In Search of Secret India

. . . I stand at the door and look up at the Hill of the Holy Beacon - Arunachala, the Sacred Red Mountain, as the people of the countryside prefer to call it. It has become the colourful background of all my existence; always I have but to raise my eyes from whatever I am doing, whether eating, walking, talking or meditating, and there is its strange, flat headed shape confronting me in the open or through a window. It is somehow inescapable in this place, but the strange spell it throws over me is more inescapable still. I begin to wonder whether this queer, solitary peak has enchanted me. This lonely hill holds me in a powerful thrall, despite the fact that I have been others infinity more attractive. This rugged piece of Nature, with its red laterite boulders tumbled about in disorderly masses and glowing like dull fire in the sunlight, possesses a strong personality which emanates a palpable awe creating influence.

[by Paul Brunton}

Herbs on the Hill

'The herbs growing on the hill sides are supposed to possess the power to satisfy hunger, slake thirst, cure diseases, bring the dead back to life and turn base metals into gold. However a search for these herbs by people with base motives will be futile and they can be espied only by the most devoted. Devotees walking round the hill are benefited by the breeze wafting over the herbs'.

Its interesting to note that similar phenomenon have been noted in other 'power spots'. Sun Dagger site at Fajada Butte in the U.S., has a special sort of power. The Butte creates an environment that grows a variety of plants used by the indigenous population for spiritual and ritual purposes, plants that are not generally found on the surrounding plain. Special plants also grow on the mounds of the ruins of the ancient Native American astronomers that once inhabited the area. Although some feel the plants are equally powerful wherever they grow, the power of the plants is said to be increased by being on the butte.

Animals and Medicinal Plants

Arunachala Hill abounds in medicinal plants and herbs. Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine roam about the slopes of Arunachala in search of herbs and leaves. It is interesting to watch the monkeys' behaviour and habits. One can watch groups of them, particularly during the evening, gather round certain plants and munch their leaves and seeds. The elders of the monkey family coax the youngsters of their group, sometimes by administering physical rebukes, into consuming the leaves. Other animals too possess intuitive knowledge about local herbs and their use.

Amritanandamayi and Devotees, 1982

Extract from Karthigai day at Tiruvannamalai, 1982 when Amritanandamayi and devotees are doing giripradakshina around Arunachala.

'That day Mother suddenly bolted out of our residence all alone. This was obviously an escape; she clearly did not want anyone to follow Her ... Having witnessed Mother's lack of body-consciousness, I knew that she might very well get lost. I followed her from a distance as she walked around Arunachala Hill, obviously in an intoxicated mood, Mother was walking at a very rapid pace and gradually she disappeared into the distance, leaving us behind.

We started driving around Arunachala Hill, looking intently for Amma. The previous day, while climbing the hill with her, we had come across many caves on both sides. Amma had gone into some of them to meditate and it was only after much urging that she could be persuaded to come out. While descending from the mountain, Amma had said, 'I don't feel like coming down, but thinking of you children I am restraining myself.'

We suddenly caught a glimpse of Amma's form, walking far ahead of us on the road ... It was a glorious sight to see Amma. She was swaying to and fro while walking, as if drunk. Her whole body was vibrating, and Her hands were forming sacred mudras. Her eyes were half closed and a blissful smile glowed on Her face ... After we had followed Amma for some distance ... slowly Amma came down to our level. Soon she was laughing and talking with us affectionately ... thus we all walked for the full eight miles around the hill.'

Swami Paramatmananda's book "On the Road to Freedom, part two:

Arunachala Puranam

'All stones in that place [Arunachala] are lingams. It is indeed the Abode of Lord Siva. All trees are the wish-granting trees of Indra's heaven. Its rippling waters are the Ganges, flowing through our Lord's matted locks. The food eaten there is the ambrosia of the Gods. When men move about in that place it is the earth performing pradakshina around it. Words spoken there are holy scripture, and to fall asleep there is to be absorbed in samadhi, beyond the mind's delusion. Could there be any other place which is its equal?'

Different Names For Tiruvannamalai

The Tiruvannamalai sthala is also known by the names, Arunagiri, Annamalai, Arunachala, Arunai, Sonagiri and Sonachala. Arunai is only the corrupt form of the name Arunagiri, Arunamalai and Arunachalam. All these names signify 'Fire Mountain'.

Dr. Manickam

Yesterday afternoon I met Dr. Manickam for the first time. Dr. Manickam who is a Herbologist and specialises in herbal medicines, prescribes effective remedies for physical illnesses, and is also reputed to have considerable healing gifts.

