Narayana Kavacham

While surfing for Balaji kavasam I got this Narayana Kavasam fromhttp://www.hindupedia.com/en/Narayana_Kavacham . I loved the meaning of this sloga.Thanks Ramachander ji for wonderful Translation:) Thanks Hindu pedia!
Narayana Kavacham
[The Armour of Narayana]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

The Narayana Kavacham occurs in chapter eight of the sixth skanda of Bhagavada Purana. It is an Armour to protect ourselves from our enemies seen and unseen.

Raja Parikshith, the son of Abhimanyu, asks his teacher, Sage Shuka for a means to protect himself from his enemies. Sage Shuka then teaches him the Narayana Kavacham, which was originally taught by Sage Viswaroopa, the son of Thwashtra, to Indra. It is believed that the soul of the man who reads this Kavacha becomes extremely holy and that any one who reads this would be protected by Lord Vishnu.

Sloka 4-11 of this great Stotra give us in detail about the preparations that we should take before reciting this kavacham.

Kavacham's should be learned by a Guru who is well versed in these procedures and chanted under his guidance. If that is not possible, than the kavacham can be recited without performing the Kara and Anga nyasa or simply recite the last four lines.

Before commencing the recital, chant ’Om Namo Naraayanaya’ or ‘Om Namo Bhagvadey Vaasudevaaya’ or your guru Mantra 12 times.

Visualize yourself and/or your loved ones, totally protected. You could ‘see’ them dressed in an armor. You could see them immersed in white or violet light. You could see them in a tube of Light. You could see an impenetrable ring of white Light around them

Rajo Uvacha:
Yaya guptha sahasraksha savaahaan ripu sainikan,
Kreedanniva vinirjithya trilokya bhubhuje sriyam, 1
Bhagawam sthan mamakhyahi varma narayanathmakam,
Yadha athathayina shathroon yena guptho jayan mrudhe. 2
The king said:
Oh God please share with me that armour of Narayana,
By which the thousand eyed Indra was able to drive away,
The well armed soldiers of his enemy as if it is a play,
And gain control of the three worlds and wealth,
And also was safe in the battle field and became victorious.

Sri Shuka Uvacha:
Vrutha, purohitha thwashtro mahendra yanu pruchathe,
Narayanakhyam varmaha thadihaika mana srunu. 3

Sri Shuka said:
Viswaroopa the son of Thwashtra, when he was made,
The priest Of Indra taught him this armour of Narayana,
And I will teach you that and please listen to it with concentration.

Viswaroopa Uvacha:
Dhouthangri panir achamya sapavithra udang mukha,
Kruthaswa anga kara nyaso manthrabhyam vagyatha suchi. 4

Narayana mayam varma sannahyedh bhaya agathe,
Daiva bhoothathma karmebhya narayana maya puman. 5

Padyor janu noruvor udhare hrudhyadhorasi,
Mukhe sirasya anu poorva omgaradheeni vinyaseth. 6

When fear approaches you, after washing your feet and hand,
Do internal purification by achamana, wear the holy ring made of Durba,
Face the north, sit on a seat of Durba grass and do the hand symbols,
And do holy chants and attain cleanliness of speech.
You should then become silent, become engrossed in Narayana,
And do suitable actions to tie yourself with the armour of Narayana,
And using the eight letters starting with OM, touch the feet,
Knees, thighs, belly heart chest, face and head,

Om namo narayanethi viparyaya madhapi vaa,
Kara nyasam Thatha kuryad dwadasakshara vidhyaya, 7

Pranavadhi yakarandha mangulyam angushta parvasu,
Nyased drudaya omkaram vikara manu moordhani. 8

Then after touching the eight parts of the body,
The feet, Knees, thighs, belly heart chest, face and head,
Chanting the eight letter Manthra Om Namo Narayanaya
Either in an ascending or descending order,
You have to perform the knowledge of the twelve letters,

Shakaranthu brovor madhye nakaram shikhayam nyased,
Vekaram nethrayor yunjyannakaram sarva sandhishu. 9

Makara masthra mudhisya mantha moorthir bhaved budha,
Sarva sanga shadantham thath sarva dikshu vinirdisheth,
Om Vishnava nama ithi. 10

Tell Sha and touch the middle of the eye brows,
Tell Na and touch the top of the hair on your head
Tell Ve and touch both your eyes,
Tell Na and touch all your joints,
Facing all directions and say Ma Asthraya Phat,
This would make even the dim witted in to a wise one,
And thus you tie all the six directions as directed,
And chant Om salutations to Lord Vishnu

