36 - The Inner Chamber of Chintamani

VV.1-32 of this chapter state the position or distribution of places to various deities in Lalita's paraphernalia. The'following are their location: 

(1) South-East-chid-vahni: Fed with nectar. 

The Priestess and the Priest-Lalita and her consort (vv.1-15)

(2) South-west in the Lotus-grove--chariot Chakraraja (vv.6-10)

            (3) North-west of the mansion-Geya Chakra-ratha.

(4) North-East-Kiri-Chakra of Danda-nátha (vv.11-13)

(5) Palaces of Vişhnu, Ganapati etc. arc detailed in vv.14- 32. 

The break-up of Topics and their consistent inclusion under specific chapters is not properly followed in this edition. Hence the distribution of the places of residence and their chakras are half-done here and the same topic continua in chapter 37. 

Hayagriva Said: 

1. (Defective Text) To the South-east of Chintámaņi mansion is Kundamånaka. It is a Yojana long, wide and high (with moat a Yojana broad around.) * 

*If the reading Khataka (N) for Chataka be accepted. 

2. At the bidding of Lalita, a sacred Chidvahni (fire of Chit i.e., knowledge and consciousness) blazes there. It is honoured and adored by hundreds of nectarine currents. It is the cause of the greatest prosperity. 

3. Without fuel, the fire of consciousness blazes with great flames. It is kindled by means of Sudha (Nectar). It has the lustre of tender shoots of Kankoli— (a plant with aromatic berries.) 

4. There the Hotri (female priest) is the great goddess and the great Hotru (male priest) is Kameśhvara. Both of them, the permanent Hotrs, protect the entire Universe. 

5. Lalită functions without anyone superior to herself and without depending on anyone else. Urged by Lalită and Shankara, Kama functions. 

6-11a. To the South-West of the prominent mansion of Chintamani, in the lotus-grove, stands the excellent chariot Chakraraja. It is very high. It has nine steps. It is set and beautified by all kinds of gems and jewels. Its length and breadth are four Yojanas each and its height is ten Yojanas. As we go up, its area becomes gradually reduced. The pole to which the horses are yoked is very thick and sparkling. The four Vedas are its great wheels. The four aims in life Virtue (Dharma), Wealth (Artha), Love (Kama), and Liberation (Moksha) are its great horses. It is adorned with chowries (in the form of serving (functioning) Tattvas (Principles). It is endowed with all characteristic features mentioned before. It is rendered splendid by the pearl-studded umbrella. In the course of the great battle with Bhandasura, it had displayed its adventurous exploits. Thus, the excellent chariot stands there sanctified by Shridevi's seat. 

11b-13. To the north-west of the mansion of Chintamani, in the lotus-grove itself at the border, is parked the leading chariot of Mantriņi, namely Geyachakra. 

To the north-east of the mansion of Chintamani, in the lotus-grove itself, stands the great chariot Kirichakra, the favourite chariot of Daņdanåthå. It should be known that like deities presiding over different parts of the body, these three chariots are on an equal footing in the whole of the sacred places of the series of Shripuras. 

14. There is an ever-blazing sacred fire-pit in the South-East. If penance is performed here, it is as efficacious as the penance with the Gayatri Mantra. It bestows freedom from fear. 

15-16. Behind that are the sun (named) Ghruņi, the temple of Omkara, the deity Turiyagayatri (Fourth Gayatri) and Chakşhuşhmati, O Sage 

Then the king of Gandharvas, Parişhadrudra (Rudra of the Assembly) and goddess Târâmbikā are stationed behind. 

17. Lord Hari, expressible in the great Mantra of the three names, has resorted to the South-Eastern part of the leading mansion of Chintåmaņi. 

18. Mahāganapati resorts to his abode to the North of it. Still further north is Shiva who is expressed by the Panchaksari mantra (Mantra of five syllables viz. Shivaya namaḥ). 

19. Mrutyunjayeśha who is expressed by the Mantra of three syllables (Tryambaka),¹ Sarasvati who is called (by the name) Dhåraņā, reside to the north of his abode. 

            1. The mantra of three syllables: Om Jum Sah

20. The mansion of Mätrukā whose body is constituted by the letters beginning with the letter ‘A' and ending with the letter "KȘHA' is to the north of her, o suppressor of Vindhya Mountain. 

21. To the north is Sampadeshi as well as Kalasankarşhaņi. (Thereafter) is Śhrīmahāśhambhunathāthe cause of the manifestation of the goddess. 

