What is TARA - YANTRA ?

TARA YANTRA

Tara is the simplest and most powerful of  yantras . Her bhupur  has a beautiful blue-green, the color of green leaves, which occurs in the  Ganesha Yantra  and  the Sri Yantra . Green is the color of balance, which is necessary to cross the ocean  of samsara (bhava-sagara) . Meditation on the green generates complementary color red - the color of inspiration, and the free movement of revolt against the approved values ​​(rules and regulations).
lotus petals are painted pale pink. Pink symbolizes modesty. Meditation on this color makes a sincere person. The symbolism of the eight petals of the lotus has been previously described in the "Kali Yantra."
Inverted triangle pointing upwards painted crimson color - the color of rage (as the image of Tara's appearance is similar to Kali). Tara is a goddess, gets rid of the fear of the sea storms and floods.

Her connection with the speech contains overlapping crimson or purple triangle on purple background Akasha  - the element of the fifth chakra, which is considered to be the abode of the goddess of knowledge Saraswati.  Saraswati Nadi  is one of the fourteen major  nadis described in the tantric texts, it ends in a language organ of speech. It is often said that the language of the wise man sits Saraswati. Meditation on the crimson triangle, which is placed against the background of golden  Bindu generates green. So meditation on green  bhupure  creates a crimson color, and meditation on the crimson triangle - green. This balance is the key to understanding Tara - this balance  cockroaches  (ship). Due to this equilibrium boat  (Tarini)  is able to float and cross the water spaces. Green color is neutral - it neither hot nor cold, as it is a combination of warm yellow and cool blue.

Bright red color is the color of violence, but the green calms him. Held at the beginning meditation on green  bhupure  generates vitality (survival of the fittest, which is based on violence), and the subsequent meditation on a bright red (crimson) creates a green color and sets the balance. All completed meditation on the  bindu  - the most  shakti  Tara.

Tara

Name  Tara  comes from the Sanskrit root  tr , meaning "bear." This goddess carries a person through the ocean of relative existence  (samsara)  . She is the  shakti  Akshobhya (one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva).

There is a famous legend about how the gods and demons have joined forces in order to get out of the ocean  Amrita  (elixir of life). For the churning of the ocean, they used Mount Meru (the central axis  Bhuloka , the earthly plane of existence) as well as a rope - the king of snakes Vasuki. Great serpent Vasuki's head kept the demons, and the tail - the gods. Head of the serpent was a the place from which came the fiery breath, while the tail was harmless. The poison snakes found in her mouth, so that the demons had to hold on to the fire, poisonous part of the body, and the gods were pulling a snake for a peaceful part of the body. They began to churn the ocean, from which emerged one after the other eleven famous and priceless items  (PATH)  , and after them from the bottom of the sea rose the most deadly of all poisons  (halahala)  . All the gods and demons were excited, and calm was only the god Shiva. On the advice of his  shakti  Gauri he absorbed all the poison of his throat, causing his throat became blue. The day Shiva got two new names: Akshobhya or Akshobhya - Timeless (pleasure and pain, poisons and nectars) and Nilakantha - Sinegorly. Tara is a  tactical  Shiva-Akshobhya and like Mahakali, represents another aspect of the Divine Mother Gauri. After Shiva drank the poison, troubled gods and demons of excitement and discomfort are gone. In the end, on the surface of the ocean appeared divine physician and alchemist Dhanvantari with the elixir in a pot  (Kalat)  .

Tara-Tarini called bhava (the transfer through the ocean of relative existence,  samsara ) and bhai-Harini (get rid of the fear of the raging waters.) Seafarers should pray to her to escape the storm, and residents of coastal areas - in order to avoid flooding. Water is generated  Tanmatra race  (sense of taste). In Sanskrit, the word "water" is synonymous with the word "life." Water really is the life, as it takes eighty percent of the material composition of the body. Furthermore, water is the best solvent, since it dissolves almost all substances. Among other things, water is the source of all binder components. Adoration of Tara eliminates the problems associated with water, although the water itself is neutral, it is able to absorb it all and then turns into a dissolved substance. Abode of water in our body is the second chakra, and home to a taste of  (race)  - the language, which is also connected with the water, but at the same time associated with speech. For this reason, Tara is the goddess of speech. In Tibet, it is worshiped as the Nile-Tara, or Blue Saraswathi. It is an original sound,  nada , from which originated the entire phenomenal world. First  shakti Adya is filled with the energy of consciousness, and the second  shakti  Dvitiya -  nada . Tara is the second of the ten  Mahavidyas , and it is sometimes called Dvitiya. Its shape resembles the look of Cali - but, unlike Cali, its language is not peeping out of his mouth, and in her hand she is not holding a severed head. Around his neck hangs a garland of Tara human heads, while in Cali, this garland is made ​​from human skulls. And Kali and Tara are depicted standing on a corpse  (Shava) . Dead human body symbolizes the center of the phenomenal world, having exhausted its  supply of race  (the essence of life.)
as Tara  Mahavidya  is the embodiment of  race  (emotions) and the means of expression, that is the question. In  "Brahmanda Purana"  it is mentioned that it protects the lake from the nectar of  Manas . This lake is called: Manas, or "mind." No one can cross it without her permission. Goddess accompanied by a lot of girls, going for a drive around the lake with songs, dances and hymns in honor of Tara. These girls represent her  sakti crossing the lake of nectar  Manas . The text does not say that Tara is a  Mahavidya , but clearly states that it is the supreme deity who helps her with  Shakti  protects the lake with the elixir of life.

in Tantra is that  Siddhi  Tara can be achieved without meditation,  japa , worship , sacrifices, ritual practices and cleansing elements  (bhuta-shuddhi) , described in the following  mantra :

Japa Dhyana BINA BINA BINA  PUDZHADI Phi Priya  BINA BINA Balima Abhiasa  BHUTSHUDDHIADIBHIR BINA  BINA KLESHADIBHIRDEVIDEHA  DUHKHADIBHIR BINA  SIDDHIRASHU  BHAVEDSMATSMATSARVOTTMA MATA.  

Without  dhyana  (meditation) without  japa  (repetition of her name or  mantra)  , without the ritual of worship

without sacrifice, without constant practice, without purification elements,
without dealing with psychological problems (that must be resolved in order to achieve focus on one goal), without getting rid of the difficulties associated with the physical body  (asana, pranayama) ,  Siddhi  Tara may occur due to one only remembrance of her with genuine faith. If you say her name in a moment of trouble, she will come and help you.  Anyone who has devoted himself to Tara, do not necessarily comply with rules and regulations ( the pit  and  niyama ). He does not need to follow the self-discipline - just enough to remember Tara. This makes the goddess Tara for everyone.

Kali - Yantra

KALI YANTRA

The appearance of this  yantra  is described in  "Shakti Pramod" , very popular in Shaktas scripture.
External square ( bhupur , the abode of  the yantra ) looks the same as in other  Yantra : its gate facing east, west, north and south.

Two lines around  bhupura  and its gates - one gold, the other yellow - form two layers, and the blue color of the  bhupura  becomes the third layer. These layers correspond to the three states of matter: solid, liquid and gaseous. Each layer inside and outside  bhupura (monastery) delineated a gold line, which helps to keep the geometrical structure of the circuit.

Between  bhupurom  and a circular pattern is a triangle, a noticeable only in part - because of the circle just look out the base, and the two corners. This triangle represents the Cosmic Mother (Tripurambu) which contains in itself all the phenomenal world, which is represented by a lotus with eight petals. This is partially visible triangle symbolizes the infinity of the Divine Mother, only a small portion of which is shown as Kali.

