The corresponding Dikshithar composition for the First Avaranam is “KamalAmbA Samrakshatu MAm” in ragam Ananda Bhairavi. This composition is in the Prathama vibhakthi (nominative). The first avarana is ‘Bhupuram’ and the Chakra is ‘Trailokyamohana’ chakra (enchants the three worlds). The yogini is Prakata; Mudra is Sarva Somkshibhni; Siddhi is Anima; and the mental state of the aspirant is Jagrata. The presiding deity is Tripura. Her Vidya is Am Am Sauh.The gem is topaz. The time is 24 minutes and the Shaktis are 28 that include the ten starting with Anima, the eight Matruka Devis starting with Brahmya and Maheshwari; and the ten Mudra Shaktis. 28 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the feet of the mother goddess. These can be found in the charanam of this composition:
“tripurAdi cakrESvarI aNimAdi siddhISvarI nitya kAmESvarI
kshiti pura trai-lOkya mOhana cakravartinI prakaTa yOginI
sura ripu mahishAsurAdi mardinI nigama purANAdi saMvEdinI
tripurESI guru guha jananI tripura bhanjana ranjanI
madhu ripu sahOdarI talOdarI tripura sundarI mahESvarI”
The indicative raga-mudra is seen as “kamalaj ’Ananda’ bOdha sukhI” (the one delighting in the knowledge that results in Brahmananda - supreme bliss). “nitya kAma-ISvarI” (the one who always fulfills desires) in the charanam also refers to 15 nithya (daily) Devis (one for each day of two moon phases). The Bhupura Chakra, the earth stretch, includes within its spacial scope the entire design even as the earth supports the entire existence . As he enters the first Avarana, Sri. Dikshitar submits his salutations to the Mother Goddess Kamalamba and prays for protection and guidance. He address her as the magnificent transcendental beauty without a parallel in three worlds (Tripura Sundari); the conqueror of three levels of existence; the presiding deity of Tripura and other chakras (Tripuradi Chakreshwari); Kameshwari; the empress of Trailokyamohana Chakra (Trailokyamohana Chakravarthini) of Bhupura (Kshithipura). She is the presiding deity of the chakra (Tripureshi); mother of Guruguha; and the enchanting beauty of all the tree worlds (tripura Sundari). Dikshithar also submits his salutations to Anima and other Siddhi deities of the Avarana (Animadi-Siddhishwari) (*please see below); the Nithya Devis; the Yogini of the Avarana (Prakata Yogini); and Maheshwari and other Mathruka Devis. Thus, along with the prayers, Dikshithar brings out the salient features of the Bhupura Chakra, the Earth principle.
Meaning:
May goddess Kamalamba, who resides ("nivasini") at the heart ("hrut") of Kamalangara, protect ("samrakshatu") me ("maam").
Her lotus-like ("abja") face ("mukhi") is praised ("sa-aaradhita") by virtuous people ("su-mana").
She who is the beloved ("manah-priyakara") companion ("sakhi") of Lord Sundara-Shiva, who revels in joy ("ananda") deriving from wisdom ("bodha") and is very beautiful. She is like the she-parrot ("shuki") in the center of the cage ("panjara") known as Tara.
She is suzerain of the Chakra cosmogram ("chakra-eshwari"), i.e. tripura etc., goddess ("eshwari") for the Siddhi powers such as Anima. She is eternal ("nitya") and beloved of Kameshvara-Nityakameshvari.
She is the sovereign ruler ("vartini") of the Trailokya Mohana Chakra, the circle that beguiles the three worlds. She is the manifestation ("prakata") of Yogic power ("yogini"), conqueror of the enemies ("ripu") of celestials ("sura") such as Mahishasura. She is revealed ("samvedhini") in holy ("nigama") scriptures ("puraana"). She is the spouse of Tripuresha-Shiva and the mother ("janani") of Guruguha. She enjoyed ("ranjani") the destruction ("bhanjana") of Tripura. She is the sister ("sahodari") of Vishnu, who is the enemy ("ripu") of the demon Madhu. She is slender-waisted ("talodhari"), Tripurasundari the great goddess and spouse ("eshwari") of Maheshvara.
The eight Yogic accomplishments (siddhis) referred to in this song are :
aNimA - power to become infinitesimal in size
mahimA - power to grow very huge
laghimA - power to become very light
garimA - power to become inordinately heavy
ishitva - power to rule over everything
vashitva - power to subjugate all
prApti - power to obtain whatever is desired
prAkAmya - power to fulfil all wishes
Let us begin with the nine Avaranams from today; the first one as above, being sung by Sangeetha kalanidhi Sanjay Subramanyan.