Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar

Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar was born at Thiruthalayur in a Brahmin family of Vedic Scholars. The Nayanar who was a fervent devotee of the Lord, made a practice of chanting the Sri Rudram, one of the most purifying holy hymns of Lord Shiva standing in neck deep water. He performed this tapas both in the early morning and evening with utmost devotion and faith. Nayanar achieved moksha because of his austere life and perpetual devotion to Lord. 

Sri Rudram: Namakam-Chamakam in Devanagari, English translations

Sri Shiva Rudram: Namakam-Chamakam slokas in Devanagari Sanskrit with English translations. Sri Rudram is a Hindu strotra dedicated to Rudra (Shiva), taken from the Yajurveda. The text is also famous for its mention of the namah shivaya mantra. Chanting the Rudram is considered to be of great benefit. Legend reports that Lord Shiva, after Bhasmasura was killed with the help of Lord Maha Vishnu, performed the Tandava Dance and then chanted the "Rudra Yagna" at the place where the "Sri Kalahasti" Temple stands now, (one of the 5 Pancha Moorthis). 

The story of Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar story goes thus: 

“The country watered by the Kaveri is a famed one rich in its fertile fields. Tiruttalaiyur was a city in it, great in its inhabitants of high ancesty, flourishing together, knowing no want. The sacrificial fires of the Brahmins rose up to the skies there (a landmark from afar for celestial bliss), the dense groves rich with blooms dripped honey, the cows yielded the five-fold products meet for the adoration of the dancing Lord. Well this place was the home for benevolence, righteousness and true culture. 

The righteous Pasupatiyaar hailed from a noble family of Brahmins dedicated to Vedic learning, in the city. He duly served the Lord of the bull-mount, who gloried in His Better-half, the daughter of the golden mount! With a heart over-flowing with love, he incessantly and zealously chanted the “Rudram” in praise of the Supreme Lord whose feet Vishnu could not divine of yore. 

Before the dawn of each day, responding to the twitter of the birds that were astir, and the humming of the bees in the flower groves he would betake himself to the water-brimming pool, where the flaming lotus blooms lifted their heads with leap of flashing fish at the base. 

Then he would get into the cool water up to this neck, fold his hands above his head and chant the “Rudram”, in faultles accents, expressive of his love for the Lord of the matted tresses wherein sports the Ganga of the white waves. He would repeat this chant, the essence of the Vedas, at noon and night too, without fail. 

Thus he shone like the four-faced Brahma, seated in the lotus-bed. In due course, the Lord who had given his left side joyously to His consort Uma, desired to raise up this saint. The Lord, source of all, was greatly delighted at the rgular chant of the ”mantras” in the prescribed way, in time with the gorious austerity of the passionate devotee and showered His grace on him, who then reached the bounds of the immaculate Abode of the Lord. 

By virtue of his faultless chanting of the “Rudram”, with an over-flowing heart, he then found himself close to the dancing feet of the Lord. Therfore, he became known in this wide world by the hallowed name Rudra Pasupatiyaar. 

Ah, the Lord of the Trident shows His grace to the loving, perfect chanters of “Sri Rudram”. This is one way to reach up to Him.” 

Pradosham: "The Removal of Sins"

The below photographs are of the July 5, 2013 Pradosham as observed at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai. 

Pradosham is a time especially meant for praying to Lord Shiva, as it is the time that Shiva absorbs devotees’ karma. Thus, it is believed that praying during the time of Pradosham will free us from sins and eventually lead to moksha. The twilight, Pradosham, marks the end of the day light and beginning of night. The day is ruled by Gods, angels and saints while night is ruled by evil spirits. 

Nandi the Bull at Big Temple Flagstaff

It was the Devas that approached Shiva during Pradosham to get relief from the demons. In their distress, Shiva and his mount Nandi assisted the Devas and from this legend has emerged the pratice of worshipping Shiva along with his sacred mount Nandi, at the time of Pradosham. 

Circumambulating the Shiva Sannidhi

For more complete information about Pradosham, please check out my earlier posts available at this link here.

To learn how to perform (during Pradosham) the special type of circumambulation called Soma Sutra Pradakshina, please view this link.

Halahala into Poison

"Just as Shiva took 'Halahala' Poison and changed it into 'Ambrosia', the Lord will change difficult situations into Great Blessings for those who love God . . . " 

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

Arudra Darshinam

During the Arudra star in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec 15 – Jan 15) is believed to be the time when Lord Shiva’s energy is very close to the earth; hence it has been given the importance of being His birthday. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja in this month which is also observed as Lord Nataraja Urchavam at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

The month of Margazhi is also known as the ‘Twilight’ in Heaven (the time that the sun is in Sagittarius), and is considered the most appropriate time in which the Gods can rest and rejuvenate. This year, 2012, Arudra Darshan was observed today December 28.  

