhra University with a Masters degree in Nuclear Physics, he received his doctorate from the University of Bombay while working at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Guruji spent 23 years involved in defense projects at TIFR, but over time grew uncomfortable with the destructive nature of his research. In 1977, he received his first initiation from Sri Bala Tripurasundari herself at the Balaji Temple in Hyderabad. It proved to be a major turning point in his life: Delving more deeply into spiritual practices, he soon thereafter received Sri Vidya Poorna Diksha from Sri Swaprakashananda Natha Thirtha Avadhutha of Anakapalli, at which time he was given the diksha name of Amrita. After a two-year sabbatical as a professor of physics at Lusaka University in Zambia, Guruji returned to India in 1981, resigned from TIFR and settled at Vishakapatnam to concentrate upon Sri Vidya upasana and worship of the Devi, while also gradually developing means to help improve quality of life for humankind as a whole. During a Devi yagna in 1983, Guruji was approached about building a temple to the Divine Mother on the parcel of land that would eventually become home to Devipuram. With Her blessings, he built the Kamakhya Peetam on a hillock there and a Siva temple on the peak in 1984. Construction of the Devipurams Sri Meru Nilaya temple began in 1985 and was completed in 1994, whereupon the kumbhabhishekam (consecration) was celebrated with great pomp and piety. The temple is unique in allowing devotees to perform puja to the Devi themselves, without distinction of caste or creed. With numerous loving disciples all over the world,
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Guruji and his wife, Srimati Annapoornamba (lovingly known as Guruji Amma) have dedicated their lives to the service of humanity, establishing the Sri Vidya Trust for this purpose. (For a full biography, please visit http://www.devipuram.com) Interviewer: What is the origin of the Devipuram Maha Meru? Guruji: In 1984, before the Sri Meru temple was built at Devipuram, there was a small hillock where I would often spend time in meditation. On the slopes of this hillock, I noticed a formation very similar to that of the Kamakhya Peetam in Assam. One day while in meditation, I had the experience of lying on this peetam while four others performed a homam, with flames emanating from my body. During purnahuti, I felt a heavy object being placed on my heart. Awakening from my meditative state, I was prompted to dig at that very spot, where I unearthed a yantra resembling a Maha Meru, but of a unique design like none I had seen before. It had some significant differences from the typical Sri Chakra Meru. I later discovered, through meditations and circumstances, that a magnificent yagna had been performed at that very location more than 250 years earlier. This Maha Meru became my inspiration for building the Sri Meru temple, which at 108 feet wide and 54 feet high remains the largest Maha Meru in the world. Q: Is Maha Meru primarily a Hindu Yantra? A: I would prefer to say that its a universal yantra, belonging to all religions
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yantras resembling this one include the Sri Chakra of Hinduism, and the Mahayana Mandala of Buddhism. Chinese feng shui employs similar yantras. The Egyptian Pyramids are yet another form of this yantra; the Greek Eleusinian Mysteries involved still another. So I have found this yantra to be a universal concept, existing in all religions. As a fairly recent example, there was a gentleman in the United States called Bill Witherspoon, who used to meditate for four or five hours a day. At some point he saw a huge Sri Yantra in his meditation, and he built that same yantra in the Arizona desert, measuring a mile on each side. For anyone who meditates, including the Himalayan masters, these yantras keep appearing again and again and again, in various religions and in various forms. Q: What is the specifically Hindu interpretation of Maha Meru? A: It is worshiped as the source of the Cosmos and of all power. It creates and sustains the entire Cosmos, and we should therefore strive to understand, worship and realize this power and intelligence that runs the world. The Khadgamala yoginis [i.e. the goddesses that inhabit Sri Chakra] emanate like rays from Sri Lalita, the Maha-Devi [Great Goddess] at Sri Merus center. All gods worship Her power in order to share it and to do good; all demons worship Her power in order to loot and exploit. The Meru is one form of the power and beauty found in the principles of
