Fractals of Reality: Living the Sricakra

Rājarājeśvarī Devī at Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY.

(Image credit: Sri Vidya Temple Society)

कल्याणायुतपूर्णचन्द्रवदनां प्राणेश्वरानन्दिनीं

पूर्णां पूर्णतरां परेशमहिषीं पूर्णामृतास्वादिनीम् ।

सम्पूर्णां परमोत्तमामृतकलां विद्यावतीं भारतीं

श्रीचक्रप्रियबिन्दुतर्पणपरां श्रीराजराजेश्वरीम् ॥ १॥

kalyāṇāyutapūrṇacandravadanāṃ prāṇeśvarānandinīṃ

pūrṇāṃ pūrṇatarāṃ pareśamahiṣīṃ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādinīm

sampūrṇāṃ paramottamāmṛtakalāṃ vidyāvatīṃ bhāratīṃ

śrīcakrapriyabindutarpaṇaparāṃ śrīrājarājeśvarīm

"Salutations to her with the face like the full moon that radiates auspiciousness

Who is the delight of prāṇa merging with Īśvara

Who is limitless, complete and infinite as the inseparable tattva of Śiva

Who is the all-encompassing nectar of experience, be it food or thought

Who is the Source of the purest of nectars

Who is the origin of vidyā and non-separate from Sarasvatī

Who exponentially reveals Reality as Herself as we move towards the Bindu of the Śrīcakra

My salutations and oblations to this primordial creative force that is Śrī Rājarājeśvarī"

~ Śrī Rājarājeśvarī Mantra Mātṛka Stavaḥ, Verse 1

Advance Praise

"The first Śrīcakra I ever glimpsed was half a century ago on the back door of a van (the other door sported an ॐ. In the decades since that mystical Devi diagram has spread widely throughout the world, its elegant exoteric symmetries appreciated by almost all and its esoteric meanings understood by almost no one, though its message is displayed in plain sight. This excellent book by Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan provides clear keys to that message with explanations well adapted to the modern mind. Both an elucidation of theory and a manual for practice, Fractals of Reality provides clear guidance for anyone who wishes to follow the path that leads to Lalitā Devī. Reverence to Mahātripurasundarī for permitting Herself to become so accessible through this text!"

—Robert Svoboda, Ayurvedacharya, author of the Aghora trilogy

Nothing short of a transmission! Kavitha Chinnaiyan’s book, Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra, shines with pristine clarity. It is the most comprehensive, practical, and authentic work on Śrīvidyā. A must for any Devi worshipper. Dive effortlessly and fearlessly into this ocean of wisdom that rises from the heart of a sincere Śrīvidyā upāsakā.

—Indu Arora, author of YOGA Ancient Heritage Tomorrow’s Vision and MUDRA The Sacred Secret

"मातस्ते महिमा वकततुं शिवेनापि न शक्यते

Sage Durvāsa states in the Shakti Mahimna Stotra that the glory of the Goddess cannot be described even by Shiva. In Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra, Kavithaji (Saundaryāmbikā) has taken up a herculean task to give a practical explanation of the Śrīcakra. To say that this book is well researched and written would be an understatement since it is a comprehensive guide to Śrīvidyā, not just for beginners but also for advanced sādhakas. The grace of Goddess Lalitāmbika and the guidance of the Vāgdevatās are evident in this work."

—Jithesh Sathyan (Yugānandanātha), Sriguru at Srividya Tantra Peedom

"This book, Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra, is a magnificent milestone in the modern-day unfoldment of the Śrīcakra, shedding significant light on this ancient practice, and inviting readers into its origins and profound wisdom. There are many wonderful revelations and insights herein. Read it closely, reflect on its content, and let the energy and knowledge that radiate through Kavitha’s words penetrate deeply into your consciousness. If you are fortunate enough to read any of Kavitha’s books, attend her teaching programs, or simply come into her presence, open your heart and drink in the wisdom that shines forth from her."

—Swami Khecaranatha, founder of the Heart of Consciousness

"Fractals of Reality offers the reader a comprehensive overview of yogic and tantric philosophy as the backdrop to unveiling the complexity of the mysterious tantric diagram known as the Śrīcakra. Chinnaiyan has indulged us by sharing her deep knowledge of the ancient teachings hidden within its form."

