Sri Siva Mona Siddhar: Supporter of the Distressed

 

I have made many posting about Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar on my Arunachala Mystic blog, to read these posts and for information about him and his interaction with devotees check out the links on the left column of this Blog.

 

Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Swami

Swamiji's ashram is located off Vettavalam Road about 20 kms from Arunachala but due to winding country lanes is about a 30 km drive from Tiruvannamalai. An ever-increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamiji at his Ashram to consult with him and receive his blessings. As a result of strenuous tapas Swamiji received siddhis from the Divine that have given him the ability to understand, guide and support those in distress—and also to perform healings.

 

Sethavarai countryside near Ashram

Swami's Sadhana

Swami was born on October 3rd, 1962 and named Sri Narayanan. He lived a rustic life in a small Tamil village and at 27 years of age agreed to an arranged marriage which resulted in the birth of a girl child.  However his yearning for a spiritual life led him to renounce the world and enter into sannyas. He thereupon went into the forest to perform sadhana and continued to roam about for over 15 years. One day desolate at the meaningless of life he decided to commit suicide by jumping from the summit of Kanjanakiri Mount (near Vellore District).

 

Sri Siva Mona Siddhar was prevented from this act by the call of a sadhu who had seemingly appeared from nowhere. The sadhu invited him to a nearby Temple to eat and sleep and in the middle of the night, the sadhu disappeared. Swami stayed in Kanchangiri Temple’s Ashram, at the back of which was a Kanni Temple and this is the exact spot where he was bestowed Divine powers by Lord Shiva.

 

Miracle Bestowed Powers

One day, when his body was in a dire condition, and he felt that there was no hope left, he prayed to Mother Unnamulai Ammal, beseeching, “you give food to the whole World, so why can’t you take care of my needs and feed me?”

 

Immediately on uttering this prayer, five ladies and five men suddenly appeared in a vision and came to Swami and laid him on the floor. The five ladies sat below the head of the prostrate body, and the five men sat above the head. Each of the five ladies started to remove parts of Swami’s body, bit-by-bit, and made up small packages of the body parts. 

 

During this whole process Swami felt absolutely no pain. Finally only his head remained. Thereupon the ladies said, “give these small packages, to those that come to meet you, as prasadam.” After this, the five men sitting above him, placed their hands upon Guruji’s head and after a few moments disappeared. At that very moment Guruji’s body reappeared and from that time till this day, Guruji has not had a single problem with his body. 

Merging with a Lingam

Sometime after the incident whilst Swami was in meditation, a Lingam suddenly appeared. In his excitement he tried to lift the Lingam but as it was heavy he wasn’t able to move it even an inch. Upon being unable to move the Lingam, he decided to perform a puja, so stood up in order to perform the ritual; as he stood the Lingam also lifted up to his position, slowly came towards him, and then mingled with him. 

 

It was at this time that he came to an understanding of the truth of life.  According to his inner guidance Swamiji travelled to Sethavarai and isolated himself in a cave for 58 days. As a result, he received a vision of the Divine and guidance as to his work in this lifetime. An increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamiji at his Ashram (which has developed around him) to consult with him and receive his blessings.

 

Ashram and Temple

 

Now that there is a Temple at Swami's Ashram some devotees arrange pujas to be performed at that place, in order to further bless their prayers.

 

Temple at Swami's Ashram

Lord Siva Shrine inside Temple

Temple Daily Schedule.

Temple Timings: 6 am—12 noon and 3 pm—7 pm

 

Special Pujas:

New Moon Day, Full Moon Day, Astami Day, Pradosham

Each month special pujas take place at Pradosham (evenings from 4.30 pm—6.00 pm) and at Poornima from 6 am—12 noon. The Poornima puja includes Abhishekam, Fire Homam and Anandam.

 

Swami Darshan and Interviews

Swami Darshan: 9 am—12 noon (sometimes up to 1 pm). Special Darshan can be arranged for afternoon session. Mondays there is no Swami darshan.

