10 May 2009
Quick Update
Periapuranam
Sri Ramana Maharshi on Periapuranam
"I was not aware that experience of the Self was categorized and described variously. I was not familiar with philosophic terms like "Brahman" nor what an attributeless Truth meant. I was not aware that the individual Self and Easwara were one. I had an awareness of Easwara but not that it was the atma itself. One cannot say whether the thought process (mind) became extinct or was in abeyance. The Self was being experienced without any effort. In a sense it was abidance in the Self. It was the experience of the unbroken atma in the words of Sankara. In Jnana Vasishta it is described as "sattva pathi
Did not Sankara and other self-realised persons worship God with attributes?" One moment it was submergence in the atma at the next it was in God. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa also confirmed the last stages of saints and sages to be similar.
Other than Periapuranam I had not studied any other spiritual text by then. I had only heard of the Infinite Being with attributes as described therein. I had not heard of any attributeless Truth. Even while being conscious of the external world I was in the presence of Easwara — with no agony, or emotion." [Ramana Maharshi]
Occasionally I will relate stories from the Periapuranam, and to begin with below is the story of the Nayanmar, Ilayankudi Mara. [To read a previous story about the Nayanmar Poosalar go to this link here.]
Ilayankudi Mara Nayanar
Ilayankudi Mara Nayanar was a farmer and a great devotee of Lord Siva and His devotees and took great pleasure in serving them. Nayanar had been blessed with great wealth but considered it belonged to the Lord, to be utilized for the benefit of His devotees.
Lord Siva was highly pleased with the Nayanar’s devotion. He wanted to show to the world that His devotee would be undaunted by the worst calamity and would remain unshaken in his virtue. Nayanar’s wealth melted away. But although his wealth had left him, not only did he retain his great virtue, but it grew even more intense. Nayanar sold all his property in order to be able to serve the devotees of the Lord.
Nayanar was supremely happy. And, as he went to awaken the guest, he discovered that he had disappeared. And then Nayanar saw in the sky, Lord Siva who had come in the form of the devotee with Mother Parvati. Both were showering their blessing on him and his wife. The Lord said: ‘Oh noble souls, I am highly pleased with your devotion. You will soon attain My Abode and live there for ever.’
Tiruvannamalai Rally
“AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday (May 6th) said that she would take all necessary measures to give a new lease of life for the sugarcane farmers, who have been leading a bitter life due to the policies adopted by the State and the Central Governments. She was addressing a mammoth rally at Tiruvannamalai in support of the PMK candidate J Guru.
Her package includes hiking the support price of Rs 2,000 per tonne, reviving cooperative sugar mills, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for farm activities, making available farm inputs at reduced cost, freezer facilities to store farm produce and rolling back of SEZs on farm lands.
The former chief minister said the iron-ore proposal that had come as a big threat to the locals would be totally scrapped. The girivalam path of the sacred hills of Tiruvannamalai would be provided basic amenities for the benefit of devotees. Besides, she assured rail link between Puducherry-Tiruvannamalai-Bangalore and Chennai.
Comparing her regime with the present, she questioned the audience whether they were leading a peaceful life without encountering law and order problems. She went on to ask, “Do you feel safe now? Are the prices of essential commodities within your reach? Can you think of building your own house?” to which the crowd answered in the negative. “During my rule, did you have power cut? Now your children are not able to study; you are not able to do your farming activity; and even you are not able to sleep well. Do you need this government? You have a golden opportunity to teach a good lesson to the DMK government and its ally Congress in
5 May 2009
Elections
Being that Jayalalitha has shown herself to be a friend of
To read more about this fascinating ‘self-made’ woman and politician, go to this link here.
1 May 2009
Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine
I hope to soon visit the Shrine myself and thereafter post photographs on Arunachala Grace.
For more information of the extraordinary saint, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, please visit the official website at this link here.
30 April 2009
Pearls of the Guru
"Everyone has his own path, his mission, and even if you take your Master as a model, you must always develop in a way that suits your own nature."
[Aïvanhov]
"My Guru became my all-in-all, my home, mother and father, everything. All my senses left their places, and concentrated themselves in my eyes, and my sight was centred on him. Thus my guru was the sole object of my meditation and I was conscious of none else. While meditating on him my mind and intellect were silent and I had thus, to keep quiet and bow to him in silence."
[Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi]
[Ramana Maharshi]
"This beggar prays to his Father to bless you all who have come here. My Lord Rama blesses you, My Father blesses you. Arunachaleswara blesses you. It doesn't matter to me what name it is. All the blessings of my Father for all of you! Well, that is the end. That is all."
