Hail to Thee! Part 4

Hail to Thee! O'Arunachala

[Cont'd from June 14, 2007]

Verses 1-9 inc
Verses 10-20 inc
Verses 21-31 inc

32. O' Beloved of the Unsuckled One!
I beseech Ye! Hear me, Your son
Cast Your snare, hunt and trap Your prey
Feed on this mind in Your own Mystic way

33. Boldly in his father's lap does the prince play
Even so have I spoken with liberty today
O' Eye of my eyes, see my heart and take no offense
Enfold me in Thee and sweet liberation do dispense

34. Grant these ears, this tongue Thy glorious Name
The mysterious sound that pervades my frame
Grant my taste, my touch Thy Lotus Feet
The sweet softness that makes my heartbeat






35. Grant my thoughts, my desires Thy steady Gaze
The clarity of vision that guides through the maze
Grant my speech, my hands Thy Healing spell
The sacred power that does delirium dispel

36. But if this plea, Thou does not hear
For my want of strength or purpose clear
Still hast Thou granted me a way to Thee
A path simple and clear to where Thou Be

37. This Leash on my neck tethered to Thy Hill
Is all I need to bring me to Thy Will
Thus going round and round and round as I graze
Thy Name in my heart and Thy Hill in my gaze

38. Tightening the Leash with every turn
Shortening my range until I burn
Naked and innocent in Thy glorious blaze
At Thy Feet and Hill under Thy watchful Gaze

39. When I and Thou shall be no more
And all is Thee and I evermore
Where Silence dances its sacred Dance
In Eternal Action and Eloquence

40. Thus as I pleaded to Thee in fervor
Lovingly did Thou come to my succor
And as fear and bewilderment did rise
When Maya threatened to cloud my eyes

41. Mercifully Thou loosened its terrible grip
And with gentle care did not let me slip
Commanding my birth in Thy votaries lineage
That I may be guided by Thy firm parentage

42. Guiding my sire's footsteps to bring me to You
In my twenty-second year, to hold Thee true
While You revealed my Self free of any vice
Crushing my mind so my heart may realize

43. That Life and Death was your puppet
And I, only a guest at your banquet
That indeed I was never ever born
'Cos everything moves in You as One

44. The sinner and the saved are indeed in You
As are the diseased and healthy too
In You are the prince and the pauper
As are also the judge and the robber

45. The infant and the ancient move as one
In You my Lord! O' Five-faced One
One indeed is the lover and the loved
As are also me and my wife beloved

46. My children and I are but one
As are my parents and I their son
My siblings and I are but one
Playing in innocence for Your fun

47. My friends and my enemies are none
Other than You my Lord! O' Holy One
Thy Feet are my crown, Thy Name on my tongue
Mute is my throat for other praise to be sung

48. And all I had ever given or received as mine
Was already assured long before my time
I was only the instrument in Your eternal game
Were I not there, action would occur all the same

49. And my only free will was either deny or surrender
To Thy Supreme Will that ruled all here and yonder
And that there is no victory to have since
Than to abide as "I" and nothing else hence

50. Knowing that You have given all this as a gift
To enjoy, experience, and share to uplift
That I be the custodian, your trustee
These gifts used for You, this life as a fee

Pachaiamman Koil Abhishekam

This Sunday 24th June, a yagna homa (fire worship) followed by abhiskeham (ritual worship) will be conducted at the Pachaiamman Koil in Tiruvannamalai. The homa will start at approximately 9.30 a.m. and after its completion around noon, the abhiskeham will commence at the Mother's shrine inside the Temple. All are welcome.

Over the last several years the Temple has been undergoing renewal and expansion. The work, which in part is funded by Shantimalai Trust, is still underway. This month's Arunachala Grace News, (which will be sent out around 27th June) will be carrying information about the history of this favourite and favoured Mother Temple at Arunachala. We will also be giving a progress report regarding the renewal work. If you are not already a subscriber to this free monthly newsletter, you can sign up at the lefthand side of this Blog underneath the 'email' logo.

