Devaprasnam at Sabarimala - Copy of the Communication to Minister for Dewaswom

[Guest guest]

Devaprasnam at Sabarimala on 16th June 2006 - Untimely and Unscientific

Sir,

According to newspaper reports, another Devaprasnam is being conducted at Sabarimala on 16th of June 2006. I am aware of the limitations of a Minister in grasping intricacies of the customs and traditions in a temple and also of the scientific, Tantra and logical aspects involved with practices like Devaprasnam. Present submission as such seeks to clarify you certain aspects of Tantra and Jyotisha that makes the scheduled Devaprasnam by Sri Parappanangadi Unnikrishnan a mockery of Devaprasnam itself and also of the rationality of the devotees of Ayyappa and believers in Jyotisham. The following aspects may kindly be looked into –

I. Questions in respect of the decision to have Devaprasnam on 16.06.2006

(a) Whether the Tantri has conveyed in writing to the Devaswom Board, the need for a new Devaprasnam? What are the grounds or reasons quoted to have a Devaprasnam now?

(b) Who took the decision or gave final approval to have the Devaprasnam?

© Who decided to have Sri Parappanangadi Unnikrishnan as the Chief astrologer? Tantri, Devaswom Board or the sponsor from Chennai M/s TVS?

II. On the Merits of the decision

(a) We need to have a look at the periodicity with which Devaprasnam can be held at a temple. Can it be a day-to-day or monthly or annual affair? What do the treatises or well known traditions in Tantra and Jyotisha speak?

(b) As is well known, unless special circumstances demanded, Devaprasna is conducted only once in a cycle of Jupiter (Vyazhavattom – 12 years). Before taking the decision to have another Devaprasnam, the Tantri is supposed to review the implementation of the recommendations made in the previous Devaprasnam with due analysis of the various aspects of the temple rituals and worship vis-à-vis conduct of the people associated with the temple to understand the cause of any inauspicious happenings. A new Devaprasna can be decided within a period of 12 years only if –

© All measures suggested in the previous Devaprasna have been undertaken to the satisfaction of the Tantri.

(d) Omissions found in the previous Devaprasna or similar ones have not been allowed to creep again.

(e) Efforts of the Tantri have failed and due to some unknown reasons, there have been a spate of mysterious inauspicious happenings.

(f) Any suggestion from the Tantri to have a new Devaprasnam as such is to accompany a detailed discussion with relevant documents of the previous Devaprasnam to establish the need for a new Devaprasnam. Dewaswom authorities also need to be vigilant about the rational grounds under which a new Devaprasnam is demanded.

(g) Scrutiny at various levels is necessary to ensure that the persons concerned adheres to the canons of Tantra and Jyotisha as well as well known traditions of practice and arbitrariness is avoided. Sponsors like TVS or one or two authorities like the Tantri and concerned Devswom authority should not be allowed to hijack the scientific process as enshrined in the Sastras to the detriment of the deity, devotees and the Public in general.

III. Procedure and Documentation Required of Devaprasna

Devaprasnam is a topic involving the interests of the millions of devotees and thus there is the need for transparency at all levels of its progress – decision, conducting the same as per due procedure and recommendations preceded by appropriate discussions in relations to –

(a) Reasons that led to the decision to hold a Devaprasna

(b) Decision on the team of astrologers (Mukhya_Daivajnan (astrologer) and the associates) with due details as to their qualifications, experience and other credentials to undertake the job. Some VIP association and manipulated news highlights or sponsoring of some business house should not be the criteria.

© Devaprasnam begins with `Prccha' – when the `messenger' of the Tantri/TDB reaches the Mukhya_Daivajnan who is supposed to note down the `cheshta' of the messenger `omens' of the time and his own bodily conditions as well as state of the Prana before fixing the date of the Prasna at Sannidhi. All the above are essential factors that have a role in the interpretation of the Prasna later to diagnose the ills and in suggesting the remedies.

(d) At Sannidhi the steps involved are – (i) Before sitting at the Prasna proper, a record of the `omens' at the time of starting of the journey and the `omens' witnessed on the way need to be recorded for appropriate discussions at the time of Prasna. (ii) Prasna too with different `Arudhas' and `Sutras' along with `Deepa-lakshanam' have to be taken on record along with the nimittas and cheshtas of the various karmis and the public present on the spot.(iii) Above all the main Prasna session has to be conducted in presence of well known and unbiased authorities on the topic to avoid manipulations of the diagnosis and recommendations in favor of the Tantri, Devaswom authorities and others associated with the temple.