Lotus with eight petals is vosmeritsu  Prakriti , the manifest:  Akasa , air, fire, water, earth, reason, a higher understanding and self-awareness.
three golden circle inside the lotus symbolize the three aspects of time, which include the  karma  of eight petals of phenomenal existence. These aspects are the past, present and future: the corresponding concentric circles, that is, have a common center.

three nested triangles represent the three  gunas: sattva, rajas, tamas  - three quality or state of energy,  shakti . The triangles are connected to the three-ring time.

At the center is the  Bindu , the point of meditation - the very Divine Mother Kali.
Among the flowers  of this yantra  blue predominates. Meditation on this color creates complementary orange color that gives inspiration, makes a man a sociable and receptive to the ideas of others, and also eliminates the depression and depression.
raspberry with a touch of blue - the color of the central triangle, in which the gold  bindu - is the color of love and faith.

                                                                   Kali

In  "Devi-Bhagavata Purana,"  a history of the incarnation of Kali. One day, two Danava  (demon), and Shumbha Nishumbha, imposed on itself a severe penance to please Brahma the Creator, and for that he got from the "invulnerability from any man." Having this ability, they have become, as they thought, it is invincible and began to conquer the three worlds:  Bhuloka  (ground)  Bhuvarloka  (astral plane) and  Svargaloka (heavenly plan, the abode of the gods and demigods, Indra). They were expelled from  Svargaloka  all the gods and demigods. Knowing that no male energy is not able to tame these demonic forces, gods and demigods, including Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Keeper and Shiva, the destroyer, gathered on the banks of the Ganges River (also referred to as Dzhanhvi) and appealed to the Divine Mother by the  mantra  NAMO devaya .
Upon hearing their prayers. The Divine Mother rejoiced and sent to the aid of the gods of his  shakti . Mother Gauri. Gauri's mother appeared before the gods, and listened to their story about the power of Shumbha and Nishumbhi. Then she took a fierce look of Cali and destroyed the evil force and Shumbha Nishumbhi, and their two generals - Chanda and Munda.
thus. Kali is the Mother Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva. Shiva in his destructive aspect is called Mahakala, and the Divine Mother Gauri - Kali or Mahakali.

Sanskrit word  kala  means, on the one hand, the "death", and the other - "time." In the phenomenal world is limited by time. In due time  shakti  any creature leaves him, and the creature dies. In other words, death is the end of the lifetime of the life force ( prana ). Matter can not be created nor dies, it just changes form. For this reason, death is an alteration or conversion. Kali is the goddess of the changes that are absolutely necessary to update the energy (life force) and spiritual development.
Attachment to material form (physical body) causes the fear of death. This is the underlying fear, the roots of which lie in the brain stem, a primitive brain, that fear is the main obstacle to spiritual development. Shumbha and Nishumbha are demonic forces of affection that threaten our spiritual helpers, who cast them out of the sublime abode.
end this threat can put the invocation of Kali to the aid of these forces. Thus. Kali free from the fear of death - the underlying anxiety of the first chakra. It is cruel to ignorant people clinging to their physical bodies and eternally scared, but to the gods (spiritual forces), it manifests itself as Gauri, which took the form of Kali, to assist them. In his ferocious aspect it tames the demonic forces false attachments - Shumbha and Nishumbhu, Chanda and Munda.

Tantric  sadhak  should meet face to face with their own Shumbha and Nishumbhoy and overcome the grip of fear of death, calling Kali  (kundalini)  . Love Kali destroys this fear and opens the door to knowledge, comprehension  (Mahavidya)  eternity.
physical body depends on  prana , which penetrates it through the left and right nostril, that is, through the  go and  Pingala  - nostrils were such names because their activity stimulates activity channels  (nadi) ida  and pingala. Ida Nadi  and  Pingala Nadi  begin in the muladhara chakra  (first chakra) together with the sushumna  and end at the left and right nostrils, respectively.  Pranayama  allows you to control the flow  of prana  and open channel  of sushumna. Prana  individual is his breathing, but it's the same pranic force that pervades all space in the forms of time, motion and frequencies. Mastering the  prana , the yogi is released from the shackles of time.  Ida  and Pingala , the flow of the lunar and solar energy, keep the  sadhaka within the time and cause him fear death.  Sushumna  is outside of time. It runs from the brain stem to its crust, the seat of consciousness in which matter is transformed into consciousness. When  prana  is directed through  the sushumna , the forces of evil flows lunar and solar energy (Shumbha and Nishumbha) become fixed and the  Kundalini  is awakened from his deep sleep. It rises on the  brahma nadi  - subtlest channel within  sushumna  - and pierces the six chakras, simultaneously dissolving the five basic elements at their source,  Mahato . These basic elements are the material components of the physical body. Any attachment (the desire) to these elements in the rise of kundalini is a frightening feeling. When the material attachment removed by "cleaning elements"  (Bhuta-shuddhi) *  , Cali (Kundalini, Primal Force) is granted, and the sadhak  feels when raising  the kundalini  pleasant sensations that will take him beyond the  tattvas  and the  gun  to the realm  of ananda  (bliss) and will transfer it to the abode of eternity (beyond the limited time consciousness), where there can be no fear of death.

So Cali is a  Mahavidya , get rid of  avidya  (ignorance), which causes a person to fear death. Kali is the first Mahavidya . Its other name: Adya (first-born), this name is sometimes called  kundalini shakti .

What is SRI YANTRA ?

The most famous of all tantric yantras. Representing a mystical device space, Sri Yantra is formed by the intersection between the triangles in two ways: four tops up, symbolizing the male principle, and five vertices down, symbolizing the feminine principle. The yantra invented in order to give an image of completeness and wholeness of existence, so that the adept could put the image inside yourself for the ultimate attainment of his oneness with the universe.
exist as flat images (often - multi-colored) and volume (eg, cast bronze).

Construction of the central circle is pattern varies from example to example. Construction of the same figure inside the circle leads to a need or laborious fitting or calculations. Ideally, all the vertices of triangles (except four "hanging") must accurately locate the edges of the other triangles or circles. 

However, the exact values ​​of the coordinates of points of intersection in the system described by this symbol 4 equations of the 12th degree. Analytically, this system is apparently not solved, but a numerical solution can be found with any desired accuracy.
practical to construct various recipes used symbol (no less than 7 different), and compensation for the resulting visual inaccuracies lines artificially broadened. Example of circle radius where the character fits divide by 4. This result put off from the center line or the diameter of the circle and draw a parallel to the base diameter of 2 large triangles. The result obtained by dividing by 4 and divide by 10 again. The desired result is a unit of measurement for distance calculation base of the upper and lower triangle. Delayed or measured from the top of the circle and the lowest. The result is calculated as follows: The result is obtained by dividing by 10 multiply by 9 postpone the base of a triangle. The result obtained by dividing by 10 and multiply by 11 again postpone the base of the other triangle. The top of the central, so we get a white triangle result obtained by dividing by 10 and multiply by 3.6 postpone down the center of the circle. Next, draw a symbol for all the newly obtained sides of the triangles formed by the cross-hairs, which serve as bases for the tracings of new triangles.

