Poor Romeo

This is rather a tragic story about a frog that ended up as dinner to one hungry snake. Yesterday evening as I was coming down from my roof I had to pass by a pair of love-struck frogs on the outside stairwell. Whatever they were performing they were approaching with an inordinate amount of vigour. My dogs were too astounded to actually do anything and I was quite easily able to shepherd them around the moonstruck couple and back into our home.

This afternoon my maid servant, Jaya Laxmi came to me quite distraught. There was something in the garden under one of the bushes and she wanted me to come out immediately. When I got out to the garden I looked around in the general area in which Jaya Laxmi was pointing and quickly spotted the reason for her consternation. There right in the mouth of a snake was one part of the love duet from yesterday evening. Can't really get a better indicator of the transitory nature of life than that! From bedroom to dining-room in one day and ending up as the main course! Poor little Romeo!

Ascension

Lots of people are getting upset about the increasing development and urbanisation of the area surrounding Arunachala. I don't worry about it that much and I'll tell you why.

A couple of years ago, one New Year's Day, I climbed to the top of Arunachala for the first and I'm sure the last time. I am a little plumpy and also made the mistake of believing all those people who say, 'It's easy, no problem!' Well for me it was a mighty problem as I went up wearing a sari, flip-flip shoes and with only a small amount of water. By the time I got halfway up the Hill I was reduced to acting like a beggar outside Egmore Railway station; but instead of piteously rubbing my stomach and asking for 'Paisa', my plaintive cry was, 'Water, Water!' Happily, I met with help and was able to complete my ascension and successfully make it to the top of Arunachala.

At that time Hill Swami Narayana (check out blog entry August 7th) was living on top of the Hill, in something that could be termed Tent City. Although he originally lived as a recluse on the hill-top, over the years he had accumulated a large coterie of followers including a group of young lads who would daily go up and down the Hill with food and water for Swami and the Tent-City community. Mercifully the lads refilled my plastic water bottle and gave me a nice rice prasad.

After I had recovered from the ordeal of my Hill ascension, I sat on the edge of Arunachala looking down at Tiruvannamalai and surroundings. The thought that came to mind was the movie 'The Time Machine'; the old one with Rod Taylor playing the role of the 'Time Traveller'. In the movie the 'Time Traveller' is sitting on his machine watching the passing of time. He sees the house around him disappear and the landscape change. Although, in the real world aeons of time pass and the very geological formation of the earth changes, for the 'Time Traveller' on his time machine, just a few moments pass.

That day on top of Arunachala, I thought of that movie and tried to see it from Arunachala's perspective. One moment to be surrounded by forests and then suddenly the forests are denuded, buildings come up, crumble, are demolished, and then replaced, and the scenario inexorably repeats, again and again.

Not just one lifetime but aeons upon aeons have passed whilst Arunachala has stood as silent Sentinel to the World. I wondered at our vanity to think we have the power to actually DO anything that could in anyway limit, circumscribe or diminish the impeccability and Glory of Arunachala.

That day, I felt really good to finally get it that Arunachala is in total control and has everything well taken care of. WE ARE LOVED.

World's Heart

Nandi said:

'Arunachala is truly the holy place. Of all holy places it is the most sacred. Know that it is the heart of the world. It is truly Siva himself. It is His heart abode, a secret Kshetra. In that place the Lord ever abides as the Hill of Light named Arunachala.'

[Skanda Purana]

Milk Plant

Plans have just been announced that a large powdered-milk plant is going to be set up in the Tiruvannamalai District. The plant, expected to cost a whopping Rs. 29 crore (US $6.3 million) will be funded by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).

It seems a pity that such an enterprise should be started up in the heartland of Tamil agriculture. Specially nowadays as the debate on processed food is becoming so controversial. It would have been nice if that huge (by Indian standards) amount of money could have been directed in some way towards popularising indigenous and organic methods of farming.

Micro-irrigation

It was officially announced yesterday, August 18th that the Government plans to set up micro-irrigation systems in 630 hectares (one hectare = 2.5 acres) of agricultural lands in the Tiruvannamalai District.

