Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari

The presiding Deity of Srichakra, Devi, is Known as Lalita Tripura Sundari. The form of Devi Kamakshi of Kancheepuram is the closest resemblance of the Devi as described in the scriptures.

All creation, manifestation and dissolution is considered to be a play of Devi Lalitha.

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Tri-pura means the three worlds, and Sundari means beauty.  She is the transcendent beauty of the three worlds. 

Tripura also signifies – ruler of the three ganas – Satva, Rajas and Tamas.

 Tripura also signifies – the ruler of the sun, moon and fire – which in turn  means the Zodiac and the planets which means the ruler of Time itself.  

She is also Tripura as will (Iccha), Knowledge (Jnana) and Action (Kriya).

She is also Tripura as Intellect, feelings and physical sensation

 

She is triple as the three states of the soul – awakening, dreaming and sleeping states.

Lalitha holds five flowery arrows, noose, goad and bow. The noose represents attachment, the goad represents repulsion, the sugarcane bow represents the mind and the flowery arrows are the five sense objects.

Lalitha Sahasranamam can be chanted in two different ways. One in Stotra form and the other in mantra form. In Stotram form, all 1,000 namams are separated into stotrams of a few namams each and recited in this way. In mantra form, each namam is said individually, preceded by "Aum" and followed by "Namah".

Asyashrilalita sahasranama stotra mahamantraSya, vashinyadi vagdevata
Rushayah anushtup chandaha shree lalita parameshari devata shrimadvagbhava
Kutetibijam madhyakuteti shaktih shaktinyasam karanyasancha kuryat mama
Shree lalita parameshari prasada sidhyardhe jape viniyogah

DHYANAM

Sinduraruna vigragam, trinayanam, manikyamaoli sphurat
Taranayaka shekharam, smitamukhim, aapinavakshoruham
Panibhyam, alipurnaratna chashakam, raktotpalam bibhratim
Saomyam ratna ghatasdha raktacharanam
Dhyayetparamanbikam
Arunam karuna tarangitakshim
Dhruta pashankusha pushpa banachapam
Animadibhi ravrutam mayukhai
Rahamityeva vibhavaye, bhavanim
Dhyayetpadmasanasdham vikasita
Vadanam padmapatrayatakshim
Hemabham pitavastram karakalita
Lasadhemapadmam varangim
Sarvalankarayuktam satata mabhayadam
Bhaktanamram bhavanim
Shree vidyam shantamurtim sakala suranutam
Sarvasanpatpradatrim
Sakunkuma vilepana malikachunbi sasturikam
Samandahasi tekshenam sasharachapa pashankusham
Asheshajana mohini marunamalya bhushanbaram
Japakusuma bhasuram japavidhao smaredanbikam
Sree-mata shree maha-ragyni shreematsinha-saneshvaree

