I have written about Sri Baba.G in my post of June 7, 2009, under the title “More Skirts and Many coloured Mandapams”

These Mandapams and jewelled skirts are a few examples of the many that were created for Bala by Uma Kumar.

Described in blog post of May 23, 2010. Click here to read more.

IMAGE TWELVE.

SRI BALA SRI CHAKRA STUTHI. ( PRAYER FOR SRI CHAKRA).

In contrast to all the other images which have been teamed up with a verse from the Andhadhi, I have been instructed to translate and present the prayer to Sri Chakra written by Sri Baba.G, to accompany this twelfth image. The Sri Chakra is a precious symbol of unity between the individual and the Cosmos, often visualized as the unity between Shiva and his Shakthi, or latent power, Maya.

Although, I have drawn this sacred diagram several times, I found this time that merely listening to Sri Bala’s songs was not sufficient in order to project this image on paper. I was having difficulty constructing the complicated arrangement of the 43 interlocking triangles. I paused for a moment and meditating intently on the holy mother, Sri Raja Rajeshwari, recited the very powerful verses of both Lalitha Sahasranamam and Khadgamala Stotram. Within a few minutes, the diagram was finished.

In what follows I shall give a translation of Sri Bala’s Sri Chakra hymn. It should be noted that each line of this Tamil song ends with the word “karam”, which refers to “hand”.
In the final line of the prayer the lines read:
“Which hand (karam) grants everything?”
Why, that is none other than the Sri Chakkaram!

The final word “Chakkaram” ( Sri Chakra) rhymes with the often used word “karam”, in this prayer.

Many wishes, without questions does one hand bestow
Much prosperity does it furnish, this hand
In one second it does protect you, this one hand
Many diseases and illnesses does it remove, this one hand

Whatever may be your heart’s desire, it confers, this hand
Complete peace of mind does it give, this one hand,
As your total support does it arrive, this hand
Dissolving all heart aches, this one hand!

Bestowing intelligence this one hand
Prevents much destruction, this very hand
Revealing love this one hand
Feeds you good moral values, this hand!

Extolled and praised by everyone
Awarding everything to all
That hand— Which is that Hand?
Why that (Karam) is nothing but
Sri Bala (Sri) Chakram!

Sri Bala’s Message:

“ My Sri Chakra is of enormous significance to my devotees. This can be obtained only at My Peetam and is like a protective amulet for you. The power of this Sri Chakra cannot be easily revealed. However, it will provide everything positive and auspicious for those who sincerely believe in me! Keep it near you or with you at all times. No harm can befall you, no illness can attack you and never will evil intentions or bad thoughts take hold of you. In this Sri Chakra, my mother and I are both united happily and together, we shall take care of you !”.

Sri Bala Charanam.

It was Sri Bala’s instruction that I should portray her in thirteen images. In this diagrammatic representation too, Sri Bala is present, inside the inner most central point or Bindu, where she is in union with Sri Lalitha Parameshwari!.
Meditation on this image is guaranteed to bestow all prosperity on faithful devotees.

February 28, 2009.

IMAGE ELEVEN.

VERSE NO: 84 ( SRI BALA ANDHADHI).

TO OBTAIN MENTAL PURITY.

Oh beauteous one who comes riding on a chariot
To bless us with salvation before the very blood dries up in our veins!
By paying obeisance to you, our fortune and fame increases and grows!
Oh mother, singing your praises makes our hearts as pure as clear water
This is the truth
Not more wealth or comforts do we desire
Only, good thoughts and intentions!

Sri Bala’s Message

“At the very end of your life, I shall come to grant you eternal salvation and carry you to my own world. You shall ride with me in my golden chariot and forever be happy in my child’s world inhabited by innocent and pure souls! Fortune and Fame I shall grant you these while on earth. Yet, the trappings of wealth can never bring you that lasting peace or happiness which you shall encounter alongside Me. Think good thoughts, perform good actions and serve the needs of those less fortunate with kindness and compassion. These actions are very dear to me and you shall always remain at my side”.

My thoughts on the painting:

This image is not one of my best efforts to depict Bala and I had originally meant to discard it. However, following Sri Bala’s instructions I have retained this picture and have presented it here with , what I consider to be a “mismatched” verse from Sri Bala Andhadhi. Bala is described in this verse as a “Rathi” ( beautiful lady), who rides on a “Ratham”( chariot), to reach her devotees before the “Rattham” (blood) dries up in their bodies. In tamil, the verse reads:

Rattham sundum mun, Ratham eri varum Rathi— ( before blood dries up, beautiful (lady, who)comes riding (on) a chariot.

Here is a clear indication from Sri Bala that complete surrender at her feet will surely lead to clarity and purity of mind in the hearts of her devotees, who , at the end of their lives will be carefully guided by this beautiful lady into the next world; the magical child’s world of Sri Bala.

In a very typical manner, Bala has once again chosen what I considered to be my worst effort and given it a high status by teaming it up with one of the most powerful and significant verses in the Andhadhi.

Sri Bala Charanam.

A mere glance at this image hand-picked by Sri Bala will instantly lift the veil of ignorance and provide clarity of mind.

February 27, 2009.
SRI BALA CHARANAM.

SRI BALA CHARANAM.

IMAGE TEN.

VERSE NO: 79 (SRI BALA ANDHADHI).

TO SUBDUE CRUEL PEOPLE

Adorned beautifully, She smiles prettily
Her mere glance instantly setting ablaze all wicked people
And destroying those who cast derision
At her sheer touch, sour- tasting salt turns sweet
And the very mention of her sacred name
Makes destiny recoil and lose its power
As it cringes and hides out of fear
Seeking to grasp Her hallowed feet.