[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]
Jupiter - the good news!
Jupiter is considered to be the most auspicious of the planets and is an indicator of fortune, wealth, fame, luck, devotion, faith, spirituality, charity, morality, meditation, mantra, children, magistrates, ministers, lawyers and leaders in government and religion. Jupiter represents sacred scripture, wisdom, benevolence and philosophy. His nature is Kapha, or watery, gemstone Yellow Sapphire or Yellow Topaz and metal Gold. Jupiter's direction is Northeast and day Thursday.
Worship of Brihaspati or Guru (Jupiter) Devata results in a cure from ailments affecting the stomach and helps one ward off sins and gain strength, valour and longevity. He is revered as protector of the worlds. Kind-hearted he is considered to be the dispenser of justice and can be known only by a study of the Vedas.
Since Jupiter is the planet of good luck, spirituality, dharma, and meditation - this is an opportune time to strengthen our connection to these important and valuable life qualities.
28 April 2009
Ayyankulam Tank Perimeter
As the view of Arunachala from the front of the Tank is obscured by development, I decided to walk around to the back of the Tank for Hill darshan.
24 April 2009
Saints and Devotees
In connection with the last post about the
"Arunagirinathar was born in Tiruvannamalai and spent the greater part of his life there. He was reputed to be the son of a courtesan called Muttammai. As he grew up he found the company of courtesans so attractive, he spent most of his time in their houses. When his mother died, all the properties he inherited from her were squandered to pay for his lust. Arunagirinathar had a sister, Adi, who was very fond of him. Taking advantage of her affection, Arunagirinathar persuaded her to part with her jewels and all her other possessions so that he could continue to indulge his appetite for the local courtesans.
He continued with this way of life for many years. As he became older, his body became diseased and the better class of courtesan began to jeer at him and avoided his company. The major turning point in his life occurred when he had spent all his sister’s money. Not knowing that she was destitute, he approached her again in the hope of getting another hand-out. His sister, who had nothing left except the clothes she was wearing, told him that her funds were exhausted. Since she still loved her brother, and since she still wanted to be of assistance to him she offered him her own body, saying, 'If your lust is so insatiable, you can use my body for your sexual satisfaction'.
These words deeply affected and shamed Arunagirinathar. He mentally reviewed the wasted years of his life and came to the conclusion that he had been committing crimes against God. As his sense of shame deepened, he decided to commit suicide by jumping off one of the gopurams in the
Murugan embraced him. Then, with his vel, (the spear that he always carries) he wrote a mantra on Arunagirinathar’s tongue, gave him a japa mala and commanded him to sing songs in praise of him. Arunagirinathar was initially hesitant, claiming that he had no knowledge of Tamil prosody, but when Murugan encouraged him by giving him the first line of a song, Arunagirinathar found that he could effortlessly compose and sing the remainder. Murugan disappeared, leaving Arunagirinathar a totally transformed man. His diseases vanished and he became an ecstatic bhakta whose devotion manifested as a stream of new songs, all in praise of Murugan, his deliverer. He toured the town of
Later on, he travelled throughout
23 April 2009
Chithra Pournami Camp
A Chithra Pournami Camp (residential camp) will be held for five days from
During the Camp, there will be lectures by Swami Suddhananda on self knowledge and also classes on Sanskrit, yoga, and chanting
The Ashram itself is located near Adi Annamalai and is well maintained, peaceful and serves good sathwic (Indian) style food. However for those that like to frequent Ramana Ashram or Arunachaleswarar Temple during their stay, be aware that this ashram is located a distance of about 6 kms from both venues.
To find out more about the upcoming camp, please visit this link here.
The Story of Idumban
In 2003 work was started on the enlargement of the Subramanya Temple -- which appears in the below photograph. The work was finished in 2006 and abhisekham was performed in 2007.
Even though Lord Muruga is a loved God in Tamil Nadu, there aren't many Muruga Temples in Tiruvannamalai -- so I enjoyed my visit and while there learnt more about this gentle God.
The story of Idumban
At this stage, Subrahmanya or Muruga had just been outwitted by His brother Ganesa in a contest for going around the world and He was still smarting over the matter. Ganapati had won the prized fruit (the Jnana-pazham) by simply going around His parents. Long after this, Subrahmanya came seated on His peacock to find that the prize had already been given away. In anger, He vowed to leave His home and family and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivaaram (meaning 'foot of the Sivagiri Hill'). Siva pacified Him by saying that Subrahmanya Himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge. Hence the place was called Pazham-nee ('You are the fruit') or Palani. Later He withdrew to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.