—Sarah Tomlinson, author of Nine Designs for Inner Peace (Inner Traditions publishing)

In recent times, the Śrīcakra - an ancient and complex tool of esoteric Eastern religious practice - has become increasingly well known, both in India and the West, as an ubiquitous symbol of ... well, something mystical, vaguely spiritual, perhaps related to Yoga, maybe with a titillating connection to Tantra. If we can never quite un-see such things, we can at least forgive them - for information on the Śrīcakra has historically been exceedingly difficult to come by - and, when found, even harder to comprehend and digest. That ambiguity, I am happy to report, has been firmly and briskly swept away in this extraordinary volume. Dr. Chinnaiyan efficiently collates, sorts, and (very clearly!) explains the vast literature on the topic, aided by the teachings of some of the world’s most esteemed living masters. The result is a thrillingly authentic, gratifyingly lucid presentation that manages to fully respect the Śrīcakra’s venerable, sacred history, while also offering a much-needed point of easy access for modern readers of every culture, religious background, and level of interest. A stunning achievement, and a highly recommended read.

—Michael M. Bowden, author, The Goddess and the Guru; editor, Gifts from the Goddess; co-founder, Shakti Sadhana

"Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan skillfully weaves scholarly research and her direct experience as a practitioner to lay out the architecture of both the Sri Vidya tradition and the Śrīcakra. Fractals of Reality is a much-needed resource for the modern seeker—especially given that the Śrīcakra is a complex esoteric cosmology that traditionally requires guidance. The contemplative aspect of the book is a refreshing invitation for the spiritual aspirant to enter into holographic contemplation and use the Śrīcakra as a tool to embrace the totality of existence and awaken the deity within."

—Janice Craig, Founder, Shakti Shrine

"Kavitha Chinnaiyan’s latest book, Fractals of Reality, gently carries the reader through increasingly subtle levels of knowledge and practice in the Śrīcakra. Kavitha masterfully weaves together lineage specific understanding with practical down to earth engagement in her unpretentious and accessible style. This book will appeal to both established practitioners of the vidyā, as well as those hearing of the all-important cakra for the first time. Much like the Śrīcakra itself, Fractals of Reality will satisfy the desires of those who read it and is a much-needed addition to the corpus of available literature on Śākta tantra and Śrīvidyā."

—Brian Campbell, lecturer in the Religious Studies department at California State University, Sacramento and Śrīvidyā upāsaka

Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan unveils the beautiful mysticism inherent in one of the most iconic symbols in the world, the Śrīcakra. This fascinating book dives deep into every aspect of the wisdom to be gained through this study, which can be a spiritual path all on its own. I am enamored.

—Lissa Coffey, author of Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita

"Kavitha Chinnaiyan’s book Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra is a powerful, in-depth exploration of the process of devolution and evolution, experienced through the sadhana of the Śrīcakra. It is one of the clearest books I have read on the subject. It takes the reader on a profound spiritual journey, revealing the many stages in which the One undifferentiated primordial consciousness becomes the many -- the vast unseen and seen universes and all that lies within -- and the steps by which each of us can regain the consciousness of our inseparability from the One. She writes with great insight, wisdom and clarity so that even those not familiar with the many Sanskrit terms can follow this journey. The path that she describes is that of the Śrīcakra, a manifestation of the Śakti (Divine Feminine expression), which is, as she says, the impelling force. She goes on to explain, She holds creation absorbed within Herself until a desire arises in Her to create—for the One to become the Many. With this initial movement of desire, She separates from Śiva, and time and space come into existence. Of great important is her explanation of why a guru is needed for this spiritual journey of returning to the One source of all. A true guru, a rarity in today’s world, is essential for this work of bringing one into deeper experience of the Śrīcakra. Fractals of Reality is a book that one must return to again and again in order to absorb the profound wisdom contained within and to apply it to everyday life, as the book enables us to do. Every reader will benefit by taking this book as a lifetime companion, finding new insights and guidance as one progresses on the spiritual path."

—Dena Merriam, author of The Untold Story of Sita and Rukmini and the Turning of Time

Fractals

of Reality

Living the Śrīcakra

Kavitha Chinnaiyan, MD

Foreword by Sally Kempton

SFAIM PRESS, USA

Copyright © 2022 by Kavitha Chinnaiyan, MD

Illustrations by Rashmi Thirtha Jyoti

www.rashmithirtha.com

Book cover design: Simi Jois and Rashmi Thirtha Jyoti

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1-953023-05-6 (hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-953023-07-0 (paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-953023-04-9 (ebook)

sabda.institute

Sfaim Press

Northville, MI

Contents

Table Guide

Figure Guide

Bhāvanā Guide

Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide

Invocation

Foreword

Preface - Very Big Shoes to Fill

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Saṃsāra and Nirvāṇa

Layout of the Book

How To Use This Book

PART I - FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ŚRĪCAKRA

Chapter 1 - Mystical Symbol, Practical Wisdom

Stages of Sādhanā

Sound Becomes Word

Chapter 2 - A Primer on Śrīvidyā

Tantra

Śrīvidyā Upāsanā

The Guru-Śiṣya Relationship

The Sādhanā Spectrum in Śrīvidyā

Bhāva

Ācāra

Dīkṣā

The Śrīvidyā Matas

Guru Maṇḍala

Sampradāya and Āmnāya

Right- or Left-Handed?