(e) All factors as mentioned above must be taken on record by the temple administrator and also must be made public so that the authorities concerned and the devotees may remain watchful of the implementation of the recommendations like `pariharakriyas' and may also follow any suggestions regarding the conduct of the devotees during their darsan. It may also help other scholars to have a look at the process and the discussions and can lead to suggestions on which the Tantri can have his view and may be taken on record for future reference in deciding a team of astrologers.

(f) Devotees and staff members at the Sannidhanam shall sincerely adhere to the findings and suggestions of the astrologers only if the Devaprasnam is conducted beyond doubt with utmost transparency. Any feeling that the diagnosis or the identification of the causes have been biased – that the astrologer had parroted those having vested interest with the temple shall fail the purpose and may lead to contempt for the devotees at both the temple authorities, Dewaswom and the astrologer as well as Jyotisham.

(g) Expenses involved in Devaprasnam and that of implementing the recommendations must also be published.

(h) Also steps may be taken to have an annual report published by Dewaswom in respect of various temples under its management which details the mishaps happenings, remedies undertaken, irregularities pointed out by the devotees and action taken by the Tantri and the Dewaswom authorities. With most of the temples people have no idea as to who is the Melsanthi, his juniors and the Tantri and who should be approached in case if any complaint has to be made. It is therefore desirable that a Notice Board having the names & addresses of such authorities may be kept in the premises so that any shortcomings in temple practices can be brought to attention.

IV. Some interesting cases of recent past

In respect of Devaprasnam it may be interesting to note that at Vadakkunnathan Temple also another untimely Devaprasnam is coming up. Sri Parappanangadi Unnikrishna Panicker (who is said to be sponsored by TVS under some Tamil Nadu connection) had had undertaken the Devaprasnam there last year. It is widely known at Trichur that on the first day of the Prasna_vichara Sri Panicker had declared the deity Vadkkunnathan to be extremely peace loving and the fireworks is undesirable at the place. Later on Sri Panicker had changed his version to install the `Vettakkaran' and the result was another mishap and loss of life at Trichur.

At Guruvayur Sri Unnikrishna Panicker had observed after the Devaprasna that within a year the lost ornament (chain) shall be recovered. But till date nothing has happened.

Such precedence of well known failures and dilution of observations to favor people who have made temples into their realms of businesses casts a number of question marks on the credibility of the Devaprasnam that is due at Sabarimala-Sannidhi on 16th June 2006.

 

V. Sri Panicker himself gives evidence for his incompetence by fixing 16th June for Prasna

Sri Panicker's poor perceptions and background to undertake the divine task of Sabarimala is evident in his fixing of the date of Devaprasna as 16th June 2006. Making a glance at the above date and the planetary configurations:

(a) Subha-asubha vichintanam in a Devaprasnam is meaningful only if the date's planetary placements have the scope to indicate both good and bad conditions.

(b) If a date fixed is exclusively of bad portents, then how a deity can speak freely vide the rasis, and arudhas? Prasns shall be obviously hijacked by those having vested interests to derive money minting remedies (Pariharakriyas) and the wrath of the deity shall have to be borne by the devotees.

© On 16th June fixed by Sri Parappangadi Unnikrishna Panicker – (i) Mars (Kuja) is approaching Saturn (Sani) and is to enter within one degree arc of His arch enemy. This is one of the most baneful planetary combination. (ii) Further the above combination is joined by mrtyukaraka Gulika adding fuel to the fire. (iii) Such disastrous combination is taking place in the 7th from Moon (Chandra) in the sign Kataka. (iv) Auspicious planets Jupiter & Venus (Guru and Sukra) are involved in Asubha yoga aspect of mutual aspect in Kendra from the above.

(d) Not a single rasi or Arudha can rise with auspicious indications and so the result of the Devaprasna shall be a number of money minting `parihara_kriyas' at the cost of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

(e) Guru the main indicator of `Devanukulyam' or the blessings of the deity is `Vakra' (cheshta) and under the aspect of malefic Kuja who is ramming into Sani.