Sri Bala’s Message:

“You can achieve nothing without my grace. I have created this entire universe and control all your thoughts and actions as well. You see me seated as a tiny figure on this gigantic chariot. The four wheels of this chariot stand for Truth, Love, Faith and Effort. Armed with these four traits, you can win over unrighteousness and wickedness. Even the immutable laws of destiny that have been pre selected for you will necessarily alter its course once you have placed complete faith in me. Once you have become dear to me, my very glance shall protect you at all times from the intentions and actions of vindictive people. Take refuge at my feet and fear not what your future holds in store for you!”.

My thoughts on the painting:

It was Sri Bala’s wish that I should draw her as a tiny figure, seated on this huge, decorated chariot. As I was embellishing the chariot, the thought occurred to me that when this drawing was finished, Bala’s face would be hardly visible. Contrary to my expectations, Bala’s small, moon-like face radiates with a rare clarity in this painting.
Another small thought perturbed me. The Andhadhi verse chosen by Bala to accompany this drawing has no mention of her riding on a chariot. Yet, the verse chosen for the very next one, image eleven ( verse no: 84) , is full of chariot imagery!

I asked myself many times why Bala had not chosen verse no:84, instead to accompany this particular drawing. I did not get any answer and then remembered her express directive “Do not question me when I tell you to perform certain actions”. So, I have not deviated either from the order or precise numberings given to the presentation of both these pictures/images or matching each of them with Bala’s pre-selected verses .

Sri Bala Charanam.
Do not underestimate the power of this image. Sri Bala is here here to destroy all those evil intentions and obstacles standing in the path towards self- realization.

February 26, 2009.
SRI BALA CHARANAM

SRI BALA CHARANAM.

IMAGE NINE

VERSE NO: 69 ( SRI BALA ANDHADHI)

TO EXCEL IN EDUCATION

OH beautiful lady, even the sun that revolves in this universe
Seeks to reach only your sacred feet
My very Life I am prepared to sell
To have the talent of weaving your image into my poems
And entice you into my heart
Even the fiercest of ascetics who have renounced everything
Jostle each other to be the first to reach you
Just to catch a glance of your enchanting smile!

Sri Bala’s message:

“ I shine brighter than the Sun! I have created this entire Universe , planets and the constellation of stars. Yet, no single star can shine more brightly than me. I radiate warmth and love and my tenderness to devotees is as cool and gentle as the deep blue sea. I sit here in my abode watching my devotees as they carry on their lives. Sometimes, I laugh when I see the antics they perform or when they forget Me! Nemili is my resting place, my Home from where I activate this universe and those people who belong in my “little” world. All the skills are at my pleasure and command. I endow different people with the ability to write, paint, sing and dance so I can be happy. I take great enjoyment in listening to music as well as seeing myself portrayed in various colorful images. However, don’t forget, these skills are given to you by me for My pleasure”.

My thoughts on the painting:

This drawing was my second attempt to depict Sri Bala on a swing. I did it because I wasn’t too happy with the earlier picture. Unmistakably, precise directions (mental suggestions) were given by Bala regarding this drawing. For example, the wavy, star-like pattern of her billowing skirt as well as using the color blue in the center of this image. The use of Gold color in the background was also suggested by Sri Bala. It was only after I read the Andhadhi verse she had selected for this drawing, did I realize the significance of this painting and the colors.
It is quite clear that Sri Bala was meant to be portrayed as residing inside a vast, golden star! The “blue” color is to depict her “cooling” grace on the devotees.
An enchanting smile was the final touch! Words cannot describe my feelings as I read the Andhadhi verse, pre selected for this image.

There’s another small incident that happened on the day I drew this picture. Now, it so happened that it was Pournami or Full Moon on the day I was completing this picture. Since I was in London at that time, I had made arrangements through a friend in Chennai to send some sweets and savouries to Sri Bala Peetam at Nemili. My friend called me after collecting the edibles and asked me if there was anything else she should take with her. I thanked her for helping me but said nothing else was required and disconnected the phone. The moment I put the phone down, I heard Bala’s voice “ Send a blue saree and a blue silk dhothi for my son and his wife”.
Not hesitating for a minute, I called my friend once more. When she came on the line, something made me tell her “ Go to the saree shop and buy the first saree that the sales person throws down. You’ll see this is a blue saree. Just buy it and get a dark blue silk dhothi for Sri Ezhilmani Mama as well”.

My friend called me from “Nalli’s” within half hour. She said in a voice choked with amazement
“ How on earth would you know that the first saree would be a blue one. I am standing here in this crowded shop and this guy has just thrown down a beautiful blue saree”!

Later, after my friend had delivered this precious cargo at Bala’s house in Nemili, she called me from the Peetam and I was able to talk to Sri Ezhilmani. I told him “Mama, I hope you can use this dark blue Veshti. I sent that for you and the blue saree for Baby Amma, because Bala kept insisting on it”.
Sri Ezhilmani handed over the phone to his wife, who said “ It is no mere coincidence. On Thursday, this week we are celebrating Mama’s 71st birthday, as you know. But Bala has just told all of us to wear blue. I was just asking my daughter in law to check if I had any saree in that color. Your gift came just in time. I will wear it on that day “.

This is just one more example of Bala’s divine, mischievous Lila!

Sri Bala Charanam

Gazing at Sri Bala with her enchanting smile in this picture, where she shines more lustrous than a star, all your latent abilities will be activated, so you can excel in whatever field of education or profession you have chosen!

February 25, 2009.