Arunachala Blessings 2022

 

With thoughts of Love and Grace for a Blessed 2022

"In the Dravidian region of South India, there is the greatest place called Arunachala, dearest to Chandrasekara. It is the abode of Shiva and yogis. Arunachala is to this world what the heart is to the whole body. It is everything for Shiva. For the benefit of the world, Shiva took the form of a mountain and settled himself as Arunachala. 

 

There is no sacred place like Arunachala, there is no better discipline than devotion. There is no better protection than that afforded by vibhuti. There is no happiness superior to detachment. There is no position superior to salvation. If other kshetras are abodes of Shiva, Arunachala is the absolute form of Shiva himself." 

[Skanda Purana]

Arunachala 2022 Girivalam Full Moon Dates and Timings

 

Below is  an extract from the Skanda Purana Chapter 9, verses 34-50 which explains the significance of Arunachala girivalam. 

 

The 2022  dates and timings for full moon auspicious girivalam are also listed below.

 

If anyone regularly circumambulates the Lord in the form of Sonacala, he has no rebirth. He shall certainly attain eternity.

 

If a person takes even a step by way of circumambulation, the entire earth is sanctified by coming into contact with the dust of his feet.

 

With palms joined in reverence he should make obeisance in every direction. He should then meditate and eulogize. He should circumambulate slowly without his hand touching anyone else.

 

Without any agitation, without even hearing the sound of his own steps, the devotee should circumambulate in the manner of a woman walks when delivery is imminent.

 

The learned devotee should put on a clean dress after bath. He should apply sacred ash over his body and adorn himself with rudraksa beads. Remembering Siva he should take steps slowly.

 

He should think about the likelihood of collision with thousands of Devas, invisible Siddhas and others of gaseous forms. He should be a true devotee and go ahead slowly putting down his steps along the path.

 

Or the devotee should circumambulate along with other devotees chanting the names of Siva, singing excellent songs and dancing like Siva.

 

Or he should, with his mind not dwelling on anything else, listen respectfully to my greatness and circumambulate slowly feeling the thrill of the bliss.

 

He must offer different kinds of charitable gifts. He must perform meritorious deeds. He should render assistance to supplicants. He should be pious and merciful in a manner he thinks best. Thus he should move around.

 

In Krtayuga the Linga is fiery. In Treta it is a jewel mountain. In Dwapara one should think about it as golden and in Kaliyuga it is an emerald mountain.

 

Or he can meditate upon the red crystalline form that is self-luminous. Meditating thus, he will be freed from all sins. He shall go to the city of Siva.

 

This Linga with the name of Arunachala is the greatest on account of its inscrutability resulting from its state of not being an object of speech and mind and also because of its fiery nature. It is unapproachable. But I become approachable immediately to the person who circumambulates after meditation.

 

 

Arunachala—The Absolute Form of Shiva Himself

“In the Dravidian region of South India, there is the greatest place called Arunachala, dearest to Chandrasekara. It is the abode of Shiva and Yogis. Arunachala is to this world what the heart is to the whole body. It is everything for Shiva. For the benefit of the world, Shiva took the form of a mountain and settled himself as Arunachala. 

There is no sacred place like Arunachala, there is no better discipline than devotion. There is no better protection than that afforded by vibhutti. There is no happiness superior to detachment. There is no position superior to salvation. If other kshetras are abodes of Shiva, Arunachala is the absolute form of Shiva himself.” 

[Skanda Purana] 

Surya Arunachala Mythology

Fire or Agni is the fourth element of the Panchabhutas. The essential character of Fire is to generate heat and according to Hindu Mythology, Agni is one of the Eight Guardians that guard our Universe and are known as Asta-dik-palakas. 

In Indian mythology there are mentions of various types of fires. The four important ones are fire of the earth, fire of the sky, fire of the stomach (can mean hunger and digestive power as well) and the fire we commonly use. 

There is a wealth of mythology attached to Arunachala connected to its association with fire and what is related to fire i.e. light and the sun.

Pushparatheshwara Temple and the Red Lotus

One such legend is the one in which Lord Surya estranged from his wife Chayadevi visits Arunachaleswarar Temple to propitiate the Lord.

