Udupi Shiroor Mutt
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PRE-EMINENCE OF FEMALE AND MALE FORMS OF GOD,MENTIONED IN
THE VEDAS, WHICH INSPIRED THE FEMALE ALANKARAS OFUDUPI SRIKRISHNA
In ‘Bhavaprakashika’, the commentary of ‘Srimanmahaharata Tatparya Nirnay’ of Srimadananda Teertha Bhagavatpada, Sri Vadiraja Guru, future-Prana, describes the special eminence of God’s female and male forms as following : “Lord Narayana along with Laxmi Devi was delighting alone, holding the entire universe in His belly, before the creation. He was steady, dwelling in His own attributes, not getting Himself dissolved while the universe was in dissolution, not getting Himself born again, while the future cosmos got born again.”
During the creation, He desired to create the souls in three categories, Pious, Passionate and Evil, to make them realise their given attributes. For the sake of Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution of the Universe, He took on many Incarnations. God’s Incarnation is ‘Forming out from the basic Form, by mere playfulness, without any alteration on His basic body, sense-organs and internal senses. This is called Pure Creation. First, Narayana turned into Vasudeva form, who imparts the state of Salvation to His devotees. After it, respectively, He became Sankarshana, for Dissolution, Pradyumna for Creation and Aniruddha for Sustenance. With the basic form of Narayana and the subsequent four forms of Vasudeva and so on, He became the one with five-forms, and later, with Keshava and so on, He became the One with twelve-forms. He became the One, with hundred-forms by Narayana and so on, thousand-forms with Vishva and so on, multi-form with Para and so on and infinite-form, with Ajita and so on.
Like His male forms, God has female forms, as Images for females, which are ever self-contained. Similarly, He has different female forms like Vagishvari, Narayani and so on. “Striyah satistam ume pumsah ahuh..” this Shruti praises that these female forms verily are the male forms also, that is ‘God’s eminence’.
In the World, females don’t get male forms and males the female forms. But due to some curse males may get female forms. Though due to special reasons males get female forms, when the curses causing the female forms are over, they get back their earlier male forms. But even with powerful reasons like boons from Divinities, females never gain male forms. This is the law, which doesn’t change for whatever reason.
Here arises a doubt. Though females don’t have male forms, female forms are mentioned, in Mahabharata and other works for male forms like Arjuna. Since those female forms have masculinity, how can it be claimed that only God has masculinity in His female forms? Well, Arjuna and others get female form caused by curse or boons, not by their own self-will, whereas God has by His own self-attributes, has the power of both the forms. By that very reason, during the churning of ocean to bring out Nectar, deluding the Daityas, God immediately appeared in the female form of Narayani-Mohini, without a curse or a boon. Therefore, having both male and female forms, by His natural power, is the exclusive eminence of God.
Sri Madhvacharya tells, ‘God got into a divine female form. After that (to chop the head of Rahu, who was about to drink Nector) in a moment He became male. He is the one who has a strange form which is both female and male’, and shows God’s power of taking up both female and male forms, which is His exclusive power and which is absolutely absent in Brahma and other Jivas.
Thus, since God has natural female and male forms, on Fridays and Navaratris, when there is a special manifestation of Laxmi, there has been a tradition of worshipping Udupi Sri Krishna, in various Alankaras like, Narayani, Mohini, Gajalaxmi, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Simhavahini, Trishulaharini and so on. The devotees coming from everywhere, become greatly happy, seeing the Lord of the World, Sri Krishna of Udupi, in such fascinating Divine Female and Male forms.
-Selected portion of ‘Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya’ translated by Sri Vyasadasa, Udup
PRE-EMINENCE OF FEMALE AND MALE FORMS OF GOD,MENTIONED IN
THE VEDAS, WHICH INSPIRED THE FEMALE ALANKARAS OFUDUPI SRIKRISHNA
In ‘Bhavaprakashika’, the commentary of ‘Srimanmahaharata Tatparya Nirnay’ of Srimadananda Teertha Bhagavatpada, Sri Vadiraja Guru, future-Prana, describes the special eminence of God’s female and male forms as following : “Lord Narayana along with Laxmi Devi was delighting alone, holding the entire universe in His belly, before the creation. He was steady, dwelling in His own attributes, not getting Himself dissolved while the universe was in dissolution, not getting Himself born again, while the future cosmos got born again.”
