Sanathana Dharma always attracted me. The quest is unquenchable. One of the best sources which demonstrate empirically the beneficial consequences of following such a dharma are the ancient temples of India. As is well known temples are built as per the agama norms which facilitate entrapping of the vibrant cosmic energy and channelize the same to remove undulating difficult human emotions. Coupled with the strict adherence of Tantra, Yantra and Mantra niyamas, the presiding deity is installed which radiates subtle energy to fulfill the rightful wants of the Bhaktas. This system has brought unrivalled cohesiveness in the society and became the vital cause for the survival of the Hindu Civilization, though attempts to destroy it were many in the years of yore.
In the pursuit of the quest stated, I came across a good friend of mine who is a master brain in legal affairs and has the unique distinction of enriching the legal domain with thousands of his thought provoking judgments, as member of the Central Administrative Tribunal. In one of our legal interactions he adduced about the Adhikesava Perumal Temple at Kazhiyur, T.N and in particular about the power of amma. Then I immediately decided to visit the temple as something inside me was sparked. However, remember our decision would not do until the Goddess permits you to have her darshan. In my case too, though I was eager to have darshan, it took nearly 2 years to plan and visit. When I finally went over to the temple in the early morning, the Sun was rising and his rays bathed the temple with arunodhaya rays as amma herself is
“Nijaruna prabha poora majjath brahmanda mandala”
The temple is ancient. Immaculately clean. Well maintained with not even a spec of dust anywhere. Trees were around the temple periphery providing green cover and I felt they were the kadambari trees. The equivalents of kalapavrukshas. The leaves were fluttering welcoming the gentle cool breeze that blew in the morning. The shabdha so generated was like the invigorating Venu Nadham. What more can one can expect when the day begins. Is it not Scintillating ? indeed it is. Defacto, this took me to a different world all together. I started circumambulating the temple with my mind meditating on the feet of the amma that have the power to repel the Tamoguna in us. Suddenly I started smelling sandle wood scent with no sandal wood trees around. Even if someone was making sandal wood paste in the sanctum sanctorum it would b
e difficult for the sandal wood particles to traverse the distance that separated me from the sanctorum. It was Amma displaying her trait of “Chandana drava dhigdhangi”. I felt blessed and my joy knew no bounds. Later, while leaving the temple when I asked others who accompanied me, as to whether they smelled sandle wood paste, there was negative nod in chorus. Besides sandal wood paste was not made in the sanctum sanctorum too at that instant of time. Amma’s subtle blessing was thus abundantly evident.
Further, when I was circumambulating, someone called my name aloud and I woke to reality. Incidentally, I came to know later from others that it was my 3rd circumambulation and the one who called me was the Head Priest, whose face was radiant exhibiting meditative luminous intensity. It was Amma’s call pronouncing that “Son, come in. Enough of circumambulation.” The priest was just an instrument to convey the message. But for the call I would have continued to be on my rounding trips as I was not in myself temporarily. That is ecstasy. However, it was ruptured because Amma had more for me inside the temple. The temple is on a high pedestal nearly 10 to 12 feet above the ground level. It was constructed some ---- years back. Although, a small one, but it is well designed to carry out activities of Amma and Perumal at well defined places. On entering the temple there was some intense energy emanating that magnetized my mind. I wanted to know the why of it and instantly the answer came from the Head priest confirming that daily in the evening 400 songs known as Divyaprabhandham, are sung daily by about 40 villagers sitting in the main corridor. Exactly I was standing at the place where the songs are sung. No wonder Amma is Nadha rupa and Nadha priya. Magnetizing my mind was a way of telling me that “Sammeepya Mukthi” could be possible through Nadam , a defined form of devotional seva. Thus by entering the main corridor I felt I was in the ‘Srungara Mandapa’ of the ‘Sri Maharajni ’. How fortunate was I to have that indescribable feeling! It is more to be experienced than described. Then the final moment came to have the darshan of Amma for which I was yearning for over the last 2 years. Here my experiences were too many and a few I would share. Rest I would not because it is between me and amma. May be, a doubt may arise as to how many experiences