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the cosmic dance form as Lord Nataraja, and the full moon night of Margazhi is also the longest night of the year. After this date, days get longer and nights get shorter. To read more about the way seasons and rhythms affect our bodies go to an earlier posting at this link here. 

The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction.

"Modern physics has shown that the rhythm of creation and destruction is not only manifest in the turn of the seasons and in the birth and death of all living creatures, but is also the very essence of inorganic matter...For the modern physicists, Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter . . . Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics." 

[Fritjof Capra]

For more information on Arudra Darshan go to any posting at this link here.

Significance of Pradosham

Significance of Pradosham

Pradosham is a significant day to worship Lord Siva and his consort Goddess Parvati. It falls on the the 13th day (Trayodasi) of the lunar cycle and hence falls two times in a month, once in the waxing period and once in the waning period. Pradosham is joyously and elaborately celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The date of the most recent celebration was October 13 and below are series of photographs of that day.

History of Pradosham

One time the Devas and Asuras used the serpent Vasuki and the hill Mandhara to try and get Amrutham (nectar) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Their churning made the poison Halahala emerge. In answer to their prayers Lord Shiva came to their rescue and drank the poison and ordered the Devas to resume their churning of the ocean. On the twelfth moon day (Dwadhasi) the Devas were finally able to get the Amrutham.

In celebration they danced and sang but forgot to thank God. On the thirteenth moon day (Trayodhasi) the Devas realised their sin and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Pleased, Lord Shiva forgave the Devas and danced between the horns of his bull Nandi. That time is called Pradosham and it is believed that if one prays to Lord Shiva at that time, ones’ wishes will be fulfilled one will be given mukti.

During Pradosham time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful:

Offering Milk (for long life) 

Offering Ghee (for Moksha)

Offering Curd (for good children)

Offering Honey (for a melodious voice)

Offering Rice powder (relief from debt)

Offering Sugar cane juice (for good health)

Offering Panjamrutham (gives wealth)

Offering Tender coconut (to acquire enjoyment)

Offering Cooked Rice (to achieve a majestic life)

Offering Sandal (to acquire Lakshmi's Grace)

Offering of Lemon (removes fear of death) 

Offering Sugar (removes enmity and bad relationships).

[Pradosham Purana]

Photographs of Pradosham, Arunachaleswarar Temple, 

October 13, 2012 

Periods of Pradosham 

Waxing Period is the 15 days after Amavasaya or the New Moon Day. 

Waning period is the 15 days after Poornima or the Full Moon Day. 

Pradosham in the waxing period of the moon is supposed to be more significant. Moreover if Pradosham falls on a Monday it is called Somavara Pradosham and is highly auspicious. Pradosham which falls on a Saturday is called Sani Pradosham and that is also very important. If one cannot observe a fast on all Pradosham, at least Somavar Pradosham, Sanivar Pradosham and the ones in the waxing period should be observed for pleasing the Lord. 

The evening of travodasi, i.e., the 13th moon day between 4.30 p.m., and 6.00 p.m. is Pradosham. It is believed that whatever sins we have committed will be forgiven by the Lord if we pray wholeheartedly. 

Pradosham timings are 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset, that is it is observed in the twilight period. Some do Abishekam for the Lingam, some people chant "OM Nama Shivaya", some chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (given below) 108 times and the very pious also read the Siva Skanda Purana Story. But it is said, that just lighting a lamp and praying also please the Lord a lot. 

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and its meaning:

Om Tryamlakam Yajamahe 

Sugandhim Pustivardhanam 

Urva rukamiva Bandhanan 

Mrtyor muksheeya Ma amritat 

Om. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who increasingly nourishes the devotees. By worshipping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk. 

Shiva as Ecologist

The following fascinating narrative ‘Shiva as Ecologist’ is by Dr. Nanditha Krishna who is Director of the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation. One of its constituents, the CPR Environmental Education Centre, is involved in spreading awareness in environmental problems and educating people on conservation with relevance to our ecological heritage.



Shiva as Ecologist

"Rudra-Shiva is the ultimate symbol of the environment. He combines in himself the forces of nature and the five elements or pancha bhutas that represent the Indian commitment to conserving nature: air, water, earth, fire and space. During the month of Shivaratri, when the devout fast and stay awake, meditating on Shiva as the giver of life is meditating on creation itself. The worship of Shiva was an important method of venerating the environment.

