Category: Hindu deities

  • ஐந்து தெய்வங்களின் தினசரி வழிபாடு பஞ்சாயதன பூஜை

    ஐந்து தெய்வங்களின் தினசரி வழிபாடு பஞ்சாயதன பூஜை

    இந்து மதத்தில் பாராயணம்  வேறு,பூஜை வேறு.
    பாராயணம் என்பது ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட ஸ்லோகம், சஹஸ்ரநாமம் அல்லது அஷ்டோத்திரத்தை ஒரு தெய்வம் அல்லது  பல  தெய்வங்களின் பேரில் தினசரி செய்வது பாராயணம் ஆகும்.
    இதில், திக் பந்தனம், கவசம் போன்ற பூஜையின் மிகக் கடுமையான விதிகளை ஒருவர் பின்பற்றத் தேவையில்லை.
    இதை எந்த நேரத்திலும் செய்யலாம் , முன்னுரிமை காலையில் அல்லது மாலையில்.

    ஆர்த்தியுடன் ஒரு நைவேத்தியம் வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும்., (நைவேத்தியம் செய்யும் முறை மற்றும் மந்திரங்கள் பற்றி  அறிய தயவுசெய்து நைவேத்தியம் குறித்த எனது இடுகையைப் படியுங்கள்)
    தேன் (அ) உலர்ந்த திராட்சை வழங்க பரிந்துரைக்கப்படுகிறது.
    இந்த இரண்டிற்கும் குறிப்பிட்ட எந்த தோஷமும்  இல்லை என்பதற்காக பரிந்துரைக்கப்படுகிறது.


    பூஜையில் கடுமையான விதிகள் பின்பற்றப்படுகின்றன மற்றும் பொதுவாக பூஜை ஒரு குருவால் தொடங்கப்படுகிறது.

    ஒருவர் பஞ்ச கச்சம் அணிய வேண்டும்(How to wear a Pancha Kachcham, please read my post )
    காலை அல்லது மாலை நேரங்களில் பூஜைகள் செய்யப்படுகின்றன.
    சிவ பூஜை மாலையில் செய்ய பரிந்துரைக்கப்படுகிறது; மற்றவை காலையிலோ அல்லது மாலையிலோ செய்யப்படலாம்.
    ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட டீய்க்கு ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட நைவேத்தியம்; விநாயகருக்கு மோதகம்,தேவி/விஷ்ணுவுக்கு சர்க்கரைப் பொங்கல் மற்றும் சிவனுக்கு மகா நைவேத்தியம்(  நெய் சேர்த்த அன்னம்   வழங்குவது வழக்கம்.

    ( மஹா நைவேத்தியம்-சூடான சமைத்த அரிசி ஒரு ஸ்பூன் நெய் அதன் மேல் இரண்டு டீஸ்பூன் சமைத்த துவரம்பருப்பு சேர்த்து)
    இயற்கை, பூமி, நீர், நெருப்பு, காற்று மற்றும் ஆகாயம் ஆகிய ஐந்து கூறுகளைக் குறிக்கும் தெய்வங்கள் தினமும் வழிபடப்படும் மற்றொரு குறிப்பிட்ட பூஜை உள்ளது .
    இது காலையில் செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்.
    இந்த பூஜையில் ஐந்து தெய்வங்கள் இருப்பதால், இது பஞ்சாயதன பூஜை என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.

    இதை ஸ்ரீ ஆதி சங்கராச்சார்யர் பிரபலப்படுத்தினார்.
    சிவனை மட்டும் வணங்குபவர்கள் மட்டுமே இதைச் செய்ய முடியும் என்ற தவறான கருத்து உள்ளது.
    இது தவறானது.
    ‘ஸ்மார்த்தா’ என்ற சொல்லுக்கு சிவனை வணங்குபவர்கள் என்று அர்த்தம் என்று மக்கள் தவறாக நினைப்பதே பரவலான பார்வைக்கு காரணம்.
    ஸ்மார்த்தர் என்பது ஸ்மிருதியைப் பின்பற்றுபவர், நினைவகத்தால் தக்கவைக்கப்படுபவர், ஸ்ருதிக்கு எதிரானவர் என்று (கேட்டது) :(வேதங்களுக்கு) எதிரானவர் என்ற கருத்து தவறானது.

    பஞ்சாயதன பூஜை அமைப்பு

    இந்து சமயத்தில் ஏராளமான ஸ்மிருதிகள் உள்ளன. அவற்றில் சில,

    நாராயண ஸ்மிருதி,

    ஸ்மார்த்த ஸ்மிருதி.

    மனு ஸ்மிருதி,

    சுக்ர ஸ்மிருதி. பிரகஸ்பதி ஸ்மிருதி .

    இவற்றில் ஏதேனும் ஒன்றைப் பின்பற்றுபவர்கள் அனைவரும் பஞ்சாயததன பூஜை செய்கிறார்கள்.

    சங்கராச்சாரியார் வழிபாட்டை ஆறு முறைகளாக, ஷன் மடங்களாகப் பிரித்தார் (இது குறித்த எனது பதிவைப் படியுங்கள்)

    பஞ்சாயததன பூஜையில் சுப்பிரமணியர் சேர்க்கப்படவில்லை, ஆனால் ஒரு சிறிய வெள்ளி வேல் (வேல்) அல்லது ஒரு சிறிய வெள்ளி பாம்பு சிலை வைத்திருப்பதன் மூலம் அதை சேர்க்கலாம்.

    சங்கல்பம் ஒருவரின் ஆசைகளைப் பொறுத்தது.

    உயிருள்ள, உயிரற்ற அனைத்து உயிர்களின் நலனுக்காகப் பிரார்த்திப்பதே சிறந்த சங்கல்பம்.

    ஒவ்வொரு தேவதைக்கும் மந்திரங்கள் அஷ்டோத்திரமாக இருக்கலாம்.

    சகஸ்ரநாமம் நேரம் எடுக்கும்.

    பஞ்சபூதங்களும், பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்தும் மூர்த்திகளும்.

    ஆகாசம் -ஆகாயம்/ஆகாயம்-விஷ்ணு.

    அக்னி–அம்பிகை.

    வாயு, -ஆதித்யா.

    பிருத்வி, பூமி-சிவன்.

    ஜல, நீர் -கணபதி

    இதன் வேத பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை இங்கே காணலாம்.

