Spiritual Significance of Chidambaram Rahasyam
Of the word Chidambaram, the term 'Chit' would mean consciousness and 'Ambaram' would mean 'Sky' derived from 'Aakaasam' or 'Aaakayam'. The terms put together would be the 'Sky of Consciousness'.
A curtain is found within the sanctum sanctorum, the drawing of which reveals an empty space with streams of golden bilva leaves hung to indicate the presence of the Lord. The exterior part of the curtain which is black indicates the ignorance of man while the interior part of it in red, symbolizes wisdom and bliss. The empty space within exposes the worship of the Lord in His formless state. The curtain is drawn during the daily rituals for the worship of the formless Lord, the realization of which is liberation or Mukti. This is truly a ritual that penetrates the prevailing notions about the divine to the bareness of nothingness, which is divinity in actuality.
Chidambara Rahasyam is hence, the journey from ignorance to wisdom and ultimately to liberation through surrender that bestows bliss.
Of the word Chidambaram, the term 'Chit' would mean consciousness and 'Ambaram' would mean 'Sky' derived from 'Aakaasam' or 'Aaakayam'. The terms put together would be the 'Sky of Consciousness'.
A curtain is found within the sanctum sanctorum, the drawing of which reveals an empty space with streams of golden bilva leaves hung to indicate the presence of the Lord. The exterior part of the curtain which is black indicates the ignorance of man while the interior part of it in red, symbolizes wisdom and bliss. The empty space within exposes the worship of the Lord in His formless state. The curtain is drawn during the daily rituals for the worship of the formless Lord, the realization of which is liberation or Mukti. This is truly a ritual that penetrates the prevailing notions about the divine to the bareness of nothingness, which is divinity in actuality.
Chidambara Rahasyam is hence, the journey from ignorance to wisdom and ultimately to liberation through surrender that bestows bliss.