Chapter 3 - The Auspicious Śrīcakra

Cakra

Maṇḍala

Yantra

The Śrīcakra

Drawing the Śrīcakra

Components of the Śrīcakra

Khaḍgamālā Stotra

Classification of Khaḍgamālā Stotra

Puraścaraṇa

Nyāsa

PART II - THE SECRETS OF THE ŚRĪCAKRA

Chapter 4 - Sṛṣṭi Krama:

The Descent

Prakāśa and Vimarśa

Kāmakalā

The Descent of Creation

The Tattvas

The Structure of the Śrīcakra

Navayoni

Sandhis and Marmas

Śakti’s Infinite Powers in the Śrīcakra

The Tattvas in the Śrīcakra

Bindu and Trikoṇa

Vasukoṇa

The Guru Maṇḍala

Antardaśara

Bahirdaśara

Manvaśra and Trivṛtta

Aṣṭadalapadma

Śodaṣadalapadma and Bhūpura

Sṛṣṭi Krama in the Microcosm

The Krama of the Āvaraṇas

Chapter 5 - Nuances of Practice

Becoming Versus Being

Parā and Aparā Vidyā

Tenets of Śrīcakra Upāsanā

The Eṣaṇas

Pravṛtti and Nivṛtti

Upasarga and Apasarga

The Ṣaṭcakra and the Śrīcakra

Bhāvanā

Chapter 6 - Vāc

The Four Levels of Vāc

Avasthā: States of Consciousness

Jāgrata

Svapna

Suṣupti

Turya

Turyatītā

Avasthās in the Śrīcakra

Avasthās in Sṛṣṭi Krama

Avasthās in Saṃhāra Krama

Avasthās as Sandhis and Marmas

The Devolution of Devī’s Avasthās as Vāc

Vāc in the Śrīcakra

Mantra Sādhanā

The Path of Bhukti and Mukti

Mantra in Aśuddhādvan and Śuddhādvan

Vāc in Sādhanā

PART III - THE PRACTICE OF THE ŚRĪCAKRA

Chapter 7 - Bhūpura

Entering the Śrīcakra

The Inquiry

Prakaṭa Yoginī

The Ten Attainments (Siddhis)