 

Swami giving blessings during Interview

Location and Contact Information:
Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Dharma Paribalana Trust
Sethavarai, Nallan Pillai Petral Village & Post
Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu
+91 96291 45883 Ashram Manager

Greenland Ashram Update August 2014

Yesterday I visited with Kiran and Philippe to take photographs of the development of their Greenland Ashram. Progress is rapid and the Ashram is expected to be open and fully operational within the next few months. 

See below for a pictorial representation of progress in the Ashram development as of yesterday Wednesday, August 6, 2014. 

Lord Ganesha with friend near gate of Ashram

Greening already underway on the 6 acre Ashram grounds

Variety of plants and succulents, including this Japanese Lotus

House occupied by Greenland Founders till their quarters are completed

Wonderful Arunachala darshan available at Greeland Ashram

Multitude of tasks underway at Ashram, Kiran co-Founder at left giving her support

Philippe, co-Founder of Ashram with manager Damodara

One of the residential cottages nearing completion

Founders' private residence under construction at Greeland

Most of the cottages at Ashram nearing completion

Greenland Ashram is situated around 12 km from Ramanashramam 4 km off the main highway to Bangalore. 

Sathya Sai Nagar Enlightenment Road 

Periyapalliyapattu Village Post Tiruvanamalai, 

Tamil Nadu, India - 606 704 

For more complete information visit Greenland Ashram website at this link here. 

Yogi Ramsuratkumar Siddhi Sthala

Yesterday I visited the Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram which is less than a 10 minute walk south of Ramana Ashram. It has been some time since I last visited this beautiful, serene ashram which conducts a number of functions, including a free bi-weekly medical camp and also daily lunch prasad for sadhus and devotees.

At gate walking into Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram

Where Yogi used to give darshan during construction of the Ashram

Outside of hut for feeding sadhus and sannyasins

Inside hut for feeding Sadhus and Sannyasins

Programme at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram

Part of meditation room, downstairs front of Ram Mandiram

While at the Ashram I visited the uplifting, well-maintained Siddhi Sthala at which Yogi Ramsuratkumar attained siddhi on 20th February, 2001 at 3.19 a.m. The Siddhi Sthala is composed of a number of rooms where sayings of the Yogi are displayed on the walls. As well as a pictorial history on show there are also some other fascinating exhibits including clothes and relics of the Yogi and a section devoted to his own small library of books. 

The Siddhi Sthala is opened up for public viewing at these times: 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon, 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Walls of several rooms covered in historical photographs of the Yogi

Display inside the Siddhi Sthala room

Relics belonging to the Yogi

Cot where Yogi Ramsuratkumar attained siddhi

Yogi Ramsuratkumar Jaya Guru Raya Divine 

Blessings of Guru Maharaj 

My Friends: This beggar learnt at the feet of Swami Ramdas the Divine name of Rama, and beg, beg all of you not to forget the Divine name Rama. Whatever you do, wherever you are, be like Anjaneya-Maruthi thinking of Rama and doing your actions in the world. At every age we face problems, today one problem, tomorrow another problem, the day after tomorrow another problem. And on account of facing these problems often we get dejected, disappointed, psychologically sick, if we don’t remember the name of the Divine. So this beggar will beg all of you not to forget the Divine name, Rama. 

There are people who like to remember the name of Siva. It is equally good, there are people who like to remember the name Ganapathi—equally good. Whatever name you chose, whatever form you choose, but give to this beggar what he wants. Never forget the Divine. 

Live in the world and problems will be there. If we are remembering the Divine name, we are psychologically sound. May be, we may feel a little in some of the problems. Even then, the intensity with which we feel if we don’t have faith in God is much more than a man of faith – a man who remembers the name of Rama. So this beggar . . . please don’t forget the name of God. This Divine name has been always of great help to all in the world. 

Yogi Ramsuratkumar

You read Kabir, Tulsi, Sur . . . Appar Swamy, Manickavasaga Swamy – how they emphasised Namasivaya. Don’t forget it – this is your heart – this is your soul whether it be Om Namasivaya or Om Namo Narayanaya, whether Rama, Siva or Krishna, whatever name you choose, whatever form you choose doesn’t matter. But remember the Lord with any name, with any form of your choice. Just as when there is heavy rainfall, we take an umbrella, and go on doing our work in the factory, in the field, wherever we go for marketing and catching hold of the umbrella we go through the rain falling there. But still we work – still we work – do our work. Similarly we have got so many problems all around. This Divine name is just like an umbrella in the heavy rainfall. Catch hold of the Divine name and go on doing your work in the world. 

