16 February 2013

A Walk Through Tiruvannamalai


I recently had to visit Ayyankulam Street in the heart of Tiruvannamalai, and after completing my work decided to walk back randomly through the side streets on my way to my planned visit to the Kamakshi Temple on North Street. 

The walk took in side streets, and vegetable markets, the fascinating Kumaran Kovil Temple (of which I will write about at a later date), and also lots and lots of bullocks pulling their various loads through the narrow streets of old Tiruvannamalai. 



Bullocks, happily with empty cart

Selling their vegetables

Market Streets of Tiruvannamalai

Mum sending her son for shopping

Produce on display

Small little side streets

Distant view of a Big Temple Gopuram

Bullocks having to pull far too heavy loads
Ladies cleaning bags of ground nuts

Bags and bags of onions

Piles of Coconuts


Two nice boys having a well deserved rest

Kumaran Kovil Temple


12 February 2013

Yogaswami: The Strange Saint of Sri Lanka


I recently got in touch with the renowned Himalayan Academy in Hawaii, USA for permission to reproduce on my website Arunachala Samudra, an excellent article entitled “Hinduism and the Environment” by Matthew McDermott, which had appeared in their online magazine “Hinduism Today”. As well as graciously giving me permission to reproduce the article, they also sent me two reproductions of paintings connected with their Paramaguru Yogaswami’s visit to Arunachala. On receiving the copies of the paintings, I was very interested to learn more about their Paramaguru and his visit to Arunachala. Below is a short biography of this great saint, of who it is said that: 

"At 3:30 am on a Wednesday in March 1964, Yogaswami passed away at age 91. The whole nation of Sri Lanka stopped when the radio spread news of his Great Departure (mahasamadhi), and devotees thronged to Jaffna to bid him farewell.” 


Yogaswami: The Strange Saint of Sri Lanka 

Yogaswami of Nallur, the Sage of Lanka, mystic and spiritual master lived from 1872 to 1964. He was raised in the Hindu faith by his aunt after his mother passed away when he was ten years old. The boy was first educated in a Tamil school and later in a Christian institution where he became proficient in Tamil and English. 

Around 1890, Yogaswami found a job as a storekeeper for an irrigation project in Kilinochchi. Here, he lived like a yogi, often meditating all night long. He demanded utter simplicity and purity of himself, as he would later of his devotees. 

It is believed that in 1897 a youthful Yogaswami attended a public meeting in Jaffna that was addressed by Swami Vivekananda. When Vivekananda began his talk by saying that "The time is short but the subject is vast", Yogaswami left the meeting immediately after understanding Vivekananda's words to mean that the subject of God is immense whereas even an entire lifetime can be too short for God-realisation. This statement went deep into Yogaswami's psyche. He repeated it like a mantra to himself and spoke it to devotees throughout his life. 

In 1905, Yogaswami found his guru Sage Chellappan outside Nallur Temple. As he walked along the road, Chellappaswami shouted loudly: "Hey! Who are you? There is not one wrong thing! It is as it is! Who knows?" Suddenly everything vanished in a sea of light for the young yogi. At a later encounter in a festival crowd, Chellappaswami ordered him, "Go within; meditate, stay here until I return." He came back three days later to find Yogaswami still waiting for his master. Soon afterwards Yogaswami gave up his job and everything else, in order to follow Chellappaswami for the next five years. His life became filled with intense spiritual discipline and severe austerity. Following Yogaswami’s ordination (sannyas diksha), his guru sent him away and never received him again. 




As a wandering ascetic Yogaswami walked the length and breadth of Sri Lanka, visiting temples and holy places, and eventually returned to Jaffna. He went on three pilgrimages to India, in 1934, 1940 and 1946, taking a few devotees with him each time. They went on the six-temple Murugan yatra in South India and to the massive, renowned Siva temples of Madurai and Chidambaram. They walked long distances together and met many spiritual luminaries. 




On one pilgrimage, Yogaswami visited Sri Ramana Maharshi at Ramanashram in Tiruvannamalai. The two sat in silence for an hour in Sri Ramana’s austere room near the holy mountain. No word was exchanged when they met or parted. After hearing that Yogaswami had visited Sri Ramana, people were eager to find out what had transpired. Swami told them, “We said all there is to say.” Later he added, “We did not go with any desire. Summa we went. We stayed for about an hour. He did not speak at all. He is a great hero (mahaviran).” By “summa,” Swami meant “perfect stillness, communion in silence.” 