The Government estimates that depending on crop patterns, the total cost of installing micro-irrigation systems will be somewhere between Rs.17,000-Rs.58,000 (US$370-$1,300) a hectare. 50% of that amount will be given to farmers as subsidy, with the rest being the responsibility of the farmer.

It is also planned to establish micro-irrigation demonstration fields at 20 places within the Tiruvannamalai District. These fields would be set up in lands belonging to self-help groups, cooperative bodies, NGOs, scientific organisations and pioneer farmers.

Museum

Work has just started on the construction of a Visitor's Centre which will be the focal part of the Mountain of Medicine eco-park. As soon as agreement was reached with the District Collector regarding the development of this Centre, an architect set to work and came up with a concept envisaging three separate blocks in one harmonious complex.

The blocks will house; a museum, environmental centre and office with herbarium of Hill plants, library, craft shop and cafe. To make use of the cooling mass of the earth, the buildings will be sunken into the ground around the base of a small hillock in the eco-park.

The eco-park is set just off the outer pradakshina path on Chengam Road, next to Palakothu Tank and close to Ramana Ashram.

Laksmana Swamy

Laksmana Swamy's was born at Gudur, Andhra Pradesh on December 25th, 1925. In 1949 in his search for a Guru, he spent time at Ramana Ashram. Whilst there he practiced the 'Who Am I?' enquiry suggested by Ramana Maharshi. It was as a result of this enquiry that led him to pass a note to Sri Ramana saying:

'O Bhagavan, in your presence and by the quest (Who Am I?) I have realized the Self'.

Since his realisation Sri Laksmana Swamy, a direct disciple of Sri Ramana, has taught disciples through silent sitting. Mathru Sri Sarada came later into Lakshmana Swamy's life. She became his adopted daughter and successor and as a result of devotion to her Guru Sri Laksmana, she realized the Self.

Laksmana Swamy and Saradamma live in a secluded house set in a beautiful tree and peacock-filled compound. The compound is not available to visitors, however sometimes devotees choose to sit and meditate outside the compound gates.

Laksmana Swamy and Saradamma are available for satsang only on special festival days. Previously Laksmana Swamy elected to give satsang about 5-6 times a year, but as his health and circumstances change, the frequency of his public meetings have decreased.

Mirroracle

Unless experienced it is difficulty to explain the immediacy and vibrancy of Arunachala. Being here is so being in the moment. Most historical places are defined by their past but Arunachala cannot be so circumscribed. Every moment is full of immediacy and each moment is His-Story. It's wonderful to learn of the mythology and ancient tales of Arunachala's past but what is even more astonishing is that Arunachala is here today, this moment, available, limitless and impeccable. And available to us. There is no necessity for a guide or guidebook, a translator or a teacher. Arunachala is the MIRRORACLE OF THE SELF. Being here is being home. This truly is our opportunity to, 'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD'.

Adi Annamalai

The two major Shiva Temples of Arunachala are the Adi Annamalai Temple located at the west and Arunachaleswarar Temple at the east.

Annamalai is another name for Arunachala. According to legend the first Shiva lingam consecrated by Brahma is said to be in this temple. Hence the word Adi (first, primeval) which refers to the lingam rather than the Temple.

'I have installed and worshipped a Lingam on the west of the Holy Lingam Mountain of Arunachaleswarar. I have done this for the sake of removing unwanted karmas in the world. The Siva Lingam I have installed is undoubtedly Lord Siva who is both form and formless and is called Adi Annamalaiyan.'

[Arunachala Puranam]

Ordinary Day

White egrets who would be having a very happy time of it, if not but for the local fisherfolk. Whether commercial fishing with trawling nets in the ocean or with homely nets at Arunachala, its generally the same; suck out as much as possible as quickly as possible and leave nothing behind! Its very sad to see how the fisherman are monopolising the water and giving very little chance to the hundreds of patient water birds waiting throughout the day.

There are many predatory birds living on Arunachala and it is very common to see them winging it on the very substantial air currents swirling around the Hill. On the day I took this photograph, there were four of these birds, which look like young eagles, flying around the receding water of the lake-bed on the look-out for rich pickings.

