21st NAVA CHANDI HOMAM, THIRUVALLUR – A Report
Nava Chandi Homam was conducted on 10th June 2011, at “ Meenakshi Illam”, Tiruvallur . The homam was conducted for lokakshemam ( for peace and prosperity) of all in the true spirit of “ loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu”. The homam was conducted by Dr. Sri Lakshmiji strictly in accordance to the Vedic precepts and the direction shown by the Guru Parampara.Nava Chandi Homam is conducted to remove obstacles and towards peace, prosperity, health and the overall well being of both individuals and the people in general.
The Homam began at 3.00 pm with Ganapathi Pooja and Maha sankalpam. Sri Lakshmiji made the mahasankalpam for all the people present for the sake of global well being. The Ganapathi pooja was followed by the mandapa pooja. The mandapa pooja involved placing of 77 kalasams around the mandapa. Each kalasa represents the 77 parivara devatas of Goddess Chandika and each of these devatas were invoked into these kalasas. All the kalasas contains holy water with various herbs and other ingredients. After the stamba pooja that was performed after mandapa pooja Goddess Chandika was invoked into the main kalasa which was surrounded by the Ashta Bhairavas. Subsequently Ganapathi was also invoked followed by the invocation of the nine planets into nine other kalasas that surrounded the main kalasa of Goddess Chandika.All these were done while the dhyana mantras and Vedic invocations were chanted for the various deities by Vedic pundits.
The most significant portion of the preamble to the Chandi Homam was the Agni Mathanam.The Agni (fire) for the Homam was ignited by churning of peepal wooden stick in a cup made out of peepal wood. This is the most natural way igniting fire and was practiced during the Vedic age. Subsequently, Ganapathy homam was conducted followed by the navagraha homam.
This was followed by the Navavarana yantra pooja and Navavarana Homam. Navavarana means 9 (Nava) corners or points (aavarana) that around the Divine Mother Goddess who is at the centre (of the cosmos or Brahmanda.The hidden meaning of this Navavarana pooja is that it aids in transformation of one’s own character and this is what is important to the ritual. You start with your present situation, whatever that is; whatever fears , lusts, greed, possessiveness, hunger for power, and all kinds of limitations, whatever your feelings of separation imply. It is from this starting point you have to move, to shed your inhibitions one by one and learn what it means to have successful relation with the world.
In fact Devi Mahatmyam which has 700 verses itself deals with these tendencies that every human being has. In the Devi Mahatmyam, in the first part there is only one chapter, the second part has three chapters and the third part has nine chapters, where you have to dance your way through life with happiness and pleasure. For that you have to overcome obstructions to your progress. You will find a great battle being waged against all the demons and how the Devis overcome them one by one. These demons are no one from outside but our own tendencies like anger, desire, lust, selfishness, quest for power, unhealthy competition, etc. The performance of Chandi Homam attacks these tendencies through the chanting of very powerful mantras in the correct and prescribed manner. The vibrations that these mantras generate transform the environment around and create the necessary strength and the will to overcome negative tendencies.
After the Navavarana pooja the Chandi Homam was performed with offerings while chanting all the verses from the Devi Mahatmyam by the learned pundits. The presiding deity of each chapter in Devi Mahatmyam was invoked and the offering for the deity was made into the sacrificial fire. Ahuti was made with sweet Pongal and Ksheerannam (rice mixed with milk). The ingredients in each of the offerings, for all the deities, were according to the directions received by Sri Lakshmiji from the Guru Parampara. One can call this Chandi Homam as not only following the Vedic precepts but most importantly, is as per the directions of the Divine Mother.
Before the Maha Poornahuti , Suvasini Pooja was conducted. The important aspect of this pooja is that it was conducted to a suvasini ( married lady who is considered propitious). This suvasini pooja is significant as the suvasini is considered as Goddess Chandi herself and therefore worshipping her amounts to worshipping the Goddess herself. The Lalitha Sahasranamam gives sanction to this by specifically extolling the Goddess Lalitha as “ she who is worshipped as Suvasini ….”. “ Suvasasinyarchana preetha , shobana shuddha maanasa ‘ ( verse 178). This was followed by kanya pooja , Vaduka Bhairava Pooja, Ashta Dikbala Bali, Bhairava Bali, Maha Yogini Pooja, Maha Poornahuti, Maha Naivedya, Shodasa Upachara, Sri Chandika Parameshwari Abhishekam with Holy Kalasa Water.
This holy Kalasa water was sprinkled as a blessing on one and all present. The devotees were keen to receive the holy water from Sri Lakshmiji. She distributed it to all those who were present as teertham. This holy kalasa water contains some rare and important herbs and ingredients which have the character to absorb the vibrations of the mantras and the vibrations enter the body and cleanse it pure. All those who were present on this grand and propitious occasion are truly blessed and may Goddess Chandi shower them with health, wealth and prosperity and fulfil all their rightful desires and make this world peaceful and happy.