Heaven—Tale about Loyalty

'. . . Once upon a time, a man, his horse and his dog were travelling along a road. As they passed by a huge tree, it was struck by lightning, and they all died. But the man failed to notice that he was no longer of this world and so he continued walking along with his two animal companions. 

. . . It was a long uphill walk, the sun was beating down on them and they were all sweating and thirsty. At a bend in the road they saw a magnificent marble gateway that led into a gold-paved square, in the centre of which was a fountain overflowing with crystal-clear water. The man went over to the guard at the entrance.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," the guard replied.

"What is this lovely place?"

"It’s Heaven."

"Well, I’m very glad to see it, because we’re very thirsty."

"You’re welcome to come in and drink all the water you want." And the guard indicated the fountain.

"My horse and dog are also thirsty."

"I’m terribly sorry," said the guard, "but animals are not allowed in here."

The man was deeply disappointed because he was very thirsty, but he was not prepared to drink alone, so he thanked the guard and went on his way. Exhausted after more drudging uphill they reached an old gateway that opened on to a dirt road flanked by trees. A man, his hat pulled down over his face, was stretched out in the shade of one of the trees, apparently asleep.

"Good morning," said the traveller.

The other man greeted him with a nod.

"We’re thirsty—me, my horse and my dog."

"There’s a spring over the amongst those rocks," the man indicating the spot. "You can drink all you want."

The man, his horse and his dog went to the spring and quenched their thirst.

The traveller returned to thank the man.

"Come back whenever you want," he was told.

"By the way, what’s this place called?"

"Heaven."

"Heaven? But the guard at the marble gateway told me that was heaven!"

"That’s not Heaven, that’s Hell."

The traveller was puzzled.

"You shouldn’t let others take your name in vain, you know! False information can lead to all kinds of confusion!"

"On the contrary, they do us a great favour, because the ones who stay there are those who have proved themselves capable of abandoning their dearest friends."'

[From "The Devil and Miss Prym," by Paulo Coelho]

For more such tales go to my Website at this link here

Report about Ruku Death

The elephant, after blessing devotees as usual on Wednesday, was taken for rest to a spot near the temple’s Tirumanjana Gopuram in the fifth prakaram. When she reached the spot, a fight broke out between some dogs, one of whom ran between Rukku’s legs. The scared elephant ran and hit its head against a metal wall and fell down. 

A local veterinarian who examined her said she would be alright soon despite injuries in the left eye and body. However, Rukku died around midnight. A team of veterinarians took the animal’s blood samples and sent them for tests to the central government’s lab in Chennai.

A local favourite, Rukku was the cynosure during major temple functions, according to temple officials. During the Karthigai Deepam festival, the container (copra) in which the festival fire would be lit, would be carried to the top of the 2,660-ft high Annamalai hills only after Rukku blessed it. 

Born in Mudumalai on April 30, 1988, Rukku was gifted to the temple by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in August 1995. The elephant was buried after last rites near the Hanuman temple. Due to the elephant’s death, poojas and abishekam were cancelled and would be restarted only after parikaram was done, officials said. 

On hearing the news, students and devotees rushed to the spot.

Link for the above report 

 

Rukku on Girivalam Pathway 2012

I am reposting the below series of photographs taken on July 15, 2012 while Rukku was walking on the Girivalam Pathway on her way to preside at a function at Adiannamalai Temple, located at the Northwest side of the Hill. 

Just want to show her happy and out and about. 

Now you are fully free. Be Happy. 

More News of Rukku’s Death

Rukku was brought to Arunachaleswarar Temple at the very young age of 3 years. She remained alone and in service at the Temple for 27 years after she had been given to the Temple by the Tamil Nadu Government

Her death is believed to have occurred as a result of  injuries sustained when she was being walked on her way to her enclosure. While walking through the Temple’s fifth prakaram a pack of dogs barked and ran towards it. Rukku tried to run away and hit a barricade. The mahout and a few others managed to calm her and gave her water. After a while, she was taken to her shed. However, Rukku panicked when a dog ran towards it. When she tried to run away, she hit a tin sheet and sustained multiple injuries.

