LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 98

Samayachara-tathpara (98) Worshipping Lalithai in the chakras of kundalini, beginning from muladhara chakra is called ‘smayachara’. This is explained in Rudrayamala an ancient scripture, as told by Shiva himself to Shakthi. This nama means that She likes ‘samayachara’ worship. This worship can be done only mentally. Initiation from a Guru is the first step in this worship. This initial initiation will culminate in ‘poorna abhishekam’ (mantra bath) that will be performed by guru to the disciple. The initiation by the guru will make the kundalini ascend from the perineum to the six chakras. Guru will guide his disciple at each level and at each chakra. Guru will not perform the mantra bath on the disciple unless he is convinced that the disciple has attained a particular stage from where, the disciple could carryon on his own. Guru also will not perform this ritual unless the disciple realised the Brahman. After this ritual of mantra bath, there is yet another ritual called ‘maha veda’ samskaram, a fire ritual. This maha veda samskaram will be done only on the day of ‘maha navami’ which occurs once in a year (please refer earlier postings for details). After completing all such formalities, the sadaka (practitioner) will have to go to an isolated place and commences his samayachara meditation, i.e. meditation on the six chakras and the sahasrara. There is a prescribed procedure for this worship. Kundalini (Lalithambigai) is aroused from the perineum and taken to muladhara chakra. She is in her subtle form viz. ‘mantra form’ in this chakra. From muladhara chakra she is taken to the next higher chakra viz. swadishtan chakra. She has to be mentally worshipped in this chakra. She is in her subtler form viz. ‘kamakala form’ at this stage. After the worship at this chakra She is adorned with rich clothes and ornaments. Remember that everything associated with her is red in colour. She is then taken to manipuraka chakra. At this stage, changes occur in the gross body of the sadaka. People around him start noticing these changes. In this chakra, She is offered argyam, bhadyam, etc (washing her lotus feet and hands) and she accepts offerings made by the sadaka. Then she is made to adorn the throne which we have discussed in nama 3 earlier. In this chakra she is her subtlest form viz. kundalini form. Kundalini energy gets the name of kundalini only from the naval chakra. From this chakra onwards, she becomes very powerful. We have to bear in mind that this is a mental worship that takes place internally. Then she is taken to the heart chakra or anahat chakra, where she is offered beetle leaves (karpoora vitika. Please refer nama 26). She is then taken to vishudi chakra where is worshiped with ‘arathi’. Arathi means offering (showing) various types of lamps lit with pure ghee (clarified butter). Each such arathi has its own significance. For example ‘pancha arathi’ means the five elements, ‘poorna kumba arathi’ signifies that everything was created out of totality and all such things merge in totality. From vishudi chakra, she is then taken to ajna chakra, where is offered ‘karpoora arathi’. Karpoora arathi means arathi lit with camphor. Arathi with camphor has a lot of significance, which we will discuss elsewhere. She is adorned with garlands of sweet smelling flowers and perfumes. She is to be visualized as a bride at this stage. She is then taken to sahasrara where Shiva is waiting for her. When she enters sahasrara a veil is placed around them and the sadaka waits for her return. Once she returns from Sahasrara, she is taken back to muladhara chakra. This nama means that she likes this type of worship. Kundalini meditation is highlighted here. We have discussed in this blog that Shakthi alone can take us to Shiva, the supreme Brahman. The supreme Brahman is Shiva and Shakthi is maya. There is yet another interpretation possible for this nama. Kundalini represents jiva-atma or soul. Soul is a dynamic energy where our karmas are embedded. When the soul merges with paramatman or the Brahman this is called Shiva-Shakthi union. The merger of jivatma and paramatma is discussed in this nama. Further it is also emphasized that emancipation can take place only if kundalini reaches sahasrara. Repeated practice of this samayachara worship is necessary to stay with the Brahman forever.