More news on this Blog after the Sunday function.

Quo Vadis Harmony

Quo Vadis,has arranged a cultural programme to take place between 6 and 8 p.m., June 21st, 2007 at the venue of the Danish Mission School (near Periyar Statue, Tiruvannamalai).

The forthcoming event, will comprise a music, cultural, and performing arts function put on by the 42 members of 'Quo Vadis Forum'. This event to be known as 'Quo Vadis Harmony' will be the engagement of 'music and arts to promote cultural dialogue'. It is proposed that Quo Vadis Harmony will have similar cultural programmes at least twice a year.

The upcoming programme will include an 'arangettram' (debut public musical recital) of 12 violinists trained by Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan, and will be a combination of both Indian and Western musical traditions. After the recital, certificates will be given to the 12 musicians by Richard Bhaskaran, Secretary of Arcot Lutheran Church. The 'Quo Vadis Harmony' programme will also include dance dramas and skits.

The guests at the function are to be Rev. David (from Chennai) who will be also covering the event on behalf of the Tamil TV station, Thamizham, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan and his son Mr. Prasanna David, a computer engineer and missionary in Nepal.

All are welcome to 'Quo Vadis Harmony' an inaugural cultural event of music and arts to promote cultural dialogue.

Village Mariyamman

Now that Tiruvannamalai is developing so quickly many people think of it as one town, but it is more a combination of many outlying villages. Those villages maintain their uniqueness in many ways, one of which is the worship and celebration of their village's Goddess.

The village is the special place of the deity. She is the mother or mistress of the village, as suggested by a name popular in the South, Amman; meaning, "mother, mistress, or lady". The close identity of the Goddess with her village is also seen in her role as guardian of the village's boundaries. Her shrines or symbols are often erected at the boundaries of the village, where she acts to protect it from invasions or evil spirits. She is the Goddess of the whole village, the physical place as well as the social and economic organism.

Today, June 19, 2007, is the yearly festival celebration of my local village Goddess, Mariyamman; and for several preceding few days there has been the hustle and bustle of preparation; the local shrine painted, tube lighting put up throughout and devotional music continously piped from loudspeakers at the Shrine.

Kids from the village are wandering from place to place checking out what's happening. There is festive spirit in the air and the kids are getting rowdy!

Below a young mother with her child coming out of their home to look at all the festival preparations.

This afternoon an iconic representation of the Goddess Karumariamman is taken in procession throughout what is regarded as the area of her power and jurisdiction. In the evening the iconic representation of the Goddess returns to her permanent residence at the village shrine. The below photograph is of a giant figure of the Mother lit up by thousands of light bulbs.

"Two of the best-known myths concerning the origin of the popular Goddess Mariyamman in South India are: In one version a young Brahman girl is courted by and eventually married to an untouchable who has disguised himself as a Brahman. On discovering the trick, the woman becomes furious and kills herself. She is transformed into a Goddess and in her divine form punishes the untouchable by burning him to ashes or otherwise humiliating or humbling him.

The second version of Mariyamman's origin identified her with an extremely pious, pure wife who is married to a devout holy man. She is so pure that she can perform miraculous tasks such as making jars out of loose sand and boiling water simply by placing a pot of water on her head. One day, however, she sees two divine beings making love and feels envious of them. Thereupon she loses her miraculous power. Discovering this and suspecting sexual disloyalty, her husband commands their son to kill his mother. The son obeys his father and decapitates his mother. Eventually she is restored to life, but in the process her head and body get transposed with those of an untouchable woman. Mariyamman is thus understood to have a Brahman head and an untouchable body, which is significant in terms of both her ambivalent nature and her role as a village Goddess exemplifying the social status quo in which Brahmans are at the had of the social system."

[Extract from Hindu Goddesses
By David Kinsley]

Athithi Ashram

The Athithi Ashram, which is located on the southside of Arunachala and about 3 minutes walk from Ramana Ashram, is not as well known as some of the other local ashrams, however accommodation is available to visitors and pilgrims.