Athmanam paramam dhyeyed dhyeyam shad shakthibhir yudham,
Vidhya thejas thapo murthim imam manthra mudhahareth. 11

Afterwards meditate on Athma supported by the six strengths,
Of Wealth, charity, fame, goddess of wealth, wisdom and renunciation,
And chant the following which has the form of knowledge, power and meditation.
Narayana Kavacham

Om harir vidhadhyan mama sarva raksham.
Nyashngir padma padgendra prushte,
Dharari charmasi gadheshu chapa,
Pasan dadhano ashtaguno ashta bahu. 12

May all the protection to me be given by Hari,
Who keeps his lotus feet on the back of the bird,
Who is armed with conch, wheel, sword, mace,
Bow and a rope and who has eight qualities and eight hands.

Jaleshu maam rakshathu mathsya moorthir,
Yadho ganebhyo varunasya pasad,
Sthaleshu maya vatu vamano avyal,
Trivikrama khevadu viswaroopa. 13

[From this sloka onwards till sloka 19 several incarnations of Vishnu are requested to protect us in different circumstances. What is mentioned here are not the dasavathars (Ten incarnations) but a bigger list of incarnations. Devi Bhagwatha mentions 26 incarnations of Lord Vishnu viz Sanaka, Sananda, Sanathana, Sanathkumara, Varaha, Narada, Nara-narayana, Kapila, Dathathreya, Yajna, Rishabha, Pruthu, Mathsya, Mohini, Koorma, Garuda, Danwanthari, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Vyasa, Sri Rama, Bala Rama, Krishna, Budha and Kalki. All these avatharas do not find a place here. Vishaksena who is the commander in chief of army of Vishnu finds a place here.)

Let me be protected in the water by Fish incarnation,
From the animals of the sea and rope of Varuna,
Let me be protected in the Land by Vamana, the illusory boy,
And in the sky Trivikrama and viswaroopa forms.

Durgesh atavyaji mukhadhishu Prabhu,
Payanrusimho asura yoodha pari,
Vimunchatho yasya mahattahasam,
Dhiso vinedhur anya pathangascha Garbha. 14

In forts, forests, dangerous places and in war,
Let me be protected by Lord Narasimha,
Who by his mighty roar shook all directions,
Broke open the army formation of Asura,
And caused pregnant asura women to abort.

Rakshathwasou maadhwani yajna kalpa,
Swadamshtrayoth patha dharo varaha,
Ramo aadhrikooteshwadha vipravase,
Sa lakshmanovyadh bharathagrajo maam. 15

Let me be protected on my way by Lord Varaha,
Who is Yagna personified and who by his protruding teeth,
Lifted and carried the earth to safety,
Let me be protected on mountain top by Lord Parasurama
Let me be protected when I am abroad By lord Rama,
Who is elder brother of Bharatha and Lakshmana.

Mamugra dharmad akhilath pramadath,
Narayana pathu narascha hasath,
Dathaswa yogad adha Yoga natha,
Payadh Gunesa kapila karma bandath. 16

Let me be protected by Lord Narayana,
When I am transgressing Dharma or committing mistakes,
Let me be protected from my pride by Sage Nara,
Let me protected by Sage Dathathreya,
For not engaging in Yoga, meditation and other activities
And let sage Kapila protect me from the bondage of Karma.

Sanath kumaro aavathu kama devath,
Hayanano maam padhi deva helanath,
Devarshi varya purusharcha nantharath,
Koormo harir maam nirayadh aseshath. 17

Let sage Sanath Kumara protect me from the cupid,
Let Lord Hayagreeva protect me while I am on travel,
As well as when I do action that insults the Devas,
Let Sage Narada protect me from sins of non worship of devas,
And let Hari who took the form of a tortoise,
Protect me from different types of hell.

Dhanwandarir bhagawan pathway padhyath,
Dwandwadh bhayad rushabho nirjithama,
Yajnascha loka devathaa janandath,
Balo ganath krodha vasadh aheendra. 18

Let Lord Dhanwanthari protect me from unsuitable food,
Let Rishabha, the renounced soul protect me.
From fear of the contradictory dualities*,
Let Sage Yajna protect me from gossip of society,
Let Lord Balarama protect me from problems created by men,
And let Adhi sesha protect me from my anger.
*dualities like joy-sorrow, pain-pleasure etc.

