Sriramachakra

Last updated
Image of Sri Rama Chakra as a magic square given in the Panchangam published by Sringeri Sharada Peetham. SeiRamaChakramMagicSquare.jpg
Image of Sri Rama Chakra as a magic square given in the Panchangam published by Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
Images of Sri Rama Chakra and Seetha Chakra as given in Pambu Panchangam. SriRamaAndSeethaChakramPambuPanchangam.jpg
Images of Sri Rama Chakra and Seetha Chakra as given in Pambu Panchangam.
Image of Seetha Chakra as a magic square given in the Panchangam published by Srirangam Temple. SeethaChakramMagicSquare.jpg
Image of Seetha Chakra as a magic square given in the Panchangam published by Srirangam Temple.

Sriramachakra (also called Sri Rama Chakra, Ramachakra, Rama Chakra, or Ramar Chakra) is a mystic diagram or a yantra given in Tamil almanacs as an instrument of astrology for predicting one's future. The geometrical diagram consists of a square divided into smaller squares by equal numbers of lines parallel to the sides of the square. Certain integers in well defined patterns are written in the various smaller squares. In some almanacs, for example, in the Panchangam published by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham [1] or the Pnachangam published by Srirangam Temple, [2] the diagram takes the form of a magic square of order 4 with certain special properties. [3] [4] This magic square belongs to a certain class of magic squares called strongly magic squares (or complete magic squares) which has been so named and studied by T V Padmakumar, an amateur mathematician from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. [5] [6] [7] In some almanacs, for example, in the Pambu Panchangam, the diagram consists of an arrangement of 36 small squares in 6 rows and 6 columns in which the digits 1, 2, ..., 9 are written in that order from left to right starting from the top-left corner, repeating the digits in the same direction once the digit 9 is reached. [8]

Contents

There is another smaller mystic diagram, called Seetha Chakra given in Tamil almanacs. In some almanacs [1] [2] it is given as a magic square of order 3 whereas in some others [8] it is an arrangement of 9 small squares in 3 rows and 3 columns in which the digits 1, 2, .. 9 are written in that order column-wise from left to right.

These Chakras are used by the believers to predict the future. A believer takes a small flower, prays to God seeking divine directions and drops the flower randomly on a board containing an inscription of one of the Chakras. The number on which the flower falls is believed to give a broad indication of the future of the believer. For example, if the design is Sri Rama Chakra in the form of a magic square and the number on which the flower has fallen is 11 then the person can expect "victory in his/her future endeavors". [9]

The Chakras

Sri Rama Chakras

Sringeri/Srirangam Panchangams

The Sri Rama Chakra as given in the Panchangam published by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham [1] or the one published by Srirangam Temple [2] is shown below.

91654
721114
121381
631015

This is a magic square of order 4. The sum of the numbers in every row, every column and each diagonal are all equal to 34.

Pambu Panchangam

The Sri Rama Chakra as given in Pambu Panchangam is shown below.

123456
789123
456789
123456
789123
456789

Seetha Chakras

Sringeri/Srirangam Panchangams

The Seetha Chakra as given in the Panchangam published by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham [1] or the one published by Srirangam Temple [2] is shown below.

294
753
618

This is a magic square of order 3. The sum of the numbers in every row, every column and each diagonal are all equal to 15.

Pambu Panchangam

The Seetha Chakra as given in Pambu Panchangam is shown below.

147
258
369

Sri Rama Chakra as a strongly magic square

Let M be a magic square of order 4 and let it be represented by matrix as follows:

The numbers in each row, and in each column, and the numbers that run diagonally in both directions, all add up to the number 34. M is called a strongly magic square if the following condition is satisfied: [5]

For all m, n such that 1 ≤ m ≤ 4, 1 ≤ n ≤ 4, we have
,
where it is assumed that if a subscript exceeds 4 it is replaced by 1 (wrapping around rows and columns).

For example in a strongly magic square M the following must be true.