During the creation, He desired to create the souls in three categories, Pious, Passionate and Evil, to make them realise their given attributes. For the sake of Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution of the Universe, He took on many Incarnations. God’s Incarnation is ‘Forming out from the basic Form, by mere playfulness, without any alteration on His basic body, sense-organs and internal senses. This is called Pure Creation. First, Narayana turned into Vasudeva form, who imparts the state of Salvation to His devotees. After it, respectively, He became Sankarshana, for Dissolution, Pradyumna for Creation and Aniruddha for Sustenance. With the basic form of Narayana and the subsequent four forms of Vasudeva and so on, He became the one with five-forms, and later, with Keshava and so on, He became the One with twelve-forms. He became the One, with hundred-forms by Narayana and so on, thousand-forms with Vishva and so on, multi-form with Para and so on and infinite-form, with Ajita and so on.
Like His male forms, God has female forms, as Images for females, which are ever self-contained. Similarly, He has different female forms like Vagishvari, Narayani and so on. “Striyah satistam ume pumsah ahuh..” this Shruti praises that these female forms verily are the male forms also, that is ‘God’s eminence’.
In the World, females don’t get male forms and males the female forms. But due to some curse males may get female forms. Though due to special reasons males get female forms, when the curses causing the female forms are over, they get back their earlier male forms. But even with powerful reasons like boons from Divinities, females never gain male forms. This is the law, which doesn’t change for whatever reason.
Here arises a doubt. Though females don’t have male forms, female forms are mentioned, in Mahabharata and other works for male forms like Arjuna. Since those female forms have masculinity, how can it be claimed that only God has masculinity in His female forms? Well, Arjuna and others get female form caused by curse or boons, not by their own self-will, whereas God has by His own self-attributes, has the power of both the forms. By that very reason, during the churning of ocean to bring out Nectar, deluding the Daityas, God immediately appeared in the female form of Narayani-Mohini, without a curse or a boon. Therefore, having both male and female forms, by His natural power, is the exclusive eminence of God.
Sri Madhvacharya tells, ‘God got into a divine female form. After that (to chop the head of Rahu, who was about to drink Nector) in a moment He became male. He is the one who has a strange form which is both female and male’, and shows God’s power of taking up both female and male forms, which is His exclusive power and which is absolutely absent in Brahma and other Jivas.
Thus, since God has natural female and male forms, on Fridays and Navaratris, when there is a special manifestation of Laxmi, there has been a tradition of worshipping Udupi Sri Krishna, in various Alankaras like, Narayani, Mohini, Gajalaxmi, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Simhavahini, Trishulaharini and so on. The devotees coming from everywhere, become greatly happy, seeing the Lord of the World, Sri Krishna of Udupi, in such fascinating Divine Female and Male forms.
-Selected portion of ‘Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya’ translated by Sri Vyasadasa, Udupi.
http://udupishiroormutt.in/shiroor/?page_id=85
venkatachalam Dotthathri
Shiroor Mutt » Udupi Shri Krishna
LAND OF PARASHURAMA
Lord Vishnu, in his sixth incarnation as Parashurama, after making twenty. one assaults on kings who had deviated from the path of Dharma, performed a great yajna. Having donated all the land he won, he was left with no land for Himself. Reluctant to stay in the land already gifted, he reclaimed a strip of land from the Arabian Sea. This coastal strip of land, from Gokarna to Kanyakumari is known as Parashurama Kshetra.
RAJATHAPEETA
Ramabhoja, a great devotee of Lord Parashurama was proclaimed the king of Parashurama Kshetra.lntending to perform a maha yajna, he got the site for the sacrificial fire ploughed up. A serpent got into the plough and got killed. Although the serpent was a demon in disguise, the king was worried, as it was a sin to kill a serpent. To atone this sin, he was directed by Lord Parashurama to build a big silver pedestal(Known as Rajathapeeta)as a seat to the Lord.
SHRI ANANTHESHWARA
The place, where the Lord appeared in the form of Linga and occupied the silver pedestal is known as ANANTHESHWARA. It is believed that it was on the request of Lord Shiva that Lord Parashurama also enshrined in the Linga in the form Lord Anantha and hence the name Anantheshwara.The king Ramabhoja also built four Durgalayas(Durga temple) and Nagalayas (Subramanya temple) one each in each direction.
The Shri Anantheshwara Temple has been a seat of learning since time immemorial for the study of Veda, Vedanta, Upanishads. It was this place where Shri Madhwacharya obtained lessons from his Guru Shri Achyuthaprekshacharya. The details of Anantheshwara appear in the Shri Skandapurana.
