Kamalaambikaayaaha -- Punnaagavaraali - Rupaka Thaalam.

This is the sixth Navaavarana by Dikshithar. The raagamudra viz. Punnaagavaraali appears in the Anu Pallavi. The Chakra is known as Sarva Rakshaakara Chakram, the protector of all. This is known as Anthar Dashaara Chakra,meaning the inner sub ten triangles.

Pallavi:=

Kamalaambikaayaaha asthava bhakthoham :: I am the devotee of Kamalaambika

Shankaryaaha shrikaryaaha sangeetha rasikaayaaha shri :=  She is the spouse of Lord Shankara. She is the bestower of all prosperity and She is a great Music Lover and the most auspicious one.
Anu Pallavi :=

Suma sara ikshu kodanda Paasa ankusa paanyaaha := In Her four hands She holds the flower arrow, the Sugarcane bow, the rope noose and the goad.

Athi madhurathara vaanyaha Sarvaanyaaha Kalyaanyaaha := Possessing of a very sweet voice ; She is the spouse of Lord Shiva; She is the embodiment of auspiciousness.


Madhyama Kalam




Ramaneeya punnaga varaali vijitha venyaaha shri  := She has beautiful hair which surpasses the beauty of the blackbees swarming the Punnaga tree and She is the most auspicious .


Charanam :=

Sarva Rakshakara Chakra

Dasa kala athmaka vanhi swarupa prakasa anthar dasara sarva rakshaakara chakra iswaryaaha:= She is the deity of inner ten triangles which is named as Sarva Rakshaakara Chakra which depicts Her inner nature of ten fold fire. In the fifth avarana the outer ten triangles were dealt with the respective deities viz. the ten vayus prana, apana, vyana, udana, samana, Naga, Kurma, Krukara, Devadutta, Dananjaya. Of these the first five vayus interact with the fire in the stomach and performs rechaka excreting, paachaka making the food fit for intake, soshaka drying, daahaka burning,plaavaka filling. The rest of the five vayus do the kshaarakam acidification, udhdhaarakam take out or excrete, kshobakam the fires of pessimism, jrumbhakam  fire of assimilation, mohakam creating lustre,with the food which digest bhakshya, bhojya, shoshya, lehya and peya qualities of the food viz.biteable,enjoyable,dry,semisolid and drinkable qualities of food.

The present sixth aavarana deals with ten vital fires stated above and this chakra denotes the beginning of inner realisation of self.

Thridasaadinutha kacha varga dwaya maya sarvagnaadi dasa shakthi sametha malini :-

Worshiped by three deities or thirty three crores of deities as per mythology, the ten letters of ka and cha group denoting the ten nigarbha yoginis meaning the hidden deities surrounding Goddess Kaulini. They are Sarvagna-omniscient, sarva shakthi-all powerful, sarvaishvarya prada-conferring all empowerment, sarvagnaanamayi- consisting of all knowledge, sarva vyadhi vinaasini-destroying all diseases, sarvaadhaara swarupe-central axis of our body viz the sushumna through the spinal cord, sarva paapahare-annihilator of all sins, sarvaanandamayi-bestower of all happiness, sarva rakshaa swarupini-bestower of all protection, sarvopsithapalaprade-giver of all wishes,

Chakreswaryaaha thridasa vimsad varna garbhini kundalinyaaha :=She is deity of the chakra maalini surrounded by the above said dasa kalas, She is the kundalini covering the fifty letters (in Sanskrit).

Dasa mudraa samaaraaditha kaulinyaaha := She is the godess Kaulini worshipped by ten Mudras. Mudras are positions of fingers practised in worship. There are ten mudras in Shri yanthra worship. Samkshobini,Vidhraavini, Aakarshini, Vasankari, Unmaadini, Mahaankusa, Kesari, Bija, Yoni, Thrikanta. These are explained very elaborately in the website telugubhakthi.com under dasa mudraani. Even in Lalitha Sahasranaamam the term Dasamudra samaaraadhya denotes this. However according to Samayaachaara these are not applicable.Whatever the Gnaanis speak becomes worship and whatever they do becomes the Puja krama or the tenets of Puja.

Madhyama kalam
 
Dasarathaadinutha guruguha janaka shiva bhodinyaaha := Worshipped by Dasaratha etc. She confers knowledge on Shiva the father of guruguha.