Dwaipayano bhagwan aprabhodhad,
Budhasthu pashanda ganath pramadhath,,
Kalki kale kala malath prapath,
Dharma vanayoru kruthavathara. 19

Let Sage Vyasa protect me from lack of awakening,
Let sage Budha protect me from hypocrisy and ignorance,
Let Lord Kalki, who would be born to salvage Dharma,
Protect me from the evil effects and thoughts of Kali age.

Maam kesavo gadhaya pratharavyad,
Govinda aasangava aartha venu,
Narayana prahana udatha shakthir,
Madhyandhine vishnurareendra pani. 20

May I be protected in the morn by Kesava with his mace,
May I be protected two hours later By Govinda by his flute,
Two more hours later let Lord Narayana protect by his strength,
And at noon let Lord Vishnu protect me his holy wheel.

Devo aparahne Madhu hogra dhanwa,
Sayam thridhamavathu Madhwao maam,
Doshe Hrishi kesa, uthardha rather,
Niseedha yekovathu Padmanabha. 21

After noon let me protected by Madhu with his great bow,
In the evening Let Madhwa in the form of trinity protect me,
Between dawn and midnight let Lord Hrishi kesa protect me,
And at midnight let Lord Padmanabha alone protect me.

Srivathsa dhamaapara rathra eesa,
Prathyoosha eesosidharo janardhana,
Dhamodharo avyad anusandhyam prabathe,
Visweswaro bhagwan kala moorthi. 22

Let me protected by remaining part of the night,
By the Lord in whom Srivathsa lives,
Let me be protected just before dawn,
By Lord Janardhana who holds the sword,
Let me be protected at sun rise,
By Lord Damodara and just before morn,
Let Lord Visweshwara give me protection.

Chakram yugantha analathigma nemi,
Bhramath samanthad Bhagvath prayuktham,
Dandhagdhi dangdhyari sainya masu,
Kaksham yadha vatha sakho huthasa. 23

Oh holy Wheel,your edges are like the raging fire of deluge,
You are sent by the God and rotate and travel everywhere,
And so like the fire with the help of wind,
Burns in to ashes the dried up wood of a forest,
Speedily and speedily burn and burn all my enemies.

Gadhe asani sparsana visphulinge,
Nishpindi nishpindyajitha priyasi,
Koosmanda vainayaka yaksha raksho,
Bhootha graham choornaya choornyarin. 24

Oh mace, the spark raising touches of yours,
Are unbearable like the touch of Vajra,
And you are dear to the invincible lord and his servant,
And so please powder and powder again,
Evil spirits, Yakshas, Rakshasas and all my enemies.

Thwam yathu dhana pramadha pretha mathru,
Pisacha vipra graham gora drushteen,
Dharendra vidhravaya Krishna pooritho,
Bhima swano arer hrudhayani kambhayan. 25

Oh Conch, when lord Krishna blows in you,
You create a huge and loud sound and confuse my enemies,
And drive away ghouls, devils, ghosts, Pramadhas,
Brahma Rakshas and other fearful beings.

Thwam thigma dharasi varari sainyam,
Eesa prayuktha mama chindhi, chindhi,
Chakshoomshi charman satha chandra chadhaya,
Dwishamaghonaam hara papa chakshusham. 26

Oh holy sword, Be sent by the Lord himself,
And cut and cut my enemy army in to pieces,
Oh shield of the lord,shining like hundred moons,
Please make my enemies with full of sins look blind.

Yanna bhayam grahebhyobhooth kethubhyo nrubhya eva cha,
Saree srupebhyo dhamshtribhyo bhoothabyohebhya yeva cha. 27

Sarvanyethani bhagavan nama roopasthra keerthanath,
Prayanthu samkshayam sadhyo ye na sreya pratheepika. 28

The fear that we have due to planets, comets, Kethu and kings,
The fear that we had from teethed serpents, ghosts and from sin,
And the fear that prevent our well being may all be destroyed,
Oh God, by the praise of your names and weapons.

Garudo Bhagawan sthothra sthobha chandho maya Prabhu,
Rakshathwa sesha kruchsrebhyo vishwaksena swa namabhi. 29

The Garuda, who is being praised by great musical stotras of Vedas,
Who is a god and the lord of the world, may protect me from all troubles,
By singing of his names as well as that of the Lord Vishwak sena.