Rasa

Aṇimā Siddhi

Laghimā Siddhi

Mahimā Siddhi

Īśitva Siddhi

Vaśitva Siddhi

Prākāmya Siddhi

Bhukti Siddhi

Icchā Siddhi

Prāpti Siddhi

Sarvakāma Siddhi

The Eight Mothers

Brāhmī

Māheśvarī

Kaumārī

Vaiṣṇavī

Vārāhī

Māhendrī

Cāmuṇḍā

Mahālakṣmī

The Ten Seals

Sarvasankṣobhiṇī

Sarvavidrāviṇī

Sarvākarṣiṇī

Sarvavaśaṅkarī

Sarvonmādinī

Sarvamahāṅkuśā

Sarvakhecarī

Sarvabījā

Sarvayonī

Sarvatrikhaṇḍā

Cakreśvarī: Tripurā

Chapter 8 - Trivṛtta

Puruṣārthas

Vāc in the Trivṛtta

Chapter 9 - Śodaṣadalapadma

The Kañcukas and the Malas

The Inquiry

Gupta Yoginī

Kāmākarṣiṇī

Buddhyākarṣiṇī

Ahaṅkārākarṣiṇī

The Sense Ākarṣiṇīs

Cittākarṣiṇī

Dhairyākarṣiṇī

Smṛtyākarṣiṇī

Nāmākarṣiṇī

Bījākarṣiṇī

Ātmākarṣiṇī

Amṛtākarṣiṇī

Śarīrākarṣiṇī

Cakreśvarī: Tripureśī

Chapter 10 - Aṣṭadalapadma

The Inquiry

The All-Agitating Cakra

Citta Vṛttis

Aṣṭadalapadma

Guptatara Yoginī

Anaṅga Kusumā

Anaṅga Mekhalā

Anaṅga Madanā

Anaṅga Madanāturā

Anaṅga Rekhā

Anaṅga Veginī

Anaṅga Aṅkuśā

Anaṅga Mālinī

Cakreśvarī: Tripurasundarī

Chapter 11 - Manvaśra

The Inquiry

Prāṇa

The Pañca Kośas

Prāṇa Nāḍīs, Cakras and Kuṇḍalinī

Granthis

Manvaśra

Sampradāya Yoginī

Sarvasankṣobhiṇī

Sarvavidrāviṇī

Sarvākarṣiṇī

Sarvāhlādinī

Sarvasammohinī

Sarvasthambhinī

Sarvajṛmbhinī

Sarvavaśaṅkarī

Sarvarañjanī

Sarvonmādinī

Sarvārthasādhinī

Sarvasampattipūraṇī

Sarvamantramayī

Sarvadvandvakṣayaṅkarī

Kuṇḍalinī and Nāda

Cakreśvarī: Tripuravāsinī

Chapter 12 - Bahirdaśara

The Inquiry

Vāyu

Prāṇa Vāyus

Bahirdaśara

Kulottīrṇa Yoginī

Sarvasiddhipradā

Sarvasampatpradā

Sarvapriyaṅkarī

Sarvamaṅgalakāriṇī

Sarvakāmapradā

Sarvaduḥkhavimocanī

Sarvamṛtyupraśamanī

Sarvavighnanivāriṇī

Sarvāṅgasundarī

Sarvasaubhāgyadāyinī

The Vāyus in Practice

Cakreśvarī: Tripurāśrī

Chapter 13 - Antardaśara

The Inquiry

Agni

Homa

Antardaśara

Nigarbha Yoginī

Sarvajñā

Sarvaśakti

Sarvaiśvaryapradā

Sarvajñānamayī

Sarvavyādhivināśinī

Sarvādhārasvarūpā

Sarvapāpaharā

Sarvānandamayī

Sarvarakṣāsvarūpiṇī

Sarvepsidaphalapradā

The Agni Kalās in Practice

Cakreśvarī: Tripuramālinī

Chapter 14 - Vasukoṇa

The Inquiry

Vasukoṇa

Śabda and Artha

Rahasya Yoginī

Vaśinī

Kāmeśvarī

Modinī

Vimalā

Aruṇā

Jayanī

Sarveśvarī

Kaulinī

Vāc in Practice

Cakreśvarī: Tripurāsiddhā

Chapter 15 - Devī’s Āyudhas

Bāṇinī and Cāpinī

Pāśinī

Aṅkuśinī

The Implements in Practice

Chapter 16 - Trikoṇa

The Ascent of Sādhanā

Sakala

Pralayākala

Vijñānakalā

The Inquiry

The Trikoṇa

Atirahasya Yoginī

Mahākāmeśvarī

Mahāvajreśvarī

Mahābhagamālinī

Nityā Devīs

Cakreśvarī: Tripurāmbā

Chapter 17 - Bindu

The Conundrum of the Trikoṇa

Parāpara Rahasya Yoginī

The Pure Path

The Fourth and the Fifth

Cakreśvarī: Mahātripurasundarī

Worshiping the Bindu

Chapter 18 - Fractals of Reality

The Mahāvidyās

Kuṇḍalinī

Macrocosm

Microcosm

Upāsanā

Vāc

RESOURCES

Śrīvidyā

Other Relevant Books

Websites

GLOSSARY

Dedication

Table Guide

Table 1. A Summary of the Four Āmnāyas

Table 2. Broad Classification of Right- and Left-Handed Paths

Table 3. The Āvaraṇa Devīs of the Śrīcakra

Table 4. Khaḍgamālā Stotra Classification

Table 5. Tenets of Upāsanā

Table 6. Facets of the Śrīcakra

Table 7. Siddhis of the Bhūpura

Table 8. Aṣṭa Mātṛkās of the Bhūpura

Table 9. Mudrā Devīs of the Bhūpura

Table 10. Yoginīs of the Śodaṣadalapadma

Table 11. Yoginīs of the Aṣṭadalapadma

Table 12. Daily Distribution of Prāṇa

Table 13. Yoginīs of the Manvaśra

Table 14. Yoginīs of the Bahirdaśara

Table 15. Yoginīs of the Antardaśara

Table 16. Correlation of the Phoneme Groups with the Tattvas

Table 17. Yoginīs of the Vasukoṇa

Table 18. Selected Triads Represented in the Trikoṇa

Figure Guide

Figure 1. Guru Maṇḍala.

Figure 2. Classification of Tāntrik Streams

Figure 3. The Intricacies of Śrīcakra Practice

Figure 4. Kāmakalā

Figure 5. Tattva Map

Figure 6. Śrīcakra

Figure 7. Sandhis in the Śrīcakra

Figure 8. Marmas in the Śrīcakra

Figure 9. Tattvas in the Śrīcakra

Figure 10. The Krama of the Āvaraṇas

Figure 11. The Circle Analogy For Śrīcakra Upāsanā

Figure 12. Pravṛtti and Nivṛtti

Figure 13. The Ṣaṭcakra and the Śrīcakra

Figure 14. Avasthās and Vāc

Figure 15. The Krama of the Avasthās in the Śrīcakra

Figure 16. Vāc in the Śrīcakra

Figure 17. Mantra Sādhanā

Figure 18. Bhūpura with Prakaṭa Yoginī.

