Kamalamba Navavaranam -Ninth Avaranam (Ragam Ahiri)

This Kirtanam of Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Ragam Ahiri, represents the ninth and final Avarana (layer) in the Sri Yantra - Sarva Anandamaya chakram. Here, Devi is called Paraapaarati rahasya Yogini.

Navavaranam - a unique set of compositions

The Sri chakra is one of the most celebrated yantras in Indian spiritual traditions, and is used in a form of Devi worship called the Sri Vidya Upasana. Yantra and mantra together represent the union of form and sound. They are inseparable.

The Sri Yantra is composed of nine intersecting triangles, symbolizing the unity of Shiva and Shakti, which surround a central point called the bindu. Circumscribing the triangles are an 8-petaled lotus and a 16-petaled lotus, enclosed in a square based formation.

Starting from the outer square and moving inwards to the central bindu, the Sri Yantra is divided into nine Avaranams (layers/coverings) representing the stages of one’s progression from the material to the subtle - a movement beyond limited existence towards one’s ultimate union. Each avaranam represents a unique quality and has specific deities and mantras to invoke the Goddess.

It is in this context that Muthswamy Dikshitar, one of Carnatic music's foremost composers from the 18th century, has composed the Kamalamba Navavaranams. Each composition represents a specific Avaranam and Yogini (deity), having particular qualities, and a specific place in the Sri Yantra.

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