Mercedes D'Acosta

Mercedes D'Acosta was very much part of the 30s and 40s Hollywood set and mixed with the rich and famous from all over the world; Dietrech, Garbo, Stravinsky. However, in her own right she was also a mystic and spiritual seeker who wanted to see all the popular teachers of the time. In this respect she decided to travel to India to meet in particular Sri Ramana Maharshi.

On her very first meeting with the sage, she was able to have this long and extraordinary conversation with him:

' . . . Tell me, whom shall I follow, what shall I follow? I have been trying to find this out for years by seeking in religions, in philosophies, in teachers and teachings.' Again there was a silence. After a few minutes, which seemed to me a long time, he spoke.

You are not telling the truth. You are just using words, just talking. You know perfectly well whom to follow. Why do you need me to confirm it?

'You mean I should follow my inner self?' I asked.

I don't know anything about your inner self. You should follow the Self. There is nothing or no one else to follow.

I asked again, 'What about religions, teachers, gurus?'

If they can help in the quest of the Self. But can they help? Can religion, which teaches you to look outside yourself, which promises a heaven and a reward outside yourself, can this help you? It is only by diving deep into the Spiritual Heart that one can find the Self.

He placed his right hand on my right breast and continued,

Here lies the Heart, the Dynamic, Spiritual Heart. It is called Hridaya and is located on the right side of the chest and is clearly visible to the inner eye of an adept on the Spiritual Path. Through meditation you can learn to find the Self in the cave of this Heart.

I find this record of Mercedes D'Acosta's meeting with the Maharshi particularly fascinating because Ramana seems so wonderfully accessible. Often in books and literature about saints much is edited to maintain an image. So, how refreshing to see from this passage such a unique and appealing side of Sri Ramana. To see how intensely he was involved with his devotees and that he didn't differentiate between the male and female form, to him it was all one.

His response was guaranteed when he met with a true devotee of the Divine Principle and was not predicated on social mores or expectations of other devotees. He did what he did in the way he did it! It was always just about God, not convention, just wish there were lots more examples available of this aspect of Ramana Maharshi.

[Here Lies the Heart]

Ardhanareshwara

Another special characteristic of Arunachala is that it is believed to be a place where womens tapas will easily bear fruit. The reason for this conviction is that Arunachala is the place that the Goddess Parvati performed the tapas that resulted in her attaining a place as the left half of the Lord. This manifestation of the Divine with the right half being Shiva and the left, Parvati, bears the name Ardhanareshwara (ardha=half, nare=lady).

An idol for Ardhanareshwara is found in the Arunachaleswara Temple and on Deepam evening is taken along in procession with the other Deity murtis.

Feet on Arunachala

On top of the summit of Arunachala there is a large flat stone with enormous rock-cut feet on it. It is approximately five feet from this spot that the huge cauldron is placed every year during the Karthigai festival. The feet are supposed to represent the feet of Arunachala. When you go to the top of the Hill, there you find the feet: because in Arunachala, the Supreme, there is neither top nor bottom, there are no parts, there is just wholeness. Also because what is highest in principle is lowest in manifestation; the first is last and the last first.

Sphinx at Arunachala

There are many religious and historical monuments at Arunachala but perhaps one of the most enigmatic are these wayside sphinxes that appear around the pradakshina road. Each sphinx stands next to a water tank (tirtham).

The sphinxes appear to have the head of a lion but, according to scholar Stella Kramrich, in fact are composed of three faces: the face of man, the face of the lion representing the Sun or Supreme Spirit, and the face of the dragon who, as the Destroyer of the Universe, stands for Transcendental Wisdom. Stella Kramrich further suggests that all three are superimposed on, and hence overwhelm the just discernible Deaths head underlying them.

Speculating further on the history and meaning of the sphinxes, M. Bose writes in her book, The Hill of Fire:

. . . Today, these enigmatic sphinxes are used as mere shrines at which pilgrims, after taking a bath in the tank, make their offerings to Arunachala. But did they have a more important function in the past? For their symbology suggest that in long-forgotten rites they may have been gateways to the Sun, places of initiation where the neophytes, after being cleansed of sin and animal nature, received the highest knowledge that led to immortality in the Sun.

Fire Walking

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.

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 Unnamaulai 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.

Movie Actor and Arunachala

Its not just Ashrams and Saints who are responsible for bringing crowds to Arunachala. In this respect, a major factor in the last 10 years in popularising Arunachala amongst Tamils is the advocacy of one of South India's favourite movie actors, Rajni Kant. His support and dialogue about the efficacy and power of Arunachala and giripradakshina, has influenced many who would otherwise have had no knowledge or information about this sacred site.

