Pavalakunru Temple

It is at Pavalakunru on the north east foot of Arunachala, that Gautama Rishi in Puranic times, was supposed to have done his penance. According to the Arunachala Mahatmyam, it is here that he had a Ashram and received Parvati when she came to Arunachala to perform tapas.

Nowadays there is a beautiful Temple located on top of this giant rock. In 1898 Ramana Maharshi came to Pavalakunru and lived in a small room at the Temple.

This is one of the most fascinating and unique Temples at Arunachala - but for some reason people don't come - I expect because they don't know about it. Those who make a trip to the top of the Pavalakunru spur are grateful they took the time to locate this difficult to find Temple. The view is spectacular and the energy at the Shrine beautiful. But remember to duck when you go into the little room Ramana Maharshi used for his meditation(!).

Great Mahans

Ramana Maharishi came here and never left this place; Seshadri Swamigal came to this Kshetra and never left this place; Bhagavan Yogi Ramsuratkumar came to this Kshetra and never left this Holy Place; and so also Mahatmas like Guhai Namasivayam, Guru Namasivayam, Virupaksha Muni came and lived in Tiruvannmalai.

If so many Mahans came and spent all their lifetime here and their samadhis are to be found here, can one extol on the Holiness of this Kshetra? The known charitra (life history) of these Mahans are all within this past hundred years.

The sthala purana (history of this Holy Place) says that five Jivan Muktas are always to be found living in this place. Therefore, even today there are Jivan Muktas living in this place, though unseen/not comprehended by us. How many Jivan Muktas must have lived here in the past? If all their samadhis exist in this place, one cannot through mere words extol the purity of this place.

This is the Holiest of all Holy places.

[Sri Madhuramurali]

Lingodbhava

The origin of the worship of Siva as Linga is to be found in Arunachala Mahatmyam. The legend is that there was a dispute between Brahma, the creator of the Universe, and Vishnu, the sustainer of the Universe regarding the superiority of the one over the other.

Siva decided to restore order to the Universe by putting an end to their dispute by appearing as an infinite column of Light. He instructed that whosoever found the top or bottom of the pillar of Light was the greater. Taking up His challenge Brahma and Vishnu stopped fighting and accordingly Brahma took the form of a swan and flew up to find the top of the pillar, whereas Vishnu dug down the earth as a boar to the find the bottom of the column of Light.

After aeons of futile search, both returned to Shiva accepted defeat and prayed to Him to take a more benevolent and accessible Form so that they could worship him. Siva accordingly took the form of a Hill, known as Arunachala. Brahman and Vishnu worshipped the Hill Linga thus making Arunachala the first and foremost of Lingas.

A granite representation of the Pillar of Light with Sivas form within and Brahma flying up as a swan and Vishnu digging down as a boar can be seen on the wall just behind the sanctum in every temple of Siva, in commemoration of this event. This representation is known as the Lingodbhava.

Brahma flying up to find the top of the Column of Light









Vishnu burrowing downwards to find the bottom of the Column of Light

Hippopotamus

Forest guards reported that a Hippopotamus was recently abandoned at a place called Kunnathur near Polur, Tiruvannamalai District, allegedly by a circus company. The hippo is currently being attended to. The District Officer in charge of Forest matters reported that:

"The animal is fine. Our forest guards are watching and taking care of the animal at a pond." After visiting the spot to get first hand information the officer also added that iron barricades had been erected around the pond to restrict the hippopotamus movement.

The officer further remarked, "We have asked the circus company for records pertaining to this animal and only after getting the records, we will take action. It may take a few days to move the animal to a safer place," he added.

Let us keep our fingers crossed that this story has a happy ending. Already there is a huge improvement in the poor creatures life by being separated from the Circus; it can only be wondered at what sort of conditions the poor creature had to suffer whilst with them! Will try to get more news on this as the story develops.

