Guest guest Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 The following excerpt was taken from Mountain Path April 1965 issue available in www.ramana-maharshi.org The entire article is in this link http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/m_path/1965_2/april_1965_frameset.htm om namo bhagavathe sri ramanaya! ramasamy ********************************************** A Chakra at Sri Ramanasramam By Krishna Bhikshu In the sanctum sanctorum of the Matrubhuteswara Temple at Sri Ramanasramam, established by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, in a small niche in the western wall, stands an object of worship two feet square and proportionately high, cut out of a single piece of granite and resting on a base of gold plate on which is etched a particular symbolical geometric figure. This object has been worshipped ever since its installation by Sri Bhagavan in 1949, the year before he laid down the body. In technical terminology it is a Sri Chakra Meru standing on a Sri Chakra Bhuprasthara yantra. It may seem incongruous to some that Bhagavan who all his life taught the philosophy and path of Advaita or Identity should at the same time inaugurate this other mode of worship or sadhana which is to all appearance far removed from it. But since he did so it behoves us to try to understand why, and for that we must investigate the significance of the Sri Chakra Meru and Sri Chakra yantra and of the sadhana based on them. While doing so it is well to remember that they are a symbolism and a sadhana that go right back to Vedic times and are said to have been originally instituted by the Lord Himself. ......SNIP Now to return to the specific case of Sri Ramanasramam. The yantra called Sri Chakra Bhuprastidra is etched on a gold plate and forms the base of the Meru worshipped there. To the normal Sri Chakra form thus etched Bhagavan added some bija aksharas of the mantra of Kumara or Subramanya. The Meru prasthara is the Sri Chakra in conical form, its apex representing the highest point of realization attainable to the aspirant as a result of his sadhana. The mind becomes onepointed and merges into the indescribable Beyond that is the Mother. Through this chakra the deities or devas are to be worshipped. It is taught that the universe is in three stages, the causal, subtle and gross. For the Tantrik all this has to be symbolised, whereas for the Advaitin it is not necessary. The ultimate result aimed at is the same for both. That is why Sri Bhagavan, who prescribed Selfenquiry for those who could follow it, also instituted this type of temple worship for those who are helped by it. Thus the beneficent power which he brought on earth is induced into the Sri Chakra sanctified by his touch. Some of his devotees believe that when he felt that the time was approaching for him to give up the body he instituted this as a means of canalising and continuing the Grace he had brought to them. He inducted his Divine Power into the Sri Chakra and Meru Chakra so that those drawn to the more elaborate path might continue to receive his Grace even after the disappearance of his body as well as those who practised Self enquiry. He was present at the installation and took a great interest in the pratishtapana, personally adding some details to the forms of the Chakra and supervising the entire construction. of the temple. He inspected every stone of the temple carefully during its construction and told the workmen to eliminate every defect, and at every stage he was the final authority both on form and on the ritual to be adopted and the deities to be worshipped. It is through his Grace that the Matrubhuteswara Temple is now Rishipratishtapita, radiating his Light, which is the Light of the Mother. Its very name signifies that it is Ishwara (God) who has become the Mother, pointing to the identity between Ishwara and Mother or between Siva and Shakti. Thus the advaitic doctrine of identity is not negated by this act of Bhagavan's but on the contrary reinforced so as to be available for those who require a more ritualistic path. _________________________ It is to be noted that these two viewpoints are not mere theories, after the style of Western philosophy, of which one must be false if the other is true. Rather each is the theoretical basis for a practical discipline or sadhana. They are in ultimate agreement not on the theoretical plane but because the sadhanas based on them lead ultimately to the same goal (EDITOR) As a fitting conclusion to this article we add a note on the installation of the Sri Chakra left by Alan Chadwick (for whom see the 'Ashram Bulletin' of our issue of January 1964). (Editor) Bhagavan took a personal interest in the cutting of the Sri Chakra Meru of granite which was installed in the temple and is regularly worshipped. At the time of the Kumbhabishekam or consecration, on the penultimate night before the holy water was poured over the images, he personally supervised the installation in the inner shrine. It was an extremely hot night, with the charcoal retorts melting the cement inside to further add to the heat and it must have been intolerable inside but he sat there for about an hour and a half telling them what to do. On the last night before the final day he