Many natural forces are imprisoned in Shiva’s persona: his flowing tresses represent the forests themselves, trapping within them the mighty river Ganga, the source of perennial water and life. His vibhutti or sacred ash is the symbol of fertility, a gift of the earth. He is invariably painted or sculpted beneath one or several trees, generally the bilva. He is accompanied by Nandi the bull and, often, different wildlife, for he is Pashupati, lord of animals.

Shiva is also Bhupati, Bhuteshvara or Bhutanatha, lord of the earth. “Bhu” means earth and the suffix “ta” means give in Tamil, so “bhuta” means ‘‘given by’’ or ‘‘formed’’ or ‘‘created’’ from the earth. Bhuta is the spirit of the earth who is worshipped in rural India. The bhutagavana of Udupi in Karnataka and theyyam of Kerala are bhuta rituals that continue to be popular.








As the ascetic Rishi meditating on a hill, the mountains become the sacred home of Shiva. The Himalayas, even visually, look like the abode of the gods. Several Shiva temples are found on hills. From Kailasha in the Himalayas to Tiruvannamalai in the south, the country is strewn with hill and mountain homes of Shiva. By sanctifying them, important watersheds were conserved, preserving forests and providing water for existence. So sacred are the hills that no tree on them could be cut. However, this ban is hardly observed any longer, and Tiruvannamalai is a classic case of deforestation, as are the Himalayan foothills, that were once rich with forests and wildlife.

Shiva holds Agni or fire on the palm of his hand. It symbolises the energy released during creation. The drum represents the sound Om, the origin of creation. The trishula or trident in his hand represents the feminine half of creation. There is no aspect of this deity that does not invoke nature.

The five elements or panchabhootas — earth, air, water, fire and space — are represented by five Shiva lingams, which are famous temples and pilgrimage centres. Earth is represented by the prithvi lingam made of mud at the Ekamreshwara temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Due to its fragile composition, the ritual washing (abhishekham) is done with the oil of the champaka flower, not water or milk or sandalwood.

The lingam at Sri Kalahasti, near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, houses the vayu lingam. The oil lamps flicker away in the wind, so puja is offered to the utsavamurti (festival bronze) alone.

At Tiruvanaikaval (Jambukeshwara) near Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu, the lingam stands inside a small shrine beneath ground level, submerged under a perennial underground spring. This is the lingam of water.

The fourth lingam — of fire — is situated on top of Tiruvannamalai hill. Shiva appears as the jyoti or light on Kartika Poornima day, when a cauldron of fire is lit on the hill. For the rest, the hill itself is regarded as Shiva’s lingam, making it a sacred natural feature.

The fifth lingam is the akasha lingam of Chidambaram. Space is represented as the vast emptiness in which Shiva danced his ananda tandava of creation. There is nothing to be seen in the small shrine. While the lingams within are mentioned in early Tamil literature, dating back 2,000 years, the present temples are magnificent structures that were rebuilt in the Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayaka periods, and are important centres of pilgrimage. However, one wonders how many know the unique symbolism of the temples.

There are twelve jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva which celebrate various aspects of nature. Kedarnath (Garhwal, UP) has a natural lingam, an irregular-shaped rock, in a temple surrounded by the five sacred peaks of Rudra Himalaya. Vishwanath at Kashi is washed by the sacred river Ganga. At Nageswar near Dwaraka, the snake is celebrated as a protector. Mahakala at Ujjain represents the unrelenting march of time, the Destroyer. Omkareswar is situated on an island in the river Narmada. The temple of Somnath in Saurashtra is a dyke along the Arabian sea. The lingam of Tryambakeshwar in Nasik has a crack from which there is a continuous drip of water, with occasional flashes of fire and sound. Grishmeshwar in Aurangabad is the Lord of the torrid summer. Bhimashankar in the Sahayadri hills is ritually washed by an exquisite lotus pond. Vaidyanatha in Parli, Maharashtra, was once surrounded by forests of medicinal plants. Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh was situated in a garden of white jasmine plants. The twelfth jyotirlingam at Rameshwaram is sacred for the 22 fresh water springs situated within the sea.

Other temples of Shiva are equally representative of nature. The lingam at Amarnath is made of ice, and waxes and wanes with the moon. The ancient Mauryan-Sunga temple at Gudimallam near Tirupati contains a lingam with an emerging Shiva carved in relief. The God stands on a yaksha, a spirit of nature, surrounded by a stone fence. Most importantly, the statue once stood beneath a tree, out in the open, as did most ancient figurines.

The forms of Shiva are also eco-friendly. Dakshinamurti is the teacher seated beneath the pipal tree. Bhairava is always followed by his companion the dog. Bhikshtanar is the free spirit living in the wild open spaces. Lingodbhava comes out of the lingam of fire. Ardhanarisvara combines the male and female in a single figure, like the simplest forms of creation where male and female are not distinct. Shiva is also the doctor Vaidyanatha, symbolised by the sacred bilva tree which has multitudinous medicinal properties.

