SATHAKOTI
ARCHANA
(100 Crore Chants in praise of Mother
Goddess)
a tribute to
Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar
Birth centenary
Achãrya: Jagadguru
Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi
Venue: Sree
Rama Dasa Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram
Period: January
4 to August 4, 2000
v
Greatest Yajna since the
one conducted by Veda Vyasa at the hallowed soil of Naimisaranya in Dwaparayuga
8000 years ago
v
Great spiritual confluence
of more than 300 Akhanda Jyotis from sacred places across Bharath with the main
from Naimisaranya, the cradle of Sanathana Dharma
v
Dwajam (flag) from Ayodhya,
Dwaja-stambham (flag-mast) from Kanyakumari
v
Archana conducted in
concentric circles around the Centenary Memorial: Jyotikshetram (Temple of
Luminance and Peace)
v
Participation of Archakas
from across Bharath and around the globe cutting across all man made barriers
v
Sadguru Narayan Maharaj of
Sree Kshetra, Narayanpur, Pune along with 1500 devotees arrived by a chartered
train and performs 56 Crore chants in 14 days
v
Lord Dattatreya gave Darshan to the volunteers of the water-supply-team in a 60 feet tall astral form along with a cow and four
dogs of similar proportions on the seventh
day of their arrival
v Mother Goddess descended from miles up in the sky in the
form a brilliant Jyoti through the center of the Jyotikshetram and blessed the
devotees at around 8.30 p.m., on May 30, 2000.
v Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi Thiruvadikal
crowned Sadguru Narayan Maharaj on the
conclusion of 56 Crore chants which coincided
with the anniversary of the crowning of Sivaji as the Chatrapathi by Sadguru
Samartha Ramadas.
v
Sadguru Narayan Maharaj
reminisced the crowning of Sugreeva by Lord Sree Ramachandra and made a historical decision to conduct two Sathakoti Archanas
(200 Crore Namas) of Lord Shiva and Lord Dattatreya at Narayanpur during
Dattatreya Jayanti in November-December, 2000.
v
Importance of Annam and
concept of KRISHIPOOJA was imparted to
thousands of devotees who cultivated vegetables and grains in the form worship
without using artificial manures and chemical pesticides. The produce of
Krishipooja was assembled in front of the Padmanãbha Swami Temple and was taken in a colorful procession (Vibhava Samarpana
Sameeksha) to the Ashram by foot, in bullock carts and in a motorcade.
There
have been several expert prophecies from unquestionable sources that the period
of 1999-2000 was going to be a tough time for Bharath. The reason quoted was
the manifestation of a particular constellation of planets known as ‘Vasundhara
Yoga’. This ‘Yoga’, they explained was a
peculiar alignment of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn that would ensure the
destruction of almost two-thirds of the land between the Himalayas and Sri
Lanka.
Himādri Lankāpuri madhyavarthinah
Thribhāgasésham kuruté Vasundharā ||
The Vasundhara
Yoga was said to produce a totally devastating union between two cosmic
elements, fire and wind (agni-maruta yoga). This was amply verified by the
innumerable calamities that actually befell Bharath during the said period. The super cyclonic storm,
the strongest ever recorded in India history, which
almost wiped off the state of Orissa, the unforeseen war at Kargil, the immense
explosion at the Indian Army Explosive Godown,
etc. are only a few that took the lives of many an innocent man and animal.
Inexplicably,
the southern peninsula of Bharath had been largely spared from major disasters
during the same span. This could only have been possible through divine grace,
the prophesiers swear in one voice.
Ever
since the Sathakoti Archana drew to a blissful culmination, scholars whose
predictions had never before gone wrong have rushed to Sree Rama Dasa Ashram to
congratulate H.H. Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi for His superhuman achievement
through the medium of the Mahayajna.
ANNAM and KRISHIPOOJA
Importance
of the food (Annam) has been proclaimed through various religious scriptures of
Bharath such as Rig Veda, Bhagavad-Gita, Chãndogya and Taittiriya Upanishads
and so on. The poisonous pesticides and manures used for the present-day
agriculture claiming them as state-of the-art were strictly avoided from the
Vedic concept of “Krishipooja” or “Agriculture as Worship”. Annam as it is
offered to the living creatures of the world was taken as a sacred concept of
yajna (Bhoota yajna) that gives strength and vitality to the total living
world.
According
to Bhagavad-Gita the total creation of the world is backed with the force
from Annam: “annād bhavanti
bhutāni …”(III - 15). The cyclic system of the universe is
encouraged by it. The original texts of Hinduism explain the five elements of
creation, namely, earth, water, fire, air and space. Each one of them is a
combination of all the basic five elements in their pure and subtle state. For
any one pure and subtle element, ‘bhoota’ to become manifest it has to combine
with minor amounts of other pure elements in specific proportions. Here the
major portion of a particular bhoota uses the other four elements as the food
(Annam) for its own manifestation.
Beyond
this consideration Annam has other spiritual significance as well. Taittiriya Upanishad proclaims:
‘Annam Anné pratishthitam’ and ‘Annam Brahma éva
bhavati’. In other words, Annam is the basic
principle that underlies the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the
universe. Thus, from the individual to the cosmic realms Annam has its impact
and influence. This has been the vision of the Great Seers of Bharath.
