Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for the Athma Gayathri Sadhana
1. Can I eat meat during the sadhana?
You will get better results if you don't.
2. Can I have marital relations during this Puja?
This Puja will give you great wisdom if you try to observe a fast from such activities.
3. If I can't do the Sadhana at sunrise, can I do it at another time?
You will get the most benefit if you do the Pujas before sunrise. If you cannot, you can do them at another time.
4. Can I do the Sadhana during menstruation?
You may continue your mantra chanting, but you should not light the lamp. Agatheesar has said that you must meditate without touching the Linga or the Yantra.
5. Can other people in my home eat meat?
Yes, there is no rule against it.
6. I missed a few days of my practice because I was travelling. Can I start again?
Yes, you can definitely start again.
7. How do I finish the 108-day Athma Gayathri Sadhana?
Sadhguru Agathiyar Maharishi will explain how to do this soon.
8. Is it okay to drink alcohol during the Sadhana?
It is much better to avoid it.
9. If I am travelling, can I take the Yantra with me?
You can go on your trip and leave the Yantra at home. Every day, you can close your eyes and do your puja by visualising it in your mind. (No one else should light the lamps for your Yantra).
10. Can someone who has never done the Athmalinga Puja before do this Sadhana?
Sadhguru Agathiya Maharishi has said that for 48 days, they can do the Sadhana by using a Pillaiyar made of turmeric in the centre of the Yantra instead of the Athmalinga.
11. When does the 48-day Athma Gayathri Fast start?
The 48-day fast starts on November 20th.
12. If I haven't done the Athmalinga Puja, should I make a new turmeric Ganapathi for the Srichakra every day?
No. Before you start your prayers each day, just add a little water to the Ganapathi you made on the first day to fix any cracks and make it new.
13. I am doing the 11th group Athmalinga Puja right now. Can I do the 48-day Athma Gayathri Sadhana?
Yes, you can do the Athma Gayathri Sadhana starting November 20th, after you complete your 96-day Athmalinga Puja.
14. After the Sadhana is over, what should I do with the turmeric Ganapathi?
Mix the turmeric Ganapathi with water and place it on a patch of ground where people don't walk.
15. What should I do with the Srichakra when the Sadhana is finished?
Just keep the Srichakra in your prayer room and pray to it during your regular home prayers.
16. Do all family members need their own Srichakra Yantra for the Puja?
Yes. Each person must have their own Yantra and place only their own Athmalingam on it. If you are not doing the Athmalinga worship, you should place a separate turmeric Pillaiyar on your own Yantra for the Sadhana.
17. If a family member dies, can I still do the Sadhana?
If the death happened in your home, you must do the Sadhana for 11 days without lighting the lamps. If a close relative died outside your home, you must do the Sadhana for 3 days without lighting the lamps.
18. What should I do with the Akshathai on the Yantra after the Sadhana?
The turmeric Akshathai will have changed to a golden or white colour. You must offer it by pouring water over it at the base of a plant.
19. Can I clean the lamps every day?
Yes, you can.
20. Do I have to offer flowers around the Srichakra every day?
No, it is not required. You can do the Pujas without flowers. If you do want to offer flowers, make sure they do not touch the Srichakra.
21. How should the lamps' flame be?
Make sure the flame is soft and not too bright.
22. Can I buy my own Yantra?
Yes, you can. But before you use it for the Sadhana, you must first do a Kumkum Aradhana for it at a temple where they worship the Srichakra.
23. I already have a Yantra at home. Can I use it?
The goal of your old Yantra is different from the goal of this Sadhana. For your life force to settle and the Gateway of Mercy to open correctly, you need to use a new Yantra.
24. Do I have to buy only the Yantra that Anbalayam gives?
No. But the Sri Yantra from Anbalayam is made to a specific size (16cm x 16cm) and weight (over 160 grams), just as Agathiyar said. It is sent to everyone only after it has been worshipped at the Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Temple. If you buy one yourself, check the size and weight carefully. You must still get a Kumkum Aradhana done for it at a temple that worships the Srichakra before you start the Sadhana.
25. What if I can't find a Yantra in the size Agathiyar mentioned?
You can get one from Anbalayam. Or, you can buy any Yantra you find and start the Sadhana with a pure heart.
26. Does the wooden cube altar have a specific size?
The best size is for the cube to be half the size of the Srichakra. If you can't do that, it should just be smaller than the Srichakra.
27. Can I move the Sri Yantra when cleaning the room?
No, you must not move the Sri Yantra at all during the Sadhana.
28. I just found out about this Puja, can I still do it?
Yes, you can. You can start the Sadhana at any time before January 6th and finish it on January 6th, the Gurupuja day for Sri Sadhguru Agathiya Maharishi.
29. Can children do this Puja?
Yes, they can do it for one Mandala period (48 days). All they need to do is place a turmeric Pillaiyar in the middle of the Sri Yantra, and then say the Athma Gayathri Mantra three times and the Adi Vilakku Gayathri Mantra twelve times.
30. What kind of food is Sattvic?
You should eat cooked food while it's still warm. Avoid vegetables that grow under the ground and leftover food. You can also eat raw fruits and vegetables. If you eat ghee, it will remove bad heat impurities. Drinking warm water with honey after offering it to the Srichakra at dawn will remove health problems. But always remember that having a pure heart is more important than having pure food.
31. Is it mandatory to perform the Surrender Meditation at night?
When the Surrender Meditation is performed before you sleep, and the Srichakra worship is done at dawn, the cosmic result will be magnificent.
32. Must a turmeric Ganapathi idol be formed every day to commence the Sadhana?
It is not required. You only need to create and consecrate the Ganapathi idol on the first day. On all other days, it is sufficient to take water and offer it to the Earth with reverence.
33. What oil should be used for the lamp?
You may use any oil, following the guidance of your own soul.
34. I don't have a board to place the wooden cube on, what should I do?
Those who don't have a large board can place a small wooden cube, which is the seat of the Sri Chakra, directly on the ground and place the Sri Chakra on it.
35. Can pregnant women undertake the Atma Gayatri Sadhana / Vrata?
No, they should not.