    ஆதித்யா வாயுவைக் குறிப்பதால் இது சற்று வித்தியாசமாகத் தோன்றலாம், அதே நேரத்தில் பொதுவாக பிருத்வியுடன் தொடர்புடைய விஷ்ணு விண்வெளியை பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்துவதைக் காணலாம், ஏனெனில் விஷ்ணு பரம புருஷனின் அம்சமாக இருக்கிறார், அவர் விண்வெளியையும் பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்துகிறார்.

    ‘ஆகாஸ்யதிபோ விஷ்ணு அக்னிஸ்சைவ மகேஸ்வரி,

    வாயோ சூர்ய க்ஷ்திர் ஈஸா ஜலான் நியாச கணாதிபா

    ‘Akasyatipo Vishnu Agnischaiva Maheswari,

    Vayo Suryah Kshtir Isah Jalan Nyasa Ganathipa’

    பூஜையில் சிலைகளை வைப்பதற்கான பல்வேறு வழிகளை பரிந்துரைக்கும் முறைமைகள் உள்ளன.

    ஒன்று:

    சிவ பஞ்சாயத
    விஷ்ணு சூர்யா

    சிவ

    தேவி கணேச

    விஷ்ணு பஞ்சாயத
    சிவ கணேச

    விஷ்ணு

    தேவி சூர்யா

    சூரிய பஞ்சாயத
    சிவ கணேச

    சூர்யா

    தேவி விஷ்ணு

    தேவி பஞ்சாயத

    விஷ்ணு சிவன்

    தேவி

    சூரிய கணேச

    கணேஷச பஞ்சாயத

    விஷ்ணு சிவன்

    கணேசர்

    தேவி சூர்யா

    அதாவது ஒருவர் பாரம்பரியமாக வழிபடும் மூர்த்தியை அவரது குல சம்பிரதாயப்படி வைப்பது.

    மற்றொரு முறை, இஷ்ட தெய்வமான இஷ்ட தேவதையை மையத்தில் வைத்து, அதைச் சுற்றி மற்றவர்களை வைப்பது.

    சிலர் மூர்த்திகளுக்கு பதிலாக இயற்கை கற்களை பயன்படுத்துகின்றனர்.

    வேண்டி..

    வல்லம் தமிழ்நாட்டைச் சேர்ந்த சூர்யா கிரிஸ்டல்.

    பீகாரின் சோனே பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் கணேசா ரெட் சோனேபத்ரா.

    நேபாளத்தின் கண்டகியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் விஷ்ணு சாலிகிராமம்.

    சிவா, நர்மதாவைச் சேர்ந்த பாண லிங்கம், ம.பி.

    ஆந்திராவைச் சேர்ந்த ஸ்வர்ண முகியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் அம்பிகா சொர்ணமுகி.

    நீங்கள் சிறிய சிலைகளைப் பயன்படுத்த திட்டமிட்டால், அவை உங்கள் கட்டைவிரலை விட உயரமாக இல்லை என்பதை உறுதிப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளுங்கள்

    பஞ்சாயதான பூஜை முறை.

    கணபதி, ஆதித்யா, சுப்பிரமணியர், அம்பிகா, சிவன், விஷ்ணு ஆகியோருடன் தொடங்குங்கள்.

    பஞ்சாயத்தன பூஜைக்கான விரிவான மந்திரங்களுக்கு இணைப்பைப் பின்பற்றவும்.

    http://viprayuva.org/joomla/index.php/puja-sangraham/149-laghu-panchayatana-puja

    இக்கட்டுரை ஆங்கில மொழியில்.

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  • Shiva His Ornaments Description And Meaning.

    Shiva His Ornaments Description And Meaning.

    The description of Lord Shiva in Hinduism is unique.

    1.Shiva has both Invisible,Without Form,Aroopa and with Form.

    There is a temple in Avudayar Koil,Tamil Nadu,where the Shiva’s Sanctum is Empty,denoting Invisibilty.There is Chidambaram,Tamil Nadu,where the Serect Sanctum is empty.

    2.Shiva ,as a symbol,in between being invisible and visible with human form,is Linga.

    3.Shiva also has human form .

    4.He is also described as a Yogin,Adi Yogi,the first one to present and practice Yoga.

    5.Unlike the Avatars of Vishnu,He is never born of a womb.

    6.His 64 Avatars as described in Tamil Classics represent the 64 principles of th Universe,as enumerated in Saiva Siddantha.

    His physical description and his ornaments are expressions of the Universe.

    His famous names.

    • Mahadeva (The Supreme Lord : Maha = great, Deva = God – more often than not, the Aghora (fierce) version)
    • Rudra (The one who howls or strict and uncompromising)
    • Maheshwar (The Supreme Lord: Maha = great, Eshwar = God)
    • Rameshwar (The one whom Ram worships: Ram, Eshwar = worships, God; Ram’s God)
    • Mahayogi (The Supreme Yogi: Maha = great, Yogi = one who practices Yoga)
    • Mahabaleshwar (Great God of Strength: Maha = great, Bal = strength, Eshwar = God)
    • Trinetra (Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Netra = Eye)
    • Triaksha (Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Aksha = Eye)
    • Trinayana (Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Nayana = Eye)
    • Tryambakam (Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Ambakam = Eye)
    • Mahakala (Great Time, i.e. Conqueror of Time: Maha = three, Kala = Time)
    • Neelakantha (The one with a Blue Throat: Neel = blue, Kantha = throat)
    • Digambara (One who has the skies as his clothes, i.e. The Naked One: Dik = Clothes, Ambara = Sky)
    • Shankara (Giver of Joy)
    • Shambhu (Abode of Joy)
    • Vyomkesha (The One who has the sky as his hair: Vyom = sky, Kesha =hair)
    • Chandrashekhara (The master of the Moon: Chandra = Moon, Shekhara = master)
    • Siddheshwara (The Perfect Lord)
    • Trishuldhari (He who holds the divine Trishul or Trident: Trishul = Trident, Dhari = He who holds)
    • Dakhshinamurthi (The Cosmic Tutor)
    • Kailashpati (He whose abode is Mount Kailash)
    • Pashupatinath (Lord of all Creatures)
    • Umapati (The husband of Uma)
    • Gangadhar (He who holds the river Ganga)
    • Bhairava (The Frightful One)
    • Sabesan – Lord who dances in the dais
    • (  http://veda.wikidot.com/shiva ) These names are from the Shiva Sahasranama.


    Shiva is portrayed as the color of Red Embers,sitting in Deerskin, representing the Active emotional nature,Rajo Guna being controlled by Sathva,the Calm naure expressed by Deer Skin.

    Shiva is also described as White in color, Swetha,representing Sathva,Pure.

