Kandiyoor Mahadeva Shastrigal-reply to Nayan Pradeep ji

November 2, 2005

Dear Nayan Pradeep Chetta,

Kandiyoor Mahadeva Shastrigal followed the Parasurama tradition of Srividya worship.He was a great Srividya adept.

He was named after the Kandiyoor Mahadeva of the temple near to the temple Jagadambika of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu(which is among the five Ambalayams).

Parasurama style has many local mores involved in the worship pattern commonly known as Keralachara form of worship.Unfortunately many Keralites are becoming "modern'' and "educated" and disdain such beautiful forms of worship(especially with the communist milue existent in Kerala) hence many of the worship patterns have stopped in Kerala.

Apart from the Kudathetti(kuda means basket in Malayalam) flowers dipped in Coconut Kallu

Jagadambika of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu, is among the five Ambalayams.

(1000 vilakku puja)

Thrimadhuram, Cherupayasam, Malar(not to be confused with flower but corn rice),Kootupayasam,paalpayasam,kadimadhura payasam,Neiaappam,Neiaappam,Kumkumaarchana,Rakhapushpaanjali(red flowers),Neeramala and vilakku are offered. It is a rather elaborate affair in which the goddess is pleased immensely as these offerings when done with intense devotion bespeaks of the respect you have for Goddess Rajarajeshwari Tripurasundari Devi.That is why keralachaara lays great emphasis on naivedya modalities.

Now coming to your question:

Why are the viens removed from the Thetti flowers?

Viens represent the Naadis of the human body. When the worship begins the deity is invoked and the vibrations pass on to the flowers.Each red flower represents substantially the Avarana of the srichakra and hence the deity unlike other worship modalities exerts subtle influence on all articles of the srividya avarana puja if done properly. When the viens are removed it represents that the naadis which represent the mundane longings in the avarana(for even the nerves tie a person to the earthly plane) of the worshipper who then merges with the deity deep inside the heart lotus region pedestal(not to be confused with anahata chakra). This then makes the worship complete for the deity to come and sit in the flower.The ritual bears great significance because the mantras are chanted inside the mind(not vaaikhari mode) and thus the meaning is imparted to this otherwise seemingly fruitless exercise.

As they say in Malayalam

"Oru murrikku rendu jannalgal undu"(there are two windows for one room)..in other words two stories for the same fact...

The other "window"( lore) is that the Thetti flowers are under a curse from Jagadamba and hence the viens are removed for their arrogance. I do not know whether this can be accepted though I respect the sentiments of the localites in the Malayalapuzha region for this.Jaya Malayalapuzhathamma! Jaya Bhadrakaali!

Also there is a "third window"(moondraam jannal) to this and that is the viens represent the flower's nerves and hence they will influence the worship modalities by effecting subtle down vibrations of the plant instead of the devotee who is to vibe with the Goddess.Srividya practioners are so fastidious that they take into account many things(including the vibrations of "inanimate things" as everything possesses the 'chaitanya'(consciousness) of Devi Sree Rajarajeshwari)

Incidentally I might add that coconut kallu is representative of the amrita inherent in the human brain(it is an etheric component and takes shape physically after intense sadhana).Coconut spiritually represents human head and the kallu is thus the amrita. The flowers being dipped represent symbolically the words " Sridevi (amukam) sri paadukaam amritam Tarpayaami"

These are facts which are not known to all(not even Srividya adepts know this as I usually ask thousand questions before I venture for anything) I do not broach on such topics on my own accord but since you have been so observant and have placed this question I thought that Devi was testing me hence the reply.I do not know whether anyone will elaborate on such small question in such great detail but I always encourage questions and getting to know things if they are sincere. As one will be "stupid" only till he/she asks the "stupid" question...once he/she knows the answer he will no more be "stupid".

Hope this satisfies you Nayan Pradeep ji.

Finally I may add that

You have to place the flower of your Bhakthi in the amrita of sincerity and place before the saffron lotus feet of Rajarajeshwari Bhagavathy! 'Pujaikku Atiru Illaa'(Meaning, there is no limit for worship as they put in Malayalam)

Ende' Naadu Keralatthil ulla Chottanikara Rajarajeshwari Bhagavathyin Hridayam!

Ende' Hridayam Ende' Ammae Paadangalil!

Ammae' Bhagavathy!!

Coconuts and flowers!!