Picture above shows Oliscevadi (Palm Leaf Writings) one of the resources Dr. Manickam consults whilst treating patients. The Leaves are over 700 years old. Certain Siddha remedies and ingredients for ayurvedic medicines are contained on them.

Much more about Dr. Manickam to follow in later Blogs. But for a fascinating story in his own words:

'I was born at Pavalakkundru in Tiruvannamalai as the last child of my parents. My mother Alamelu and father Venu were both ardent devotees of Sri Bhagavan. They have sat at the Maharshi's feet a number of times to learn from him the secrets of herbs and herbal medicine. The Master would give them detailed instructions on the preparation methods of various medicines which my parents duly and faithfully recorded.

Once, during a conversation with Bhagavan, my father told him that the castor plant did not possess enough juice. It was also hard to find the plant in the environs of Tiruvannamalai. Bhagavan then asked my father to go to Athimur on the Javadhu Hills, near Polur. There was a lake there and the plant could be sighted on its banks and ample juice could be extracted. My father went to Athimur, and found the plant on the exact location mentioned by Bhagavan.'

Indian Mongoose

Now that the water is quickly receding on the lakebed, the emphasis is changing from the aquatic to the land animal. In the dry season the reservoir area is replete with rabbits, foxes, snakes and mongoose. But with the excessive flooding this year, a lot of animals had to migrate from their burrows and seek safety on higher ground.

So it was with great satisfaction that a very nice Indian Mongoose crossed our path during our walk early this morning. My dogs were so startled by the intrepid and never-before-seen critter, that they were immobilised whilst it made a very easy escape into some thick undergrowth.

The Indian grey mongoose is found throughout India and prefers areas of bush and tall grass. The Indian grey mongoose, which is also known as the common grey mongoose, is generally a grizzled grey or tawny in colour, with a lighter underside, darker feet, and dark red tail tip. They have a reddish tint to their head. Their tail length equals their body length. Males are significantly larger than the females.

Among the better-known mongooses are those of the genus Herpestes, which range from southern Europe into Africa and southern Asia. The Indian gray mongoose, H. Edwardsi, which may reach 50cm (20in) long plus a 41cm (16in) tail, and weigh about 2.3kg (5lb), is the one portrayed in Kipling's Jungle Book.

This mongoose feeds on mice, rats, lizards, and snakes, but will eat some fruit. They have been known to attack domestic poultry. They are popular for killing poisonous snakes, which they kill with speed and agility. The Indian grey mongoose is diurnal. They are found in fields and open forests, often close to humans. They live in burrows, which can be anything from a hedgerow to rock crevices and drains. They are usually solitary or sometimes in pairs.

Kannappa Temple and Mandapam

Kannappa Temple
This is a current picture of the Kannappa Temple which was mentioned at length in an early entry. This Temple is built on rock and lies flush against Arunachala Hill. Kannappa Temple was recently restored to this immaculate state by the efforts of devotees from Shantimalai Ashram here at Tiruvannamalai.

Kannappa Mandapam
Thus far the Mandapam which lies close to the Temple has not been restored and is currently in a derelict condition just off the giripradakshina path.

Ecology at Tiruvannamalai

In the August issue of Arunachala Grace News, our monthly Newsletter, we will be focussing on various reforestation and ecological programmes currently being undertaken at Arunachala. If anyone has questions they would like to pose on this subject, please send in your comments and suggestions to this Blog.

Some of you reading this Blog are already subscribers to our Newsletter, which contains facts on Arunachala and information about the events and people of this place. For new readers if you wish to receive the July issue of Arunachala Grace News, next week, then please put in your subcription request here at: arunachalagrace@fastmail.fm

Paramhansa Yogananda

Towards the end of 1936 Paramhamsa Yogananda visited Arunachala - but it seems his visit was more for the purpose of meeting Sri Ramana Maharshi than for spending time at the Holy Hill:-

'Before leaving South India, Mr. Wright and I made a pilgrimage to the holy hill of Arunachala near Tiruvannamalai to meet Sri Ramana Maharshi. AT this ashram the great sage welcomed us affectionately and pointed to a nearby stack of East-West magazines. During the hours that we spent with him and his disciples, he was mostly silent, his gentle face radiating divine love and wisdom.

To help suffering humanity regain its forgotten states of Perfection, Sri Ramana teaches that one should constantly ask himself: 'Who am I?', the Great Inquiry indeed. By stern rejection of all other thoughts the devotee soon finds himself going deeper and deeper into the true Self, and the sidetracking bewilderments of other thoughts cease to arise.'