Chidagni kunda-sanbhuta deva-karya samudyata – 1
Udyadbanu saha-srabha chatur-bahu saman-vita
Raga-svarupa pashadya krodha-karanku-shojvala – 2
Mano-rupekshu kodanda pancha tanmatra sayaka
Nijaruna prabha-pura majabhramhanda mandala – 3
Chanpaka shoka punnaga saogandhika lasatkacha
Kuruvinda mani shrenee kanatkotira mandita – 4
Ashtami chandra vibhraja dalikasdhala shobhita
Mukha-chandra kalankabha mruga-nabhi visheshaka – 5
Vadanas-mara mangalya gruhatorana chillika
Vaktra-lakshmi pari-vaha chalan-minabha lochana – 6
Nava-chanpaka pushpabha nasa-danda virajita
Tarakanti tiraskari nasa-bharana bhasura – 7
Kadanba manjari klupta karna-pura mano-hara
Tatanka yugali-bhuta tapa-nodupa mandala – 8
Padma-raga shila-darsha pari-bhavi kapolabhuh
Nava-vidruma binbashree nyakkari radanachada – 9
Shudha vidyankurakara dvijapankti dvayojvala
Karpura-vitikamoda samakarsha digantara – 10
Nijasanlapa madhurya vinirbhastitakachapi
Mandasmita prabhapura majatkamesha manasa – 11
Anakalita sadrusya chubuka shree virajita
Kamesha bada mangalya sutra-shobhita kandhara – 12
Kanakangada keyura kamaniya bhujanvita
Ratnagrai-veya chintakalola mukta phalanvita – 13
Kameshvara prema-ratna mani prati-panastani
Nabhyalavala romali lata phala kuchadvaei – 14
Lakshya romalata bharata samunneya madhyama
Stana-bhara dalanmadhya patta-bandha-valitraya – 15
Arunaruna kaostunbha vastra bhasvatkatitati
Ratna kinkinikaramya rashanadama bhushita – 16
Kamesha-gynata saobhagya marda-voru dvayanvita
Manikya makuta kara janudvaya virajita – 17
Endra-gopa parikshipta smaratunabha janghika
Guda-gulpha kurma prushtajaeishnu prapadanvita – 18
Nakhadidhiti sanchanna samajana tamoguna
Padadvaya prabhajala parakruta saroruha – 19
Shinjanamani mangira mandita shrepadanbuja
Marali mandagamana maha-lavanya shevadhih – 20
Sarvaruna navadyangi sarvabharana bhushita
Shiva-kameshvarankasdha shiva svadhinavallabha – 21
Sumeru shrunga-madhyasdha shreemannagara naeika
Chintamani gruhantahsdha pancha bramga sanasdhita – 22
Mahapadmatavi sansdha kadanba vanavasinee
Sudha sagara madhyasdha kamakshi kamadaeinee -23
Devarshigana sanghata stuyamanatma-vaibhava
Bhandasura vadhodyukta-shakti-sena samanvita – 24
Sanpatkari samaruda sindhura vrajasevita
Asvarudadhishtitasva koti bhiravruta – 25
Chakra-raja radharudha sarva-yudha parishkruta
Geya-chakra radha-ruda mantrini parisevita – 26
Kiri-chakra radha-rudha dandanadha puraskruta
Jvalamalinikakshipta mahni prakara madhyaga – 27
Bhandasainya vadhodyukta shakti vikrama harshita
Nitya parakra matopa nireekshana samutsaka – 28
Bhanda-putra vadhodyukta balavikrama nandita
Mantrinyanba virachita vishangavadhatoshita – 29
Vishukra pranaharana varahi viryanandita
Kameshvara mukhaloka kalpita shreganeshvara – 30