Figure 19. Prakaṭa Yoginī

Figure 20. The Śarīras

Figure 21. The Shadows of the Aṣṭa Mātṛkās

Figure 22. The Bhūpura in the Sṛṣṭi and Saṃhāra Kramas

Figure 23. Trivṛtta

Figure 24. The Kañcukas and Malas

Figure 25. The Cycle of Karma

Figure 26. Śodaṣadalapadma with Gupta Yoginī

Figure 27. Gupta Yoginī

Figure 28. Puruṣa and Prakṛti

Figure 29. Citta Vṛtti

Figure 30. Aṣṭadalapadma with Guptatara Yoginī

Figure 31. Guptatara Yoginī

Figure 32. Citta Vṛttis in the Aṣṭadalapadma

Figure 33. Pañca Kośa

Figure 34. The Śarīrās in Manifestation.

Figure 35. Kuṇḍalinī and the Upāyas

Figure 36. Manvaśra with Sampradāya Yoginī

Figure 37. Sampradāya Yoginī

Figure 38. Kuṇḍalinī

Figure 39. Bahirdaśara with Kulottīrṇa Yoginī

Figure 40. Kulottīrṇa Yoginī

Figure 41. Prāṇa Vāyus

Figure 42. Antardaśara with Nigarbha Yoginī

Figure 43. Nigarbha Yoginī

Figure 44. Vasukoṇa with Rahasya Yoginī

Figure 45. Vasukoṇa in Manifestation

Figure 46. The Superimposition of Artha on Śabda

Figure 47. Rahasya Yoginī

Figure 48. The Guṇas of Prakṛti

Figure 49. Devī’s Implements

Figure 50. The Levels of Perception in the Śrīcakra

Figure 51. Trikoṇa with Atirahasya Yoginī

Figure 52. Atirahasya Yoginī

Figure 53. The Trikoṇa in Practice

Figure 54. Bindu with Mahātripurasundarī

Figure 55. Parāpara Rahasya Yoginī

Figure 56. The Pure and Impure Paths in the Śrīcakra

Bhāvanā Guide

Bhāvanā on Aṇimā Siddhi

Bhāvanā on Kāmākarṣiṇī

Bhāvanā on Anaṅga Kusumā

Bhāvanā on Sarvasiddhipradā

Bhāvanā on Sarvajñā

Bhāvanā on Vaśinī

Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide

The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST is the current standard method of making Devanāgarī, the Sanskrit script accessible to Western scholars, practitioners, enthusiasts, and readers. The following tables provide a layout of the Sanskrit alphabet and a simplistic pronunciation guide.

Invocation

चैतन्यश्शाश्वतश्शान्तः व्योमातीतो निरञ्जनः ।

बिन्दुनादकलातीतः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ७॥

caitanyaś-śāśvataś-śāntaḥ vyomātīto nirañjanaḥ |

bindu-nādakalā-tītaḥ tasmai śrīguruve namaḥ || 7 ||

Salutations to the Śrī Guru who is the eternal tranquil consciousness that is pure, transcends space, and bounds of bindu, nāda and kalā.

~Guru Stotra, verse 7

This book is an offering to the lotus feet of my beloved and revered Śrī Guru, who is the personification of auspiciousness, and who carries the grace of the entire Guru maṇḍala in his compassionate gaze. May all who read this book be drenched in the nectar that flows endlessly from him.

Foreword

The Śrīcakra is a yantra, a diagrammatic representation of the cosmic unfolding. It is unquestionably the most well known yantra in the world. It appears not only on the walls of shrine rooms and the covers of books, but also on jewelry--jewelry often admired and worn by people who have no idea that the yantra is the basis for a complex and transformative ritual belonging to a tradition called Śrīvidyā.

For many people, even practitioners in the tradition where the sacred is worshipped as Goddess, the Śrīcakra remains an esoteric mystery. Even the books that purport to explain it don’t always help. In fact, the traditional texts on Śrīcakra often provoke even more mystification. One reason for this is that the yantra is supposed to be explained and empowered by a guru of the tradition, who then initiates you as a Śrīvidyā practitioner. It’s through your practice itself that the wisdom in the yantra unfolds for you, often over a period of years. But in addition, to fully understood and appreciate the teachings encoded in the yantra, you actually require an education in the metaphysics of Indian tantra, Vedic wisdom, and yoga.

This, Kavitha offers brilliantly in this book, weaving the philosophical strands of tantric and Vedic philosophy into her descriptions of the journey encoded in the triangles of the yantra. She draws together insights and teachings from the entire spectrum of yogic teachings, especially those that belong to the Śaiva Tantra and Advaita Vedāntic traditions. Her work is precise, clear, and deep, reflecting her years of practice, study and teaching, and also her natural clarity of mind.

