SRI BHAGAVAN AND THE
MOTHER'S TEMPLE

---

Major A.W. Chadwick (Sadhu Arunachala)

BHAGAVAN WAS DEEPLY interested in the construction
of the shrine built over his mother's samadhi. He attended
every function in connection with it, placing his hands in
blessing on the various objects that were to be enclosed in the
walls. At night, when no one was about, he would walk round
and round the construction consecrating it. That he should take
such a demonstrative part in anything has a very deep
significance. It was extremely rare and has been doubted by
many, but I myself was an eye-witness to these things and can
vouch for their truth.

He took a personal interest in the cutting of the Sri Chakra
Meru in granite (pyramidal form), which was installed in the
completed temple and is regularly worshipped. This is about
one and a half feet square and proportionately high. At the
time of the kumbabhishekam on the penultimate night before
the sacred water was poured over the images, he personally
supervised the installation in the inner shrine. It was an extremely
hot night and with three charcoal retorts for melting the cement
adding to the heat. It must have been intolerable inside the
airless cave of the inner shrine. Yet for approximately one and a
half hours Bhagavan sat there telling the workmen what to do.

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On the last night of the function he went in procession,
opening the doors of the new hall and temple and passing
straight up into the inner shrine, where he stood for some five
minutes with both hands laid on the Sri Chakra in blessing. I
happened that night to be at his side the whole time. This was
unusual, as I deliberately avoided taking a prominent part in
such things, preferring to watch from the back.

Strangely, something made me keep by him on this
occasion and on account of this I was able to understand his
deep interest in the temple and especially in the Sri Chakra. It
was because of this knowledge that I was instrumental, after
Bhagavan's passing, in persuading the Ashram authorities to
institute the Sri Chakra pujas six times a month.

The explanation for this unusual action on Bhagavan's part
may be found in the necessity of Siva always to be accompanied
by Shakti. The world would stop otherwise. On the only occasion
when such a puja was performed, shortly after the dedication of
the temple during the life of Bhagavan, he refused to go for his
evening meal, but insisted on remaining a witness of it until
the end. Someone remarked how magnificent it had been and
that it would be a good thing if such pujas could be performed
regularly, "Yes, but who will take the trouble?" asked Bhagavan.

Trouble is being taken now and it undoubtedly has the blessings
of Bhagavan.

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