HPI
INDIA, July 4, 2011 (By Sri Dr. S.P. Sabharathnam, one of the world’s foremost expert on the sacred Agamas and a consultant to Hinduism Today).
The huge treasure unearthed in the Anantapadma Nabha Swami Temple should be handled very, very carefully.
What the temple authorities should have done first is the systematic performance of Svarnakarshana Bhairva Yagna and Nidhipati (Kubera) Yagna to get the permission from the concerned Deities to lay their hands on the treasure. Such rules are found in the Agamas. They have not done these yagnas.
As per the directions given in the Agamas under the chapter on “Mulakosa Bhakta Vivarana” (Allocation of the Divine Treasure) the treasure belongs solely to the Temple. Neither the Ruler of the country nor any other [human] supreme authority has a right to claim it.
1. Golds and diamonds should be preserved as “Mulakosa” and from the interest available from this Kosa , one part should be utilized for the timely renovations and maintenance of the temple. These gold and diamond items should not be modified or sold.
2. One part should be for education in general and education of Vedic and Agamic studies in particular.
3. One part should be for maintaining health centers and hospitals.
4. One part for maintaining Gosala and Gajasala.
5. One part for maintaining Gardens and flower plants for the temple.
6. One part for conducting the monthly festivals and yearly grand festivals (mahotsavas) without violation or omission.
7. One part for large scale anna dana(providing food for all the devotees). 8. One part for maintaining irrigation system and temple tank.
9. One part for the maintenance of other temples which are in need of financial help.
10. One part for the performance of Vedic Yagnas such as Parjanya Ishti, Garuda Yaga, Vrushabha Yaga, Mayura Yaga and others.
In this way, the directions continue further.
The Agamas indicate that such treasure may not even have been deposited by humans. They may have appeared upon the performance of certain yagnas that could had taken place centuries before. As such treasures may not have been all deposited there by the royal family of Travancore or they are the ‘plundered’ asset some historians have wrongly surmised.