Temple authorities engaged a veterinarian, however Rukku died within two hours of the accident. 15 days before her 30th birthday

She was laid to rest near Anjeneyar Temple (Vada Othavadai Street) in the afternoon after a team of six veterinarians performed a postmortem.

A senior forest department official said they had collected samples of vital organs for a detailed analysis to ascertain the cause of the death. “It will take two week to get the report,” added the official.

Hundreds of devotees and residents of Tiruvannamalai paid homage to their beloved elephant whom they called ‘Rukku’. One of the priests in the temple said Rukku was gentle. “The sudden death of the elephant disturbs us. We offered special prayers.” 

[Abridged from report in Times of India]

Death of Rukku, Our Elephant at Arunachaleswarar Temple

At the young age of approximately 30 years Rukku (the Temple elephant) passed away at her night enclosure at Arunachaleswarar Temple at 12.30 a.m. on Thursday March 22, 2017.

It is my sincere hope that Rukku will be the last Temple elephant held at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Below in a narrative from an earlier posting, I tell of the sad, pitiful life, Rukku led as a Temple Elephant.

Rukku on duty at Temple

“So our dear sweet Rukku, who never gets to meet other elephants or go on proper walks, is manacled all night in a way she is barely able to move. So, after the undiluted misery of her night, there should be at least something to look forward to in her day?—but no, the day brings her hours of mind numbing, painful, standing in one spot to beg . . .  and get coins from pilgrims for blessing them on the head with her trunk. How can it be a blessing for a pilgrim when the cost of it is the torture of the one giving the blessing?

Try standing in one place for eight to ten hours, not being able to move; just shifting from foot to foot, and you will get an idea of the horror of dear Rukku’s day.

A message to all . . . remember that by going to the Kerala processions (and similar functions), allowing elephants to bless you with their trunk, going on elephant rides or visiting circuses, processions or Elephant functions, you are unknowingly promoting the exploitation and (often) torture of these magnificient, social and highly intelligent beings.

Please support the Elephant by not supporting its bondage, abuse or torture.”

Rukku’s life started far away from Tiruvannamalai. She was born at The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, daughter of Bama, a permanent resident at the Sanctuary.

Information from the International Elephant Registry

A search The Hindu newspaper archives of 2007 talk of Rukku’s mother and her retirement at the grand age of 60 years old. To read full narrative go to this link here.

August 18, 2007

Udhagamandalam:

"A familiar figure at the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park has earned a much deserved rest: she has joined the list of “pensioners.”

Bama, a female elephant, was captured on August 1, 1963 in the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary when she was about 15 years old.

In 1965, she was brought to the Mudumalai sanctuary. Having attained the age of 60, she “retired” on July 31.

Bama, Rukku's Mother

Bama had given birth to two male and two female calves. While Rukku was given to the Tiruvannamalai temple, Bairavi died in 1999. Wasim was at Mudumalai and Mahesh had been sold to Devar Films.

Dr. Kalaivanan said that out of the 24 departmental elephants at Mudumalai, Bama was the most docile . . ."

[abridged]

Arunachala Service

Even though Rukku’s life was desperately pitiful, her enforced tapas will lead to great auspiciousness for her. 

Rukku during 2017 Deepam Nayanar Procession

In the Skanda Purana Sri Siva explains to his consort the efficacy of engaging in Arunachala service. He tells of the unimaginable blessings received by people who display their reverence and obedience to the Divine and illustrates the extent of those blessings by giving examples of the result of performing Arunachala Service.

Spider and his Web

A spider, going about her business, spun a cobweb of threads in some spot around Arunachala. This inadvertent act was sufficent for the spider to reincarnate as a devotee with memory of its previous birth. The devotee returned to Arunachala with offerings of opulent silk cloths.

Glow Worm

A glow-worm of green colour came and made its nest in a branch nearby the Hill. The worm attained salvation because unintentionally its glow served in the place of a jyothi illuminating and worshipping Arunachala throughout the night.