Maha-ganesha nirbhinna vighnayantra praharshita
Bhanda-surendra nirmukta shastra pratyastra varshini – 31
Karanguli nakhotpanna narayana dashakrutih
Mahapashupatastragni nirdagdha surasainika – 32
Kameshvarastra nirdagda sabhandasura shunyaka
Bramhependra mahendradi devasansdhutavaibhava -33
Haranetragni sandagdakama sanjivanaoshadhih
Shreemadvagbhavakutaika svarupa mukhapankaja -34
Kantadhah-kati paryanta madhyakuta svarupinee
Shakti-kutaikatapanna katyadhobhaga dharinee – 35
Mulamantratmika mulakutatraya kalebara
Kulamrutaikarasika kulasanketapaline – 36
Kulangana lulantasdha kaolinee kulayogini
Akula samayantasdha samayachara tatpara – 37
Muladharaika nilaya bramhagrandhi vibhedini
Manipurantarudita vishnugrandhi vibhedine – 38
Aagyna-chakrantaralasdha rudra-grandhi vibhedini
Sahasraranbujaruda sudhasarabhivarshinee – 39
Tatillata samaruchi shatchakropari sansdhita
Mahashakti-kundalini bisatantu taniyasi – 40
Bhavani bhavanagamya bhavaranya kutarika
Bhadrapriya bhadra-murti rbhakta-saobhagyadaeini -41
Bhakta-praya bhakta-gamya bhakti-vashya bhaya-paha
Shanbhavi sharadaradhya sharvani sharmadaeini – 42
Shankari shrikari sadhvi sarachandra nibhanana
Shatodari shantimati niradhara niranjana – 43
Nirpepa nirmala nitya nirakara nirakula
Nirguna nishkala shanta nishkama nirupaplava – 44
Nityamukta nirvikara nisprapancha nirashraya
Nitya-shudha nitya-budha niravadya nirantara – 45
Nishkarana nishkalanka nirupadhirnirishvara
Niraga ragamadhani nirmada madanashini – 46
Nishchinta nirahankara nirmoha mohanashinee
Nirmama mamatahantri nishpapa papanashini – 47
Nishkrodha krodhashamani nirlobha lobhanashini
Nisandhaya sanshayaghni nirbhava bhavanashini – 48
Nirvikalpanirabadha nirbheda bhedanashini
Nirnasha mrutyumadhani nishkriya nishparigraha – 49
Nistula nilachikura nirapaya niratyaya
Durlabha durgama durga dukha-hantri sukhaprada – 50
Dushta-dura duracharashamani doshavarjita
Sarvagyna sandrakaruna samanadhika varjita – 51
Sarva-shaktimaei sarvamangala sadgatiprada
Sarveshvari sarvamaei sarvamantrasvarupini – 52
Sarva-yantratmika sarvatantrarupa manonmani
Mahishvari mahadivi mahalakshmi rmrudapriya – 53
Maharupa mahapujya mahapataka nashini
Mahamaya magasatva mahashaktirmaharatih – 54
Mahabhoga mahaishvarya mahavirya mahabala
Maha-bhudirmahasirdhirmahayogeshvareshvari – 55
Mahatantra mahamantra mahayantra mahasana
Mahayaga kramaradya mahabhairava pujita – 56
Maheshvara mahakalpa mahatandava sakshini
Mahakamesha mahishi mahatripurasundari – 57
Chatushashtyupacharadya chatushashti kalamaei
Mahachatushashtikoti yogini ganasevita – 58
Manuvidya chandra vidya chandramandala madhyaga
Charu rupacharuhasa charuchandra kaladhara – 59
Charachara jagannadha chakraraja niketana
Parvati padmanayana padmarga samaprabha – 60