 

VI. Conclusions

It is evident from the above that the Devaprasnam that is to be carried out at Sabarimala on 16th June 2006 is poorly perceived and erratically undertaken programme. In no way it is going to promote the welfare of the deity or the devotees and is exclusively designed to fool the Devotees and sincere Devaswam authorities.

There is need for urgent action to see that the Tantri and the astrologers and Devaswom authorities involved in the process duly adhere to the canons prescribed in Tantra and Jyotisha while deciding on a Devaprasnam and in carrying out the same. To ensure transparency and unbiased proceedings it is suggested that -

(a) This is a fit case for the Minister to interfere and seek an explanation from the President of the Dewaswom Board on the procedure followed in deciding the Dewaprasnam with due reference to the above factors mentioned under headings I to V.

(b) In case the Dewaprasnam cannot be cancelled or postponed, a team of observers may be send to Sannidhi to observe the proceedings.

© Instructions may be given to have all details on record – factors on which recommendations are based must be obtained in writing.

(d) A video coverage of the proceedings may be obtained so that the views of a selected panel of qualified astrologers may be obtained afterwards.

(e) For any clarifications in respect of this submission, the undersigned may be contacted on mobile 09426032858. Address for communication is –

K. Chandra Hari

Kizhakkekkoottu House

Kadapra (PO)

Kumbanad-689547

Kerala.

 

chandra_hari18

[Guest guest]

Sri Chandrahari --

 

As per what I have seen in the newspapers these days..looks like

Kannada actress Smt. Jayamala has touched Lord Ayyappa's feet a few

years before and she sent a fax stating the same to the Temple. The

temple after receiving the fax have done the Devaprasnam and Sri

Unnikrishnan said " that the diety has been touched by a woman and

some elaborate rituals need to be done " .

 

Sri Unnikrishnan and temple claim they dont know about the fax,

while Smt. Jayamala claims she sent the fax even before the

devaprasnam.

 

Seeing your mail, I can trust Smt Jayamala.

 

regards

rAm

 

, " K Chandra Hari "

<chandrahari81 wrote:

>

>

> Devaprasnam at Sabarimala on 16th June 2006 - Untimely and

> Unscientific

>

> Sir,

>

> According to newspaper reports, another Devaprasnam is being

conducted

> at Sabarimala on 16th of June 2006. I am aware of the limitations

of a

> Minister in grasping intricacies of the customs and traditions in a

> temple and also of the scientific, Tantra and logical aspects

involved

> with practices like Devaprasnam. Present submission as such seeks

to

> clarify you certain aspects of Tantra and Jyotisha that makes the

> scheduled Devaprasnam by Sri Parappanangadi Unnikrishnan a mockery

of

> Devaprasnam itself and also of the rationality of the devotees of

> Ayyappa and believers in Jyotisham. The following aspects may

kindly be

> looked into –

>

> I. Questions in respect of the decision to have

Devaprasnam

> on 16.06.2006

>

> (a) Whether the Tantri has conveyed in writing to the Devaswom

Board,

> the need for a new Devaprasnam? What are the grounds or reasons

quoted

> to have a Devaprasnam now?

>

> (b) Who took the decision or gave final approval to have the

> Devaprasnam?

>

> © Who decided to have Sri Parappanangadi Unnikrishnan as the

Chief

> astrologer? Tantri, Devaswom Board or the sponsor from Chennai M/s

TVS?

>

> II. On the Merits of the decision

>

> (a) We need to have a look at the periodicity with which

Devaprasnam

> can be held at a temple. Can it be a day-to-day or monthly or

annual

> affair? What do the treatises or well known traditions in Tantra

and

> Jyotisha speak?

>

> (b) As is well known, unless special circumstances demanded,

Devaprasna

> is conducted only once in a cycle of Jupiter (Vyazhavattom – 12

> years). Before taking the decision to have another Devaprasnam, the

> Tantri is supposed to review the implementation of the

recommendations

> made in the previous Devaprasnam with due analysis of the various

> aspects of the temple rituals and worship vis-à-vis conduct of the

> people associated with the temple to understand the cause of any

> inauspicious happenings. A new Devaprasna can be decided within a

period

> of 12 years only if –

>

> © All measures suggested in the previous Devaprasna have been

> undertaken to the satisfaction of the Tantri.

>

> (d) Omissions found in the previous Devaprasna or similar ones

have not

> been allowed to creep again.

>

> (e) Efforts of the Tantri have failed and due to some unknown

reasons,

> there have been a spate of mysterious inauspicious happenings.