Dasa karana vritthi mareechi nigarbha yoginyaaha shri := Her inner light constitutes the working of ten karanas or indriyas viz.Gnaanendriyas such as ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose; Karmendriyaas such as speech, hands, legs, genitals and anus.The krithi ends here stating such auspicious Kamalamba whose devotee I am.

The audio version is available with arvindsdad.blogspot.com

Shri Kamalaambayaaha Param -- Bhairavi Raagam -- Jampa Thaalam

This is the fifth aavarana which is known as Bhahir Dasaaram indicating the ten outer minor  triangles and the relative Chakra is Sarvaartha saadaka chakra meaning accomplisher of all. The yogini is kuloththeerna meaning crossing beyond kula.The chakra deity is known as thripurasri, the auspicious thripura. The krithi is composed by Dikshithar in Bhairavi raagam and the raaga mudra is in anupallavi.

Pallavi :=
Shri Kamalaambaayaaha param nahi re re chiththa := Oh mind! There is nothing beyond Kamalaambika,

Kshithyaadi Shivaantha thathva swaroopinyaha := She is the core principle of every thing starting from Her Divine Consort Lord Shiva onwards to the Earth meaning from the subtle of the subtlest to the gross of the grossest..The cosmic consciousness or the cosmic being shines in all the individuals eternally. We name Her Shakthi, the power within in beings, matter etc.

Anu Pallavi:=

Shrikanta vishnu virinchaadi janayithriyaaha :=She is the mother of deities,Shiva,Vishnu, and Brahmaa as She has created them..When a vibration arises in the cosmic form of Mother Shakthi just as a wave is born in an ocaen Vishnu is born.Brahma is born and Shiva is born to carry on the three fold activity of creation, sustenance and dissolution.
Shivaathmaka vishva karthriyaaha kaarayithyaaha := With Shiva  as the pure consciousness permeating the Universe in its varied forms, Shakthi has created this world and every thing moves according to Her order.
 Shrikara bahir dasaara chakrasthithyaaha := She resides in the auspicious outer ten triangles
Sevitha Bhairavi, Bhargavi Bhaarathyaaha := Attended to by Mahakali, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.
 Those who know the vedaas consider the Mahamayaa who controls the universe as the embodiment of Parvathi,Lakshmi and Saraswathi.

Charanam :=

Sarvaartha saadhaka chakra



Nadamaya sookshma rupa sarva siddhi pradaadi dasa shakthyaaraaditha murthe := Here Devi is qualified as the one who is the embodiment of sound and of subtle form. The primordial sound is known as pranava .This sound is purported to exist before the creation and it is the sound that stays after the pralaya.In creation the first thing produced is sound and it is the subtle form of ether. Since sound is the first material possession, it is by dint of sound alone we can
dissolve our material existence.

This is known as the naada rupa,the embodiment of sound of the supreme consciousness or awareness.
She is further described as the deity worshiped by the ten sub-deities of subtle form such as the following:
Sarvasiddhi prada, conferring all powers
Sarva sampath prada , conferring all wealth.
Sarva priankari , lovable by all.
Sarva mangala karini ,conferring all auspiciousness ,
Sarva kama prada , conferring all desires ,
Sarva dukha vimochani , removing all sufferings.
Sarva mrithyu prasamani, .mitigating all deaths .
Sarva vigna nivaarini ,removing all obstacles
Sarvaanga sundari , Beautiful in all limbs .
Sowbaagya daayini , conferring all prosperity

Shrothraadi  dasa karana athmaka kula kaulikaadi bahu vidha upaasitha kirthehe:=
There are five gnanendriyaas viz. ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose.in our body and there are five karmendriyaas viz. mouth, hands, legs, genitals and anus. The presiding deities of these ten indriyas or senses are known as kula kaulikadi deities and Devi is worshipped by them in varied forms including the tantric form of worship.

Abheda nithya shuddha buddha muktha sachidananda maya parama advaitha spurthehe :=
 She is free from thoughts of differences. She is eternal, pure, liberated; She is the chit shakthi as well as the
Ananda Bhirava in one. She is the highest pure consciousness pervading  all the sentient and insentient ,
embodiment of the philosophy of  advaitha, the oneness principle.

Adi madhyaantha rahitha aprameya guruguha moditha sarvaartha saadakaspurthehe :=
 Here Guruguha (Muruga) is described as one who is not conditioned by the three states of creation, sustenance and destruction. He is further said to be immeasurable or unfathomable.The saadhakaas
who please Muruga by dint of their steadfast yogic practices worship Devi .