When Idumban resumed his journey, he found that he could not lift the hill. Muruga had made it impossible for Idumban to carry it. Upon the hilltop the great asuran spotted a little boy wearing only kaupeenam and demanded that he vacate at once so Idumban could proceed with his task. The boy, who was yet in a fighting mood, refused. In the fierce battle which ensued, Idumban was slain but was later restored to life.
14 April 2009
Kolam -- Space of Transformation
Tamil New Year
On this day people greet each other, "Puthandu Vaz" -- which means Happy New Year. This auspicious day is also popular as Varusha Pirappuv. As per the Hindu mythical legend, it is on this day that Lord Brahma started to create the Universe.
By way of celebration the main focus is on food eaten on this day. 'Maanga Pachadi,' -- the pulse of the Festival, is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers which tastes; sweet, salty, sour and bitter. This symbolises the different conditions one has to face in one's life.
In Tamil Nadu people follow certain rituals to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view 'Kanni', at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. Thus people start the day by looking at auspicious items such as gold, silver, jewellery, betel leaves, nut, fruits, vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts.
Many prepare for this Festival by painting their homes in order to symbolise the renewal of life. The house is also adorned with fresh mango leaves and kolam (chalk or painted floor designs). Sometimes a decorated lamp, 'Kuthuvillakku,' is placed in the centre of a colourful kolam to bring light to the home.
Wishing one and all a
HAPPY AUSPICIOUS NEW YEAR
View from Ayyankulam Tank
Not so scarey!
9 April 2009
Arunachala Grace News, April 2009
The current issue of Arunachala Grace News, will be sent out tomorrow direct to subscribers email inbox. If you wish to receive this bi-monthly Newsletter please fill out the subscribe facility at the left column of this page.
This month's Newsletter has narratives about; Mahashivaratri, the Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam recently performed at Ramana Ashram, the visit of Joyce Meyers (a licensed psychotherapist from the U.S.) to Tiruvannamalai, news of the Shanthimalai Trust education sponsorship programme, a news round up under 'Arunachala Tidbits', stories and anecdotes, and Sri Ramana's answer to the question, 'Is everything ordained?' As well as the above, the featured bird in this current Newsletter is the migratory Grey Heron, and the herb, the indispensable Coriander (Cilantro -- as is more commonly known in the Americas).
In addition to the above there is also information about a large agricultural parcel of land for sale a short distance south of Arunachala.
Lord Narasimha
In a previous posting I talked about the ashram of Radha Ma and of the
Mayura Natha Swamy is a sannyasin who lives at the ashram of Radhama here in Tiruvannamalai. Previously he was a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) in the U.S. Mayura Natha Swamy left work to begin his spiritual search. On a visit to
“Narasimha was the fourth incarnation of Vishnu, an incarnation in some ways quite distinct from the other incarnations. Usually Vishnu incarnates for all of mankind to set right some dharmic imbalance, when righteousness is on the decline and ignorance and violence have taken over. In the case of Narasimha the main reason for his manifestation, was out of love for the sweet child devotee Prahlad. That God came for one sincere devotee is the unique aspect of Narasimha’s incarnation.
Narasimha’s story is told in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, and the Narasimha Upapurana. Once the four great sages, Sanandana and his brothers, went to Vishnu’s abode in Vaikuntha to pay their respect to him. The four were the first sons of Brahma, who had created them so they could be the progenitors of all mankind, but the boys refused and sat only in meditation, because of which they remained ever young and like young boys.
Due to their youthful appearance the gatekeepers of Vaikuntha – Jaya and Vijaya, did not recognize them and refused to let them in. The sages cursed them that they should lose their place in heaven forever and be sent to earth. The gatekeepers were so upset they ran to Vishnu and asked him to remove the curse. Vishnu said he could not do that, but he would give them a choice, they could be reborn one hundred times as good devotees of his, or they could be reborn three times as asuras who hated him and he would descend to earth personally to destroy them.
The gatekeepers immediately chose the latter option because they would return more quickly, with the added bonus of being killed by God himself, which would ensure liberation. Their first births were as Hiranyaaksha and Hiranyakasipu, whom Narasimha killed, in the next birth they were Ravana and Kumbhakarna, whom Rama killed, and the last birth they were born as Sisupaala and Dantavaktra, whom
Hiranyaaksha and Hiranyakasipu were born as powerful asuras. At one point Hiranyaaksha took Mother Earth herself and pulled her down under the ocean. To free Mother Earth Vishnu took the form of a boar, Varaha, his third incarnation, and killed the demon, finally holding Mother Earth above water on his tusks. From then on Hiranyakasipu nursed a great hatred for Vishnu, because he had slain his brother. In order to obtain great siddhis he performed severe austerities and meditated for 25,000 years. The earth and heavens were being scorched by his penance and Brahma came to see Hiranyakasipu and told him to ask for whatever boon he wanted.
