A Sacred Legacy: The Journey of Mahalakshmi Yantra and Ucchistha Ganapati

On December 15, Nirmalananda Swamiji left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him. As I reflect on the events that unfolded after his passing, I am reminded of the profound connection he shared with the divine.

During his lifetime, Swamiji had entrusted me with a sacred responsibility – to find a worthy successor to inherit the revered Mahalakshmi Yantra.

Nirmalananda Swamiji

This precious artifact, imbued with the essence of Dasha Mahavidya and Maha Lakshmi, had been worshipped by Swamiji for many years. Though he had expressed his desire to pass it on, we had hesitated, knowing how dear it was to him.

After Swamiji's passing, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to fulfill his wish. I reached out to a renowned Avadhani, but he expressed uncertainty about handling the Yantra. Undeterred, I messaged Atmanandanatha Guruji of Srividhya Maha Samsthana, Guhananda Parampara, seeking his guidance.

When I initially contacted Guruji, he shared that he would be traveling to Hyderabad from Indore by train, with a brief stopover. The outward reason for this detour seemed mundane – unavailability of flight tickets. However, as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that a deeper, divine purpose was at play. The universe had orchestrated his visit to Hyderabad, guiding him to witness the Mahalakshmi Yantra and formulate a plan for its future.

Guruji traveled to Hyderabad on December 25, and upon seeing the Yantra, he revealed its profound significance. The Yantra, he explained, embodied the essence of Dasha Mahavidya and Maha Lakshmi. As he gazed at the Ucchistha Ganapati Vigraha, his eyes sparkled with delight, and he shared his insight – Swamiji was no ordinary individual; he had attained the highest level of SriVidya.

As Guruji interacted with Swamiji's "Bhairava" Vishwa, it was as if the Universe was bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual realms. Vishwa, sensing Guruji's presence, shared his grief, and it was a poignant moment, witnessing the depth of their connection. The similarity between Guruji and Swamiji was uncanny, as if Swamiji had reappeared in white attire instead of his signature orange robes. This feeling was reinforced when Guruji casually mentioned an Upasaka, using the exact words Swamiji would often employ, leaving us in awe of the synchronicity.

As I showed Guruji Swamiji's vast collection of books, each volume reaffirmed his profound knowledge of SriVidya. Guruji decided that the Yantra and Ucchistha Ganapati should be taken to our home, as he wanted us also to reap the benefit of being with Swamiji over the years. He believed that our association with Swamiji had created a sacred bond, and by hosting the Yantra and Ucchistha Ganapati, we could further nurture this connection.

With Guruji's guidance, we brought the yantra and Ucchistha Ganapati to our home, where they remained for a brief period before being transferred to Bangalore Srividya Maha Samsthana. On January 3, Guruji and Sri Lakshmi Amma performed Ucchistha Ganapati Homa and Mahalakshmi Homa. As they prepared to depart for Bangalore, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the rapid unfolding of events. Swamiji's style was characterized by swift action, and the Yantra's journey was no exception.

In a remarkable display of divine synchronicity, Guruji revealed that a Mahameru had been installed at the Samsthana, measuring 18' x 18' and weighing 108 kg – a rare occurrence indeed. Astonishingly, the Mahalakshmi Yantra, crafted approximately 30 years ago, shared the exact same dimensions. Swamiji had painstakingly sketched this masterpiece before having the Yantra created. This extraordinary coincidence underscored the deep connection between Swamiji, Guruji, and the sacred artifacts.

Within 30 days of Swamiji's passing, the Mahalakshmi Yantra and Ucchistha Ganapati had found a new home with Atmanandanatha Guruji, a revered Srividhya master from the same Kasyapa Gotra as Swamiji. This transition was a testament to Swamiji's wisdom and foresight.

As I reflect on this journey, I am struck by the realization that Swamiji had never shared the magnitude of the Yantra's significance or his own Upasana with us. It was only after his passing that we gained insight into the profundity of his spiritual pursuits. We always know he was great, but had no understanding of the extent of "greatness".

After spending several years with Swamiji, for us, the Yantram was simply "Amma" – a symbol of love, comfort, and divine guidance. When we received questions about the details of the Yantram, we felt a bit shy, realizing that we had never asked Swamiji these questions ourselves. This oversight was likely why Swamiji affectionately scolded us as "Vilakkennai" (a Tamil term of endearment meaning "ignorant ones"). - Janaki & Sankar