Mouse with jewel cluster

A mouse inadvertently dragged a cluster of jewels into the sanctum sanctorum of the Siva Lingam of Arunachaleswarar Temple and thereby brightened the shrine. The worship was enough for the mouse to attain instant liberation.
 

Sweet Rukku now with the Golden Lord

Girivalam Path Concretisation: Trees facing death as NGT rules flouted

 

The below important article on January 4, 2018 by Shanmughasundaram of “The Times of India” is reproduced in its entirety. Please read and circulate.

 

 

Tiruvannamalai: Hundreds of trees along the Girivalam path are facing an inevitable death as the state highways department has failed to adhere to the rules laid down by the National Green Tribunal to safeguard the premises.

The authorities from the department have covered the area around the trees with concrete, which eventually leads to degradation of the species and slow, but certain death of the centuries-old tamarind and other tree species along the 14-km stretch.

The highways department had covered areas around the trees on either side of the Girivalam path, particularly the stretch of Sonanadhi forest area while taking up work under the Rs 65 crore Girivalam path widening project, a year ago. The authorities had also cut down several trees for the project. However, it was halted following growing protest from environmentalists, social activities and youngsters, against the felling of trees.

Based on the reports submitted by the committee after two field inspections, the NGT passed a final order directing the district administration and the highways department not to fell trees, maintain 2.5 metre pavements on either side of the Chengam Road, lay 2 metre paver block pavements on the hillside from Chengam-Girivalam Road junction upto Anna Arch.

It also stated that the concrete around the trees should be removed for 1 metre radius around the tree trees. The order was passed on May 31 last year. "It is more than seven months since the NGT passed its final order. But the authorities fail to adhere to the order that also spoke about preserving the bio-diversity and mass plantation to restore the lost green cover," said an activist.

The NGT took the issue suo motu and constituted a two-member committee, comprising retired Judge J A K Sampath Kumar and former principal chief conservator of forest T Sekar, to conduct field inspections

Based on the reports submitted by the committee after two field inspections, the NGT passed a final order directing the district administration and the highways department not to fell trees, maintain 2.5 metre pavements on either side of the Chengam Road, lay 2 metre paver block pavements on the hillside from Chengam-Girivalam Road junction upto Anna Arch.

It also stated that the concrete around the trees should be removed for 1 metre radius around the tree trees. The order was passed on May 31 last year. "It is more than seven months since the NGT passed its final order. But the authorities fail to adhere to the order that also spoke about preserving the bio-diversity and mass plantation to restore the lost green cover," said an activist.

The trees for a stretch of nearly 300 metres along Griivalam path (Sonanadhi Reserve forest) are covered with concrete. "It looks like people are strangulating, squeezing the life out of each and every tree. The officials did it intentionally to get rid of the trees ," he added.

Several trees, covered with concrete or debris, have withered. "If the concrete and debris around the trees not removed at the earliest, the stretch will lose its green cover," said another.

Nearly 200 trees needed proper care. Of them, 70 to 80 trees are completely enclosed with cement. They would die soon, if the officials did not act as per the NGT order, yet another activist said.

Officials shrugged off the issue saying they would restore earth around the trees at the end of the project, alleged the activists, and added by the time they complete the project, half of the trees would wither away.

Senior official in highways department said they have taken up the work for 2.6 km on Girivalam path (Kanchi Road stretch) and they have been leaving 1 metre space around the trees. Once the work is completed, they would take up works in other areas and remove the concrete around the trees.

Arunachala's Elephant Rukku off to Rejuvenation Camp 2018

Arunachala’s own female Elephant—Rukku, set off early this morning (Wednesday 3 January, 2018) from Arunachaleswarar Temple (where she is in service) on her journey to the annual Elephant rejuvenation camp at Mettupalayam (near Coimbatore).

The camp will last up to 48 days and host approximately 50 captive elephants from different parts of the State. Emphasis will be taken on monitoring and improving the health and well-being of the elephant participants.