>

> (f) Any suggestion from the Tantri to have a new Devaprasnam as

such

> is to accompany a detailed discussion with relevant documents of

the

> previous Devaprasnam to establish the need for a new Devaprasnam.

> Dewaswom authorities also need to be vigilant about the rational

grounds

> under which a new Devaprasnam is demanded.

>

> (g) Scrutiny at various levels is necessary to ensure that the

persons

> concerned adheres to the canons of Tantra and Jyotisha as well as

well

> known traditions of practice and arbitrariness is avoided.

Sponsors like

> TVS or one or two authorities like the Tantri and concerned Devswom

> authority should not be allowed to hijack the scientific process as

> enshrined in the Sastras to the detriment of the deity, devotees

and the

> Public in general.

>

> III. Procedure and Documentation Required of Devaprasna

>

> Devaprasnam is a topic involving the interests of the millions of

> devotees and thus there is the need for transparency at all levels

of

> its progress – decision, conducting the same as per due procedure

> and recommendations preceded by appropriate discussions in

relations to

> –

>

> (a) Reasons that led to the decision to hold a Devaprasna

>

> (b) Decision on the team of astrologers (Mukhya_Daivajnan

(astrologer)

> and the associates) with due details as to their qualifications,

> experience and other credentials to undertake the job. Some VIP

> association and manipulated news highlights or sponsoring of some

> business house should not be the criteria.

>

> © Devaprasnam begins with `Prccha' – when the

> `messenger' of the Tantri/TDB reaches the Mukhya_Daivajnan who

> is supposed to note down the `cheshta' of the messenger

> `omens' of the time and his own bodily conditions as well as

> state of the Prana before fixing the date of the Prasna at

Sannidhi. All

> the above are essential factors that have a role in the

interpretation

> of the Prasna later to diagnose the ills and in suggesting the

remedies.

>

> (d) At Sannidhi the steps involved are – (i) Before sitting at

the

> Prasna proper, a record of the `omens' at the time of starting

> of the journey and the `omens' witnessed on the way need to be

> recorded for appropriate discussions at the time of Prasna. (ii)

Prasna

> too with different `Arudhas' and `Sutras' along with

> `Deepa-lakshanam' have to be taken on record along with the

> nimittas and cheshtas of the various karmis and the public present

on

> the spot.(iii) Above all the main Prasna session has to be

conducted in

> presence of well known and unbiased authorities on the topic to

avoid

> manipulations of the diagnosis and recommendations in favor of the

> Tantri, Devaswom authorities and others associated with the temple.

>

> (e) All factors as mentioned above must be taken on record by the

> temple administrator and also must be made public so that the

> authorities concerned and the devotees may remain watchful of the

> implementation of the recommendations like `pariharakriyas' and

> may also follow any suggestions regarding the conduct of the

devotees

> during their darsan. It may also help other scholars to have a

look at

> the process and the discussions and can lead to suggestions on

which the

> Tantri can have his view and may be taken on record for future

reference

> in deciding a team of astrologers.

>

> (f) Devotees and staff members at the Sannidhanam shall sincerely

> adhere to the findings and suggestions of the astrologers only if

the

> Devaprasnam is conducted beyond doubt with utmost transparency. Any

> feeling that the diagnosis or the identification of the causes

have been

> biased – that the astrologer had parroted those having vested

> interest with the temple shall fail the purpose and may lead to

contempt

> for the devotees at both the temple authorities, Dewaswom and the

> astrologer as well as Jyotisham.

>

> (g) Expenses involved in Devaprasnam and that of implementing the

> recommendations must also be published.

>

> (h) Also steps may be taken to have an annual report published by

> Dewaswom in respect of various temples under its management which

> details the mishaps happenings, remedies undertaken, irregularities

> pointed out by the devotees and action taken by the Tantri and the

> Dewaswom authorities. With most of the temples people have no idea

as to

> who is the Melsanthi, his juniors and the Tantri and who should be

> approached in case if any complaint has to be made. It is therefore

> desirable that a Notice Board having the names & addresses of such

> authorities may be kept in the premises so that any shortcomings in

> temple practices can be brought to attention.

>

> IV. Some interesting cases of recent past

>

> In respect of Devaprasnam it may be interesting to note that at

> Vadakkunnathan Temple also another untimely Devaprasnam is coming

up.