SHRI CHANDRAMOULEESHWARA
It is said that Chandra (Moon God) was cursed by Daksha Prajapati. To ward off this curse, Chandra performed penance in propitiation of Lord Ishwara on the banks of a holy pond, Chandra pushkarini.Lord Ishwara being pleased, appeared and released Chandra off the curse. “This place has since been known a CHANDRAMOULEESHWARA and there is an ancient temple of this name. In Sanskrit, “Udu” means stars and “Pa” means lord. Udupa means lord of stars, which is Moon. Hence the place where Udupa(Chandra)performed penance and obtained grace is known as UDUPI.
LORD SHRI KRISHNA
The idol of Shri Krishna installed at the Shri Krishna Temple is carved out of Shalagrama Shila. Legend has it that Rukmini herself was worshipping this idol at Dwaraka.When Shri Krishna disappeared from this world Arjuna deposited this idol in the spot called ‘Rukmini Vana’.The idol which lay buried inside the mud of Gopichandan, was mistaken for a lump of Gopichandan and loaded as ballast into a ship carrying merchandise from Dwaraka along the West Coast When the ship was approaching the Malpe Port, it got caught in storm and was about to sink. Shri Madhwacharya who was on the shore waved his upper cloth and quietened the storm, saving the ship from disaster.The grateful captain of the ship offered’ all the wealth in his ship to Shri Madhwacharya. But the great Acharya chose the lump of gopichandan which lay in a corner.
He carried the gopichandan to Udupi, a distance of four miles, singing the ‘Dwadashstotra’. The moment he immersed the gopichandan in the Madhwasarovara, a beautiful idol of Shri Krishna emerged. Sensing these chain of events by his aparoksha jnana or divine knowledge, the Acharya himself installed the idol. The idol represents Lord Krishna in his playful childhood posture with a curd-churning rod in the right hand and the churning rope in the left Thus Lord Krishna came to be worshipped by Shri Madhwacharya and later by the pontiffs of Ashta Mutts founded by him. The right of touching and worshipping this idol rests with the pontiffs of these eight mutts only who are the spiritual descendents of Shri Madhwacharya.
PARYAYA SYSTEM
The Swamijis of the eight Mutts conduct the worship at Shri Krishna Mutt by turns, for two years each. This tenure of worship by rotation is known as “Paryaya”. The Swamiji in charge of worship at any point of time is called ‘paryaya Swamiji’ and his mutt called the ‘Paryaya Mutt’.The biennial transfer of the privilege of worship from one mutt to another is celebrated as a grand festival called ‘Paryaya Festival’. The handover of charge begins with a grand procession where all the swamijis are brought in decorated palanquins (Pallaki). The outgoing Swamiji receives the Swamijis and then handsover to the incoming Swamiji, the keys to the Shri Krishna Mutt and the Akshaya patra (a vessel given by Shri I Madhwacharya to the temple for the sake of never-ending Annadana.
SHRI KRISHNA MUTT
The Shri Krishna Mutt is situated in Car street or the RathabeedhiI
along with the Ashta Mutts. Tenkapet from the South, Badagupetfrom the
North, Padupet from the West are the main motorable approaches. Shri
Chandramouleeshwara and AnantheshwaraI temples are also situated
alongside Shri Krishna Mutt. In this Rathabeedhi are also situated
Annayacharya Mutt, Mulubagilu Mutt, Bhandarikeri Mutt, Vysaraya
Mutt,Bheemanakatte Mutt, Uttaradi Mutt and Shri Raghavendra Mutt.
On
entering the Car Street through Kanakadasa Road and proceeding towards
the North one turns towards the east There is the tower of the Shri
Krishna Temple with what is known as Kanakana Kindi. The tower was
constructed by the Krishnapura Mutt Swamiji. To the right of that is
Maana Stamba. This is between the Anantheshwara & Chandreshwara
Temples.
At the entrance we notice a huge Gopura, which
was constructed by Shri lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji of Shri Shiroor
Mutt in 1978. On entering the Shri Krishna Temple is a huge bronze bell,
which is rung during pooja time. There is also a huge plate which is
beaten with a wooden hammer notifying the beginning of each & every
hour. The Seva Office is to the right Beyond that we descend into the
Madhwa Sarovar.
