Supremacy of Kriya Yoga coupled with Jnana and Bhakti Yogas – Construction of Bhagavati Temple

Maharshi Veda Vyas requested Sanat Kumara about the efficacy of the three kinds of Yogas while referring to an approach to Devi Bhagavati. Jnana Yoga (Enlightentment) is the togetherness of human mind and Soul, while external nearness of the Self and Devi as two Entities is denoted as Kriya Yoga (Action). Bhakti Yoga (Devotion) is the identity of the Self and Devi. These three Yogas put together constitute ‘kriyabhog’. Karma (action) leads to Bhakti (devotion) and Bhakti generates Jnana (enlightentment). Basically Yoga is the principal factor to lead to Mukti (Salvation). Kriya Yoga is a powerful ‘Sadhana’ or the medium. A firm realisaton that Prakritik Maya or Nature’s Illusion and Brahma Maya or the Supreme Illusion are just the same and that awareness would help break worldly ties of human beings. This was the preface described by Sanat Kumara to Veda Vyasa to illustrate the culmination of a unique venture in constructing a Bhagavati Temple. He affirmed that the success of a Sacred Project like the Temple construction is a climactic effort of an illustrious human being who had already led a spiritual life of significance.

Ahanyayin yogena yajatho yanmahaphalam /Prapnothi tat phalam debya yah kaarayati mandiram /Sahasra kulamagami vyaktreetam cha sahasrakam / sa tarayati Dharmaatma Sri Mathru dham kaarayan (Whatever benefit of Virtue had been acquired by performing daily Yagnas had facilitated the construction of Sri Mathru Dham or Bhagavathi Temple. The Virtuous person responsible for the construction not only endows with Salvation to himself but also to thousand future generations too). The number of bricks used in the construction of a Temple would be multiplied by thousand and thus so many years would total the stay of the illustrious person in the ‘Manidwipa’. The person responsible for the making and ‘pratishtha’ or setting up the Holy idol is fearless in the three worlds. If other Idols like the other Devis, viz. Lalitha, Lakshmi and Sarasvathi as also Ganesh, Subrahmanya and so on are also installed at the beginning or subsequently in the Temple, the Punya attained is endless and everlasting. Those who ensure daily upkeep, worship, ‘Abhishek’ with pure water, milk, honey and coconut water etc. and Arthi, Dhup, and other such Sixteen Sevas (‘Shodasopacharas’) are blessed too. Special Pujas be performed on Krishna Paksha Ashtami, Navami and Amavasya to Devi Parvathi along with recitations of Devi Sukta, Sri Sukta, as also ‘Navavarana Pujas’ and ‘Moola Mantra Pathana’, ‘Abhishekas’, offerings of Vishnukrantha Flowers, Tulsi and Lotus. Similarly, Special Vrathas be organised on Chaitra Sukla Tritheeya to Devi Bhavani along with ‘Dolotsavas’ along with Bhagavan Siva. During Vasanta Sukla Paksha, and Akshaya Thritheeya, Special Vratas be executed in the name of Jagadamba. On Jyeshtha Sukla Thriteeya, a Special Vratha is carried out in the name of Maheswari; during the same month on Ashta Sukla Thriteeya a circumbabulation of the Temple and surroundings be organised along with Bhagavan Siva as a celebration of ‘Radhotsava’ (Chariot festival) along with ‘Veda Pathana’ (recital of Vedas) and accompaniment of music by ‘Vadyas’or musical instruments. Again on Sravana and Bhadrapada Sukla Tritheeyas be celebrated with Special Worships. The climactic celebrations through out the duration of ‘Navarathras’in the first half of Shukla Paksha of Aswiyuja month are expected to be an annual festival looked forward to by devotees and Organisers alike. During the ‘Navarathras’ or the Nine Days and Nights, magnificent carnivals ought to be fittingly organised by dedicated devotees with day long pujas upto the small hours of each night with hourly pujas, Homas, Ahishekas, congregations of devotees, music-dance programs, Puranas, Bhajans, ‘Nagara Samkeerthans’or Group Singings, dramas on Subject-specific religious aspects, ‘Samaradhanas’ or group eatings and so on. Also monthwise Krishna Thritheeyas of Margasirha, Pausha, and Magha months are performed by male devotees, especially the Mangala Devi Vratha. Besides the above details, Devi Pujas should be performed on all the scheduled days of significance as per Hindu Calendar such as Ganesh Chathurdhis, Depavali on Aswiyuja Amavaysa and the preceeding Narakasura Chathurdhi and so on. Of course, every Ekadasi, Monday aupicious for Bhagavan Siva, Tuesday for Durga and Skanda, Wednesday and Saturday for Vishnu, Friday for Lakshmi and Sunday for Ganesha / Sun God and Thursday for Dattatreya, are all auspicious days in any Temple. Those who manage the temple affairs, including finances, and the devotees who offer services to the Devi Bhagavati round the year are all blessed by Bhagavati Devi and Bhagavan Siva appropriately.

At the end of ‘Uma Samhita’, the narrations of Siva Purana in the Samhita including the details of Maha Pathakas, Naraka Loka experiences; the importance and the need for Satya, Tapasya, Charity as also the Supremacy of Kriya Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga and finally the benefits of Kriya Yogi’s constuction of a Temple are described. The final goal of Life is thus to elevate oneself upward towards Siva

Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at [email protected]