Mulaadi navaadaara vyavrittha dasadhwani bedagna yogi brinda samrakshinyaha :=
Devi protects the yogi groups who have the capacity to identify the subtle sounds of ten different types
on the path of  kundalini rising along the sushumna. from mulaadhaara to sahasrara . Our body is created with the help of nine basic substances which are known as moola prakrithis . Corresponding to the nine chakraas of  Srichakra represented by nine triangles bone marrow, semen, prana, and jeeva are pertaining to Shiva.
Prana is a certain form of matter which the athma organizes or builds up as a means of  having experience.
Jeeva is the principle of life which develops matter by guiding the energy immersed in matter. These are the
upward triangles as per samaya worship.
Skin, blood, flesh, brain and bone are the five downward triangles representing Shakthi.


Anaadi maya avidya kaarya kaarana vinoda karana patuthara kataaksha veekshanyaahaa  :=
Maya is termed as primordial cause of creation which produces avidya or ignorance in the mind of jeeva.
This in turn binds the jeeva under cause and effect of actions.i.e kaarya and kaarana. The powerful side glances of Devi i.e kataaksha veekshanam, dispels the avidya and thereby  release the jeeva from the
samsaara,viz. birth and death in succession.

The audio version of the song is available with "arvindsdad.blogsopt.com" under the label of Kamalamba Navavaranam


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Kamalaambikaayai -- kambodhi -- ata thalam

The Fourth Aavarana of Shri Kamalaamba Navaavarana consists of fourteen triangles. These are fourteen minor triangles presided over by yoginis and the relative Chakra is known as Sarva Sowbhagya Dayaka, which grants excellence. Even in Bhagavad Gita it is said yoga is excellence in action.The right frame of mind for such an action is bestowed by this aavaranam.The fourth aavaranam is in the fourth vibhakthi..The raga mudra comes in the charanam.

Pallavi :=

Kamalaambikaayai kanakaamshukaayai karpoora veetikaayai namasthe namasthe:= My  prostration to  you again and again, Kamalaambika who wears golden silk dress and uses the fragrant karpoora betals.

AnuPallavi:=

Kamalaakaanthaanujaayai kaameshwaryai ajaayai:= She is the younger sister of Vishnu the consort of Lakshmi. She is Kaameshwari.As Kaanchi periavar says " Ambaal is holding sugarcane bow and flower arrows in order to relieve us of our mental agitations. Once the grace of Devi befalls a person that person will have equanimity in respect of every thing perceived by him. She is ajaa, devoid of birth and death. She is the embodiment of pure consciousness. She is the absolute Brahman, the supreme peace,unborn and permanent.

Himagiri thanujaayai := She is the daughter of Himavaan, the king of mountains.

Hreemkaara poojyayai :=Kaameshwri is worshipped as a vashini devatha or deity in the sarva roga hara chakra of eight triangles which will be dealt in a later krithi, and Her beeja manthra is hreemkaara.

Madhyama kaalam:=

Kamala nagara vihaarinyai kala samooha samhaarinyai := She is sporting in the Kamala nagara of Thiruvaarur or She is sporting in our hearts which is termed as kamala nagara by Dikshithar. She is the destroyer of wicked people, or She is the destroyer of our wicked thoughts in our minds.

Kamaneeya rathna haarinyai kali kalmasha parihaarinyai := She wears a beautiful gem-set necklace, She is the destroyer of sins committed by us in this kaliyuga.

Charanam :=

Sarva sowbhaagya dhaayaka chakram

Sakala sowbhaagya daayaka ambhoja charanaayai:=   The lotus feet of Devi confers the devotee all prosperity.

Samkshobinyaadi shakthi yutha chathurthaavaranaayai:=The Fourth aavarana belongs to you wherein you are endowed with the power of Samkshobini viz. giver of all prosperity.

Prakata chathur dasa bhuvana bharanaayai:= You bear the famous fourteen worlds.

The rishis of lore talked about experiences of life in fourteen worlds, seven higher worlds and seven lower worlds. There are three worlds wherein the ego undergoes reincarnation and repeated deaths.These are bhur loka ,the earth; bhuvar loka, the world and the next which is connected to this world but constituted of fine matter.  suvar loka, the heavenly world. Beyond these, there are four other worlds wherein the ego moves about and enjoys higher evolutionary life. These are known as Mahar loka, Jana loka, thapa loka, sathya loka.