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geometry and symmetry that govern the world. Aspects of Her immense powers are variously called Yoga-Maya, Durga, Kali, Vaishnavi, Chandika, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and so on; like the fruits of a wish-fulfilling tree. Various scriptures such as the Shakti Upanishads, the Brahmanda Purana, the Sri Chakra Samhita, the Sri Chakra Yoga Sara, the Sri Chakrartha Sara and others all state in a single voice that merely seeing the Sri Chakra washes away all sins and grants auspiciousness. A mere touch burns away sin like a wad of cotton wool consumed by a fire. Even if one does no puja, just keeping it in the home attracts all good to the home. And if one worships the Supreme Power in the Meru with devotion, there remains no desire unfulfilled; one experiences infinite enjoyment, both here and in the hereafter. People of all castes and religions, especially women, may without the slightest doubt keep it in their homes and worship it in any way they can. There is no siddhi that cannot be attained by regular worship of a faultless Meru. Q: Should the Maha Meru be kept in places other than the home or temple? A: It can be kept anywhere. If kept in the home, it will connect itself to all the other yantras in the world through its Bindu and attract organizing, peaceful and loving vibrations from wherever they are in the world. It is also a good thing to keep in
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hospitals, as it has healing properties. Or it can be kept in the office, because it attracts wealth, abundance and organization in the office. It is good to keep in public places too, because there will be an aura of grandeur and peace coming from this yantra. So its a universal symbol, which can be kept anywhere and everywhere. Q: Should we do puja to the Maha Meru? A: You can do puja if you wish to, but that does not imply that it needs puja. When the Maha Meru is taken from the Gurus hands, it is already energized with his vibrations and powers. Since it then connects itself with the all other yantras in the world, it continuously receives vibrations and powers from all over the world, including the cosmic centers of power. It receives abundance and grace, and redistributes them in its own vicinity. Thus, by itself, it does not need any puja as such. However, the nature of the vibrations it radiates can be enhanced very positively if you play soft music in the place where it is kept similar to what we see in the entrance lobbies of hospitals and hotels, and so on, where soft music is played to bring about a peaceful attitude in the people who enter these places. So if you can do pooja to the Meru, well and good. If you cant, you just play some soft music to it. It will absorb the vibrations and emit divine music that protects and heals, that wards off evil and brings prosperity. And not merely currency, but all forms of divine blessings of peace love, truth, non-violence; principles that empower everyone.
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Q: Many people are fond of keeping a Maha Meru in their homes as a kind of protection for their families. Why is that? A: The Maha Meru represents the Cosmic Power as it manifests itself through human beings. Life itself is derived from this yantra, and when it is kept in the home it enhances the quality of life for all the people living there. Actually the temples made by human beings are constructed of rocks, cement, steel and things like that whereas the temple that the Goddess has made, is simply the body of human beings, ourselves. In a sense, your body is itself a Sri Chakra, a yantra in which the Awareness, the Goddess, lives. If you can live in your body, if your awareness can live in your body, then why cant it live in your home? Q: But what do you say to people who are afraid to bring a Meru into their home (or other environment)? After all, there are those pundits who say a Meru should never be kept in the home. A: These fears are mainly induced by certain members of the orthodox Brahmin community, who insist that the power should be kept with them only. Weve got to get over this barrier of fear. We want to give, to share the power with everyone. So I would tell these people to please not succumb to the misinformed, thoughtless statements being made by these so-called pundits, and thus miss the chance to obtain the power than can alter your destiny in every way. The Vedas say Matru Devo bhava: There is no duty higher than worship of the
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Mother and the Mother is available to everyone as the Meru, Her highest form; other forms being icons or women empowered as the Goddess. So keep a Meru in your home; give it as a gift; think of it as a long-term investment like having a good spouse! Dont compromise on quality. Pay any price, because it is priceless. The Meru is a symbol of our power to overcome evil, and to create unlimited wealth, health and happiness. The Meru is Gayatri, who protects those who utter Her name; it is Savitri, who conceives all good karmas for Her worshipers. Q. Just to clarify, does this statement apply to everyone? Can the uninitiated also keep Sri Chakra Merus in their homes without incurring the wrath of the Goddess? A. Yes, absolutely. How can nectar become poison? It is not in its nature to harm. It is in its nature to bless. The hand that blesses does not strike. Whether we know it or not, whether we acknowledge it or not, Adi Para Shakti is already in our homes, in our bodies, in our minds, in our notions of I and mine, in our families, in all that we see because She is the All-Pervading Awareness. We cannot lose Her without losing our life, because She is verily the life within us. Does the fact that we breathe require initiation? She has already initiated us into life as the Mother who gave us SRI, which means everything. She extracted the seed from our father, giving ecstasy to him; She assembled us from life-giving