    In this description He sits on Tiger skin,which represents Rajas,indicating one can master the impulsive nature by Calmness,Satva Guna.

    Shiva,being in Smasana,the Burning ghat,is Hot.

    Therefore, He is worshipped with Bilva leaf,which cools.

    The Bilva leaf has three leaves in a cluster.

    The three leaves forming a part on one Bilva leaf express the Three Attributes of Jiva, the Individual Self.

    These three are,

    Pasu, The Brahman as Individual Self,

    Pathi, The Universal SelfBrahman and

    The Paasa, attachment to things worldly.

    Vishnu is Cool in the Ocean of Milk,Ksheera Sagar.

    He is worshipped with Tulsi,which is hot.

    Shiva has maatted locks,he is called Jatadhara.

    These locks of intertwined hairs represent the countless thought which overlap each other ,leading to Confusion of the Chitta.

    These thoughts can be controlled by raising the Kundalini,which lies in the Solar Plexus,Mooladhara to the Centre of the forehead Sahasrara.

    That is Shiva’s Third Eye,

     Trinetra represents Sahasrara.

    Shiva wears the horizontal,parallel white lines across His forehead.

    These lines are to remind one that ‘Dust Thou Art,dust Thou shall retuneth.

    And these three lines also indicate the three fundamental units/forces of the Universe.

    Motion,Non motion and their being held in balance.

    Purusha,the Kinetic Energy,Prakriti,the Potential energy and the Sparsa,the initial contact that evolves the Universe.

    The Universe is constantly in Motion and is born of Motion.

    Which precedes Motion or Sound/Vibration?

    Vibration is caused by Sound or is it the other way?

    Out of Vibration is born Sound.

    Sound is expressed as Language.

    Shivas Damaru,Drum represents Vibration and Sound.

    His Damaru produced Sanskrit in. The form of Maheswara Sutras.

    There are two types of Damaru, Skull Damaru and Chod Damaru.

    Shiva's Damaru emits Maheswara Sutras..jpg.
    Maheswara Sutras from Shivas’ Damaru

    https://ramanisblog.in/2015/01/17/sanskrit-from-shivas-damaru-maheswar-sutras/

    Shiva wears the Moon in its Phase on His head.

    Moon is responsible for the activity of the Mind and it has to be controlled by Chitta to realize Self.

    The Chitta is on a higher plane of mind.

    Shiva’s Trident.

    It represents the the three basic tools of performane.

    Icha Sakthi,desire to act,

    Kriya Sakthi,the Action and 

    Gnana Sakthi,the discriminating power to coose action.

    Shiva’s Earrings.

    These are in the shape of Snakes.

    In Yoga,two nadis,the path of Prana are described.

    The Ida and Pungala,the breath that passes through the left nostril and through the right respectively.

    They have to be equal and in Unison to Realize Self.

    Snake around the neck represent the desires that bind us to the world as mill around the neck.

    Ganga,the river and Rudraksha of Shiva express the physical tools to purify the body.

    • Om Namasthesthu Bhagavan
    • Visveswaraya Mahadevaya
    • Trayambakayah Tripuranthakaya Trikalagni-kalaya
    • Kalagni-Rudraya Nilakantaya Mrityumjayaya Sarveshwaraya
    • Sadasivaya Sriman Mahadevaya Namah!!
  • Lakshmi The Yogic Goddess Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad Text

    Lakshmi The Yogic Goddess Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad Text

     

    The worship of Lakshmi is intriguing.

    One normally associates Lakshmi only with wealth.

    Worship of Laksmi is quite ancient,though not by this name.

    Samadhi in Shaktism

    As salt thrown into water,
    dissolves completely as water,
    so the state of I-consciousness,
    dissolves in the supreme consciousness,
    this is Samadhi.

    Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad 2.14

    She was called’Sri’.

    She is mentioned in the Rig Veda,the oldest literature of the world.

    This is the Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad.

    Though we have the Sri Suktham,Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad directly imparts Yoga.

    Probably this is the second text associated with Sri Vaishnavam,the other one being Lakshmi Tantra.

    I shall be writing in detail about Lakshmi and Sri Concept,where how these are Yogic treatises.

     

     

     

    Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad. English .

    saubhāgyalakṣmīkaivalyavidyāvedyasukhākṛti ।
    tripānnārāyaṇānandaramacandrapadaṃ bhaje ॥
    oṃ vāṅme manasi pratiṣṭhitā mano me vāci
    pratiṣṭhitamāvirāvīrma edhi ॥
    vedasya ma āṇīsthaḥ śrutaṃ me mā
    prahāsīranenādhītenāhorātrānsandadhāmyṛtaṃ
    vadiṣyāmi satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi ॥
    tanmāmavatu tadvaktāramavatu avatu māmavatu
    vaktāramavatu vaktāram ॥oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ॥