Below the earth there are seven worlds viz.,Paathaalam, Mahathaalam. Rasaathalam, Thalathaalam, Suthaalam, Vithaalam and Athaaalam

Prabhala guruguha sampradaaya anthah karanaayai := You represent the inner core of the famous Guruguha tradition.

Here guruguha denotes Dikshithar and he belonged to smartha sampradaaya. As a staunch follower of smaartha sampradaaya he was a srividya upasaka and experiences Devi as pure consciousness within himself.

Akalanka rupa varnaayai aparnaayai suparnaayai :=Blemishless, beautiful in the form and hue with the names of Aparna and suparna.

Paarvathi was doing penance towards Lord Shiva without partaking food, not even dry leaves.Thus She was named as aparna. All manifestations of Shakthi in the world in the gross form are known as suparna

Su kara dhrutha chaapa baanayai := Devi holds in Her beautiful hands the sugarcane bow and flower arrows.

Shobanakara manukonaayai :=Devi is the presiding deity of Sarva Sowbhaagya daayaka Chakra which consists of  fourteen triangles which give the following powers :=

01.Sarva samkshobhini:= Power to make everything restless.
02.Sarva vidvaavini := Power to destroy.
03.Sarvaakarshini := Power to attract all.
04.Sarvaahlaadini :=Power of conferring delight.
05.Sarvamohini := Power of confusing.
06.Sarvasthambini:= Power to sustain.
07.Sarvajrimbhini :=Power to expand.
08.Sarvavasankari :=Power to influence.
09.Sarvaranjani := Power to please
10.Sarvonmaadini :=Power to intoxicate.
11.Sarvaarthasaadake := Power to accomplish all aims.
12.Sarvasampatthipurani :=Power to fulfill.
13.Sarvamanthramayi := Power consisting of all manthraas.
14.Sarvadwandwakshayankari := Power to destroy duality

Madhyama kaalam: =

Sakunkumaadi lepanaayai charaacharaadi kalpanaayai := Devi is fully covered by the application of kunkuma etc. She is the creator of movable and immovable aspects of the universe. The world appearance is nothing but the play of the mind and the mind itself is the play of the omnipotent and all powerful Ambaal.

Chikuravijitha neela ganaayai chidaananda purnaganaayai :=Devi's black hair surpasses in beauty that of the clouds. She is laden with the repository of existence knowledge and bliss.


The audio version is available with "arvindsdad.blogspot.com".under navaavarana krithis of Dikshithar.

Shri Kamalaambikayaa -- Shankaraabharanam -- Rupaka Thaalam

This is the third aavaranam on Goddess Kamalaamba by Shri Dikshithar. The raaga Shankaraabharanam is
mentioned in the Charanam. This composition denotes the Ashta dala Chakram which is known as Sarva SAmkshobana i.e the agitator of all..The presiding Deity is Thripura Sundari. Each petal in the Ashta dala
has a consonant that begins with Ka.
The agitations mentioned herein  are of the mind and signify attachment, detachment , withdrawal, indifference etc.
These types of mental disturbances  end only with self  knowledge. Dikshithar after attaining such knowledge
has composed this krithi and it is evident from the very Pallavi.
Pallavi:=

Shri Kamalaambikayaa  kataakshithoham sachchidaananda paripoorna Brahmaasmi :=

I have received the grace of Goddess Kamalaamba and I have become one with Existence, Knowledge and
Bliss.
Here Dikshithar explains his state as one who has reached complete peace and bliss and thereby is devoid of any mental agitations.

AnuPallavi :=

Paaka Shasanaadi sakala Devatha sevithayaa ;= The one who is worshipped by Indra the slayer of pakaasura, and by all other deities.

Pankajaasanaadi panchakrithyaa krith Bhaavithayaa := praised by the lotus seated one viz. Brahma and others i.e Vishnu, Rudra, Ishwara and Sadashiva who do the five actions viz. srshti (creation) sthithi ( protection) samhaara ( destruction) thirodana ( separating into indivisible components) and anugraha (assimilating into infinite bliss).

Madhyama Kaalam

Shoka hara chathura padayaa := Her feet deftly destroys grief.

Mooka mukhya vaak pradayaa := Mooka kavi or poet was endowed with the gift of speech by Dhevi.

Koka nada vijaya padayaa:= Her red lotus hued victorious feet.

Guruguha thathrai padayaa := embodiment of the three word manthra of Guruguha " thath thvam asi". (thou art that).

