Deities of the Amrutapuri- Sri Ramanuja Yogavanam

People of the world who keep worshiping Sri Navagraha Varasiddhi Vinayakar are Blessed with all sorts of Iswaryas or Wealth; this is how he is praised in the above sloka.
               " Thiruvum, Kalviyum Seerumthazhaikavum
                Karunai Pookavum, Theemaiyai Kaakavum
                Paruvamai Namathullam Pazhukkavum
                Perukum Azhundu Pillaiyai Penuvom "

This is how he is described in “Vrudhachal Puranam”.  With the Grace of Sri Navagraha Varasiddhi Vinayaka Peruman, Sri Srinivasa Niketanam, Chennai-34 has come out with a photograph of his form which again is for the benefit and the good of all devotees. Let us also meditate on Sri Navagraha Varasiddhi Vinayaka Peruman who showers his Grace, that we may be Blessed with his Grace in full measure.  By worshiping the picture of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayakar in our pooja, and to get the Blessings of all Wealth, this is how he is extolled in Viveka Chinthamani.
                  Allalpom Valvinaipom
                  Annai Vaiyitrir Pirandha
                  Tholaipom Pogath
                  Thuyarampom ……..

                  Ganapathiyai Thozhuthakaal …….
May we worship this Vinayakar who is all powerful and May we be Blessed with this God’s Mercy and Grace.
We recite the Sloka “Suklam Baradaram” whenever we begin any new activity. But there is a mystery about this slokam. In this slokam there is no specific mention of the Lord Ganesa. His many names like Ganapathy, Ganesa, Vinayaka, Vigeneshwarar do not appear in this sloka. Again we do not find in this sloka “Suklam Baradaram” either his (Ganesa’s) many names or his names like Sivatmajan, Gowrisutan, which are names given to him to denote that he is the son of Siva and Gowri; nor do we find any names like Mooshika Vaganan, Paasa Hasthar, Modakapriyar which are names given to him to denote the vehicle on which he mounts, or his weapons, or the things or eatables that he is fond of; nor do we find any names like Gajamukar, Ekadhanthar, Lambodharar which are names given to him to describe his form; nor do we find any of the many names that have been given to him by way of recalling his many leelas ( divine play ).
The sloka goes like this:
                   " Suklam Baradaram Vishnum Sasivarnam Chaturbujam
                    Prasannavadanam Dhayet Sarva Vignopa Saanthaye "

“Suklam Barada” – One who wears a white clothe, both Saraswati and Easwara also wear white clothes. All males are known to wear only white clothes.  The Gods who are known to wear yellow and red color clothes are given distinctive names like Pitambaradhari, Rakthambaradhari, and these names denote only specific Gods who wear these colors.  In a similar fashion, “Suklam Bharadar” does not signify only “pillaiyar” or “Ganesa”.
Next, “Vishnum” is the name given here to denote the name of his maternal uncle (The God Vishnu). So much of closeness, both the Uncle, ( Lord Vishnu ) and the nephew ( Lord Ganesa) share or exhibit.  Vishnu means one who is all pervading. As Pillaiyar (Ganesa) is also present everywhere and all pervading and the reason why he is described as “Vishnum” in the sloka, it is a fact that at the very mention of the word “Vishnu”, we recall or remember only his maternal uncle who is “Vishnu”.“Sasivarnam”, one who has the color of the moon.“Charturbhuja” or one who has four hands.  Invariably, all Gods have four hands. For this reason, even here there is nothing distinctive that is said about this God (Ganesa).

“Prasannavadana” one who has a cheerful and fully blossomed face (Always Smiling). There are also deities like Kali, Veerabadhrar, Narasimhar who are “Ugra Moorthies” or who bear a terrible and fearful form.  The other Gods however are also known to have a cheerful face. We may then infer that this God Ganesa is much happier and cheerful faced when compared to the other Gods.
So there is no way to say that the first five words of the Sloka “Suklam Baradaram Vishnum Sasivarnam Chaturbhujam” denote only Vinayaka. Next “Dhyayet” means to meditate.

“Sarva Vigna Upasaanthaye”, this is where, although he is being praised, it is known that the sloka denotes Vinayaka as it happens to be his singular trait to remove and destroy all obstacles.
One who wants to complete or finish any activity that is begun, without any hitch or obstacles, needs to worship Vinayaka, as it is he who makes this possible. For this reason, before any activity is started, it is necessary to invoke the Blessings of this God, Vinayaka.
“Vishnu” which appears in this sloka denotes the relationship he has with the God Vishnu (Maternal Uncle), and we also come to know of this God (Vishnu’s) Greatness ( Kshetra Mahima (Greatness of the place) . It is said that a maternal uncle is equal to a father.  The very first commandment or instruction of Sri Madhuravalli Sametha Sri Srinivasa Peruman who has chosen to manifest himself in Sri Amrudhapuri Sri Ramanuja Yogavanam, is that a temple be constructed to “Sri Navagraha Vinayakar” who always showers his Blessings, and that this be done before the construction of the “temple belonging to the society or the society or community hall” or any other good activities or services that be undertaken.

Sri Kanchi Mahaperiava had also instructed that Navagraha Vinayaka be sculpted or done in a manner that all the Nava Grahas (Nine Planets) be clearly visible on his (Vinayaka’s) frame;  he had also said that the “Thirumeni” or the frame should be such that it is not found elsewhere. The “Thirumeni” or his frame was done at the instance and Grace of the Guru and the Lord which were both alike. The Lord had also ordained that the back side of Navagraha Vinayakar should be Sri Yoga Narasimha, borne by Sri Adisesha.
This not only demonstrates the unity of Saiva and Vaishnava but this is also a unique sculpture, not to be found elsewhere in the world. This sculpture which is in the form of  Yantra and the Gayathri Mantra of each one is not to be found anywhere; For people who have a Dharshan of this Sila Rupa, are said to be rid of all difficulties and they are Blessed with Happiness, a life free of care, mental peace, good health, all kinds of wealth; this is what the Lord has promised in his “Vakku” or “Divine Saying”.
By worshipping this Sri Navagraha Vinayaka who confers all good things, not only are  we Blessed with the power to complete all are activities without any obstacles, but we also get the benefit of having worshipped all the nine grahas who are embedded on his form along with the deities who rule them.  As this Vinayaka who is the embodiment of “Pranava”, (the syllable OM), has given a place to all these nine grahas on his own Divine Form, people who worship him are Blessed with the fruits of having visited all the places where all the nine grahas are worshipped.

For seven months, on the Sanakatachaturthi day (fourth day following the full moon day),  after doing a “Chandana Kappu” ( anointing the Lord with Sandal paste), and after adorning the Lord with a garland of “Arugampil” or “a kind of Grass with which this Lord is worshipped”, if this Lord is worshipped by observing vows, people who worship thus will definitely be Blessed with good progeny and this is a promise. Moreover, by worshipping the “Yoga Narasimha” and the “Adisesha” who bears him, we are also Blessed with ‘Gaja Kesari Yogam”.
        “Om Hrim Adithyaya Somaaya Mangalaya Bhudayacha
          Guru Sukra Sanibyascha Rahave Kethave Namaha “

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