went in procession, opening the doors of the new hall and temple, and passed through into the inner shrine where he stood for some five or ten minutes with both hands placed on the Sri Chakra in blessing. I happened that night to be at his side the whole time. This was unusual as I usually avoided taking a prominent part in such things but liked to watch them from a distance. However something made me stay by him and on account of that I am able to testify to his deep interest in the temple and especially in the Sri Chakra. It was because of this knowledge that I was instrumental after Bhagavan's passing in persuading the Ashram authorities to start the Sri Chakra Pujas six times a month. The explanation of this unusual show of interest by Bhagavan is probably to be found in the necessity for the Shakti always to accompany Siva. It is not enough to have Siva alone. On the only occasion when such a puja was performed in Bhagavan's lifetime he refused to go to his evening meal at the usual time but insisted on staying to watch it to the very end. When someone(*see foot note) remarked how magnificent it had been and what a good thing it would be if such pujas could be performed regularly, Bhagavan replied: "Yes, but who will see to this?" As I have already said, It is now being done and undoubtedly has the blessings of Bhagavan. _________________________ * - Actually it was Alan Chadwick himself who said this and who undertook to see to it (EDITOR) ******************************************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 Dear Sri Ramasamy , What a wonderful site this is!It is marvellous that devotees like yourself make the effort to clarify so exactly points raised by other memberrs .We have a virtual Satsang here and we should be grateful to Sri Ramana's grace that it assists so many in their quest . In appreciation ,with every best wish , Alan --- r_ramasamy <r_ramasamy wrote: > The following excerpt was taken from Mountain Path April 1965 > issue available in www.ramana-maharshi.org > > The entire article is in this link > http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/m_path/1965_2/april_1965_frameset.htm > > om namo bhagavathe sri ramanaya! > > ramasamy > > ********************************************** > > A Chakra at Sri Ramanasramam > By Krishna Bhikshu > > > In the sanctum sanctorum of the Matrubhuteswara Temple at Sri > Ramanasramam, established by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, in a small > niche in the western wall, stands an object of worship two feet square > and proportionately high, cut out of a single piece of granite and > resting on a base of gold plate on which is etched a particular > symbolical geometric figure. This object has been worshipped ever > since its installation by Sri Bhagavan in 1949, the year before he > laid down the body. > In technical terminology it is a Sri Chakra Meru standing on a Sri > Chakra Bhuprasthara yantra. > > It may seem incongruous to some that Bhagavan who all his life taught > the philosophy and path of Advaita or Identity should at the same > time inaugurate this other mode of worship or sadhana > which is to all appearance far removed from it. But since he did so > it behoves us to try to understand why, and for that we must > investigate the significance of the Sri Chakra Meru and Sri Chakra > yantra and of the sadhana based on them. While doing so it is well to > remember that they are a symbolism and a sadhana that go right back to > Vedic times and are said to have been originally instituted by the > Lord Himself. > > > .....SNIP > > Now to return to the specific case of Sri Ramanasramam. The yantra > called Sri Chakra Bhuprastidra is etched on a gold plate and forms > the base of the Meru worshipped there. To the normal > Sri Chakra form thus etched Bhagavan added some bija aksharas of the > mantra of Kumara or Subramanya. > > The Meru prasthara is the Sri Chakra in conical form, its apex > representing the highest point of realization attainable to the > aspirant as a result of his sadhana. The mind becomes onepointed and > merges into the indescribable Beyond that is the Mother. Through this > chakra the deities or devas are to be worshipped. It is taught that > the universe is in three stages, the causal, subtle and gross. For > the Tantrik all this has to be symbolised, whereas for the Advaitin it > is not necessary. > The ultimate result aimed at is the same for both. > > That is why Sri Bhagavan, who prescribed Selfenquiry for those who > could follow it, also instituted this type of temple worship for > those who are helped by it. Thus the beneficent power which he brought > on earth is induced into the Sri Chakra sanctified by his touch. Some > of his devotees believe that when he felt that the time was > approaching for him to give up the body he instituted this as a means > of canalising and continuing the Grace he had brought to them. He > inducted his Divine Power into > the Sri Chakra and Meru Chakra so that those drawn to the more > elaborate path might continue to receive his Grace even after the > disappearance of his body as well as those who practised Self enquiry. > He was present at the installation and took a great interest in the > pratishtapana, personally adding