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substances of Her own body, gave us our hormones and endocrine system, our bones, flesh, skin, blood and all; She made us atom by atom, molecule by molecule; and most importantly, She put Her awareness into us. Again, the Sri Chakra Meru is but one of Her forms, the others being (2) our own physical bodies; (3) the psychic chakras in our subtle bodies, from Muladhara to Sahasrara, seven in number; (4) the world we live in; (5) Hamsa Gayatri, the breath of life which goes in and out as long as we live; and (6) Siva Linga, symbol of union of Shakti (the Yoni base) and Siva (the Linga characteristic of the Godhead). These forms are not different; they are all one and the same, they all represent Sivayor Vapuh. The moment any one of them is present, all others are present in them as well. So forget what people say. I asked Divine Mother Herself, in my meditation, this question: Will you harm some one if they take a Meru home without initiation? She said I will not harm. [A full account of Devis words to Guruji follows this conversation.] The gifting of this Meru involves a gifting of Power. There is no need to fear, provided that it is received from a well-intentioned Guru, because his life force goes into it then, and provided that it is accurate.
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Q: Accurate in which way? A: Well, to get the sorts of benefits weve discussed, three conditions must be satisfied: (1) The Meru must be perfect, having 28 marmas as points, not as triangles (a marma is a joint of three straight lines); (2) it must come from a Guru who has the best of intentions towards you; and (3) it must be placed in the puja room, or else in a prominent, well-lighted place in the home with Vedic or mantric chants being played to it; or simply soft music. Light and sound are two higher forms of worship. Then the Meru will act like an antenna, first attracting the Supreme Power, and then retransmitting it all around your home, bringing good to all. Q: Why is the Maha Meru hollow? A: Thats a legitimate question. It was intentionally made hollow, because when the Guru gives the Meru to a disciple, he traditionally fills it with various life-giving substances, such as roots and herbs, energizes them, and then seals them off inside and gives that to the disciple. That is why it is kept hollow. But so many questions have been raised about the hollowness of the Sri Chakra! Even when I was building the Sri Chakra temple here at Devipuram, people complained that it was hollow. But it has to be hollow! There is no other way! Why? It is hollow because it is supposed to represent a viyat chakra a wheel in space.
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And by the way, even if you are determined to make it totally solid, even if you think youve made it totally solid, still it is ultimately composed of atoms and molecules. And atoms and molecules have nuclei at their centers, which are like the Sun in the solar system the electrons and neutrons orbit through relatively vast spaces around the nucleus. Even if you go to the nucleus itself, it is still not solid; it consists of stage particles. In fact, the whole nucleus is very hollow and inside it there are only probability waves traveling through. Thus even the supposedly solid atoms and molecules that make up the manifest world consist mostly of empty space. So it is not true to say that the Meru has to be solid because there is nothing that is solid. Somehow this concept requiring solidity does not really stand up in light of scientific views. Q: You said earlier that the Devipuram Meru design is significantly different from that of a typical Meru. How so? A: This particular style of Meru was inspired by the design of the original that we unearthed here in 1984. It is embellished with the symbols of the Chatura Ayatana (Four Seats) deities Ganapathy at Nairuti (southwest), Vishnu at Vayu (northwest), Surya at Ishanya (northeast) and Shiva at Agni (southeast). These four symbols, taken together with the Bindu (Devi), represent the Shakti Pancha Ayatanam (Five Seats of Shakti). The Shakti Pancha Ayatanam are present right in the Meru itself, thus making it very unique. People doing Shakti Pancha Ayatana puja need not obtain each of the idols individually, as the Meru itself contains them all.