As the summer progresses, water has quickly receded at the lakebed and now there is not much left but a large, shallow puddle. Lots of different kinds of water life have had to pay the price of these changing conditions. Below is a photograph of some kind of fresh water shrimp. He and many of his brethren unfortunately got cooked in the puddles (the water heats up during the day) in which they had taken sanctuary.

Fingerlings; small little fish that also got cooked in the shallow water of their pond.

Here are three of my four dogs on the prowl looking for something interesting. They actually have been fascinated with the carcases of the fresh water shrimps they keep discovering - very interesting and yummy!

This is the dyke wall built up, to prevent flooding during the rainy season when the water level is high. Not much chance of flooding now though!

Sri Nannagaru

On 15th August, 2006 Sri Nannagaru of Jinnuru, Andhra Pradesh arrived at Arunachala for a week's stay. He will spend most of his time at Sri Nannagaru Ashram where he will give regular darshan to devotees who have followed him from his native place and to devotees and others resident at Arunachala.

Sri Nannagaru generally visits Arunachala four times a year for 7-10 days a time. His usual programme involves meeting with devotees, both publicly and privately, performing giripradakshina (by vehicle), visiting Sri Ramana Ashram and also spending time at his own Andhra Ashram in Ramana Nagar.

Swamiji was born in 1934 and regards himself as a devotee of Arunachala-Ramana. Sri Nannagaru first visited Arunachala in 1957, seven years after the samadhi of Ramana Maharshi so never actually met Bhagavan. However Sri Nannagaru considers that any spiritual attainments he may have acquired have been directly through the grace of the Guru.

His teachings are based on those of Bhagavan Ramana and are a composite of advaitism, self-enquiry, surrender and devotion. Sri Nannagaru is regarded as a true living Advaitic Master. For further information we recommended his site: www.srinannagaru.com

Destroyer of Tamas

Siva said

'I stay on the surface of the earth in the form of Arunachala. Merely by visiting it, your tamas will be destroyed.'

[Skanda Purana]

Isvara said:

Since the Lingam emblem rose high resembling a mountain of fire, this shall be famous as Ruddy (Aruna) mountain.

Many holy centres will spring up here. A residence or death in this holy place ensures liberation.

The celebration of chariot festivals, the congregation of devotees, the presentation of ordinary as well as sacrificial gifts and offerings of prayers at this place shall be a millionfold efficacious.

Hence this sector shall be greater than all other sectors, very auspicious, full of all sorts of welfare and according salvation to everyone.

Worshipping me in my supreme Lingam form at this place and performing the other sacred rites shall accord salvation.

[Sivapurana: Vidyesvarasamhita]

Catalyst

Before I came to Arunachala I stayed at Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Ashram in Andhra Pradesh. Some of His primary teachings are Discrimination (Viveka) and Self Enquiry. It is well known Sai Baba has a great love for Arunachala and has often indicated devotees should come to this place.

Once at Chennai, a Westerner wondered whether they should go to Andhra Pradesh to visit Sri Satya Baba. The person asked my opinion. I answered, 'It depends on whether you think you have good karma or bad because whatever lies in store for you will be expedited by seeing Sri Satya Sai Baba, He is Catalyst for change.'

After my own experience and also listening to those of others visiting and/or staying at this place, this even more holds true for this sacred site. Arunachala is a CATALYST and coming will change one's life, nothing will ever be the same again!

Child Labour

It was recently agreed that as a result of The All India Trade Union Congress charting out a detailed plan involving labour unions to counter the problem of child labour, a District-level workshop, comprising union representatives, would be conducted at Tiruvannamalai.

Accordingly Trade Unions will conduct dramas, street plays, rallies and meetings in an attempt to evolve public consciousness about child labour and to create awareness about the hazards to society associated with it.

But the vital role contemplated to address this problem, is that of direct intervention at schools to try and identify possible dropouts and make sure they are sustained at school.

It was emphasised official Government statistics show a softened estimate of the child labour force and that whereas NGOs estimate child labourers in Tamil Nadu to be around 1.4 million, Government statistics show it as only 120,000. It is believed that the anomaly in statistics is because the Government does not document child labourers working in hazardous industries (e.g. firework manufacturing).

