Swami meets Quo Vadis

During Sri Nannagaru’s recent visit to Arunachala, he kindly agreed to Quo Vadis' request of a meeting, at which he answered the following questions:

1.Could you explain the core elements in your teachings?

2.How do you think that we can contribute to bring peace and reconciliations between people of different religions?

3.At Quo Vadis we like to help and facilitate people find “the right way” in their life. Do you have any suggestions on how to do that?

4.What is for you the most important teaching of Jesus Christ?

About 15 members of the Quo Vadis Forum met with Sri Nannagaru in his room at his Ashram last week and were grateful for the opportunity to listen to the words of this realised Advaitic Master.

Sri Nannagaru stated that his teachings were all based upon those of Sri Ramana Maharshi and Self Enquiry. Sri Nannagaru hails from Jinnuru, Andhra Pradesh but it was here at Arunachala (after Sri Ramana's samadhi) that Swamiji attained self-realisation.

He stated that the most important parts of Jesus Christ's teachings were his example of tolerance and love and "do unto others as they would do unto you".

Sri Nannagaru also stated that all religions have the same aim; that being the search for Truth. Probably one of the most surprising and controversial statements made by Sri Nannagaru at the meeting, was when he sternly stated that; "90% of educated people are self-centred (i.e. selfish)".

To find out more about this spiritual Master, you can go to his website at here.

History of ALC

The first Protestant missionaries to India were German Lutherans sent by the King of Denmark and who landed in Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu on 9th July, 1706. The Tranquebar missionaries and Protestant Christians in Tamil Nadu were influential in many areas. They translated the Bible into Tamil and Telugu languages, were grammarians and lexicographers and studied the religious, social and cultural customs of the people. They translated Indian literature into European languages, established indigenous churches and public schools and set up a theological seminary.

[Tranquebar, about 1600]

Arcot is a City and a Municipality in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. It is located on Palar River, and straddles a strategic trade route between Chennai and Bangalore, between Mysore Ghat and the Javadi Hills. The people who lived in the Arcot region especially in and near Tiruvannamalai, belonged to a clan called the Arcots. These were warriors and landowners, some of them were descended from ancient Dravidians and Hindu Marathas. The Arcot region was one of the quickest areas in Tamil Nadu to develop, perhaps in part, due to the influence of Danish missionaries.

The first missionary of the Danish Missionary Society (DMS) was a German Rev. C.C.E. Ochs. He started his first Mission station, Bethanien, at Melpattambakkam in South Arcot in 1861. Now all its activities have been transferred to the nearby town Nellikuppam. The second mission station of DMS was opened at Tirukkoyilur in 1869 and was called "Siloam". Saron, a third mission station of DMS, was opened in the year 1882 and situated just outside Tiruvannamalai. In 1898 a mission station was built in the town. From 1905 it was called "Carmel." The fourth mission station in the Arcot District, "Bethesda," in Kallakurichi was built in 1893. Later DMS started mission stations at Panruti, Vriddhachalam, Devanampatnam, Darisanapuram, and Servaroj Hills.

In the late 1950s the Church was handed over to Indian hands with Bishop D. Peter being the first Indian Bishop. The church was renamed the Arcot Lutheran Church and is still known by that name. Education and health were given to all people. The Church is serving Tamil-speaking population in the Districts of South and North Arcot, Tamil Nadu. [Other work of the Danish Missionary Society is now undertaken under the name of Danmission].

Arcot Lutheran Church has about 30,000 members and works in several Districts of Tamil Nadu. It is a Church, committed to service to society through schools, orphanages, homes for women, hostels for students and working women, hospitals and community service centres in villages and towns. Currently the Arcot Lutheran Church educates nearly 40,000 students in 90 schools. The current Bishop of Arcot Lutheran Church is the Rt. Rev. Gideon Devanesan. The Arcot Lutheran Church headquarters are based at Cuddalore but much school and social work of the Organisation is undertaken here at Tiruvannamalai.

Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry became associated with the Arcot Lutheran Church in 1996 when it began to support children in three boarding homes; Melpattambakkam, Siloam and Saron.

Perception

The truism that everything is a matter of perception is well illustrated by these remarkable photographs taken by Norwegian Scientist-Photographer Bjorn Roslett, in his presentation of a series of flowers in both natural and ultra-violet light, revealing an insect's eye-view.