When I first came across the tantric narrative—especially the narrative of the 36 tattvas, or levels of manifestation, I was struck by the fact that this story explains what it really means to say It’s all God. Like other students of the Indic traditions, I had heard many teachings about non-duality. But until I learned the 36 tattvas, I knew of no map that truly explained how the infinitely subtle transcendent reality could have become this body/mind that I identified as myself. The teachings of non-dual Śaivism offered the maps I needed to make sense of non-duality. For me, the process of learning was powered by my relationship with an enlightened guru, who besides downloading meditative awakenings, constantly transmitted experiential insight about how each section of the map could lead me deeper into the truth.

When I came to the study of the Śākta approach to non-duality, I had no such guiding relationship with a Śākta guru. But the yantra itself, and the mantras that unlocked it, had been empowered for me by a senior Śrīvidyā practitioner. So I learned it from books, but also from practice. And this is its power. Śrīvidyā is a multilayered tradition, but the secret of unlocking it is informed practice. You need the intellectual understanding to unlock its secrets. But most important, you need to practice with it.

Like a mantra, which appears to be a word made of letters and sounds, but which when practiced reveals itself to be a seed-pod containing the fullness of the Absolute, the yantra starts out as a map of the cosmos, and eventually reveals itself within you as the map of your soul.

The Śrīcakra is a symbolic expression of a great non-dual love story, which goes something like this: The one great awareness/love exists eternally, transcendent, ecstatic, glorying in its endless self reflection. Then there comes a moment when these two aspects of the One decide—or maybe it just happens—to create a tiny separation in the oneness. In the tiny separation that ensued, the Awareness side becomes known as Śiva, and the love side as Śakti. In that moment, within Śakti’s divine field, the divine powers of will, knowing and action come together in a creative flood, and innumerable rays arise within Śakti’s being, each of which becomes an aspect of the multiverse. With all its complexity and all its local features, whatever exists in this multiverse is at its core, made of the host of energies, rays of the great Śakti in her immanant form. Our worlds are permeated by and held within the primordial Śakti herself, united to Śiva as she always is—even when she has allowed her body to become all this. And we hold within ourselves the potential to return with her to rest in the ecstatic truth of what it is that lives this universe.

The Śrīcakra is a diagram of this two-fold process: In the first movement of creation, the manifest world spirals from Śakti/Śiva. In the second movement, the human spirit awakens to the possibility of recognizing his or her inseparability from the divine source. The Śrīcakra shows the way.

Śrīvidyā is both a philosophy and a practice protocol. However, when used in ritual, the yantra is primarily an effective ‘device’ for making serious contact with the Goddess in the outer and inner worlds. Though there were many different approaches to religion and mysticism in the ancient and medieval worlds, there has often seemed a basic split between two strands. On one side are the traditions—like Vedānta, some forms of Buddhism, and the teachings of western adepts like Plotinus—that approach Spirit through the intellect, through awareness of awareness, or through the process of inquiry into the nature of mind itself.

On the other side are the traditions that use myth, ritual and symbols to create a felt experience of the divine within the human plane. That is what Śrīvidyā accomplishes. Properly performed and properly understood, practice with the yantra, the ritual, and the mantras has the power to draw the experience of the higher worlds to earth. In Śrīvidyā, the ritual space is carefully curated to attract the Śakti of the Goddess and her retinue. The symbols, gestures, and mantras used to invoke Goddess are not meant to compel her, but to attract her. Together they create a kind of landing pad, where she recognizes herself and feels comfortable taking a seat. Once she is present, she reveals her wisdom, her love, and her powers, which are said in the tradition to be the fundamental powers in the universe.

In many of the Śrīvidyā communities in South India, there is an integration of these two ‘strands’ of spiritual philosophy and praxis. Kavitha holds that balance with enormous insight, bringing together classical Advaita with the ritual, mythic, Śakti-inspired teaching and practice.

Her work in this book is enormously important to the deepening understanding of Śrīvidyā in our time. To have this book is something to be grateful for, whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner on this path.

~ Sally Kempton

Author of Awakening Shakti and Meditation for the Love of It

Preface

Very Big Shoes to Fill

Here it is again… the overwhelming sense of having very, very big shoes to fill with the topic of this book. The Śrīcakra is, of course, the most celebrated mystical symbol with countless erudite commentaries by well-known scholars and practitioners. The obvious question that you may have at this point is what makes me qualified to even attempt this book.

The question is a valid one. After all, I’m just an ordinary practitioner of this great vidyā (knowledge), not an academician or even a Sanskrit scholar. Mostly, I’m excessively fortunate to have incredible teachers who push me to the limits of my abilities to think, feel, intuit, and function in the world. These extraordinary souls whom I have the great good fortune to learn from are less interested in academic pursuits of vidyā and instead emphasize its application in the very mundane, boring, and ordinary moments of our daily lives. Their incredible grace, wisdom and encouragement have driven this project.