    hariḥ oṃ ॥atha bhagavantaṃ devā ūcurhe
    bhagavannaḥ kathaya saubhāgyalakṣmīvidyām ।
    tathetyavocadbhagavānādinārāyaṇaḥ sarve devā
    yūyaṃ sāvadhānamanaso bhūtvā śṛṇuta
    turīyarūpāṃ turīyātītāṃ sarvotkaṭāṃ
    sarvamantrāsanagatāṃ pīṭhopapīṭhadevatāparivṛtāṃ
    caturbhujāṃ śriyaṃ hiraṇyavarṇāmiti
    pañcadaśargbhirdhyāyet । atha pañcadaśa
    ṛgātmakasya śrīsūktasyānandakardamaciklītendirāsutā
    ṛṣayaḥ । śrīṛṣyādyā ṛcaḥ
    caturdaśānamṛcāmānandādyṛṣayaḥ ।
    hiraṇyavarṇādyādyatrayasyānuṣṭup chandaḥ ।
    kāṃsosmītyasya bṛhatī chandaḥ ।
    tadanyayordvayostriṣṭup । punaraṣṭakasyānuṣṭup ।
    śeṣasya prastārapaṅktiḥ । śryagnirdevatā ।
    hiraṇyavarṇāmiti bījam । kāṃso’smīti śaktiḥ ।
    hiraṇmayā candrā rajatasrajā hiraṇyā hiraṇyavarṇeti
    praṇavādinamontaiścaturthyantairaṅganyāsaḥ ।
    atha vaktratrayairaṅganyāsaḥ । mastakalocanaśrutighrāṇa-
    vadanakaṇṭhabāhudvayahṛdayanābhiguhyapāyūrujānujaṅgheṣu
    śrīsūktaireva kramaśo nyaset । aruṇakamalasaṃsthā
    tadrajaḥpuñjavarṇā karakamaladhṛteṣṭā’bhītiyugmāmbujā ca ।
    maṇikaṭakavicitrālaṅkṛtākalpajālaiḥ sakalabhuvanamātā
    santataṃ śrīḥ śriyai naḥ ॥1॥
    tatpīṭhakarṇikāyāṃ sasādhyaṃ śrībījam ।
    vasvādityakalāpadmeṣu śrīsūktagatārdhārdharcā
    tadbahiryaḥ śuciriti mātṛkayā ca śriyaṃ yantrāṅgadaśakaṃ
    ca vilikhya śriyamāvāhayet । aṅgaiḥ prathamā vṛttiḥ ।
    padmādibhirdvitīyā । sokeśaistṛtīyā । tadāyudhaisturīyā
    vṛttirbhavati । śrīsūktairāvāhanādi । ṣoḍaśasahasrajapaḥ ।
    saubhāgyaramaikākṣaryā bhṛgunicṛdgāyatrī । śriya ṛṣyādayaḥ ।
    śamiti bījaśaktiḥ । śrīmityādi ṣaḍaṅgam । bhūyādbhūyo
    dvipadmābhayavaradakarā taptakārtasvarābhā śubhrābhrābhebhayugma-
    dvayakaradhṛtakumbhādbhirāsicyamānā । raktaughābaddhamauli-
    rvimalataradukūlārtavālepanāḍhyā padmākṣī padmanābhorasi
    kṛtavasatiḥ padmagā śrīḥ śriyai naḥ ॥1॥
    tatpīṭham । aṣṭapatraṃ vṛttatrayaṃ dvādaśarāśikhaṇḍaṃ
    caturasraṃ ramāpīṭhaṃ bhavati । karṇikāyāṃ sasādhyaṃ śrībījam ।
    vibhūtirunnatiḥ kāntiḥ sṛṣṭiḥ kīrtiḥ sannatirvyuṣṭiḥ
    satkṛṣṭirṛddhiriti praṇavādinamo taiścaturthyantairnavaśaktiṃ
    yajet । aṅge prathamā vṛtiḥ ।
    vāsudevābhirdvitīyā । bālākyādibhistṛtīyā ।
    indrādibhiścaturthī bhavati ।
    dvādaśalakṣajapaḥ । śrīlakṣmīrvaradā viṣṇupatnī
    vasupradā hiraṇyarūpā
    svarṇamālinī rajatasrajā svarṇaprabhā svarṇaprākārā
    padmavāsinī padmahastā
    padmapriyā muktālaṅkārā candrasūryā bilvapriyā īśvarī
    bhuktirmuktirvibhūtirṛddhiḥ samṛddhiḥ kṛṣṭiḥ
    puṣṭirdhanadā dhaneśvarī
    śraddhā bhoginī bhogadā sāvitrī dhātrī
    vidhātrītyādipraṇavādinamontāścaturthyantā
    mantrāḥ । ekākṣaravadaṅgādipīṭham । lakṣajapaḥ ।
    daśāṃśaṃ tarpaṇam ।
    daśāṃśaṃ havanam । dvijatṛptiḥ । niṣkāmānāmeva
    śrīvidyāsiddhiḥ ।
    na kadāpi sakāmānāmiti ॥1॥
    atha hainaṃ devā ūcusturīyayā māyayā nirdiṣṭaṃ
    tattvaṃ brūhīti । tatheti sa hovāca ।
    yogena yogo jñātavyo yogo yogātpravardhate ।
    yo’pramattastu yogena sa yogī ramate ciram ॥1॥
    samāpayya nidrāṃ sijīrṇe’lpabhojī
    śramatyājyabādhe vivikte pradeśe ।
    sadā śītanistṛṣṇa eṣa prayatno’tha
    vā prāṇarodho nijābhyāsamārgāt ॥2॥
    vaktreṇāpūrya vāyuṃ hutavalanilaye’pānamākṛṣya dhṛtvā
    svāṅguṣṭhādyaṅgulībhirvarakaratalayoḥ ṣaḍbhirevaṃ nirudhya ।
    śrotre netre ca nāsāpuṭayugalamato’nena mārgeṇa samyak-
    paśyanti pratyayāśaṃ praṇavabahuvidhadhyānasaṃlīnacittāḥ ॥3॥
    śravaṇamukhanayananāsānirodhanenaiva kartavyam ।
    śuddhasuṣumnāsaraṇau sphuṭamamalaṃ śrūyate nādaḥ ॥4॥
    vicitraghoṣasaṃyuktānāhate śrūyate dhvaniḥ ।
    divyadehaśca tejasvī divyagandho’pyarogavān ॥5॥
    saṃpūrṇahṛdayaḥ śūnye tvārambhe yogavānbhavet ।
    dvitīyā vighaṭīkṛtya vāyurbhavati madhyagaḥ ॥6॥
    dṛḍhāsano bhavedyogī padmādyāsanasaṃsthitaḥ ।
    viṣṇugranthestato bhedātparamānandasambhavaḥ ॥7॥
    atiśūnyo vimardaśca bherīśabdastato bhavet ।
    tṛtīyāṃ yatnato bhittvā ninādo mardaladhvaniḥ ॥8॥
    mahāśūnyaṃ tato yāti sarvasiddhisamāśrayam ।
    cittānandaṃ tato bhittvā sarvapīṭhagatānilaḥ ॥9॥
    niṣpattau vaiṣṇavaḥ śabdaḥ kvaṇatīti kvaṇo bhavet ।
    ekībhūtaṃ tadā cittaṃ sanakādimunīḍitam ॥10॥
    ante’nantaṃ samāropya khaṇḍe’khaṇḍaṃ samarpayan ।
    bhūmānaṃ prakṛtiṃ dhyātvā kṛtakṛtyo’mṛto bhavet ॥11॥
    yogena yogaṃ saṃrodhya bhāvaṃ bhāvena cāñjasā ।
    nirvikalpaṃ paraṃ tattvaṃ sadā bhūtvā paraṃ bhavet ॥12॥
    ahaṃbhāvaṃ parityajya jagadbhāvamanīdṛśam ।
    nirvikalpe sthito vidvānbhūyo nāpyanuśocati ॥13॥
    salile saindhāvaṃ yadvatsāmyaṃ bhavati yogataḥ ।
    tathātmamanasaurekyaṃ samādhirabhidhīyate ॥14॥
    yadā saṃkṣīyate prāṇo mānasaṃ ca pralīyate ।
    tadā samarasatvaṃ yatsamādhirabhidhīyate ॥15॥
    yatsamatvaṃ tayoratra jīvātmaparamātmanoḥ ।
    samastanaṣṭasaṅkalpaḥ samādhirabhidhīyate ॥16॥
    prabhāśūnyaṃ manaḥśūnyaṃ buddhiśūnyaṃ nirāmayam ।
    sarvaśūnyaṃ nirābhāsaṃ samādhirabhidhīyate ॥17॥
    svayamuccalite dehe dehī nityasamādhinā ।
    niścalaṃ taṃ vijānīyātsamādhirabhidhīyate ॥18॥
    yatrayatra mano yāti tatratatra paraṃ padam ।
    tatratatra paraṃ brahma sarvatra samavasthitam ॥19॥iti॥॥2॥
    atha hainaṃ devā ūcurnavacakravivekamanubrūhīti ।
    tatheti sa hovāca ādhāre brahmacakraṃ trirāvṛttaṃ
    bhagamaṇḍalākāram । tatra mūlakande śaktiḥ pāvakākāraṃ
    dhyāyet । tatraiva kāmarūpapīṭhaṃ sarvakāmapradaṃ bhavati ।
    ityādhāracakram । dvitīyaṃ svādhiṣṭhānacakraṃ
    ṣaḍdalam । tanmadhye paścimābhimukhaṃ liṅgaṃ
    pravālāṅkurasadṛśaṃ dhyāyet । tatraivoḍyāṇapīṭhaṃ
    jagadākarṣaṇasiddhidaṃ bhavati । tṛtīyaṃ
    nābhicakraṃ pañcāvartaṃ sarpakuṭilākāram ।
    tanmadhye kuṇḍalinīṃ bālārkakoṭiprabhāṃ
    tanumadhyāṃ dhyāyet । sāmarthyaśaktiḥ sarvasiddhipradā
    bhavati । maṇipūracakraṃ hṛdayacakram ।
    aṣṭadalamadhomukham । tanmadhye jyotirmayaliṅgākāraṃ
    dhyāyet । saiva haṃsakalā sarvapriyā sarvalokavaśyakarī
    bhavati । kaṇṭhacakraṃ caturaṅgulam । tatra vāme iḍā
    candranāḍī dakṣiṇe piṅgalā sūryanāḍī tanmadhye suṣumnāṃ
    śvetavarṇāṃ dhyāyet । ya evaṃ vedānāhatā siddhidā bhavati ।
    tālucakram । tatrāmṛtadhārāpravāhaḥ ।
    ghaṇṭikāliṅgamūlacakrarandhre rājadantāvalambinīvivaraṃ
    daśadvādaśāram । tatra śūnyaṃ dhyāyet । cittalayo bhavati ।
    saptamaṃ bhrūcakramaṅguṣṭhamātram । tatra jñānanetraṃ
    dīpaśikhākāraṃ dhyāyet । tadeva kapālakandavāksiddhidaṃ
    bhavati । ājñācakramaṣṭamam । brahmarandhraṃ nirvāṇacakram ।
    tatra sūcikāgṛhetaraṃ dhūmraśikhākāraṃ dhyāyet । tatra
    jālandharapīṭhaṃ mokṣapradaṃ bhavatīti parabrahmacakram ।
    navamamākāśacakram । tatra ṣoḍaśadalapadmamūrdhvamukhaṃ
    tanmadhyakarṇikātrikūṭākāram । tanmadhye ūrdhvaśaktiḥ ।
    tāṃ paśyandhyāyet । tatraiva pūrṇagiripīṭhaṃ
    sarvecchāsiddhisādhanaṃ bhavati । saubhāgyalakṣmyupaniṣadaṃ
    nityamadhīte yo’gnipūto bhavati । sa vāyupūto bhavati । sa
    sakaladhanadhānyasatputrakalatrahayabhūgajapaśumahiṣīdāsīdāsa-
    yogajñānavānbhavati । na sa punarāvartate na sa punarāvartata
    ityupaniṣat ।