Yogaswami had a set of favourite aphorisms that he loved to repeat when devotees or strangers called on him. It is generally accepted that these four spiritual truths, which are often quoted nowadays, contain the essence of Yogaswami's teachings: 

Oru pollappum illai: There is no evil at all, nothing is wrong. "Good" and "evil" are man-made distinctions. 

Muludum unmai: All is Truth (the whole thing is true). The sage who is fully realised sees the entire universe as a manifestation of God. 

Nām Ariyom: We do not know. We know nothing. Our minds are limited instruments that can only comprehend things of a mundane nature. 

Eppavo Mudintha Karyam: The event was completed long ago. It was all over long ago. Everything has been pre-ordained. 


10 February 2013

Dakshinamurti and the Nalvars


While visiting Siva Sannidhi recently, I noticed two very beautiful new paintings on their wall, one which represents Dakshinamurti and the other, of the four Saiva Samaya Acharyas. Below is a short narrative explaining the significance of the two paintings. 

The acharya (spiritual teacher) has the highest place of honour in Saivism. The Sastras say that Shiva Himself appears as the acharya at the proper moment and directs the bhakta (devotee) on the godward path. 


Dakshinamurti with Rishis


Dakshinamurti is the visual representation of the Supreme Guru. Under the Kallaal (spreading Fiscus tree) in Kailas, Dakshinamurti is seated in the pose of perfect peace and bliss. His form is of a youth of sixteen years and at his feet, sit the four rishis: Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, and Sanatkumara. The Lord does not utter a word but his very pose gives the Rishis instruction and they depart, enlightened with all their doubts dispelled. 

Shiva (as Dakshinamurti) is the Parama-acharya (Supreme Guru) in Kailas. In the terrestrial plane, are the four famously revered Saiva saints known as Saiva Samaya Acharyas (Naalvar): Tirugnansambandar, Tirunanvukkarasar (Appar), Sundarar and Manikkavasagar




Tirugnansambandar, Tirunanvukkarasar (Appar), Sundarar and Manikkavasagar



The four Saiva Samaya Acharyas lived between the 7th and 9th centuries in Tamil Nadu, and the first three: Sambandar, Appar, and Sundarar toured Saiva shrines and by their songs encouraged people to have greater faith in God and Saivism. 

The principal teachings of the four Saiva Samaya Acharyas is of love and surrender to God; and of service to God and godly men. That love, devotion, and service to God is the only way one can obtain His Grace. God is One and He is Shiva. That man must get over his bonds which keep him in ignorance and obtain inseparable union with Shiva through the Lord's Grace. 

[Reference narrative by Dr. T. Arunachalam]

9 February 2013

By-Pass Road, Arunachala Countryside


Today I walked at the back of the Samudram Eri from the Annamalai Reforestation Society (ARS) to Rangammal Hospital. It was only about one kilometre, but as that area is very beautiful countryside with a wonderful darshan of Arunachala, I was curious to view and assess the damage the bypass road will have upon the area. To begin with, the bypass road will be two lanes, but will be increased to four lanes as traffic increases. The distance of the bypass road will be around six kilometres and bifurcate the countryside with a road leading from NH66 (Bangalore Road) to the Sathanur Dam Road. 

You can make your own mind up after scrolling through the below photographs as to the difference the road will make to the Arunachala countryside. It’s difficult to understand why the sanctity of Arunachala is being further desecrated by the construction of yet another highway. Tiruvannamalai has always been strategic as an arterial access from west to east and north to south, but perhaps Tiruvannamalai deserves better than being relegated into something which seems to be regarded by commercial outsiders and non devotees as a restaurant and accommodation facility on the side of an increasingly invasive highway system. How do these highways actually benefit Tiruvannamalai and preserve the sanctity of Arunachala? At times like this I wonder, "Would this happen at Tirupati?" Why aren't we more responsible custodians of our own Arunachala?


Land compulsory purchased being developed
Local Rustic Farmer
Pristine Countryside

Highway cuts through this lovely area

Arunachala darshan, marker post for Highway



Highway bifurcates this 10 acre farm
Life continues during construction
Arunachala darshan from Highway

Pretty tranquility of the countryside

Two sections of new highway will be linked by bridge

Previously this area was deep countryside

New Highway leading to NH66




8 February 2013

Moorvi Compound Progress



This week I visited the Moorvi Compound, which is opposite the main Ramana Ashram compound. The Compound has been under development for the last year, during which time all the old one-storey accommodation was demolished and new multi-storey accommodation has been built as part of the Ramana Ashram modernisation programme. In addition the Ramana Ashram Centenary Library has now been remodelled into a multi-room facility.