“Such
a fundamental principle Annam should be never be abused or averted; misused or
misinterpreted. The production, distribution and consumption of Annam should by
all means be protected and promoted, but should never be destroyed and
detained.” insists Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi.
His
Holiness introduced the concept of KRISHIPOOJA (agriculture as worship)
to instill the import of the principle of Annam amongst the participants of
Sathakoti Archana. The food required for the
Archakas and the pilgrims as well as the sacred flowers for the Archana were
proposed to be produced with utmost care and devotion using only natural manure
and organic pesticides like ‘pancha-gavyam’. The participants were instructed
to chant Vedic hymns extolling the virtues of ‘Ōshadhis’ (herbs and
plants) at every stage of cultivation. The devotees, individually and
collectively, produced food items and flowers as pooja across Kerala, parts of
Maharashtra and U.P.
The produce of Krishipooja was assembled in front of the Padmanābha Swami Temple at Thiruvananthapuram and was taken in a colorful procession to the Ashram by foot, in bullock carts and in a motorcade. They were dedicated at the lotus feet of Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar on January 1, 2000 before being utilized during the Mahayajna.
Thus His Holiness brought back to life the sacred
and ecological agricultural practices of the Vedic times as a part of the
Sathakoti Archana.
Scientific
Corroboration
A
comprehensive scientific analysis of the impact of Sathakoti Archana on
pollution, climate, health, plant growth, nutritional value of the food
produced in Krishipooja etc. was envisaged and led by a panel of experts using
instruments such as the Kirlian camera, air pollution monitors and so on. The
results recorded have been striking.
Archakas
belonging to different classes with respect of age, sex, general health, educational
and marital status, socio-economic level etc. were subjected to repeated
assessments of their health condition. Almost every subject registered an
extra-ordinary level of improvement in whichever area they have been found
wanting – physical, mental or spiritual.
Apart
from such influences as increased levels of haemoglobin, regulation of blood
pressure, relief from anxiety, tension etc., which were found to be common
among the participants, there were several notable illustrations for the specific
therapeutic effects of the Mahayajna – such as on intractable forms of asthma,
sinusitis, anemia, depression, hypertension and even diabetes. People who had
decided to commit suicide have, after participating in Sathakoti Archana, found
themselves coming back to life with a new vigor and vitality competent enough
to face the trials and tribulations of the highly competitive world.
The
inhabitants of the village living around the ashram also enjoyed a more
peaceful time, a healthier climate and a cleaner environment.
Overall
the penetrating influence of the Mahayajna on the personal as well as the
cosmic realms should serve as an eye-opener to the doubting and
distrustful.
AVABHRITA SNĀNAM
Avabhrita
Snānam is the sacred bath or holy dip taken by the participants at the
consummation of a Mahayajna. At the conclusion of Sathakoti Archana the
participants including the devotees of Sadguru Narayan Maharaj were taken to
Raméswaram for Avabhrita Snãnam in a convoy of twenty buses. They took their holy dip in the sacred
waters of the ocean and visited the various Teerth ghats.
The
ceremony symbolically reminds one the creation, sustenance and dissolution of
the universe. The primordial waters
(kārana jalam) is
the source from which everything originates. The dissolute waters (pralaya jalam) is the haven into which every manifest thing finally
merges. They are one and the same. Here the concept of water is Brahman itself.
The universe is originated from Brahman, sustained in Brahman and merges in it.
This fundamental principle is represented in Avabhrita Snãnam conducted at the
end of a Mahayajna.
DIVINE BLESSINGS and MANIFESTATION
Sahasrakoti Archana from its very beginning till the
culmination witnessed the miraculous manifestations of the Divine. There was
also shower of blessings from Gurupadar and the
Divine Mother to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstructions at various
stages of the 215 days long conduct of the Mahayajna.
v
Even during the initial
stage of constructive work the Sathakoti Archana Mahayajna bore the touch of
Divine blessings. The wooden scaffolding used as supports for concreting
the roof of the circular Pradakshina Mandapam of 600 feet perimeter were
removed mere three days after the laying of the concrete as opposed to the
usual 17-21 days required for the concrete to set in.
Though the decision had been necessitated by the constraints of time the
finished buildings stand as a sturdy testimony for the graceful abundance of
the occasion.
v
Through the monsoon season
beginning in June till the end of Sathakoti Archana in August it poured in
torrents all around. Whereas, Mother Nature was highly compassionate on the
devotees and spared the Ashram premises from heavy rains allowing for the
convenient conduct of the Mahayajna till its culmination.
v
Another instance of the
divine blessings at work was experienced while chartering the special
train to bring Sadguru Narayan Maharaj and the entourage of 1500 devotees from Pune. In normal circumstances it takes a minimum of
180 days to sanction the special train, but in this case it took less
than 15 days to obtain the sanction. One of the
Archakas from Uthar Pradesh happened to know a former Railway Board member from
Bihar. Through this noble soul who spared all his will and resources at his
command the sanction was obtained from New Delhi. The extra-ordinary efforts
taken by the concerned officers in Central Railway Headquarters at Mumbai to
get the compartments organized from Bhopal and reach them to Pune in such short
notice bears testimony to the Divine instrumentation at its best. The
quirk of events through which Rs.16 lakhs required for the train was arranged
is too baffling to describe.