    oṃ vāṅme manasi pratiṣṭhitā mano me vāci pratiṣṭhitam
    āvirāvīrma edhi ॥vedasya ma āṇīsthaḥ śrutaṃ me mā
    prahāsīranenādhītenāhorātrānsandadhāmyṛtaṃ vadiṣyāmi
    satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi ॥tanmāmavatu tadvaktāramavatu avatu māmavatu
    vaktāramavatu vaktāram ॥oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ॥
    iti śrīsaubhāgyalakṣmyupaniṣatsamāptā ॥

    Sanskrit text Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad.

    ॥ सौभाग्यलक्ष्म्युपनिषत् ॥
    
    सौभाग्यलक्ष्मीकैवल्यविद्यावेद्यसुखाकृति ।
    त्रिपान्नारायणानन्दरमचन्द्रपदं भजे ॥
    
    ॐ वाङ्मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता मनो मे वाचि
    प्रतिष्ठितमाविरावीर्म एधि ॥
    
    वेदस्य म आणीस्थः श्रुतं मे मा
    प्रहासीरनेनाधीतेनाहोरात्रान्सन्दधाम्यृतं
    वदिष्यामि सत्यं वदिष्यामि ॥
    
    तन्मामवतु तद्वक्तारमवतु अवतु मामवतु
    वक्तारमवतु वक्तारम् ॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
    
    हरिः ॐ ॥ अथ भगवन्तं देवा ऊचुर्हे
    भगवन्नः कथय सौभाग्यलक्ष्मीविद्याम् ।
    तथेत्यवोचद्भगवानादिनारायणः सर्वे देवा
    यूयं सावधानमनसो भूत्वा शृणुत
    तुरीयरूपां तुरीयातीतां सर्वोत्कटां
    सर्वमन्त्रासनगतां पीठोपपीठदेवतापरिवृतां
    चतुर्भुजां श्रियं हिरण्यवर्णामिति
    पञ्चदशर्ग्भिर्ध्यायेत् । अथ पञ्चदश
    ऋगात्मकस्य श्रीसूक्तस्यानन्दकर्दमचिक्लीतेन्दिरासुता
    ऋषयः । श्रीऋष्याद्या ऋचः
    चतुर्दशानमृचामानन्दाद्यृषयः ।
    हिरण्यवर्णाद्याद्यत्रयस्यानुष्टुप् छन्दः ।
    कांसोस्मीत्यस्य बृहती छन्दः ।
    तदन्ययोर्द्वयोस्त्रिष्टुप् । पुनरष्टकस्यानुष्टुप् ।
    शेषस्य प्रस्तारपङ्क्तिः । श्र्यग्निर्देवता ।
    हिरण्यवर्णामिति बीजम् । कांसोऽस्मीति शक्तिः ।
    हिरण्मया चन्द्रा रजतस्रजा हिरण्या हिरण्यवर्णेति
    प्रणवादिनमोन्तैश्चतुर्थ्यन्तैरङ्गन्यासः ।
    अथ वक्त्रत्रयैरङ्गन्यासः । मस्तकलोचनश्रुतिघ्राण-
    वदनकण्ठबाहुद्वयहृदयनाभिगुह्यपायूरुजानुजङ्घेषु
    श्रीसूक्तैरेव क्रमशो न्यसेत् । अरुणकमलसंस्था
    तद्रजःपुञ्जवर्णा करकमलधृतेष्टाऽभीतियुग्माम्बुजा च ।
    मणिकटकविचित्रालङ्कृताकल्पजालैः सकलभुवनमाता
    सन्ततं श्रीः श्रियै नः ॥ १॥
    