The Hindu religion, like all ancient religions, celebrated nature and used religion as a means of protecting the environment. Unfortunately, many of these symbols are forgotten today. We have discarded old traditions without replacing them with anything equally good or better. The loser is the environment, as well as humanity."

Guru Poornima 2009

The festival of Guru Poornima is traditionally celebrated on the day of full moon in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar. Guru Poornima (which falls this year on Tuesday, July 7th) is the day on which the Guru is revered by devotees. Sri Dakshinamurti is an aspect of Lord Siva as the primordial master, the personification of ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge. At Arunachala the manifestation of Lord Siva as Dakshinamurti is celebrated as the ‘silent Guru’. 

Lord Siva and His Worship 

During the absence of Devi, when Lord Siva was alone, the sons of Brahma, who are sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara, came to have Darshan of Lord Siva and prostrated before Him. They entreated the Lord to teach them the way to remove avidya and attain salvation. They expressed that in spite of the vast study of scriptures they had no internal peace and they were in need of learning the inner secrets, by knowing which they could attain salvation. 

Lord Siva, hearing this appeal made by the sages, assumed the form of Dakshinamurti and remaining as the Guru Supreme, began to teach them the inner secrets by keeping Mouna and showing the “chinmudra” by His hand. The sages began to meditate on the lines shown by the Lord and attained the state of inexpressible and illimitable joy. Thus Lord Siva came to be known as Dakshinamurti. 

[By Swami Sivananada]

Ramana Maharshi: Lectures may entertain individuals for a few hours without improving them. Silence on the other hand is permanent and benefits the whole of humanity. 

Devotee: But silence is not understood. 

Ramana Maharshi: It does not matter. By silence, eloquence is meant. Oral lectures are not so eloquent as silence. Silence is unceasing eloquence. The Primal Master, Dakshinamurti, is the ideal. He taught his Rishi disciples by silence. 

Devotee: But then there were disciples for Him. It was all right. Now it is different. They must be sought after and helped. 

Ramana Maharshi: That is a sign of ignorance. The power which created you has created the world. If it can take care of you, it can similarly take care of the world also. 

[Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi] 

Sri Dakshinamurti Stotram

"Whose luminosity is existence itself, entering all objects which are non-existent, as it were, shines forth; who instructs those who seek refuge in him that they are that supreme reality, as in the scriptural text; by realising whom these will occur no more entry into the ocean of transmigration of the soul, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form, be this adoration."

“The guru is Brahma, the guru is Vishnu, the guru is the Great God Shiva. The guru is the Supreme Being right before one's very eyes. To that guru do I reverently bow.”

Nandi the Bull

Yesterday, Sunday August 17th, visited Arunachaleswarar Temple (Big Temple) after a long absence. Many people who live in Tiruvannamalai visit the Temple daily, in much the same way devotees who live in the suburb of Ramana Nagar, often visit one of the major ashrams located in that area. I always enjoy my visits to BigTemple and if it was closer to my home, would visit much more regularly.

Whilst there I checked out a couple of items readers of Arunachala Grace have written about. The first request came from Grasshopper, who asked for some photographs of her favourite, Periyar Nandi. The second request (which I will fulfil in the following post) was for information of Temple timings (in addition have also included information about specific pujas available at the Temple).

Nandi
The Periyar (Big) Nandi statue at Arunachaleswarar Temple is located in the Fifth Prakaram facing the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and just outside the One Thousand Pillared Mandapam.

Nandi, is most renowned as the carrier and principal follower of Shiva. He is also the gatekeeper of Siva’s abode, which explains the close association of a statue of Nandi at the gate of many Shiva Temples.

In Sanskrit, a bull is called ‘vrisha’, which also connotes righteousness or Dharma, thus making it important to seek the blessings of Nandi before proceeding to worship Lord Shiva.

In Siddhar traditions, Nandi is one of the primal Gurus and amongst others was the guru to Siddhars Thirumulanathar and Patanjalinathar.

The largest Nandi Statues in India can be found at:

Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Chamundi Hills, Mysore, Karnataka
Bull Temple, Bangalore, Karnataka
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu,
Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka
Shanthaleswara, Halebidu, Karnataka

Nandi at Chamundi Hills, Mysore, Karnataka

Varalakshmi Puja

This Friday, August 15th Varalakshmi Puja is performed in Hindu Temples and homes dedicated to the Goddess. On this day it is believed Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk. The name Varalakshmi is interpreted as Vara=boons, Lakshmi=she who grants the boons.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati played a game of dice. Lord Shiva claimed to have won but Parvati believed otherwise. There arose a dispute between the two with regard to the winner and the Goddess called a Gana, Chitramani to mediate and settle the matter. When Chitramani confirmed that Lord Shiva won the game, Goddess Parvati became angry and accused Chitramani of lying. Lord Shiva knew that Chitramani had not lied but Parvati was not convinced and cursed Chitramani to suffer from leprosy and be born on earth as a leper.