Another special association of Arunachala as Agni Kshetra, is that of fire walking. There is a festival called Thee-midi Utsavam in Tamil Nadu. On the day of this Festival, people walk on burning charcoal. That is generally not celebrated at Arunachala as per the agama rules. But in the Tamil month of Aadi on the day of Pooram (Pushya) star, this festival is performed right in front of the shrine of Unnamulai, who is the consort of Lord Arunachaleshawara.

Firewalking Pilgrims outside Mother Shrine,
Arunachaleswarar Temple

To further enhance Arunachala as Agni Kshetra, the Kaman Festival (‘Manmada Dahanam’) is celebrated in front of Lord Arunachaleswarar every spring.

The Skanda Purana, Part III is replete with mythology referencing the significance of Lord Surya (the sun) at Arunachala.

Sun God at Arunachala

On the advice of Brahma, Bhaskara (i.e. the Sun-God) who is a mass of refulgence but who was harassed by Asuras, devoutly worshipped the Lord of Arunachala. 

After plunging into the sanctifying pure Tirtha created by Brahma, he circumambulated Arunachala, the Lord himself. 

After gaining victory over all the Daityas and (the privilege of) circumambulating Meru, he gained supreme refulgence that destroys the brilliance of enemies. [Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 32-34]

Aditya whose shape was formed by Tvastr blazed with brilliance. The Lord of Planets attempted to cross Sonadri. The horses of his chariot lost their power and became tired. Due to the refulgence of Sonadri he became devoid of glory. Even with all the attempted motion of the possessor of cluster of rays (i.e. Sun), he became unable to go to the heaven. On the advice of Brahma he propitiated Arunachala. When the Lord was pleased, he obtained the path of the sky and splendid horses. 

Ever since then the Sun never crosses the mountain named Sona but goes circumambulating him. [Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 45-49a]

Sun God's Charioteer 

When he obstructed the flow of water at the time of the gift of the earth by Bali (to Vamana), Bhargava (i.e. Sukra) lost his eye on being prickled with the top of the Darbha grass held in his hand by Vishnu (i.e. Vamana). He went to Sonacala and performed a very difficult penance. With his soul purified, he regained his eye.

He (i.e. Aruna, Garuda's brother) was stationed on the mountain named Bhaskara. By serving the Lord of Arunachala, he became the charioteer of the Sun-God. [Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 6, Verses 51b-53] 

Circumambulation of Arunachala 

One who circumambulates on Sunday becomes liberated. Piercing through the solar disc, he shall go to Siva's city. [Skanda Purana (P), Chapter 9, Verses 57b-64a] 

One shall attain innumerable benefits by circumambulating Sonagiri on equinoctial days, days on which the Sun takes another transit, the transit from one Zodiac to another, on Vyatipata days and other Parvan days [Skanda Purana (U), Chapter 24, Verse 51] 

Beautiful Lord Surya Statue,

Arunagirinathar Temple, Ayyankulam Tank

Holy Rites for Special Attainments 

If anyone worships the Lord of Sonadri on a Sunday with red lotuses, he will surely acquire great imperial magnificence. [Skanda Purana (U), Chapter 7, Verse 1] 

During the Solar and Lunar eclipses a devotee should piously bathe the Lord with Pancantra repeating the five-syllable Mantra of Sonanatha. During the two Ayanas (i.e. transits of the Sun) the deity should be bathed with Pancagavya. The rite of bathing with Gavya shall be performed along with the recitation of the six-syllabled Mantra During the two equinoxes the bathing rite of the Lord of Arunachala should be devoutly performed with milk repeating Pranava (Om). [Skanda Purana (U), Chapter 7, Verses 32-34] 

Sri Siva said: 

Ether, wind, fire, water, earth, the sun, the moon and Puman (man i.e. Hotr) – these are my physical forms, and through these the Universe consisting of mobile and immobile beings shines. [Skanda Purana (U), Chapter 24, Verse 39] 

Parvati's Devotion to Arunachaleswara 

She herself installed a Linga of Sankara. Parvati worshipped it in accordance with the injunction laid down in the Agamas. 