Sri Yantra is a yantra of the goddess Tripurasundari in the ancient tradition of Sri Vidya. The worship of Sri Vidya was common in India since ancient times. Follower of Sri Vidya was Govindalada Swami, a teacher Adi Sankara charya (first Shankarachari) [27]. He dedicated the rules of worship Shankara Sri Vidya and Shankar wrote about this spirited book called "Saundariyya-Laxipi." Many contemporaries of Sankara - Sureshvara, Padmapada, Vidyaranya Swami - also worshiped in Sri Vidya. Brother Chaytani known as Nityananda Prabhu, was a Vaishnava, and still worshiped in Sri Vidya. The famous Saiva teacher Abhinavagupta worshiped Sri Vidya along with Shiva. Thus, the worship of Sri Vidya was distributed Shakti vedantacharev, Vaishnava and Shaivas.

Description: Tools for Tantra
Sri Vidya, or Shodashi, is the third of the ten Mahavidyas. She is known by various names: Sundari, Lalita Tripura Sundari, Shodashi and Bala. For the worship of Sri Vidya is necessary to understand its yantra, which is the most amazing of all yantras and is called the Sri Yantra Sri Chakra or Lalita chakra. Terms of worship the Sri Yantra, the method of its construction and full interpretation, see "Saundariyya-Lahiri." They are based on the ancient spiritual path samaya Mateo as Sankara was vedantacharey dedicated to samaya-mat. This path is different from the Kaula-mata, the pure worship of Shakti. The difference between the two schools is to build a yantra.
Proponents of samaya-mat build sri yantra so that there are five triangle top up, and the four triangles facing the top down. In Kaula-mate is the opposite: the top five triangles pointing down, and the four - point upwards. These yantra given various names: the first is called shrishthi-Krama ("law of development"), and the second - samhara-Krama ("the law of extinction"), easily noticeable external difference between the two yantras is the central triangle with a bindu. In samaya-mate this central triangle faces pointing upwards, and in Kaula-mate - top down. In Kaula-material construction of this yantra is a secret known only to the initiated. But in "Lalita Sahasranama" describes a method for constructing the Sri Yantra.
Sri Yantra is very attractive and powerful. It consists of nine intersecting triangles. Four of them turned up tops, and the rest - the top down. Four-facing vertices of the triangle are up to Siva, and the remaining five are triangles Shakti. The combination of the nine triangles form the Sri Yantra - the most dynamic of all yantras. If you draw a similar scheme consisting of eight intersecting triangles, four of which are directed upwards and four - down, you get a well-balanced, static figure. Caused by the addition of another triangle imbalance makes yantra dynamic and more powerful.

Sri Yantra is the only asymmetric scheme, but its beauty lies in the fact that at first glance it seems symmetrical. In order to worship the Sri Yantra portrayed on copper, silver and gold plates in the form of a flat drawing or convex terrain, lined with stones, quartz, crystals and semi-precious stones. The last type of image Sri Yantra has the shape of a pyramid, in ancient times there were many such yantras. Typically, the Sri Yantra represents the body of the goddess Tripura Sundari, although in some texts it is called the navel of the Divine Mother. Indeed, there are statues of the Divine Mother, in the umbilicus which is inscribed the Sri Yantra. Sri Yantra is also called "yantra space." In "Bhayravayamala Tantra" clearly states that the Tripura Sundari Yantra reflects the shape of the cosmos. In the "Kama kalavilase" states that the Sri Yantra is built on the same principles as the human body.
Sri Yantra also has nine chakras (groups), similar to the nine chakras (psychic centers) in the human body: 

1. Bindu. 2. Tricon (central triangle containing the bindu). 3. Agitar (group of eight triangular nicks out trikoni). 4. Antardashar (a group of ten internal triangles). 5. Bahirdashar (a group of ten external triangles). 6. Chaturdashar (a group of fourteen triangles). 7. Ashtadala (a ring of eight petals of the lotus). 8. Shodashadala (a ring of sixteen petals of a lotus.) 9. Bhupur (a square with four gates.) 

In respect of the Sri Chakra Yantra word means a group of (literally "circle") structural elements, not psychic centers of Kundalini Yoga, but the nine figures of the Sri Yantra and these psychic centers there is some connection provided in Table 10.
in "Kamakalavilasa-agame" states that the practitioner is essential to comprehend the true form of the goddess Tripura Sundari, and the only way to do this - to understand its symbolic form, the Sri Yantra. Thus, it is clear that the Sri Yantra is:
• image of the cosmos (the scheme of its development and evolution);
• image of the human body (skin of its internal structure);
• image of the goddess Tripura Sundari (since this is the goddess of energy that permeates all the phenomenal world.)
Five triangle top down, or Shakti triangles, are shown as five tanmatras (hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell), five Mahabhuta (Akasa, air, fire, water and earth), the five sense organs (ears , skin, eyes, tongue and nose) and the five organs of action (hands, feet, mouth, genitals and anus). In the human body, these five elements are still manifested as skin, nerves, flesh, fat and bone.
facing four point upward triangle - triangle of Shiva - embody the masculine energy and appear as Chitta (substance of consciousness), buddhi (intellect, higher mind), ahamkara ( self-awareness, a sense of his own "I", the ego) and Manas (mind, lower mind.)
When the five directed top down and four up towards the top of the triangle intersect and overlap, there are forty three new triangle - just as the interaction of male and female forces in space gives rise to a variety of objects of the phenomenal world.
Like the bindu in the center, which symbolizes the Divine Mother, the bindu in the Sahasrara Chakra represents individual consciousness, which is the "I" (Jiva), the soul, the spirit, or Atman.
Bindu

Bindu, the central point within the triangle, and yantra, also known as sarvaanandamayi chakra, or "chakra perfect bliss." Bindu is the seed of the universe, it is beyond time and space. This bindu reside in eternal union Kameshvari (god coma, desires) and Kameshvari (shakti commitment to the ultimate unity). Kameshvari and Kameshvari reside in the human body above the soma chakra - in the Sahasrara chakra, chakra lotus with a thousand petals. 

During the meditation on the Sri Yantra worship the eternal union of Shiva and Shakti is by focusing on the Bindu. Adoration Ishtadevata (personal deity) and the guru is also done by focusing on the bindu. Bindu is the final point of the yantra, but the central location makes it and the beginning of the yantra. Without an understanding of the importance of this point can not build a yantra. Bindu is the original cause, the seed of the yantra. Any worship of Sri Yantra complete meditation on the bindu.
Tricon
Tricon, which is otherwise called sarva-siddhi-prada chakra, is the main triangle containing a bindu. In Kaula-mate he portrayed facing the top down. According to Tantra, this triangle becomes a self Bindu, striving to manifest. Tricon created radiance bindu. Bindu - the seed of the tree of creation, and it remains within him in his fine form. When the dormant period ends and the age of the movement, Bindu generates Tricon: hidden becomes manifest. Three sides of Tricon belong to three goddesses - Kameshvari, Bridzheshvari and Agamalini - who march accompanied by three gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). The three main segments trikoni are pitha ("monastery") represented in the human body:

1. Kamakshi-pitha corresponds to the muladhara chakra. 2. Purnagiri-pitha corresponds Anahata chakra. 3. Jalandhar-pitha corresponds visuddha Chakra. 

Besides Tricon represents the yoni (female sexual organ), the original Prakriti the three gunas, the three states of consciousness: Jagrat (waking), Swapna (dream) and sushupti (deep sleep). In the initial period of rest Prakriti and remains immobile in the form of bindu, and during the motion is set in motion and becomes Tricon. It is the same force, which is known in Tantra as the Divine Mother Tripura Sundari, Tripura and Sri Vidya. According to the "Kama-kalavilasy" between Bindu (Siva) and Tricon (Shakti), there is no difference. Kameshvari and Kameshvari are three aspects of consciousness - recognition, action, and a tendency, that is, understanding, action and sensation. Title sarva-siddhi-prada means "vested with all powers (Siddhi)." Meditation on this chakra brings power.