Dakshinamurti Shrine

This is a lovely picture of a cow with swishing tail standing in front of the Dakshinamurti Shrine on Chengam Road (between Ramana and Seshadri Ashrams). It is the cows custom to stand in front of the small Temple in the afternoon whilst the shrine is closed, the crowds are at home and everything is peaceful. The cow comes most days and stands for a long time in very much the same position, with her head leaning over the discarded puja tray, which always lies outside the shrine in the afternoons.

The name of the shrine, Dakshinamurti - can be understood thus: Dakshina = He who is facing the South, in the posture of Silence, Murti = with form, conversely, Amurti = without form. Dakshinamurti is one of the five aspects of Siva, represents the spiritual pole and is the primordial Guru, teaching through silence. The four sons of Brahma, having refused to follow the order of their ancestry and wishing to follow the Ultimate Truth, went to Dakshinamurti at Lake Manasorvar for His instruction.

It is a charming sight to see this lovely cow coming day after day to the Shrine. However one does in fact wonder what is the exact reason for this seeming pilgrimage! I recall one very special moment with Sri Sathya Sai Babas elephant Sai Gita (who lives in her own enclosure at Puttparthi). The pet elephant loves camphor and one time at the end of a puja (worship) when we had finished waiving the arati after the camphor had burnt off, Sai Gita grabbed the puja plate from us, curled her trunk around it and pressing it against her chest, inhaled long and deeply. She loves that smell of camphor and lots of animals (and people) do too!

So my question regarding the wonderful cow in this photograph. Is she indeed a Dakshinamurti devotee or is she just a camphor addict?!

August Newsletter

The upcoming issue of Arunachala Grace News will have information on some of the renewal and improvement projects currently underway and/or at the planning stage at Tiruvannamalai; including reforestation and ecological and urban cleaning programmes. If you wish to receive a free copy of the Arunachala Grace Newsletter please notify us by sending email on the left side of this Blog.

Urban Renewal Plan

"Urban Renewal Plan of Tiruvannamalai city" in collaboration with Anna University, Municipality and TNUDP attempts to regenerate sacred water bodies that are presently acting as sewage ponds by use of pisi culture and biological treatment and solid waste management by use of composting and vermi culture and preparation of counter/topography map and base map.

Scope of the project:-
The ecological balance is upset and natural environment of the town is gradually on the decline. The Annamalai hills, which was covered with vegetation a couple decades ago, now looks barren and the soil erosion is heavy during rains. The physical development of the town, which was harmonious in nature as that of the temple town, now has given way for mushrooming of commercial activities and encroachments of open spaces. The number of water bodies considered to be holy, apart from having been useful to maintain the water table in the town till some years back, are now being completely polluted with mixing of sullage and sewage, besides being misused.

In many of the tanks, major portion is encroached and water containment has become very much limited, which has resulted in constant depletion of ground water, apart from polluting the air, land and ground water. The soil erosion in the hills has resulted in silting and damage of the drainage network system, and in many of the roads, the drains are filled with silt and are completely choked.

The situation warrants a major intervention in order to improve the physical and natural environment of the town. A correction in development in the form of Urban Renewal is a basic requisite to enhance the living conditions of the people and to provide conducive atmosphere for worship and pilgrimage.

The Objectives of the project are:-

Decentralized Solid Waste Management including recycling and conversion into manure.
Construction of Storm Water Drains with rain harvesting measures.
Repair and renovation of Water Bodies.
Waste water recycling and decentralized treatment
Base map for Tiruvannamalai showing all existing features and contour levels

For fuller information on the Urban Renewal Plan of Tiruvannamalai please check out link:

http://www.tifac.org.in/mature/progupthir.php

Municipal Regeneration

A lot of money is coming into Arunachala to finance a multitude of municipal regeneration projects; road widening, electrification of outlying areas, new sewer systems, deepening and improvement of existing tanks, paved areas for pilgrims on giri pradakshina of the Hill etc. Will report on a lot of such projects in later Blogs.

