Mar

201840/-

Intense Reflection and Focus on

BRAHMAN

DETOXIFICATION

Devi as

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Goddess Sharada is the incarnation of Devi in the form of Sarasvati.

The Sharada temple, dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati, is in the holy town of Sringeri in Karnataka.

Sharadamba of Sringeri is Guru rupini--she is of the form of the Guru. Through the person of the Jagadguru, she dispenses her grace.

Representing the saguna form of the Supreme Absolute, she is the great Matrix of the universe displaying in her hands the symbol of the jar full of nectar of immortality, a book signifying supreme knowledge, a rosary of beads signifying the subtle aksharas or bijas from which the gross forms of the universe emanate, and the Chinmudra standing for the awareness of the identity of the Jiva with Brahman.

Sharada is the light of all Upanishadic knowledge and as such is Brahmavidya. She is seated on the Sri Yantra. Sankara addresses the Devi as Chidananda Lahari (a wave of consciousness

and bliss). In Sharada the emphasis is on the chit aspect, while in Lalita Raja Rajesvari who is not different from Sharada, it is on the ananda aspect.

The figure and the conception of Sri Sharada are quite characteristic of the philosophical teachings of Sankara. Godhead conceived as Absolute Truth transcends the idea of any kind of limitation. She transcends the three qualified conceptions, known as Trimurtis, and their corresponding saktis known as Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Isvari. She encompasses all these.

This accounts for the fact that Sharada reigns alone in the temple at Sringeri. She is also called Sharada Paramesvari and puja to her is done reciting the Lalita Sahasranama.

Season of Freshness The word Sharada also means

one who belongs to the season of Sharad ritu (autumn). Rg Veda mentions three ritu-s, Varsha, Gri-shma and Sharad. Later, the year was further divided, and three more ritus were added. Kalidasa

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March, 2018

The divine mother signifies deep learning, knowledge and wisdom as well as the brightness of the

full moon in sharad (autumn) season.

Symbol of SpeechSharada is also the goddess of

speech (vaak), and fine arts. Sharad ritu personifies the glowing serenity and compassion of the divine mother. The ten days following the New Moon in the month of Asvina in this season are celebrated as Navaratri (Sharan- navaratri), especially celebrating the gift of speech given by the mother by display of learning, performance

of music and dance. Devi as Sharada is the power that nurtures every form of knowledge and fine arts.

It was under the full moon of Sharad ritu, amidst the mango and Kadamba groves along the banks of

the Yamuna, that Krishna's flute enraptured the hearts of Gopis. Devotees throng the Vraja bhumi on the full moon day of the month (Sharad Purnima) to re-enact Rasa Leela as a tribute to the divine love of Krishna and the Gopis.

Soundarya-lahari calls Devi Sharat-chandra vadana and Sharad chandrika dhavala prakasam (with a face bright like the moon in Sharad ritu.

It was under the full moon

of Sharad ritu, amidst the

mango and Kadamba groves

along the banks of the

Yamuna, that Krishna's flute

enraptured the hearts of

Gopis.

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celebrates the six seasons in his poem, Ritu Samhara.

Taittireya Brahmana personifies all the seasons as a bird and calls it samvatsara (the year). This bird has head (Vasanta), left wing (Grishma), right wing (Sharad); tail (Varsha), and middle part (Hemanta).

Each season extends for two months according to Vedic calendar. Vasanta (Madhu and Madhava) stands for sweetness of spring; Grishma (Sukra and Suchi) denotes powerful, the purifying heat of summer; Varsha (Nabha and Nabhasya) represent cloudy sky, rains; Sharad (Urya and Isa) stand for fertility, the power of autumn; Hemanta is the beginning of the cold season, and Sisira is for winter when nature is in suspended animation.

Sharad ritu follows the monsoons, when nature is freshly washed by rainwater. Sharada is effulgent as the bright full moon of autumn as she causes the crops of corn, grain and fruit to ripen during autumn.

March, 2018

Sarasvati Avahana Veena Sharada Alankara

O, Giver of boons, holding the Veena! Brahma’s Consort! Sharada Devi!Mother of the world! Always remain in the pink lotus of my heart.

H. H. Sri Sacchidananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati

Sharad Ritu is therefore the season of Devi. Sharad is the mellowness and fulfillment of life before it slides into its night. Sharad is a season of moderation, the season of the middle path. Our seers visualised that life is worth living when it has a sense of maturity and balance. Vedic chants at weddings symbolise this aspect. The Vedic mantra

March, 2018

Lalita Ramakrishna

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recited when a young person on the threshold of life greets his beloved at the time of wedding, Jivemah sharadah satam, Pashyema sharadah satam. May we live a hundred Sharad ritus, may we see a hundred Sharad ritus.

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