Charanam:=

Sarva Samkshobana Chakram

Ananga kusumaadh yashta shakthyaa kaarayaa := The eight yoginis are called ananga, formless, akin  to Manmatha, the god of love. They are ananga kusuma (flowers) mekala (girth) madana (delight) madanaathura (love) Rekha (lines or measure) vegini (energy) ankusa(restraint)
malini(garlands).

Aruna varna samkshobhana chakraakaarayaa := Ambaal is red-hued like dawn and shines in the Samkshobhana chakra.

Anantha kotyanda naayaka shankara naayikayaa := She is the consort of Lord Shiva who is the Lord of innumerable universes.

Ashta vargaathmaka guptha tharayaa varayaa:= ka, cha, ta, tha, pa, ra, ya, sha are the eight groups of alphabets used for beeja manthra worship in secrecy.


Madhyama Kaalam


Anangaath yupaasithayaa ashta dalaabja sthithayaa :=  She is worshipped by manmatha.  She is seated in the eight petalled lotus viz. sarva samkshobana chakra.

Dhanur baana dhara karayaa dayaa sudha saagarayaa := The one who wields the bow (sugarcane) and arrows (flowers) and who is the ocean of the nectar called mercy.

For the audio version please refer to arvindsdad.blogspot.com under Navaavarana krithis.

Kamalaambaam Bhajare -- Kalyani -- adi = The Second Aavarana.

Sarvaasha paripooraka chakra

The second Aavarana krithi of  Kamalaamba Navaavaranam deals with Sarvaashaa Paripuraka Chakra i.e

The Fulfiller of all desires.

In the first Aavarana it was indicated that by propitiating various Devathaas in the Thrilokya Mohana Chakra,

one can obtain various powers and siddhies which will create lot of agitations in one's mind. It is like a person

having violent efforts to fulfill his selfish ends runs towards a mirror puffing and panting and thereby misting the mirror which he wants to see. That is why only those with a restrained mind with their goal set for reaching the realized state will be able to proceed to the next Aavarana.

The second Aavarana is no better in inducing the aspirant to swerve from his chosen path. The Deities of this Chakra fulfill the aspirations thereby creating more and more cravings in the devotee's mind; such is the nature of Maya. However Dikshithar warns  in the very beginning of the krithi that all activities born of illusion should be given up.

Pallavi : =

Kamalaambaam bhajare re maanasa kalpitha maya kaaryam thyajare. :=  Oh ! mind! worship Kamalaamba leaving aside the illusory activities of your own creation.

Anu Pallavi :=

Kamala Vaani sevitha paarshwaam :=Kamalaamba is attended on either side by Lakshmi and Saraswathi.

The ninetyninth sloka in Soundarya Lahari says that the worshipper of Devi obtains knowledge and wealth
in such a way that Brahma and Vishnu feel jealous of him.

Kambu jaya greevaam natha devaam := The beauty of Devi's neck chides the conch. She is prostrated by the Devaas.

Kamalaapura sadanaam  mridu gadanaam kamaneeya radanaam kamala vadanaam := The one who has Kamalaapuram as Her residence, who is soft spoken with beautiful teeth and whose face is like a lotus.

Charanam :=

Sarvaasha pari puraka chakra swaamineem parama shiva kaamineem := Devi is the supreme Deity of Sarvaasha Pari puraka Chakra and She is the consort of Lord Shiva.

Sarva asha pari puraka chakra is located within the thrivalaya (three circles) in the form of sixteen petals. They fulfill all desires. The Yoginis of sixteen lotus petals are known as Aakarshinis--one with the power of attraction. They are known as Guptha Yoginis .They denote the five elements, five sense organs, five senses and the mind .

Durvaasaarchitha Guptha Yogineem Duhka Dhwamsineem Hamsineem := Sage Durvaasa worshiped Devi as Guptha Yogini who is the annihilator of sorrow and the one who represents the highest knowledge.

Nirvaana nija sukha pradaayineem nithya kalyaaneem kaathyaayaneem := The real happiness as a result of liberation is granted by Devi. She is ever auspicious and named kaathyaayani as the daughter of Sage Kaathyaayan.

Sharvaaneem madhupa  vijaya veneem, sad guruguha jananeem niranjaneem := The consort of Shiva, having beautiful hair surpassing the beauty of the black bees and the mother of noble Guruguha, who is a guileless entity.

Madhyama kaalam :=

Garvitha Bhandaasura bhanjaneem kaamaakarshinyaadi ranjaneem:= Annihilator of arrogant Bhandaasura and the sixteen kalas or arts are empowered and encouraged by Devi.