In the meantime here is news of a current project being undertaken at Pular Kulam, a water tank in VOC Nagar about one kilometre from the Big Temple in town. A few months ago this tank was in a nasty condition; the water was stagnant, full of refuse and rubbish and unsuitable to use. Subsequently the Tank was drained and is currently in the process of being deepened and its sides reinforced; when work on the tank is finished, Pular Kulam will provide a good source of water for the immediate area.

Morning Walk

As is our custom the dogs and I went out early this morning for our daily walk and adventure. We are start off from here.

And we meet a local village lady collecting twigs from thorny bushes for her cooking fire. These bushes are excellent fuel and burn with a hot, fast flame; however the bushes are most unpleasant to handle as they are covered with sharp, pointed barbs. You need to be very experienced to touch them without getting stabbed by the thorns.


Further along we discover the discarded skin of one of the very many snakes that inhabit this peaceful and undisturbed area where, providing it pays a modicum of attention, a snake can live to a ripe old age!


The dogs have a grand time prowling and digging, looking for small bones amongst the leafy vegetables local ladies have recently planted at this beautiful protected conservation area.

Deepam

"The atmosphere became more and more tense. The sun had now disappeared behind the mountain, and the great moment was drawing near for which everyone was waiting; the appearance of the Flame. Expectation filled every heart and showed on every face. It increased in harmony with the rhythm of the cosmos itself; as slowly beyond the horizon the moon rose into the sky, and from the peak of the Mountain, on which all eyes had been fixed for the last full hour, the flame mounted up, manifesting both outwardly and in the heart of the faithful, the mystery of Light which from the beginning has at the same time hidden and revealed itself in Arunachala."

[Words of Swami Abhishiktananda]

Swami Abhishiktananda first visited Arunachala in the late 40's, but lived here off and on for many years. He died in 1973, but is now regarded to be one of the pioneers in the spiritual and theological dialogue between Christianity and Eastern religions, and a bridge-builder between Hinduism and Christianity. More about Swami in later posts.

Shiva Shakti

Shiva Shakti gives silent satsang twice daily at her ashram in Ramana Nagar to mostly Western visitors. She is currently living at Arunachala and is available for satsang throughout the year.

Idukku Pillayar Shrine

The shrine is known as Idukku Pillayar. The name Pillayar is one given to Ganesha (remover of obstacles and Lord of auspiciousness). The Idukku Pillayar Shrine is in the form of a narrow passageway between two columns. Legend has it that successfully crawling through the narrow tunnel from front to back gives liberation, whereas successfully scrambling through from back to front will fulfil ones worldly wish. The Shrine is located near the Kubera Lingam on the outer pradakshina path.

Yogi and Ayn Rand

Yogi Ramsuratkumar speaking to a devotee once said that the writer Ayn Rand had written a book titled Virtue of Selfishness. In it she condemned all Mahans, Jnanis and Gurus and spoke of selfishness being a virtue!

Yogi asked this devotee, Have you read this book of Ayn Rand? The devotee said, No! For the next three hours Yogi spoke about the contents of the book, page by page, how she was wrong and what was the reply for it all. Yogi then said to the devotee, This beggar is very tired. Let me take some rest. And lay down.

Within ten minutes a foreigner knocked at the door. He said to Yogi, I learnt that you are a great saint living in Tiruvannmalai. I desire to discuss Ayn Rands book with you! At once Yogi looked at his devotee and said, Answer! The devotee poured forth all that he had just listened to Yogi! In reply to Ayn Rands accusation that Mahans were also selfish, Yogi said, When Mahans have no self how can they be selfish?

Arunachala Protection

Sri Devi said:

This is always the abode of pious devotees. Those who do evil to others here will, after suffering ills be destroyed. Wicked persons will be completely bereft in the twinkling of an eye, of their powers to do evil here. Do not fall into the burning fire of the anger of the Lord Arunachala who has assumed the form of the Hill of Fire.

