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MALUR SRI BALAMBIKA TEMPLE Address: Maruthi Extension 2nd stage, Kasaba Hobli, Malur Taluk, Kolar District, Karnataka - India Website : http://malurbalambikatemple.com Email : contactus@malurbalambikatemple.org Instagram: balambikadivyasangam
Issue 5 | Volume 15 | September 2025 Balavin Kural
Kshetra Varalaru series: "Sri Ambaji Shakthi Peetam at Gujarat", by Smt. Indumathi Sri Gurubyo Namah Sri Balambika charanam Next we are going to see Ambaji temple in Gujarat, which is also a Shakthi peetam. She is also called Arashoorini Matha. This temple is in Aravanda district along Aravalli ranges in the northern part of Gujarat. It is believed that the heart of Ambal fell in this marble temple. So, there is only Sri Shakthi yantram made of gold fixed on a marble wall. This yantram has 51 bijaksharams inscribed. Devotees are not allowed to see this yantram with their naked eye. They give a transparent white cloth through which the devotees have to take darshan. No photographs are allowed. Ambal is believed to be as Bala in the morning. So Bala bogh is given as prasad in the morning. In the afternoon, She is believed to be a young woman and the prasadam offered is called Raj bogh. In the night She is believed to be an old woman and the prasadam given is called Shayana bogh. Here all full moon days are considered auspicious and celebrated very grandly, especially Chaithra pournami, Shravan pournami. Two navaratris are also celebrated grandly. Nava Chandi Yagam is also performed every year. This temple is supported by the leading industrialists in Gujarat. Image courtesy: https://www.gujarattourism.com/north-zone/ banaskantha/ambaji-temple.html
What's inside:
Cultural Connect: "Kalika Ashtakam" by Thulasinathan Kandasamy As dusk fell over the ancient cremation grounds, the boundaries between fear and freedom blurred. Adi Shankaracharya, seeking the ultimate truth, beheld a vision so fierce that words struggled to contain it. He saw Maa Kali—her neck adorned with a garland of blood-dripping severed heads, each one not a sign of violence but the victory over ignorance, false identity, and ego. Her mouth, open wide in a cosmic roar (maha-ghora-rava), revealed sharp teeth (sudamshtra karala), declaring war on anything that binds the soul. She stood naked (vivastra), her hair unfettered (mukta-keshi), embracing the wildness and truth of existence itself. Her home was the cremation ground (smashana), where the cycle of birth and death dissolves, reminding every seeker that spiritual growth comes from facing, not fleeing, darkness. Within her heart, a powerful yearning: mahakala-kama-akula—a deep, restless desire to unite with Lord Time himself, taking devotees beyond all limitations. Shankara’s verse is not mere poetry—it's a map for the soul. He tells the reader: If you gaze into the fearsome beauty of Kali and recite her praise, you transform fear into liberation, and darkness into wisdom. His words are a brilliant sword—cutting delusion, inviting courage. Tip for the devotee: Meditate on this stanza at times of doubt, insecurity, or ego struggle. See the terrifying form not as danger, but as the love that removes obstacles. Let every frightening visage of Kali guide you toward inner strength and freedom. The Most Intense Stanza (Pronunciation Highlighted) GaLAD-rakta-muNDA-aaVAlI-kanTHa-maaLA MAha-GHOra-raVA suDAMshtra kaRAla viVASTra smaSHAna-aaLAYa muKTakeshI mahaKAla-kaMA-aKula KAliKEYam Her neck GA-LAD (dripping)-RAKTA (blood)-MUNDA (severed heads) garlanded, Her mighty MA-HA-GHO-RA (terrifying) roar, SU-DAM-shtra (sharp teeth), KA-RA-la (fearsome), VI-VAS-tra (naked), SMA-SHA-na-A-LA-ya (dwelling in cremation grounds), MU-KTA-keshi (wild hair flowing), Her nature, MAHA-KA-LA-KA-MA-AKULA (wildly yearning for union with Mahakala), KA-LIKE-YAM (the original Kali). It is a vision like thunder—a moment when the world’s masks are torn away, and all that remains is strength, truth, and liberation. The stress and intensity in these words are the spiritual force to break every bond of fear and ignorance. Note: When you chant or meditate on this stanza, let your voice naturally find the stressed notes; allow the vibration to echo the goddess’s fierce