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Another unique feature is that the Meru I found had extra diamond-shaped plates above the star shapes having fourteen, ten, ten and eight corners. They served to demarcate the triangles from the undefined areas, which seemed so much more logical. This was unusual. In fact, it differs from most Sri Chakra Merus to the extent that I dont know whether it can be called a conventional Sri Chakra Meru at all. But since I found it at the same place where I had darshan, I attach great significance to it. And on the other hand there was the accuracy three lines joined without forming triangles which was very good. This characteristic does qualify to make it a good Sri Chakra. Finally, the Devipuram Meru is unique in the sense that a lot of care has been taken to ensure that the yantra is accurate. That accuracy comes from the very definition of the yantra found in the texts that define Sri Chakra in Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. We spent a lot of time about nine months in checking out the precision of this yantra, which is manufactured in Bangalore with the help of the former director (he has asked to remain anonymous) of a company known for its accuracy and testing. This Meru has been made under his personal supervision, and with my guidance. So it can be said that a lot of technical time and effort have been invested into
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making this a fault-free yantra, and moreover that it comes from the hands of a Guru who received it directly from Kamakhya Devi at Devipuram. Q: Have you personally found the Devipuram Maha Meru to be very auspicious? A: Yes indeed. When the first perfect sample came into my hands, the very next day I did a Chandi Yagna at Kalayarkovil near Madurai in a power factory, in the presence of a thousand people, and presided over by the Meru demonstrating its intention to supply power to the people. The next day it received puja at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Kovil, demonstrating Her powers of attraction to all beneficent divinities. On the third day, it was taken to Kanya Kumari showing Her potential to create oceans of beauty. And then it went round all the shakti kshetras made by Parashurama in Gods own land of Kerala, proof of the lineage it belongs to. Then in Bangalore it witnessed a marriage of a computer professional. And finally it came to Devipuram for a Guru Puja Utsavams on Guru Poornami Day. Then Sringeri Peethas Vedic University received a second Meru for the Sharada Peetham at Sweta Srigachalam, on the banks of the Uttara Vahini Krishna River. What a sequence of coincidences! I can only conclude that it was all planned by Her, not me. All of these yagnas, and everywhere it went the highest good happened. I am totally convinced about its nature and capacity to do good. I can, without the slightest doubt, recommend this Meru to everyone.
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Q: How are these Devipuram Maha Merus going to be produced and distributed? A: A limited number of copies of the Meru are being made by the Srividya Trust at Devipuram. It is like a collectible. It has a price tag on it. Were making it in different sizes 10 x 10 x 5 and 5 x 5 x 2.5; and other smaller sizes will also be available. Were also making ceramic Merus, made out of earth and fired at high temperatures, which will be available at lower cost and in larger quantities. The designer type of Meru can be made in bronze, silver, gold, panchaloha [a traditionally holy five-metal alloy] all sorts of possibilities exist. The material of which it is made can have a say in what it promotes. Gold makes it a Meru, because gold is supposed to be like Suns seed. It brings untold prosperity. Hiranya garbha garbhastham Hema bijam vibhavasoh. Silver is the seed of Siva. It promotes progeny and peace of mind, with fine arts and education. Copper destroys poverty and gives enough to survive above mere wants. Tin wards off and prevents evil from happening. Thus we recommend bronze, an alloy of copper and tin as a good choice for most. It can be plated with gold for better results. And in fact, Devipuram Merus are mostly available in this form. We prefer bronze instead of panchaloha where they say they put in some gold, but
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it usually doesnt happen. Its usually a brass thing coated with gold, and merely called panchaloha we are avoiding that. When you use a zinc and tin mixture, which is brass, it oxidizes and reduces to the color of zinc, which is black. When a bronze Meru is left unattended and gets oxidized, it looks silvery. What happens with the inauthentic so-called panchaloha is that the outer gold layer eventually wears or washes off and becomes flat thats how you come to know that it is made out of brass. We avoid this problem by keeping it permanently as either gold or copper. For big temples and other places, we can go in for pure gold or gold and silver. The molds weve made allow us to manufacture to any specifications.

