Golden Throne of Enlightenment

Heads of Mutts or traditional monasteries belonging to the Vedic Tradition are called Peetadipatis. All these heads or Peetadipatis sit on a traditional throne known as a Peeta. The Peeta or throne is usually called a simhasana (seat of the lion) and represents the mastery over ones emotions. The lion also symbolises the ability to lead others into liberation. There are thousands of such Peetas and Mutts spreading across the length and breadth of India whose leaders work tirelessly preserve the Vedic tradition and help millions to lead a life of health, wealth and fulfillment. Most of these thrones are made of wood. The wooden thrones are later covered either with a sheet of copper lacquer coated with golden paint or a sheet of pure silver for good appearance. Some examples of these beautiful Simhasanas are shown here. We restrict the number of examples due to lack of space!.

Even enlightened masters such as Sri Ramana Maharishi had their throne made during their lifetime. On the legs of the thrones the images of deities representing creation, preservation, rejuvenation, and illusion are carved intricately. The seat itself represents Enlightenment. Together they form the five actions of existence. In Vedic Tradition the Guru is above ALL these actions of existence and hence qualified to sit on the throne. Shown below is the throne of Sri Ramana Maharishi at the Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai (This implicitly indicates that Sri Ramana Maharishi has also created an institution to spread the knowledge of the Self). The throne is made of pure granite with great workmanship. There are also some closeup shots of the four legs of this beautiful Simhasana used by the great sage.

Sri Ramana Maharishi beautifully seated on his throne at Tiruvannamalai


A more closer look


Observe the deities representing creation, protection, rejuvenation, and illusion on the legs of this beautifully carved granite throne.

For the delight of the readers, BHAGAWAN Sri Ramana Maharishi seated on the majestic throne when He walked the planet. Observe that the seat is place at the same spot in the ashram. Notice the lions on the sides and the intricate lotus carving on the back.

Sringeri Sri Sarada Peetam

Sakatapuram Shankaracharya Peetam

Datta Peetam

Ahobila Mutt

Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam

Many a time when Sri Ramana Maharishi was alive, his disciples such as Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni and others would praise him and compare him with the Gods of the Vedic Tradition and hence fit for being seated on the ‘Throne of Enlightenment’. For example, in this beautiful verse, Ganapati Muni emphatically declares that Sri Ramana is Subrahmanya incarnate. Other times Sri Ramana is also described as the form of Dakshinamoorti.

yat-pürvam çruti-päradarçidhiñaëo

dvaipäyano’dhyäruhat paçcäd bodha-kalävidhütatimiraù

çaìkäpahaç-çaìkaraù|

tat-sampratya-khilävané-talajuñäm äcäryasiàhäsanaà

deva tväm prativékñate naratano

gérväëa-senäpate||17||

yat - which, pürvam - before, çruti - Vedas, pära -

fullest extent, darçi - seeing, dhiñaëo - wise,

intellegent, dvaipäyano - Vyasa, adhyäruhat -

mounted, paçcäd - after, bodha - knowledge, kalä - a

single portion (one-sixteenth), vidhüta - dispelled,

timiraù - darkness, çaìkä - fear, apahaç - removing,

çaìkaraù - Sankara, tat - that, samprati - now, akhilä

- whole, avané - world, tala - surface, juñäm - suffering

in, äcärya - teacher, siàhäsanaà - lion’s throne (seat

of honor), deva O Lord!, tväm - you, prativékñate -

(it) awaits, naratano - embodied as man, gérväëa -

gods, senäpate - O army chief!

That Lion’s seat of honor (the seat seen in previous pictures) which was previously

mounted by the wise Vyasa, who saw the fullest extent

of the Vedas, was afterwards occupied by fear destroying

Sankara, who with a single portion of his

knowledge dispelled the darkness (of ignorance). Now

that throne of Acharya, (to save) those who are

suffering in the world awaits thee, O Lord embodied

as man, O Army Chief of the Gods (Skanda)!

The above verse also confirms that the great enlightened masters Sri Veda Vyasa and Sri Adi Shankara also sat on precious simhasanas (lion’s seat of honor) similar to the one used by Sri Ramana with different deities representing creation, preservation, rejuvenation, illusion and enlightenment on the legs of the simhasana (throne). The traditional picture of Sri Adi Shankara as shown below re-emphasises this wonderful tradition.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya seated on the Sarvagya Peetam