They are Kaamaakarshini (desire), Budhyaakarshini (intellect) Ahankaaraakarshini (ego) Shabdhaakarshini(sound) Sparshaakarshini (touch) Rupaakarshini (form) Rasaakarshini (taste) Gandhaakarshini (smell) Chithtaakashini (mind) Dhairyaakarshini (fortitude,valour) smrithyaakarshini (memory) Namaakarshini (name) Beejaakarshini (seed) Athmaakarshini (soul)Amruthaakarshini (immortality) Shareeraakarshini(body).

The story of Bhandaasura is recalled by Dikshithar in two words. When Manmatha was reduced to ashes,
by Lord Shiva, on Rathi devi's mercy plea he was brought to life by Brahma and Vishnu. On seeing this Shiva curses manmatha to turn into a demon named bhanda to worry Brahma and Vishnu.When the duo pleaded with Shiva for killing the demon, Shiva creates a sacrificial fire at Thiruvarur and Parvathi emanates from the fire and kills Bhandaasura..

Nirvisesha Chaithanya roopineem urvi thathvaadi swaroopineem := Devi represents the pure consciousness which is all pervading and She resides in the moolaadhaara as the serpant coiled kundalini establishing the earth principle.

As the mother of all creatures Devi symbolises the Mother Earth embracing every thing on earth; She looks after the creation, sustenance and dissolution , the three fold function of Tripura Sundari. She is the Mother of the world; Her love is supreme. She is constantly showering Her grace on Earth. She is taking care of all Her children and gives them the power to enquire with their minds, thus leading them kindly to the goal of being united with Her eternally.

The audio version of the song sung by smt.Rajeswari is available in arvindsdad.blogspot.com under
Kamalaamba navaavaranam .

The first Avaranam - Kamalamba samrakshathu maam -- Ananda Bhairavi -- thisra thriputa

Sri Chakram

In Hinduism worship consists of external and internal aspects of which the external worship consists of symbols as follows:=
1) Many images of deities are cast in human forms
2) By utterances of Sanskrit alphabets in the form of Manthraas in respect of each deity.
3) In tantric forms geometric representations are made and these are worshipped with Mudraas or hand gestures.

This is especially practised in Shakthi worship and Srichakra worship is foremost among them.
Srichakra is worshipped in the form of Shiva-Shakthi. There are nine triangles around a small circle in the centre called Bindu. The Bindu denotes the union of Shiva and Shakthi. Around the Bindu there are four upward triangles representing Lord Shiva, and five downward triangles representing Shakthi.
These nine triangles constitute the fundamental principles of the body, the microcosm and the universe, the macrocosm.

The elements in the body viz.bone, marrow, semen, prana and the jivathma denote the principle of  Shiva. Skin, blood, flesh, brain and bone form shakthi tatwa or principle.
On the cosmic front i.e in the universe, earth, water, fire, air and ether form Shakthi principle.Maya, knowledge, Maheshwara and Sadashiva relate to Shiva principle.

Thus Srichakra denotes both the combination of Shiva and Shakthi in both the microcosm the body and macrocosm the universe.
The triangles are surrounded by first a circle with eight lotus petals and another one with sixteen lotus petals.
Surrounding this are three lines of circles known as thrivalaya, and a rectangular enclosure of three lines Bhupura with entries on four sides.

Sri Kamalamba Navavaranam almost indicates the journey of self towards its realization. Symbolically each Avaranam is like a veil or sheath which has to be lifted and entered. Before reaching the inner core there are about eight  Avaranas to be crossed and the ninth Avaranam is the ultimate realisation of bliss.

As the Navavaranams are preceded by three dhyana kirthanas on Bala Ganapathy, Bala Muruga and

Sri Kamalamba for the successful completion of each avarana from the first to the ninth, the ninth Avarana is followed by a mangala kirthanam in Sri Ragam in a benedictory note for the  protection of the devotee.

Each Avaranam is composed by Dikshithar in a single case (vibhakthi) of sanskrit grammer i.e from prathama (first) to the sapthami (seventh) and the eighth Avarana is in sambodanam (addressing case). The ninth Avarana is composed in all the vibhakthis and in total there are eleven kirthanams in eleven ragas.

The Navavarana kirthanas truly reflect Sri Dikshithar's proficiency in sanskrit, his mastery of various ragas in carnatic music and his complete knowledge of Srichakra and its various Avaranas as a Srividya upasaka.

By singing these kirthanas with diction and devotion, with right musical notes one is said to have completed the navavarana puja.