A garden in bloom is a riot of colours, but it is not our attention that flowers are eager to attract - it is that of insects, their pollinating agents.

The first photograph is of the Spring Crocus as we would see it.

And then as represented by ultra violet light, the crocus in the next photograph makes it easy for the insect to land by creating three bands of colour - to make it easy for the insect to land on the flower and thereby facilitate pollination.

Ultra violet light, invisible to us, uncovers patterns and colours in flowers that draws insects to the source of pollen and nectar. Because we cannot see UV light, the colours in these photographs are representational.

As in the above photograph of a Dandelion, these photographs show that there is more to flowers than meets the human eye! In this respect, many species (including bees) can see a broader spectrum of light than we can. In so many ways there is much in the world invisible to us.

Shakti Fire Walking

[The photographs are of the firewalking ceremony of a previous year in front of the Unnamulai Shrine, Arunachalaeswarar Temple].

Fire walking is still a regular event in Tiruvannamalai and other South Indian towns. Usually wood or charcoal is burnt and the smouldering embers laid out onto the ground. The ceremony is usually held under the auspices of a Temple, and in the case of Arunachaleswarar Temple held once a year during this the month of Adi. In this respect the fire walking ceremony will actually take place this week at different Shaktis Temples at Tiruvannamalai and in respect of the Arunachaleswarar Temple, the fire walking ceremony will occur in front of the Unnamulai Shrine in the Arunachaleswarar Compound.




Those who participate are ordinary householders and are largely non-Brahmins. In some cases the devotees are give a mantra to recite and may fast for some days before the ritual. In all temples where the fire-walking ceremony is practised it is a Goddess that is worshipped. In the case of the Arunachaleswarar Temple, it is the Goddess Unnamulai that is duly placated. The actually ceremony occurs on the paved courtyard in front of the Temple of Unnamulai, inside the compound of the Big Temple, on the full moon day of the month of Adi (mid-July to mid-August). At that time a fire of burning embers is spread out after midnight for people to walk upon.




There is a Tamil story that in a place in Singavaram, there is a temple to Sri Ranganadha. Here a king named Kandhan, after suffering a defeat, performed a fire walking ceremony in worship of Draupadi (from the Mahabharata). Draupadi, pleased with the worship, appeared before the king and promised that whoever should worship her as he had done would remain unscathed and also obtain whatever they prayed for. From that day onwards the fire-walking festival is observed with great enthusiasm in Tamil Nadu.

India Independence

India's Independence Day (Hindi: Swatantrata Divas) is celebrated on August 15th to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on August 15th, 1947. The day, which is a national holiday in India is celebrated all over the country through flag-hoisting ceremony and distribution of sweets. The main celebration takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister raises the national flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech from the ramparts of the Fort.

The National Flag of India, which symbolises Freedom is in tricolour (TIRANGA) of deep saffron (Kesari) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal propotions. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is two is to three.

In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel in navy blue to indicate the Dharma Chakra, the wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital. This center symbol or the 'Chakra', is a Buddhist symbol dating back to 200th century BC. Its diameter approximates the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes, which intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation; the white, for purity and truth; the green for faith and fertility.

Mother Meera's Visit

Mother Meera will visit Tiruvannamalai and give Darshan on August 16th, 6 p.m., at the venue of Meenakshi Kalyana Mandapam. Reservations for this event are not required. All are welcome. Darshan is in silence. Devotees and visitors are requested to come to the Mandapam in time. There are additional Darshans in South India in Madanapalle.

Before and After

This is the local grocery store I would visit a couple of times a week to purchase rice and fresh vegetables. I would generally also have a nice chat with the family comprising: husband, wife, son and daughter who owned the shop and lived in a small attached house. The brown door on the right is the entrance to their home.

And peeping out of the door is the wife and mother of the family.

In the below photograph I've gone inside the door and am standing in a corridor which is also sort of their living room. Many a time I've sat in a chair next to the TV having a very nice cup of tea while chatting with this charming family. I've travelled a bit in my time and I believe that nobody does courtesy and graciousness as well as a traditional Indian family.

In the next photograph is the son (who is studying Computers at a local college) and the daughter (who is doing a College correspondence course). Both the kids help out at the store and are as sweet and courteous as their parents.