Ashtar 
Ashtar, a group of eight triangles, also known as Sarva-horn-hara chakra - "chakra, gets rid of all ills." Eight triangles are eight yoni forming vosmeritsu everything. Tantrikas depict Kameshvari four-handed and holding the hands of four different devices; Kameshvari also has four arms. These eight instruments in the hands of Kameshvari and Kameshvari and personified by eight triangles. In addition, the triangles correspond to the eight goddesses who bear the names of Vashin, Kameshvari, Modin, Vimala, Aruna, Dzhayayni, Sarveshvari and Kaulin.
This chakra is also called agnik Janda "the abode of fire", it contains ten energies of fire: Ushmaev, Dzhvalini, Visphulingini, Sushri, Surupa, Kapila, Havyavaha, Kavyavaha, Prasphu-teak and Shit. Ashtar is authentic Sri yantra. Ashtar eight triangles and one triangle trikoni - nine in total - called navdvara chakra, the cornerstone of the phenomenal world. In the tantric texts the human body is also called navdvara chakra, as it has nine gates.
Adoration Ashtar trikoni and Bindu brings protection, power, and bliss, and obviates any emotional, mental and physical ailments.

Antardashar 
Antardashar - a group of ten triangles around Ashtar - also known as Sarva-rakshakara Chakra "chakra, providing full protection." This protection is achieved not by external forces and internal discipline. This chakra has the ability to defend on the grounds that it is a "control center" five organs of action and the five senses. Managing ten indriyah one gets protection from any external stimuli.

In the ten triangles sit ten yoni, or sakti: Sarvajna, Sarva Shakti Prada, Sarva Aishwarya Prada, Sarva Dzhnyanamayi, Sarva Vyadhi-Nashini, Sarvadhara, Sarva-Pape Jara, Sarva Anandamayi, Sarva Raksha and sarva-Ayp-sat-Phal Prada. These goddesses correspond to ten personal lights and are responsible for the following functions: rechaka (purification), Pachaka (digestion) shochaka (drying, absorption), Dahak (burning), plavaka (extract essence, the selection of proteins), ksharaka (oxidation), uddharaka ( retrievals) kshobhaka
(Occurrence of depression), dzhrambhaka (assimilation) and mohaka (the appearance of attractiveness).
ability to control ten lamps by the subordination of the ten Indriyas provides a person full protection.
Bahirdashar
Bahirdashar - a group of ten triangles surrounding antardashar - also known as Sarva-artha-Sadhaka Chakra "chakra, which makes any possible awareness." In Sanskrit, the word artha means "money" and "meaning." This chakra gives people the ability to be aware of everything around to make their lives meaningful. In the ten triangles reside ten yoni, or shakti, Sarva-sampada Prada, Sarva Priyyankari, Sarva Mangal-Carini, Sarva-Kama Prada, Sarva duhkha-Swa-vimochini, Sarva Mrtyu-Prashamni, Sarva-Vidzhnya Nivarni, Sarwan, Sunda-ri, Sarva Saubhadzhnyadayini and Sarva Siddhi Prada. These shakti run ten Pranas body under the names: prana, Apana, Samana, vyana, Udana, Kurma, screaming, naked, dhananjaya devadutta. It is because of all the prana becomes alive and takes on a value that is executed Artha.
Meditation on this chakra helps one to attain control of prana, and this control allows you to control the mind. The mind operates through ten Indriyas (five organs of action and the five senses). The sense organs are doing meaningful outside world, and the organs of action provides the opportunity to achieve the desired person and satiate the senses - but in the absence of prana none of the groups of not function.

Chaturdashar 
group of fourteen external triangles, or yoni, called chaturdashar or sarva-saubhadzhnya- dayyak chakra. These include staying yoni shakti, Sarva-Sankshobini, Sarva-View-Dravani, Sarva Akarshini, Sarva Ahladini, Sarva Sammohini, Sarva Istambhini, Sarva Dzhambhini, Sarva Shankari, Sarva Randzhini, Sarvonmadini, Sarva Artha -Sadhini, Sarva sampatti-Purna, Sarva Mantramayi and Sarva Dvandkshyakari. These goddesses are responsible for fourteen Nadi alambusha, Kuhu, vish-Vodar, Varuna, hastdzhihva, yashodari, payyasvani, Gandhari, shoving, shankhini, self-rasvati, ida, pingala, sushumna (see details in "Yogashikha Upanishad"). Fourteen Shakti in Manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), chitta (the substance of consciousness) and ahamkara (self-awareness, ego) and ten of Indra. Thus, they are the outlines of the yantra and the human body (microcosm). These goddesses bring good luck, as evidenced by its name, sarva-saubhadzhnya-dayyak Chakra - "chakra brings good luck."

Ashtadala 
Ashtadala, a ring of eight petals of the lotus, also known as Sarva-Sankey Shoba chakra. These petals vlyayutsya abodes eight goddesses named Anan-Kusma, Anan-Mekhla, Anan-Madni, Anan-Madanatura, Anan-Rekha-Vegini Anan, Anan-Madanankusha and Anan-Malini. Their functions are: vacana (speech), Adana (transfer), Gama (care) visarga (elevation), ananda (bliss), Khan (lack of) upaEdnya (gift), umekshya (neglect). The eight petals symbolize the categories: rupa (form), race (taste), gandha (smell), Sparsha (touch), Shabda (sound), nada (original sound), Prakriti (primordial nature) and Purusha (the higher the "I" ).
Shodashadala
ring of sixteen petals of the lotus called shodashadala also known as Sarva-ashapuraka Chakra "chakra fulfill all the promise of the life of any expectations." This is the chakra of miracles. In the sixteen petals lie sixteen shakti: Kama Karshin, Buddhiyyakarshini, Ahamkara-Karshin, Shabdakarshini, Sparshakar-shiney, Rupakarshini, Rasakarshini, Gan-dhakarshini, Chittakarshini, Dhayr-yakarshini, Ismrityakarshini, Namakarshini, Bidzhakarshini, Atmakarshi-none, and Amritakarshini Sharirakarshini . These shakti manifested through sixteen guns: the five elements, ten of Indra and one Mind.
Two rings of lotus petals are associated with lunar energy, and a group of forty-three triangles - with the sun. Such a relationship does yantra dynamic: it manifests itself as a combination of lunar and solar energies, ie, in the form of electromagnetic energy.