Savapadbhyo harer nama roopayanaayudhani na.
Budheendriya mana praanan paanthu parshadha bhooshana. 30

Let the names and forms of Vishnu, his steed,
His weapons, and important assistants may protect,
My mind, senses and soul, from all the dangers and sins.

Yadhahi bhagwan eva vasthutha sad sachayath,
Sathye nanena na sarve yanthu nasamupadrawa. 31

The truth that God is all beings and things,
May destroy all the troubles that we face.

Yadaikathmanu bhavanam vikalpa rahitha swayam,
Bhooshanuyudha lingakhya dathe shakthi swa mayaya. 32

Thenaiva sathya manen sarvajno Bhagwan Hari,
Pathu sarvai swaroopairna sada sarvathra sarvaga. 33

Those great savants who think, that God does not have any forms,
And his weapons and ornaments are only symbols without power,
And due to this truth, the God Hari is everywhere,
And let him protect me always and everywhere..

Vidikshu dikshoordhwamadha Samantha,
Anthar bahir bhagwan narasimha,
Praha bhayam loka bhayam swanena,
Swathejasa grastha samastha theja. 34

Let the Lord Narasimha who due to his power,
Destroyed elephants, serpents and other beings
And saved Prahladha, and removed the fear of the world,,
Protect me in all directions and non directions,
Top and below, inside and outside and in all places.

Maghavan idham aakhyatham varma narayanathmakam,
Vijeshya syanjasa yena damsitho sura yoodhapan. 35

Oh Indra, thus I have told you, the great armour of Narayana,
And using this you protect yourselves and easily,
Defeat the commanders of the army of Rakshasas.

Yethad dharayamanasthu yam yam pasyathi chakshusha,
Pada vaa samsprusethsadhya saadvasath sa vimuchyathe. 36

If he who wears his armour sees any one by his eyes,
Or even touches him by his feet, that man,
Would be able to get rid of all his fears.

Na kuthaschid bhayam thasya vidhyam dharayatho bhaved.,
Raja dasyu grahadhebhyo vyagradhibhyascha karhichith. 37

He who wears this armour will never have any fear,
From king, enemies, planets and animals like the tiger.

Imam vidhyam pura kaschid kaushiko dharayan dwija,
Yogadharanaya swa angam jahow marudhanwani. 38

Long time ago, this knowledge was worn by a Brahmin,
From Koushika Gothra and he gave up his life in a desert

Thasyopari vimanena gandharwa pathi rekhadha,
Yayou chithra radha sthreebhir vrutho yathra dwijakshaya. 39

A gandharwa called Chithra radha was travelling in a plane.
Along with his ladies, where the Brahmins body was lying.

Gagamam anya pada sadhya savimano hyavak sira,
Sa balakhilya vachanad asthhenyadhya vismitha,
Prasya prachee saraswathyam snathwa dhama swa manwagadh. 40

At that spot his plane stopped and he fell there along with his ladies,
And he was perplexed and was advised by the sages called Balakhilya,
And obeying their advice, took the bones of the Brahmin,
And put it in the river Saraswathi, took bath and went back to his home.
(Even a man died in a desert, attained salvation because of this armour.)
Sri Shuka Uvacha:
Ya idham srunuyath kale yo dharayathi chadhrutha,
Tham namasyanthi bhoohani muchyathe sarvatho bhayath. 41

Yetham vidhyamadhi gatho viswaroopa chatha kruthu,
Trilokya lakshmeem bubhuje vinirjithya mrude asuran. 42
Sri Shuka said:
He who wears or hears this armour of Narayana,
Would be saluted by all beings and he would get rid of all fears.

Learning this knowledge from Viswaroopa, Indra,
Won in the battle over all asuras and
Got the blessings of wealth of the three world.

Sankarankovil

Last week my family had a small trip to my native place Tirunelveli dist  after a long time. We visited kuladeivam kovil, then sankaran kovil, tirchendur, Tenkasi, ayikudibalasubramania kovil. In short it was a small pilgrimage. Last Monday we visited Sankran  kovil. Sankran  kovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanar temple. The temple is also known as Sankaranayinarkovil and Sankaranarayanakovil.