She propitiated the Sun-god by offering seat, making idols and reciting Mula Mantras. She performed the various ancillary rites. In the different quarters she worshipped (the attendants) the chiefs of whom were Dandin and Pingala, Saktis beginning with Dipta, the planets beginning with the Moon in the different quarters. She showed the mystic gestures of Dhenus (cows) etc. The Nirmalya (remnants of the worship) was dedicated to the fierce splendour (of the Sun). She then offered the foodstuffs prepared

. . . . Assuming the lotus-posture in her heart she worshipped Jnana (knowledge), Dharma (Virtue) and others in due serial order. She assigned Vama and other Saktis (power-deities) on the petals (of the heart-lotus). The Sun and god Brahma were posted at the tip of the Petal . . . [Skanda Purana (U), Chapter 18, Verses 59-67] 

Walking Barefoot

Probably because I am so used to taking off my shoes and walking barefoot in sacred places, I hadn’t considered significant additional reasons (other than reverence) for walking barefoot whilst performing Arunachala girivalam. So was very interested to recently read an article about the health benefits accrued from ‘grounding’ by making a barefoot connection to earth.

Below I reproduced a short extract from ‘The Healing Benefits of Walking Barefoot’

“Have you ever wondered why it felt so wonderful to fall sleep on the sand, or lying on the earth looking up at the clouds? Do you notice how different you feel when you sleep on the ground under the stars?

Apparently you were experiencing the flow of the earth’s electric energy connecting to your physical body, which has been scientifically proven to promote healing and create a deep sense of well-being within us. You simply connect your bare feet directly to the earth and enjoy the organic healing benefits.

Our modern lifestyle has separated us from connecting to the subtle but ever-present energy that is on the earth’s surface. Many studies have been done that confirm the healing benefits of direct connection to the earth and some believe that the health benefits derived from this ‘earth connection’ may be equally as important as the Vitamin D we obtain from the sun

Throughout history cultures around the world have honored our connection to the earth. In Ayurveda it is called Prana and in traditional Chinese Medicine Qi or Chi. Native American tribal leader Ota Kte writes about how the old people of his Lakota Sioux tribe came to love the soil. They felt her mothering power and were soothed, strengthened, cleansed and healed by sitting or walking barefoot on her surface.

Research has shown significant improvements in inflammation-related disorders, chronic pain, sleep disorders, low energy, high stress, muscle tension, headache relief, hormonal and menstrual symptoms, protection from electromagnetic fields etc., by direct daily contact with the earth.”

It has been often stated that one of the benefits of walking around Arunachala, is the value of breathing in the scents of the rare, health giving herbs found on the slopes of the Hill. So if walking barefoot on earth is beneficial how incalculably more beneficial would it be to walk barefoot on the sanctified earth of Arunachala?

Ramana Maharshi would often tell his devotees that when he talked of Arunachala his words were meant to be taken literally and not figuratively.

In the Skanda Purana (Chapter 9 – The Efficacy of the Circumambulation of Arunachala’) verse 35 reads:

“If a person takes even a step by way of circumambulation, the entire earth is sanctified by coming into contact with the dust of his feet.”

Vijayadashami

The culmination of the festival of Navaratri is Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra (i.e. "remover of bad fate") which symbolises the Victory of Good over Evil, which this year falls today October 6, 2011.

The name Durga which means; "inaccessible", "invincible"; or "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of the Devi which is considered the fierce, demon-fighting form of Shiva’s wife, goddess Parvarti.

A narrative describing the victory of good over evil, is that of Goddess Durga fighting an asura named Mahishasura as appears in the Devi Mahatmya in the Markandeya Purana. More well known in these parts is the story of Goddess Durga’s battle and defeat of the demon as set down in the Skanda Purana (this legend appears in the below narrative).




Fight with Mahishasura

In this narrative Brahma relates how the demon Mahishasura was attracted to the beautiful Goddess Parvati and how he was lured to meet his end.

The devas, oppressed by the demon Mahishasura, who had taken the form of a buffalo, came down to earth and took refuge in the Goddess. They piteously told her about their sufferings and how they lived in fear and were compelled to obey all Mahishasura’s commands. They could do nothing, as the demon Mahishasura was invincible having obtained a boon from Siva that no man could kill him.