At the beginning of the remodelling, I posted a narrative (with lots of photos) at this link here. The old Library building is being refurbished into separate accommodation rooms. To see photographs of the Old Library Building, check out this link here. Currently there is some heavy equipment being used in one remaining area in the Compound. The Moorvi Choultry, which has not been demolished, will be remodelled, and then all that remains to be done, is gardening work around the compound. 

In spite of the bits and pieces still to complete, rooms are already being allocated in the newly developed Moorvi Compound. 


Multi-storey accommdation

More rooms in Compound

Large Neem tree in Compound

Room in newly developed Moorvi Compound

Moorvi Choultry
Moorvi Choultry centre point
Back of Moorvi Choultry

Upstairs of multi-storey accommodation

Another view of two-storey accommodation

Generator in Moorvi Compound

4 February 2013

Lord Shiva as Kalantaka



In an earlier post at this link here, I wrote about various aspects of Lord Shiva which are particularly acknowledged in the history and worship at Arunachala, namely; Lingodbhavamurti, Bhikshatana, Ardhanarishvara and Dakshinamurthi. However as Arunachala and Shiva are regarded as synonymous, all fascinating and inspirational aspects of the Great Lord help us understand the subtleties of the various aspects Lord Shiva represents. 

The below legend of Shiva as Kalantaka (the Conqueror of Time and Death) establishes that the true devotee achieves freedom from death and samsara by worship of Shiva. It also demonstrates that egoism and pride (here of Yama) are always humbled. 

The legend of Shiva as Markandeya's saviour is a major myth of salvation in Tamil Shaivism. The sage Mrikandu prayed to Shiva and the Lord offered him a choice: a virtuous son who would live sixteen years, or a hundred long-lived, foolish sons. Mrikandu chose the former and accordingly had a son, whom he named Markandeya. As Markandeya neared the end of his fifteenth year, Lord Brahma taught him the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra that is meant to conquer death by giving long life. As per Brahma's advice, Markandeya prayed to Shiva, worshipping the Lingam. The gods pleaded with Shiva to extend Markandeya's life and Shiva consented. 



 
As per his destiny, the messengers of Yama came to take away Markandeya's soul, but failed to approach him as he ceaselessly repeated Shiva's name. Yama came himself to take Markandeya's soul and told Markandeya to stop his worship and come with him as per his fate. Markandeya refused, warning Yama that he was committing an offence against Shiva. Yama, however, proclaimed that not even Shiva could stop him. The wrathful Yama assumed a fearsome form and threw his noose to capture Markandeya, who hugged the Lingam tightly. When the noose touched the Lingam, Shiva emerged from it and struck Yama with his Trishula and kicked his chest, killing the lord of death. 

Sages, gods and other beings appeared to praise Shiva, who blessed Markandeya to remain a youth of sixteen. As no one remained in the world to make beings die, the earth became burdened by evil beings. The earth, the gods, and Markandeya invoked Shiva to revive Yama. Once again, Shiva touched Yama with his foot, bringing him back to life. Different myths narrate how Yama promises never to touch Shiva's devotees. Shiva's devotees on death are directly taken to the abode of Shiva, Mount Kailash. 


Below is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra found in the Rig Veda.


>
 Mahamrityunjaya Mantra



"Tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanamurvārukam 
Iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt" 


We meditate on the three-eyed reality which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance. May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality. 



31 January 2013

The Faith that Moves Mountains

This post is dedicated to Meenal and Geeta -- friends of Arunachala who are both at a new blessed time in their lives.


The Faith that Moves Mountains

When you know not where to turn,
stay still, just where you are.
There is something yet to learn. 
Be careful lest you jar the threads that fate is weaving in a pattern you can't see. 
Be Passive.


Shadow of Arunachala


Trust the Hand that works the looms of destiny. 
Though it is your wish to set things right 
and put things straight, 
Choose the wiser way. 
Have faith. 
With patience watch and wait. 
There's a purpose in it all, 
as time will surely prove 
And when you least expect it, 
you will see the Mountain move 

[By Patience Strong] 

27 January 2013

Pictorial India 1950


Yesterday was Republic Day a day which celebrates the date i.e. January 26, 1950, on which the Constitution of India came into force and India became a republic. Below is a pictorial representation of a series of photographs of certain aspects of India in 1950.


Pilgrims at Allahabad during Kumbha Melha

Operators at New Delhi Telephone Exchange

Ladies working Coal Mining Industry

Boatman on Jumna River with Taj Mahal

Oxcart at Howrah Bridge, Hooghly River, Calcutta

Buying fruit in New Delhi

Steam Locomotive on Darjeeling, Calcutta railway

26 January 2013

Happy Republic Day


Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. On that day in 1950, India became a Republic. 