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The Divine Mother Speaks

When Guruji addressed the Goddess in his meditation, asking whether Her Meru could harm the uninitiated, She replied thus:
I know you are not asking the question for yourself, for you already know the
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answer: I will not harm. I have already initiated all living beings by my presence within them. It is because I am within them that their eyes see, their ears hear, their skins touch, their tongues taste, their noses smell, their minds think, their hormones create desires, their limbs move. All this is part of initiation, for what does initiation mean? It means invoking divine life. That has already been done by me for every being, living and non-living alike. If a guru initiates, it is just a gateway to me, because just as you cant unlock a lock that is already open you cant put life into an already living being. If some qualities of your life are reduced or missing, you can improve them by healing. If certain qualities are not existing or living in you now, they need to be invoked: Compassion, kindness; being loving, truthful, indifferent to insult, serving all, and the like. If one form of me is already within you, then where is the harm in bringing another, which is merely a different way of looking at me? Hayagriva told Agastya of the immense benefits that accrue if Sri Chakra is brought into the home. Healing, riches, happiness abounds; negativities are removed at the source. There is no higher blessing than keeping my highest form the seed of the Cosmos; the organizing principle of the Cosmos in your home, to help you in improving every good quality around you. It will organize your life along the most excellent lines!
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But be careful; dont bring the wrong organizing principles into your life. If your compass is wrong, you will reach an unwanted destination. So the geometry and accuracy of Sri Chakra are important. Also be careful about from whom you are taking it, because it is their life and thoughts that you are also invoking into yourself. That Guru must genuinely desire your well being from the core of his/her heart. Dont get a chakra with faulty geometry, because geometry is a statement of the principles organizing the Universe. Do I harm if pujas are not done properly to me? Do I harm myself? I am the whole of the Cosmos. Out of the billions of galaxies, if in one of them in a medium-sized galaxy, around an average star you call the Sun, on the tiniest speck you call Earth, in one life form out of billions, in one miniscule slot of time you call a day out of the infinite cycles of time called kalpas if one person does or does not remember me, is it going to affect me in any way? What an idea, that I should harm you if you dont do puja! I could not be less bothered! So go tell the doubters these things that I have told you. If they dont listen, dont worry. I wont be I cant be angry with them, because I tolerate partial truths also. That is the nature of my Maya.
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To this narrative, Guruji adds the following statement:

You may ask, How do I know that you really talked to Devi and that She answered you thus? Are you a prophet? No, I am not a prophet trying to change the world. I am too small for that. I am only saying that I happened to talk to Her in meditation. Thousands of people do that, and they are not all prophets. I am just another person like you, who believes in doing good to others. Well, it is your doubt. You have every right to choose the answer you like. But it is also my experience, so I have every right to tell about it. If you believe in me, that I am telling the truth in this instance, then you may benefit. If you dont believe what I say, you dont lose anything; and I am not angry with you. Because She is already with you. So accept, and be happy. Or dont accept, and be happy. Either way I want only your happiness and spiritual growth.

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The Structure of Maha Meru

The form of Devipurams Maha Meru is both beautiful and deeply significant; its every curve and line is charged with layer upon layer of wisdom and meaning. As a first step toward gradually fathoming these depths, why not take some time to examine the structure of your new Meru. You will note that it is comprised of nine avaranas (enclosures or divisions). Each of these successive avaranas has its own distinct shape, name and guardian deities. Each is raised in graded elevations, with those lower and closest to the outer edges being the Devis more tangible and concrete manifestations, and those higher and closer to the center becoming progressively more subtle and transcendent in nature: The ground-level enclosure of Sri Chakra is known as the Bhupura; literally, the earthworks, as would surround an ancient walled city. It is visualized as a square chaturasra consisting of three parallel lines or walls, one inside the other. Each side of this enclosing square has a door or portal at its midpoint, through which one may visualize entry into the Merus precincts. Immediately inside the Bhupura are the Trivalaya, three concentric circles or girdles. The space between the innermost square wall and the circumference of the outermost circle (i.e., between the Bhupura and Trivalaya) is the Trailokya Mohana Chakra or Wheel Enchanting the Three Worlds. Inside these three circles rise, in successive levels:
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 The Sarvasa Paripuraka Chakra or Wheel Fulfilling All Desires, consisting of Sixteen Lotus Petals; The Sarva Sanksobhana Chakra or Wheel Agitating/Churning All, consisting of Eight Lotus Petals; The Sarva Saubhagyadayaka Chakra or Wheel Granting All Auspiciousness, consisting of Fourteen Triangles (Chaturdasa Kona); The Sarvartha Sadhaka Chakra or Wheel Accomplishing All Purposes, consisting of Ten Triangles (the so-called Outer Dasara); The Sarva Raksakara Chakra or Wheel Granting All Protection, consisting of Ten Triangles (the so-called Inner Dasara); The Sarva Rogahara Chakra or Wheel Removing All Diseases, consisting of Eight Triangles (the Ashta Kona); The Sarva Siddhiprada Chakra or Wheel Granting All Powers, consisting of the Inverted Primary Triangle (the Trikona); and finally The Sarvanandamaya Chakra or Wheel of Complete Bliss, which is the peak (koota) of the Universe or the yantras Maha-Bindu. Bindu in Sanskrit means point or center; it also means seed or drop. A drop contains forces, the interplay of gravity and surface tension, which emanate from its
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center and hold it in a spherical shape. Thus, the concept of Bindu encompasses not only the center but also that which surrounds the center. Maha means Great or Eternal. Thus the term Maha-Bindu indicates the Great or Eternal Point; the Seed of all Creation, as yet unmanifest. The sage Punyananda explained in his Kamakalavilasa that the supreme nature of the Sri Chakra is fully contained in the Bindu that it is the cause of the nine successive avaranas and the source of the initial phonic emanations of Shakti as Brahman. One modern adept states it thus: The Bindu alone is the Sri Chakra. All the rest is just an