    तत्पीठकर्णिकायां ससाध्यं श्रीबीजम् ।
    वस्वादित्यकलापद्मेषु श्रीसूक्तगतार्धार्धर्चा
    तद्बहिर्यः शुचिरिति मातृकया च श्रियं यन्त्राङ्गदशकं
    च विलिख्य श्रियमावाहयेत् । अङ्गैः प्रथमा वृत्तिः ।
    पद्मादिभिर्द्वितीया । सोकेशैस्तृतीया । तदायुधैस्तुरीया
    वृत्तिर्भवति । श्रीसूक्तैरावाहनादि । षोडशसहस्रजपः ।
    सौभाग्यरमैकाक्षर्या भृगुनिचृद्गायत्री । श्रिय ऋष्यादयः ।
    शमिति बीजशक्तिः । श्रीमित्यादि षडङ्गम् । भूयाद्भूयो
    द्विपद्माभयवरदकरा तप्तकार्तस्वराभा शुभ्राभ्राभेभयुग्म-
    द्वयकरधृतकुम्भाद्भिरासिच्यमाना । रक्तौघाबद्धमौलि-
    र्विमलतरदुकूलार्तवालेपनाढ्या पद्माक्षी पद्मनाभोरसि
    कृतवसतिः पद्मगा श्रीः श्रियै नः ॥ १॥
    
    तत्पीठम् । अष्टपत्रं वृत्तत्रयं द्वादशराशिखण्डं
    चतुरस्रं रमापीठं भवति । कर्णिकायां ससाध्यं श्रीबीजम् ।
    विभूतिरुन्नतिः कान्तिः सृष्टिः कीर्तिः सन्नतिर्व्युष्टिः
    सत्कृष्टिरृद्धिरिति प्रणवादिनमो तैश्चतुर्थ्यन्तैर्नवशक्तिं
    यजेत् । अङ्गे प्रथमा वृतिः ।
    वासुदेवाभिर्द्वितीया । बालाक्यादिभिस्तृतीया ।
    इन्द्रादिभिश्चतुर्थी भवति ।
    द्वादशलक्षजपः । श्रीलक्ष्मीर्वरदा विष्णुपत्नी
    वसुप्रदा हिरण्यरूपा
    स्वर्णमालिनी रजतस्रजा स्वर्णप्रभा स्वर्णप्राकारा
    पद्मवासिनी पद्महस्ता
    पद्मप्रिया मुक्तालङ्कारा चन्द्रसूर्या बिल्वप्रिया ईश्वरी
    भुक्तिर्मुक्तिर्विभूतिरृद्धिः समृद्धिः कृष्टिः
    पुष्टिर्धनदा धनेश्वरी
    श्रद्धा भोगिनी भोगदा सावित्री धात्री
    विधात्रीत्यादिप्रणवादिनमोन्ताश्चतुर्थ्यन्ता
    मन्त्राः । एकाक्षरवदङ्गादिपीठम् । लक्षजपः ।
    दशांशं तर्पणम् ।
    दशांशं हवनम् । द्विजतृप्तिः । निष्कामानामेव
    श्रीविद्यासिद्धिः ।
    न कदापि सकामानामिति ॥ १॥
    
    अथ हैनं देवा ऊचुस्तुरीयया मायया निर्दिष्टं
    तत्त्वं ब्रूहीति । तथेति स होवाच ।
    योगेन योगो ज्ञातव्यो योगो योगात्प्रवर्धते ।
    योऽप्रमत्तस्तु योगेन स योगी रमते चिरम् ॥ १॥
    
    समापय्य निद्रां सिजीर्णेऽल्पभोजी
         श्रमत्याज्यबाधे विविक्ते प्रदेशे ।
    सदा शीतनिस्तृष्ण एष प्रयत्नोऽथ
         वा प्राणरोधो निजाभ्यासमार्गात् ॥ २॥
    
    वक्त्रेणापूर्य वायुं हुतवलनिलयेऽपानमाकृष्य धृत्वा
         स्वाङ्गुष्ठाद्यङ्गुलीभिर्वरकरतलयोः षड्भिरेवं निरुध्य ।
    श्रोत्रे नेत्रे च नासापुटयुगलमतोऽनेन मार्गेण सम्यक्-
         पश्यन्ति प्रत्ययाशं प्रणवबहुविधध्यानसंलीनचित्ताः ॥ ३॥
    
    श्रवणमुखनयननासानिरोधनेनैव कर्तव्यम् ।
    शुद्धसुषुम्नासरणौ स्फुटममलं श्रूयते नादः ॥ ४॥
    
    विचित्रघोषसंयुक्तानाहते श्रूयते ध्वनिः ।
    दिव्यदेहश्च तेजस्वी दिव्यगन्धोऽप्यरोगवान् ॥ ५॥
    
    सम्पूर्णहृदयः शून्ये त्वारम्भे योगवान्भवेत् ।
    द्वितीया विघटीकृत्य वायुर्भवति मध्यगः ॥ ६॥
    
    दृढासनो भवेद्योगी पद्माद्यासनसंस्थितः ।
    विष्णुग्रन्थेस्ततो भेदात्परमानन्दसम्भवः ॥ ७॥
    
    अतिशून्यो विमर्दश्च भेरीशब्दस्ततो भवेत् ।
    तृतीयां यत्नतो भित्त्वा निनादो मर्दलध्वनिः ॥ ८॥
    
    महाशून्यं ततो याति सर्वसिद्धिसमाश्रयम् ।
    चित्तानन्दं ततो भित्त्वा सर्वपीठगतानिलः ॥ ९॥
    