This beggar begs of you and . . . I think none of you will shirk away, when this beggar begs of you ‘Don’t forget the Divine name’. This beggar prays to his Father to bless you all who have come here. My Lord Rama blesses you. My Father blesses you. Arunachaleswara blesses you. It doesn’t matter to me what name it is. All the blessings of my Father for all of you! Well, that is the end. That is all. 

To learn more about this great saint at Arunachala, please visit this link here for his biography. 

Radha Ma Ashram

Radha Ma invited me to come and visit the recently built Narasimha Temple on the grounds of her Ashram. I love my gardens and my Temples, so didn't need to be asked twice! The below photographs show the lovely Ashram garden which 4-5 years ago was just a patch of scrub land.

The below photographs are of the Temple area.

At this time I wasn't allowed to take a photograph of the actual Narasimha statue inside the Temple, but outside is a well known photograph of the Vishnu avatar, upon which the statue inside the Temple is modelled. The statue was crafted by artisans in Mahabalipuram and the installation ceremony was performed by priests from the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai where the god Narasimha is worshipped.

Outside the entrance to the Narasimha Temple are paintings of GajaLakshmi and Kamadhenu.

Below is a photograph of Sarada Devi from inside Radha Ma's quarters.

Tale of Narasimha

"Few of the thousands of stories found in Hindu mythology have as much beauty, poignancy, and moral and intellectual daring as the tale of Narasimha, the man-lion who is the fourth incarnation or avatar of Vishnu. The circumstances under which Vishnu descends to earth in the form of Narasimha are to be found in the fact, as enumerated in the Puranas, that in his previous incarnation as the boar, Vishnu had killed the asura or demon Hiranyaksha, and consequently filled his elder brother, Hiranyakashipu, with a burning desire for revenge.

While commanding the asuras to create havoc on earth, Hiranyakashipu himself prepared for the battle with Vishnu by practicing the most severe austerities, the effect of which was that he acquired the most tremendous powers. For scores of years he stood still on Mount Mandara, and though ant hills, grass, and plants grew on his body, he would not stir; the rivers and oceans trembled; the volcanoes roared and the earth shook; and the astral bodies went astray. The fiery smoke emanating from Hiranyakashipu’s very head left a massive trail of destruction, and the panic-stricken devas or gods, led by Indra, finally made their way to Brahma’s abode. Warning him that the worlds of his own creation would soon become extinct, the devas pleaded with Brahma to intercede, whereupon Brahma, declaring himself pleased at the immense austerities practiced by Hiranyakashipu, agreed to grant him any boon, hopeful that he would cease to terrorize the world and the devas.

Such is the tapas, the fire of Hiranyakashipu’s sacrifice and discipline, that even the gods must render him obeisance. Much like Ravana, his fellow asura, Hiranyakashipu receives from Brahma a boon that he shall "never be killed by these means: the striking and throwing weapons of my enemies, thunderbolt, dried tree-trunks, high mountains, by water or fire." Drought, fire, earthquakes, thunder, hurricanes, and all other manner of natural calamities: from all these he shall have immunity. Most decisively, Hiranyakashipu appears to have clinched his immortality when it is agreed that he shall "not be slain in heaven, on earth, in the daytime, at night, from neither above nor below", and most importantly neither by man nor animal.

Emboldened by the boon, Hiranyakashipu and his asuras lose no time in bringing the entire world under their jurisdiction, dominating the devas, and creating a reign of absolute terror. Hiranyakashipu’s own son, Prahlad, is a devoted follower of Vishnu, and his father’s ceaseless efforts to make him abandon his faith do not bear fruit. He is subjected to much pain and suffering; asuras are let loose at him; and he is thrown down a cliff. Yet Prahlad outlives all these attempts at terminating his life. Immensely pleased by his devotion, Vishnu at last decides to intercede directly. Descending to earth in the form of Narasimha, Vishnu appears before the complaisant Hiranyakashipu. As half man (nara) and half lion (simha), he is neither man nor lion; he springs out of a pillar; he strikes at twilight, when it is neither day nor light; and he attacks Hiranyakashipu at the threshold of his palace, under the arch of the doorway, neither on earth nor in the sky. Narasimha throws Hiranyakashipu upon his thighs and rips apart his bowels with his claws.