Over the last couple of years some new accommodation areas have been added at the front of the ashram, which comprise more modern facilities. Food is available at this ashram as is also the use of a Meditation Hall and library. Its location is very good and set in a peaceful area whilst also being close to all necessary facilities.

The granite stone building is the original accommodation area of the ashram.

I climbed to the second floor of the granite building and took this photograph from the balcony looking down into the compound.

If you want to find out more about this ashram you can get in touch by email:athithiashram@sancharnet.in

Telephone contact information: +91-(0)4175-237817

Monkey Stuff

On my way through Ramana Nagar yesterday I pass mother and baby engrossed in some nice mango munching. Happy days for all the monkeys that live by their wits in the suburbs of Tiruvannamalai during the mango season. Read monkey games, to find out more about these naughty ones.

There are two types of monkeys in this area, the most common one is the gregarious Bonnet Macaque of these photographs, the other variety is the beautiful white, black faced Langur who prefers the secluded hill and countryside.

The Bonnet Macaque is a fearless, cheeky monkey often getting up to mischief and very clever in navigating its way in the urban sprawl it chooses to live in. Some colonies of this monkey live around the girivalam road and some on the Hill itself.

The safety of a mother's love!

The mangoes are in such abundance that this particular monkey takes a few bites out of one mango, throws it down and decides to check out the huge, stately mango tree for richer, more succulent pickings!

The below photograph is the view of the mango tree (back left) that is currently hosting an abundance of fruit. Arunachala is in the background.

I enjoy the naughty, Bonnet Macaque and always like to bring food with me during girivalam, to feed the monkey colonies that live at the side of the pathway. Please remember when feeding monkeys never throw food onto the road, throw it off to the side. Otherwise the monkeys lose their fear of the road which leads to sad accidents for them.

Sri Nannagaru Ashrams

Popular Ashrams to stay at Tiruvannamalai are those of Sri Nannagaru. Sri Nanngaru (a Guru from Jinnuru, Andhra Pradesh) has two Ashrams located on the southside of Arunachala; at which pilgrims, visitors and retreat groups are welcome to stay whenever the Ashrams are available. Sri Nannagaru visits Arunachala around 4 times a year, including his visit during the festival of Deepam (this year, Bharani Deepam, the night of the lighting of the flame on Arunachala falls on November 24th, 2007).


Sri Nannagaru Ashram:

The below photograph is the view of Arunachala from the front gate of Sri Nannagaru Ashram, which is located just off the pradakshina road about 1 1/2 kms east of Ramana Ashram. In this respect Sri Nannagaru Ashram is as close you can get to the area of Ramana Nagar (which is a preferred place because of ashrams and facilities) yet still be in the comparative peace of the countryside.

Sri Nannagaru ashram has 20 modern rooms available (with ensuite Western style bathrooms) for accommodation purposes, a bamboo covered waterproof roof and kitchen on the top floor and a meditation hall. Meal arrangements and motorcycle/bicycle rentals can be made through the manager of the Ashram.

The below is the outside of the Ashram's meditation room (which is always available to visitors)

The next photograph is of the spectacular darshan of Arunachala from the Ashram roof. Sri Nannagaru Ashram is a very popular venue for Retreat Groups (both from overseas and India). In such cases special group requirements can be arranged.

Andhra Ashram, (which has approximately 10 accommodation rooms available) is located in Ramana Nagar about a 2 minutes walk from Ramana Ashram.

It is located on a quiet, leafy street and is perfect for those who want to remain in Ramana Nagar; close to major ashrams and shops.

The below photograph is of the pretty street on which Andhram Ashram is located and which leads up to the main pradakshina road

Rooms at Andhra Ashram are more rustic and although most rooms have ensuite bathrooms, they are of the Indian variety. There is a large meditation room on the Ashram ground floor, that is available to visitors. As in the case of Sri Nannagaru Ashram, rooms at Andhra Ashram are only available at the times the Guru is out-of-station.