    निष्पत्तौ वैष्णवः शब्दः क्वणतीति क्वणो भवेत् ।
    एकीभूतं तदा चित्तं सनकादिमुनीडितम् ॥ १०॥
    
    अन्तेऽनन्तं समारोप्य खण्डेऽखण्डं समर्पयन् ।
    भूमानं प्रकृतिं ध्यात्वा कृतकृत्योऽमृतो भवेत् ॥ ११॥
    
    योगेन योगं संरोध्य भावं भावेन चाञ्जसा ।
    निर्विकल्पं परं तत्त्वं सदा भूत्वा परं भवेत् ॥ १२॥
    
    अहंभावं परित्यज्य जगद्भावमनीदृशम् ।
    निर्विकल्पे स्थितो विद्वान्भूयो नाप्यनुशोचति ॥ १३॥
    
    सलिले सैन्धावं यद्वत्साम्यं भवति योगतः ।
    तथात्ममनसौरेक्यं समाधिरभिधीयते ॥ १४॥
    
    यदा संक्षीयते प्राणो मानसं च प्रलीयते ।
    तदा समरसत्वं यत्समाधिरभिधीयते ॥ १५॥
    
    यत्समत्वं तयोरत्र जीवात्मपरमात्मनोः ।
    समस्तनष्टसङ्कल्पः समाधिरभिधीयते ॥ १६॥
    
    प्रभाशून्यं मनःशून्यं बुद्धिशून्यं निरामयम् ।
    सर्वशून्यं निराभासं समाधिरभिधीयते ॥ १७॥
    
    स्वयमुच्चलिते देहे देही नित्यसमाधिना ।
    निश्चलं तं विजानीयात्समाधिरभिधीयते ॥ १८॥
    
    यत्रयत्र मनो याति तत्रतत्र परं पदम् ।
    तत्रतत्र परं ब्रह्म सर्वत्र समवस्थितम् ॥ १९॥ इति॥ ॥ २॥
    
    अथ हैनं देवा ऊचुर्नवचक्रविवेकमनुब्रूहीति ।
    तथेति स होवाच आधारे ब्रह्मचक्रं त्रिरावृत्तं
    भगमण्डलाकारम् । तत्र मूलकन्दे शक्तिः पावकाकारं
    ध्यायेत् । तत्रैव कामरूपपीठं सर्वकामप्रदं भवति ।
    इत्याधारचक्रम् । द्वितीयं स्वाधिष्ठानचक्रं
    षड्दलम् । तन्मध्ये पश्चिमाभिमुखं लिङ्गं
    प्रवालाङ्कुरसदृशं ध्यायेत् । तत्रैवोड्याणपीठं
    जगदाकर्षणसिद्धिदं भवति । तृतीयं
    नाभिचक्रं पञ्चावर्तं सर्पकुटिलाकारम् ।
    तन्मध्ये कुण्डलिनीं बालार्ककोटिप्रभां
    तनुमध्यां ध्यायेत् । सामर्थ्यशक्तिः सर्वसिद्धिप्रदा
    भवति । मणिपूरचक्रं हृदयचक्रम् ।
    अष्टदलमधोमुखम् । तन्मध्ये ज्योतिर्मयलिङ्गाकारं
    ध्यायेत् । सैव हंसकला सर्वप्रिया सर्वलोकवश्यकरी
    भवति । कण्ठचक्रं चतुरङ्गुलम् । तत्र वामे इडा
    चन्द्रनाडी दक्षिणे पिङ्गला सूर्यनाडी तन्मध्ये सुषुम्नां
    श्वेतवर्णां ध्यायेत् । य एवं वेदानाहता सिद्धिदा भवति ।
    तालुचक्रम् । तत्रामृतधाराप्रवाहः ।
    घण्टिकालिङ्गमूलचक्ररन्ध्रे राजदन्तावलम्बिनीविवरं
    दशद्वादशारम् । तत्र शून्यं ध्यायेत् । चित्तलयो भवति ।
    सप्तमं भ्रूचक्रमङ्गुष्ठमात्रम् । तत्र ज्ञाननेत्रं
    दीपशिखाकारं ध्यायेत् । तदेव कपालकन्दवाक्सिद्धिदं
    भवति । आज्ञाचक्रमष्टमम् । ब्रह्मरन्ध्रं निर्वाणचक्रम् ।
    तत्र सूचिकागृहेतरं धूम्रशिखाकारं ध्यायेत् । तत्र
    जालन्धरपीठं मोक्षप्रदं भवतीति परब्रह्मचक्रम् ।
    नवममाकाशचक्रम् । तत्र षोडशदलपद्ममूर्ध्वमुखं
    तन्मध्यकर्णिकात्रिकूटाकारम् । तन्मध्ये ऊर्ध्वशक्तिः ।
    तां पश्यन्ध्यायेत् । तत्रैव पूर्णगिरिपीठं
    सर्वेच्छासिद्धिसाधनं भवति । सौभाग्यलक्ष्म्युपनिषदं
    नित्यमधीते योऽग्निपूतो भवति । स वायुपूतो भवति । स
    सकलधनधान्यसत्पुत्रकलत्रहयभूगजपशुमहिषीदासीदास-
    योगज्ञानवान्भवति । न स पुनरावर्तते न स पुनरावर्तत
    इत्युपनिषत् ।
    
    ॐ वाङ्मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता मनो मे वाचि प्रतिष्ठितम्
    आविरावीर्म एधि ॥ वेदस्य म आणीस्थः श्रुतं मे मा
    प्रहासीरनेनाधीतेनाहोरात्रान्सन्दधाम्यृतं वदिष्यामि
    सत्यं वदिष्यामि ॥ तन्मामवतु तद्वक्तारमवतु अवतु मामवतु
    वक्तारमवतु वक्तारम् ॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
    
    इति श्रीसौभाग्यलक्ष्म्युपनिषत्समाप्ता ॥
    
    
    Encoded by Sunder Hattangadi (sunderh@hotmail.com)

    References and Citations.

    Sanskrit text source. A good site for rare mantras.

    http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/saubhagya.html?lang=sa

    English version source.

    http://upanishad.info/upanishads/text/rigveda/translitration/saubhagya-lakshmi

  • Mariamman Renuka Devi Or Draupadi,Betrayed Wife Cult?

    There are various legends on Mariamman, a form of Devi in South India.

    Mariamman is believed to cure among other diseases, Smallpox.

    Samayapuram Mariamman.jpg
    Samayapuram Mariamman.

    And also sores, ghouls, pustules and diseases.