The tale of Narasimha speaks to the critical importance of liminality in forging any kind of emancipatory politics or theology. It is at the cusp, in the moment of liminality, in the state of in-betweenness, that ignorance is defeated and knowledge is acquired. If we go only so far as common-sense logic appears to take us, we might not travel very far at all. The tale of Narasimha is also there to remind us of the risks which we must take if we seek to be true moral agents."

Sri Nannagaru and Devotees

So, tomorrow morning, Thursday, 26th June, Sri Nannagaru leaves Arunachala after a 10 day visit. As is usual, many of his devotees from Andhra Pradesh travelled with him. While here, Swami gave daily spiritual discourses in Telegu (his native language) to his devotees and visitors. It is expected that Sri Nannagaru will return to Arunachala this upcoming August for a short stay.

"I first came across Sri Nannagaru in Ramanashramam at Tiruvannamalai, in the last days of 1993. A friend had told me that a guru was giving darshan near the library that evening. Arunachala and Sri Ramana's cave were sufficient for me, I thought; I felt no particular attraction for the darshan of yet another guru. It happened that the library was next to my room, however, and as I returned from the cave that evening I saw a crowd of westerners outside sitting in silence before a man who was sitting in a chair. At his feet were a bevy of well-dressed Indian women. They were all gazing at the man intently. The man's eyes were drifting slowly from one person to another. I couldn't help feeling that he looked like the cornershop grocer. Every now and then he let out a prolonged belch, and rubbed his stomach.

I sat down, intending to stay until the first mosquito arrived. In moments I was aware of the depth of the silence in the group around me. Sri Nannagaru kept gazing at one individual after another, sometimes resting his eyes on a person for minutes on end. At the same time he would raise his right hand in an open palm blessing. My body became as still as stone. All thought of going anywhere vanished. All thoughts of any kind vanished. His look was one of the most tender commpasion, of a lover to his beloved; yet there was not sense of anybody doing anything wanting anything, trying to creat some effect; just the innocent and empty gaze of love, available to all, and yet intensely personal, it seemed, with each individual. His body seemed to carry no tension at all: his whole being flowed unobstructed out of his eyes. After half an hour or so, he silently bowed, and got up to go to his room. Nobody moved, and the silence continued for several more minutes."

[From Travels through Sacred India

By Roger Housden]

Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam Inauguration

On April 19th, 2008, there will be a Grand inauguration ceremony of the installation of 'Ananda Linga' By Paramahamsa Nithyananda (who hails from Tiruvannamalai) at Nithyananda Puri (opposite Rajarajeswari Temple, Girivalam Roadway, Tiruvannamalai.

The Schedule for the day starts at 10.00 a.m. and includes:
Inauguration of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam
Preliminary puja ceremony, as preparation for the installation of Ananda Linga.
Installation of the first set of Shiva Lingas in a series of one crore Shiva Lingas.
Installation of Navagraha deities (deities associated with the nine planets) along with Navagraha trees (trees associated with the nine planets).
Installation of 108 live energy Shiva Lingas.
Preliminary puja ceremony for installation of 108 live energy Shiva Lingas, being made of gold, silver, crystal, and other precious stones.

Koti Lingas Kshetra
The Koti Linga Kshetra is the consecration of 10,000 Shiva Lingas, on each of which will be etched 1000 Shiva Linga forms, thus making it one crore Shiva Lingas or Koti Lingas. (koti - crore and linga - Shiva Linga).

Ananda Linga
In the centre of these one crore Lingas, will be consecrated Ananda Linga - a 21 feet tall Shiva Linga – tallest in the world. This unique Linga is being made completely with Navabhashanam, (an amalgamation of nine rare herbs) and other 1008 different herbs. This Linga will continuously radiate healing energy that can cure all mental and physical illnesses.

