Introduction to Srividya Practice

Sri Vidya Temple Society

March 2019
Sri Vidya is an ocean …
… be prepared for lifelong learning !
Sri Gurubhyo Namah !
dhyāna mūlaṁ guru mūrti
pūjā mūlaṁ guru padaṁ
mantra mūlaṁ guru vākyaṁ
mōkṣa mūlaṁ guru kr̥pā

-- Guru Gita, Skanda Purana

The basis of meditation is the form of the Guru. Real worship is of the Guru's feet. The
basis of all mantras is the words of the Guru. The bestowal of liberation is only the
Guru's grace.
Important !
Guru has to guide us every step of the way.

Each of our paths is different due to our unique karmic situations. What is right for
one may not be for another. Each sadhaka’s experience is unique.
Initiation and the Guru-Shishya relationship

Initiation in Sri Vidya is not (merely) “teaching a mantra” or sharing of knowledge.

The Guru takes on karmic consequences of the disciple’s actions

Guru Paduka is the “rescue remedy”

Mantra Japa
The nature of mantra

Foundational to Sri Vidya practice - and the answer to most questions !

Prescribed minimum → do it whenever you remember → subconscious & continuous

Preferably same time and place everyday

Preferably first thing in the morning (or after bath)

Mantra Japa
Quality over quantity

Coupling with breathing or (if musically inclined) “singing” it

Start with vocalizing → silent but lips moving → chanting internally → listening to it
being chanted (start of “meditation”) → sound of anahata
Purascharana
Japa - Akshara laksham

Tarpana - 10%of Japa

Yantra Puja - 10% of Tarpana

Homa - 10% of Puja

Annadanam - 10% of Homa

Bestows a vision of the deity

Sanskrit Aksharamala
The basis of Sri Vidya is sound

Matruka shaktis spread throughout the body

Building blocks of all bijaksharas and mantras

Learn the notation used in temple publications

Puja
Simple ritual to worship the divine - within oneself, and establish identity of self with
divinity

5 upacharas → 16 upacharas

Ganapati, Guru, Devi

Very important for japa practice

Grasa mudras, dasha mudras

Chanting Sacred Stotrams and Suktams
Lalita Sahasranama Stotram (1000 names of Mother Lalita) is a complete path to the
Mother by itself.

Khadgamala Stotram is a condensed form of Navaavarana Puja

Simple Vedic suktams like Durga Suktam are very potent for burning karma
Annadana and Seva
Service and feeding people is very important (part of purascharana)

Service can be to others, to the temple, to the guru.

Doing seva at the temple is a great way to learn, connect with others, be in the
presence of Aiya and Amma.
The Sri Yantra
Learn to draw the yantra

Become familiar with its geometry

Locations of the Khadgamala deities

Cultivating Bhakti
Blessed are those to whom bhakti comes naturally !

Relate to Devi as the Mother - sense of surrender, “prasada buddhi”

Bhajans, devotional literature and poetry in any language

Sample Daily Ritual
Immediate after bath in the morning (or in the evening)

- Japa (min prescribed repetitions or time duration)

- Puja (can be done internally if needed)
- Start with 5, then 16
- Include Khadgamala stotram and/or Durga Suktam
- Some lines of LSN, look up meaning

In addition, during the day:

- Offer your freshly cooked food to Devi as naivedyam mentally

- Do your japa whenever you remember
More Examples
● Doing abhishekam & alankaram to the family vilakku, then doing puja afterwards
to the vilakku
● Kolam, puja, cooked neivediyam, parayanam, jappam. Parayanam can be anything
(LSN, suktams, rudram, or whatever applies to that day) depending on the day.. ie
if it is ekadasi we will do purusha, nila and narayana suktam
● Minimum japam of mantras given plus:
○ Chanting Lalitha Sahasranamam
○ Chanting Sri Suktam/Durga Suktam
○ Doing Shodasa-upachara puja to Devi
○ Shatchakra japam (Moola mantra)
○ Chanting Khadgamala and visualizing deities on Sri Chakra
○ SCP on full moon days
Explore next !
● Homa
● Tarpana - Ganapati
● Japa - Nyasa, Visualizations, Shat-Chakra Japa
● Simple pranayama
● Concepts of Yoga - Chakras, Nadis, Kundalini
● Worship of Nityakala devis - Khadgamala versions
● Chanting - Pancha suktams, Stotrams such as Soundaryalahari, Stotrams on Shiva
and your ishta devata, Dravida Vedam, Devi Mahatmyam
Explore next ! (cont’d)
● Yantra puja
○ Triveni Kalpam, Kalavahana → Sri Chakra Puja
○ Yantra pujas for Ganapati, Bala, Varahi, Shyama
● Specialized pujas
○ Shiva: Pradosha Puja, Shodashanga Raudrikaranam
● Dasha Mudras
● Sannidhi puja (at the temple)
● Sri Vidya philosophy
● Dasha maha vidyas

No sequence implied. Not everything is right for everyone - Guru has to guide. Some
require initiation into Panchadashi or other mantras. Also see Upasaka Dharmam.
Q&A