Hiranyakasipu asked that he should not be killed by any of God's created beings, nor be killed in the air or on the ground, nor slain at night or day, by man or beast or by any weapons. His boon was granted, and from that day Hiranyakasipu set out to put heaven and earth under his dominion. He threw out the Gods from heaven and sat on Indra’s throne. On earth he ordered that people doing spiritual practices should be killed and established that all negative acts be rewarded and all good acts be punished. However, to this great embodiment of asuric qualities was born a son named Prahlad. From his very birth Prahlad was a great devotee of God, he would sit as if dumb, with his eyes half closed while tears streamed down his face while thinking of God.
Hiranyakasipu thought that he should be sent to the gurus of the asuric race to learn the good demon ways. But, every time that Prahlad came back and was asked by his father what he had learned he would say things like, “I learned that all beings who suffer under the false ego of “I” and “mine” should go to the woods and meditate on Vishnu, the Supreme”. Hiranyakasipu was furious and scolded his son saying, “how can you say that Vishnu is supreme, I am the greatest, I am the most powerful. All the three worlds are under my control”. Hiranyakasipu sent Prahlad back several times to learn the proper ways of the asuras, but it never worked.
Finally, enraged, Hiranyakasipu ordered his guards to kill his own son. They tried to kill him in many ways, by fire, by poisoning, by drowning, by weapons, but every time he came out unscathed. Hiranyakasipu then confronted his son himself. He drew his sword and was coming to cut his son’s head off while saying “Why do you say your God is all powerful and everywhere? If he is everywhere, is he in this pillar”? As he said this he struck a stone pillar.
At that moment a huge sound split the air and out of the pillar emerged Narasimha, with the body of a man and the head of a lion. Narasimha, in a furious, unstoppable rage grabbed Hiranyakasipu, pulled him to his lap, tore open Hiranyakasipu’s body with his claws and garlanded his own neck with the asura’s intestines. It was all over in a few seconds. Narasimha, who was neither man nor beast, killed Hiranyakasipu on his lap, which was neither on the ground nor in the air. He came out of an inanimate pillar and the time was during twilight, neither night nor day, and he killed him with his claws, not a weapon. Thus, the demon’s boon was circumvented.
Everybody was scared, no one dared approach Narasimha, so fierce was his form. But his great devotee prostrated at Narasimha’s feet. The Lord lovingly picked up Prahlad and at Narasimha’s touch Prahlad had all sense of remaining egotism erased and attained self-knowledge. Narasimha then installed Prahlad as king and returned to Vaikuntha. His appearance on earth very short, but intense.
So who is Hiranyakasipu? He is only the ignorant ego. The ego that thinks it can do anything it wants, it thinks it is all powerful, it thinks that it is God, or even greater than God. Surely we are all God, but the ego is not. The ego tries to take that for itself. The ego even goes to the extent of trying to crush that which is good and pure, Prahlad symbolises love, devotion, surrender and all good qualities. The part of us that knows the highest truth and wants to serve that and become that.
But how does that small part of us grow? We are constantly being harassed by the demon ego, Hiranyakasipu. Moved by compassion, God himself comes and destroys that thing that has caused us so many problems – the ego!
The word asura is usually translated into English as demon. However in Sanskrit “sura” means intelligent or learned, “a” means not. So, asura means ignorant. In fact, many of the asuras were very accomplished. Ravana was a master of the veena, and Hiranyakasipu was capable of intense meditation. Also the brothers were the gatekeepers of Vishnu in Vaikuntha, and they voluntarily chose to be enemies of Vishnu so they would return in three births instead of one hundred. These are not qualities usually associated with demons as we think of them in the West.
Some people’s reaction to Narasimha is that he is violent and terrifying, but if you see him as your protector, as a destroyer of hostile forces trying to harm you, how could you feel that way? If you identify yourself as Hiranyakasipu, then you will feel fear. However, if you identify with Prahlad you will only feel God’s compassion everywhere and in everything. Narasimha’s action was really a burst of compassion, not of violence. Only our ego becomes frightened of Narasimha but for the part of us that is love, that loves God, a great attraction is felt and gratitude is felt for his strength and protection.”