Hearing their cry of fear, the Goddess assured the devas of her protection and vowed to kill the great asura by strategy. Hearing such words of assurance the devas returned in peace to their abode. After they had left, Parvati manifested herself as the resplendent delusion Mohini (enchantress) and appointed four Bhairavis to keep watch on all four sides of Arunagiri, ordering them to admit only those who came to worship Arunachala and were tired, hungry and thirsty. Then after appointing strong men to guard the boundaries of Arunachala, extending to two yojanas (24 kilometres) the Goddess continued her penance at the ashram.

While Parvati was engaged in penance, there was no type of distress at all. The rains were plentiful, crops grew and the trees bore abundant fruits. Animals antagonistic to one another gave up their previous animosity, and neither external nor internal enemies prevailed. All the sages became content and praised the Goddess, who day and night continued to perform severe penance.

One day the demon Mahishasura, far from his own place, entered the forest of Arunachala whilst hunting animals. The animals then took refuge in the ashram of the Goddess and the asuras, chasing them, were denied entrance as it was a place of penance for Parvati. After entering the ashram, disguised as birds, the asuras seeing the Goddess soon returned to Mahisha praising her enchanting beauty. The demon, stricken with lust, disguised himself as an old man and entered the ashram, where he was told that the maiden of the ashram was doing penance in order to obtain a valiant husband, capable of performing great deeds.

After Mahisha spoke of his glories, the Goddess said she would become the wife only of a valiant man: ‘If you are such a man, display your strength. If you fail, admit that you are weak.’

On hearing these words Mahisha became enraged and sprang towards the Goddess with the object of killing her. At his approach Parvati transformed herself into Durga, the fiery and invincible Goddess. On seeing this, the demon made himself into the size of a mountain and gathered his vast armies from all quarters. But the Goddess was offered weapons and missiles by Brahma, Visnu, Siva, the dikpalakas, devas, mountains and seas. With many hands blazing due to the multitudes of arms, missiles and weapons, Durga, the great Maya, wore a coat of mail and immediately rode on her vehicle, the lion. Unable to bear her effulgence and seeing her terrible form, the demon Mahisha fled.

Knowing that the wicked Mahishasura could only be killed by subterfuge, the Goddess sends a monkey-faced muni named Suraguru to the demon. The demon becomes enraged on hearing the muni’s message from Parvati of abandoning adharma and following the path of righteousness. Thereafter the demon, gathered his armed forces and surrounded Arunagiri. The ensuing battle ended when the Goddess pierced the demon with her trident and cut off his head.



*********


After having killed the Demon, a lingam adhering to the Demon's neck when taken by the Goddess remained welded to the palm of Durga’s hand. The Goddess then went to a place which legend has it is now situated in the compound of the Durga Amman Temple at the foot of Arunachala. The area was dry, but the Goddess dug a hole with her sword and water gushed forth. When she took a bath, the lingam came off her hand and Durga started worshipping it.

The Goddess remained and bestowed her favours on her devotees. Since then, the sacred tank has had a regular water inflow. It is at this Temple that great celebrations take place in honour of Durga during the days of Navaratri and Dussehra – which symbolise the victory of the Goddess over evil.

Iron Age Sites

Tiruvannamalai Hill is constituted of igneous rock and forms part of the Javadi Hill range of Tamil Nadu. Geological surveys are reported to show that Arunachala is older than the Himalayas, and as to its longevity, it is stated in the Skanda Purana that:


Sri Siva said:

"Let this perpetual and immobile Fiery Form of mine, famous as Arunadri, be present here forever. (27)

Even at the close of the Yugas the great oceans shall not submerge it, the winds shall not shake it and the fires shall not burn it." (28)

[Skanda Purana - iii(U).16.27-28]


The age of the area is evidenced by the dates of the rock formations, but it is an area which also has been inhabited for many thousands of years. And in this respect Megalithic burial sites over three thousand years old and spread over three kilometres were recently discovered at the foot of a hill chain near Veeranam Village, Tiruvannamalai District.

The sites are marked by cairn-circles, which are rough stones arranged in a circle indicating burial chambers below. The chambers accompanied by urns containing bones and pottery with paddy, beads, knives, swords and other artifacts.

