SRICHAKRA NAVAVARANA POOJA Ever since Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya installed the SriChakra Maha Yantra at Hariharapura, SriChakra Navavarana Pooja has been the Nithya Pooja tradition followed by every Peetaadhipathi of Sreemath.
The subject of SriChakra Navavarana Pooja is very deep and secretive. Regarded the highest form of Devi worship, the Sri Chakra Pooja involves a complex method of worship, which is both enchanting and powerful. The Panchadasakshari Mantra is the revelation of the Mother in sound and the Sri Chakra Yantra is the realization of Her through lines and form. Various Vedic scriptures mention that a mere sight of the SriChakra washes away all sins and grants auspiciousness. ‘Navaavarana’ refers to the nine Aavaranas or enclosures that constitute the SriChakra. The Supreme Mother, Sri Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari, dwells at the Bindu or the central point of the SriChakra. It is at this Bindu, the Goddess merges with Lord Shiva and this is praised as the Shiva-Shakthi Aikya. The process of SriChakra Navavarana Pooja, in simple words, is progressing through the 9 Aavaranas stage by stage, and finally attaining the Bindu where the Supreme Mother resides. The SriChakra is not only a symbol of Devi, but a miniature representation of the universe and the human body. The SriChakra contains in itself all Deities and the extent of divine energy radiated by the SriChakra is beyond description.
There are two methods of performing the Sri Chakra Puja – Bahiryagam and Antaryagam. In the Bahirayagam method, the Sri Chakra is worshipped with a Moorthi. The Pooja is done to the nine different Sthanam, Tatvam, Roopam etc of the Goddess as depicted in the Moorthi, stage after stage till the Bindu Sthanam is reached. Antaryaga pooja is internal worship and is much complicated. The nine points of the SriChakra are marked inside the body and realised within oneself. The Pooja is done inwards, crossing each place internally till the Bindu sthaanam of the SriChakra is attained. In this method, the Kundalini Shakthi is tapped and coursing through the body, it reaches the Sahasradala, which is the ultimate Bindu point where the Goddess dwells in the Supreme state of Shiva-Shakti Aikya.
The Bahiryagam method can be practised by those who have formally learnt it. But, the Antaryagam method is extremely difficult and is possible only to great Yogis and Tapasvis. It is said that a person practicing Antaryaga SriChakra Puja to its full, always remains in bliss, completely oblivious to the world outside, ever absorbed in Brahmananda. By severe practice, the person’s physical body itself begins to glow as the sacred dwelling of Goddess Tripura Sundari.
The SriChakra Navavarana Pooja tradition, established at Hariharapura by Jagadguru Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada Himself, has been followed to this day as the Nithya Pooja tradition (daily Pooja) by every Peetadhipathi of Sreemath. The Acharyas of Sreemath have been great Yogis and Siddha purushas, who have been practicing Bahiryaga & Antaryaga SriChakra Pooja for the purpose of Loka Kshema, since the time when Sri Adi Shankaracharya consecrated the SriChakra Yantra at Hariharapura.
Even today, the present Peetadhipathi, Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswathi MahaSwamiji performs intense Bahiryaaga & Antaryaaga SriChakropasana daily in the evenings for the noble purpose of Loka Kshema. Wherever MahaSwamiji camps, devotees in large numbers flock the premises every evening to attend the Navavarana Pooja performed by MahaSwamiji. Devotees who sit through the Pooja report very deep unknown inner awakening experiences, as though seeing Devi just before their eyes. Even a few moments at the Nithya Pooja of MahaSwamiji becomes a very special spiritual experience to treasure for a lifetime! POORNIMA SRICHAKRA POOJA