Visualizing a God
If i ask a question, how does god look like? Many will say based on their following and visualization give or pick a shape say this is how god looks like. If no god were created then how do we visualize? Most worshipped nature. Which is the best thing. By connecting to nature, she will keeps us protected, nurtured and help us to connect to the divine. God is everywhere, in everything and inside us but still one of the best ways is to visualize.The visualization should provide meaning to the seeker and build on the truths it represents.
The cosmic ocean is darkest you can imagine and silent. In this everything exists. Krrshna or krishna means darkness. Take a black canvas and try to draw painting. You have to use contrast colors to make an image. one of the best color is cosmic blue. Then white and green provides better visualization. Gold color looks so beautiful. The god is in the darkness of the canavas, all we have to do is give a shape. God use blue color and rest make it contrast so that the shape of god is visible. Some highlights with white color.
In black canvas by drawing gold ornaments, a beautiful shape can be provided. Then decorate with white, the shape is formed. See how beautiful venkatesa looks with Naamam. Now same thing. Find beautiful black rock and start carving as per all the attributes of the god that we visualized. Each and every aspect of it should attract all bhaktahs and imagination should drive wild what each part of the idol is trying to convey. Now the outlines and inner details are the most important thing. We will analyze the venkata idol in detail.
Carving Idol
A sculpture will try to find the rock which in a shape of an egg or can be good enough to carve into one. If you look at the idol in standing posture it will look like a upside down egg. The legs together at the bottom will resemble the tip of an egg which rests on the lotus flower inside yantra inside cosmic ocean. Our face is also like a upside down egg. Above nose and in between eye brows the nerves forms naamam shape. Left shoulder is Shankham and right shoulder is chakram. We also have 4 arms, 2 are invisible unless you treat the shoulders as arms in a divine way. One hand holds lotus and the other Gadha.
Shoulder to bottom of legs and in between legs of the middle of the body forms naamam. If you put a garland or necklace it will resemble naamam as well. Please take deep look at the idol with or without decoration. The features of the divine is well carved.
Hands are of different mudras. Varada and Katya Mudra.
According to the Vedic scriptures, such a peculiar hand position is called the Varada Hasta Mudra (The hand that offers boons).. With this mystic Mudra, the Holy Lord Venkateswara is very emphatically telling us that, “I’m going to stand here on the Tirumala Hills forever to protect my devotees in this unholy Kali Yuga.. For a devotee who has complete faith in my Holy feet, am here to take care of him and his entire family during all the times they pass through the problems of this inhuman world”
What is further more unusual here is that, “Lord Sri Venkateswara’s left anterior lower hand is straight down; bent at the wrist and is found lightly resting, just below His left hip.. Such an unusual hand position, according to the Vedic scriptures ,is known as the Katya Vilambita Hastha Mudra”
Katya means panegyric or pay homage, Vilambita means hanging, Hastha means hand, and Mudra means posture.. With such an unusual Hasta Mudra, the holy Lord Sri Venkateswara is giving us great assurance by saying, “As long as my devotees have complete faith in Me. I shall not allow the flood waters of this Bhava Sagara (Ocean of problems) go beyond their hip level”.
“Sri Venkatesa Charanam Saranam Prapathye”
“Although my two back arms are empty, am still keeping them ready to use my weapons the moment I realize that there’s a threat to humanity in general and to my devotees in particular”..
When krishna was born he had 4 arms. He can magically hide them and bring them back when he wants. We also should imagine that our shoulders are like invisible hands which carries the weight of samsara.
From neck and above, it is toughest thing to carve especially the face. Venkatesa carved his own idol or took the rock form completely by himself. Is such a thing possible? yes but divine acts through humans. He helped a sculpture to bring all the features and divine form for worship.
Naamam is the most important thing that must be added. How? Cant carve on the face. Face is carved and looks beautiful. Naamam nerves are above forehead if we carve it, it looks ugly and also crown will block it. Crown also carved with the head. Naamam represents the yoni and source of creation. This should prominently be displayed.