 Panchapretasanasina panchabramha svarupini

Chinmaei paramananda vigynanaghanarupini – 61
Dhyanadhyatru dhyeyarupa dharmadharma vivarjita
Vishvarupa jagarini svapanti taijasatmika -62
Supta pragynatmika turya sarvavasdhavivarjita
Prushtikartri bramharupa goptri govindarupini – 63
Sanharini rudrarupa tirodhanakarishvari
Sadashivanugrahada panchakrutya parayana – 64
Bhanumandala madhyasdha bhairavi bhagamalini
Padmasana bhagavati padmanabha sahedari – 65
Unmesha nimishotpanna vipanna bhuvanavalih
Sahasrashirshavadana sahasrakshi sahasrapat – 66
Aabramhakitajanani varvashrama vidhaeini
Nijagyna rupanigama punyapunya phalaprada – 67
Shruti simanta sirurikruta padabja dhulika
Sakalagama sandoha shukti sanputa maoktika – 68
Purushardhaprada purna bhogini bhuvaneshvari
Anbika nadi nidhana paribramhendra sevita – 69
Narayani nadarupa namarupa vivarjita
Hrinkari hrimati hrudya heyopadeyavarjita – 70
Rajarajarchita ragyni ramya rajivalochana
Ranjani ramani rasya ranarkinkini mekhala – 71
Rama rakenduvadana ratirupa ratipriya
Rakshakari rakshasaghni rama ramanalanpata – 72
Kamya kamakalarupa kadanba kusumapriya
Kalyani jagatikanda karunarasasagara – 73
Kalavati kalalapa kanta kadanbari priya
Varada vamanayana varunimadavihvala – 74
Vishvadhika vidavidya vindhyachala nivasini
Vidhatri vidajanani vishnu maya vilasini – 75
Kshetra-svarupa kshetreshi kshetrakshetragynapalini
Kshaya-vrudhi vinirmukta kshetrapala smarchita 76
Vijaya vimala vandya mandaru janavatsala
Vagvadini vamakeshi vahni mandala vasini – 77
Bhaktimatkalpalatika pashupasha vimochani
Sanhruta sheshapashanda sadachara pravartika – 78
Tapatrayagni santapta samahladana chandrika
Tatuni tapasaradhya tanumadhya tamo-paha – 79
Chiti statpadalakshyardha chidekarasa rupini
Svatyanandalavibhuta bramhadyananda santatih – 80
Parapratyakchitirupa pashyanti paradevata
Madhyama vaikharirupa bhaktamanasa hansika – 81
Kameshari prananadi krutagyna kamapujita
Shrungararasa sanpurna jaya jalandharasdhita – 82
Odyana pita nilaya nindu mandala vasini
Rahoyaga kramaradhya rahastarpana tarpata – 83
Sadyah prasadini vishvasakshini sakshivarjita
Shadanga devata yukta shadgunya paripurita – 84
Nityaklinna nirupama nirvana sukhadaeini
Nitya shodashika rupa shree kantardha sharirini – 85
Prabhavati prabha rupa prasidha parameshari
Mulaprakruti ravyakta vyaktavyakta svarupini – 86
Vyapini vividhakara vidya vidya svarupini
Mahakameshanayana kumudahlada kaomudi – 87
Bhaktahardhatamobheda bhanumadbanu santatih
Shivaduti shivaradhya shivamurtishivankari – 88
Shivapriya shivapara shishteshta shishta-pujita
Aprameya svaprakasha manovachamagochara – 89
Chichakti shchetanarupa jadashakti jadatmika
Gayatri vyahruti sandhya dvijabrunda nishemita – 90
Tatvasana tatvamaei panchakoshantarah sdhita
Nisima mahima nitya-yaovana madashalini – 91
Madagharnita raktakshi madapatala gandabhuh
Chandana drava digdhangi chanpeya kusumapriya – 92
Kushala komalakara kurukulla kuleshvari
Kulakundalaya kaolamarga tatpara sevita – 93
Sumara gananadhanba tushtih pushtirmati dhrutih
Shanti spastimati mantirnandini vignanashini – 94
Tejovati trinayana lolakshi kamarupini
Malini hansini mata malayachala vasini – 95
Sumukhi nalini subhru shobhana suranaeika
Karikanti kantimati kshobhini sukshmarupini – 96
Vajreshvari vamadevi vayovasdha vivarjita
Sideshvari sidhavidya sidhamata yashasvini – 97
Vishudichakra nilaya raktavarna trilochana
Khatvangadi praharana vadanaika samanvita – 98
Payasanna priya tvaksdha pashuloka bhayankari
Amrutadi mahashakti sanvruta dakinishvari – 99
Anahatabjanilaya shyamabha vadanadvaya
Danshtrojvalakshamaladi dhara rudhira sansdhita – 100
Kalaratryadishaktyao-ghavruta snigdhao-dana priya
Mahavirendra varada rakinyanba svarupini – 101
Manipurabja nilaya vadanatraya sanyuta
Vajradikayudhopeta dayaryadibhiravruta – 102
Rakta-varna mansanishta gudanna pritamanasa
Samsta bhakta sukhada lakinyanba svarupini – 103
Svadhishtananbujagata chaturvaktra manohara
Shuladyayudha sanpanna pitavarna tigarvita – 104
Medhonishta maduprita bandinyadi samanvita
Dadyannasakta hrudaya kakini rupadharini – 105
Muladharanbujarudha panchavaktrasdhi sanpdhita
Ankushadi praharana varadadi nishevita – 106
Mudgaodanasaktachitta sakinyanba svarupini
Aagynachakrabja nilaya shuklavarna shadanana – 107
Majasansdha hansavati mukhyashakti samanvita
Haridranai karasika hakinirupa dharini – 108
Sahasradala padmasdha sarvavarnopashobhita
Sarvayudhadharashukla sansdhita sarvatomukhi – 109
Sarvaodana pritachitta yakinyanba svarupini
Svahasvadha mati rmedha shrutih smrutiranuttama – 110
Punyakirtih punyalabhya punyashravana kirtana
Pulomajarchita bandhamochani bandhuralaka – 111
Vimarsharupini vidya viyadadi jagatprasuh
Sarvavyadhi prashamani sarvamrutyu nivarini – 112
Agraganya chintyarupa kalikalmashanashini
Katyayani kalahantri kamalaksha nishevita – 113
Tanbulapuritamukhi dadimikusumaprabha
Mrugashi mohini mudhya mrudani mitrarupini – 114
Nityatrupta bhaktanidhi rniyantri nikhileshvari
Maityradi vasanalabhya mahapralayasakshini – 115
Parashaktih paranishta pragynana ghanarupini
Madhvipanalasa matta matrukavarna rupini – 116
Mahakailasa nilaya mrunala mrududorlata
Mahaniya dayamurti rmahasamrajyashalini – 117
Aatmavidya mahavidya shreevidya kamasevita
Shree shodashaksharividya trikuta kamakotika – 118
Katakshakinkaribhuta kamala kotisevita
Shirasdhita chandranibha phalasdhendra dhanuh prabha – 119
Hrudayasdha ravi prakhya trikonantara dipika
Dakshayani daityahantri dakshayagyna vinashini – 120
Darandolita dirghakshi darahasojvalanmukhi