Jana Gana Mana is a five-stanza Brahmo hymn composed and scored in Bengali by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and it is the first stanza of the song that has been adopted as the National Anthem of India. 


Rabindranath Tagore


In the below video, the National Anthem of the Indian Republic—Jana Gana Mana, is sung by great classical vocalists of this country. 



 Jana Gana Mana



Jana Gana Mana
Jana Gana Mana Adhinaayak Jaya Hey, 
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa 
Panjaab Sindhu Gujarat Maraatha, 
Draavid Utkal Banga 
Vindhya Himaachal Yamuna Ganga, 
Uchchhal Jaladhi Taranga 
Tav Shubh Naamey Jaagey, 
Tav Shubh Aashish Maange 
Gaahey Tav Jayagaathaa 
Jana Gana Mangal Daayak, 
Jaya Hey Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa 
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, 
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey 

Ohoroha Toba Aahbaana Prachaarita, 
Suni Tab Udaar Vaani 
Hindu Bauddh Shikha Jain, 
Parasik Musolman Christaani 
Purab Pashchim Aashey, 
Tab Singhaasana Paashey 
Premohaara Hawye Gaanthaa 
Jana Gana Oikya Vidhaayak Jaya Hey, 
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa 
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, 
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey 

Potona Abhbhudaya Bandhura Pantha, 
Yug Yug Dhaabit Yaatri 
Hey Chir Saarathi, 
Tab Ratha Chakrey Mukharit Patha Din Raatri 
Daarun Viplab Maajhey, 
Tab Shankh dhwani Bajey 
Sankat Dukh Trata 
Jana Gana Path Parichaayak, 
Jaya Hey Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa 
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, 
Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey 

Ghor Timir Ghan Nibiro, 
Nishithey Peedit Murchhit Deshey 
Jagrat Chhil Tab Abichal Mangal, 
Nato Nayan Animeshey 
Duswapney Aatankey, 
Raksha Kariey Ankey 
Snehamayi Tumi Mata 
Jana Gana Duhkh Trayak, 
Jaya Hey Bharat Bhagya Vidhaataa 
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, 
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey 

Raatri Prabhatil Udil Ravichhabi, 
Purb Uday Giri Bhaaley 
Gaahey Vihangam Punya Sumiran, 
Nav Jeevan Rash Dhaley 
Tab Karunaarun Raage, 
Nidrit Bhaarat Jagey 
Tab Charane Nat Maatha Jaya Jaya JayA Hey, Jaya Rajeshwar, 
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa 
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, 
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey 


English Translation 
Oh! the ruler of the minds of people, Victory be to You, 
Dispenser of the destiny of India! 
Punjab, Sindhu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Dravid (South India), Orissa, and Bengal, 
The Vindhya, the Himalayas, the Yamuna, the Ganges, 
and the oceans with foaming waves all around. 
Wake up listening to Your auspicious name, Ask for Your auspicious blessings, 
And sing to Your glorious victory. 
Oh! You who impart well being to the people! 
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You! 

Your call is announced continuously, we heed Your gracious call 
The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsees, Muslims, and Christians, 
The East and the West come together, 
To the side of Your throne 
And weave the garland of love. 
Oh! You who bring in the unity of the people! 
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! 

The way of life is sombre as it moves through ups and downs, 
But we, the pilgrims, have followed it through ages. 
Oh! Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot echo day and night in the path 
In the midst of fierce revolution, your conch shell sounds. 
You save us from fear and misery. 
Oh! You who guide the people through torturous path, 
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! 

During the bleakest of nights, when the whole country was sick and in swoon 
Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings, through Your lowered but winkless eyes 
Through nightmares and fears, You protected us on Your lap, 
Oh Loving Mother! 
Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people, 
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! 

The night is over, and the Sun has risen over the hills of the eastern horizon. 
The birds are singing, and a gentle auspicious breeze is pouring the elixir of new life. 
By the halo of Your compassion, India that was asleep is now waking 
On your feet we now lay our heads 
Oh! Victory, victory, victory be to you, the Supreme King, 
The dispenser of the destiny of India! 
Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You! 

22 January 2013

Meeting with Mooku Podi Swami


Vishesh a reader of Arunachala Grace recently sent me an email about his meeting and experience with Mooku Podi Swami here at Arunachala. I am posting the narrative in full below. The accompanying photographs were taken by myself some time ago while Swami was residing near Pavarthi Hill. 