Autobiography of a Yogi (p.391)

Arunachala Is Same Throughout

At different times Ramana Maharshi was asked about the power of Arunachala and whether (as is reputed at the Himalayas) it is more advantageous to be at the top of the Mountain than lower down. Ramana Maharshi explained that, unlike other sacred spots, there is no difference between the lower, middle or upper parts of Arunachala. It is all the same. However if there is any particular method that could be followed in accessing Arunachala's power, Sri Ramana always told his devotees that the method was by doing giripradakshina around the Hill in the proscribed manner.

Phenomenon of the Vortex

[Picture by D. McCambridge]

In addition to an earlier blog on Power Spots and Sacred Sites, below are various explanations of the Vortex; in some way a possibility of understanding part of the phenomenon of Arunachala.

'A vortex is a mass of energy that moves in a rotary or whirling motion, causing a depression or vacuum at the center . . . These powerful eddies of pure Earth power manifest as spiral-like coagulations of energy that are either electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic qualities of life force.'

Page Bryant,
Terravision: A Traveler's Guide to the Living Planet Earth

**********

...Vortexes are areas of high energy concentrations, originating from magnetic, spiritual, or sometimes unknown sources. Additionally they are considered to be gateways or portals to other realms, both spiritual and dimensional. Vortexes typically exist where there are strong concentrations of gravitational anomalies, inturn, creating an environment that can defy gravity, bend light, scare animals, twist plant life into contorted shapes, and cause humans to feel strange. Many vortexes have been shown to be associated with Ley Lines and have been found to be extremely strong at node points where the lines cross.

**********

. . .Vortexes are labelled according to the direction of their energy flow. Up-flow Vortexes, where energy is flowing upward out of the earth; and Inflow Vortexes, where energy is flowing inward, toward the earth.

Up-flow Vortexes are said to boost spiritual skills associated with going to a higher level. They are said to stretch or expand consciousness, like filling a balloon with air. Places labeled as a magnetic vortex are areas of inflow energy. An area labeled an electric vortex is an area of up-flow energy.

Pete A. Sanders Jr. and Richard Dannelley
'Scientific Vortex Information','Sedona Power Spot Vortex'

How It Looks To Him!

As scary as driving in India can be, with all the big lorries and buses and speeding two-wheelers - just imagine how spooky it looks to our four-footed brethern? And he's not wearing any shoes! Think about how it would be to face all of this with bare feet!

Pachiamman Temple

These wonderful, strange, gigantic (2 to 3.5m high) statues of painted stucco, represent Warrior Devas. They sit in rows on either side of the path (inside the Compound) leading to the Pachiamman Temple.

Much more about this amazing Temple in later posts.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The first spiritual teaching Sri Sathya Sai Baba is reputed to have given to the world was at the age of 14 years when he left his home and took a seat on a great boulder outside his Puttaparthi village. It was at that boulder (which would later mark one of the boundaries of his vast desert Ashram), that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai sang:

Manasa Bhajorey Guru Charanam
Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam
Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai
Sai Natha Sad Guru Jai Jai
Om Namah Shivaya, Om Nama Shivaya,
Om Namah Shivaya, Shivaya Namah Om
Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva,
Arunachala Shiva Aruna Shiv Om
Omkaram Baba, Omkaram Baba,
Omkaram Baba Om Namo Baba

O mind, worship the Lotus Feet of your God and Supreme Teacher that will take you safely across the ocean of life and death. Victory to our Lord and supreme Teacher, Sai Nath!

Mind, also chant and worship; the Divine name of Lord Shiva and Arunachala mountain (which is no different to Shiva) and Baba whose form is OM.

In this bhajan Bhagavan exhorts devotees to worship the feet of the spiritual perceptor and explains that there is no difference between the Pranava Om (which pervades the Universe), Arunachala and the Lord. Bowing to one is as bowing to all.

Since that early age of 14 years and his first teaching, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has often encouraged, suggested and even ordered devotees to come to Arunachala. As well as his love of this Holy Place, Sri Sathya Sai Baba often guides people (as did Ramana Maharshi) in the method of Self Enquiry.

Kannappa Nayanar Temple

There is a Temple built at the foot of Arunachala, off the pradakshina route, on a rock dedicated to Sri Kannappar. Kannappar who was one of the sixty-three Nayanars (Tamil Poet-Saints) whose lives are recorded in the Periya Puranam (Lives of the Saints). The actual story of Kannappa Nayanar is supposed to have taken place at a Hill Temple in Sri Kalahasti, near Tirupathi.