Gurumurtirgunanidhi rgamata guhajanmabhuh – 121
Deveshi dandanitisdha daharakasha rupini
Pratipanmukhyarakanta tidhimandala pujita – 122
Kalatmika kalanadha kavyalapa vinodini
Sachamara ramavani savyadakshini sevita – 123
Aadishakti rameyatma parama pavanakrutih
Anekakoti bramhanda janani divyavigraha – 124
Klinkari kevala guhyakaivalya padadaeini
Tripura trijagadvandya trimurti stridasheshvari – 125

 Tryakshari divyagandhadya sindura tilakanchita
Uma shailendra tanaya gaori gandharava sevita -126
Vidhvagarbha svarnagarbha varada vagadhishvari
Dhyanagamyaparichedya gynanada gynanavigraha – 127
Sarvavedanta sanvedya satyananda svarupini
Lopamudrarchita lilaklupta bramhanda mandala – 128
Adrushyadrushyarahita vigynatri vedyavarjita
Yogini yogada yogya yoganandayugandhara – 129
Echashakti gynashakti kriyashakti svarupini
Sarvadhara supratishta sadasadrupadharini – 130
Ashtamurtirajajaitri lokayatra vidhaeini
Ekakini bhumarupa nirvaita dvaitavarjita – 131
Annada vasudha vrudha bramhatmaikya svarupini
Bruhati bramhani bhramhi bramhananda balipriya – 132
Bhasharupa bruhatsena bhavabhava vivarjita
Sukharadhya shubhakari shobhana sulabhagatih – 133
Rajarajishvari rajyadaeini rajyavallabha
Raja tkrupa rajapita niveshitanija shrita – 134
Rajyalakshmih koshanadha chaturanga baleshvari
Samrajyadaeini satyasandha sagaramekhala – 135
Dikshita daityashamani sarvaloka vashankari
Sarvardhadatri savitri sachidananda rupini – 136
Deshakala parichinna sarvaga sarvamohini
Sarsvati shastramaei guhanba guhyarupini – 137
Sarvopadhivinirmukta sadashiva pativrata
Sanpradayeshvari sadhvi gurumandala rupini – 138
Kulottirna bhagaradhya maya madhumatimahi
Gananba guhyakaradhya komalangi gurupriya – 139
Svatantra sarvatantreshi dakshanamurtirupini
Sanakadi samaradhya shivagynana pradaeini – 140
Chitkala nandakalika premarupa prinankari
Namaparayana prita nandivida nateshvari – 141
Midhya jagadadhishtana muktida muktirupini
Lasyapriya layakari sajja ranbhadi vandita – 142
Bhavadava sudhavrusthih paparanya davanala
Daorbhagya tula vatula jaradhvanta raviprabha- 143
Bhagyabhi chandrika bhakta chittakeki ghanaghna
Rogaparvatadanbholi rmrutyudaru kutarika -144
Mahishvari mahakali mahagrasa hamashani
Aparna chanidika chandamundasura nishudini – 145
Ksharakshatmika sarvalikeshi vishadharini
Trivargadatri subhaga tryanbaka trigunatmika – 146
Svargapavargada shudha japapushpa nibhakrutih
Ojovati dyutidhara yagynarupa priyavrata – 147
Duraradhya duradhatsha patali kusumapriya
Hamati merunilaya mandara kusumapriya – 148
Viraradhya viradrupa viraja vishatomukhi
Pratyagrupa parakasha pranada pranarupini – 149
Martanda bairavaradhya mantrini nyastarajyadhuh
Tripureshi jayatsena nistraigunya parapara – 150
Satyagynananandarupa samarsya parayana
Kapardini kalamala kamadhukamarupini – 151
Kalanidhih kavyakala rasagyna rasashevadhih
Pushtapuratana pujya pushkara pushkarekshana – 152
Paranjyotih parandhamah paramanuh paratpara
Pashahasta pashahantri paramantra vibhedini – 153
Murta murta nityatrupta munimanasa hansika