This temple is a representation of fusion of two faiths Saivism and Vaishnavism. This temple is one of the big temples that can be found in the district of Tirunelveli and this is also one of the important shrines of Lord Siva in south India. The main deities in the temple are of Lord Shiva (southern portion inside the temple) and Goddess Parvathi in the name of Gomathi Amman (northern portion) with separate sanctums. There is another deity in between these two that is of Sankara Narayanar. The legend has it that Lord Siva appeared, on the request of His consort Parvathi, revealing Lord Vishnu in Him on His right side half to prove that Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara/Haran (Lord Siva) are one and same. To commemorate this and to emphasize the oneness of Hari and Haran ideology the deity of Sankara Narayanar (the deity depicts Siva on the rightside and Vishnu on the left side) was installed. The temple therefore is also known as Sankaranarayakovil.

Main Deity: Sankaralingeswarar, Sankara Narayanar.

Goddesses: Gomathi Amman.

Theertham: Nagasunai.

Holy tree: Punnai.

Sankaran koil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanar temple. It is situated at Thirunelveli District and 56km away from Thirunelveli City.Amman went on penance on the earth to see “Lord Shiva” & “Lord Vishnu” together hence known as Sankara Narayanar.The right portion of the idol has sandal and indicates Lord Siva, with cobra around his neck & moon above his head.The left side of the idol indicates Lord Vishnu having “Sanghu” in his hand.It is very famous for “Adi Thabasu” festival.

It is known from the stone inscriptions that the construction of this temple was commenced at 1022 A.D. by Pandya king Ukkiraman. The temple tower raises upto 125 feet with 9 floors. The sacred pot on the top of the tower measures 7 feet and 4 inches. There are various others deities of lower strata installed in the corridors of the temple. One can also find beautiful paintings and stone carvings adorning the temple walls and ceiling.

Once, a deva by the name Manikkireevan took birth as a Paraiyan after being cursed by Goddess Parvathi. He was known as Kavarparaiyan. He demolished a snake pit which was inside the forest garden that he was looking after and found a snake and a Sivalingam inside the pit. Panicked by this sight he rushed to inform King Ukkirama Pandya who was visiting the nearby forest during his usual visit to Madurai for worshipping Lord Shiva and Meenakshi. On the same day, the King’s elephant collapsed on the floor after piercing the floor with its tusk and it was at this time when the King was filled with bewilderment Kavarparaiyan brought the news of the snake and Sivalingam found in the snake pit. Following this the King heard the voice of Lord Shiva ordering him to construct a temple at the spot.

Lord Siva appeared, on the request of His consort Parvathi, revealing Lord Vishnu in Him on His right side half to prove that Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara/Haran (Lord Siva) are one and same. To commemorate this and to emphasize the oneness of Hari and Haran ideology the deity of Sankara Narayanar (the deity depicts Siva on the rightside and Vishnu on the left side) was installed. The temple therefore is also known as Sankaranarayakovil.

Gomathi amman is one of the manifestation of Adhi shakthi. The temple is popularly known as sankaranayanar kovil and she is the consort of vanmikanathar and seen along with sankaranarayanar(the unification of shiva and vishnu).

Story

The goddesses is a yogini who was performing her penence on the tip of the needle to please lord shiva and merge with him. Two snake kings namely "sangan" and "padman". Sangan was worshipping lord shiva and padman was worshipping lord narayana. One day they had a quarrel on who is great whether lord shiva, the destroyer or Narayana,the protector. They were trying to prove their own power and finally went to the yogini and pleaded her to give them a proper judgment.

The yogini grew out of her grace pleaded the almighty to show his universality form so that not only the snake kings but also fro every human being.By the intense penance lord shiva appears before the yogini in the form of half shiva and half vishnu showing the world that they are equal and it is with love and sacrifice they could reach them. Hence sangan and padman worshipped the lord and prayed to the yogini for showing them a way to attain the god and they stayed with her. the yogini was none ther than goddesses gomathi. Gomathi means repositary of wealth.Since the snakes stayed with the goddesses,this place is free from all venomous creatures and praying to this goddesses can eliminate the fear of venom.

One of the 18 siddhas, the great pambatti siddhar worshipped this goddesses as valai kumari and he regarded this goddesses to be the great serpant power which can make miracles in taking aspirant in yogic transformation. Pambatti  siddhar samadhi is seen behind the temple.

The deity Gomathi ambal is very powerful. in my experience she made lot of wonders in my life. If we tell about our problems to her ,she will clear it, and make us very happy. She gave me a lot of things,which i need at that time. It’s very nice place to visit it. There are so many wonder's were took place in that temple. It’s a very powerful temple.

