Summer Solstice and Pradosham

This month, the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day and shortest night of the year synchronised with the June 21st Pradosham. 

Outside the Shiva Sannidhi

 

The word solstice is derived from the sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at solstice, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the seasonal movement of the Sun's path (as seen from Earth) comes to a stop before reversing direction. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. Solstice mark either the beginning or the midpoint of winter and summer. 

Circumambulating Shiva Sannidhi in Big Temple

This synchronicity marks the perfect and auspicious time to listen or chant the Aditya Hrudayam, Hymn to the Sun God, which comes from the Ramayana and was narrated to Lord Rama by Sage Agastya to energize him in the battle against Ravana. 

Sulamangalam sisters' joyous rendition of the Aditya Hrudayam

Medicine Mountain

Sri Ramana Maharshi sometimes called Arunachala, 'The Medicine Mountain'. He used to say, 'For all ailments of body and mind giri pradakshina is good medicine'. And that it also helped keep the mind in a quiet and harmonious state. He once expounded on the greatness of the Hill by comparing it to a the mountain mentioned in the Ramayana.

'When Ramana, Lakshmana and their army entered Lanka,' he said, 'Indrajit, the son of Ravana, launched a very powerful arrow against them. The arrow caused even Ramana and Lakshmana to lose consciousness. Everyone in the army, except Hanuman became unconscious. Hanuman went back to India and returned with a whole mountain which contained the healing herb sanjivini. When the air which had touched this herb touched Rama, Lakshmana and their army, they were all awakened and healed.'

Sri Ramana concluded his story by saying, 'This Arunachala mountain is more powerful than that mountain'.

[Extract taken from 'Living By the Words of Bhagavan' by David Godman]