If
the above are the indications of the active presence and support of the Divine Grace
for the Mahayajna there were two instances when the Divine Grace
manifested itself: Darshan of Lord
Dattatreya and Holy Descent of the Divine Mother as
Jyoti-swaroopini (in the form of a brilliant
and lustrous light) from the skies above.
Darshan of Lord
Dattatreya
It
happened on the seventh day after the arrival of the historic train that
carried the 1500 devotees and Sadguru Narayan Maharaj from Sri Kshetra at
Narayanpur. I was end of summer and there was shortage of water. So volunteers
were bringing water from a granite quarry situated two kilometers from the
Ashram. On May 28, 2000 in the dead of the night at around 2 a.m. the volunteers
of the water-supply-teams had this horripilating vision of an unearthly form
of a mendicant about 60 feet tall, walking along in the company of a cow and
four dogs of similar proportions. They did not feel any fear but felt
complete peace at heart.
Though they had no clue on who has manifested in front them they knew what it meant. The previous night the Brahmachari of the Ashram who was looking after the water supply had cautioned them about the un-auspiciousness of the time they were in the quarry. He had also assured them that they were under total protection of the Divine and suggested that they keep a devout state of mind while at work. They promptly reported this matter to the same Brahmachari. After hearing their description the he produced a painting in front them. All of them shouted at once in one voice: “This is the form we saw.” It was the picture of Lord Dattatreya along with the cow and four dogs. The matter was reported to both Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi and Sadguru Narayan Maharaj who confirmed it was Lord Dattatreya who gave Darshan to the volunteers.
After the sunrise the news about the manifestation of
“Gurudeva Datta”, the reigning deity at Sri Kshetra at Narayanpur, spread
like wild fire amongst the devotees from Narayanpur. The
volunteers were literally mobbed! Everyone wanted hear about it directly from
them. Some devotees touched their feet! Some took photographs with them!! The
volunteers enjoyed the attention they were receiving, albeit with humility.
It is in this atmosphere
charged with devotion, disappointment and fervent expectations that the Divine
Mother manifested as a brilliant and lustrous light in less than forty-eight
hours.
Holy Descent of the Divine
Mother
It was the eve of May 30, 2000. The devotees were still discussing about the Darshan of Lord Dattatreya during the intervals between Archana sessions. It was the time of load shedding for the electric supply. Except for the Archana mandapam and the surroundings lit up by the power from a generator it was pitch dark. The pradakshina mandapam of Jyotikshetram was reverberating with the chants of Lalita-sahasra-nama. At around 8.30 p.m. as the Archakas completed a round of Archana they heard shouts of children playing in the sands outside. “Look up. Look up.” They all got up and looked up.
They
witnessed a JYOTI (brilliant and lustrous light) descending from miles above. Chants of “Hare Rama
Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare”, “Gurudeva Datta” and “Jai Mata Di” filled the atmosphere.
The Divine Mother descended as Jyoti-swaroopini at the centre of
the Jyotikshetram amidst the chants, the folded hands and
the eyes filled with the tears of ecstasy.
She descended to a
height five feet above the ground and vanished. The chants became more intense
and fervent. As if in response jyoti appeared
again brilliant and lustrous and ascended skywards. As it reached the point of
origin it vanished again. Again the chants became feverish and SHE appeared
again and slowly descended as in the first time to the same spot and
disappeared only to appear again and ascend. The Divine Mother repeated Her
descent and ascent three times. Then SHE disappeared to the heavens above.
All those present were gripped with ardent devotion and the chants of the Holy Names went on and on. People came rushing from as far away as five kilometers to the Ashram to enquire about what they had just witnessed only to join in the chanting which went on until the evening Arathi.
His Holiness Jagadguru
Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi Thiruvadikal had weathered enormous hardships and
surmounted enormous difficulties to make the Sathakoti Archana a reality. His
Holiness’ sankalpa of the Mahayajna as an antidote to the Vasundhara Yoga and
other calamities that befell our Sacred Land Bharath bore fruition on that eve.
According
to His Holiness the JYOTI was so
bright and penetrating that His Holiness could see the network of the leaves in
their shadow! So luminous and penetrating a light!! Yet nobody felt any heat!!!
Unfathomable
are the powers of the Mother Divine.
Sarva-mangala-māngalyé Sivé sarvārtha-sādhiké
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Saranyé Tryambaké Devi
Nārāyani Namōstu té ||
Srishti-sthiti-vināsānām Sakti-bhooté Sanātanī |
Gunāsrayé Gunamayé Devi
Nārāyani Namōstu té ||
Saranāgata deenārta
paritrāna-parāyané |
Sarvasyārti haré Devi
Nārāyani Namōstu té ||
JAI SITA RAM
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