The anthar-mandala, as stated earlier, is a square, having half of a
dand (2koles) fiom the adhishtaana of the sreekovil. At the orients and cardinalpoints of this square are ashta-dik-paalakas and other Devathas. Two principles have to be clearly understood and followed in the installation of these bali-peethas or balikkalls (oblation stones); firstly, their positions within the anthar-mandala and secondly the direction to which the Devathas invoked in these balikkalls face. All these balikkalls are made up of granite or in exceptional cases with laterite stones. Beautiful carvings of padma are seen in some cases. Great sanctity is attached to these bali-peethas. The fixing of these bali-peethas is based on certain principles, ie, if the top of the bali-peetha is divided into 5 parts, 2 parts are within the anthar-mandala and 2 parts outside anthar-mandala and the central part on the imaginary border line of the anthar-mandala subject to the following principles. The ashta-dik-paalakas at the eastern side and southern side (except Yama) are fixed along the imaginary border line (which is equi-distant from the adhishtaana of the sreekovil. According to Amarakosam the ashta-dik-paalakas are Indra, Agni, Yama,Nirthi, Varuna, Vaayu, Kubera and Isaana. However, during oblations for sree-bali Sree Bhootha-bali etc preference and importance are given to Soma instead of Kubera.Therefore for all purposes of temple rites Soma is considered as the Loka-paala and dik-paala. Kubera has only secondary importance. The general principle is that bali-peethas of Isaana (at north-west), Indra (east) and Agni (south-east) face west. Yama at south faces north. All the other bali-peethas of ashta-dik-paalakas are fixed with slight deviations from the imaginary border line of the anthar-mandala, ie, in such a way that the right eye of Isaana faces the right eye of Vaayu, the right eye of Indra faces the right eye of Varuna, right eye of Agni faces right eye of Nirthi, and right eye of Yama faces right eye of Soma. By following this principle there is slight deviation in the positions of Nirthi, Varuna and Vaayu on the west and Soma on the north. The deviation of the bali-peetha of Vaayu extends over the imaginary line of anthar-mandala. The positioning of the bali-peetha of Indra deserves special mention. If the temple faces east and the sopaana has lateral steps the position of Indra is close to the balustrade. On the otherhand of the sopaana has direct steps its position is close to namaskaara-mandapa or with a distance from the sopaana step. If the temple faces west or other sides there is no change in position. The bali-peetha of saptha-mathrkkals (along with Veerabhadra and Ganapathi) has to be fixed at the southern border line. Therefore at south the Yama is not on the border line but at the northern-side of saptha-maathrkkals. Another aspect is that both Soma and Kubera should be on the west of the ambu-maargga (water course). In respect of other Devathas the principle laid down for fixing them, as mentioned earlier has to be followed. Diagram 14 gives the position of principal Devathas in anthar-mandala. The entire area within the anthar-mandala divided into nine rows and nine columns and the position of Devathas are marked in this Diagram taking into account the deviations also. The salient features65 of the bali- peethas are summarized as follows:
65. The statement js based on different works such as Sanskrit-English Dictionary Puraanic Nikhandu , Thanthra
Samucchaya, Sesha Samucchaya, Dhyaana slokas and Thanthra-Darppana.
Location in
Devatha
Geneology
anthar-mandala
Faces
Remarks
(i) ASHTA-DIK-PAALAKAS
1. Indra
Brahma (from navel of
East
West
On the eastern
Vishnu)- Mareechi (son of
imaginary
Brahma)-Kasyapan (son
line of anthar-mandala
of Mareechi) - Indra (son
depending on the
of Kasyapan in Adithi)
positioning of sopaana.
2. Agni
Vishnu - Brahma -Angirass
South-east
West
At the eastern corner
(son of Brahma)- Brhaspathi
and southern imagi-
(son of
Angirass
nory line of the
in Sraddha) - Samyu (son
antharmandala
of Brhaspathi in Chan-
dramasi) - Agni (son of
Samyu in Sathya)
3. Yama
Vishnu - Brahma-Mareechi-
South
North
It is in between the
Kasyapan - Soorya (son of
centre of the bali-
Kasyapan in Adithi)-
peetha of sapthama-
Yaman (son of Soorya in
thrukkal and the
Samna)
sreek6vil
4. Nirthi
Vishnu - Br.ahma
South-west
East
The right eye of
Sthaanu Prajaapathi
Nirthi is in a
-.