My desire to write this book is fueled by the ubiquitous presence of the Śrīcakra in lay culture; most people have seen it somewhere. A while ago, I was chatting with a friend who is a cardiologist and a highly accomplished, ex-military, all-American superstar. I was neck deep into Glorious Alchemy: Living the Lalitā Sahasranāma and he was curious about the topic. I casually said it was a book on the goddess who presides over the Śrīcakra. His immediate response was, Oh, isn’t that the symbol with all the triangles? I was impressed that even someone with no inkling of Eastern traditions knew something about the Śrīcakra.

Growing up in India, I encountered the Śrīcakra everywhere, but I wasn’t curious or interested in it. It seemed excessively complicated to my convent-educated¹ mind. However, the Śrīcakra circled back into my consciousness decades later, by which time, I was a practicing cardiologist with a busy family life as well as a Śrīvidyā upāsikā. This time, my interest in the Śrīcakra increased by leaps and bounds, but the symbology remained formidable, difficult to understand, and even more challenging was the effort to bring its meaning into practice in the moments of my life. Even though I read books, papers, and all the materials I could find, the essence of the Śrīcakra remained elusive and out of reach.

Some years ago, I was visiting my Guru during the fall Navarātra² and it was my favorite time of the day. The morning festivities and rituals had just ended, and lunch had been served. Aiya³ sat with a big crowd of disciples, jovially and patiently answering our questions. As always, someone brought up the topic of Śrīcakra pūjā (ritual adoration), and Aiya explained its importance and the mental discipline it instills (which we will see later in this book). At the time, pūjā wasn’t the medium I was using to engage with the Śrīcakra; it was intellect and reasoning. Śrīcakra pūjās are long and tedious, Aiya… I began. He looked at me, his eyes sparkling with humor and affection. I’m aware, he said with a chuckle.⁴ He then proceeded to tell me that I need to do the Śrīcakra pūjā regularly. With a knot in my stomach and fretting about how I was going to find the time, I asked him, How often? He replied with a smile, As often as possible.

Taking his word that I needed this discipline, I returned home equipped with the pūjā vidhi⁵ and began to worship the Śrīcakra every weekend. As I become more familiar with the ritual, the time it took to perform the pūjā shortened dramatically and an interesting unfolding took place – the concepts I’d imbibed from my research and study fell away and a more dynamic, lived experience of the Śrīcakra began to take shape. The object in front of me began to lose spatiality and I started to become acutely aware of its elements within me. With continued practice, these same elements began to show up in the world, in my interactions with patients, colleagues and family, in world events and natural disasters, as well as in the subtle patterns of thought, speech and action. The Śrīcakra gradually became my reference point for not just pūjā or contemplative practice, but for life. While I had previously dreaded the idea of long, time-consuming rituals, I began to eagerly look forward to the pūjā, which aided the cultivation of a deep reverence by its ability to bestow exquisite mindfulness, concentration, and single pointedness. Every time I engage with the Śrīcakra this way, a new facet of understanding is polished and imbibed.

A year later I was back with Aiya during Navarātra. Once again, we gathered around him after the morning festivities and lunch, bombarding him with questions. This time, I had the lived experience of some of what he was saying in response to the exceedingly vast topic of the Śrīcakra. At one point, he casually turned to me and asked how the Śrīcakra pūjā was going. Trying not to burst into tears, I told him how it had changed my life and perception. Just as casually as he’d asked me to take it up a year earlier, he now told me I could stop doing the pūjā if I wanted. As I looked at him in amazement, he chuckled and said, The lesson needed to be learned, Amma.⁶ I must have appeared crestfallen for he went on to say, Of course, you can do it anytime you want. You see, now, the pūjā is no longer a compulsion, but a joyful activity for you.

As my life continued to unfold around the Śrīcakra, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill in the Spring of 2020. My Guru of the Yoginī lineage, Dr. Sumit Kesarkar, was visiting me. As luck would have it, travel came to a grinding halt and he was stuck in my home, which was an extraordinary blessing. Over two months of quarantine, he taught me nonstop, escalating my Śrīvidyā upāsanā and perception of the Śrīcakra through not just an exploration of texts and theory but its moment-to-moment manifestation and understanding. He stated again and again that he was only helping me internalize Aiya’s teachings. Through the relentless application of the exquisite teachings of the Śrīcakra first within and then outside the context of ritual and philosophy, my life and sādhanā had permanently shifted. To sit at the feet of one Guru is an immeasurable gift. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to sit at the feet of two great Gurus, both of whom enthusiastically blessed this book with the emphasis that I must write it.

