MAHA-SURYA YANTRA

Yantra is nucleus of the visible and knowable a linked diagram of lines by means of which visualized energies are concentrated. This is one of the ways in which the psycho-cosmic mechanism is worked. The wide-ranging meaning, which is compressed to a high degree of density in this Yantra, is first synthesized and fed into the devotee’s mind. The mystic ‘Chakra’ called the great ‘Surya Yantra’ has been closely associated with the daily Sun-worship for four centuries at Arasavalli . The Yantra means a charging machine, a store house of solar energy in atomic form. Rather it contains itself in a considered form of uncontrollable power of the Sun to channelise in to the being. It is a diadem engraved on mental, which is worshipped in the same manner as an image.

The following twelve sacred names of the Sun and seven ‘Bijaaksharaas’ are playing vital role while in doing Surya Namaskaars.

 MITRA                     :              The Supreme Friend of all,

 RAVI                        :               Praised by all,

 SURYA                    :               The Director,

 BHANU                    :              Giving Luster.

 KHAGA                   :               Stimulator of the senses,

 POOSHA                 :               The nourisher of all beings.

At this ancient Arasavalli Sun Temple of Srikakulam District head-quarters in Andhara Pradesh, in longitude 83 and latitude 18, on Madras-Howrah National Highway No.5, the sun is worshiped as principal deity along with the panchayatana type of worship, Aditya-Ambica-Vishnu-Ganesh and Mahesa-is going on today as per ‘Aagama Shaastras’.

According to stone inscriptions and copper plates available, it is revealed that this shrine dates back to 672 A.D. Devendra Varma of the Kalinga Dynesty was the reuled. It was said that Arasavalli was the Royal Capital shifted from Kalinga Nagara now known as ‘Sri Mukhalingam’. The inscriptions relating to this temple were recognized by the Government in 1896. From about 396 A.D., the land of the ancient kalinga Empire lying between the rivers of Godavari and Mahanadi was being ruled by a long line of kings of Eastern ‘Ganga’ line of Kshatriyas. In the later half of the seventh century AD to be precise, from 672 to 702, they ruled over this tract.

The available three stone inscriptions in the Sun-Temple premises at Arasavalli are very important records pail graphically and discloses a distinct type of alphabet in Telugu as different from that of the Vengi script of certain aspects. The first inscription helps to understand the mentality of the people and their human and philanthropic views. It was primarily intended to establish a college of learning and hostel for student-residents, apart from providing forother minor needs of pupils such as providing of warm atmosphere in winter and supply of cool drinks in summer. The endowment mentions the provisions of a big tank for the bathing facilities not only for students but also for piligrims and general public. It is astonishing to note that this endowment was not instituted by the ruling king, but by an officer under him, in his private capacity as a humble citizen.

The inscription beginning with the mention of the ruling king, Ananta Varma Devara of Ganga dynasty with all his titles, in the 58th regnal year of his rule. It also records the month as per Souramana ‘mesha’ and the day of ‘Akshara Triteeya’ (the third day of Vaisakha month, equalent to saka-era 1035 March-April. The donor of the college and hostel, named ‘Surapotu’, was theson of ‘Vaisama Raaya’. He obtained ten putties of land in Arasavilli from the kind by means of copper-plate inscription and out of that, five putties of land was endowed and was in possession of ‘Madhava Shadanga’, who was person-in-charge of the college, for the maintenance of the above mentioned institutions. This ‘Surapotu’ also held offices of Karanam (Village Officer), ‘Padihattu (Commander of forces) and ‘Puravan’ (the chairman of the Town Council).

This endowment was made to run as long as moon and Sun are there and anybody that obstructs the proper functioning of this college and hostel will be considered a sinner who did injustice to ‘Gaja, Viraja, Mahendrambula adharmambu sese’ meaning of this is to be explained by historians. This stone slate is nearly three by two feet. The whole block is of rough granite. The writing of the text occupies twenty one lines of prose matter and is composed of spoken dialect of the people. The script in the inscription is pure Telugu as spoken by the masses at large. It is not so grammatical and the whole text is composed of one sentence. The second stone inscription also is about three by two feet of rough granite and that text occupies 14 lines of prose matter. This inscription also beginning with the mention of ruling king Anant Varma Devar in 72 regional year of his rule. ‘Cumber’ month, new-moonday, Sunday of SE 1068. The donor ‘Prolana’ son of ‘Veminayaka’ of Dharmavara village given ‘Akhanda Deepa’ everlasting-light, to ‘Arasavilli’ Bhogeeswara Devara. It is to be observed here that instead of Arasavalli ‘Surya Devara’ this endowment made for ‘Bhogeswara Devara’. The third one about two by one feet also is imiler to the above, but the dateis SE as 1069 and the purpose of the endowment is the same. The donor was Medapotu Naikudu son of Potayya Naikudu.

This inscription is of thirteen lines of prose matter. On this stone it is correctly written as Surya Devara. The above two endowments were made to run as long as moon and Sun are there and anybody who obstructs this purpose would be considered as a sinner who commits murder to a pious Brahmin.