> Sri Parappanangadi Unnikrishna Panicker (who is said to be

sponsored by

> TVS under some Tamil Nadu connection) had had undertaken the

Devaprasnam

> there last year. It is widely known at Trichur that on the first

day of

> the Prasna_vichara Sri Panicker had declared the deity

Vadkkunnathan to

> be extremely peace loving and the fireworks is undesirable at the

place.

> Later on Sri Panicker had changed his version to install the

> `Vettakkaran' and the result was another mishap and loss of life

> at Trichur.

>

> At Guruvayur Sri Unnikrishna Panicker had observed after the

Devaprasna

> that within a year the lost ornament (chain) shall be recovered.

But

> till date nothing has happened.

>

> Such precedence of well known failures and dilution of

observations to

> favor people who have made temples into their realms of businesses

casts

> a number of question marks on the credibility of the Devaprasnam

that is

> due at Sabarimala-Sannidhi on 16th June 2006.

>

>

>

> V. Sri Panicker himself gives evidence for his

incompetence

> by fixing 16th June for Prasna

>

> Sri Panicker's poor perceptions and background to undertake the

> divine task of Sabarimala is evident in his fixing of the date of

> Devaprasna as 16th June 2006. Making a glance at the above date

and the

> planetary configurations:

>

> (a) Subha-asubha vichintanam in a Devaprasnam is meaningful only

if

> the date's planetary placements have the scope to indicate both

good

> and bad conditions.

>

> (b) If a date fixed is exclusively of bad portents, then how a

deity

> can speak freely vide the rasis, and arudhas? Prasns shall be

obviously

> hijacked by those having vested interests to derive money minting

> remedies (Pariharakriyas) and the wrath of the deity shall have to

be

> borne by the devotees.

>

> © On 16th June fixed by Sri Parappangadi Unnikrishna Panicker –

> (i) Mars (Kuja) is approaching Saturn (Sani) and is to enter

within one

> degree arc of His arch enemy. This is one of the most baneful

planetary

> combination. (ii) Further the above combination is joined by

mrtyukaraka

> Gulika adding fuel to the fire. (iii) Such disastrous combination

is

> taking place in the 7th from Moon (Chandra) in the sign Kataka.

(iv)

> Auspicious planets Jupiter & Venus (Guru and Sukra) are involved in

> Asubha yoga aspect of mutual aspect in Kendra from the above.

>

> (d) Not a single rasi or Arudha can rise with auspicious

indications

> and so the result of the Devaprasna shall be a number of money

minting

> `parihara_kriyas' at the cost of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

>

> (e) Guru the main indicator of `Devanukulyam' or the blessings

> of the deity is `Vakra' (cheshta) and under the aspect of

> malefic Kuja who is ramming into Sani.

>

>

>

> VI. Conclusions

>

> It is evident from the above that the Devaprasnam that is to be

carried

> out at Sabarimala on 16th June 2006 is poorly perceived and

erratically

> undertaken programme. In no way it is going to promote the welfare

of

> the deity or the devotees and is exclusively designed to fool the

> Devotees and sincere Devaswam authorities.

>

> There is need for urgent action to see that the Tantri and the

> astrologers and Devaswom authorities involved in the process duly

adhere

> to the canons prescribed in Tantra and Jyotisha while deciding on a

> Devaprasnam and in carrying out the same. To ensure transparency

and

> unbiased proceedings it is suggested that -

>

> (a) This is a fit case for the Minister to interfere and seek an

> explanation from the President of the Dewaswom Board on the

procedure

> followed in deciding the Dewaprasnam with due reference to the

above

> factors mentioned under headings I to V.

>

> (b) In case the Dewaprasnam cannot be cancelled or postponed, a

team of

> observers may be send to Sannidhi to observe the proceedings.

>

> © Instructions may be given to have all details on record –

> factors on which recommendations are based must be obtained in

writing.

>

> (d) A video coverage of the proceedings may be obtained so that

the

> views of a selected panel of qualified astrologers may be obtained

> afterwards.

>

> (e) For any clarifications in respect of this submission, the

> undersigned may be contacted on mobile 09426032858. Address for

> communication is –

>

> K. Chandra Hari

>

> Kizhakkekkoottu House

>

> Kadapra (PO)

>

> Kumbanad-689547

>

> Kerala.

>

>

>

> chandra_hari18

>