Healing Miracles

The Arunachala Mahatmyam relates a story of a lame sage who came to Arunachala hoping to regain his legs. Praying mentally, with crutches in hand and knees worn out, he proceeded to the bank of a river to quench his thirst. Having left his crutches on the bank he began to drink the water. At that time someone came up, threw the crutches into the water and asked angrily, How dare you come to Arunachala with crutches? Why do you need them? and disappeared. The lame man at once regained the use of his legs.

When this story was told to Sri Ramana Maharshi, he himself related the story of Kuppu Iyer. Iyyers legs were useless and he could not walk. One day whilst making his way to some place by moving on his buttocks, an old man suddenly appeared and said, "Get up and walk. Why do you move on your buttocks?" Kuppu Iyer was excited and beside himself. Involuntarily he rose up and walked freely. After going a short distance, he looked behind to see the stranger who made him walk. But he could not find anyone. He narrated the incident to all those who were surprised to see him walk. Often such mysterious happenings occur in Tiruvannamalai!

Redemption

Sri Siva said:
The period that has been formerly allotted to you cannot be changed or taken back . . . Hence even if you are far away, worship this fiery Linga named Arunachala for dispelling all defects.

All sins whether they are mental, verbal or physical perish quickly by visiting Arunachala. This Arunachala is destructive of all the sins of men through circumambulations, prostrations, recollections, worships and eulogies.

[Skanda Purana]

Velliananda Swami

Velliananda Swami, at the age of 79 years, lives in a humble mud house in the village of Kurumarpatti about 25 kms from Arunachala. Swami has lived in the same area since a young man. He rarely travels to Tiruvannamalai, preferring to practice a life of simplicity close to the natural surrounding of his village. As well as his other spiritual attainments, he is also thought to have strong healing and visionary powers, and many people (Indian and Western) visit him for help and inspiration with both spiritual and worldly problems.

Swami rarely visits Tiruvannamalai. He believes in the words of the Skanda Purana which declares that the land within a radius of three yojanas (approximately 30 miles) of Arunachala is the land of Siva (Siva Bhumi). Velliananda Swami has been known to retort that by living in his village he is near enough to experience the spiritual power and energy of Arunachala, without (by being close to the base of Arunachala) stepping on Lord Sivas face!

Assistance to Visitors

We welcome ANY questions regarding Arunachala, whether spiritual, historical or practical. In this respect, if any pilgrims or visitors to Tiruvannamalai would like help in arranging their trip and stay at Arunachala please get in touch with Arunachala Grace for assistance with transportation, accommodation and tours. We can help with direct Hotel bookings, or in arranging rental apartments or houses. Please get in touch by using the E Mail button on the left side of this Blog.

Skanda Purana

Sri Nandi said:

Arunachala is truly the holy place. Of all holy places it is the most sacred. Know that it is the heart of the world. It is truly Siva himself. It is His heart abode, a secret Kshetra. In that place the Lord ever abides as the Hill of Light named Arunachala.

Sri Seshadri Ashram

This is the front gate of Sri Seshadri Ashram where lies the samadhi of this great saint. When on January 4, 1929, Sri Seshadri Swamigal died of fever in his own small room near the Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai was engulfed in sorrow.

After preparation his body was brought out in procession which is said to have been so splendid that the entire stock of camphor in the shops of Tiruvannamalai was exhausted and all incoming buses were full and over crowded.

The streets were jammed with devotees and the night seemed like bright day as it was so brilliantly illuminated by the burning camphor. The air was filled with group-singing, devotional songs and the music of instrument players. It was at Agni Tirtham that Sri Ramana Maharshi joined the procession. Further on a samadhi was constructed and Sri Swamigals body interred. That samadhi tomb is now enshrined within the grounds of Sri Seshadri Ashram on Chengam Road, Tiruvannamalai.

For further information on the life of this great soul please check:

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/seshadri.html