And here is the lovely daughter in the midst of her small garden at the back of the house. The flowers are called kannakambaram, which are sometimes known as 'paper flowers' because they feel like paper, have no scent and last a long time after picking, so are very favoured by ladies as hair garlands.

The next photograph is of the Dad of the family, also standing in the flower garden.

And in the below photograph, is Dad wearing white and standing at the right looking forlornly at the destruction of their home and life. They lived at this same place for 30 years. Unfortunately the land is owned by the Government which has decided to widen the Chengham Road running infront of their home. As well as a Tiruvannamalai arterial road, Chengham road is also part of the Girivalam roadway.

I find it very difficult to understand why anyone should want to widen Chengham Road which is notorious, dangerous and the site of constant road accidents which often prove fatal. From my observation the only value of widening the road will be that trucks will be able to overtake buses at 50 mph instead of at only 30 mph. With of course hand on horn throughout the maneouvre!

Their home, their house and at the back their little garden.

As well as their home, several other shops and small restaurants also got demolished in this road widening at this particular location, and the only thing left to show for 30 years plus . . . is lots of rubble.

I have heard that the road widening process might even require 15 feet of the Ramana Ashram parking lot. I certainly hope thats not true because if so, it will mean many, beautiful, mature trees will be chopped down - so a truck will be able to overtake a bus at 50 mph instead of 30 mph! Watch out pedestrians we are going to have a race circuit in town!

Alarming Statistics

A Government Report entitled "Conditions of Work and Promotion of Livelihoods in the Unorganised Sector" carried by Reuters Press Agency on August 10, 2007, quoted alarming statistics about the per capita income of people throughout India. The Report stated that:

77% per cent of Indians, about 836 million people, live on less than half a dollar a day in one of the world's hottest economies.

The state-run National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) said most of those living on below Rs.20 per day were from the informal labour sector with no job or social security, living in abject poverty.

The Report stated: "For most of them, conditions of work are utterly deplorable and livelihood options extremely few," and,

"Such a sordid picture co-exists uneasily with a shining India that has successfully confronted the challenge of globalisation powered by economic competition both within the country and across the world."

Around 26% of India's population lives below the poverty line, which is defined as Rs.12 per day.

Economic liberalisation since the early 1990s has created a 300 million-strong middle class and led to an average annual economic growth of 8.6% over the last four years, but millions of the country's poor remain untouched by the boom.

Based on data from 2004-2005, 92% of India's total workforce of 457 million were employed as agricultural labourers and farmers, or in jobs such as working in quarries, brick kilns or as street vendors.

The Report said the majority of those working and living under ‘miserable conditions’ were lower castes, tribal people and Muslims and the most disadvantaged of these were women, migrant workers and children.

"This is the other world which can be characterised as the India of the Common People, constituting more than three-fourths of the population and consisting of all those whom the growth has, by and large, bypassed".

The NCEUS Report, which was presented to the Prime Minister, recommends the Government provides social security benefits such as maternity and medical expenses as well as pensions to people working in the unorganised sector.

Adopt-a-Pup

The Animal Shelter at Tiruvannamalai is doing amazing work undertaking sterlisation operations on both male and female dogs and cats. The Shelter helps injured and sick animals and is also a sanctuary for animals who are unable to survive in the World by themselves.

The Shelter takes in street dogs for sterlisation operations and after convalescence from surgical procedures, dogs are released back into the same area from where they were originally taken. But sometimes young puppies end up at the Shelter.

This is a very sweet orphaned family of young pups waiting for a loving Master to come along and adopt them.

Cute just isn't a strong enough word to describe these little angels!

It's easy to see that the Shelter is well run and that all residents receive lots of loving attention from a dedicated Shelter staff.

The below blue cage is this puppy family's private residence. A Shelter worker has just let them out, in order to take out the straw bedding and replace it with fresh, clean straw (a procedure repeated daily).

A giant person looks down at one of the young puppies, who is of course, fearless in its secure and loving environment.

In the below photograph, the man holding the pup is called Iyyapan. He comes from a local farming family that has land next to Samudram Lake. I was surprised to see him looking for a dog to adopt at the Shelter because usually in the countryside there are plenty of roaming dogs to choose from. But Iyyapan was particularly interested in adopting a black coloured dog - as black dogs are regarded as lucky and auspicious. Well Iyyapan really must believe the folk lore because he ended up adopting two black puppy brothers. Excellent news for the Shelter and also good news for the two puppies as they will be ending up at a very pretty area.