Gomathy Amman a petite statue with pleasing facial features, not more than 3-feet tall in appearance, Gomathy Amman, our family deity is indeed the pride of this place. During the month of Aadi Gomathy Amman does a penance “Aadi Thavasu” and at the end of the 10 days the lord presents hiumelf in the “Sankaranarayana” form, half Shiva and half Vishnu, and this alankara is unique to witness.

There is a Srichakram it is believed that the hole (Srichakram )before Gomathi Amman Sanadhi cures people affected with black magic –When ever I visit I used sit times in front of gomathi amamn. Even the temple tank has got lot of significance. For many people Gomathi Amman is the Kula Deivam (protecting deity of the family). It is believed that worshipping Gomathi Amman in this temple can cure many ailments and childlessness.

There is a snake pit inside the temple and it is believed that applying the sand/mud from the snake pit on one’s body can cure various diseases. Those who come visit this temple also offer miniatures of snake, scorpion and other reptiles to get rid of curses. These miniatures are sold outside and inside the temple premises. The putthu sand has healing properties it is said, so we brought home some “putthu mannu” as it is called to give to friends and relatives. Putru marundu has curing properties.We always keep it in our house. Maavilakku is an important offering in this temple .This time I cant able to offer Maavilakku.Gomathi Amman is our family deity. I always wanted to visit the temple, since it gives peace of mind to me. Whenever I visit temple, really i feel free and got peaceful mind. 

Do not forget to visit the Elephant place. Thanga pavadai allangaram is very good on amman if u get chance don't miss. Really its a good temple every  one should try to visit the temple at least once in their lifetime.

 Great Poet Subramania Bharathiyar wrote about gomathi Amman. But some reasons it has not been complete gothrough this link-http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/tamilbooks/bharathiar/bharathi-II41.asp

 http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/tamilbooks/bharathiar/bharathi-II41.asp

Kanchipuram Kamakshi

A Visit to Kamakshi Temple:

I had a long-standing wish and that was to visit the holy places of Kancheepuram Kamakshi Amman Temple. Last week I got a chance to visit kancheepuram and blessed by Mother Kamakshi.

 Kanchi is verily the City of Temples. Poems composed in the 2nd century refer to a shrine dedicated to the love goddess (Kamakshi – eyes of love). It is located in the city Kanchipuram near Chennai. It is associated with Adi Sankaracharya one of the greatest Hindu saints The current Kamakshi temple (Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Peetham Sri Kamakshi Ambal) was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century.

Architecture

Sprawled in an area of 5 acres, the temple complex has one spire. The 'shikhar' (spire) housing the deity is covered wholly in gold. The spectacular view of the golden spire can be taken from the outer part. In order to enter the main shrine, four entrances have been made on all the four sides. The structural layout of the temple is quite elaborated.

In the outer prakaram or part, there is a tank and numerous mandapams or halls like the 100 pillared hall, the dwajaarohana mandapam etc. Near the temple tank, various images of Lord Vishnu like Ninraan, Irundaan and Kidandaan are traceable. In the vicinity of the sanctum, there are several shrines dedicated to Ardhanareeswarar, Soundaryalakshmi, Kallar (who has been mentioned in the hymns of Tirumangaialwar) and Varaahi

About Goddess Kamakshi

Goddess Kamakshi is regarded as one of the incarnations of Goddess Parvati. As per the Hindu legend, Kamakshi made a Shivalingam out of the sand and offered worship to marry the great Lord Shiva. After a long duration of dedicated and devoted meditation to Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva appeared before her and married the Goddess Kamakshi, a divine form of Parvati. There are no traditional Parvati or Shakti shrines in the city of Kanchipuram, apart from this temple, which adds even more legend to this temple. In return, she got Lord Shiva as her husband. In the sanctum sanctorum, The Goddess Kamakshi is in a sitting posture in the temple. This posture is called the Padmasana posture.Goddess Kamakshi is depicted in a seated posture, which is also referred as Parabhrama Swarupini. The Padmasana posture is said to resemble a lotus. In the Yogic practice this resembles the form of meditation The Goddess holds a Sugarcane bow on her left upper arm and Lotus, Parrot in her right upper arm. The Goddess also has divine chakras called Pasa and Angusa in her arms.

The Goddess also has a Chandraperai (a shape of moon like structure) in her forehead. The Goddess Kamakshi is situated in the middle of temple premises.

A Sri Chakram has been placed just before the image and due worship is offered to it. The ancient shrine of Kamakshi Amman is always associated with Adi Shankaracharya, the great saint of India.