To display the naamam, the best contrast color is white and prominently displayed on the face. It should occupy the forehead and good chunk of face to convey the source of creation. With that the idol with all the things came alive.
Govinda Naamam established.
Decorations
Decorating god is our imagination. All of us want the idol look beautiful and divine.
Garlands and flowers play a significant role and each one have a specific identity in the legends and lores of the Temple of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala.
It is mentioned in the ‘Tiruvai Mulhi’, a local purana that the celestial ruler of the seven hills was known for his love of flowers and flowery decorations at his abode throughout the year.
Everyday the majestic idol of the deity in the Srivari Temple is decorated with nearly 100 feet length of flower garlands.
The garlands are made from specially cut flowers of nearly 27 varieties, and six types of aromic leafs from the gardens of the Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala.
The prominent garlands adorning the deity are – Shikhamani, Saligrama Mala, Kanthasari, Vruksha Sthala Lakshmi, Shanku Chakram, Kathari saram, Tavalamulu.
Shikhamani : The flower garland that covers the crown and along the shoulders and is about 12 feet in length in bright flowers – rose, jamine and marigold etc.
Kantha sari : Flower garlands which fall from the shoulders in both right and left directions.
Saligrama Mala : These are garlands with heavily scented flowers like roses, jasmines all along the long Saligrama necklaces that are worn by the deity from neck upto waist level . Each of the garlands are above 12 feet in length
Vurksha Sthala Lakshmi : Flower garlands aorning the Bhudevi and Sri Devi who reside in the chest of the Lord
Shanka chakran :The flower decoration on the celestial emblems of Lord Venkateswara – Shanka and Chakram
Kthariha Saram : The flower decked belt along the waist to fit in the sword
Tavalamulu are the three long garlands that hang down from the top to bottom on the sides in three stresses. along the hands.
With flowers and garland swamy looks most divine and all bhakthas are mesmerized.
Gold Ornaments and Dress
Many to show utmost devotion, they decorate swamy with Gold and diamonds. If a person wants to do it for greater good it is ok. You will not be blessed more because you donated more money to venkata. All our Mokkubadi or desires for god to fulfill in turn we donate money into a hundi is the norm. Divine will not act by these material transactions. His calculations are totally different.
Some of the ancient jewellery of Lord Venkateswara include Nagabharanam (snake bracelet), Karnabharanam (earrings), Makara Kundalams (crocodile-shaped earrings), Pachala Haram (emerald necklace), Kati and Varada Hasthams (diamond-studded golden sheath on palms of the lord, right one receiving offerings and left one placed on the waist) and a diamond crown, among other things.
Each and every ornament that is put in swamy is to give a different prospective. Yellowish gold color represents the sun rise color which represents the shinning conscience. It also represents the Eternal fire color.
Seva or Ritual - Suprabhatam
Does Vishnu sleep? From human prospective he sleeps in the night at Tirumala and wakes up in the morning. All should go there to wake him up from sleep with full of bhakthi with suprabhatam chants. This ritual is 2:30 to 3:09Am. Poor swamy they dont let him sleep even for 1 hr. The idea is based in your time, we can visit him 24hrs at our convenient time.
Suprabhatam' is the first and foremost pre-dawn seva performed in the temple of Lord Venkateswara. This ritual is performed at Sayana Mandapam inside sanctum sanctorum to wake up the Lord from His celestial sleep, amidst the rhythmic chanting of vedic hymns.Every day in the early hours acharyapurushas recite the hymns beginning with 'Kausalya Supraja Rama Purva Sandhya Pravarthathe’ in front of the main deity at Bangaru Vakili, while on the other hand, a descendant of Tallapaka Annamacharya sings some songs penned by the great saint poet in praise of Lord Venakteswara at the first corridor of the sanctum sanctum at the same time.
Suprabhatam' is a Sanskrit term which literally means “Good Morning”. This particular hymn consists of four parts including Suprabhatam, Stotram, Prapatti and Mangalasasanam.