When Lord Siva convinced Goddess Parvati, that the Gana had been telling the truth, the Goddess granted Chitramani the boon that if was able to participate or perform Varalakshmi Puja, he would be relieved of the curse and cured of leprosy. After years of wandering, Chitramani was able to participate in Varalakshmi Puja performed by a group of celestial angels and be cured of his leprosy. Since then the Varalakshmi Puja has been performed every year. For another legend of this Puja go to this link here.

The worship is observed by married women with the belief that the Goddess will guard their husband’s life and also grant boons to those who observe the puja. It is said that Lakshmi will enter the house of anyone who thinks of her and bless them. Varalakshmi Vratham is considered very auspicious because it is marked by strict observance of certain practices and austerities. It is also called Varalakshmi Nonbu.

Shiva as Nataraja

Shiva is often referred to as the Destroyer but since he is often associated with creation that comes out of destruction, he is also a God of Transformation. In addition he has different aspects that appear at different times.

As the destroyer, he appears as a naked ascetic accompanied by demons, encircled with serpents and necklaces of skulls. Sometimes He wanders into crematoriums, body smeared with ash and dances in the light of funeral pyres, reminding all about the transitory nature of material things. Other times Shiva is seen as the god of meditation and asceticism and depicted sitting cross-legged with his eyes half-closed. When the creative force of Shiva is depicted, he is represented as the Linga.

Another common form is that of Shiva Nataraja, The term 'Nataraj' means 'King of Dancers' (Sanskrit nata = dance; raja = king). It is believed that the energy from this dance of bliss (Ananda Tandavam) sustains the cosmos, and when Shiva is finished with this dance, the Universe will end and a new one will begin. The dance is said to symbolize the five divine acts (pancha krityas) of creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment and bestowment of grace.

During the Tamil month of Ani (June - July) Lord Siva performs the dance of ecstasy in the form of Nataraj at Chidambaram Temple. Chidambaram is one of five holiest Shiva Temples representing one of the five natural elements - space. The other four temples are: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth), Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).

The Chidambaram Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in His form of the Cosmic Dancer, Nataraja, is spread over forty acres in the heart of the city. It is an ancient, historic Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few Temples where both the Saivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place.

One of the special features of the Temple is the bejeweled image of Nataraja. It depicts Shiva as the Lord of the dance Bharatanatyam and is one of the few Temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than a Lingam.

The gestures of the dance represent Shiva’s five activities, creation (symbolised by the drum), protection (by the “fear not” hand gesture), destruction (by the fire), embodiment (by the foot planted on the ground), and release (by the foot held aloft).

Nataraja dances within the Universe of illusion. The locks of his hair stand out in many strands as he whirls around in a dancing frenzy. Shiva’s unkempt hair, a symbol of a rejection of society, shows him to be an ascetic. His locks are decked with crescent moon, a skull, and are interspersed with the sacred river Ganges that flows in his hair as Shiva as Nataraja, agreed to break the violent power of the sacred Ganga’s fall to earth by catching her in his tangled hair. The fiery ring surrounding Shiva, prahabhamandala, represents the Universe with all its illusion, suffering and pain. The outer edge is fire, the inner edge the waters of the oceans.

Nataraja, the King of Dance, has four arms. The upper right hand holds the drum from which creation issues forth. The drum represents the rhythmic sound to which Nataraja dances and ceaselessly recreates the Universe. The front right hand is in the abhaya-mudra (fear not gesture), the front left hand is across the chest in the gahahasta (elephant trunk) pose, with the wrist limp and the fingers pointed downward toward the uplifted foot in assurance that Shiva’s grace is the refuge for everyone, the way to liberation.

The back left hand carries agni (fire) in a vessel or in his hand. The flames represent the destructive energy with which Nataraja dances at the end of each age, cleansing sins and removing illusion. The right leg, representing obscuring grace, stands upon Apasmara, whom he has killed; in this role he is called Natesa. Apasmara, the dwarf demon, represents a soul temporarily earth-bound by its own sloth, confusion and forgetfulness. The uplifted left leg is revealing grace, which releases the mature soul from bondage. The circle of fire represents the cosmos and especially consciousness.

The cobra around Nataraja’s waist is kundalini shakti, the soul-impelling cosmic power resident within all. Snakes are also used to symbolise reincarnation as their natural process of molting and shedding their skin is symbolic of the human soul’s transmigration from one life to another.

