The Structure of Maha Meru The form of Maha Meru is both beautiful and deeply significant; its every curve and line is charged with layer upon layer of o f wisdom and meaning. As a first step toward gradually fathoming these depths, why not take some time to examine the structure of your new Meru. You will note that it is comprised of nine avaranas (enclosures or divisions). Each of these successive avaranas has its own distinct shape, name and guardian deities. Each is raised in graded g raded elevations, with those lower and closest to the outer edges being the Devi’s more tangible and concrete manifestations, and those higher and closer to the center becoming progressively more subtle and transcendent in nature: • The ground-level enclosure of Sri Chakra is known as the Bhupura; literally, the earthworks, as
would surround an ancient walled city. It is visualized as a square chaturasra consisting of three parallel lines or walls, one inside the other. Each side of this enclosing square has a door or portal at its midpoint, through which one may visualize entry into tthe he Meru’s precincts. • Immediately inside the Bhupura are the Trivalaya, three concentric circles or girdles. The space
between the innermost square wall and the circumference c ircumference of the outermost circle (i.e., between the Bhupura and Trivalaya) is the Trailokya Mohana Chakra o r “Wheel Enchanting the Three Worlds.” Inside these three circles rise, in successive levels: • The Sarvasa Paripuraka Chakra or “Wheel Fulfilling All Desires,” consisting of Sixteen Lotus Petals; • The Sarva Sanksobhana Chakra or “Wheel Agitating/Churning All,” consisting of Eight Lotus Petals; • The Sarva Saubhagyadayaka Chakra or “Wheel Granting All Auspiciousness,” consisting of Fourteen
Triangles (Chaturdasa Kona); • The Sarvartha Sadhaka Chakra or “Wheel Accomplishing All Purposes,” consisting of Ten Triangles
(the so-called Outer Dasara); • The Sarva Raksakara Chakra or “Wheel Granting All Protection,” consisting of Ten Triangles (the so -
called Inner Dasara); • The Sarva Rogahara Chakra or “Wheel Removing All Diseases,” consisting of Eight Triangles (the
Ashta Kona); • The Sarva Siddhiprada Chakra or “Wheel Granting All Powers,” consisting of the Inverted Primary
Triangle (the Trikona); and finally • The Sarvanandamaya Chakra or “Wheel of Complete Bliss,” which is the peak (koota) of the
Universe – or the yantra’s Maha -Bindu. Bindu in Sanskrit means point or center; it also means seed or drop. A drop contains forces, the interplay of gravity and surface tension, which emanate from its center and hold it in a spherical shape. Thus, the concept of Bindu encompasses not only the center but also that which surrounds the center. Maha means Great or Eternal. Thus the term Maha-Bindu indicates the Great or Eternal Point; P oint; the Seed of all Creation, as yet unmanifest. The sage Punyananda explained in his Kamakalavilasa that the supreme nature of the Sri Chakra is fully contained in the Bindu – that it is the cause of the nine successive avaranas and the source of the initial phonic emanations of Shakti as Brahman. One modern adept states it thus: “The Bindu alone is the Sri Chakra. All the rest is just an addition. The Bindu is the true form of Shiva and Shakti since it is One, and naturally the whole chakra is within it. Everything is contained in the Bindu.”
This Maha-Bindu is also identified with the body’s uppermost yogic center, the Sahasrara Chakra – the Thousand-Petaled Wheel at the crown of the skull. It further corresponds to the seat or throne (peetha) of the Maha-Devi Sri Lalita, located in the city of Tripura atop Mount Meru at the center of
the Universe. As the great sage Bhaskararaya wrote in Saubhagyabhaskara, his authoritative commentary on the Sri Lalita Sahasranama: “Outside and beyond the countless myriads of world
systems, in the center of the Ocean of Nectar, upon the Isle of Gems (Ratna-Dvipa), more than a thousand crores *i.e. tens of millions of miles+ in extent, there rises the supreme city of Srividya *…+ which is called Sri Chakra”.