Navagraha deities and Navagraha trees
This energy field will also have Navagraha deities (deities associated with the nine planets) along with Navagraha trees (trees associated with the nine planets).

108 live energy Shiva Lingas
Further, 108 live and living Shiva Lingas made of gold, silver, crystal, and other precious stones, and radiating tremendous energy, will also be consecrated here.

For more information and photographs go to this link. And to read earlier postings of Swami Nithyananda on this site go here and here

Sri Nannagaru Visit

Sri Nannagaru will be arriving at his Ashram at Arunachala on Saturday, March 15, and will be staying for 11 days. While here he will be available to devotees and visitors several times a day. Sri Nannagaru Ashram is located off the Chengam Road, about one kilometre west of Ramana Ashram, in an area called Rajiv Gandhi Nagar.

Sri Nannagaru visits Arunachala about four times a year and stays for between 7-12 days each visit. As he is in fact my own Guru, without a doubt I will post lots of photos and news in the upcoming days.

Swamiji was born on September 23, 1934 and made his first visit to Arunachala in 1957 to visit Ramana Ashram and the samadhi of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Sri Nannagaru returned to his native place, Jinnuru, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, and continued with his duties as an agriculturalist, husband and father. Without turning his back on his duties, going on pilgrim, or engaging in any sort of extreme sadhana, Sri Nannagaru attained realisation within a short time of his 1957 visit. He says that the occasion of his realisation occurred during a later short visit to Arunachala and happened through the Grace of Arunachala, Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Although Sri Nannagaru's own teachings are based on Self Enquiry, he guides devotees in whatever path is personally most suited to them.

The below photograph is the view of Arunachala from the gates of Sri Nannagaru Ashram.

Ancedote from

“Sadhana for Taming the Mind”

By Sadguru Sri Nannagaru

“Once, moved by the prayers of a devotee, the Gods came and asked him for any boon he wished. The devotee replied;

“I have not prayed for wealth or gifts,”
The Gods persisted, “We will give you wealth,”
“I cannot hoard or protect it,” he answered.
“We will give you the boon of knowing the future and give you the power to know other peoples’ minds,”
The devotee replied, “Why should I bother myself with the minds of others?”
The Gods said, “We will give you the power to cure diseases.”
“The power of God’s name alone is enough to cure,” answered the devotee.

The Gods realised that the man would not accept any boon and without his knowledge, they gave the boon that on whosoever the shadow of this man fell, that person would have all desires fulfilled.

If you realize and own the vastness and depth of your heart, great benefit will accrue to the world.”

Favourite Arunachala Activites

In our recent poll asking readers, "What do you enjoy most at Arunachala", 48% answered performing girivalam around the Hill was their favourite event when visiting the area. 35% (of readers) answered their preferred activity was spending time at Ramana Ashram, 33% replied they enjoyed visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple as their major activity, while nearly 22% choose to climb or walk upon the Hill as their primary activity.

[readers were allowed to vote for more than one activity]

Peace

The below is part of a speech given during one of Sri Nannagaru’s trips to Arunachala:

“Peace is essential to human beings. I give the utmost importance to undiluted peace, unbroken peace. Peace is above money and power and beyond everything related to the world. If there is no peace, neither the wealthy or healthy are in a good condition. Peace is above money, peace is above power, peace is above everything.

Peace is essential, peace is a must, to everyone, to each religion, to every part of the world - to the whole of humanity. Without peace we cannot progress in any branch of life. To maintain economic wealth and prosperity or for the purpose of living comfortably and happily, it is essential to have peace. The gain of the whole world is not equal to peace. The body requires comfort, the mind requires peace. If there is no peace on the individual level, then there will be unrest, disturbance, and chaos throughout the world.

If you want peace you have to come out from ignorance, if you want peace you have to come out from wrong identification, if you want peace you have to come out from wrong thinking, if you want peace you have to come out from wrong habits, if you want peace you have to come out from wrong behaviour - peace is essential. We cannot buy peace in the market, we have to grow peace in the heart. We have to grow it in the mind.”