Satyavrata satyarupa sarvantaryamini sati – 154
Bramhani bramhajanani bahurupa budharchita
Prasavitri prachandagyna pratishta prakatakruti – 155
Praneshvari pranadatri panchashatpritarupini
Vishrunkhala viviktasdha viramata viyatprasuh – 156
Mukunda muktinilaya mulavigraharupini
Bhavagyna bhavarogaghni bhavachakra pravartini – 157
Chandasara shastrasara mantrasara talodari
Udarakirti rudhamavaibhava varnarupini – 158
Janmamrutyu jaratapta janavishranti daeini
Sarvopanishadudghushta shantyatita kalatmika – 159
Ganbhira gaganantahsdha garvita ganalolupa
Kalpanarahita kashtakanta kantardha vigraha – 160
Kartakarananirmukta kamakeli tarangita
Kanatkanakatatanka lilavigrahadharini – 161
Ajakshaya vinirmukta mugdha kshipraprasadini
Antarmukha samaradhya bahirmukha sudurlabha – 162
Traei trivarganilaya trisdha tripuramalini
Niramaya niralanba svatmarama sudhasrutih – 163
Sansara pankanirmagna samudharana sandita
Yagyna priya yagynakartri yajamana svarupini – 164
Dharmadhara dhanadhyaksha dhanadhanya vivardhini
Viprapriya viprarupa vishvabhramanakarini – 165
Vishvagrasa vidrumabha vaishnavi vishnuruini
Ayoniryoninilaya kulasdha kularupini – 166
Viragoshtipriya vira naishkarmya nadarupini
Vigynanakalana kalyavidagdha vhaindavasana – 167
Tatvadhika tatvamaei tatvamardha svarupini
Samagana priya saomya sadashiva kutunbini – 168
Savyapasavyamargasdha sarva padvi nivarini
Svasdha svabhavamadhura dhira dhirasamarchita – 169
Chaitanyardhya samaradhya chaitanya kusumapriya
Sadodita sadatushta tarunadityapatala – 170
Dakshina dakshinaradhya darasmera mukhanbuja
Kaolini kevala narghya kaivalyapadadaeini – 171
Stotrapriya stutimati shruti sanstuta vaibhava
Manasvini manavati maheshi mangalakrutih – 172
Vishvamata jagadhatri vishalakshi viragini
Pragalbha paramodara paramoda manomaei – 173
Vyomakeshi vimanasdha vajrini vamakeshvari
Panchayagyna priya panchapreta manchadhishaeini – 174
Panchami panchabhuteshi panchasankhyopacharini
Shashvati shashvataishvarya sarmada shanbhumohini – 175
Dharadharsuta dhanya dharmini dharmavardini
Lokatita gunatita sarvatita shamatmika – 176
Bandhuka kusuma prakhya balalila vinodini
Sumangali sukhakari suveshadya suvasini – 177
Suvasinyarchana prita shobhana shudhamanasa
Bindutarpana santushta purvaja tripuranbika – 178
Dashamudra samaradhya tripura shrivanshankari
Gynanamudra gynanagamya gynanagyneya svarupini – 179
Yonimudra trikhandeshi trigunanba trikonaga
Anaghadbhuta charitra vanchitardha pradaeini – 180
Abhyasatishayagynata shadadhvatita rupini
Avyajakarunamurti ragynanadhvanta dipika – 181
Aabalagopavidita sarvanullanghyashasana
Shrichakrarajanilaya shrimatripurasundari – 182
Shri shiva shivashaktyaikya rupini lalitanbika
Yvam shri lalita devya namnam sahasrakam jaguh – 183
Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram Samaptam

*****
Yadakshara

Yadaksara-pada-bhrastam

matrahhinantu yad bhavet

tat-sarvam ksmyatam deva

Srimate Narayanaya Namo Namah

Meaning: 

Whatever syllable or word or syllabic instant has been left out, 

may they be returned back correctly as each should be.