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addition. The Bindu is the true form of Shiva and Shakti since it is One, and naturally the whole chakra is within it. Everything is contained in the Bindu. This Maha-Bindu is also identified with the bodys uppermost yogic center, the Sahasrara Chakra the Thousand-Petaled Wheel at the crown of the skull. It further corresponds to the seat or throne ( peetha) of the Maha-Devi Sri Lalita, located in the city of Tripura atop Mount Meru at the center of the Universe. As the great sage Bhaskararaya wrote in Saubhagyabhaskara, his authoritative commentary on the Sri Lalita Sahasranama: Outside and beyond the countless myriads of world systems, in the center of the Ocean of Nectar, upon the Isle of Gems (Ratna-Dvipa), more than a thousand crores [i.e. tens of millions of miles] in extent, there rises the supreme city of Srividya [] which is called Sri Chakra.

A Simple Puja for Maha Meru

The Maha Meru requires no formal prayers or worship, nor must it be kept only in vegetarian homes a reverential attitude toward it is enough. Its effects, for example, may be enhanced simply by playing soft music in its proximity. Those who know how to perform a proper Sri Chakra puja (formal devotional worship) using the Meru can accrue unlimited benefits but this is a complicated and lengthy procedure, and not very easy to learn, requiring much time and effort under the instruction and guidance of a qualified Guru. However, Guruji has
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provided here a simple puja designed for laypersons who are short on time but would still like to perform a more serious and formal worship of their Maha Meru:

Abhishekam to the Eight Matrukas

The Bhupura the square, outermost enclosure of Sri Meru, as described above is comprised of three walls which are, in turn, graced by the 28 Devis or yoginis known respectively as the Ten Mudra Shaktis, the Eight Matruka and the Ten Siddhis. In this puja we focus upon the Ashta Matruka, who govern the second or middle Bhupura wall, in each of its cardinal and intermediate directions; thus it is to the eight corners of the Sri Merus square enclosure that we shall direct our worship. The names and associations of the Devis residing at each location tell us how and why they are useful as intermediaries in helping us to obtain the grace of Para Shakti. 1 Brahmi is Brahmas Atma Shakti, Saraswati, who symbolizes creativity in all of its aspects, most prominently music and knowledge. In all efforts that improve ones quality of life in this regard for example, education, learning and creativity worship of Brahmi is recommended. 2 Maheshwari is the Goddess of Shiva; She brings Mahat Tattva (i.e., the first transformation of primordial nature, containing all other elements in their
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subtle, unmanifest forms) under control. So for those who aspire to greatness, through whatever means (for example, through business or enterprise in their various forms); for those who must insist on the right things being done at the right times by the right people; for those who require a bit of aggression to preserve their competitive edge propitiation of Maheshwari is recommended. 3 Kaumari is the Atma Shakti of Kumara or Skanda, Ganeshas brother, whose wives are Valli and Devasena. He is Shanmukha, the Kundalini Shakti; the serpent power itself. He resides in all six chakras, balancing them; he is also the leader of the Devas armies. Worship of Kaumari is recommended for couples who wish to obtain Santana, or progeny. By propitiating Kaumari through worship of the Yoni, which is the seat of Kundalini as Nagashakti wellness hormones are generated, and conditions suitable for conception are created. 4 Vaishnavi is the Atma Shakti of Vishnu, whose nature is Maya. Maya means Hreemkaara; it is involvement in the world. So Vaishnavi, a form of Lakshmi who creates these illusions of Samsara, can assist in improving ones relationships in life between husband and wife, between friends; in all kinds of interpersonal relationships.
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Varahi is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Lalita Devi. Residing at the Ajna Chakra, She has vast armies at Her command (ajna), with which She can defeat any enemy. Positive use of Varahis powers enables us to treat various diseases and internal enemies, such as kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (delusion), moha (pride), mada (jealousy) and matsarya (envy), and bring them under control. Thus Varahi can be used for effectively controlling diseases and improving ones quality of life. She can also be invoked to bring relief to others, by chanting sankalpam with their names and doing japa (mantra recitation) or prokshana (the actual or visualized sprinkling of energized water on the person on whose behalf you are appealing) with the Varahi Mantra. Varahi is especially useful in bringing relief to terminally ill patients, such as those suffering from cancer and AIDS.