22. The following deities have their mansions built consecutively to the North viz. Shri, Parämbă (the great Mother goddess), Vishadajyotsnå (of clear moonlight) and Nirmala-Vigrahā (of a body devoid of impurities). 

23. The following four deities have their mansions successively to the north viz.-Båla, Annapurņa, Hayārūdhå and Shripādukā. 

24. From the ground which is to the north-west of the majestic Chintämaņi mansion in the great park of lotuses itself, there are other deities who have taken up their abodes. 

25-27. Unmattabhairavi, Svapnavåråhika, Tiraskaranikāmbå, then another deity and then the fifth one all these deities have taken up their abodes as before. They are endowed with great prosperity. 

These two excellent deities viz. the great goddess Śhrīpürti and Shrimahăpădukā have also taken up their abodes as before. 

All these Vidyas (lores) explained by Lord Shankara in the treatise, Şhadamndyasagara, do stay in the region of Mahåpadmåtavi. 

28. In this manner, there are great mansions of Shriraśhmimälä. They are made of jewels and gems. O ascetic, they have flags fluttering very much high above. The chambers are huge and lofty with stair-cases. 

29. In the eastern gate of the Palatial Chintåmaņi mansion, quaffer of the ocean, on the right-hand side is the greal abode of Mantrinåthå. 

30-31. On the left-hand side is the abode of Daņdanåthå, made of gems and jewels. It is to the east of the place of Arghya that the abodes of Brahmä, Vişhņu and Mahesha are situated. They all illuminate the entire region of quarters by the rays of gems and jewels. All these deities are full of devotion to Lalità. They perform Japas solely of Lalitā. They worship Shri Devi thus. 

32. The place of Arghya and the preparation of Arghya materials mentioned before are, it is remembered, the same in all the entrances beginning with the Southern one. 

33. Now I shall describe in detail the abode of Chintamani. Listen, O great sage. It is situated in the centre of Śhrīpattana, and it extends to two Yojanas. 

34-37. Its wall made of the philosopher's stones extends to a Krosha (two miles). The projected coverings above are also made of Chintamaņi slabs. They are very tall in the form of peaks in different places. The walls of the mansion are four Yojanas in height. Its higher storeys and floors extend to twenty Yojanas (?) It becomes narrower as it rises up. It has three large crowns with which it appears very radiant. These crowns, Osage, are forms of Iccha (will), Kriya (action) and Jnana (knowledge). They are always brilliantly refulgent and are solely made of Chintāmaņi stones. 

38. Everything in the mansion of Chintamani is remembered as evolved out of Chintämaņi stones. It has four doorways each half a Krośha in width. 

39-10. The width of the panels is a quarter Krośha, O Sage. Within the mansion of Chintamani in every doorway, the same (measurement) is mentioned. The form of Lalita Devi is concealed (?)* It appears like the ocean of redness of Lalita's complexion which has the lustre of a thousand midday suns but cool like the Moon. O great sage, it extends frequently in the form of a current.

*For pihita in this text N.32.42 reads Pinditaḥ. It means: "The oceans of redness (of the complexion) of goddess Lalità were (as if solidified and) enmassed there. 

41. The Eastern doorway is glorified as being constituted by the Parvdmnaya (one of the Sacred Treatises). The Southern doorway is characterised by Dakhsinämnaya scripture. 

42. The Western doorway is characterised by Paśhchimanaya. The northern doorway is characterised by Uttaramnaya scripture. 

43. Within the royal abode there are sparkling gemset lamps with their handle fixed on the walls. They have the splendour of ten million suns. They are fixed in various places all round, brightening the whole of the interior of the Mansion. 

44. In the splendid central area of the mansion of Chintamaņi in a part of the altar is the great and lofty Bindu Chakra (Circular spot). 

45. The space in between the lofty wall of the mansion of Chintamani and Birdu is after leaving off a Krosha occupied by the wall cited to be three Krośhas (in width). 

46. In that section (extending to three Krośhas are their own rays of (Siddhis like) Animă etc. If we reckon the entire length of the three Krośhas in Hastas (Cubits) it is said to be consisting of twentyfour thousand Hastas. 

47. From Bindu to the Pitheśha, there are fourteen different (sections). In the portion thus differentiated, the number of Hastas is being mentioned by me. 

48. The interior of the mansion of Chintamaņi,¹ O Sage, is twenty Hastas above the level of the ground of the lotus grove. The Aņima and other (Siddhis) abide there. 