Suprabhatam-It means the awakening of Lord from His divine sleep and it consists of 29 slokas.
Stotram-These are the hymns in praise of Lord, consisting 11 slokas.
Prapatti-Meaning Total Surrender to the lord and it has 16 stanzas.
Mangalasasanam-It is the prayer sung in the glory of Lord consisting 14 stanzas.
Suprabhatam, composed by Prativadi Bhayankara Annan, a disciple of the celebrated Vaishnava Preceptor, Manavala Mamuni consists of a total of 70 slokas.
This arjitha seva is performed before the Bangaru Vakili, after which the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy(silver replica of the main deity and is also known as “Dhruva Beram”) who was laid to bed in the “Sayana Mantapa” is shifted back to “Garbha Griha” to commence His activities for the day. Archakas, jeeyangars, temple authorities and the Grihastha pilgrims worship the Lord during this early morning seva and feel immense solace with the first glimpse of His Divine Charm that which cannot be described in mere words.
Immediately after completing the 'Suprabhatam', Bangaru Vakili is kept open. The ritual lasts for over 30 minutes. (Suprabhata seva will not be performed in Dhanurmasa. Instead, 'Tiruppavai' is recited during this time.)
Many times simple cotton dress with decorations looks beautiful on swamy. The idol is kept in semi dark place to enhance the beauty of the griham. Different kinds of dressings reflect different attributes of swamy. Based on rituals and beliefs, swamy is decorated appropriately. It is all up to the seeker's to enjoy the venkata.
Thomala Seva 3:30 to 4 AM
The word “Thomala” means a garland of flowers. Hence this arjitha seva assumes importance of decorating the presiding deity with exquisitely tied colourful floral and Tulasi garlands after awakening Him from celestial sleep with Suprabhata Seva.
This arjitha seva is intended to call the special attention of the pilgrim grihasta who takes part paying requisite amount to witness the flower decoration of the “Mula Virat”(main deity)which takes place at the end of the puja.
Known as “Thodutha Malai” in Tamil, the flower garlands in Yamunathurai are brought by the Periya Jiyar-the chief pontiff of Tirumala temple as per the traditional custom or by his Ekangi (disciple) in the temple, with a lighted torch in a procession to the rhythmic beat of Jeganta (handy bells)to the temple.
The flower garlands are made into several pieces and each piece being of a particular size to be adorned to the respective areas to enhance the Divine beauty of Lord in a spectacular manner. This seva lasts for about 30 minutes. This arjitha seva is performed in Ekantam(pilgrims are not allowed)during the rest of the week.
Most of the time the decorating idols are not shown. All the priests work in tandem to decorate swamy. This seva is everytime decorated the same way. It provides so much divinity and portrays all attributes for seekers bliss.
Archana 4:16 to 5 Am
Archana refers to the recital of various names of Lord and seeking His divine blessings for the prosperity of the entire humanity.
Also known as Sahasranamarchana, this arjitha seva deals with the recitation of 1008 glorious names of Lord. The important feature of this particular seva is that the divine blessings of Lord are invoked in the Names and Gotras of the grihasta pilgrims who take part in this seva by paying requisite amount.
The Venkateswara Sahasranamarchana is unique to Tirumala shrine only.
12 to 5 pm
Tirumala Kalyanotsavam Guide. Tirumala is considered as a place where there is a saying “Nithya Kalyanam; Pacha Thoranam” meaning “The Place where the Marriage happens ever and the leaves is always greener”. Like wise, the Tirumala temple is the only place where Marriage Ritual which is “Kalyanotsavam” happens daily.
What this ritual means? There are many ways to understand and live with the feminine force. Some treats it as wife and lives with it like samsara. My path is she is my mother and always without even a shred of doubt loves , nurtures, protects, teaches, guides and fights for my spiritual progress. Here Srinivasa found his feminine forces and marrying it. All the rituals that follows is of human marriage rituals. Hope is, one day a seeker will understand this eternal concept.