could be had in a short span of time. Amma is “Unmesha nimishotpanna vipanna bhuvanavali”. She can create and destroy the brahmanda with a single flash of her eye lid and that being her power, providing humungous experiences in a nano second is positively plausible. Be that as it may, I was with Amma and not in the temple. Except Amma others went out of my mental screen. There were no other pop ups. The Head Priest and the others were performing the rituals and my body mechanically followed their directions like a robot. Body present mind absent with reference to the rituals. My mind was on the shinning feet of amma, the ‘Sriman nagara nayika ’ seated on the ‘Srimathsimhasana’ in her ‘chintamani gruha’ . Particularly the light rays equivalent to intensity of many Suns but as cool as the Moon rays, emanating from her foot nails. A micro miniscule part of such light ray falling on us is enough to grant Moksha. However, only a Jnani is blessed with such blessing and not a mundane soul like me. A number of purifying Janmas are required to reach the level of a Jnani. Nevertheless, to me it was a knowledgeable experience that Amma would bless even an ignorant soul like me. She does not distinguish between the ignorant and the learned. Learned try to know her but the ignorant would not, albeit Amma keeps messaging that she is there to protect them. A clear message about what Amma profuse kindness. Therefore is “Avyaja karuna moorthy”
It requires no elaboration that we are in a materialistic world and our wishes/issues revolve around materialistic aspirations. I am no exception and I had one issue relating to my family member, which was tormenting me for some years and the wish was fulfilled on praying intently to Amma. After the wish was fulfilled I travelled over to have her darshan. True to speak, the issue was only a ploy of Amma to make me realize that there was something more I need to know to reach her. For that realization the darshan was a necessary part of the her ‘Vishnu Maya’ and her ‘Vilasini’ nature. Now I can meditate on her more intently than I could in the past. To know what you are, the darshan of. Amma with utmost faith, is a potent beginning. Amma is “Chethana roopa” and to ignite that chethana in you, darhsan of Amma would facilitate a winning start.
Forgot not, most of us cherish prasadam given at the temple. When she glances the prasadam the taste would be indescribable. No seven star chef can match its taste. Amma is “Gudanna preetha manasa” and we were given Guddanna prasadam. Was it a coincidence or the blessing of the amma. It could have been any other prasadam but I like Guddanna prasadam and Amma fulfilled it, which I take it as her profound blessing.
Sadly, it was time for me to leave, as I had many more miles to traverse to keep discovering the Sanathan dharma hidden in our temple customs, traditions, practices and rituals. One janma would be insufficient. At the most, the tip of the ice berg could be revealed in a janma, if you have the zeal to learn about it. However, discovering the tip is commencement of the journey and mine did start with the darshan of Amma.
With moist eyes I made a Sashtanga Namaskara, praying that since I was a sexagenarian, inching towards the grave, maybe I may not have another darshan and my prayer was that her Divya rupa should be permanently itched in my memory to be recalled every instant of time till my last breath.
To end let me be candid in stating that, I was hesitant to share the soulful experiences I had since they were between me and Amma. Some may believe and some may not. Therefore why make Amma a subject of debatable discussion. However, as my friend insisted to share, I pondered over the same and scribed the above, with the hope that it may be of some use to the believers. Doing good to others in what little way we can is the essence of life. Sharing my experience may perhaps be good to some and that is joy for me.
Have faith in Amma and she will respond provided the faith is unquestionable. I am a live example. Learn to be with her with constant Abhyasa of her Namas and you will experience her presence as Amma is “Abhyasathisaya gnatha” The temple perse, its surroundings, the priests chanting mantras with authenticity at pleasurable decibel levels make the atmosphere enchanting and electrifying. Blessed are the villagers where the temple is located and the temple trustees who manage the temple and those who have had her darshan. Unfortunate I am that I am no poet to write poetry on the graceful experiences I had, but I had written my heart out, hoping that the written piece would serve the purpose for which it has been written and that too with the grace of Amma.
May Amma, “Aneka koti Bramanda Nayakhi” bless the human race wherever they are, with health, wealth and happiness, as she is “Vanchithartha pradayini”.