Bhupur 
Bhupur, a square with four gates, otherwise referred trayeloka-Mohana Chakra "chakra, attracting three locks (the world or plan) . " By lokam include the physical world (Bhuloka), the astral plane (Bhu-warlock) and the heavenly world (Svargaloka).
Usually bhupur yantra is considered the abode of the seat of Shakti, it represents a gross material phenomenon in which this Shakti lies in a cycle of creation and preservation. It includes all the guards bhupuru eight cardinal directions (dikpaly). In addition, bhupur symbolizes ten Siddhi. These include: the anima (the ability to become negligible), laghima (ultra-light, levitation), Mahima (the power, the ability to become infinitely large), ishatava (power over others), vashitva (magnetism, power over energy), prakamya (the ability to make the desired form) bhukti (power) iccha (will), prapti (achievement of the spirit) and Mukti (the ability to fulfill any desire). It also reside "eight mothers": Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Ayndri, Chamunda, Mahalakshmi. This chakra is the place of the three river flows: the Ganges (moon), Yamuna (solar) and Saraswati (neutral), and for this reason it is called Tirtharadzh (the king of all places of pilgrimage.)
From the symbolic point of view, it is a confluence of rough and subtle energies. In contrast to the Kaula-mata, in samaya-mate decided outline around a lotus with sixteen petals of three rings, which are designed to embody three different incarnation of the Divine Mother: Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaykhiri. The collective name of the trio - Para-Vani (the illustrations in this book, these three rings are not shown.) In addition, the Kaula-mate has a special yantra for Shodashi or Tripura Sundari (it is one of the ten Mahavidya Yantra for, in addition to more sri yantra). In the black-and-white version of Sri Yantra, looks complicated, but on the color image all the chakras are clearly defined, and this yantra is a real festival for the eyes. This yantra is worshiped for the performance of a variety of desires.
Five triangle top down, are the abodes of the five Shakti: Parma Raudra, Dzhayeshthi, Ambika and Parashakti. Four upward triangle symbolizes the male principle, Shiva, and the principles icchami, kriyas, Jnana and Santhi. The triangles represent the yoni. Bindu, the eight-petalled lotus, lotus with sixteen petals and bhupur are symbols of Shiva. Thus, this yantra is a fusion of elements of Shiva and Shakti, which is the unity of the cosmos. Two rings of lotus petals are considered somamandaloy, "Moon mandala." It should meditate on each of the nine chakras described above, as appropriate pronouncing the sounds of Sanskrit. The worship of this yantra brings a wide variety of power and achievement, but it should be under the guidance of a mentor, guru, dedicated to the mysteries of Sri Vidya. It is important to remember that meditation on the Sri Yantra should not be done at night, so as to work with such a complex pattern eyes need the light of day.

Tripurasundaram And her mantra

Tripurasundari (Lalita)  - a form of Shakti in Hinduism. This Shakti svarpa Brahman, that it is the closest and the original form of Brahman. The entire universe, all forms, all actions is the creation Tripurasundari modes, namely through Tripurasundari, Brahman manifests itself in this world. Tripurasundari is the matriarch of all worlds, unique, over whom she has no power, it is all-pervading Brahman, because it is the very strength and power of Brahman.

One of the best names Devi - is Tripurasundari. This name tells us that it is the most beautiful in all the three worlds. There are many interpretations of the word "Tripura". Kalika-puranarasskazyvaet that, in accordance with the desire of creation and manifestation of Shiva's body was "threefold", the upper part became Brahma, Vishnu was the middle part and the lower Rudra. Since these three parts (pura) are Shiva, it is called Tripura, Tripura and his wife. In Kamakala Vilas great sage Abhiyukta mentions that Devi has created all three forms, she is in everything and in the form of the three worlds, and there after the destruction of these worlds, and after their destruction restores them again. In the Brahmanda Purana, it is mentioned that Devi Tripurasundari governs the universe, She - High Queen, and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - to execute its actions in her kingdom. In fact, Tripurasundari is manifested Brahman, it is for her grace, we are able to know Brahman, for they are a single unit.

In the universe there may be millions of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, millions of devas and shakti, but only Tripura Sundari is the only, all others - It is the children. She loves her children, that she opens a Vedyznanie of Brahman. She was always intoxicated unity with Brahman, it is the essence of God's acts.
Lalita Sahasranama shows her in the presence of Lakshmi and Saraswati, to accompany her on the side. In Saundarya-Lahari, it is mentioned that Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva began their cosmic creation, when the Supreme Shakti for a split second to connect their eyebrows. Devi Prayer consists of three syllables, and its pyatnadtsatibukvennaya prayer is made ​​up of three peaks (accents). It is present in trehnadi ( sushumna, pingala  and  ida ) She governor three shakti - iccha, jnana and kriya (intent, knowledge and action.)
She gets into all three worlds - heaven, earth and hell. She is managing all three bodies -  sthula ,  sukshma  and  Karana  (coarse, fine and causal). It is present in three states -  jagrat, Swapna  and  sushupti  (waking, sleeping with dreaming and deep sleep).

Though she and primary gun, it gets into all the three gunas - sattva, rajas and tamas. Love and joy - the natural qualities krasoty.Chhandogya Upanishad says that longing and desire - the source of pain, that certainly does not contain the happiness. God alone can produce happiness, when happiness is taking shape. This form -  sarvanga Sundari Sundari , who has full of beauty, happiness and perfection, it is a source of Tripurasundari. The Divine Mother Tripurasundari help us in our search and leads us in every action, in her favor Jiva is liberated, it is by the grace of Tripurasundari veil of maya, which weaves Tripurasundari is removed.

So, etymologically  "Sri"  means an abundance of, completeness, and majesty, and  "Vidya"  - is the knowledge that leads the Jiva (embodied soul) to mukti (liberation). To many, this tradition is known for its famous Shriyantroy, which is considered Yantra Raja (the queen of all yantras) tantrics often call it the other deities and worship them there. It is no coincidence, since saktas Srividya believe that the Mother Goddess Tripura Sundari gives birth (manifestation) of the entire universe and all Deities.

Srividya can rightly be considered as a tradition of mantras, as this tantric cult has a very large arsenal of add as many Deities. Mantras are often divided into male (they are called -  "Mantra" ) and women (called  "Vidya" ). Mantras are considered themselves as a subtle body of the Deity, they can be in the form of bijas (seed syllables). Sometimes mantras are composed of several seed syllables and mantras are called kutakshara (a collection of syllables). Practitioner, breaking the mantra to pieces and distributing it through Nyasa, can form a thin body of the Deity in his body, so that it becomes possible to meditate on the unity of the self and the Divine. Sometimes the body can be projected and yantra, for example, each Chakra Yantra - on a particular chakra sadhakas. This establishment of the Godhead or the energy can be made ​​both on himself and on the other participant (s) of the tantric ritual, this approach is popular in Kaula tradition.
Tradition Kaul very conditionally divided into Shrikulu (Srividya) and Kalikulu (the cult of Kali). However, the tradition of the Mother Goddess complementary and contain elements of each other, but in this case, talking about Shrikule, it should be emphasized that at higher levels of Srividya and we begin to worship Kali. This is due to the fact that Kali - is ugra (terrible) Deity shut-off worldly attachments. And before the sadhaka proceeds to worship him, including a ritual panchamakara, he should long enough to worship Tripura Sundari. My Guruji explained it this way. First, we worship the Goddess young Balasundari which 8 years in the worship of her, we use the mantra of the three Balls Akshar -  AI? kli? sau? . Bija  AI?  - it Bija speech Bija  kli?  - it Bija Kama (desire) and  sau?  - it Bija Shakti (mystic power). After practice this mantra upasaka experienced practicing mantra fifteen Goddess - panchadashi it - a symbol of the Goddess, which began menstrual cycle. Its very Vidya is divided into three Kuta, the first begins with the "ka", the second with "ha" and the third with "self", it is also Kuta speech will (the will) and Shakti (power), they actually continue that practice in the Bala mantra. Then the sadhaka practicing mantra for sixteen syllables, which is the essence of the previous one and allows to obtain directly from the Goddess of knowledge and comprehend the Self. Transfer of sixteen syllables of the mantra on my Guru Abhishek is called Shakti. After that, the sadhaka worships Tripura Sundari with more than twenty syllables mantra, where Goddess becomes a mature woman, connecting with Siva Kameshvari, and from that point it becomes Kameshvari. At this point, the sadhaka fully vested power and authority to practice the most sensitive methods of Srividya, as panchamakara Puja, etc. This initiation is called Purna abhiseka. After her upasaka worship of Kali and other forms of wrathful goddess, and in general, these stages are considered as the Goddess Kundalini awakening process and comprehension of her union with Shiva. However, all of these stages have a lot of their secrets, their guru can transmit only trusted disciples, trusts and as people and as a practice. Which? Then directions Srividya gurus may have different algorithms and principles of initiation, in this article we will discuss the most popular Srividya mantra and its meaning.
would like to note that, in line Nath also has one of the initiations, called Upadesha-diksha or Shaknkhadhal where the guru mantra transfers the pupil and forms of Goddess Bala Upasana. However, mantras, and forms of worship contain common features and individual features. It is believed that the basic mantra of Srividya - panchadashi - linked to the "Atharva-Veda", namely "Shri Devi Atharva-Shirshov," and can shift the sloka in the form bijas. kamo Yoni? kamala vajrapa? irguha hasa matari? vabhramindra? |  punarguha sakala Mayaya ca purucyai? visvamataditividyom A | | 14 | | Kama, Yoni, Kamala, Vajrapani (Indra), Guha, Hamsa Matarishva, Abhra, Indra, Punarguha, Sakala Mayyatak are also the mantra of the Mother of the Universe, which, of course, Brahman. there are numerous transcripts of this sloka, esoteric content, suggest the three most well-known. · Kama (Eros) - ka, Yoni (source) - ai, Kamala (Goddess) - i, Vajrapani (Indra) - la, Guha (Skanda) - hri?, Hasa (Hamsa) - ha, sa, Matarishva (air) - ka, Abhra (heaven) - ha, Indra - la, HRI?, sa, ka, la, maya HRI?. · ka - desire, e - the intention, i - motivation, la - exercise, hri? - The light and the implementation of the embodiments of the soul, ha - the sun, sa - moon, ka - desire, ha - prana, la - exercise, hri? - The light and the implementation of the embodiments of the soul, sa - lunar energy of the mind, ka - desire, la - implementation, hri? - Shakti and light. · ka - Shiva, e - Shakti, i - the God of love, la - land, ha - the Sun God, sa - cold rays of the moon, ka-God of Love, ha - sky, la - Indra, sa - Pair , ka - the God of love, la - Vishnu.