The below photograph is of an Indian squirrel - of which the area abounds. This little chap got separated from his Mum and has been officially adopted by the Animal Shelter. He has a very nicely equipped cage but spends alot of his time away from his snug little home, running up and down welcoming arms.

Adult, sterlised dogs are available at the Shelter for adoption to good homes. Dogs and puppies receive all relevant innoculations and are in excellent condition. So if you live in Tiruvannamalai and want a dog, come by the Animal Shelter and check out some of the canine friends waiting for a loving Master and snug home.

Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple

The new 'Sri Arunachala Dhyanapeetam' at Tiruvannamalai now offers a 'Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple'.

During Vedic times, sages and saints identified 9 planets, 12 rasis (rasi refers to the sign in which the moon is placed at the time of a person's birth) and 27 stars. The positions of these planets, rasis and stars at the time of a person's birth, is believed to affect the whole course of their life.

Based on the birth date, astrologers fix the birth star of a person and based on the birth star, the traditional system of astrology assigns a specific tree mentioned in the Vedas to it. These specific trees are named Nakshatra Shanthi. Each zodiac tree is said to have medicinal, social and aesthetic values that correspond to the characteristics and ethos of the particular star.

Sri Arunachala Dhyanapeetam offers the opportunity to access one's particular nakshatra tree. Whenever necessary, the Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple will also help calculate a person's birth star and identify the relevant star tree.

As an example of the various Nakshatras trees, below is information of the Banyan whose Nakshatra is Magam(Maka).

The banyan, Ficus benghalensis, is a large fig tree belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae. It grows in India and Bangladesh and is held sacred in both places. The tree begins life as an epiphyte on a host tree, gathering its nourishment and water from the air. As it grows, its lateral branches send down aerial supporting roots that become absorbing roots when they reach the ground. Eventually, the host tree is smothered as the banyan continues to send out more branches and roots. The mature banyan's canopy may cover an area more than 300m (1,000 ft) in diameter. The leathery, evergreen leaves are up to 20 cm (8in) long. The reddish figs are eaten by birds and bats.

For fuller information on all the nakshatra trees and of the services offered by the Nakshatra Dhyaan Temple please check this link.

Quo Vadis Website

To keep in touch with Quo Vadis Interfaith Dialogue Center, Tiruvannamalai, check out the Center's website, listing information about its facilities, activities and future plans.

Sri Nannagaru Visit

Sri Nannagaru of Jinnuru, Andhra Pradesh arrived at Tiruvannamalai this week followed by many of his Andhra devotees.

While here he will be stationed at Sri Nannagaru Ashram at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, a short distance west of Ramana Ashram off the Chengham Road. Sri Nannagaru is expected to remain at Arunachala until the morning of the 15th August. Following his usual practice, Sri Nannagaru is expected to be available to his devotees and visitors while at his Ashram. To find more about this Advaitic Master, please check this website.

A Wedding

On August 3rd I attended a Christian interracial wedding at the Protestant Carmel Church (of the Arcot Lutheran Church) here at Tiruvannamalai.

Carmel Church, which has a large congregation, is located in a central part of Tiruvannamalai. This Church originates from 1898 when a mission station was built in Tiruvannamalai by DMS (the Danish Missionary Society). In 1905 the name of this mission station started to be called "Carmel".

The Church is bright and welcoming and had been nicely decorated for the upcoming ceremony with fresh flowers.

I like all the old fashioned touches, from the ornate wooden pews, to the very handsome rafter roof.

All the light fixures throughout the Church are decorative and aesthetic.

In the below photograph the flower decorated Church waits for the guests and wedding party.

As in all functions in India, the upcoming ceremony was heralded by traditional musicians.





The Church has filled and the congregation awaits the wedding party. And here comes the bride, Esther Deva Priya, youngest sister of Arcot's Pastor and Coordinator of Quo Vadis, Rev. Joshua Peter. Esther is accompanied by bridesmaids, some of whom were selected from the family and friends of the groom, Morten Skrubbeltrang (from Denmark).

Inside the Church, preparations are complete and all await the arrival of the bride and groom (who will be entering together).