1. In vv. 48 to 96 the places of different deities according to their importance are fixed and their residences at a higher attitude accordingly. The deities within a particular Antara form a group-a chakra with a presidiug deity (chakrini) and a protecting deity--generally a Mudra. The chakra is given a designation. The ladder-like hierarchical positions of all deities are not completed here. Some chakras follow in the next chapter:

Name of Chakra             Presiding Deity Malini, Protectress-               Sarva-mahankusha

Sarvajňa                             10 Yoginis like Sarvajña (vv.81-96)

Name of Chakra Presiding Deity Shri-Chakrini, Protectress —Sarvonmadana 

Sarvasiddhiprada Mudra, Antara of Yoginis like Sarvasiddhiprada                                            (vv.86-90)

Antara of                 Protectress-Mudra Sarva-Vashya Samkşhobhiņi                     14 Shaktis under Samkshobhini 

(vv.79–85) 

A chakra

Sarva            Presiding Deity Sundari, Protectress-Mudra Akarshanika

 Samkshobhana   8 Powerful Shaktis like Kusuma

(vv.74-78)

A chakra under   Presiding Deity Sarvashpurika, Protectress--Mudra Dravinika Sarvåshåpürikå 

(v.73)

A chakra under Presiding deity Tripureshi, Protectress-Samkşhobhini Tripura 

(v. 65)

Abode of Mátru-devatis like Bhūmi etc. 

   (vv.50.59)

 Abodes of Siddhis 20 Hastas above the level of the 

Ground of the Lotus-grove 

(v.48-55) 

49. The extent of the plot of the abodes of Anima etc. is four Nalvas. Four hundred Kishkus make one Nalva. By the word Kishku it is a Hasta (cubit) that is mentioned. 

50-54. In the space within are made the abodes of (Siddhis beginning with the East. They are Aņima, Mahima, Laghima, Garimd, Ishitva, Vashitva, Prakamya and Mukti (Liberation), Iccha, Prapti and Sarpakamd-there are excellent Siddhis. (Or the Siddhis called the acquisition of whatever is desired and of all desirable things are excellent ones.) There are many Siddhi’s including eight Siddhis mentioned below and many others honoured by Yogins viz.—Rasasiddhi, Mokshasiddhi, Balasiddhi, Khadgasiddhi, Añjanasiddhi, which is Padukasiddhi, Vaksiddhi, Lokasiddhi and Dehasiddht thereafter. 

All these serve Parameshvari within that space. There are crores of Siddhis, O Sage, in that space between Anima etc. 

55. They are full of fresh youthful bloom. Their lotus-like faces beam with smiles (for ever). Their hands (palms) are like radiant Chintamani gems. They are always sixteen years in age. They have noble and highly exalted nature. They play about in their excitement due to inebriation. 

56-57. Above the plot (of abodes) of Animă etc. is the plot of abodes of (Divine Mothers like) Brähmi etc. It is very beautiful. Its level is twenty Hastas above the previous level. Its extent is four Nalvas. There are stair-cases in all the four quarters. Listen to the Devis stationed there. 

58. They are eight: Brähmi, Måheśhvari, Kaumåri, Vaişhnavi, Måhendri, Vårāhi, Châmundă and Mahālakṣhmi. These have built their abodes here. 

59. They are armed with different kinds of weapons. They have different Śhaktis as their retinue. Beginning with the East, they have got their abodes built in a circle. 

60-63. Then above it and on its exterior, O Pot-born Sage, the space is said to be Mudrantaram. It is twenty Hastas above the level of the previous plot. Its extent is four Nalvas. The following Mudras have their abodes made there. They are ten*: -Samkshobha, Dravana, Akarsha, Vashya, Unmada, Mahankušha, Khechari, Bija, Yoni and Trikhanda. These Mudras are established in the quarters beginning with the East. They are extremely beautiful in their features. They are restless in their fresh bloom of youth. With their agreeable refulgence they fill the interior of the above. Thus, O tiger among sages, they serve Lalità Parameśhvari. 

*Although the Mudrås are female deities, they are translated here as if of a masculine gender implying the capacity to do the particular job like samkshobha 'Agitation' etc. done by that Mudrá viz. Samkshobhini, though noted here as Samkshobha. 

64. These three Antaras constitute Chakra (Wheel) that fascinates the three worlds. Those who are Śhaktis among these have been recounted with their names expressed. 

65. The presiding deity of these is Tripura the leading deity of Chakra. The protectress deity of that Chakra is the Mudra of the nature of Samkshobhaņa (Agitation). 

66. Above the Antara of the Mudras is mentioned the Antara of the Nitya-Kalas. It is twenty Hastas above the level of the previous Antara. Its extent is four Nalvas. The stair-case and steps are one above the other. 

