The Body Temple (Part 5)

Sri Paramahamsa Sachchidananda Yogeeswarar

As told by the yogi-

"A community called "Naatukota Chettulu" (probably "Naattukottai Chettiars) have started renovating temples in such a way that the "Moolasthanam" (sanctum-sanctorum) is filled with natural air and light. Fifty three years ago, when I visited Kanchi Ekaambareswara Temple, the temple's "Moolasthanam" used to be pitch-dark. Such a fine temple's meaningful construction of its sanctum-sanctorum was demolished, the walls brought down to be rebuilt (which cost lakhs of rupees) by "Naatukota Chettulu" for natural air and light to enter the "Moolasthanam". The renovation happened 35 years ago. While the renovation was in progress, I visited the temple.

At that time "kalashams" (pots ) were placed approximately 40 feet away (in front of the Lingam )from the Shiva Lingam. A string of thread ran the length between the Shiva Lingam and the Kalashams, one end wound and tied around the Shiva Lingam and the other end wound and tied around a Kalasham. The life-force energy of the Shiva Lingam was extracted and directed into the Kalasham through the strength of "mantram" ("mantra balam"). When the "prana" or life-force energy of the Lingam entered the Kalasham, the connecting thread of string between the Lingam and Kalasham was removed and discarded. After this process all the poojas and worship that were meant for the Shiva Lingam was performed for the Kalasham. Kalasha-pooja continued until the renovation was completed.

Since the Shiva Lingam in the "Moolasthanam" was devoid of life-force energy or "prana" (which is now contained in the Kalasham), poojas were not performed for the Lingam. The Lingam and "Paanu Vattamu" (the blogger has no knowledge of this telugu term) were concealed carefully while the roof on top of the "Moolasthanam" and the walls surrounding the same were all demolished and brought down to renovate the ceiling and walls for the sole purpose of letting natural air and light to enter the sanctum-sanctorum or "Moolasthanam".

The renovation took place for nearly 5 or 6 years. After the renovation was completed, the covers from the Shiva Lingam and "Paanu Vattamu" were removed and the Lingam and "Paanu Vattamu" duly cleansed. Once again the "Kalashams" (pots) were placed in front of the Shiva Lingam. A thread of string connected the Shiva Lingam and the Kalasham by tying one end to the Lingam and the other end to the Kalasham. This time the "prana" or life-force energy which was initially directed from the Lingam to the Kalasham was re-directed to the Shiva Lingam (from the Kalasham) through the power of mantra ("mantra balam"). As soon as the "prana" or life-force energy was directed from the Kalasham and back into the Shiva Lingam, the thread of string was removed and discarded thereby disconnecting the current between the Lingam and Kalasham. Such a procedure is known as "Kumbabhishekam".

On May 5th, 1928 I started my tour (from Chenna Patnam-"Chennai") of mostly Andhra Pradesh and the northern part of India.

Sullurpeta, Nayadupeta, Guduru, Nelluru, Kaavali, Ongolu, Vetapaalayam, Cheerala, Repalle, Gunturu, Narasaraopeta, Vinukonda, Lankelakoorapaadu, Muppaala, Chaagantivaaripaalem, Saththenapalli, Mangalagiri, Bezavaada, Kondapalli, Madhira, Mahadevapuram, Dendukooru, Eerallapaadu, Allinagaram, Vathsavaayi, Chirunomula, Dabbaakupalli, Kambhampaadu, Penuganchiprolu, Anigallapaadu, Maagallu, Nandigaama, Jaggayyapeta, Mukthyaala, Bonakal, Naagulavancha, Khammammettu, Gadvaala, Hyderaabaadu, Palakanaama, Kollooru, Shikinderaabaadu, Maddikera, Paththikonda, Vuruvakonda, Gunthakallu, Joharaapuram, Aadoni, Bellaary, Hosapeta, Hampi, Paamarru, Kovvaada, Mahadevapattanam, Undi, Bheemavaram, Vedangi, Paalakollu, Narasaapuram (blogger's native place), Nidadavolu, SreeShanthi Ashramamamu, Rajahmundry, Kodoorupaadu, Amalaapuram, Ramachandraapuram, Kaakinaada, Saamarlakota, Peddaapuram, Thuni, Bheemavarapukota, Nakkapalli, Yelamanchili, Anakaapalli, Narasipaatanam, Chodavaram, Visaakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam, Amanaam, Vizianagaram, Saalooru, Jayapuram, Bobbili, Paarvathipuram, Veeraghattam, Paalakonda, Raazaam, Cheepurupalli, Aamudaalavalasa, Srikaakulam, Heeramandalam, Parlaakimidi, Tekkali, Naupaada, Palaasa, Ananthagiri, Braahmanatharla, Sompeta, Ichchaapuram, Berhampuram, Askaa, Rasoolkonda, Chathrapuram, Khuradaaroaddu, Jagannaadham, Cuttack, Kharaghpur, Thaathaanagar, Chakradharapooru, Aadraa, Gaya, Kaashi, Prayaaga, Calcutta, etc. (including various districts, talukas, cities, towns and villages). I have toured all the above mentioned places and given religious lectures apart from clarifying the doubts of men and women folk on religious matters.

I have even visited all the Saivite temples in the above places and inspected whether the temples were constructed in accordance to requirements of temple-shasthras (customs).

I observed that only the Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh were not built in the required manner.

In the temples in Andhra Pradesh, I found that there was no "Bali Peetham" in front of the "Dwajasthambam". The Shiva temple in a small village called Paalakonda (in Visaakhapatnam district) has the "Bali Peetham" in front of the "Gopuram" (temple tower). The "Dwajasthamabam" is placed only after one crosses the "Bali Peetham" . The "Dwajasthambam" should never be placed in between the "Moolasthanam" and the "Bali Peetham". I will tell you the reason.

The human feet (all the ten fingers of the feet) represent the "Kalashams" on the temple tower, the male organ is the "Dwjasthambam", the "naabhi" (navel region) is the "Bali Peetham", The "Hrudya Kamalam" (Anaahatha Chakram) between the two breasts represent the Nandi, the region in the "Brahma Kapaalam" (top of the head) is the residence of Lord Shiva . Therefore the placements in temples are not be interchanged, like the Shiva temple in Paalakonda. I could see that only in Paalakonda the placements of the "Bali Peetham" and the "Dwajasthambam" were interchanged. In the rest of the Shiva and Vishnu temples of Andhra Pradesh, there was a complete absence of "Bali Peethams". I think the natives of Andhra are not aware of the concept of "Bali Peetham". Through my religious lectures, I had educated the natives about the secrets and significance of Shiva temples.

Now I will come to the magnificent secret about the temple of Varanasi........."

(To be continued.........)