The Annual Vasanthotsavam is performed in Tirumala on the auspicious days of Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami in the month of Chaitra (March/April) every year.
According to the temple Legend, the Vasanthotsavam Festival was started during the period of King Achyutaraya in 1460's.
This annual fete was believed to have introduced by the King to mark the arrival of Spring Season. Lord and his Consorts are given aromatic bath on these three days which is believed to give a soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun.
This three-day festival starts with ankurarpanam (sowing the nine kinds of seeds) ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star, one day before the commencement of Vasanthotsavam festival.
Punya Vachanam (purification rites), vaasthu santhi (worship of deity and lord of nature and their elements and natural forces as well as lord and deity of directions and environment) and samprokshanam (sprinkling of holy water as a symbolic representation of purification) rituals are performed by the temple priests. Access to these rituals is not open to public.
On all these three days, Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts are brought to beautifully decorated Vasanta Mandapam. In Vasanta Mandapam, Abhisekham which means Snapana Thirumanjanam (Holy Bath with aromatic ingredients) is performed to the processional deity of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts on first two days.
On the third day, Lord Sri Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya and Sri Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken out in procession along with Lord Malayappa Swamy and His consorts. At the end of procession, all Utsava murthies are brought to Vasanta Mandapam where Snapana Tirumanjanam is performed with religious fervour.
Vasanthotsavam represents the seeding of spiritual enlightenment and also starting of self realization.
Unjal Seva
When Dolotsavam (the festival of swinging) or Unjal Seva takes place with Lord along with consorts on swing cot, the image is reflected in all directions. This is one of the imaginary ways of ritual to focus on srinivasa.
Sahasra Deepalanlarana Seva. This means lighting one thousand deepas. Actually it is 1008. This is also like vishnu shasra naamam which represents the way our universe constructed by vishnu. Sarvam Vishnu mayam.
Ekanta Seva is the last ritual among the daily sevas. Sarvadarsanam comes to a close with Ekanta Seva.Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi, the silver image of the main deity is seated in the Sayana Mantapam in a golden cot. During Ekanta Seva, a descendant of Saint Poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya sings lullabiees to put the Lord tp celestial sleep. This seva is also known as Panupu Seva .Tarigonda vengamamba's harati (in a plate inlaid with one of the dasavataras on each day with pearls) is offered to the Lord. Bhoga Srinivasa occupies the cot for eleven months in a year and in the twelfth month of Dhanurmasa (Margali) Sri Krishna is put to sleep.
Ekantha means being alone and serving God. This is like meditation. One on One with the God.
Nijapada Darshanam Seva is one of the weekly rituals for Lord Srinivasa in Tirumala. This Nijapada Seva attracts the thousands of devotees to see Lord Venkateswara swamy Feet without any ornaments. On every Friday, the Lord main idol can see in the simple along with white dhoti. Archana anantara darshan on Friday is called Nijapada Darshanam. Normally the Lord’s feet are covered with Tulsi leaves. But on Friday after performing Abhishekam to Venkateswara the feet are left without Tulsi leaves during which Nijapada Darshanam is held which allows devotees to see the feet of The Lord.
This seva represents Vishnu from Vaikunta touching the outer edge of our OM Universe space and time. Very special to understand this concept.
Lord can give darshan to devotees without Tirunamam. The Tirunamam is camphor after the Nijapada seva. For this Nijapada Darshanam, nearly 1000 devotees are allowed to see Srinivasa. After this Darshanam Lord can erase the illness and problems of Devotees and also bless them with good fortune.
All the rituals to keep the bhakthas focused on Venkatesha.
Vishesha or Special Pooja.
Every Monday after second bell the utsava vigraha is brought to the mantapa for 'Chaturdasa kalasa visesha puja' i.e. 14 kalasas. After seeking the permission of Sri Malayappa Swami, ankurarpana and punyaha vachanam is rendered by archakas. As Panchasukatas-Sri,Bhu, Nila, Purusha and Narayana Suktas are recited, Tirumanjanam is performed to the utsava murtis.