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY RUKKU AND HAVE A GREAT TIME RE-ACQUAINTING WITH ALL YOUR CAMP FRIENDS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS—AN ELEPHANT NEVER FORGETS!!!!

Our precious Rukku loaded up at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Getting comfy ready for her long road trip

Nice to see a goodly supply of bananas and greenery for her trip

Rukku at the start of her trip to Camp

[Need to give a big thumbs up to our previous and now deceased Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa; as it was her love of animals that inspired the introduction of this annual captive Elephant rejuvenation camp in Tamil Nadu. 

Also well earned thanks to the current State Government for continuing with this excellent programme]. 

First Arunachala 2018 Girivalam

Yesterday was a very sunny, mild day and a large number of devotees were in Tiruvannamalai to take darshan at Arunachaleswarar Temple and perform girivalam of Arunachala.

January 2018 has 2 girivalams. The second one (at the end of the month) will occur:

January Tuesday 30.01.2018 from 10.09 p.m. to January Wednesday 31.01.2018 to 7.58 p.m.

To view the complete 2018 Arunachala Poornima calendar, go to this link here.

Devotees waiting in line to take darshan of Lord Annamalaiyar at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Crowds of devotees performed January Arunachala girivalam

ARUNACHALA 2018

ARUNACHALA LIGHT AND BLESSINGS FOR 2018

2019 Full Moon Dates and Timings: Arunachala Pradakshina—Significance of Girivalam

Sacred Power—Girivalam 

The Significance of Girivalam (Circumambulation) 

[The below narrative is taken from my website dedicated to Arunachala and available at this link]. 

One of the thousand and eight names given to Arunachala by Adi Shankara is giripradakshinapriya – the Lord who loves giripradakshina. 

'Be they of lowly birth, without the advantage of learning, unable to practise the virtue of liberality, it is of no account. Those who perform pradakshina of holy Aruna, the Supreme, submit to his rule and become his devotee, will excel even amongst the most excellent . . .' [Arunagiri Antadi] 

Arunachala photo taken from back of Samudram Eri during rainy season

At most holy places located on hills, the Deity is found at the summit of the Hill. But here at Tiruvannamalai, the Hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and one of the ways in which it is propiated and worshipped is by its circumambulation. 

In Sanskrit this going around the Hill is called 'giripradakshina' (giri=mountain and pradakshina: Prada=giver of boons; Kshi=destroyer of Karma; Na=giver of Jnana. Also, Pra-Dakshina=going around with centre kept to the right). 

'Pradakshina (the Hindu rite of going round the object of worship) is "All is within me." The true significance of the act of going round Arunachala is said to be as effective as a circuit round the world. That means that the whole world is condensed into this Hill. The circuit round the temple of Arunachala is equally good; and self-circuit (i.e. turning round and round) is as good as the last. So all are contained in the Self. 

Says the Ribhu Gita: "I remain fixed, whereas innumerable universes becoming concepts within my mind, rotate within me. This meditation is the highest circuit (pradakshina).' 

[Ramana Maharshi: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi] 

In the Tamil language, this process of going around, is called 'giri valam' (giri=mountain and valam=right side), inferring that one should keep the Hill to the right when circumambulating. 

The Arunachala Puranam declares that: 

'the holy Arunachala is the primal, Adi linga. The path around its base is the sacred Yoni. Pradakshina of the Hill is therefore pradakshina of the source of all lingas! So one goes round keeping to the left-edge of the path. A mere step taken, confers the benefit of a Yaga, sacrifice; two steps, the fruit of Rajasuya Yaga; and three that of Asvamedha Yaga. Going round the hill one gains in health and vigour. The hill abounds in rare herbs sought by traditional herbalists and the breeze carries the salubrious wafts from these siddha herbs to the one doing the holy round. The dust from the feet of such a person, carried and deposited in towns far away effects immeasurable purification.' 