KANAKANA KINDI
Shri Kanakadasa was a great devotee of Lord Shri Krishna. He lived at around the same time as Shri Vadiraja Swamiji at Udupi and was carrying out his Bhajans in front of the temple regularly. The spot where he was able to obtain darshan of Lord Shri Krishna is now famous as Kanakana Kindi. As per custom, the Swamiji who takes over charge of the worship for 2 years (paryaya) is required to see the Lord first through this spot.
MADHWASAROVARA
The tank is amongst the most sacred of ancient Theerthas in our country. It is believed that qince in 12 years Mother Ganga flows into this Theertha filling it with her bounty. This was stressed repeatedly by the Saint Vijayadasa in his kritis.
To experience the full realization of this theertha a comprehensive reading of the SKANDA PURANA – SAHYADRI KHANDA – Section is advised. This theertha is named Madhwa Sarovara from the original PAAPA NASHINI (washing away of sins) after the period of Acharya Madhwa.
In the South West corner of the Madhwa Sarovar is a beautiful idol of Bhagirathi seated on a crocodile. In the middle of the tank is a beautiful mantapa. The deites of the Ashta Mutts are specially worshipped (Ksheerabdi Pooja) on the evening of Utthana Dwadashi every year. During Rathosthsava Nights, floating festival or Teppothsava takes place. This mantapa was constructed by Shri Raghavendra Swamiji of Puthige Mutt in the 16th century.
Opposite the Sarovar is the entrance to the
Shri Krishna Mutt, where the statue of Chennakeshava greets us on our
entrance. Only on Vijadashami Day now is the door opened and the
Swamijis distribute the newly harvested holy corn(Kadiru) grown in the
Mutt premises. 9 sacred Corns are brought into the shrine on this day
for the fresh harvest feast.
On turning left we come across a small room known as Anuyaaga shale,
the hall of oblation to the fire-God. Priests make oblation to the fire
as puja is performed inside the Sanctum sanctorum.
A
golden palanquin is kept in the room in front of that. The golden
palanquin was donated by the pontiff of Shri Krishnapur mutt
ShriVidyapurna Thirtha Swamiji. Further on we reach the Surya Shale.
Here, scholars recite Veda, Purana, itihaasa and have religious
discourses on the works of Shri Madhwacharya. In the evening pipers and
musicians play on musical instruments.
To the right is a mantapa in front of the shrine. In between this
mantapa and the sanctum sanctorum there is a small passage and a window
through which pilgrims can obtain darshan of the Supreme being. This
window with nine square openings is called NAVAGRAHA KINDI or window of
the nine planets. It is believed that darshan through all nine openings
will ensure prosperity. (Navavidha Bhakthi). The window is decorated
with the carvings depicting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
In
front of the Navagraha Kindi on either side of the Chandra Saale are
the shrines of Lord Mukhyaprana on the North and Lord Garuda in the
South. Both these idols were obtained at Ayodhya by Shri Vadiraja
Swamiji. Lord Mukhyaprana is worshipped with groundnut floor after the
Ratri puja of Lord Krishna. It is called Maharangapuja. All offerings to
Lord Krishna are later on brought here and offered to the Lord.
Moving further we encounter the platform for sacred Tulasi plant and a
big lamp post, it is well decorated during the bright fortnight of the
lunar month of Karthika. The Tulasi plant is worshipped with recitations
and dancings for twelve days during this period.
At the
steps of the sanctum sanctorum a small shrine can be seen at the
Southern side. It is of Shri Madhwacharya. Shri Vadiraja Swamiji
installed the beautiful little idol draped in a loin cloth,holding a
stick in one hand and the mudras of knowledge and fearlessness in the
other.
To the North, a narrow passage leads towards the left to the throne, kitchen and dining hall known as Chauki. The entrance at the right leads to the sanctum sanctorum.
SANCTUM SANCTORUM
The Garbhagudi consists of 2 rooms. In the bigger room the. Swamiji’s
perform the daily tarpana. There is also silver mantapa with the golden
cradle where the shayanothsava of the Lord takes place. It is in the
inner room that the idol of Lord Krishna installed facing west. There is
a churning rod in the right hand and rope in the left and is the only
one of its kind in India. The unique aspect of this idol is that it is
etched with Chakrankitha. Only during ksheera Abhisheka is the beauty of
this decoration evident.
This idol was brought from
Malpe & immersed in the Papa Nashini theertha (Madhwa Sarovar) by
the Acharya himself. Although his fourteen disciples tried to lift and
carry the idol for installation, it was not possible for them together.