“As you requested, I wanted to give my experience with Mooku Podi Swami. As I mentioned earlier, I live in the US and visited India on Vacation for three weeks. I got initiated into several Meditation techniques by Vethathiri Maharishi and then started to follow Sri Nithyananda Swami. There is a huge temple in the city where I live in the US. I did see some blog postings by you on Nithyananda Swami. I along with my wife, 10 year old son and my Father-in-law came to Tiruvannamalai on the evening of 5th January to be part of Nithyananda Swami's Birthday celebrations. I drove our car from Trichy and stayed in a hotel just outside of Arunachala temple. Because of worst traffic, I decided to take an auto rather than driving the car. That is when everything started. 



The auto driver who took us to Nithyananda Swami's ashram on our route started to talk about Mooku Podi Swami (MPS) and suggested us to attempt to see him once before we leave. Initially that thought did not get into me strongly. He mentioned that MPS stays in hotel called Arpana which is where we planned to go for Dinner on the 5th. He himself asked Arpana hotel's watchman about MPS whereabouts. The watchman replied that MPS no more stays in that hotel and moved to a place near the Srinivasan school on the Girivalam path. 

We had the dinner and then left to the hotel. I requested the auto driver to pick up again the next day to visit Nithyananda Swami's ashram. The next day on our way to the Ashram he stopped the auto at a place before to the Ashram and pointed out a old man and then said he is MPS. We just got out of the auto and stood on the other side of the road and paid our respects. I did not get any sort of opinions on MPS and prayed for his blessings. He had a look at our family and we felt really good about it. We had to leave to the Ashram as we had a Pada Puja scheduled with Nithyananda Swami. 

After we had our time at the Ashram we came back to see him and could not find him. Then we went to Ramana Asramam and Visiri Samiyar Ashram and spend the whole day. The next day (7th January) we were planning to return back to Trichy and I started to have a very strong urge to meet MPS once more before I leave. So we checked out of our hotel and headed out on the Girivalam path by 7.30 am. To our surprise, MPS was sitting on the same spot (it was a Police booth). We parked the car on the road, left our sandals in the car and got out of the car and sat on a bench which was around 30 foot away from him. It would have been around 20 minutes we just sat and got his darshan. He started to walk around and then came and stood near our car. I turned to him in the sitting position and we were looking at him for blessings. I was praying inside to get me initiated into Atma Vidya (Ramana Maharishi's “Who Am I” self introspection). Other than that, I did not have any other feelings. 




After seeing MPS standing near our car, the people around that place started to scream asking to open the car door as MPS wanted to sit inside. I immediately rushed and opened the door and requested him to sit in our car. He hesitated and did not sit. There was one small boy around (15 years old) and urged us to remove all the sandals out of the car. I removed everyone of them and then MPS came around and sat in the passenger side. I took my son and then sat in the car. He did not talk anything to me and used sign languages and gave me directions. I finally ended up in a hotel called Udupi. 

He went inside and showed sign language to me to make the chair available for him to sit. I did it and then me and my son wanted to sit on the floor near his foot. He urged us to sit on the chair in the nearby table. After he had some Dosa and coffee and he left and we again headed out of the hotel. I wanted to go around girivalam (anticlockwise-as you had mentioned in one of your posting) and came to the same spot where we started. He wanted to stop and then he got down. The same small boy asked me to do namaskarams and touch his feet. I did and when I tried to touch his foot, he nodded his head and signalled me as not to touch. I obeyed his instructions and said good-bye. He gracefully nodded and gave me his send off. Then there were people around who came got his blessings. 


Parvarthi Hill, off Girivalam Roadway


My wife after getting his blessings wanted to donate some money for Anna Dhaan at the Ragavendra Ashram. It was just across the road. After visiting Ragavendra Ashram, I had the feeling again to take a photo of him so that I can have in my Puja area for worship. We returned back to see him and he was not there. When I asked the people around that place they asked us to check at the Srinivasan school. 



Girivalam Roadway where Swami stays


We went there and found him sitting at the hallway. I walked up to him and asked him if I can take a photo. He nodded his head stood up and walked out of the school straight to our car. So we had him seated again and this time all of our family sat inside. He again signalled me to go anticlockwise. I started to drive. We went two full rounds this time and Swami by then started to take a nap. During the middle of the third round, the police had put some barricade and blocked the road. Then he signalled to take a diversion and then we ended up to go clockwise again. When the car came near the school, he signalled to stop and got down. I once again asked if I could take a snap and he nodded no again. That was the end. He walked straight inside the school and I did my namaskarams again and headed out. 

He was uttering two words again and again for 5 to 6 times: They were "ஆபிசு....ஆபீஸ்"”