It is regarded that Goddess Kamakshi was initially an Ugra Swaroopini (Ruthless form of Shakti). Adi Shankaracharya placed a 'Chakra' before her and the goddess got personified as Shanta Swaroopini (Kind form of Shakti). The area is believed to comprise temples that have ruthless aspect of the Goddess, though Kamakshi Temple is an exception. Representing this, the image of the deity is taken out in procession at the time of festivals. It is said that the Goddess takes leave from Shankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner prakaram.

We got to the temple in early morning. After dharma darshan from the mahamandapa, we started to perform pradakshina before leaving the temple Working our way towards the front, we met a priest who lead us to be seated directly in front of the Shri Yantra. Imagine sitting on granite floors, where millennia ago great saints like Shankaracharya sat in meditation; a cave like darkness engulfing you; all eyes are directed to the stunningly beautiful Kamakshi. In the gentle light of oil lamps, her eyes and jewels flicker smilingly.

Oh god, how can i write in words the beautiful natural and very caring, affectionate smile of Kamakshi Devi. My throat choked, tears rolled down the cheeks, sweat drops appeared over his forehead; lips quivered. In such instances when I am in the presence of the divine, my worries melt away, forgotten, ceasing to exist, scrubbed by one darshan, and my heart lightens in relief. At these times, my brain freezes too and I am unable to even mouth a prayer.I asked mother, "You are the greatest of great. You are knower of known and unknown. Why don't you accept' my prayers? What are the short-comings in my wor­ship? Oh, goddess! Be benign unto me. Pardon my sins. . I really loved her from bottom of my heart and this moment also i bow to Goddess  for her kindness in blessing me with her smiling and powerful eyes. Its shows her love on innocent devotees. My Head bowed to my Mother. Chanting mantras, the priest offered flowers and kumkum to the yantra. He gave me flowers and Kumkum.Whatelse I want? . Oh, what an indescribable feeling! Like I had been patted by the divine!

We performed a namaskar and my eyes glued to the devi, reluctantly moved away. We were all overcome by this unexpected darshan and offered dakshina to the priest.In the stall I purchased Kamkshi Frame which now sits on our home shrine.

Shyaaama kaanchana chandrikaa thribhuvane punyaathmanaamaanane Seemaashoonyakavithvavarshajananee yaa kaapi jaadhambhinee Maaraaraathi mano vimohanavi dhov kaachitthamaha kandhalee Kaamaakshyaaha karunaakataakshalaharee kaamaaya me kalpathaam

This prayer to Goddess Kamakshi to get good education, poetic knowledge, music and all other wealth and success in life.

Sri Abhayahastha Jayaveera Anjaneya

Kadayanallur Krishnapuram Sri Jayaveera Abhayahastha Anjaneyar 

I AM VERY HAPPY TO REPOST ABOUT WITH latest PICTURES shared by  Mr.Anand Thangavelswamy

I have posted few new pics of krishnapuram hanuman which was shared by Mr.AnandThangasvel swamy during his visit to krishnapuram recently. I really thank him for sharing his experience and photos with me J

In Special occasions and celebrations with spiritual and religious significance in ones' family. We make yatra to Kuladevatha temples and seek blessings (prasannatha) of family-deities i.e. Kuladevatha .This is the reason why it is customary to write at the top of the invitation cards "Om Shri Kuladevatha Prasanna ".MyParents side Kula devada is Kadayanallur Krishnapuram Anjaneyar. It is in tirunelveli dist.

Set on the beautiful scenic background and with paddy fields all around is a temple for Lord Anjaneya. Surrounded by Western Ghats on one side and lush paddy field on the other side, this temple is an feast for the eye from the distance itself. This temple for Lord Anjaneya is located at Krishnapuram near Kadayanallur in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. One can reach this beautiful village from Tenkasi. As you get down at Krishnapuram bus stop, there is a road perpendicular to the main road will lead you to the temple which is around one kilometer. One has to pass through the paddy field and enter the temple complex. Before we have the dharshan of Lord Sri Jayaveera Abhayahastha Anjaneya let us see the history of the temple.

Devotees of Lord Anjaneya, the temple dedicated to the `Son of Vaayu Bhagawan' at Krishnapuram, near Kadayanallur, in Tirunelveli district. The sthalapuranam of the temple is interesting as SriAnjaneya himself is said to have visited the place during the time of the Ramayana. The six feet high, south-facing Anjaneya at this temple attracts devotees from all parts of Tamil Nadu, who believe that miracles happen in their life within a short period of their visit. The temple situated in the middle of paddy field.