The story goes that there was a forest place called Uduppur. It was an isolated area populated by fierce villagers. Nagan and Tatthai had a great desire for a child but as they were old had to go to a shrine of Lord Murugan to receive his blessings before they were able to conceive. A son was soon born to them who they named Thinnan (meaning strong), because he was so powerful and heavy that even his father could hardly hold him up.

When the boy reached 16 years of age, he took over the position of leader of the hunters. During a pig hunt, Thinnan and some companions had to go deep into the forest. It was there that the youth saw the hill of Lord Siva. Kindled by an unexplainable emotion he went towards the hill.

The culmination of austerities he did in previous births came to him and he proceeded towards the Lord. He saw Him and drank through his eyes the wonderful sight; It flowed over his heart; He lost all control and ran towards the Lingam to embrace and kiss the Diety.

Thinnan started performing service by bringing water from the river in his mouth and bathing the image of the Lord by emptying the water he carried in his mouth onto the Lingam. He would chew meat to ascertain its suitability before offering the choicest bits to his deity.

When he left for hunting, a sage came who was shocked at the sight of strewn bones and flesh in front of the Lord. After prostrating many times the sage cleaned the altar and performed his own puja before returning to his hermitage.

This continued for many days. To explain the love of his huntsman devotee, God appeared to the sage and told him, 'Don't think he is a scoundrel. His form is full of my love, his mind thinks of me only and his deeds are delightful for me. The water he spits on me is more sacred than Ganga, the flowers he offers taking from his head are holier than that are offered by Devas. It is all because of His love. You can see the excellence of his devotion tomorrow, if you hide and watch'.

It was the seventh day of Thinnans worship. When he arrived at the Lingam he was shocked to see that one eye of the Diety was bleeding. While worrying about his inability to find a solution, he remembered an old saying flesh for flesh. So, immediately Thinnan plucked out one of his own eyes with a sharp arrow and placed it onto the bleeding eye of the Lords. Thinnan jumped up and down in excitement when the bleeding from the Dietys eye stopped.

But as it stopped in the right eye, it started from the left. After a moment Thinnan told himself, 'I know the medicine. I have one more eye. That should cure this'. But when he was about to pluck out his remaining eye, he realised the difficulty of placing the eye in position once he took out his remaining eye. So he held his foot on the Dietys eye as a mark, and raised the arrow to take his remaining eye out.

The Lord Himself was not able to bear this great action, and appeared and holding the devotee's hands to stop him from plucking the remaining eye, called out:

'Oh halt Kann Appa, Kann Appa Since you gave your own eyes for me, you will be called Kannappan (the person who gave eyes to the Lord) hereafter.' And with that contact the devotee's sight was fully restored and the Lord pleased with his devotion granted him eternal bliss.

Although a hunter and meat-eater, Kannappar had such great devotion to Siva that he offered him his eyes. And in Guru Vachaka Kovai, verse 164, Sri Bhagavan gives the meaning of this story.

164
Kannappa, ripe in love, scooped out
And in the Lord's face planted his eyes.
But till he plucked and planted them
He too retained a trace of price
In those bright, beautiful orbs of his.
Attachment to the body dies
Hard, very hard indeed.

165
Why did the three-eyed Lord ordain
That Kanappa should pluck and plant
Those eyes of which he was so proud?
It was to save him from the death,
The deadly folly of deeming he
Was flesh inert. Such is the might
Of Siva.

Glistening Like An Iridescent Gem

When The Parties Over!

This year the first night of the lighting of the Deepam flame will be December 3rd.

The Arunachala Deepam remains burning until dawn. Every evening for about 8-10 days, the Hill Cauldron is relit at dusk and fed ghee and offerings throughout the night.

Once the festival is over the Cauldron is brought down the Hill and remains in storage at the Arunachaleswarar Temple UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR!

Arunachaleswarar Temple

The Arunachaleswarar Temple, faces east and is situated at the base of Arunachala. It is unique on account of its stately towers, high rampart walls, broad quadrangles, spacious gateways, large mantapams and fine tanks. With the hill as background, from a distance. the Temple looks very much like a fort.

Arunachaleswarar Temple has four Towers on each side of it’s high stone walls.

Eastern Tower - Rajagopuram (highest at 217 feet)
Southern Tower - Thirumanjangopuram
Western Tower - Peygopuram
Northern Tower - Ammaniamma Gopuram

The temple occupies an area of approximately 25 acres. The walls on the East and West measure 700 feet each. Arunachaleswarar Temple is one of the biggest and grandest temples in South India