	GODDESS	VAMA	JYESTA	RAUDRA	AMBICA
	SPOUSE	BRAHMA	VISHNU	SHIVA	ISWARA
	FUNCTION	CREATION	MAINTENANCE	DESRUCTION
	SHAKTI	ICCHA	JANANA	KRIYA
	SOUND STAGE	PASHYANTI	MADHYAM	VAIKHARI	COUPLE
	CONSCIOUSNESS	AWAKENING	DEAM	THE DREAMING	FOURTH

In Srividya there are many mantras for different number of Akshar resembling panchadashi where aksharas can also carry hidden alchemical washed away. This alchemy is usually based on the interaction of various forces and energies, but many teachers often keep it a secret. Which one? Alchemy that sense of inner alchemy Srividya akin Nath. However, it should be said that the now common tradition not all gurus have kept this knowledge, masters in these sections practice today is not much. Many of these gurus prefer to learn only a limited number of followers, it is strictly selecting applicants for apprenticeships. Splitting from Bindu to Tricon (triangle) forms a manifestation of the categories of triadic deities and forces in different texts Srividya have different descriptions. Many teachers list several communications, metaphysical principles, sometimes they differ in content and interpretations, depending on a particular school.

The deployment of the triangle begins with the left line (Rekha) inner triangle Shriyantry (sarva-siddhiprada) and moves in a clockwise direction. Thus, each element of the symbolic triad becomes identified with the lines of the triangle in the center of Shriyantry. There in the center is the point (bindu), which symbolizes the Goddess Ambika, embodying the true self (atman) of man. It is believed that when the Mother Goddess being created the universe, then at that time a single cause of the universe in the form of mahabindu split into three bindu (moon, sun and fire), they are also connected to different forms of Nada. These three bindu symbolize a central angle of a triangle Shriyantry, which is the yoni of the Goddess. ·  ka ei la HRI?  - Kameshvari (rajas) ·  HA HA sa ka la HRI?  - Vadzhreshvari (sattva) ·  sa ka la HRI?  - Bhagamalini (Tamas) The central triangle, following the evolutionary trends (pravrtti) appears all Shriyantra, and the foundation is Shriyantry panchadashi mantra. Together with the central bindu and syllable  sri? Shodashi as it appears.

                     vagbhavaku? a

ka          tat   Kameshvari  Brahman

e      savitur varenyam          Kameshvari        (Shakti)

i       bhargo devasya dhi-     Shiva

la      mahi           Land

hri?   dhiyo yo na?    pracodayat Maya

                                 kamarajaku? a

ha                          tat      

sa                      savitur (3 = 3 syllable word mantra)

ka                       varenyam

ha                     bhargo devasya dhi-(1 sound = 6 syllables)

la                       mahi

hri?                   dhiyo yo na? pracodayat

                                saktiku? a

sa                          tat savitur varenyam

ka                         bhargo devasya dhi-

la                            mahi

hri?                        dhiyo yo na? pracodayat


Some tantrics panchadashi also relate to the Vedic Mantra Gayatri and believe that Gayatri can be transformed into a form bijas panchadashi panchadashi and that contains all the Gayatri. Please find attached the relevant tables due to Gayatri panchadashi. And even each kutakshar able to contain the potential Gayatri mantra. Panchadashi mantra is also unique in that it is able to untie the three knots (Granthi) in the human body, the chakras and kundalini awakening. For example, saying  ka ei la HRI? , we untie the Brahma-Granthi and intensify the state of the fire when we say  HA HA sa ka la HRI? , we untie knot of Vishnu and intensifying power of the sun, saying  sa ka la HRI? , we untie knot of Rudra and intensifying effect of the moon. Sixteenth Bija sri?  unlocks the Sahasrara chakra, and vibrating bindu (anusvaroy) in the syllable Sri? , with the mantra, we can activate the chakras sukshma dvadashanty.

Panchadashi syllables mantra known also by the fact that they are associated with the fifteen lunar day (tithi), which symbolize the fifteen Nitya Goddesses. Moon in Indian astrology is the key, and Tantra is that the moon contains both herself and the power of the sun. For example, the new moon (Amavasya) is associated with the lunar force as such, but the full moon (Purnima) - from solar. In the human body Moon is associated with the lower chakras, and the full moon - with the top. If we consider the meaning of the word "Hatha Yoga", the "ha" is translated as the moon, and "tha" - as the lunar and the solar disk at the same time. Hatha Yoga - the balance of the lunar and solar power, or Prana and Apana (upward and downward forces), as well as the union of Shiva and Shakti. As a mantra, 15 Goddesses are associated with the outer and inner space, this is a topic for another article, here we just mention this connection.



Derived sound     -       Speech root      -       The esoteric meaning        

vagbhavaku? a

ka         -         kan, shine          -        Shiva, the Illuminator

e           -        in, study             -  instrument of knowledge, ie Buddhi

[Ka + e indicates the radiant intelligence]

i           -       i, fill         -           filling all of reality

la + ha + ri       -          excellence

?         -          reason for the superiority of

kamarajaku? a

ha        -         han, damage           -      courage, ha - the cause of defeating the enemy

sa        -        so, enjoy or
                     su, generate          -          wealth, the promotion of   pleasure

ka       -        kam, wish          -         women who brought the mantra and which are the objects of desire

ha      -         oharn, go        -          refers to the achievement of courage, wealth, and so the desired

la + ha + ri     -         i, shine      -     glory

?        -    


saktiku? a

sa ka la         -      then, so there are steps above

h?     -       h?, eliminate        -       Destroyer of the Universe

i       -                         radiance, the cause of creation and
                                   preservation

[H? + I = Mother who shines in the heart and the pain dissipates, hri - dependent defining component (karmadharya) s?]