(taking m = 2, n = 3)
(taking m = 2, n = 4)
(taking m = 4, n = 4)

One can easily verify that the magic square represented by the Sri Rama Chakra is a strongly magic square.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Permutation group</span> Group whose operation is composition of permutations

In mathematics, a permutation group is a group G whose elements are permutations of a given set M and whose group operation is the composition of permutations in G. The group of all permutations of a set M is the symmetric group of M, often written as Sym(M). The term permutation group thus means a subgroup of the symmetric group. If M = {1, 2, ..., n} then Sym(M) is usually denoted by Sn, and may be called the symmetric group on n letters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic square</span> Sums of each row, column, and main diagonals are equal

In recreational mathematics, a square array of numbers, usually positive integers, is called a magic square if the sums of the numbers in each row, each column, and both main diagonals are the same. The order of the magic square is the number of integers along one side (n), and the constant sum is called the magic constant. If the array includes just the positive integers , the magic square is said to be normal. Some authors take magic square to mean normal magic square.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Hinduism:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Checkerboard</span> Board with an alternating square pattern on which games are played

A checkerboard or chequerboard is a board of checkered pattern on which checkers is played. Most commonly, it consists of 64 squares (8×8) of alternating dark and light color, typically green and buff, black and red, or black and white. An 8×8 checkerboard is used to play many other games, including chess, whereby it is known as a chessboard. Other rectangular square-tiled boards are also often called checkerboards.

A pandiagonal magic square or panmagic square is a magic square with the additional property that the broken diagonals, i.e. the diagonals that wrap round at the edges of the square, also add up to the magic constant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic constant</span>

The magic constant or magic sum of a magic square is the sum of numbers in any row, column, or diagonal of the magic square. For example, the magic square shown below has a magic constant of 15. For a normal magic square of order n – that is, a magic square which contains the numbers 1, 2, ..., n2 – the magic constant is .

An antimagic square of order n is an arrangement of the numbers 1 to n2 in a square, such that the sums of the n rows, the n columns and the two diagonals form a sequence of 2n + 2 consecutive integers. The smallest antimagic squares have order 4. Antimagic squares contrast with magic squares, where each row, column, and diagonal sum must have the same value.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sringeri</span> Temple town in Karnataka, India

Sringeri also called Shringeri is a hill town and Taluk headquarters located in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the site of the first maṭha established by Adi Shankara, Hindu theologian and exponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, in the 8th century CE. Located on the banks of the river Tungā, the town draws a large number of pilgrims to its temples of Sri Sharadamba, Sri Vidyashankara, Sri Malahanikareshvara and other deities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic hexagon</span>

A magic hexagon of order n is an arrangement of numbers in a centered hexagonal pattern with n cells on each edge, in such a way that the numbers in each row, in all three directions, sum to the same magic constant M. A normal magic hexagon contains the consecutive integers from 1 to 3n2 − 3n + 1. It turns out that normal magic hexagons exist only for n = 1 and n = 3. Moreover, the solution of order 3 is essentially unique. Meng also gave a less intricate constructive proof.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamil calendar</span> Sidereal Hindu calendar used by the Tamil people

The Tamil calendar is a sidereal solar calendar used by the Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It is also used in Puducherry, and by the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Mauritius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vidyaranya</span> Indian author and guru (1296–1391)

Vidyaranya, usually identified with Mādhavācharya, was Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham from ca. 1374-1380 until 1386 - according to tradition, after ordination at an old age, he took the name of Vidyaranya, and became the Jagadguru of this Matha at Sringeri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shakti Pitha</span> Shrines in Shaktism, goddess-focused Hinduism

The Shakti Pitha or the Shakti Peethas are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-centric denomination in Hinduism. The shrines are dedicated to various forms of Adi Shakti. Various Puranas such as Srimad Devi Bhagavatam state the existence of varying number of 51, 64 and 108 Shakti peethas of which 18 are named as Astadasha Maha (major) in medieval Hindu texts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sringeri Sharada Peetham</span> Advaita Vedanta Hindu monastery with temples

Dakṣināmnāya Śrī Śāradā Pītham or Śri Śringeri Maṭha is one amongst the four cardinal pīthams following the Daśanāmi Sampradaya - the peetham or matha is said to have been established by acharya Śrī Ādi Śaṅkara to preserve and propagate Sanātana Dharma and Advaita Vedānta, the doctrine of non-dualism. Located in Śringerī in Chikmagalur district in Karnataka, India, it is the Southern Āmnāya Pītham amongst the four Chaturāmnāya Pīthams, with the others being the Dvārakā Śāradā Pītham (Gujarat) in the West, Purī Govardhana Pīṭhaṃ (Odisha) in the East and Badri Jyotishpīṭhaṃ (Uttarakhand) in the North. The head of the matha is called Shankarayacharya, the title derives from Adi Shankara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandrashekhara Bharati III</span> Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham (1912-1954)