May all that be forgiven Oh divine Narayana. Salutations to you,

To the glorious Narayana, salutations, salutations.

*****

Guru - Jagadguru Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamiji

Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal  (May 20, 1894 – January 8, 1994) or the Sage of Kanchi was the 68th Jagadguru in the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He is usually referred to as Paramacharya or Mahaswami or Maha Periyavaal.

Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara - by M.S. Subbalakshmi

 Rare Pictures of Kanchi Kamakoti Pettam Maha Periyavar (in 4 parts)

 Rare pictures of Maha Periyavar - Part 1

 

Maha Periyavaal was born on 20 May 1894, under Anuradha star according to the Hindu calendar, into a Kannadiga Smartha Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family in Viluppuram, South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu as Swaminatha. He was the second son of Subramanya Sastri, a District Education Officer. The child was named Swaminatha, after the family deity, Lord Swaminatha of Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam. Swaminatha began his early education at the Arcot American Mission High School at Tindivanam, where his father was working. He was an exceptional student and excelled in several subjects. In 1905, his parents performed his Upanayanam, a Vedic ceremony which qualifies a Brahmin boy to begin his Vedic studies under an accomplished teacher.

Rare pictures of Maha Periyavar - Part 2

During the childhood of the Acharya, his father consulted an astrologer who, upon studying the boy's horoscope, is said to have been so stunned that he prostrated himself before the boy exclaiming that "One day the whole world will fall at his feet".

Indeed the predictions came through and young Swaminathan was installed as the 68th head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam on February 13, 1907, the second day of the Tamil month of Masi, Prabhava year. He was given Sanyasa Asramam at the early age of 13 and was named Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. On May 9, 1907 his "Pattabishekam" as the 68th Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam was performed at the Kumbakonam Math.

Rare pictures of Maha Periyavar part 3

Even though there was not enough property in the mutt to be administered, the court considering the benefit of the mutt, ordered the mutt to be administered under the “Guardian and Wards Act”. Sri C.H.Venkataramana Iyer, an illustrious personality from Kolinjivadi (Colinjivadi) village near Coimbatore was appointed as guardian by the court. The administration of the mutt was under guardianship from 1911 to May,1915.

Rare pictures of Maha Periyavar - Part 4

On the day of Sankara Jayanthi in the year 1915, Swamigal took over the administration of the mutt on the completion of his 21 st year. The administration of the mutt was taken over in name, but the actual work was taken care of by an agent, one Sri Pasupathi Iyer. He was an able administrator who volunteered to do the job without compensation and hailed from Thirupathiripuliyur. Sri Swamigal does not sign any document, instead Sri Mukham stamp is placed on documents.

An excerpt of how he became the 68th pontiff was best told by Acharya himself and published in Bhavan’s Journal, Bombay:

“ In the beginning of the year 1907, when I was studying in a Christian Mission School at Tindivanam, a town in South Arcot District, I heard one day that the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam who was amidst us in our town in the previous year, attained siddhi at Kalavai, a village about 10 miles from Arcot and 25 miles from Kanchipuram. Information was received that a maternal cousin of mine who, after some study in Rig Veda, had joined the camp of the Acharya offering his services to him, was installed on the Peetam.”

“He was the only son of the widowed and destitute sister of my mother and there was not a soul in the camp to console her. At this juncture, my father who was a supervisor of schools in the Tindivanam taluk, planned to proceed with his family to Kalavai, some 60 miles from Tindivanam, in his own bullock cart. But on account of an educational conference at Tiruchirapalli, he cancelled the programme.”

“My mother with myself and other children started to Kalavai to console her sister on her son assuming sannyas ashram. We traveled by rail to Kanchipuram, and halted at Sankaracharya mutt there. I had my ablutions at the Kumara-koshta Tirtha. A carriage of the Mutt had come there from Kalavai with persons to buy articles for the Maha Pooja on the 10th day after the passing away of the late Acharya Paramaguru. But one of them, a hereditary Maistri of the mutt, asked me to accompany him. A separate cart was engaged for the rest of the family to follow me.”