?



The primary sound (nada) or knowledge

Greatness pyatnadtsatislogovoy mantra Tripura Sundari is also in the fact that its syllables contain 36 metaphysical categories of Being, which are popular in Saivism and Shaktism. More panchadashi mantra has the potential of all the letters of Sanskrit in Shaktism, they are regarded as the Mother Goddess (Matrikas). For example, a first system  A Ka-Tha  associated with three Qutami iantri: first Kut includes all vowels Sanskrit, since  A , second Kut includes consonants since  Ka and the third - the rest of aksharas  Tha  to  La . There are other systems that connect Matrikas with the mantra. Sanskrit aksharas characterized by the fact that they all terminate the sound "a", respectively, according to the letter contains also the vowel "a" (unlike vowels). For example, the syllable "ka" contains two sounds merged together, it is "a" and "a", but the "e" - a vowel, contains only the sound of the "e" and no more. If we count the number of sounds in panchadashi-mantra, including the sound of Nada and Bindu in  HRI? , we get the 37 sounds. These sounds are related to tattvam 36, including 37? Th category - Paramashiva (tattvatitu), or the fact that Sri Abhinavagupta called Anuttara. All letters of Sanskrit from the point of view of Tantrism have a profound sacred meaning: for example, vowels are often seen as being associated with Shiva and the consonants - with Shakti. Consequently, all the mantras, consisting of compounds of vowels and consonants, is the personification of the blessed union of Shiva and Shakti.

Lohri Festival

Lohri is a festival connected with the solar year. Generally, it is an accepted fact that this festival is to worship fire. This is particularly a happy occasion for the couples who for the first time celebrated Lohri after their marriage and also the first Lohri of the son born in a family. The wood crackles and burns, the fire blazes high, a circle of warmth on a cold winter's night. Lohri is essentially a festival dedicated to the Sun god. Lohri is a joyous time to eat gur and peanuts, singing songs and share the warmth with your family and loved ones.

A week before Lohri, children begin gathering firewood, hunting for logs that will burn well.

A week before Lohri, children begin gathering firewood, hunting for logs that will burn well. A spirit of good-natured rivalry binds the community together and every one takes pride in making the biggest and most grand bonfire in their neighborhood. Lohri is an important festival which brings the entire community together, each family contributing sweets made of til and gur, peanuts, tilchowli and many other delicious home-made delicacies.

The Guru Granth Sahib praises this auspicious time of the month and says those who meditate before a fire will be blessed. Lohri, which marks the highest point in winter, is considered especially important for new born babies who are taken around the bonfire. They pray for prosperity even as they make offerings of til (gingelly), moongphali (peanuts) and chirwa (beaten rice) to the burning embers.

According to legend, a good Lohri sets the tone for the whole year ahead - the more joyous and bountiful the occasion, the greater will be the peace and prosperity. Some people believed that Holika and Lohri were sisters. While the former vanished into the fire, Lohri survived and lives on.

The rituals and celebrations associated with Makara Sankaranti and Lohri are only symbolic of a common thanksgiving to nature as represented by the Sun god, and in the process, the festivities embody a spirit of brotherhood, unity and gratitude, with family reunions and merrymaking generating a lot of happiness, goodwill and cheer.

Bhogi Festival

Bogi festival or Bhogi is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, "the God of Clouds and Rains". Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Thus, this day is also known as Indran. On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom, and collect all unwanted goods. This day is meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members.

All the houses from the richest to the humblest are thoroughly scrubbed and whitewashed. Homes are cleaned and decorated with "Kolam" - floor designs drawn in the white paste of newly harvested rice with outlines of red mud. Often pumpkin flowers are set into cow-dung balls and placed among the patterns. Fresh harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane is brought in from the field as preparation for the following day.

Puja
A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandalwood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut.

The Bonfire
Another ritual observed on this day is Bhogi Mantalu, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. Girls dance around the bonfire, singing songs in praise of the gods, the spring and the harvest. The significance of the bonfire, in which is burnt the agricultural wastes and firewood is to keep warm during the last lap of winter.

In Andhra Pradesh this day is celebrated by girls burning their old clothes and wearing the new ones after an oil massage and bath. Then follows Pongal Panai, a ritual in which new earthenware pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers and mango leaves.

Kanumu Festival

Kanumu Festival

The fourth and the last day of Pongal is known as Kanumu. Kaanum Pongal means seeing Pongal as this day marks as the sightseeing day. On this day, people dress up gaily, families go for picnic and visit relatives and make a tour of the town or the city they reside. It is a day for the outdoors and most people throng out of home in the evening, making for a sea of humanity. This is a day to spend time and entertainment outside.

During Kanumu, blessings are received from elders. In Tamil Nadu, this day is also known as Virgin Pongal and is celebrated by unmarried girls by playing in the river and making pongal and eating it there. It's customary for locals to give new clothes and money to the maids and servants employed in the house

Kaanum is also the Tamil version of brother's day. On this day, the women folk offer different kinds of rice to birds and pray for the well-being of their brothers. This ritual is called "Kanu". Sisters visit their brothers and inquire about their welfare. Women eat the previous day's food and pray for their brother's prosperity and health.

Being the last day of Pongal, the farmer's rest and celebrate this day in high spirit. People worship their ancestors and venerate their elders. It is the time for relaxing after the 3 days of festivities. People go out along with family and friends and have a nice day of outing. In the villages, the shop owners or employers of firms give benevolent gifts to their employees as a token of gratitude for their good work all through the year.

Makar Sankranti

Pongal | Makar Sankranti | Kanumu | Lohri | 
Bihu / Bohaggiyo Bhishu Bhogi | Thai Pongal |  Hadaga Festival

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. The festival of Makar Sankrant traditionally coincides with the beginning of the Sun's northward journey (the Uttarayan) when it enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn). It falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Solar Calendar. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun.

Celebration
It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Rajasthan & Gujarati not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. The Festival introduces kite enthusiasts world-wide to the intriguing beauty and cultural diversity of India.

Regional Significance
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called 'Khichiri'. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long 'Magha-Mela' fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.

In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery.

In Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. Kite flying has been associated with this festival in a big way. It has become an internationally well-known event.

Shanti Mantras - Peace Quotes

Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatuSarveshaam shantir bhavatu

Sarveshaam poornam bhavatuSarveshaam mangalam bhavatu

Sarve bhavantu sukhinahSarve santu niraamayaah

Sarve bhadraani pashyantuMaakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet

Meaning:
Auspiciousness (swasti) be unto all; peace (shanti) be unto all;
fullness (poornam) be unto all; prosperity (mangalam) be unto all.

May all be happy! (sukhinah)
May all be free from disabilities! (niraamayaah)

May all look (pashyantu)to the good of others!
May none suffer from sorrow! (duhkha).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om asato maa satgamayaTamaso maa jyotir gamayaMrityor maa amritam gamaya

Meaning:
Lead us from the unreal to the Real
From darkness to Light
From death to Immortality

Om poornamadah poornamidam
Poornaat poornamudachyate
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Poornasya poornamaadayaPoornamevaavashishyate

Meaning:
That (pure consciousness) is full (perfect); this (the manifest universe of matter; of names and forms being maya) is full. This fullness has been projected from that fullness. When this fullness merges in that fullness, all that remains is fullness.
- Peace invocation -Isa Upanishad
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om sham no mitrah sham varunah sham no bhavatvaryamaaSham na indro brihaspatih sham no vishnururukramah

Namo brahmane namaste vaayo twameva pratyakshamBrahmaasi twaameva pratyaksham brahma vadishyaami

Tanmaamavatu tadvaktaaramavatuAvatu maam avatu vaktaaram.Om shantih shantih shantih!