A Simple Puja for Maha Meru : The Maha Meru requires no formal prayers or worship, nor must it be kept only in vegetarian homes – a reverential attitude toward it is enough. Its effects, for example, may be enhanced simply by
playing soft music in its proximity. Those who know how to perform a proper Sri Chakra puja (formal devotional worship) using the Meru can accrue unlimited benefits – but this is a complicated and lengthy procedure, and not very easy to learn, requiring much time and effort. However, provided here is a simple puja designed for laypersons who are short on time but would still like to perform a more serious and formal worship of their Maha Meru: Abhishekam to the Eight Matrukas : The Bhupura – the square, outermost enclosure of Sri Meru, as described a bove – is comprised of three walls which are, in turn, graced by the 28 Devis or yoginis known respectively as the Ten Mudra Shaktis, the Eight Matruka and the Ten Siddhis. In this puja we focus upon the Ashta Matruka, who govern the second or middle Bhupura wall, in each of its cardinal and intermediate directions; thus it is to the eight corners of the Sri Meru’s square enclosure that we shall direct our worship. The names and associations of the Devis residing at each location tell us how and why they are useful as intermediaries in helping us to obtain the grace of Para Shakti. 1 - Brahmi is Brahma’s Atma Shakti, Saraswati, who symbolizes creativity in all of its aspects, most prominently music and knowledge. In all efforts that improve one’s quality of life in this regard – for
example, education, learning and creativity – worship of Brahmi is recommended. 2 - Maheshwari is the Goddess of Shiva; She brings Mahat Tattva (i.e., the first transformation of primordial nature, containing all other elements in their subtle, unmanifest forms) under control. So for those who aspire to greatness, through whatever means (for example, through business or enterprise in their various forms); for those who must insist on the right things being done at the right times by the right people; for those who require a bit of aggression to preserve their competitive edge – propitiation of Maheshwari is recommended. 3 - Kaumari is the Atma Shakti of Kumara or Skanda, Ganesha’s brother, whose wives are Valli and Devasena. He is Shanmukha, the Kundalini Shakti; the serpent power itself. He resides in all six chakras, balancing them; he is also the leader of the Devas’ armies. Worship of Kaumari is
recommended for couples who wish to obtain Santana, or progeny. By propitiating Kaumari – through worship of the Yoni, which is the seat of Kundalini as Nagashakti – wellness hormones are generated, and conditions suitable for conception are created.
4 - Vaishnavi is the Atma Shakti of Vishnu, whose nature is Maya. Maya means Hreemkaara; it is involvement in the world. So Vaishnavi, a form of Lakshmi who creates these illusions of Samsara, can assist in improving one’s relationships in life – between husband and wife, between friends; in
all kinds of interpersonal relationships. 5 - Varahi is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Lalita Devi. Residing at the Ajna Chakra, She has vast armies at Her command (ajna), with which She can defeat any enemy. Positive use of Varahi’s powers enables us to treat various diseases and internal enemies, such as kama (lust),
krodha (anger), lobha (delusion), moha (pride), mada (jealousy) and matsarya (envy), and bring them under control. Thus Varahi can be used for effectively controlling diseases and improving one’s
quality of life. She can also be invoked to bring relief to others, by chanting sankalpam³ with their names and doing japa (mantra recitation) or prokshana (the actual or visualized sprinkling of energized water on the person on whose behalf you are appealing) with the Varahi Mantra. Varahi is especially useful in bringing relief to terminally ill patients, such as those suffering from cancer and AIDS. 6 - Mahendri is the Atma Shakti of Indra, the God of Rain. He sends his thunderbolt, Vajra, to seed the clouds and bring the rain that fertilizes the Earth. Thus all desires regarding the wellbeing of crops, control of floods and other such natural calamities; anything related to rain and water and fertilization of the earth – is best handled through the worship of Mahendri. She protects crops, ensures better dairy products and is generally useful for those in the agricultural industries, as well as for environmental control. 7 - Chamunda is the War Goddess, a form of Chandi; “Chamunda Shava Vahana” – She who lives in cemeteries, riding upon a revivified corpse. Propitiating Chamunda will enable you to absolutely control all evils done to you and to eliminate those evils. 8 - Mahalakshmi is the wealth of Sri Naraayana. She is Cosmic Awareness, and shuns pettiness in all its aspects. Thus She represents the infinite wealth o f the Lord, and removes poverty of all kinds. The Ashta Aishwaryas and Ashta Lakshmis are all under Her control and they all obey Her commands. It is therefore appropriate to propitiate Her in order to get a feel for the spiritual wealth of the Lord. She not only bestows material benefits, but also grants the proper frame of mind for reaching the oceanic, infinite antaryami (One Residing Within) of Divine Consciousness. The simplest form of worship is abhishekam using Panchamrita – pour a spoonful of Panchamrita onto the Sri Meru location corresponding to each of these Devis as you recite their respective mantras, as given below. If you want a particular result, you can make a corresponding sankalpa³ and worship that Goddess by chanting Her mantra 108 times. These are just general hints for the people who don’t have much time to spare, but still wish to maximize the benefits of their Sri Meru, to help them light the path of their lives. May the Goddess bless all of you so. Shree Yantra placement :
The Surya (Sun) mark at one of the corner of the Meru should be towards your left when you install it. If you look at the tip , you would find only one of them which is exactly in line with the bottom base (other two are off centred) . This is the Face of the yantra and it should face East. You may place the Shreeyantra preferably near the West wall, so that the tip faces East. If not, then you may place on any wall except the East wall. It should be placed in such a location which is visible from all sides of your living room .. as it will affect all locations from where it is visible. The back of the yantra (exactly opposite the tip) does not show Aura, so you should not face it .. so it is best if this is against the wall. The yantra is placed at height above your Navel ( when standing) and below head.