“O my Lord, They hand holding the sacred drum has made and ordered the heavens and earth and other worlds and innumerable souls. Thy lifted hand protects both the conscious and unconscious order of they creation. All these worlds are transformed by They hand bearing fire. Thy sacred foot, planted on the ground, gives an abode to the tired soul struggling in the toils of causality. It is Thy lifted foot that grants eternal bliss to those that approach Thee. These Five-Actions are indeed Thy Handiwork.” [Chidambara Mummani Kovai]

What's the Best Distance?

(Nandikesvara tells Markandeya)
"There is in the Southern Region, O ascetic, in the land of Dravidas, a great sacred place named Aruna associated with the Lord with the crescent-moon for his crest-jewel.

It extends to three Yojanas. It is worthy of being adored by Sivayogins. Know it to be the heart of the earth, attractive and thrilling to Siva.

There the Lord Sambhu himself has assumed the form of a mountain. He has the name Arunachala. He is conducive to the welfare of the worlds."

[Chapter 4, The Greatness of Arunachala

Skanda Purana -- I.iii(U).4.12-23]

Siva said:

"I ordain that residence within a radius of three Yojanas of this Hill shall be itself suffice to burn off all defects and effect union with the Supreme."
[Skanda Purana]

A yojana is a Vedic measure of distance used in ancient India. The exact measurement is disputed amongst scholars with distances generally being given in the order of 7-8 kilometres.

The etymology of the word ‘yojana’ is derived from the same root that gives us both the English word ‘yoke’ and the Indian term ‘yoga’. It is thought that ‘yojana’ initially meant ‘being yoked’, and that it was used as a unit of measure to indicate the approximate distance that a cow could pull a cart to which it was yoked.

The yojana is used extensively in ancient descriptions of Buddhist cosmology (and, presumably, Hindu cosmology as well). The size of layers of the Earth, the heights of mountains, and the depths of seas are all described using yojanas.

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SO HERES THE GREAT NEWS. It is still possible to buy beautiful land, silent, pristine, undeveloped and countrified close to Arunachala and at AFFORDABLE PRICES.

Our website, Arunachala Land will be posting information of beautiful land all within 30 kms of Arunachala perfect for an ashram, farm, country living, community or animal facility.

Today Arunachala Land has posted information about two such great parcels of land. The first within ten kilometres of Arunachala with a beautiful view of the Hill and comprising up to thirty acres of pristine land.

The second parcel of land is approximately twenty five kilometres from Arunachala and comprises up to ninety acres of immaculate land with impeccable water supply. In both cases it is not necessary to buy the whole parcel.

At the beginning of this post I quote from the definitive scriptural work 'Skanda Purana' about the area of power radiating from Arunachala as being three Yojanas (approximately 30 kilometres). So heres the best thing of all, YOU CAN AFFORD to live in a large, unspoilt environment and also be in the ambit of Arunachala's Grace.

Shiva - Lord of the Earth

Rudra-Shiva is the ultimate symbol of the environment. In which is combined the forces of nature and Pancha Bhutas: air, water, earth, fire and space. The five elements or Pancha Bhutas are represented by five Shiva lingas, which are famous Temples and pilgrimage centres.

Many natural forces are imprisoned in Shiva's person: his flowing tresses represent the forests themselves, trapping within them the mighty river Ganga, the source of perennial water and life. His vibhuti or sacred ash is the symbol of fertility, a gift of the earth.

Lord Shiva is Pashupati, Lord of Animals. He is accompanied by Nandi the bull and viewed generally beneath the Bilva Tree. He is Bhupati, Bhuteshvara or Bhutanatha, Lord of the Earth. Bhuta is the spirit of the earth worshipped in rural India.

As the ascetic Rishi meditating on a hill, the mountains become the sacred home of Shiva. Several Shiva temples are found on hills. From Kailasha in the Northern Himalayas to Tiruvannamalai in the South.

By sanctifying them, important watersheds were conserved, preserving forests and providing water for existence.

Shiva holds Agni or fire on the palm of his hand. It symbolises the energy released during creation. The drum represents the sound Om, the origin of creation. The Trishula or Trident in his hand represents the feminine half of creation. Every aspect of this deity invokes nature.

[Thanks to N. Krishna]

Starchild

Check out the new videopod at the bottom left margin of this page. The pod is entitled from Science to God and contains four videos. The first being a montage of beautiful pictures of Lord Shiva accompanied by lovely singing by Alisha Chinoy. The next video is a composite of archival photographs and short movie clips of Sri Ramana Maharshi, interlaced with very nice Arunachala photographs and good background chanting. The third video is of Peter Russell talking about the mystery of consciousness from both scientific and mystical points of view -- the clipping is based upon his DVD 'Science to God'.