Vignette

Can you possibly understand how someone can love this Mountain? It is Shiva Himself embodied here. This is a holy spot, not all the town and its people and temples, but Arunachala itself. I am bound to the mountain. I do not think you understand how potent this energy is. I do not think you understand that my faith is not in a guru or a teacher or a path, but in Arunachala Himself. It is He my heart communes with, it is He who takes all my burdens. He is alive and all powerful; His Presence imbues the whole earth and air of this place.

You can hold it in your hand like honey. He breathes you in and breathes Himself back into you. It is tangible, concrete, solid. I tell you, forget philosophy; He lifts my heart and bestows such peace and beauty, my soul is imprinted with His grace. This is not a mountain of mere, inanimate rock. You would have to come and taste for yourself. But who could describe this, you have to feel for yourself.

Transformation occurs, but it is hidden. It is a mystery. You wake up one day, and that which tormented you your whole life has softened, that which obsessed you your whole life is a whisper, a shadow. The mind cannot touch it, and there is not even any interest in calculating, comparing, labelling. It is like camphor, you can see wisps of smoke and smell the wonderful odour, but you cannot grab it and put it into a box.

Grace is free and flows as a mystery. I know nothing. I know nothing about any process. All I know is what rises up from the depth of my being, and that no words or thought can define.

[An American Devotee]

Ramana Trance

Talking about the time he lived on the Hill, Ramana once mentioned a vision he had whilst in a trance:

'I was wondering about aimlessly . . . I found at one place a big cave. When I entered the cave, I saw a number of waterfalls, beautiful gardens, tanks within those gardens, well-laid paths, fine lighting; everything there was most pleasing. As I went farther and farther I saw a Siddha Purusha seated like Dakshinamurti under a tree on the banks of tank. Around him, a number of Munis were seated. They were asking something, and he was replying to them. That place appeared to me very familiar. That is all. I opened my eyes.

Subsequently, after some time, when I saw Arunachala Purana in Sanskrit, I found . . . slokas which describe that cave and that Siddha Purusha, and so I was surprised that what had appeared to me in a trance was to be found in that book. So I wrote their translation in Tamil . . . its meaning is:

Though you are in the form of a fire, you have kept away the fire and have taken the shape of a Hill, mainly to shower your blessings on people. You are always living here in the form of Siddha. That cave that appeared to me is in you with all the luxuries of the world.'

[Letters by Sri Nagamma]

Ladies-at-work!

How nice and cheerful these ladies are! And how difficult to believe they are doing such hard manual work wearing tight blouses, lovely saris in over 90 f degrees - and are still jolly and smiling!

Here are the four ladies cutting up thorny bushes for sale to the local hospital. The hospital use the fast-burning branches for cooking giant pots of rice and sambhar. Everyday these ladies come out into the conservation area to do the hard, unpleasant work of cutting up gnarled pieces of thorny bushes. Its hot, hard work.

Flower Worship

Worshipping Lord Aruna with white lotuses on Thursdays results in the worshipper reaching the highest wisdom.

Shiva Worship

In the Sivapurana sages enquired of Suta:

"Everywhere deities are worshipped only in their image. How is it that Siva is worshipped in the form of the image and the lingam"?

Suta explained that Siva alone is glorified as nameless and formless (Niskala) since He is identical with Supreme Brahman. He is also with embodied form (Sakala). Thus, he is both Sakala and Niskala. It is in his nameless and formless (Niskala) aspect that the Lingam is appropriate. In the embodied form (Sakala) aspect the worship of his embodied form is appropriate.

Since Shiva has the Sakala and Niskala aspects He is worshipped both in the Lingam and in the embodied form and is called the highest Brahman. Other deities, not being Brahman, have no Niskala aspect anywhere.

Nandikesvara said:
Since Shiva has the bodiless aspect in virtue of His being the Supreme Brahman, the Niskala Linga, in conformity with the Vedic implication, is used only in His worship. Since He has an embodied form as well, His embodied form is also worshipped and accepted by all people. According to the Vedas, the embodied form alone is to be used in the worship of other deities who are only individual souls embodied. Devas have only the embodied aspect in their manifestation. In sacred literature both the Lingam and the embodied forms are mentioned for Shiva.

[Extract from the Siva Purana, Vidyesvarasamhita]