But the Acharya alone was able to carry it and install the same and it
stands there till this very day. This was possible for the Acharya to do
so himself as he is the third incamation of Lord Vayu. ,
The lamps also have a long history behind them, Lit by the Acharya they burn to this very day, prominent among them, Bhadra Kaludeepa. There is a platform on either side of the Lord, when lamps are lit on this platform the ambience that is created is one of pearls flashing in all glory. To the right of the main idol is another of Shri Venugopalkrishna which is worshipped daily.
SARVAJNA PEETA (SIMHASANA)
Coming out of the Garbagudi is a narrow passage leading to the Sarvajna Peeta (Simhasana). This being the seat of Dwaita philosphy enthrones the Paryaya Swamiji.
On the left is a small dark room reserved for cooking special offerings for Lord Krishna’s Naivedya.
CHAUKI
Moving ahead leads to the Chauki. The door at the left leads us I to the kitchen. The big hall of the Chauki, with seating capacity of : about 400 is the place where the Swamiji takes food in the form . of prasada of Shri Krishna along with scholars, guests and other pilgrims.
BHOJANA SHALA
North of the Chauki is the Bhojana Shala. In the dining hall thousands of people are fed every day since the beginning of the . Madhwacharya era. The Bhojana Shala was constructed by the27th Poniff of Shri Shirur Mutt,Shri Lakshmi Samudra Thirtha Swamiji in 1915 AD. It is because of this that Udupi is known as Anna Brahma Kshetra with Tirupathi being known as Kanchana (Gold & Money) Brahma Kshethra and Pandarapura, Nada (music) Brahma Kshethra.
VASANTH MAHAL
At the end of the passage
we can notice the Vasanth mahal – a stage where recitations, lectures,
discourses and other cultural programmes take place in the evenings.
During the spring festival ! of Vaisakha month the ritual of Vasantha
puje takes place here. , Formerly the paryaya congregation also used to
take place here.
BADAGU MAALIGE – ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
West of this building is the Badagu Maalige. The Administrative Offices, Treasury, Granary, etc., are found here. Since the days of Shri Vadiraja Swamiji upto the Second half of the 19th century the Paryaya congregation also used to take place in a hall inside the building. Continuing the ancient tradition even now the Swamiji sits on a decorated platform alongwith other Swamijis, exchanging Sandal Paste and other objects on Paryaya eve.
The Ganesha festival is celebrated for 4 days here in the month of Bhadrapada with the Paryaya Swamiji himself performing puja to the specially decorated idol of Shri Ganesha.
LORD SUBRAMANYA GUDI
East of the Vasanth Mahal is the shrine of Lord Subramanya
constructed by Shri Vadiraja Swamiji. It is believed that Lord
Subramanya is guarding a great treasure underneath donated to
ShriVadiraja Swamiji by a Moghul Sultan.
To the right
side of Shri Subramanya Gudi is the Navagraha gudi.. installed by
Shri Lakshmivaratheertha Swamiji of Shri Shiroor Mutt in 1995.
GOSHALA
Further to the East is the Cow shed (Goshala). Since cows are rendered very dear to Lord Krishna, Go puja is also is one of the sixteen pujas performed by Paryaya Swamiji. It is also a custom that the Paryaya Swamiji personally feeds the cows in the Goshala. after the Mahapuja. Beyond that is the stable for the elephant. . There are two elephants “Lakshmeesha_’ and “Subadhra”.
VRINDAVANA
Behind Vasantha Mahal on the northern side is Vrindavana. There are 43 Vrindavanas and a very old Ashwatha tree. Aswatha Pradakshina is one of the duties of the Swamiji in charge of the Krishna mutt.
From there we can notice a vast level ground known as Rajangana. Paryaya assembly is arranged here. Mass feeding and cooking takes place here at festival time.
On one side of the Rajangana is the Shiroor Mutt Guest house. On the other side is the Guest house called Birla Choultry. To the side of Birla Chowltry is Shri Krishna Dhama, a Choultry constructed by Shri Vishwesha Thirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt.Facing the Rajangana is the celebrated Gita Mandir constructed by Shri -Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji of Shri Puthige Mutt which comprises of a meditation hall with all the eighteen chapters of the ShriBhagavad Geetha inscribed on the walls.
http://udupishiroormutt.in/shiroor/?page_id=41