Swami Chandrasekhara Bharati was the Jagadguru Sankaracarya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham in 1912–1954. He was one of the most significant spiritual figures in Hinduism during the 20th century. They were believed to be a Jivanmukta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sthanika Brahmins</span> Oldest Tulu Brāhmins primarily from the coastal Karnataka

Sthānika Brāhmins belong to Hindu Tuluva Smartha Brahmin group.

Sacchidananda Bharati I , was a Hindu sant and religious leader of the 17th century. He was the Jagadguru of the Hindu matha Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1623 to 1663, and is believed to have saved it from attack by spiritual means.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Char Dham</span> Four major Hindu pilgrimage sites in India

The Char Dham is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India. It is believed that visiting these sites helps achieve moksha (salvation). The four Dhams are, Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram. It is believed that every Hindu should visit the Char Dhams during one's lifetime. The Char Dham as defined by Adi Shankaracharya consists of four Hindu pilgrimage sites. These main 'dhamas' are the shrines of Lord Vishnu and Rameshwaram is a shrine of lord Shiva. All the 'dhamas' are related to four epochs,(1) Dham of Satyuga- Badrinath, Uttarakhand (2) Dham of Tretayuga -Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu (3) Dham of Dwaparayuga - Dvaraka, Gujarat (4) Dham of Kaliyuga - Jagannatha Puri, Odisha.

Malladi Chandrasekhara Sastry was an Indian scholar and television personality who specialized in the Vedas and Puranas texts in the Telugu and Sanskrit languages. His works have included commentaries on All India Radio during Bhadrachalam's Sitarama Kalyanam and Brahmotsavam festivals. For Ugadi day, he recited the Panchanga Sravanam. On television he hosted a show Dharma Sandehalu and Dharma Sukshmalu where he answered questions regarding the Purana and various aspects of Hinduism. The show is telecast on the Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel and formerly on the Doordarshan Saptagiri Channel. He was the principal of a college run by the trust named Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams where they do pravachan (lectures) on the Puranas. He received the Raja-Lakshmi Award in 2005, and has also been conferred the title of Purana Vachaspati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abhinava Vidyatirtha</span> The 35th Peetadhipathi of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Jagadguru Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswami was the 35th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which has been occupied by an unbroken lineage of gurus stretching back to the Advaitic philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, who established the matha for the propagation of Advaitha Vedanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao</span>

Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao was a Telugu poet, novelist, literary critic, philosophical journalist, writer of English prose and an exponent of Mantra Shastra and tradition. His works covered a wide range of subjects like history, sociology, literature, philosophy, religion and spiritualism. His popular works include Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Stotra Bhashyamu, Sri Chakra Vilasanamu, Sri Chakra Pooja Vidhanam, Dharmanirnayam, Tikkana Somayaji, Sivanugrahamu Pitruyagnamu (Poetry) and Sringeri Revisited.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Vijaya Samvatsara Vakya Panchanga 2012-13 (PDF). Sringeri: Sri Sharada Peertham. 2012. p. 47.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Srirangam Kovil Vakya Panchangam" . Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  3. "Indira Narasingarao-Magic Square" . Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  4. Indira Narasinga Rao (2007). Magic of magic squares. Chennai: Indira Publishers.
  5. 1 2 T V Padmakumar (August 1997). "Strongly magic squares" (PDF). The Fibonacci Quarterly. 35 (3): 198–205. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  6. "Self-taught mathematician unravels the mysteries of magic squares" . Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  7. V P N Nampoori. "Hidden Structures of Indian Magic Square Sree Rama Cakra or Sri Rama Yantra -New Insight" (PDF). Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  8. 1 2 Asal No. 28, Pambu Panchangam. Chennai: Manonmani Vilasam Press. 2012. p. 27.
  9. "Philosophy of Magic square" . Retrieved 24 May 2013.

10 Magic square Puzzles are the new kind of puzzles based on Arithmetic and Logic www.magicsquarepuzzles.com