(son of Brahma in Swaha)-
straight line with the
Nirthi (son of Sthaanu)
right eye of Agni
and on the western
imaginary line
5. Varuna
Vishnu - Brahma- Mareechi-
West
East
The right eye of
Kasyapan-Varuna
Varuna is against
(son of Kasyapan in
the right eye of Indra
Adithi)
and on the western
imaginary line of
anthar-mandala
6. Vaayu
Originated
North-west
East
The right eye of Vaayu
from the breath
is against the right eye
of Kaalapurushan
of Isaana. Therefore,
the bali-peetha of
Vaayu partially lies
outside the imaginary
line of the anthar-
mandala
7. Soma
Soma is identified with
North
South
The right eye of Soma
the Moon (as the recept-
in Soma-paada
is in straight line with
acle of the other bever-
and west and
the right eye of Yama
ages of gods called Amr-
close to
and on the northern
tha and appears also
ambu-maargga
border line
among the 8 Vasus and the
of anthar-mandala
Lok-paalas.
8. Isaana
Mahavishnu-
North-east
West
It is at the north-east
Brahma-
corner and on the
Isaana
northern and
eastern lines of
anthar-mandala
Location in
Devatha
Genealogy
anthar-maIJ4ala
Faces
Remarks
(ii) OTHER BALI-PEETHAS
1. Brahma
Mahavishnu-
North-east
West
On the eastern border
Brahma
but adjacent
line of anthar mandala
and south of
Isaana
(
I
2. Saastha
Son of Siva and
In Brgath
North
On the southern
Mahavishnu
pada
border line of
(as Mohini)
and west of
anthar-mandala
Saptha-maathrkkal
3. Saptha-
Adjacent and
Ganapathi
Saptha-maathrkkal.
maathrkkals
south of Yama
faces east,
Ganapathi and
Veerabhadra
Veerabhadra
Veerabhadra are
and Gapapathi
faces west,
on a single sila in the
and Saptha-
shape of shorter linga
maathrkkals
or bali-peethas or in
face north
the form of idols. The
position of maathrkkals
are on the
imaginary line and
hence the ila may
slightly
project
outside the southern
line. Idol is based on
sankalpa of the deity
and hence aayudhaas
in hand or pose of
hands are variant.
:a) Ganapathi Mahavishnu
South
East
Gapathi is the
Brahma-
adhishtaana
Devatha and also
Siva-
Gapathi
gana-devatha
,
(b) Veerabhadra Originated from
South
West
An attendant of Siva
the jata of
and represents
Mahadeva
Sahasraara-sakthi
(c) Saptha-maathrkkal
(i) Brahmani
Originated
South
North
Represents srishti-
or
from the
sakthi
Brahmi
mouth of Devi
(ii) Ma.heswari Originated
South
North
Represents samhaara-
from the
sakthi
eyes of Devi
(iii) Kaumari
Originated from
South
North
Represents guru-
the loins of
sakthi
Devi
(tv) Vyshnavi
Originated
South
North
Represents maaya-
from the hands of
sakthi
Devi
Location in
Devatha
Geneology
Anthar-mandala
Faces
Remarks
(v) Vaaraahi
Originated
South
North
Represents vaaraaha-
from the
sakthi
back of Devi
(vi) Indraani
Originated from the
South
North
Represents the power
heart of Devi
of earth
(vii)Chaamunda
Originated from the
feet of Devi
South
North
Represents kudalini-sakthi
4. Anantha
Mahavishnu Brahma Kasyapan A.nanthan
(son of Kasyapan in Kadru)
South-west and north of Nirthi
in between Nifthi & Varuna
East
It is on the westem border line of anthar¬mandala. Anantha is not installed in Gapapathi, Saastha and Su bramanya and in some Durga temples.
5. Durga
Goddess of Universe
In Vaayupada (north-west) and east of Vaayu
South
It is on the north em border line of antharmandala.
6. Subramanya
Mahavishnu¬Brahma-Siva Subramanya
In prathhana veedhi (north-west)
South
It is on the northem border line of anthar¬mandala Subramanya represents Guru, (Guhan). and east of Durga
7. Kubera
Vishnu-Brahma¬Pulasthyan
(son of Brahma)¬Visravass (son of Pulasthyan in Havir hu)- Vysravanan (son of Visravass in I!abila)
North
South
Kubera is the Lord of the north. It is on the northem border line of anthar-maT}.<f.ala and west of Soma
8. Nirmaalya
dhaari
In Udithi pada (north¬east) and
West of
Isaana
South
Nirmaalyadhaari is paalaka or guard of
the deity in the akatthe- balivattam
and is different for each'Devatha as
noted below:
(1) Vishnu: Vishvaksenan
(2) Siva: Chandesvaranvaran
(3) Sankaranarayana:
Chandasenan
(4) Ganapathi:
Kumbodaran
(5) Saastha:
Ghoshavathi
(6) Subramalna:
Dhoorthhasegan
(7) Durga: Mundini
8) Bhadrakaali: Seshika
They are generally represented in the form of linga but in rare cases in the form of idols.