Below the Bride from India, Esther Deva Priya stands with the Groom from Denmark Morten Skrubbeltrang in front of Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan R.J.

The service includes various Hymns and Prayers including the following:

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending.
Whom Thou for evermore dost join in one.
O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith.
Of patient hope and quiet brave endurance
With childlike trust that fears not pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,

And to life's day the glorious unknown morrow,

That dawns upon eternal love and life.

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

After the service the usual photographs were taken outside the Church.

In the next photograph, the Groom is accompanied by his father and mother who came from Denmark for the celebrations. At the other end of the line are the Bride's father (in the white shirt) and (behind him) the Bride's mother.

Now that the beautiful marriage ceremony is complete and photographs have been taken, the flower-decorated car awaits to take the Bride and Groom to the Arunai Anantha Hotel for the reception and dinner.

Morten Skrubbeltrang will continue in Tamil Nadu for at least another year, pursuing his theological studies, afterwhich he and his new bride will spend some time in Denmark.

Its extraordinary just how many couples have met and joined up at Arunachala. And this is particularly true of interracial marriages of which there have been numerous. Many believe that at Arunachala (and other sacred sites) one will meet those with whom one shares strong karma with; so destiny will often take a hand in reintroducing friends (and enemies!) from past lives.

The Meaning

Ayers Rock, Australia

"Since prehistoric times, sacred places have exerted a mysterious attraction on billions of people around the world. Ancient legends and modern day reports tell of extraordinary things that have happened to people while visiting these places. Different sacred sites have the power to heal the body, enlighten the mind, increase creativity, develop psychic abilities, and awaken the soul to a knowing of its true purpose in life. While contemporary science cannot explain, and therefore disregards, the seemingly miraculous phenomena which occurs at the holy places, they continue to be the most venerated and visited locations on planet earth. What is the key to the mystery of the sacred sites and how are we to explain their power?

Mount Rinjani, Lombok Island, Indonesia

There is a global socio-cultural phenomena occurring which is the awakening and vitalization of an eco-spiritual consciousness. Among the wonderful aspects of this global awakening is the realization of the interdependency of all living things and the earth. Deriving from this realization is the understanding that each human, man or woman, white or black, western or eastern, rich or poor, is a child of one spirit, one energy, one god, one love. This sublime state of consciousness is the promise of each person on the planet. There are many paths to this consciousness, many methods of inner work which each of us will use during the course of our lives.

Stonehenge, England

There is also an earth-based energy available to human beings, concentrated at specific places all across the planet, which catalyzes and increases this eco-spiritual consciousness. Before their prehistoric human use, before their usurpation by different religions, these sites were simply places of power. They continue to radiate their powers, which anyone may access by visiting the sacred sites. No rituals are necessary, no practice of a particular religion, no belief in a certain philosophy; all that is needed is for an individual human to visit a power site and simply be present.

Chaco Canyon, Arizona, USA

As each of us awakens to a fuller knowing of the universality of life, we in turn further empower the global field of eco-spiritual consciousness. That is the deeper meaning and purpose of these magical holy places: they are source points of the power of spiritual illumination."

[Martin Gray]

Giza Pyramids, Egypt

To find out more about the sacred sites in your own country, as well as throughout the world, please visit Martin Gray’s inspirational and excellent website at here:

New Style Blog

Finally made a change to the colour and style of Arunachala Grace Blog and hope that this version is easier to read. The old Blog looked nice, but was actually quite difficult on the eyes and some people suggested I change it. I'm still experimenting with this new version but personally find the colours much more cheerful and pleasing and also the photographs stand out nicely.

This last week at Arunachala has been really cold as we are in the midst of a weather front that has brought with it, chilly weather and lots of rain. The weather forecast has promised us relief by Thursday and I will be delighted to see the back of this freezing cold drizzle.

I visited some newly built houses today to check rents on behalf of friends and was amazed when I heard the prices. Definitely Arunachala has finally moved into modern times! That also applies to land, but curiously it is the foreign visitors who are more shocked by land prices than the Indians. When people come from Chennai or Mumbai and hear the price of an acre, they immediately say, 'Wow, thats cheap!". However, overseas visitors are staggered by land prices at Tiruvannamalai and say, 'That's twice as much as I would pay in my own country!' A wonderful irony that the Indians think the land is cheap and the overseas visitors think it expensive!