The Swara sthambha represents what is known as Swara Prabhaeda in Carnatic music. There are 12 smaller pillars corresponding to 12 swara sthaanas or notes in a Sthaayi (Octave). In carnatic music the 12 swara sthaanas are further converted into 16.
Sapta swaras in Carnatic music Sa(dja) Ri(shabha) Ga(andhaara) Ma(dhyama) Pa(nchama) Dha(ivatha) Ni(shaadha) each have unique notes which ring at different frequencies.For eg Sa has no unique variety of notes.Meanwhile Ri has 3 varieties where the frequency each note is different
Likewise Ga, Ma, Dha, Ni with the exception of Pa have a variety of notes at different frequencies. The reason for such a classification is in order to derive what is known as 72 Melakarta ragas where all the 7 swaras are present.
Sa & Pa i.e. Shadja & Panchama are said to be the mother & father, representing Shakti & Shiva of all the Swaras. The combination of notes which form a Raaga are 72 in number. They are further divided into 2 groups known as Shuddha madhyama & prati madhyama ragas.
There are 6 chakras in each of these two groups of raagams. They are Indu, Netra, Agni, Veda, Baana, Rutu, Rishi, Vasu, Brahma, Dishi, Rudra, Aditya. Each one of these chakras will have 6 raagas. Thus 6 chakras will have 36 raagas.
What do these Chakras represent in relation to the Hampi pillars? Indu chakra for example means moon. If one observes the pillars & adjoining carving closely, one will definitely find a carving of moon in there. Same for Netra. U will see carving of 2 eyes with associated pillar
Next time you go to a Temple which features the musical pillars, be it Hampi or Bhoghanandi in B'lore or any other observe the carvings on the pillar. You will definitely find associated Chakras.
Indu chakra: Indu means moon. One will definitely find the carving of the moon associated with the pillar.
Netra chakra: is the 2nd chakra. All creations having 2 eyes
Agni chakra: it indicates 3 kinds of Agni(Dakshinam, Ahavaniyam, karshi patyam) hence 3rd chakra.
Netra chakra: is the 2nd chakra. All creations having 2 eyes
Agni chakra: it indicates 3 kinds of Agni(Dakshinam, Ahavaniyam, karshi patyam) hence 3rd chakra.
Veda chakra: Indicates the 4 Vedas.
Baana Chakra: Indicates Manmatha's 5 arrows, each made of 5 different flowers. One will definitely find a carving of manmatha indicating this pillar
Rutu chakra: representing 6 seasons of the year.
Baana Chakra: Indicates Manmatha's 5 arrows, each made of 5 different flowers. One will definitely find a carving of manmatha indicating this pillar
Rutu chakra: representing 6 seasons of the year.
Rishi Chakra : is the 7th chakra indicating the sapta rishis. You will find carvings of them with the associated pillar too.
Vasu chakra: there are 8 vasus, Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha & Prabhava. Each representative of the pancha bhootas on earth & the cosmos.
Vasu chakra: there are 8 vasus, Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha & Prabhava. Each representative of the pancha bhootas on earth & the cosmos.
Brahma chakra : Representing the 9 great prajapatis i.e. Angirasa, atri, kashyapa, pulastya, pulaha, brighu, marichi, vashista & daksha. You will find carvings of each of them with the associated pillar.
Dishi chakra: Representing the 10 directions including sky & earth.
Dishi chakra: Representing the 10 directions including sky & earth.
Rudra chakra : is the 11th chakra representing the 11 rudras. They are Aja, Ekapata, Ahirbudni, Dvasha, Rudra, Hara, Shambhu, Tryambaka, Aparajita, Eeshana & Tribhuvana. You will find all their carvings near the pillar too. One just needs to observe astutely.
Finally the 12th & the last chakra known as Aditya Chakra: each representative of Mitra, Ravi, Surya, Bhanu, Khaga, Pushana, Hiranya, Garbha, Maricha, Aditya, Savitra, Arka & Bhaskara. Basically 12 different manifestations of Surya, one corresponding for each month of the year.
One can reproduce each of the 72 Melakarta raagas on the musical pillar. The frequency oin hertz produced by each of 12 pillar corresponding to each of the note is accurate to the decimal point.
Though access to the pillars is shut in Hampi due to abuse by ignorant public.
Though access to the pillars is shut in Hampi due to abuse by ignorant public.
I'll write a detailed thread on this topic supplemented with pictures next time I get a chance to visit Hampi Vittala temple.
