Healing at Balinese Temples with the Gods of the 9 Directions
THE GODS OF THE NINE DIRECTIONS | What I’m about to share is powerful knowledge that Mama Ati (our priestess and host of Yogatrotter Academy) has been asking me to study, chant, and write about for years. She learned this from one of her gurus, Shri Aji Siwa Ambara. Recently, she’s been sharing the mantras with special groups of our students, to be chanted in the morning ritual at her retreat center in the sacred mountains of Sidemen. It’s a powerful tool for healing through devotion.
In Bali, the gods and goddesses of the nine directions have the power to cure us of dis-ease. From the eight cardinal directions (plus the center of the universe), we can pray to the energy of each god/goddess pair associated with that direction, and through the power of their particular “weapon,” they may grant healing for specific organs within our bodies. As an act of devotion to these gods, you can visit their temples, which, if visited in directional order, form a circle around the eastern half of Bali. Even if you can’t visit their temples, chanting to each god and goddess is an act of worship that can be done from anywhere to call upon their healing powers. The flowers are also placed in the daily offerings to represent the colors of the nine directions.
Here’s how it’s done:
PUJA DEWATA NAWA SANGA (ritual of the gods in the 9 directions)
“Om” three times
EAST – TO HEAL THE HEART
–Visit Lempuyang Temple in East Bali (Karangasem).
-Visualize the power of the vajra (lighting bolt weapon).
–Chant to the god Iswara and goddess of fertility and love, Uma:
”Om Iswara Dewa, Uma Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
SOUTHEAST – TO HEAL THE LUNGS
-Visit Goa Lawah Temple, the “bat cave temple” in Klungkung.
-Visualize the power of dupa (incense).
-Chant to the supreme god Maheswara and goddess of abundance, Shri:
”Om Mahesora, Shri Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
SOUTH – TO HEAL THE LIVER
-Visit Andakasa Temple in Manggis.
-Visualize the power of gada (mace).
-Chant to the creator god Brahma and goddess of knowledge and arts, Saraswati:
“Om Brahma Dewa, Saraswati Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
SOUTHWEST – TO HEAL THE STOMACH/DIGESTION
-Visit Uluwatu Temple on the cliffs of the Bukit.
-Visualize the power of a moksala (a double-sided, five-pronged staff).
-Chant to the, god of storms, Rudra and goddess of rituals and tradition, Santani:
”Om Rudra Dewa, Santani Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
WEST – TO HEAL THE KIDNEYS
-Visit Batukaru Temple at the base of Mount Batukaru.
-Visualize the power of a nagapasa (a dragon-headed arrow).
-Chant to the god of power, Mahadewa, and goddess of beauty, Sanchi:
“Om Mahadewa, Sanchi Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
NORTHWEST – TO HEAL THE PANCREAS
-Visit Puncak Mangu Temple near the center of the island.
-Visualize the power of an angkus (a bull-hook or elephant goad).
-Chant to the god of plants, Sangkara, and warrior goddess Rodri, also called Rudrani:
“Om Sangkara Dewa, Rodri Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
NORTH – TO HEAL THE GALL BLADDER
-Visit Ulun Danu Temple near Mount Batur
-Visualize the power of a chakra (spinning wheel of energy).
-Chant to the protector god, Wisnu (Vishnu), and goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi:
“Om Wisnu Dewa, Lakshmi Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
NORTHEAST – TO HEAL THE THROAT
-Visit Besakih Temple on Mount Agung.
-Visualize the power of a trisula (trident).
-Chant to the joyful manifestation of Shiva, Shambhu, and divine feminine goddess, Mahadewi:
“Om Shambhu Dewa, Mahadewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
CENTER – TO HEAL ALL CELLS IN THE BODY
-Visit Pusering Jagat Temple in Ubud.
-Visualize the power of a padma (lotus flower).
-Chant to the destroyer deity, Siwa (Shiva) and beloved mother goddess Parvati:
”Om Siwa Dewa, Parwati Dewi
Namo Dewa, Namo Dewi
Lokeswara Ya Namaha”
Chanting to all nine gods and goddesses is a powerful practice to include in your daily rituals. You can chant along here:
To learn more about the gods and goddesses of Bali and how they relate to yoga, join us for The Gods of Yoga retreat at Mama Ati’s retreat center, and take part in these rituals yourself in Bali.