The last video of this pod series is of the Starchild sequence at the end of the absolutely transformational movie of the 60's -- '2001: A Space Odyssey'. But more about that in later postings.

Animated Videos

Check out this great link here to watch many beautiful, animated videos on the mythology of India. The videos do not have an embed facility so you have to go to Rajshri site direct to watch them for free. You can also download them for a small charge.

I have no idea whether the videos are specifically targetted to children, but I can tell you they are absolutely great. Most of the animated videos are in English with a couple in Hindi. Just watched a very sweet video on the life of Shiva - check it out at this link or at this You Tube link.

Five Faced Shiva

After recently reading about Five Faced Shiva I tried to find a photograph or picture of this aspect of the Divine. It must be very rare because wasn't able to get a good representation of the different colours of the Five Faces of the Deity. However did find this really brilliant copy of a painting of about 1830 from Calcutta.

 
Shiva is Yogi Raja, the Lord of Yoga, the perfect ascetic. The five aspects of Shiva represent: 

Ishana - Skyward Face: 
The word Ishvara is form the root “Aisha – Aishwarye”. Total wealth means the total control and ownership of all the fourteen worlds. Such form of Shiva, who is the total owner of the fourteen worlds, is called as Ishana. This face is skywards. Which means it is on top of the other four faces which face the four directions. This fifth face of Shiva represents the creation; balance, annihilation energies and control and chaos energies. It is represented by pure crystal and signifies the top. 

Tatpurasha - East Face: 
The word “Tat” represents Paramatma. Tatpurusha means Saguna filled Para Brahma form. This represents the form of Shiva that is in meditation and Blessing the world. Hence this eastern face is considered as the first face. The word “Tatpurusha” means “his person”. One who is always behind a person to protect is Tatpurusha. It is represented by yellow and signifies the face. 

Vama Deva – North Face: 
The term Vama means Left or innocent. If we stand facing east, the north is to our left. Hence the north facing Shiva is worshipped as “Vaama Deva”. The left of a person is representative of the Shakti aspect. It represents “Maya and the feminine strength and beauty”, Hence in Ardha Nareeshwara aspect, we find the goddess on the left side. Represented by red and signifies the navel. 

Sadyojata - West Face: 
West is called as “Paschima or Pratyak”. The soul is called as “Pratyagaatma”. “Sadyaha” which means just now and “Jataha” means now born. Shiva makes his presence felt through the countless souls being born. Hence the apt name “Sadyosata”. This shows the creative aspect of Parameshvara. Since the very existence of any being starts from its birth, the Sadyosata aspect of Lord Shiva is prayed first. Represented by white and signifies the foot. 

Aghora - South Face: 
If we stand facing east, south is our right. Hence right side is called as “Bala”. As important as right hand is for humans, the South face is important to Lord Shiva. This is also famously known as “Dakshina Murthy”. Those who worshipped the Aghora form of Shiva were called as “Aghoris”. Aghoris generally live in graveyards and are naked, use things which the world has branded as “inauspicious”, and perform harsh penance; because their main belief is that there is no such thing called “inauspicious” in the world because all that exists if Shiva himself. Represented by black and signifies the heart. 

Inner Summons

The world has developed over the last fifty years, so that unlike ancient times many people are able to visit Tiruvannamalai from all corners of the world. We walk, take a bus or train, and cross the oceans by sea and air. Some of us may have undergone an inner experience and actively make a decision to visit blessed Arunachala, while others may not know why they decide to make the journey. I personally believe it does not matter if we think we make the choice or not, because all of us, even if we are unaware of it, have heard the 'inner summons' and have taken a step closer to Lord Arunachaleswarar Siva.

The Divine lifts up the humble soul and takes it on a spiritual journey. This soul has lived a life of service, where silent before its maker it has only asked: "What am I and what is my life, so that I may offer up my blood and ardor to Thee?"

The 'inner summons', that which draws us towards Arunachaleswarar Siva, is the magnetic movement of the Divine as He draws souls closer towards Himself. This summons is the mystic meal of the soul, the Supreme Mystery living in the breast of souls who seek after Divinity; known in their longing, slumbering in the germ of their ecstasy, and firmly linked to the rhythm of their actions. Most wonderfully, it is also the fulfillment of that longing, streaming out of the ecstasy of the soul, as does the finding of God out of the seeking after God.

This is the Supreme Path of the Gods and the Angels, and the same path that great saints have been able to tread for countless centuries. And, while there are many of us mortals living on this earth who have not yet gained our angel's wings, there is nonetheless, something most glorious within all of us, a most wonderful inner spirit of knowing, which like a bud, is waiting to flower. This is important for the soul to understand while it is wandering from place to place upon this earth, as it is the knowledge that links us to the Supreme Path of Arunachaleswarar Siva.