This book is not meant to replace any of the great classics (that we will meet at length), but to provide a window into the broader understanding of the Śrīcakra and most importantly, its assimilation in daily life.

Acknowledgments

This book brings together the teachings and transmissions of my revered Guru maṇḍala. My deep bows to my Śrī Guru, Śrī Caitanyānanda Nātha Sarasvatī (Haran Aiya), who lovingly introduced me to the Śrīcakra and went on to transmit the understanding and living of its principles. Aiya’s love, humor, rigor, grace and generosity have shaped my life and upāsanā in profound and irreversible ways. His emphatic encouragement to write this book gave me the inspiration and strength to delve into the complexities and nuances of the Śrīcakra, which is normally the work of scholars.

My infinite gratitude to my beloved Guru of the Yoginī lineage, Dr. Sumit Kesarkar, whose radical and practical approach to spirituality balances my devotional and intellectual leanings. His teachings have irrevocably shifted my perception of upāsanā and the moment-to-moment arising of life that proliferates from the Bindu to the Bhūpura of the Śrīcakra. His realistic understanding and transmission of esoterism continue to influence every aspect of my life.

When Aiya said that the entire lineage is supportive of this work, I was immensely grateful even without realizing the depth of his words. Throughout the writing process, all I had to do was leave it to the Guru maṇḍala, and the content manifested by way of dreams, insights during meditation, or accidentally coming across a line in a text addressing a particular concept that I was contemplating. Aiya, Guruji (Śrī Amritānanda Nātha Sarasvatī who is Aiya’s Guru and therefore my Parama Guru) and Sumitji frequented my dreams, where profound conversations and transmissions took place. This book is entirely the product of their vidyā, and the credit for its merits goes entirely to these luminaries. Any faults of this work are mine alone.

My upāsanā has been deeply graced by many incredible teachers over the years. I’m deeply grateful to Swami Chinmayananda whose crystal-clear writings on Advaita Vedānta became the lens of my understanding early on in my sādhanā; Greg Goode, whose joyful and profound teachings on the Direct Path resulted in a deep and permanent shift; Śrī Śivapremānandaji who introduced me to Śrīvidyā, which would change my life; and Paul Muller-Ortega and Sally Kempton, whose teachings on non-dual Śaiva Tantra illuminated complex and intricate concepts.

This project has been incredibly enjoyable because of the collaboration and support of many. My loving gratitude to my Guru bhai (brother), Brian Campbell (aka, Adi Keshava), whose razor-sharp intellect came to my aid when I felt that I was struggling to present a concept clearly. I will always cherish the hours we spent discussing and contemplating Kāmakalā and other aspects of Śrīvidyā as two crazed lovers of Devī. His love, support and humor are a constant source of joy for me, beyond the context of this book.

My loving gratitude to my beloved friend Rashmi Thirtha, whose illustrations have inspired and moved me throughout the writing process. Her infectious love, enthusiasm and artistic acumen are a gift to my writing and teaching endeavors.

This book would not have been possible without the support of my students who show up willing to apply the teaching in their daily life, which is as challenging as it is freeing. I learn constantly from their graciousness and from the remarkable ways in which they bring about transformation in their lives. Their love for vidyā and Devī inspires me daily. My special thanks to Joanne Tognarelli who transcribed my classes on the Śrīcakra long before the idea for the book arose. She sent them to me with a gentle nudge that they may be helpful for a book someday. My gratitude to Holly Robinson for editing the manuscript with love and care, Prashanthi Chitre for creating stunning media to support the book’s message, and Shaku Selvakumar and Simi Jois for their dedicated work on the book cover. I’m thankful to my friend Hareesh (Christopher) Wallis, who planted the idea for this book, convincing me it was essential for the broader community of spiritual practitioners.

My heartfelt gratitude to the team at Dartfrog Books for helping me create the book of my vision, including Mark Hobbs for his relentless work on the book cover and some of the illustrations, and Suanne Laqueur and Gordon McClellan for coordinating the details of publication. Deep thanks to Simona Meloni for formatting this book beautifully.

I’m incredibly lucky to have a family that understands my interests and pursuits beyond the extent of my work as a cardiologist. My loving gratitude goes to my husband Arul, our daughters Anya and Annika and our gorgeous pup Bella Māyā. They always find ways to put up with me when I’m juggling a full-time job, a book, and running an institute.

Nothing ever happens without Devī’s will, and to her I bow first and last in reverence and awe for making me an instrument of her icchā (will).

~ Saundaryāmbikā (Kavitha Chinnaiyan)

Guru Pūrṇimā, 2021, Seattle, WA

Introduction

Before we begin discussing the Śrīcakra, we must first consider the most important question. Why would we even bother studying this esoteric symbol?

Perhaps it would help to start with the quandary of the human condition. We are born and raised in a particular