Such burial sites are highly valued by Historians, as they provide information about the social life of the Sangam Age in Tamil Nadu. In this respect The Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department and The Archaeological Survey of India are being asked to involve themselves in conservation of remaining historically rich areas by offering them protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Perpetual, Immobile

Sri Siva said:

Let this perpetual and immobile Fiery Form of mine, famous as Arunadri, be present here forever. (27)

Even at the close of the Yugas the great oceans shall not submerge it, the winds shall not shake it and the fires shall not burn it. (28)

Skanda Purana
iii(U).16.27-28

Arunachala Sunset

I took my camera on our regular evening walk in order to take photographs of the extensive sand quarrying currently underway at Samudram. Hope to post those photos in upcoming days, but in the meantime here are some nice photos of my doggies' evening paddle during a typical Arunachala sunset.

In the below all six of them are getting their feet wet - with little Muffin (the black doggie) just about to take the plunge. All the dogs are excellent swimmers but sometimes they just like to enjoy a nice standing soak.

The next photo is of the triplet boys: Caspa, Walle and Oscar who have been with me since birth, enjoying quiet time with Victor (the German Shepherd) the latest addition to our canine family and who came to us about six months ago. He came as an abused animal from the Animal Shelter and at that time had never known much about the 'good' things in life - but now he is the most enthusiastic walker and swimmer of the group - good job Victor!


Here is the view of Arunachala from where the doggies are swimming. This aspect is almost direct South of the Hill and is one of its most famous views.

Its getting late and the sun is setting.

Just one more pretty evening at Arunachala.

And in close up (the hill in this photo is NOT Arunachala).

In the definitive scriptural work, The Skanda Purana, there are several stories of Surya, the Sun in association with Arunachala, the primary ones being:

Sun God at Arunachala
"On the advice of Brahma, Bhaskara (i.e. the Sun-God) who is a mass of refulgence but who was harassed by Asuras, devoutly worshipped the Lord of Arunachala.

After plunging into the sanctifying pure Tirtha created by Brahma, he circumbulated Arunachala, the Lord himself.

After gaining victory over all the Daityas and (the privilege of) circumambulating Meru, he gained supreme refulgence that destroys the brilliance of enemies."
[Page 34, Verses 32-34]

"Aditya whose shape was formed by Tvastr blazed with brilliance. The Lord of Planets attempted to cross Sonadri. The horses of his chariot lost their power and became tired. Due to the refulgence of Sonadri he became devoid of glory. Even with all the attempted motion of the possessor of cluster of rays (i.e. Sun), he became unable to go to the heaven. On the advice of Brahma he propitiated Arunachala. When the Lord was pleased, he obtained the path of the sky and splendid horses.

Ever since then the Sun never crosses the mountain named Sona but goes circumambulating him."
[Page 35, Verses 45-49a]

Sun God's Charioteer
"When he obstructed the flow of water at the time of the gift of the earth by Bali (to Vamana), Bhargava (i.e. Sukra) lost his eye on being prickled with the top of the Darbha grass held in his hand by Vishnu (i.e. Vamana). He went to Sonacala and performed a very difficult penance. With his soul purified, he regained his eye.

He (i.e. Aruna, Garuda's brother) was stationed on the mountain named Bhaskara. By serving the Lord of Arunachala, he became the charioteer of the Sun-God."
[Page 35, Verses 51b-53]

Circumbulation of Arunachala
"One who circumambulates on Sunday becomes liberated. Piercing through the solar disc, he shall go to Siva's city."
[Page 59, 57b-64a]

"One shall attain innumerable benefits by circumambulating Sonagiri on equinoctical days, days on which the Sun takes another transit, the transit from one Zodiac to another, on Vyatipata days and other Parvan days."
[Page 186, Verse 51]

Holy Rites for Special Attainments
"If anyone worships the Lord of Sonadri on a Sunday with red lotuses, he will surely acquire great imperial magnificence."
[Page 120, Verse 1]

"During the Solar and Lunar eclipses a devotee should piously bathe the Lord with Pancantra repeating the five-syllable Mantra of Sonanatha. During the two Ayanas (i.e. transits of the Sun) the deity should be bathed with Pancagavya. The rite of bathing with Gavya shall be performed along with the recitation of the six-syllabled Mantra.

During the two equinoxes the bathing rite of the Lord of Arunachala should be devoutly performed with milk repeating Pranava (Om)."
[Page 123, Verses 32-34]

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.

***********************************

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.