SriChakra

Part 1

Note:
This is only an attempt to learn about the wonders of the ShriChakra and the Hindu traditions.
I do not claim any of the materials and researches as my own. These are only notes that I have taken while learning. This is for purely academic purposes.

The SriChakra is a symbolic form that is prevalent in the worship of the goddess
TripuraSundari all over India. It is a geometrical representation of the SriVidya mythology. The faithful consider this as an emblem of the Goddess herself.
The SriChakra represented in the picture to the right is the top view of the “Sumeru” or Mount Meru.

Structure of the SriChakra is as follows:
1> In the center is a bindu or a dot.
2> This is surrounded by a trikona or a triangle.
3> Around this triangle is Vasukona or a group of eight triangles.
4> These are in turn surrounded by two groups of ten triangles.
5> This is surrounded by manvarsa or a group of fourteen triangles.
6> These fourteen triangles are surrounded by nagadala or a circle of eight petals.
7> This is surrounded by Shodasaara, a circle of sixteen petals.
8> Around this come the three circles or he vrttatraya.
9> These are in turn surrounded by Sandanatraya or three squares with four gates facing the four directions.

Thus SriChakra consists of 9 layers or circuits with a “bindu” in the centre. Thus the SriChakra is also known as NavaYoni Yantra.

The Trikona, Vasukona, Dasharayugma and the manvasra are known as the Shakthi Chakras. The Asthadala, Shodashadala, vrttatraya and the Sadanatraya are known as Shiva Chakras.

There are many similarities between this and the symbols worshipped by the pagans.
like the blade and chalice.
In the SriChakra, we see a union of 4 triangles known as Shiva (representing the male) and 5 inverted triangles known as Shakthi (representing the female). Thus SriChakra is also a map of creation of the universe.

Each of the layers represents a chakra in the human body. These layers have specific names and represent various forms of the Goddess and are invoked by specific “beeja mantras”.

Trikona represents Mulaadhaara Chakra
Vasukona – Svaadhishtana Chakra
Dashaara – Manipura Chakra
Dvitiya Dashaara – Anahata Chakra
Chaturdashaara – Vishuddhi Chakra
SivaChakraChatushtaaya – Ajna Chakra.
Bindu or the central dot corresponds to Sahasrara Chakra.

To be continued in Part 2.

Kriti: Jalandhara Supeetasthite

Written by my sister Padmini who is continuing her music lessons under the tutelage of Mrs. K.N Vani in Bangalore:

I had just completed learning an interesting krithi in raga Valaji by Harikeshanallur Mutthaiah Bhagavathar called "Jalandhara Supeetasthe". The words in this krithi kept haunting me for quite some time which prompted me to research further on this. The opening word Jalandhara was so strikingly similar to the place in Punjab – Jalandhar. Did this krithi have any connection with this city? Well, may be. My search showed some interesting connections.

Jalandhar is a district in Punjab known for its sports goods industry also has some ancient temples. Legend says that this place was ruled by a daitya raja by name Jalandhar after whom, the city derives its name. There is an ancient temple dedicated to goddess kaali. Apparently, Jalandhar is one of the Shakthi peethas – Sati's right breast is said to have fallen in this place. The goddess in this temple is worshipped as Tripura Malini. May be Mutthaiah Bhagavathar is referring to Goddess Tripura Malini in his krithi on the goddess, though there is no specific mention of Tripura Malini in this krithi.

Another possible connection emerged in my mind with the thought of one of the posture in Hatha yoga called Jalandhara Bhandha. In this yogic posture, the air is blocked in the upper torso. This yogic posture corresponds to the Vishuddha chakra (ref Kundalini yoga). Each chakra in the body is governed by a Devi. Vishuddha chakra is ruled by Shaakini Devi. So, is Mutthaiah Bhagavathar referring to this goddess in his Krithi?

What ever the connection, the Krithi is a very beautiful one and raga Valaji has been expounded very well.