Meaning:
May Mitra, Varuna and Aryama be good to us! May Indra and Brihaspati and Vishnu of great strides be good to us! Prostrations unto Brahman! (Supreme Reality). Prostrations to Thee, O Vayu! Thou art the visible Brahman. I shall proclaim Thee as the visible Brahman. I shall call Thee the just and the True. May He protect the teacher and me! May he protect the teacher! Om peace, peace, peace
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om saha naavavatu sahanau bhunaktuSaha veeryam karavaavahai

Tejasvi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahaiOm shantih shantih shantih

Meaning:
May He protect us both (teacher and the taught)! May He cause us both to enjoy the bliss of Mukti (liberation)! May we both exert to discover the true meaning of the sacred scriptures! May our studies be fruitful! May we never quarrel with each other! Let there be threefold peace.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Namaste sate te jagat kaaranaayaNamaste chite sarva lokaashrayaaya

Namo dvaita tattwaaya mukti pradaayaNamo brahmane vyaapine shaashvataaya

Meaning:
Salutations to that Being, the cause of the universe! Salutations to that Consciousness, the support of all the worlds! Salutations to that One Truth without a second, which gives liberation! Salutations to that pure, eternal Brahman who pervades all regions!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om yaschandasaamrishabho vishwaroopahChhandobhyo dhyamritaat sambabhoova

Sa mendro medhayaa sprinotuAmritasya devadhaarano bhooyaasam

Shareeram me vicharshanamJihwaa me madhumattamaa

Karnaabhyaam bhoori vishruvamBrahmanah Koshoasi medhayaapihitah

Shrutam me gopaayaOm shantih shantih shantih!

Meaning:
May He, the Lord of all, pre-eminent among the Vedas and superior to the nectar contained in them, bless me with wisdom! May I be adorned with the knowledge of Brahman that leads to immortality! May my body become strong and vigorous (to practise meditation)! May my tongue always utter delightful words! May I hear much with my ears! Thou art the scabbard of Brahman hidden by worldly taints (not revealed by impure, puny intellects). May I never forget all that I have learnt! Om peace, peace, peace!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om aham vrikshasya rerivaaKeertih prishtham gireriva

Urdhwapavitro vaajineeva swamritamasmiDravinam savarchasam

Sumedhaa amritokshitahIti trishankor vedaanu vachanamOm shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:
I am the destroyer of the tree (of samsar; worldly life). My reputation is as high as the top of the hill. I am in essence as pure as the sun. I am the highest treasure. I am all-wise, immortal and indestructible. This is Trishanku’s realisation. Om peace, peace, peace!

Om aapyaayantu mamaangaani vaak
Praanashchakshuh shrotramatho
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Balamindriyaani cha sarvaani sarvam brahmopanishadamMaaham brahma niraakuryaam maa maa brahma niraakarod
Niraakaranamastva niraakaranam me astuTadaatmani nirate ya upanishatsu dharmaaste
Mayi santu te mayi santu.Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:
May my limbs, speech, Prana, eye, ear and power of all my senses grow vigorous! All is the pure Brahman of the Upanishads. May I never deny that Brahman! May that Brahman never desert me! Let that relationship endure. Let the virtues recited in the Upanishads be rooted in me. May they repose in me! Om peace. peace. peace!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om vaang me manasi pratishthitaaMano me vaachi pratishthitam

Aaveeraaveerma edhi vedasya ma aanisthahShrutam me maa prahaaseer anenaadheetena

Ahoraatraan samdadhaami ritam vadishyaamiSatyam vadishyaami tanmaamavatu tadvaktaaramavatuAvatu maam avatu vaktaaram avatu vaktaaramOm shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:
Let my speech be rooted in my mind. Let my mind be rooted in my speech. Let Brahman (Supreme Reality) reveal Himself to me. Let my mind and speech enable me to grasp the truths of the Vedas. Let not what I have heard forsake me. Let me spend both day and night continuously in study. I think truth, I speak the truth. May that Truth protect me! May that Truth protect the teacher! Let peace prevail against heavenly, worldly and demoniacal troubles. Om peace, peace, peace!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om bhadram no apivaataya manah.Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:
Salutations! May my mind and all these (the body, senses,
breath etc.) be good and well! Om peace, peace. peace!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om bhadram karnebhih shrunuyaama devaahBhadram pashyemaakshabhiryajatraah

SthirairangaistushtuvaamsastanoobhihVyashema devahitam yadaayuh

Swasti na indro vridhashravaahSwasti nah pooshaa vishwavedaah

Swasti nastaarkshyo arishtanemihSwasti no brihaspatir dadhaatu.

Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:
Om, O worshipful ones, may our ears hear what is good and auspicious! May we see what is auspicious! May we sing your praise, live our allotted span of life in perfect health and strength! May Indra (who is) extolled in the scriptures, Pushan, the all-knowing Trakshya, who saves from all harm, and Brihaspati who protects our spiritual lustre, vouchsafe prosperity in our study of the scriptures and the practice of the truths contained therein! Om peace, peace, peace!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om yo brahmaanam vidadhaati poorvam
Yo vai vedaanshcha prahinoti tasmai

Tam ha devmaatma buddhi prakaasham
Mumukshurvai sharanamaham prapadye

Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:
He who creates this entire universe in the beginning, and He about whom the Vedas gloriously praise and sing, in Him I take refuge with the firm faith and belief that my intellect may shine with Self-knowledge. Om peace, peace, peace!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om vishwaani deva savitar duritaani paraasuvaYad bhadram tanma aasuva

Meaning:
O all pervading, Supreme Lord, the effulgent Creator, we place our faith and trust entirely in Thee. Keep away from us all that is evil and bestow upon us all that is good.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Om agne naya supathaa raaye asmaanVishwaani deva vayunaani vidvaan;

Yuyodhyas majjuhu raanmenoBhooyishthaam te nama-uktim vidhema.

Meaning:
O Supreme Lord, who art light and wisdom, Thou knowest all our thoughts and deeds. Lead us by the right path to the fulfilment of life, and keep us away from all sin and evil. We offer unto Thee, O Lord, our praise and salutation.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tvamekam sharanyam tvamekam varenyamTvamekam jagatpaalakam svaprakaasham;

Tvamekam jagatkartu paatruprahartruTvamekam param nishchalam nirvikalpam.

Meaning:
O Thou my only refuge, O Thou my one desire, O Thou the one protector of the world, the radiant One. O Thou the creator, sustainer and dissolver of the whole world, O Thou the one great motionless Being, free from change and modification.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vayam tvaam smaraamo vayam tvaam bhajaamoVayam tvaam jagat saakshiroopam namaamah;

Sadekam nidhaanam niraalambameeshamBhavaambhodhi potam sharanyam vrajaamah.

Meaning:
O Thou eternal all-pervading witness of the whole universe, we meditate on the one Truth. We silently adore Thee and offer Thee our salutation. We take complete refuge in that one Almighty Being, the basis of everything, self-supporting and supreme, a vessel in the stormy sea of li


Shanti Mantras

By Sri Swami Shivananda
The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh