Newsletter - January 2008

Arunachala Grace News, January 2008 was sent out yesterday in time for New Year. If you are not yet a subscriber, please visit the facility at the left margin of this Blog, for a free subscription of the monthly Newsletter delivered direct to your email inbox.

This month as well as the usual local news in the section 'Arunachala Tidbits', we have; an indepth narrative on Ardhanarishvara and its particular relevance at Arunachala, the importance of January's Pongal celebration, the impact of the imported Eucalyptus Tree in the area, information on the Myna Bird and a fascinating article on Jewellery and its utilisation in the adornment of Temple idols. The newsletter also has inspirational quotes, poems, hymns and sayings. This month the short story is entitled 'Prince Five-Weapons' with its 'moral' being 'The only weapon you need is hidden inside you'.

A HAPPY JOYOUS 2008 TO ALL

To start off 2008 nicely, have created a new video pod for this Blog which contains 4 nice videos exploring the limits of the Universe and of one of its inhabitants, man. The videos are:

Pale Blue Dot - An exploration by Carl Sagan of our beautiful Planet Earth talking about its uniqueness and fragility

Abide as the Self - Part 1 of an exposition by Ram Dass on the nature of Sri Ramana's Teachings and our Inner Limits.

Visiting Tiruvannamalai - A jolly and happy video of a devotee (and his friends) experience of Tiruvannamalai and Arunachala

Voyage Through the Universe - A wonderful video narrated by Morgan Freeman trying to describe the vastness of the Universe - the Outer Limits.

Mother Meera to visit Tiruvannamalai

Mother Meera will visit South-India beginning 2008 and give Darshans between 13th January to 21st February at her Ashram in Madanapalle. She will be in Tiruvannamalai on January 10th for one Darshan, which is expected to be held at Meenakshi Kalyana Mandapam starting 6 p.m.

Samadhi of Swami Ramananda

In an earlier posting, we wrote about the death of Swami Ramananda

To find out more about the Samadhi ceremony for Swami Ramananda held at Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram (including photographs) please check this link here:

Classic Autorickshaw Race

'The Ceat Classic Autorickshaw Motor Race 2007' Rally will start off from Chennai on December 31st, 2007. The Rally aims at spreading awareness and raising funds for child education in rural India.

This Autorickshaw race which spans over eight days and involves a total distance of 1,024 km, will witness 65 participants from nine countries (including India, UK, USA, Hungary, Bosnia, Croatia, Ireland and Canada). The rally, which will commence from Chennai, will traverse through southern regions such as Puducherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Tuticorin and Courtallam, before concluding at Kanyakumari on January 8th, 2008. In addition to navigating each stage of the Rally and keeping the Autorickshaws on the road, it is also planned for participants to visit schools and distribute books and other study materials.

This year organisers of the Rally have also implemented a carbon off-setting scheme, which will see the planting of over 6,000 trees at Tiruvannamalai in association with the NGO 'Trees for the Future'.

Temples in Tamil Nadu

An article entitled, "For the record, TN temples bigger" appeared in National papers throughout India. The following narrative is taken from 'Hindustan Times, Friday, December 28, 2007':-

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"Have officials of the Guinness Book of Records committed a blunder by declaring Delhi’s Akshardham Temple as the largest Hindu temple complex in the world? It appears so. Officials of the famous Meenakshi Temple in Madurai maintain that Delhi's Akshardham is smaller than at least three different temple complexes in Tamil Nadu alone.

Meenakshi Temple

“Even if one considers the measurements of the Akshardham Temple given by the Guinness officials, Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple and the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai are definitely larger temple complexes,” said B Raja, joint commissioner of the Meenakshi Temple.

He pointed out that the outermost wall of the Meenakshi Temple is 850 ft long and 800 ft wide. The total area of the complex is 17 acres or 7.40 lakh sq ft. This is much larger than Akshardham which, press reports have indicated, is only 356 ft long and 316 ft wide, its grounds covering merely 86,342 sq ft.

Akshardham Temple

When informed that the entire Akshardham complex was spread over 30 acres, Raja said, "A temple is a place for prayer. It is incorrect to include facilities for non-religious activities such as restaurants or boating arrangements as the Akshardham complex has, as part of a temple, just because they happen to be in the vicinity."

Raja also noted that the Tiruvannamalai Temple dedicated to Lord Siva is even larger — at 25 acres or 10.89 lakh sq ft — than the Meenakshi Temple. “However, the built-up area in Madurai covers a wider area than Thiruvannamalai,” he said. Also the main tower at Tiruvannamali is 217 ft high.

Tiruvannamalai Temple

Even these two temple complexes are dwarfed in size when one takes into account the massive Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple complex in Srirangam near Tiruchy, a noted historian pointed out.

“Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Kaveri, is a 600-acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the tallest in South India — it is 72 metres (about 220 ft) in height, and dates to the 17th century, although it was fully completed in 1987. The temple complex measures 950 metres by 816 metres (about half a square mile) along its outer perimeter,“ writes Prof VS Seshadri.

Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple

"But we are curious to know if their officials visited our large temples like Srirangam, Madurai Meenakshi, Thiruvannamalai and Thiruvarur temples before arriving at this verdict," said a senior official of the Temple Administration Department.

State Temple Administration officials, however, said they have no immediate plan to challenge the Guinness classification of Akshardham."

Pyramid Societies Movement

An Ahimsa-Dhyana Maha Yagnam is being conducted on the grounds of the Govt. Arts College, Chengam Road, from 25th-31st December. The programe consists of; bhajans, music and group meditations, guest lectures from various spiritual organizations and discussions and information on Pyramids. The Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement, was founded by Brahmarshi Patriji in 1990 under the designation "The Kurnool Spiritual Society." Facilities at the Yagnam have been created to allow a capacity of 15,000 people.

Participants from throughout India have come to Tiruvannamalai to attend this Yagnam. For more information about the work of the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement, visit their website here.

Swami Ramananda (T.N.Venkatraman)

On Wednesday December 26th, 2007, Swami Ramananda died peacefully in the course of the evening. Swami Ramanananda previously known as Sri T.N. Venkatraman was responsible for much of the current development of Ramana Ashram. He succeeded his father Chinnaswami as President of the Ashram in 1953 and held that position till he took up sannyasa in 1994 and retired from his Ashram duties.

To find out more about Swami Ramananda (previously Sri T.N. Venkatraman) please read the following excerpt from The Silent Power (The Fortunate Boy):-


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“Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is well known to all as a great Saint. But only a few know of his philanthropy and humanitarianism. Still fewer are those who experienced his paternal and maternal affection.

Of all these one boy alone had the most enviable opportunity of sleeping with Bhagavan and enjoying such paternal treatment. One and only one had that golden privilege.

This was in 1920. Bhagavan had come to Skandasramam from the Virupaksha cave and a small batch of devotees had gathered round him. The greatness of the Saint echoed all over the world. Devotees from all parts of India were coming for his darshan. While males enjoyed the privilege of staying in the Asramam up the hill with Bhagavan the whole day, ladies were not allowed to remain there after sun-set.

Maharshi had a younger brother and sister, his elder brother having passed away prematurely. This younger brother Sri Nagasundaram Iyer who was working as a clerk in Tiruvengadu temple had a small son. Fortunately for Sri Ramanasramam to be and unfortunately for his family, he took sannyasa when his wife died leaving a two year old boy uncared for. When both the parents left this child an orphan, Maharshi's sister, popularly known as `Athai' (aunt), took charge of the child and brought him up with unstinted love, affection and care. It was not only because she had no issue of her own but also because this boy was the only descendant of their whole family.

This lad was taken twice or thrice a year to Tiruvannamalai to see Bhagavan and his father (of the poorvasrama), henceforth known as Sri Niranjanananda Swami, by Athai and her husband,who were living in the far South. They were provided with a house near the hill at Tiruvannamalai. Every morning Athai would go up the hill and return to town in the evening, leaving the boy behind at Skandasramam.

When at first Athai hesitated to do this fearing to cause any kind of inconvenience to the much loved boy, Bhagavan said that he would be well under his protection. In the night the boy would eat from the sacred hands of Bhagavan and Bhagavan would make him lie down beside him, cover him with a blanket and lull him to sleep. He bestowed on him all care that any sincere mother is capable of. Early in the morning he would take the boy to the spring, clean his teeth with powder, and wash his face. Athai would rush up in the morning. Bhagavan with the lad seated on a culvert would tell the child, "There comes your Athai. See in what hurry she runs up to see you." As soon as she came up, Bhagavan would tell her, "Take your boy, see, he is safe and sound."

This abundant affection for the boy did not in any way prevent Maharshi from being strict with him. The following incident makes it clear that Bhagavan gave the boy a practical lesson which till now he has not forgotten.

At Skandasramam lived a monkey named Nondi, which was the pet of all. Maharshi had ordered that whatever food was served to his followers should also be served to the monkey, and in case it was absent elsewhere, then its share should be kept separate for its return. In such a case, the food would be kept near a window inside the cave and the shutter closed but not bolted. This was the custom.

On one of his periodical visits to the Asramam one day, the boy had enjoyed the sweet dishes served to the devotees. He had a little more than the usual share. The monkey being absent, its share was kept near the closed window. The boy, having had his share, went up to the window and began to eat out of the monkey's as well. Suddenly, the monkey came and opened the window only to see the boy eating its share. It gave the boy a blow on his cheek. Shocked and terrified, the boy cried out and devotees tried to console him. Bhagavan came to the spot, understood the situation and told the boy: "You deserve it. Why did you want his (monkey's) share. You have had enough already.

You ought to have been contented with that." Instead of appeasing the beloved child, Bhagavan put him right. The boy became silent and heeded Bhagavan's words.

"Do not touch the property of others. Be content with what you have. Share equally what you have. Divide it with one and all around you. Help the needy. Be not blind when a wrong is committed before you. Correct it if possible, or at least speak out for the right." These are some of the golden truths the young boy was able to grasp from the words of the Maharshi that day.

That blessed boy is Swami Ramanananda (Sri T.N.Venkataraman, former president of Sri Ramanasramam)."

Contrasts

Coming out of the Animal Shelter I looked up towards Chengham Road and noticed a funeral procession on its way to the burning ground a couple of kilometres away.

As is traditional in such processions, the ladies stay at home while the gents accompany the body to the burning ground.

While the funeral procession continues on its way, to the right of me are some young lads playing a game of cricket.

India the country of constant contrasts!

Christmas at Animal Shelter

On Christmas Day I visited the Animal Shelter, where as well as receiving a very large piece of cake, was also able to visit with lots of animal friends. What better way to spend such a special day?

The dear monkey at the Animal Shelter still remains, as the necessary paperwork to send him to a secure facility at Bangalore has still not been processed. As the monkey was getting bored and squashed in his tiny cage, the Shelter got a special enclosure made for him - which although is far from perfect is a HUGE improvement from his previous cramped quarters.

And here is Raja, one of the lads working at the Shelter feeding dear monkey with a nice vegetable snack. You might notice the little monkey friend behind Raja!

Monkey has to go slowly with his food as, due to old age, he doesn't have many teeth left - which is one of the reasons he was so vunerable to attack in the outside world.

At the front desk one little puppy recent arrival ontop the table and two snoozy dogs tucked up under the table.

The below dog was confiscated yesterday from its owner because of neglect. The owner kept the dog tied on a short chain 24-7 to act as a guard dog. Dr. Pushpa (the lady vet) thinks it will take at least a month for the dog to start acting and feeling normal.

Below is Dr. Pushpa examining the pet of the man in the check shirt. He brought the dog from the other side of Tiruvannamalai, thereby bypassing the Government Animal Hospital - even without advertising the great reputation of this Animal Sanctuary continues to grow.

The puppy on the left was picked up off the road just a few moments ago. It was so nervous that it was shaking. So in it goes into its nice bed with a new puppy friend.

After visiting some of the dog compounds, I walked around the small facility and noticed how beautiful it looked now that the trees and plants are doing so well.

And ever in the background is Arunachala - a more brilliant location just could not be found. No wonder the Shelter is doing so well - as its living in the shadow of the Lord.

Rapid Urbanisation Poll

In the previous Arunachala Grace poll, a question was asked:

"There have been unsuccessful attempts to get Arunachala designated a National/World Heritage site, thereby protecting it from unbridled expansion. But commercial and private interests have been and still remain too strong to prevent the rapid urbanisation/development of this area. But exactly who should decide upon these essential issues?"

The poll (which is now closed) offered the reader multiple choice answers. 25% of respondents felt the Municipality should be in charge of decision-making re development of Tiruvannamalai, approximately an equal number of voters thought that decisions should be taken by land owners and local residents. 41% of respondents prefer to see an elected Committee in charge of development decisions with the largest number of those polled, i.e. 45% prefer leaving important matters regarding development of the area to Ashrams and Temples.

Preparing the Cauldron

Here are more photographs of the lighting of the 2007 Deepam on top of Arunachala. The first photograph is of pilgrims climbing the Hill to be as close to the cauldron as possible. During the next 7-10 days (the period the Deepam cauldron will be alight on Arunachala) many will make the climb to the top of the Hill to offer ghee (clarified butter) and their prayers.

[CLICK ON PHOTOGRAPHS FOR ENLARGED VERSION]

The spectacular view of Arunachaleswarar Temple and part of the surrounding township of Tiruvannamalai, taken from near the top of Arunachala.

Lines of devotees pass along buckets, pots and all kinds of receptacles full of ghee to be poured into the cauldron.

A view from closer to the cauldron.

And now the cauldron is full of ghee and pressed on top are lengths of cotton heavily saturated with ghee. The white lumps on top of the cloth are packets of camphor. The fishermen (selected to light the cauldron) will wait until dusk and the time of lighting which will be signalled from the forecourt of Arunachaleswarar Temple down below.

The time has come and the giant cauldron is set alight to signal 2007 Deepam Jyothi at Arunachala.

Mottayan Swamiji (Mooku Podi Swami)

I wasn’t planning on posting this story, but the Manager of Hotel Deepam suggested that it was the right time to do so, and as Swamiji didn’t seem to object to having his photograph taken, maybe its okay. The photograph is of Mottayam Swamiji who is also known as Mookupodi Swamiji. It is believed he hails originally from Kumbakonam and moved to Tiruvannamalai some 40 years ago. Occasionally he disappears from this spot but after a short time returns. Although not famous outside this place, he is well known to traders and merchants near the Big Temple where it seems to be Swamiji’s custom to habituate a particular shop or restaurant for months at a time and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, leave his spot and take up residence at some other place.

Wherever he remains, it is always with the grateful support of the owner of whatever establishment Swamiji has selected. In this respect he moved to his current abode, the restaurant Hotel Deepam on Car Street (near Arunachaleswarar Temple) about 4 months back. He sits quietly in the same corner and rarely notices or looks at anybody. When he wishes to eat he will command whoever he chooses to ‘bring me food’. At night he sleeps on the restaurant floor. Sometimes he will get up and go for a wander about the town; about three times a week Swami will order an auto rickshaw driver to take him around the Hill – but always in an anti-clockwise direction. I have heard of several saints and sages who also have practiced going anti-clockwise around the Hill.

Mottayan Swamiji is sought by a number of devotees who will come and sit at a table near him hoping for a glance, blessing or some sort of signal or recognition. The owner of Hotel Deepam tells me that Swamiji is often offered expensive clothes and gifts, but he will never accept them, instead preferring to remain in his own well worn rags. He also will not receive offerings of food – at the times he wishes to eat he will select who it is that will feed him, and then give his orders.

Whatever may or may not be his spiritual state; I do know that recently at an important decision making juncture of my life, I was drawn to present myself at the Hotel where I sat at a table near Swamiji. Whatever the reason for the impulse that brought me to Swami, I left feeling satisfied that my question had been fully answered.

Some locals feel that Mottayam Swamiji is some kind of Avadhuta much in the same way as Shirdi Sai or Seshadri Swami. As to that I have no opinion, all I can say is that I’m grateful he is available and thankful to be able to spend time in his presence.

Torrential Rains

Rain storms continue throughout Tamil Nadu. Currently the toll of various rain-related incidents in the State is thirty-four people. The weather office predicts more rains throughout Tamil Nadu over the next two days with downpours expected under the influence of a trough of low pressure, extending from the Commeron area to the South-West Coast of Tamil Nadu.

The State Government is geared to initiate emergency relief measures in rain-affected areas. It has already been announced that compensation of Rs.100,000 will be awarded to families of each rain-related fatality

Torrential rains have disrupted normal life; closing Educational Institutions on Thursday and also flooding several low-lying areas. Rough weather conditions and strong winds have kept fishermen away from the sea. Several reservoirs were filled to the brim following copious inflow, caused by incessant rain in catchment areas. Sattanur Dam (Tiruvannamalai District) has recorded a rainfall of 21 cm in the last 24 hours.

If you plan on travelling to Tiruvannamalai District or anywhere in Tamil Nadu, probably best to wait for a few days and let things settle down. Definitely anticipate a sunny Christmas!

Ardhanarishvara at Arunachala

The following legend and commentary explains the reason Ardhanarishvara is worshipped so prominently during Deepam at Arunachala. At which time a Murti symbolising the union of Siva-Parvati is displayed inside the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple immediately after the fire is lit on top of the Hill.

Legend of Ardhanarishvara

The Goddess once playfully closed the eyes of her Beloved thereby plunging the world into darkness and causing suffering to all living beings. The Universal mother comprehending her folly started worshipping Lord Siva in the form of a Lingam to absolve herself of the sin and reunite with him. After first visiting Kanchipuram, Parvati proceeded to Tiruvannamalai to do her penance. While performing penance at Pavalakundru (with the help of Sage Gautama), the demon Mahishasura came and disturbed Parvati’s tapas. The Mother then took the form of Durga Devi and destroyed the demon on Full Moon Day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of Pradosham. Satisfied with his Goddess, Lord Siva presented himself in the form of Fire atop the hill and merged with Parvati - thus was created the half-man, half-woman aspect of the Lord, symbolising the oneness of all beings. To commemorate this event, every year during the festival of Annamalai Deepam, Lord Ardhanarishvara presents himself as Jyoti Swarupa to his devotees.

This fusion of Siva and Shakti representing the male and female halves, transcends the distinction and limitation of male and female and takes the Lord to a level beyond gender-manifest Brahman, realization of which means liberation. Siva is snow-white while Shakti is golden. He is substance while She is substrate. Siva is static; Shakti dynamic and creative. Siva is Being and Shakti is Becoming. He is One; She is many; He is Infinite and She renders the Infinite into finite; He is formless and She renders the Formless into myriad forms; But both are one. Siva and Shakti exist in Nirmala Turiya state (Stainless Purity).

When it comes to worship of Ardhanarishvara, some worship the Siva aspect and some worship the Shakti aspect. Siva is viewed as the Holder of Power, though he is inert. Siva is Shava (dead body) without Shakti. All the power in creation, maintenance, and dissolution rests with Shakti. But the Great Mother does not exist without Siva. When they become one Ardhanarishvara becomes a being of generative and constructive force.

Philosophically, this form portrays the boundless Grace of God. The formless God is called Parashiva. On Its own free-will for the benefit of pashus (souls), which are drowned in pasha (bondage), It thinks to create the worlds. Its dynamism of creation thus springs out of It, which is called Shakti. Now Shiva and Its power Shakti create everything. This is the form of their togetherness that makes every existence active. Siva and Shakti are one and the same Supreme. They are associated like the person and the action of the person. They are one and the same like ice and the water - one becomes the other. Shiva and Shakti are compared to gold and gold ornaments; they are the same; Shiva is hypostasis and when this force fuses with Shakti, it results in a multitude of manifestations.

[With thanks to A. Venkatraman]

Another Thing

Another interesting thing about Lee Lozowick is that he has been involved with music and Rock Groups throughout his life. Thats quite a surprise having a spiritual teacher as a rock singer. To listen to some of his songs click here. You may be surprised!

Lee Lozowick

The below photograph is of the late great sage Yogi Ramsuratkumar and his devotee Lee Lozowick. Even though his Master is now deceased, Lee still yearly visits Tiruvannamalai and stays for several days, at which time he makes himself available at open meetings held at his facility 'Triveni'. Probably out of all the sages, gurus and spiritual teachers who visit Arunachala, Lee is the most amusing and provocative. In a famous book entitled 'Holy Madness', the writer Georg Feuerstein dedicates a chapter to this fascinating character.

A sample of some of his beliefs and teaching:

"You'll always have passion if you have beginner's mind. If your passion starts to die, it won't be because of your spiritual work, your friends, your lover, or because of life's down times. Your passion will die because you have bought -- hook, line, and sinker -- an attitude that was sold to you by your parents, your school teachers, and this society. You've bought the attitude that you've got to look like that Playgirl man (if you're a man) or that Playboy woman (if you're a woman). You think you've got to be cool and cultured, that you've got to dress right and smell like the corporate world wants you to smell. If your passion dies it will be because you've bought that appearances are everything, including the appearance of your worldview, politics, opinions, and beliefs.

To ultimately "make it" in this Work of Awakening, of Transformation, you have to embrace the miraculous -- always. And that miracle is you being so much at peace with yourself that you can turn your energy towards welcoming and using the opportunities that are always falling into your lap. To embrace and devour these opportunities will make you free, happy, full of life, full of passion. Then your circumstances won't affect you so dramatically."

For rest of this article, go here

Wheres the Water?

By now the nearly 700 acre Samudram Lake is full of water, but as the year has thus far been comparatively dry, decided to walk on the embankment of Samudram and see just how much water is in the Lake. The view in the below photograph is of protected land and farms on the east side of Samudram.

Walking along the embankment met a local lady picking herbs and leaves to make a preparation for a stomach condition.

From the pathway skirting the side of Samudram Lake, one can see the top of Arunachala peeping out behind the bushes and trees.

A view of protected land nearby.

The beginning of a small shrine being built by local villagers at the side of Samudram Lake embankment.

By this time of year all the green you can see in the below photograph would usually be 2-3 feet under water - but now all that exists is a large puddle. However today its raining, and the forecoast is thunderstorms and heavy rain for the next five days. The Lake is the major water catchment area for Tiruvannamalai and during the wet season, water pours down the Hill into canals and flows into the Lake - which will then fill up very quickly.

Will keep checking up on the Lake and see just how much it fills up over the next few months.

Deepam Ardhanarishvara

[One can view enlarged versions of all the below photographs by clicking on them]

“By 5:00 in the evening of Krittika Deepam, the area surrounding the Temple flagpole, as well as the adjoining terrace, is packed. People are jostling to observe the dramatic arrival of five exquisitely decorated palanquins, carrying the Hindu Gods Vinayaka, Subramanya, Siva, Amba and Chandikeshwara. The devotees are constantly moving and adjusting their positions to get a better view and to make way for still more people pouring in.

Within about 30 minutes, five palanquins have arrived in all their spiritual pageantry. Now, we wait for the climax, the coming of Ardhanarishvara (Lord Siva as half man, half woman). This will occur immediately after the Krittika Deepam is lit. Everyone wants to be able to see the mountaintop. All eyes are looking up.

Finally, the appointed moment arrives. Against the backdrop of a sunset sky, crowned with the rising star of Kartika, thundering firecrackers, ringing Temple bells and a frenzy of rhythmic chanting merge to create a cacophony of chaotic splendour.

Camphor is lit in a cauldron by the Temple flag pole, signaling priests on top of the mountain to light their flame. The timing is perfectly synchronized. The air is charged as the overpowering sight of light, signifying Siva in the form of Jyoti (divine light), merges with Parvati to become Siva/Sakti.

Now, finally, Ardhanarishvara is brought out of the Temple with great ceremonial fanfare. This is the only day of the year that this particular Deity is ever moved. It is most auspicious.”

[abridged ‘Fire on the Mountain’]

A later post will try to explain the symbolism of Ardhanarishvara and its particular relevance at Arunachala Deepam in more detail.

Good News

Yesterday met up with a local professional photographer from whom I was able to get some wonderful photographs and footage of Deepam 2007. I will be posting alot of the material on this Blog over the next few weeks - so keep checking back.

click on photograph for enlarged view