Seven vessels out of fourteen vessels will have gingerly oil, Milk, Curd, Ghee, Akshatas (holy grains of rice), Darbha and Panchagavya. The remaining seven vessels contain Sudhodaka(Pure Water). This explains the 14 different worlds that Vishnu Created.
Ashtadala pooja
This seva is conducted after the second bell. This ritual was first introduced in Srivari Temple in 1984 on the Golden Jubilee Year of TTD, when a Muslim Devotee offered Lord Srinivasa 108 gold lotuses. The archaka commences the puja by offering dhupa(arti stick) and dipa(lit the lamp) to the main deity. Then he recites the divine names (108) of the Lord. While uttering each name of the Lord, one golden lotus is offered at the holy feet of the lord. On completion of the archana to the Mula Virat, archana is offered to Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavati. Later Ratha Harati is offered first, followed by ordinary Harati. During this special service, the arjita ticket holders are seated in the Antrala corridor i.e. between the Kulasekhara padi and Bangaru Vakili.
Here 108 represents cosmic conscience best angles of shine and also ashta mean 8, which represents 8th dimensional earth.
Sahastra Kalasa Abhishekam.
The Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam seva is offered to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi-the silver replica deity of Mula Virat, the processional deities of Sri Malayappa Swamy varu along with his two consorts, Sri Viswaksena-the chief commander of Lord. This seva is performed to the deities after the second bell in the morning at the Bangaru Vakili.The Bhoga Srinivas Murthy is brought outside the Golden doorway and is connected by means of thin silk rope with the Mula Virat inside the Garbhalayam (sanctum). One end of the rope is tied round the feet of the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy while the other end is placed near the Kathithasta of the Mula Virat, thus symbolically establishing a relationship between the Main deity and the Bhoga Srinivas Murthy to achieve two purposes. Firstly, it becomes clear that Bhoga Srinivasa is representing the Mula Virat and secondly, it makes clear that the Pooja offered to the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy is nothing but the puja is assumed to have offered to the main deity.
1008 represents the universe and also kalsam represents the special amrutham or nectar that stirred and raises in the cosmic ocean in meditation.
Thirupavada Seva
Every Thursday, after the morning pooja, the Mula Virat is divested of all ornaments, flowers etc. The deity will be draped only in Dhoti and Uttareeyam. The Thirunaman Kaappu and Kasturi on the forehead of the main deity are also reduced in size. This results in the unique posture of Lord where one can witness the peculiar Netra Darshan (where the divine eyes of the Lord can be seen) of the main deity. During other days the wide Namam with which the Lord's forehead is adorned, covers almost half of his eyes. But on Thursday morning we can have the full view of the benign eyes of the main deity.
Poolangi Seva
After the Tiruppavadai Seva, the temple observes some rituals like suddhi (cleaning of the temple) etc., and the Moola Virat is adorned with Velvet Gown from Crown to the Feet and then the main deity is decorated with flower garlands. This service of the main deity being adorned exclusively with garlands is known as Poolangi Seva. The Poolangi Seva is mentioned in the Silappadikaram, the early Tamil Classic in 756 A.D
Abhishekam
Every Friday after Suprabhatha Seva, the regular Thomala and Archana Sevas are done in privacy and then Srivari Abhishekam is observed. This happens to be the most ancient Arjitha Seva that is being observed in the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara. The Abhishekam starts with water brought from Akasa Ganga Theertham, then with Milk, then with Suddhodakam, Chandanam and other scented articles like powdered Pachcha Karpooram, Saffron paste and drops of civet oil etc., which are brought earlier in the silver vessels.
All the rituals that we explored were evolved from hundreds of years as seekers understood more and more about Srinivasa and Vishnu. By following different rituals, every kinds of bhakthas can explore the divinity in their own way. All these also inspired many poets to sing the glories of Srinivasa.
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