“During our journey, the maistri hinted to me that I might not return home and that the rest of my life might have to be spent in the mutt itself. At first I thought that my elder cousin having become the head of the mutt, it might have been his wish that I was to live with him. I was then only 13 years of age and so I wondered as to what use I might be to him in the institution.”

“But the maistri gradually began to clarify as miles rolled on, that the Acharya, my cousin in the poorvashram had fever which developed into delirium and that was why I was being separated from the family to be quickly taken to Kalavai. He told me that he was commissioned to go to Tindivanam and fetch me, but he was able to meet me at Kanchipuram itself. I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. I lay in a kneeling posture in the cart itself, shocked as I was, repeating Rama Rama, the only spiritual prayer I knew, during the rest of the journey.”

“My mother and the other children came some time later only to find that instead of her mission of consoling her sister, she herself was placed in the state of having to be consoled by someone else.”

“My robes of sannyas were not the result of any renunciation on my part, nor had I the advantage of living under a Guru for any length of time. I was surrounded from the very first day of sannyas by all the comforts and responsibilities of a gorgeous court.”

Maha Periyavaal was the head of the Mutt for eighty-seven years. During this period, the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam acquired new strength as an institution that propagated Śankara's teachings. The devotion, fervour, and intensity with which the Paramacharya practiced what Śankara had taught are considered to be unparalleled by his devotees. Throughout his life, the focus of his concern and activities was rejuvenating Veda adhyayana, the Dharma Sasthras, and the age-old tradition, which had suffered decline. "Veda rakshanam" was his very life breath, and he referred to this in most of his talks.

Remaining active throughout his life, the sage of Kanchi twice undertook pilgrimages on foot from Rameshwaram in the far south of the Indian peninsula to Benares in the North.

His long tenure as Pitadhipathi is considered by many to have been the Golden Era of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He attained Mukti (died) on January 8, 1994 at the age of 100 and was succeeded by Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal.

Periyava stressed the importance of a Guru in one's life. He repeatedly preached about the importance of following the Dharmic path. His various discourses are available in a volume of books called 'Deivathin Kural' (Voice of the Divine) which have been compiled by R. Ganapathi, a devotee of Periyava, and published by vaanathi publications. These books are available both in Tamil and English.

Though Periyavaa did not get directly into politics, he was interested in the happenings. At Nellichery in Palakkad (Present Day Kerala), Rajaji and Mahatma Gandhi met the Acharya in a cow shed. It was a practice in the mutt to wear silk clothes. But Acharya was the first one to do away with them and shifted to Khadi robes at Rameshwaram. He requested his devotees to do away with foreign/ non natural clothes some time earlier at Trichy. The day India became free, he gave the Maithreem Bhajata song, which was later to be sung at the UN by M S Subbulakshmi.

Maithreem Bhajatha Akila Hrith Jeththreem

Serve with Friendship and Humility, which will conquer the Hearts of Everyone.
Atmavat Eva Paraan api pashyata

Look upon others similar to yourself.
Yuddham Tyajata

Renounce War
Spardhaam Tyajata

Renounce unnecessary Competition for Power
Tyajata Pareshwa akrama aakramanam

Give up Aggression on others' properties which is wrong
Jananee Prthivee Kaamadughaastey

Mother Earth is wide enough and ready to give us all we desire like a Kaamadenu
JanakO Deva: Sakala Dayaalu

God, Our Father, is very Compassionate to All
Daamyata

So, Restrain yourself
Datta

So, Donate your wealth to others
Dayathvam

So, Be Kind to others
Janathaa:

Oh People of the World
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam

May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.

The life of Chandrasekara Maha Periyavar

http://www.srikanchimahaswami100.org/SriMahaSwamyCharitram__2__1_edit.pdf

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 1 of 7)

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 2 of 7)

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 3 of 7)

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 4 of 7)

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 5 of 7)

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 6 of 7)

The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati (Part 7 of 7)

Speech by Maha Periyavar

Maha Periyavar about Lord Ganesha (popularly known as pillayar in the South of India)

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