Every soul upon this earth has to enter this path and stand before Siva and His Shakti. The bud of all our souls has to open and flower. Everything within this mortal world lives, grows, rises, eventually to sing and praise the Lord. We are not unlike the plants in the fields, where even though there is an appearance of death in the cold season, at the approach of the sun's light they come to life again, reborn and refreshed. Like the flowers in the field we are also reborn again and again and have to open our faces to the sun and the rain and see Lord Arunachaleswarar Siva and Mother Apeethakuchambal in everything of this world.

This leads me to the words of a wise guru who once said; "That, which we see is only external, the visible, and that which is concealed from our view is the internal, and this is the root of all. Know that the Divine, is in the here and now yet only seems hidden in every secret place in the secret of secrets."

[By Iswari Kamalabaskaran]

Rudraksha Beads

According to scriptures, the Rudraksha bead was created from tears shed by Lord Shiva when the world was facing destruction. Legend says that tears from his eyes dropped onto the ground in different places on earth and produced Rudraksha trees. The bead's scientific names is Elaeocarpus Ganitrus and it comes in an irregular oval shape with clefts on its surface called "faces". Most of the Rudraksha’s powers are believed to be associated with the number of "faces" it has which can vary from one through 21, although four, five and six faceted beads are the most common.





The bead, which is widely used by seekers, is said to have electromagnetic power, which affects both the physical and mystical aspects of the wearer. The bead which is believed by some to regulate and formulate an individual’s consciousness and sub-consciousness, is like a transmitter that can tap into energy fields in a way that helps the wearer to compensate for energy depletion.

Vasthu Sastra Master, T. Selva states:

"Modern day researchers have proven that the bead has powerful electromagnetic, paramagnetic and inductive properties that vary according to the different faces. It creates specific electric impulses that are sent to the brain stimulating certain centres that then transfer information to the neurophysiology. This is the main way in which the bead has an impact on the human body.

These electromagnetic impulses can affect the heartbeat, blood pressure, stress levels and hypertension on a physical level. On the mental level, the bead's impulses can relieve anxiety, depression, mood disorders and neurotic conditions, while on the spiritual level, it promotes meditation."

When choosing a Rudraksha, the lighter the bead the better. The lines on the face of the bead should be clean and without any breaks. The Rudraksha should be worn around the neck on a gold or silver chain or on a cotton thread. It should hang low on the chest. The best time to first start wearing it is either on a new or full moon day.

For more information on Rudraksha check.

Pachaiamman Temples

At Kailash, Lord Shiva and Parvati blessed the world with peace, prosperity and happiness. Goddess Parvati, deciding to shower her bountiful grace on human beings by enacting a drama, closed the eyes of Shiva with her hands. As a result the Universe was engulfed in total darkness. The Devas and other celestial beings flocked to Kailash and Shiva gave asylum to them and opened his third eye thereby dispelling darkness and bathing the area in brightness.

The Goddess, in the form of Pachaiamman, prostrated at the feet of Shiva, who knew of her Divine design, to establish peace and harmony in the world. Since she was responsible for drowning the world in darkness Lord Shiva wanted her to atone by proceeding to the world in order to perform penance.

The Goddess appeared in many spots which became holy by her presence. She appeared in Kasi and spread the Vedas and Sastras and also at shrines at Thirumullaivaayal and Mangadu. The Goddess also went to Kanchi to perform penance under a mango tree to propitiate her Lord Shiva. At Sengodu, near Tiruvannamalai, she observed tapas standing on a needle. It is believed that she performed penance at Arunachala, at an Ashram located in what is now known as Pavalakunru.

The Goddess was victorious in all her endeavours. Since she is believed to appear as Pachaiamman in Thirumullaivaayal, she has a famous Temple dedicated to her there which is situated near Vaishnavi Devi Temple near Ambattur, North Chennai. Pachaiamman is called the goddess of marriage and blesses those entering wedlock.





Here at Arunachala, we also have a famous Pachaiamman Temple which has a long history attached to it. The most recent of which is that over the last 3 years the Temple, its tank and compound are undergoing extensive renovation.

In 1905 when there was a plague crisis in Tiruvannamalai, Ramana Maharshi moved to Pachaiamman Koil for six months during the worst of the epidemic and returned to the caves on the southside of Arunachala when the plague crisis was over. Again in 1908 Ramana Maharshi returned to Pachaiamman Koil and lived there with Ganapathi Muni and others for about three months.

I hope to re-visit Pachaiamman Koil soon and check out the progress of the renovation programme.