Pallavi :=

Kamalaamba samrakshathu maam hridh kamala nagara nivaasini := May Kamalaamba protect me, She who is the one residing in the lotus town of my heart. Literally Thiruvarur is known as Kamala Nagara, but Dikshithar as a follower of Samayachara emphasises through his words that the attainment of self realization after traversing the nine sheaths viz. Avaranas starts right  from here, within our body.

Anu Pallavi :=

Sumanasaaraadhithaabja mukhi sundara mana priyakara sakhi := As the noble souls among the devotees worship Devi, Her countenance shows a lotus like exhilaration and She is the beloved companion of Lord Shiva, the most beautiful among gods.

Kamalajaananda bodha sukhi kantha thaara panjara shuki := Since kamalaja denotes Brahma, Devi revels in the blissfulness of sat, chit, ananda
(existence, knowledge, bliss) i.e Brahmaananda. She is further compared to the female parrot caught in the cage of pranava or omkaara. She is the one who is bound by the primordial sound of AUM. Pranava means "humming" the primal sound. This can be heard by each one of us through one's nervous system like a thousand vinas playing at a distance. it is a strong inner experience held by yogins with great reverence.

Charanam :=







Thrlokya Mohana Chakram

Thripuraadi chakreshwari aNimadi sidheeshwari := The chakra in the first aavarana is named Tripura. There are three lines in the square enclosures. It is also known as Bhupura.The outer line signifies the ten sidhdhies starting from anima.These are anima (atomicity); laghima(lightness); mahima(mightiness); ishithwa (power over others); vashithwa (attraction over others); prakaamya (taking the desired form); bhukthi (enjoyment of power); ichchaa ( will to accomplish desires); praapthi ( attainment); sarva kaama(power to fulfill desires). These are the powers one could obtain in the starting of Srichakra meditation. The real aspirant never craves for such powers and he moves on to the next step.
The middle line deals with "maatrukaas" the manthra associated deities.They are Brahmi, Maheshwari,
Kaumari,Vaishnavi, Vaaraahi, Mahendri,Chamundi, Mahalakshmi. The primary functions of these deities are presiding over the eight groups of letters comprising of sanskrit alphabet.

The third inner line represents the yoginis comprising of nine mudras (hand gestures) and the tenth one is thripura collectively presiding over these yoginis. The following are the centres  in the body with the respective deities and each deity is invoked with the respective mantra as well as hand gesture as part of puja.

Sarvasamkshobini = agitator of all.The other deities represent Sarva Vidraavani ( chasing, )  Sarvaakarshini  (attracting, ) Sarvasankari ( subjugating, ) Sarvonmaadini ( intoxicating,) Sarvamahaankushe ( restraining,)  Sarvakechari  (moving in space, ) Sarvabeeje ( seed of all,) Sarvayone ( ovum of all.) Sarvathrikande ( the thripartite of all ) They form the nine centres in the body and the tenth is the body comprising of all these. The deities are known as prakata yoginis.


Nitya kaameshwari := For ever the fulfiller of desires. Kamakoti periavaal says : In order that all our agitations are removed Ambaal holds the sugarcane bow and flower arrows in Her hand. We may recall that these are the weapons of Manmatha the God of Love. As Muka kavi says once the grace of Ambaal falls on a person he will not be tempted by the vilest of temptations as he will have balanced views on everything.

Kshithipura thrilokya mohana chakra varthini prakata yogini := After entering the bhupura, the three lined square enclosures through the portals, one comes across three circles which are known as thrivalaya (three circles). The space between the innermost line of bhupura and the outer most line of thrivalaya is known as Thrilokya Mohana Chakra. Crossing this chakra successfully without yielding to tem ptations is the pre-condition to proceed forward in the navaavarana. Here thrilokya mohana signifies the delusion in the three worlds, in the minds of people due to mental agitations.

Sura ripu  mahishasuraadi mardani nigama puraanadi samvedini:= Devi has annihilated demons like Mahishaasuraa, who are the enemies of Devas: She is  the one known through Vedas and Puranas.

Madhyama kaalam:=

Thripureshi guruguha janani := The deity of Thripura, Mother of Guruguha

Thripura Bhanjana Ranjani := The one who is pleasing to lord Shiva, who is the destroyer of the three worlds.

Madhu ripu sahodari talodari := The one who is the sister of Mahavishnu,the enemy of Madhu the demon.

The one with an abdomen as slender as the palm of a hand. Or we may say that in the adhaara chakraas Devi occupies the Manipuraka as Kameshwari.