67-68. In that Nitya Kalantara, the deities beginning with Kamäkarşhanika have made their abodes all round. They are of the nature of sixteen Kalas (digits) of the Moon. With their cool exudations of nectar, they propitiate the quarters all round. Listen attenively to their names from me, O Pot-born Sage. 

69-73a. The Nityä Kämákarşhaņikā, Buddhyakarşhaņikä, Nitya Rasåkarşhaņikā, Kala Gandhåkarşhaņikā, Nitya Chittàkarşhaņikå, Kala Dhairyåkarşhaņikå, Nityå Smrutyåkarşhaņikå, Kalā Nämåkarşhaņiká, Nityā Bijäkarşhaņikā, Kală Arthākarşhaņikå, Amịtäkarşhaņi and Kala Shariråkarşhaņi—These are Gupta (invisible) Yoginīs. Tripureśhī the ruler of Tripura is Chakriņi, is also called Sarvāśhapúrikå who is the presiding deity of the Chakra. The protectress in this Chakra is the Mudră named Drāviņikā. 

73b-76. The plot of abodes above the Antara of the Nityakalás is exquisitely beautiful. It is twenty Hastas above the level of the previous Antara. It extends to four Nalvas. It is called Sarvasamkşhobhana. It has staircase as before. There are eight very powerful Shaktis with their eyes reddened due to inebriation. They are haughty on account of their fresh youthfulness. They serve Parameśhvari. 

The eight Shaktis are- Kusuma, Mekhalā, Madanā, Madanatura, Rekha, Vegini, Ankuśhā and Målini. 

77-78. They have crores of attendant Shaktis beginning with Ananga Shakti. This Chakra is called Sarvasamkshobhana. The presiding deity thereof should be known as one with the name Sundarī. She is remembered as more concealed (Guptatara). The protectress of that Chakra is remembered as the Mudra Akarshanikä. 

79. Twenty Hastas above the level of the Antara of Anangashakti, O Pot-born Sage, is the Antara of Samkshobhiņi and others. It extends to four Nalvas. It is the bestower of all good fortune and felicity. 

80. Fourteen proud Shaktis, chief of whom is Sarvasamkshobhini, live there. Listen to their names from me. 

81-85. They are: - Sarvasamkshobhiņi, Sarvavidråviņi, Sarvákarşhani, Sarvählådani, Sarvasammohini, Sarvastambhava, Sarvajrumbhiņika, Sarvavašhamkari, Sarvarañjana, Sarvonmädani, Sarvärthasādhika, Sarvasampattipūriņi, Sarvamantramayi and Sarvadvandvakshayamkari. These are (collectively known as) Sampradayakhyas residing in the city of Chakriņi. The Mudrás called Sarvavašhyås are considered the protectresses in that Chakra. There are crores of Śhaktis there proud of being their servants. 

86-90. Twenty Hastas above the level of the Antara of Samkshobhiņi and others, O pot-born sage, is the mansion of Sarvasiddhiprada and others. It extends to four Nalvas and is called Vishiya (?) [Dhishnya in N. 32-94]. 

The deities are-Sarvasiddhiprada, Sarva-sampat-prada, Goddess Sarvapriyamkari, Sarvamangalakariņi, goddess Sarvakämaprada, Sarvaduḥkhavimochani, Sarvamrtyupraśhamini, Sarvavighnanivariņi Goddess Sarvängasundari and Sarvasaubhāgyadāyini. These goddesses are raised upwards from amongst the Kalas. They are remembered by the names Yoginis. 

Śhri should be known as Chakriņi (Presiding deity of the Chakra). The Chakra is conducive to the achievement of all objects. The Sarvonmadana Mudrās are the protectresses of the Chakra. 

91-96. Twenty Hastas above the level of the Antara of Sarvasiddhi and others, O Pot-born Sage, is the Antara of Sarvajña and others. It extends to four Nalvas. The Chakra is divine and big; it is remembered as Sarvarakshākara (Protective of everyone). 

Sarvajña and others are recounted (below). They are Sarvajña, Sarvašhakti, Sarvaišhvaryapradāyini, the goddess Sarva jnānamayi, Sarvavyādhivinäshini, sarvadhāra-svarūpå Sarvapapahari, the goddess Sarvånandamayi, Sarvarakshka-svar upiņi and Sarvepsitaprada. 

These leading Yoginis are devoid of arrogance. Målini is mentioned as the presiding deity of the Chakra and the Mudra is Sarvamahankuśhä. 

Thus a few Chakras have been described in the mansion of Chintamani upto the Antara of Sarvajña and others. Listen to the others also, O Sage.