THE PURPOSE OF THE THREE stages of preliminary foundation practices of Ganapathi and Bala, Raja Shyma and Maha Varahi.
In Madhyamaka Sri Vidya the three different approaches on three separate practices.These are known as the Three chariots , but they can be summed up in a single phrase: “Mind; there is no mind; mind is luminosity.”
The first, “Mind,” refers to the first set of practices Ganapathi Tarpanam and yantra pooja awaken in us the knowledge that there is a “mind.” This was to dispel the nihilistic view that there is no heaven, no hell, no cause and effect.
Then follow by the practice of Raja Shymala helps to release us from fabricated optical delusions of the mind. “There is no mind,” this meant that mind is just a concept and that there is no such thing as a truly existing mind.
Finally, Maha Varahi illuminates our minds from both relativity and the absolute , “Mind is luminous,” the non dualistic realisation awakens referring to Devi our mother divine the undeluded or primordially existing wisdom, consciousness and bliss.
My blessed Guru Sri la Sri Chaitanyananda Natha taught me that the purpose of Ganapathi and Bala was to get rid of non-virtue. Where does the non-virtue come from? It comes from being either eternalist or nihilist. So in order to put an end to non-virtuous deeds and thoughts, the Tarpanam and yantra pooja of Ganapathi and Bala is practice.
The practice of Raja Shymala , gives us the clarity about fullness poorna and emptiness shunyata. Raja Shymala blesses one to dispel clinging on to a “truly existent self” and to “truly existent phenomena.”
Finally, the practice of Maha Varahi is given to dispel all views, even the views of no-self or eternal -self. The three sets of practice do not seek to introduce something new; their purpose is simply to clear away deep seated ignorance and confusion from beginning-less cyclic existence.
Poornananda Natha- ( The Sri Vidya Art Of Good Karma). Madhyamaka Sri Vidya school (Singapore)