compassion. Kali teaches that to attain wisdom, one must embrace both the terror and the beauty of existence. Stanza seeking Forgiveness: kShaMASVA apaRA-dham MAha-GUPta bhaVAM maYA loKA madHYE praKASiKRUtaM yaTH twaDHYANA-POOtheNA chaPALYA bhaVAT SwaROOpaM twaDEEyam na VINDANTI DEVAA O MA-KA-LI, forgive this APARADHA (offense), MAHA-GUPTA-BHAVAM (your secret nature), MA-YA LOKA MADHYE PRA-KA-SI-KRUTA-M (published to the whole world), Your Dhyana-poothena cha-palya bhavat (while I was lost in meditation, I acted childishly and revealed it), SWAROOPAM TWAD-E-YAM NA VINDANTI DEVA (even the gods cannot realize your true form). Adi Shankara here bows with humility. Even in his brilliance, he recognizes that the Divine is unfathomable and that revealing Kali’s deepest mysteries is both a blessing and a risk. As a reader, savour this humility. In front of Adi Shankara we are nothing. But yet, we are blessed to read this and cherish. Let it remind you that the spiritual path is both ecstasy and reverence; to know the Mother is to know that one never truly knows Her. Image courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali
Aishwaryam is a Sanskrit word which means Wealth and Prosperity. We can consider all material riches, abundance of resources. In Hindu philosophy, Aishwaryam comprises of six divine qualities of God. They are : 1. Jñāna (Knowledge) 2. Bala (Strength) 3. Aishwarya (Wealth/Power) 4. Vīrya (Valor) 5. Śakti (Energy) 6. Tejas (Splendor) So when we say “Aishwaryam”, it is overall prosperity and divine blessings in a spiritual sense. What is Ashta Aishwaryam which is Eight specific divine properties? They are: Dhana Aishwaryam: Wealth, money, material prosperity. Dhanya Aishwaryam: Grains, food, agricultural abundance. Ārogya Aishwaryam: Health, strength, long life. Santosha Aishwaryam: Contentment, happiness, mental peace. Vīrya / Dhairya Aishwaryam: Courage, valor, confidence. Vijaya Aishwaryam: Success, victory in efforts, fame. Santāna Aishwaryam: Blessed progeny, family prosperity. Gṛha Aishwaryam: Home, shelter, comfort, harmonious living space. Beyond Ashta Aishwarya, the greatest one is called Mahat Aiśwaryam. Mahat is a deeper spiritual form of prosperity. The word “Mahat” in Sanskrit means great, vast, supreme, or cosmic in vibration. We know "Aishwaryam” means prosperity, wealth, or divine opulence. So Mahat Aishwaryam is Greater Prosperity or Supreme Abundance. Mahat is understood as the one that is beyond the limited aṣṭa aiśwaryam (eight prosperities), Mahat Aishwaryam refers to an all-encompassing wealth which is not just only money, but abundance in every dimension of life like health, harmony, knowledge, spiritual growth, peace, and liberation. It is said “Mahat aishwaryam labhate” – where one attains supreme prosperity only and only with divine grace. In Vedantic and Puranic texts, Mahat Aishwaryam refers to the cosmic wealth of the Divine. It is the inner richness of realization, wisdom, devotion, and connection with the Supreme. True Mahat Aishwaryam is said to be moksha (liberation) – the greatest wealth. We can see how Sudama got the grace of Krishna without asking Mahat Aishwarya. Ashta Aishwaryam is eight specific blessings of prosperity. Mahat Aishwaryam is the highest, limitless divine abundance that integrates both material and spiritual prosperity. Balambika Charanam Image courtesy: https://www.hindu-blog.com/2019/03/ ashta-aishwaryam-in-hinduism-eight.html
Devotee Speaks: "Mahat Aishwaryam", by Smt. Roopa V Rajan
Know your Mythology: "Maa Shakthi! My Only Refuge: The Blessing of King Suratha", by Thulasinathan Kandasamy Once there was a proud king named Suratha, who ruled with strength and honor. Yet, fate took a cruel turn—betrayed by those closest to him, he lost his kingdom and wandered into the forest, heart heavy with sorrow and anger. Alone and confused, Suratha felt the deep sting of loss. In the same wilderness lived Samadhi, a merchant burdened by exile from his family and business, weighed down by despair. There, beneath the quiet canopy of ancient trees, their paths crossed — two souls reflected in the mirror of suffering, each overwhelmed yet seeking solace. Guided by the wise sage Medha, Suratha and Samadhi learned of the Divine