some details to the forms of the > Chakra and supervising the entire construction. of the temple. He > inspected every stone of the temple carefully during its construction > and told the workmen to eliminate every defect, and at every stage he > was the final authority both on form and on the ritual to be adopted > and the deities to be worshipped. It is through his Grace that the > Matrubhuteswara Temple is now > Rishipratishtapita, radiating his Light, which is the Light of the > Mother. Its very name signifies that it is Ishwara (God) who has > become the Mother, pointing to the identity between Ishwara and Mother > or between Siva and Shakti. Thus the advaitic doctrine of identity is > not negated by this act of Bhagavan's but on the contrary reinforced > so as to be available for those who require a more ritualistic path. > _________________________ > It is to be noted that these two viewpoints are not mere theories, > after the style of Western philosophy, of which one must be false if > the other is true. Rather each is the theoretical basis for a > practical discipline or sadhana. They are in ultimate agreement not on > the theoretical plane but because the sadhanas based > on them lead ultimately to the same goal (EDITOR) > > As a fitting conclusion to this article we add a note on the > installation of the Sri Chakra left by Alan Chadwick (for whom see the > 'Ashram Bulletin' of our issue of January 1964). (Editor) > > Bhagavan took a personal interest in the cutting of the Sri Chakra > Meru of granite which was installed in the temple and is regularly > worshipped. At the time of the Kumbhabishekam or > consecration, on the penultimate night before the holy water was > poured over the images, he personally supervised the installation in > the inner shrine. It was an extremely hot night, with the > charcoal retorts melting the cement inside to further add to the heat > and it must have been intolerable inside but he sat there for about an > hour and a half telling them what to do. > > On the last night before the final day he went in procession, opening > the doors of the new hall and temple, and passed through into the > inner shrine where he stood for some five or ten minutes with both > hands placed on the Sri Chakra in blessing. I happened that night to > be at his side the whole time. This was unusual as I usually avoided > taking a prominent part in such things but liked to watch them from a > distance. However something made me stay by him and on account of that > I am able to testify to his deep interest in the temple and especially > in the Sri Chakra. It was because of this knowledge that I was > instrumental after Bhagavan's passing in persuading the Ashram > authorities to start the Sri Chakra Pujas six times a month. The > explanation of this unusual show of interest by Bhagavan is probably > to be found in the necessity for the Shakti always to accompany Siva. > It is not enough to have Siva alone. On the only occasion when such a > puja was performed in Bhagavan's > lifetime he refused to go to his evening meal at the usual time but > insisted on staying to watch it to the very end. When someone(*see > foot note) remarked how magnificent it had been and what a good thing > it would be if such pujas could be performed regularly, Bhagavan > replied: "Yes, but who will > see to this?" As I have already said, It is now being done and > undoubtedly has the blessings of Bhagavan. > _________________________ > * - Actually it was Alan Chadwick himself who said this and who > undertook to see to it (EDITOR) > > ******************************************************** > > > > > > Post message: RamanaMaharshi > Subscribe: RamanaMaharshi- > Un: RamanaMaharshi > List owner: RamanaMaharshi-owner > > Shortcut URL to this page: > http://www./community/RamanaMaharshi > Links > > > > > ===== alan _________ BT Broadband - Free modem offer, sign up online today and save £80 http://bt..co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 --- r_ramasamy <r_ramasamy wrote: > The following excerpt was taken from Mountain Path > April 1965 > issue available in www.ramana-maharshi.org > > The entire article is in this link > http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/m_path/1965_2/april_1965_frameset.htm > > om namo bhagavathe sri ramanaya! > > ramasamy > Dear Ramasamy, Thank you so much for posting this wonderful article. michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 Dear Sri Alan and Sri Michael, Thank you for your blessings and kind words. As you said, we should be grateful to Sri Ramana's grace for guiding us always. om namo bhagavathe sri ramanaya! ramasamy --- Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs wrote: > Dear Sri Ramasamy , > > What a wonderful site this is!It is marvellous that > devotees like yourself make the effort to > clarify so exactly points raised by other memberrs > .We have a virtual Satsang here and we should > be grateful to Sri Ramana's grace that it assists so > many in their quest . > > In appreciation ,with every best wish , Alan > > > > > Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online. http://taxes./filing.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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