Mahendri is the Atma Shakti of Indra, the God of Rain. He sends his thunderbolt, Vajra, to seed the clouds and bring the rain that fertilizes the Earth. Thus all desires regarding the wellbeing of crops, control of floods and other such natural calamities; anything related to rain and water and fertilization of the earth is best handled through the worship of Mahendri. She protects crops, ensures better dairy products and is generally useful for those in the agricultural industries, as well as for environmental control.
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Chamunda is the War Goddess, a form of Chandi; Chamunda Shava Vahana She who lives in cemeteries, riding upon a revivified corpse. Propitiating Chamunda will enable you to absolutely control all evils done to you and to eliminate those evils.

Mahalakshmi is the wealth of Sri Naraayana. She is Cosmic Awareness, and shuns pettiness in all its aspects. Thus She represents the infinite wealth of the Lord, and removes poverty of all kinds. The Ashta Aishwaryas and Ashta Lakshmis are all under Her control and they all obey Her commands. It is therefore appropriate to propitiate Her in order to get a feel for the spiritual wealth of the Lord. She not only bestows material benefits, but also grants the proper frame of mind for reaching the oceanic, infinite antaryami (One Residing Within) of Divine Consciousness.

The simplest form of worship is abhishekam using Panchamrita pour a spoonful of Panchamrita onto the Sri Meru location corresponding to each of these Devis as you recite their respective mantras, as given below. If you want a particular result, you can make a corresponding sankalpa and worship that Goddess by chanting Her mantra 108 times. These are just general hints for the people who dont have much time to spare, but still wish to maximize the benefits of their Sri Meru, to help them light the path of their lives. May the Goddess bless all of you so.
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Mantras to the Eight Matrukas

Governing Direction Beeja Mantras Avarana Mantra Name of Goddess The Mother Who Removes, or Helps Us to Overcome maatre kama (lust) sanjeevanyai maatre krodha (anger) naashinyai I Bow to Her

East South West North Southeast Southwest Northwest Northeast

Om aim hreem sreem Om aim hreem sreem

am aam souh

Brahmi

namaha namaha

am aam Maheshwari souh Kaumaari Vaishnavi Varaahi Mahendri

Om aim am aam hreem sreem souh Om aim hreem sreem Om aim hreem sreem Om aim hreem sreem Om aim hreem sreem Om aim hreem sreem am aam souh am aam souh am aam souh am aam souh am aam souh

maatre lobha namaha (delusion) naashinyai maatre moha (pride) namaha naashinyai maatre mada (jealousy) naashinyai Maatre maatsarya (envy) naashinyai namaha namaha

Chamunda maatre papa (negative namaha actions) naashinyai MahaLakshmi

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maatre aishwarya (attachment to wealth) keertyai

namaha

Mahendri

Kaumaari 3

Chamunda

2 Maheshwari

Vaishnavi 4

Varaahi

1 Brahmi

Maha-Lakshmi

Abhishekam is the ritual bathing of a murthi (temple or shrine image), yantra, guru or other human recipient. Panchamrita generally refers to a ritual mixture used in Hindu worship services. As its name implies, it is made of five ingredients, usually milk, ghee, curd (yogurt), honey, and jaggery. Each of these nectars has an origin in Hindu tradition. The milk is that of Kamadhenu (the divine wish-fulfilling cow); the curd represents the white, smooth and cool luster of the moon; the ghee is the food of the gods themselves, with a long Vedic past; honey, the extract of all herbs, is the essence of life with herbal healing powers; and jaggery, the extract of sugarcane, is both the representation and the epitome of sweetness. Sankalpa is a conception or idea formed in ones mind or heart; it is a thought, an ideal, an intention. The Vedas say that the whole universe is evolved through sankalpa the ceaselessly acting impulses of karma, driven by cosmic kama and hence it is only through sankalpa that the universe retains its karmic structure, appearance, and continuity.

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