Rajni Kant has been responsible in improving the infrastructure at Arunachala and personally funded the installation of lights on the girivalam path, in this way ensuring devotees are able to safely do circumambulation throughout the night.

Skanda Purana

Sri Siva said:
Though in fact fiery, my lacklustre appearance as a hill on this spot is an effect of grace and loving solicitude for the maintenance of the world. Here I always abide as the great one (Siddha). Remember that in the interior of My Heart is transcendental glory, with all the enjoyments of the world also. This glorious Arunachala is that of which the mere sight suffices to remove all demerits which divide up Being into egos and finite worlds.

From The Skanda Purana

Arunachala the Centre

Among the many holy places in India representing different modes of spirituality, Arunachala stands out as the centre of the most direct path guided by the silent influence of the Hill as Guru. It is the centre and the path where physical contact is not necessary. The silent teaching acts and speaks direct to the heart.

Virupaksha

The famous saint Virupaksha lived in a cave on the South slope of Arunachala. The cave is said to be in the shape of OM and some people report to have even heard the sound of OM whilst meditating. The saint's tomb is there and bears his name. Ramana Maharshi lived in Virupaksha Cave before moving to Skandashram cave a little further up the Hill.

The Secret of Arunachala

". . . I began to understand what had long before been said to me about the attractive power of Arunachala and his Mountain. If Ramana was indeed great, how much more so must be this Arunachala which drew Ramana to himself, how much more so the mystery of Arunachala? In the end then Ramana would only be one of those, no doubt the greatest of those belonging to our time, who in the course of ages have quenched their thirst at this fountain which never ceases to flow, and in the shelter of the Mountain have discovered in the depth of their own heart the living mystery of Arunachala."

By Swami Abhishiktananda

Sri Chakra

Although Arunachala is the pre-eminent Saiva Kshetra there are various other names designating this sthala. Interestingly Vaishnavas call Arunachala, Sudarsana Giri. Shaktas say the Hill resembles Sri Chakra, the emblem of the Cosmos with its substratum; and regard Arunachala as Sri Chakra itself.

Robert Adams at Arunachala

'During the Fall of 1946, Robert arrived by train to the town of Tiruvannamalai, a few miles from Arunachala Mountain, where lay Ramanashram and his future teacher, Ramana Maharshi. He took a bullock cart to the Ashram, was admitted, and stayed the night. Early the next day while walking back from the mountain, towards the Ashram, he spotted Ramana walking down the path towards him. An electrifying energy coursed through his body, and the last of what men call an ego left him. He felt completely surrendered, completely open. As Ramana got closer, Robert stripped off his clothes, approached Ramana and dropped to his guru's feet. Ramana reached down grabbing Robert by his shoulder, and looked into Robert's eyes with complete love and said, 'I have been waiting for you. Get up! Get up!' Robert said had Ramana asked him to leap over a cliff at that moment, he would have done so gladly.

Robert stayed at Ramana Ashram for a little over three years, during which time he bought a jeep for the Ashram to bring supplies from town, and helped build a large hospital at the Ashram using money from an inheritance.

. . . During the late 1940's, Ramana was almost constantly ill with severe arthritis and other ailments, including the cancer that eventually killed him. Few visitors were allowed to stay for more than a few weeks at the Ashram, so Robert lived mostly in the caves above, which also allowed him to avoid the crowds.'

Great Glory

Light of Arunachala

. . . It is not an ordinary hill. It is spirituality Itself. It has a powerful, magnetic pull to the Self. Seekers who come to this place with the intention of realizing the Self will have untold benefits to do pradakshina on a full moon.

In the proximity of this holy hill the presence of the Self is more powerful and more self-evident than anywhere else. Indian mythology speaks of a wish-fulfilling tree. If you find this tree and tell it what you want, your wish will be granted. Arunachala also has this reputation. This is why so many people come here on a full moon night and walk around it. But very few people come here and ask for their complete freedom, for undisturbed peace.

Arunachala is a light. It shines whether or not you believe in it. It is the light of the Self, and the light of the Self will continue to shine on you whether you believe it or not. Arunachala is greater than all other religious places. There are other holy, powerful places in the world, but none have the power of Arunachala . . . There is a huge amount of shakti, or spiritual energy, here.

By Annamalai Swami

Deepam at Arunachala

This year, the first night of the lighting of the Flame on top of Arunachala Hill, during Karthigai Deepam Festival, will be celebrated on December 3rd.

During Karthigai the image of Lord Arunachaleswara is taken out in procession morning and evening along with those of Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Unnamulai and Chandikeswara. Different vahanas (mounts for the images are used). Some of these mounts are unique features of Arunachaleswara Temple. There is the Kamadhenu-Kalpaka Vriksha (the wish fulfilling cow and wish yielding tree) and the Vrishaba (silver bull).