If you would like more information about either of these ashrams for either your own purpose or for group/Retreat stays, please get in touch with: arunachalana@fastmail.fm

Hail to Thee, part 3

To read verses 1-9 inc of Hail to Thee! O’ Arunachala, go here and for verses 10-20 inc, here





21. O' Dancing Beggar of the Cremation pit
By Your command I stand, a spendthrift
Cast now upon me Thy Graceful Glance
Ere I squander this soul’s inheritance

22. Thy Will addicted this mind to pleasure
Now luring me if You wait your leisure
This soul will drink Maya's stagnant water
Like sand swallowed by the crazed traveler

23. Which parent lets a child play with fire?
Can Thou see me fall, standing as my Sire
Play no longer this mischievous game
Lest the world speak of You in shame.

24. Kama devour'd Vishwamitra in a trice
Can I win freedom then from this vice?
You who consumed Kama in a stray Glance
Are my refuge, O' Lord, my only Deliverance

25. Dazzle me not with Maya's peacock fan
Lurking b'neath is Thy serpent's fang
Stand forth my Lord blazing bright
Consume me in Thy Eternal Light

26. My vasanas crash on me evermore
As surging waves on the ocean shore
Borne by the weight of my Karma
They shatter my resolve of Dharma

27. As an infant building castles of sand
I struggle in my Sadhana to stand
O' Saviour of Parvati's sand idol
Enfold me in Thy Arms Bridal

28. O' Lord of all beings, worlds and lands
Weighted by failings, condemned I stand
I come seeking Thy sanctifying Grace
Turn me not away from Thy Embrace

29. O' Hunter of souls, Divine Archer beyond compare
Was errant Thy Gaze as Thy Arrow shot here
And grazed my heart with this unhealing wound
Now Knowledge reigns not with Ignorance unswoon’d

30. Or is it Thy sport, that You prefer
To see this soul move in dazed stagger
Grasping by turn at scripture and worlds
In vain quest for relief as agony swirls

31. Be Still and Surrender Thou said
'Tis easy for Thee to speak from Thy bed
When even surrender is by Thy command
Who shall bow to whom, I pray demand

Sparsa Update

Several people have been in touch asking about the construction progress of the area's new luxury hotel, Sparsa Tiruvannamalai. I was wondering about that myself, so yesterday, Wednesday, June 13th, decided to check out work at the new hotel.

At the site, one of the supervisors mentioned that construction of the Hotel complex would be finished within a month. If you would like to look at the interior of the Hotel's rooms, click here. For earlier postings following Sparsa Tiruvannamalai's progress, visit 5th February posting, and 24th April posting.

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Anyhow, first off on the current trip is a photograph of the administrative and shop area. Shops in the Hotel Compound will include a flower shop, coffee shop, internet facility and a gift shop. Other facilities at the complex will also include an ayurvedic health centre and a health club.

In the next photograph, workers are finishing the thatching on one of the shop's roofs. As well as for purely aesthetic reasons, the roof thatch is also functional in helping buildings maintain a constant temperature. However the lovely straw roof is not actually structurally relevant to the building, as it is only a facade covering of a regular style roof; so no need to worry about drips coming through the roof in the middle of a storm!

Here is a photograph of a recently completed thatch roof. I was told by the roofing master, that these roofs will last up to 7 years before they need to be replaced.

Quite different from the style inside the accommodation rooms, in the below photograph, is an example of floor tiling of shops and administrative offices.

In the next photograph is a row of accommodation cottages. Each cottage has two rooms upstairs and two downstairs, all with a view of Arunachala. All that remains to be done in this area is the pathways (which I've been told will in most cases be made of flagstones) and the garden landscaping.

The below is of two mandapams (halls) which will be utilised for meetings, retreats, talks, meditation or group meetings.

One essential in any comfortable hotel is the swimming pool; which in this case is facing Arunachala. The various buildings around the pool comprise, changing area and showers, a restaurant, upstairs viewing platform and outdoor restaurant, and to the right (and out of the picture) a large two storey conference hall and kitchen.

Even in the building of such a sophisticated project, most of the work is done in the traditional Tamil way i.e. by hand.

The below is of the inside of the conference room.