    Worship of Mariamman is prevalent in the Villages in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra, though the worship is more prevalent in Tamil Nadu

    Famous Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is near Tiruchi/Srirangam.

    “Miracle Based : Mother Mariamman undergoes a fast for the welfare of mankind for 28 days from the last Sunday of Masi month-February-March. During these days no cooked preparation is offered as nivedhana but only some flour, orange, grapes and green coconut. For completing this fasting, abishek is offered to Amman only with flowers – Poo in Tamil and this event is known as Poo Choridal.”

    The State of Tamil Nadu has several divine abodes of Goddess Shakthi. Shakthi cults prevalent in different ages are manifested in the temples. One of such divine abodes is Arulmighu Mariamman, Samayapuram in Trichy District. This Temple is known to occupy a prominent position among the temples dedicated to Goddess Shakthi. This temple is situated in beautiful land scape enriched by the Holy River Cauvery. The Temple is Situated in the Chennai – Trichy National Highway 15 K.M. from Trichy.

    Trichy can be reached by train from Chennai, Madurai, and places, and also by airways from Chennai. The Goddess Mariamman is very powerful, devotees. wishes are fulfilled by the Goddess. Persons affected by Chickenpox and Smallpox come to this place, stay here and pray the Goddess for speedy recovery. Abisheka Theertham (Divine Water) is sprinkled on them after Pooja and they get recovered very quickly. There is a separate rest hall for their stay in the temple.

    In ancient time This region was ruled by Chola Kings. Samayapuram is also known by the names Kannanur, Kannanpuram, Vikramapuram and Mahalipuram in ancient times. Flower sprinkling (Poochoridal) festival is conducted during the month of March and Chithirai Car festival is conducted during the month of April. Devotees offer prayer by rolling themselves around the temple prakaram (corridor) known as Angapradatchinam.

    Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is one of the renowned Shakthi shrines of Tamilnadu. In recent times, the temple has gained a vast popularity. Devotees throng here from various parts of the country. The saying goes, “Samayapurthal will protect her devotees in times of need” (Samayapuram Mariamman Samayathil Kaappal – in Tamil). It is the faith of the people that Mariamman will protect them though they are far away from her in other places of the world.

    This is one of the largest temples of the state earning high revenues for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment with huge inflow of devotees. Thali the Mangal Sutra offered by women are the majority of the offerings in the Hundi of the temple. Diseases are cured without surgery in many cases. Many devotees visit this temple from Karnataka, as Mariamman resembles the Chamundeeswari of Mysore. There is also a story that Emperor Dasaratha visited Samayapuram to worship Mariamman.

    She is reported to have given Darshan to a British Collector during the British Rule.Please read my article on this.

    She is considered to be an Avatar of Durga.

    Another version states that she was the wife of Jamadagni and mother of Parashurama and Parashurama accidentally cut of a cleaning woman while trying to fulfill his father’s orders to kill Jamadagni’s Wife(Renuka) because she sawa Gandharva in the reflection of River water while trying to get water for Pooja and thought for a fleeting moment how a Human being could be so beautiful!

    Mariamman is worshiped as Sitala Devi in North India widely by many faiths in North India, West Bengal, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan as the pox-goddess. She is the Goddess of sores, ghouls, pustules and diseases.

    Goddess Durga has incarnated as little Katyayani, the daughter of sage Katyayan to destroy all arrogant evil demonic forces of the world, in her real form as Durga, she killed many demons that were sent by Kaalkeya.

    A demon named Jwarasur, the demon of fever, started spreading incurable diseases to Katyayani’s childhood friends, such as cholera, dysentery, measles, smallpox etc. Katyayani cured the diseases of some of her friends. To relieve the world from all fevers and diseases, Katyayani assumed the form of Shitala Devi. Each of her four hands held a short broom, winnowing fan, jar of cooling water and a drinking cup. With her power, she cured all the children’s diseases. Katyayani then requests her friend, Batuk to go out and confront the demon Jwarasur. A battle ensued between the young Batuk and demon Jwarasur. Jwarasur succeeds in defeating Batuk. Then, Batuk, lying dead, magically faded into dust. Jwarasur was shocked that Batuk disappeared and wondered where he went. Then, what he doesn’t know that Batuk has assumed the form of an awful male figure. This person was three-eyed and had four arms. He held a battle-axe, sword, trident and demon head. He was pitch-black in color. His hair was flowing. Eyes blazed with fury. This figure wore a tiger-skin and a garland of skulls. Batuk assumed the form of Lord Shiva’s ferocious form, the terrible Bhairav. Bhairav reprimands Jwarasur and tells him that he is the servant of Goddess Durga (Katyayani). A long discussion ensued but then converted into battle. Jwarasur created many demons from his powers but Bhairav managed to destroy all of them. Finally, Bhairav wrestled with Jwarasur and killed him with his trident.

    Shitala literally means “one who cools” in Sanskrit. Shitala is worshipped under different names in various parts of the subcontinent. Shitala is more often called Ma (‘mother’) and is worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists and tribal communities. She is mentioned in Tantric and Puranic literature and her later appearance in vernacular texts (such as the Bengali 17th century Shitala-mangal-kabyas, ‘auspicious poetry’) has contributed to strengthen her status.

    Shitala is primarily popular among the people of North India. In some traditions she is identified with an aspect of Parvati, the consort of Shiva. Shitala is addressed as Mother, as a seasonal goddess (Vasant, i.e. Spring) and with honorific titles such as Thakurani, Jagrani (Queen of the World), Karunamayi (She who is full of mercy), Mangala (The Auspicious One), Bhagavati (The Goddess), Dayamayi (She who is Full of Grace and Kindness). The role of Shitala in South India is taken by the Goddess Mariamman, who is worshipped by the Dravidian-speaking people .

    There is also a view that she is Draupadi of Mahabharata.

    Yet another version states that she represents the betrayed women thus.

    ‘The popular mythology is her being Durgamma, daughter of a priest. She is allured into marriage by her dishonest husband. One day he expressed desire to consume the tongue of a cow. Durgamma realises that husband was a Brahmin in disguise. In her fury, she transformed into a Goddess, picked up a sickle and cut off the head of the imposter. That started off a betrayed wife cult. ”

    I do not seem to find any Vedic or Ithihasa refernce to any of this, that Mariaamman being any of these mentioned in any of these legends.

    Readers may contribute with sources.

    Citation  and Reference.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitala

    http://vedicgoddess.weebly.com/joy-ma-blog/marianmman-a-south-indian-devi-for-betrayed-wives-by-yogi-ananda-saraswati

    http://www.samayapurammariammantemple.tnhrce.in/history.html