The processions pass in front of huge crowds of devotees lining four main streets and the finale is when the Deepam is lit on the top of Arunachala.

It is said the Deepam is lit at the precise moment when the moon rises and the setting sun is still visible on the horizon. These elements, sun, moon and fire, symbolise the three eyes of Lord Siva (who is known as Somasuryagni-lochana).

Arunachala Through The Yugas

[picture courtesy of D. McCambridge]

The Hill at Tiruvannamalai, forming part of the Javadi Hill range belongs to the gneiss variety also called igneous rock in Indian tradition through the ages. According to the Saiva text Vidyasarakotirudra-samhita Adhyaya, 20, this Hill:

was of Fire in the Krta-yuga
of Gem in the Treta-yuga
Gold in the Dvapara-yuga
and of Emerald in the Kali-yuga.

We are still in the Kali Yuga or Age of conflicts. According to the tradition, it will end with the incarnation of Kalki, the last Avatar of Vishnu, who on his white horse, must destroy what is to be destroyed.

But as the destruction rains, Sri Siva declares:

Let this perpetual and immobile Fiery Form of mine, famous as Arunadri, be present here forever. (27)

Even at the close of the Yugas the great oceans shall not submerge it, the winds shall not shake it and the fires shall not burn it. (28)
(Skanda Purana)

Vortex in a Vortex in a Vortex

My thoughts on the phenomenon of the vortex (see earlier blog)is that I've always considered India itself to be an immense vortex of spiritual rarefied energy. Thus one could say that Arunachala's place in India is rather like that of a vortex in a vortex. But even here, at Arunachala itself, there seem to be variations of energy and vibration. So much so that many saints have counselled about direction and location regarding the most efficacious spots for sadhana and meditation.

In this respect, from my own experience, I believe there are two extraordinary powerful additional energy vortexes. One being the Annamalaiyar (Shiva) Shrine at the Big Temple (Arunachaleswarar Koil) and the other spot the Meditation Hall at Ramana Ashram. In regard to the former it seems as if the Temple Shrine is generating its own extraordinary, luminous aura. As to the latter, I've always wondered at the astonishing force in the Ramanasharam Meditation Hall. It has often been said that, 'Sleep is the ordinary man's (ordinary i.e. unenlightened) samadhi'. If this is true maybe that's the reason so many sadhakas often fall into a drowsy-like condition in that Hall!

In Search of Secret India

. . . I stand at the door and look up at the Hill of the Holy Beacon - Arunachala, the Sacred Red Mountain, as the people of the countryside prefer to call it. It has become the colourful background of all my existence; always I have but to raise my eyes from whatever I am doing, whether eating, walking, talking or meditating, and there is its strange, flat headed shape confronting me in the open or through a window. It is somehow inescapable in this place, but the strange spell it throws over me is more inescapable still. I begin to wonder whether this queer, solitary peak has enchanted me. This lonely hill holds me in a powerful thrall, despite the fact that I have been others infinity more attractive. This rugged piece of Nature, with its red laterite boulders tumbled about in disorderly masses and glowing like dull fire in the sunlight, possesses a strong personality which emanates a palpable awe creating influence.

[by Paul Brunton}

Herbs on the Hill

'The herbs growing on the hill sides are supposed to possess the power to satisfy hunger, slake thirst, cure diseases, bring the dead back to life and turn base metals into gold. However a search for these herbs by people with base motives will be futile and they can be espied only by the most devoted. Devotees walking round the hill are benefited by the breeze wafting over the herbs'.

Its interesting to note that similar phenomenon have been noted in other 'power spots'. Sun Dagger site at Fajada Butte in the U.S., has a special sort of power. The Butte creates an environment that grows a variety of plants used by the indigenous population for spiritual and ritual purposes, plants that are not generally found on the surrounding plain. Special plants also grow on the mounds of the ruins of the ancient Native American astronomers that once inhabited the area. Although some feel the plants are equally powerful wherever they grow, the power of the plants is said to be increased by being on the butte.

Animals and Medicinal Plants

Arunachala Hill abounds in medicinal plants and herbs. Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine roam about the slopes of Arunachala in search of herbs and leaves. It is interesting to watch the monkeys' behaviour and habits. One can watch groups of them, particularly during the evening, gather round certain plants and munch their leaves and seeds. The elders of the monkey family coax the youngsters of their group, sometimes by administering physical rebukes, into consuming the leaves. Other animals too possess intuitive knowledge about local herbs and their use.