Mother — the powerful Goddess Shakti, the cosmic energy that moves the universe and protects all who seek her refuge. Medha taught them the art of devotion, surrendering fear and pain, and discovering the light that shines beyond suffering. For three years, the king and the merchant meditated and chanted, weaving hope and surrender into their hearts. Then, in a moment that filled the forest with radiant peace, the Goddess appeared — magnificent, glowing with infinite light and compassion. Her form was dazzling: crowned with glittering stars, eyes shimmering like lotus petals, riding a lion that roared with divine power, her many hands holding celestial weapons and symbols of wisdom. To Suratha, the Goddess granted a boon — a restoration of his kingdom on earth and, beyond that, an eternal kingdom in the world beyond. His loss transformed into a sacred victory, a renewal born of unwavering faith. To Samadhi, she offered the gift of supreme wisdom, detachment from worldly desires, and the power to walk the path of spiritual awakening. This beautiful moment is captured in the hymn Narayani Stuti, sung by the gods to praise Devi’s all-encompassing power and grace. A short mantra from the Devi Mahatmya echoes their devotion: “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah” (“To the Goddess who dwells in all beings in the form of power, we bow again and again.”) Suratha’s journey teaches us that even in the darkest hours, surrender to the Divine Mother brings healing, restoration, and transformation. The challenges that shake us can awaken us to a higher purpose. For those walking through hardship, the Mother’s love is a refuge strong enough to lift even from the deepest despair. In surrender and faith, we find the power to rise, and through Maa Shakthi’s boundless grace, darkness turns into dawn. Jai Maa Bala! Image courtesy: https://sanatanlok.com/
Devotee Speaks: "Mahat Aishwaryam", by Smt. Roopa V Rajan Aishwaryam is a Sanskrit word which means Wealth and Prosperity. We can consider all material riches, abundance of resources. In Hindu philosophy, Aishwaryam comprises of six divine qualities of God. They are: 1. Jñāna (Knowledge) 2. Bala (Strength) 3. Aishwarya (Wealth/Power) 4. Vīrya (Valor) 5. Śakti (Energy) 6. Tejas (Splendor) So when we say “Aishwaryam”, it is overall prosperity and divine blessings in a spiritual sense. What is Ashta Aishwaryam which is Eight specific divine properties? They are: Dhana Aishwaryam: Wealth, money, material prosperity. Dhanya Aishwaryam: Grains, food, agricultural abundance. Ārogya Aishwaryam: Health, strength, long life. Santosha Aishwaryam: Contentment, happiness, mental peace. Vīrya / Dhairya Aishwaryam: Courage, valor, confidence. Vijaya Aishwaryam: Success, victory in efforts, fame. Santāna Aishwaryam: Blessed progeny, family prosperity. Gṛha Aishwaryam: Home, shelter, comfort, harmonious living space. Beyond Ashta Aishwarya, the greatest one is called Mahat Aiśwaryam. Mahat is a deeper spiritual form of prosperity. The word “Mahat” in Sanskrit means great, vast, supreme, or cosmic in vibration. We know "Aishwaryam” means prosperity, wealth, or divine opulence. So Mahat Aishwaryam is Greater Prosperity or Supreme Abundance. Mahat is understood as the one that is beyond the limited aṣṭa aiśwaryam (eight prosperities), Mahat Aishwaryam refers to an all-encompassing wealth which is not just only money, but abundance in every dimension of life like health, harmony, knowledge, spiritual growth, peace, and liberation. It is said “Mahat aishwaryam labhate” – where one attains supreme prosperity only and only with divine grace. In Vedantic and Puranic texts, Mahat Aishwaryam refers to the cosmic wealth of the Divine. It is the inner richness of realization, wisdom, devotion, and connection with the Supreme. True Mahat Aishwaryam is said to be moksha (liberation) – the greatest wealth. We can see how Sudama got the grace of Krishna without asking Mahat Aishwarya. Ashta Aishwaryam is eight specific blessings of prosperity. Mahat Aishwaryam is the highest, limitless divine abundance that integrates both material and spiritual prosperity. Balambika Charanam Image courtesy: https://www.hindu-blog.com/2019/03/ ashta-aishwaryam-in-hinduism-eight.html