Thripura sundari maheshwari := Enchanter of the three worlds,the supreme deity of all deities.

The audio version of this song rendered by Smt.S.Rajeshwari is available with arvindsdad.blogspot.com under kamalamba navaavaranam.

Kamalambike--Thodi--adi

This is the third dhyaana krithi of Sri Kamalamba navaavaranam. In this krithi Dikshithar describes the glorious features of Sri Kamalambika in order to bring the devotees in an apt condition to enter the first avarana. There are two sannidhies for Ambaal at Thiruvarur. The consort of Lord Shiva in Her glorious married state is known as Neelothpalaamba. Before the divine marriage, the attire of Ambaal in penance is known as Kamalambika. At Thiruvarur when one enters the North Tower, there is a separate temple on the western side wherein sits Ambaal in penance facing the northwest direction and this deity is known as Kamalambika.

Following the Kaadi matha Dikshithar became a Srichakra Upasaka and composed krithis for the nine chakras on Sri Kamalamba which are known as navavarana krithis. These krithis expound philasophical terms and their respective terms in manthra as well as thanthra in Devi upasana.

Pallavi:=
Kamalambike! asritha kalpa lathike! chandike! :=  kamalambike, for those who take refuge in you, you are like the karpaka creeper yielding their wishes and you are a fierce Goddess.( who annihilates the wicked).

Kamaneeya arunamsuke! kara vidrutha shuke! maamava  :=     Wearing a beautiful red garment and having a parrot in your hand, please protect me!

Anu Pallavi :=

Kamalasanadi pujitha  kamala pade! bahu varade !:= Your lotus feet are  worshipped by Brahma and others viz Vishnu, Shiva etc.and you are a bestower of many boons ( for your worshippers)

Kamalalaya theertha vaibhave! Shive! Karunaarnave!:= The one who glorifies the Kamalalaya tank by having Her abode on its banks, the auspicious one, and an ocean of mercy,  (in  removing the miseries of mankind).

Charanam :=

Sakala loka naayike! sangeetha rasike! :=    As the presiding deity of Srichakra, Ambaal, the Srichakra rajakumari wields all the worlds perceived realised and experienced by the jiva. She is a great connoisseur of Music. The highest and easiest form of worship is through music.That is the reason why we try to have at least  a glimpse of Dikshithar's navavarana krithis and their special significance.

Sukavithva pradaayike! sundari gatha maayike!:=   Proficiency in poesy is easy of access to those of poets who worship kamalambika and Devi is a bestower of such knowledge. She is beautiful and devoid of illusions or maya and represents the pure consciousness.

Vikalebhara mukthi daana nipune! agha harane!:= She is an expert in granting videha mukthi i.e attaining moksha at the end of one's life. Her nearness removes one's ego in this very life.

Viyadaadi bhutha kirane! vinoda charane ! arune! := Devi shines beautifully like the rising sun and Her rays, light red in colour radiates and permeates this world and the five elements as the primordial cause; Her enchantingly red-hued feet like lotus have a unique feature. Unlike the other gods and goddesses Devi does not show Her abhaya mudra through Her hands because all the powers of  abhaya varada are contained in Her lotus feet. A person who meditates on Devi resplendant with red hued rays around  would never get back to the wheel of birth and death.

Madhyama kala sahithyam:=

Sakale! guruguha karane! sada shivanthah karane !:= Whatever we perceive and contemplate and whatever is beyond our perception and contemplation, everything is the swarupa of Devi. As Bharathi the tamil poet says, yaadumaagi nindraay, She stands as everything before us.She is the mother of the Great Guruguha, She is the core consciousness of Shiva. Shakthi and Easwara both are intertwined as the fragrance and flower; nectar and its sweetnes and.fire and light; that they cannot be separated.

aa ka cha ta tha pa adi varne! akandaika rasa purne!:=  aa, ka,cha,ta,tha,pa etc. are the first letters of the Maathruka manthras of the vasini devathaas of the sarva roga hara chakra in srichakra which we will be dealing with, in due course, as we deal with the seventh aavarana kirthanai. Ambaal  is surrounded by vaag devathaas and She is the one as the essence of  unlimited bliss.

In this krithi Dikshithar contemplates on Kamalamba by invoking Her various divine attributes.

The audio version of this krithi as beautifully rendered by smt.S.Rajeshwari is available in the blog
arvindsdadblogspot .com under navaavarana krithis.