The next photograph is taken from the upstairs roof on top of the rooms around the pool, including changing rooms and showers, restaurant, conference room and kitchen. The roof which faces Arunachala will be transformed into an outdoor restaurant.

Looking down from the roof we can see progress on the Hotel's swimming pool. As well as this public pool, one of the accommodation villa's has its own small private swimming pool.

Looking from the roof into another direction, I can see sheafs of hay lined up drying in the sun and waiting to be used by roofers to thatch the rest of the office buildings. In the background, behind the bushes and small trees, is Arunachala.

The Hotel is situated in a quiet, undeveloped area and this is one of the views of the outlying countryside.

In another direction and outside the Hotel compound, is a very beautiful recently constructed local Temple.






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Opening Day of Sparsa, Tiruvannamalai, is set for the first week of August. Room rates are as follows:

Per day single occupancy U.S.$75, double occupancy U.S.$90, each additional bed in room U.S.$10. Deluxe room with private pool U.S.$115. There is an additional 12.5% luxury tax on the above prices.

If you would like additional information or assistance to make a reservation, please contact us at:

arunachalana@fastmail.fm

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The eco-sensitive design group responsible for Sparsa, Tiruvannamalai, is 'Inspiration', Architects, Engineers, Designers and Craftspersons from Kerala. The below photographs are from a recent architectural Indian magazine including some of the Company's recently completed projects.

'Inspiration' is a design group associated with the eco-sensitive concepts of the renowned Laurie Baker.

For more about Laurie Baker please check our recent posting.

We will continue updates on the above.

Dakshinamurti

Maharshi: . . . which is the real power? Is it to increase prosperity or bring about peace? That which results in peace is the highest perfection.

Devotee: But peope in Europe and America would not appreciate such an attitude and would desire a display of powers and instructions by lectures, etc.

Maharshi: Lectures may entertain individuals for a few hours without improving them. Silence on the other hand is permanent and benefits the whole of humanity.

Devotee: But silence is not understood.

Maharshi: It does not matter. By silence, eloquence is meant. Oral lectures are not so eloquent as silence. Silence is unceasing eloquence. The Primal Master, Dakshinamurti, is the ideal. He taught his Rishi discipes by silence.

Devotee: But then there were disciples for Him. It was all right. Now it is different. They must be sought after and helped.

Maharshi: That is a sign of ignorance. The power which created you has created the world. If it can take care of you, it can similarly take care of the world also.

[Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi]

Saron Church

Before visiting the Saron Boarding School for Boys, we first attended mass at the adjacent Arcot Lutheran Saron Church compound. The church is over a hundred years old and is large and spacious. The service was well attended and Rev. Daniel Jeyapathy performed mass and also gave a long and well received sermon.

Another view of Saron Church, Tiruvannamalai.

After attending mass, we then given a guided tour by Rev. Jayapathy Daniel, of the neighbouring Saron Boarding School for Boys, where we met and spoke with many of the young lads at the School. Later on we visited with Rev. Jayapathy Daniel and his wife at their home in the Saron compound.

Below is a photograph of Rev. Jayapathy Daniel's wife, who also studied theology, but who has not been ordained and is not a practising pastor.

Here we are upstairs in their apartment on top of the beautiful colonial house at the Saron compound. The house is over a 100 years old and has lots of old fashioned 'Tamil' touches, with verandahs, arched doorways, beamed celings and enclosed terraces. Rev. Jayapathy Daniel who has been pastor of the Arcot Lutheran Church and head of Saron Boys Boarding Home, Tiruvannamalai for the last 4 years, was previously Pastor (also for 4 years) northeast of Tiruvannamalai for 10 villages at Portonovo, near Cuddalore.

Below is one of the old fashioned ceilings (in the lovely colonial house) made from wooden rafters and tiling.

In the next photograph you can see the verandah which goes around the whole of the upstairs floor of the colonial house.




So our very nice day visiting at the Saron Boarding Home for Boys was finished off with a very delicious lunch with Rev. Jayapathy Daniel and his wife at their home.