After Ravana abducted Sita, Sri Rama sought the help of Sugriva, the king of Kishkinta, to locate the whereabouts of his beloved wife. And Sugriva, who had returned to power with the help of Sri Rama, sent his forces in all directions. Sri Anjaneya, led a mighty team to the South, with a ring given by Rama. Before the large contingent left Kishkinta in search of Sita, Sugriva asked his friends to return home after a month without fail, so that the next course of action can be designed according to the information gathered during the first phase of the mission.

Except the contingent that left under the leadership of Anjaneya, all the other groups returned to Kishkinta after a month-long search operation that was in vain.Though Anjaneya was not able to collect any vital clues that would lead them to Sita, he moved ahead with the hope of getting useful information about her. They reached a desert-like area after they crossed Vindhya Hills and being famished and thirsty, they began to frantically look for food and water. Then Anjaneya found some birds coming out of a cave looking wet and led his forces to the cave. Inside the cave, they saw a beautiful city, and a meditating tapasvini — Swayamprabha — sitting at the centre.

Sri Anjaneya told her about the purpose of his mission and Swayamprabha offered them fruit and water and told Him the story of the city, which was built by Mayan. Mayan was later killed by Lord Indra, as the architect had committed a sin. Indra, who had to take a holy dip after killing Mayan, prayed to Lord Siva who, in turn, sent a branch of the Ganges to the place. "I was asked to stay here till your visit here. Now it's time for me to leave this place," she said. But Sri Anjaneya asked her to remain there since he had to find Sita.

After Sita was found and rescued by Sri Rama, He, along with Sri Anjaneya came to the place again and Swayamprabha handed over the regime to Sri Anjaneya and left the place. Sri Rama and Sri Anjaneya had made a visit to the cave and met Swayamprabha. As requested by Hema and Swayamprabha Sri Anjaneya was asked to rule the place. It is also said that a yagna was performed by both Sri Anjaneya and Sri Rama here.

A very simple and pleasant temple has been built in front of the tank. The two mouths of the cave could be seen in the tank. While one cave is inoperative, the other is said to be leading to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It is said that the sanctum sanctorum had been built at the very same spot where the yagna had been performed by Sri Rama and Sri Anjaneya. It is claimed even now the land around the sanctum bores ashes, which is being offered as prasad. After having dharshan of the caves you come across a big hall which houses Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Sri Anjaneya, which is recently built. The separate sannadhi of Sri Abhayahastha Jayaveera Anjaneya, the moolavar is under the same roof.. In the South-West corner of the complex there is meditation hall in which Sri Anjaneya in Yoga mudra is seen in the centre of the hall The place, which was then ruled over by Sri Anjaneya, is now called Krishnapuram.

The shrine of Lord Anjaneya is seen facing south, so also Lord Anjaneya. The majestic Anjaneya is about six feet tall and standing on the ground. It is said that the rock goes deep below the ground. His legs are seen as if He is coming forward towards the devotee to bless him. With His right hand in 'Abhaya mudra', He offers all His devotees 'nirbhaya'. His left hand is seen resting on His left thigh. His neck is adorned with three types of garlands and in one of them a pendent is seen. He is wearing an ear ring as well as an ornament on the top of the ear. His tail is raised above the head and there is small bell in the end of the tail. The most gracias is His glowing eyes, directly showering compassion and karuna on His devotees.The beautiful temple, sitting pretty amidst a paddy field, attracts every passer-by. The actual date of construction of the temple is not known as it dates back to the period of Sri Rama and is now known as Sri Abhayahastha Jayaveera Anjaneya temple.

In sudarakandam Hanuman is described as one for whom nothing is impossible and who is the embodiment of faith, devotion, loyalty to the master, fearlessness and self confidence. Success is the outcome of an attitude like this. If we want to be successful in life we have to combine the above qualities.

This particular Kandam is very important for each one of us because it really enlightens us in our spiritual quest. Hanuman is the awakened soul, Jambavan is the enlightened teacher, and the vast ocean is the samasara which each one of us wishes to cross. We have to struggle to overcome the worldly sorrows which form the obstacles.

We may not be always successful in this effort; but if we are undaunted and we have. faith in GOD then we will at the end discover divinity which is manifested in Sita Devi.

"Sri Rama Rama Ramethi, Rame Rame Manorame Sahasara Nama Thuthilyam Rama Nama Varanane."