The Asta (8) Lingams plus the additional Surya and Chandra Lingams i.e. Dasa Lingams (10) are underlined in the above map of the 14 km outer Girivalam Arunachala pathway

The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres (8½ miles). Tradition has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. 

There are eight lingams located at the eight directions, which provides an octagonal structure to the town of Tiruvannamalai. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. To find out more about the esoteric signifiance of the Asta Lingams around the octagonal perimeter of Arunachala which reflects the geometry of a Cosmogram, go to this link here. 

To learn more about the Dasa Lingams and their relevance to the geometry to both Arunachala and also Arunachaleswarar Temple Siva Sannidhi Shrine go to links on Surya Lingam and Chandra Lingam. 

There are two pathways around the Hill, the outer pathway which is the most commonly travelled and which contains Temples, the Asta Lingams, Tirthams and Shrines. And the inner pathway which winds its way through the countryside at the feet of Arunachala. 

According to scriptures, the walk around the Hill should be conducted at a slow pace either in silence, reciting mantras or chanting sacred songs. As to the ritual of the spiritual round; one should abjure all thought of the opposite sex on the day of pradakshina. After bathing one wears clean white clothes, applies vibhutti and proceeds, giving alms but without accepting any. Free from fear, anger, irritation or sorrow one walks on bare feet, without using vehicles or carrying an umbrella. Without swinging one's arms about, and with a silent soft tread, one saunters like a queen in her 'tenth-month'. One bows, first to the holy Hill from each of the eight cardinal directions, and then to the Lord of that direction enshrined in the linga there. One bows mentally to the incorporeal gods and siddhas going the rounds and keeps to the side. One could keep silence of speech and mind; or one could allow thoughts to flow on to the Hill of Fire; or one could sing and listen to songs of devotional praise. 

In the company of those of lofty character, one is able to halt here and there and enjoy a feast of fruit and milk. Otherwise, simple food free of flesh can be taken. 

Certain days are regarded as particularly auspicious for circumambulation:- 

The fruit of a Sunday pradakshina is Siva's abode (enter the solar region and attain Liberation); 

that of Monday is merger in Siva-form (live happily in a world free from senility and death); 

that of Tuesday is termination of debt and cyclic death (freed from all doubts and becomes Emperor); 

that of Wednesday is divinity through skill in philosophy and art (attain Wisdom and Omniscience); 

that of Thursday is lordship over gods and god-men (venerated by all Devas and may even become a renowned Guru); 

that of Friday is lordship of the Lotus Lady (may hope to reach Vishnu's abode). 

A Saturday pradakshina confers the astronomical benefits of a nine-planet conjunction in the Eleventh House (worldly success and protection against planetary influences). 

The above effects are magnified if circumambulation is done on Sivaratri, New-year day, or during the three months, mid-October to mid-January. The fruits are believed to increase by a factor of one crore if done on the two solstices; or on the day the moon is in the Magha asterism during February-March; or during the pre-dawn hour; or during solar eclipse or Vidhipaada Yoga. 

It is also regarded as particularly auspicious to perform "Girivalam" during every Full moon day (poornima) to coincide with siddhars' movements, and the heady perfumes of herbal plants surrounding the Hill. 

Once a sadhu who went regularly around the Hill, requested Sri Ramana for a Vedantic text. A devotee casually remarked, "He only goes round the Hill. What will he do with any Vedantic text?" To which Sri Ramana retorted, "What better sadhana can there be than going round the Hill?" 

Hindu mythology also explains the significance of circumambulation, in a narrative relating that the Goddess Parvati on the advice of Sage Gautama circumambulated the Hill everyday in order to have her desires fulfilled. 

Another legend says that Sage Durvasa, who cursed two vidyadharas stated that:- 

"The curse cannot be lifted by any act except that of circumambulating the Arunachala Hill." 

He then proceeded to relate what Siva Himself had declared in an assembly of devas and others: 

"He who circumambulates with devotion the Arunachala Hill which is my form, attains a form like mine. He becomes the Lord of the entire world and reaches the highest state". 

The two vidyadharas then advised King Vajrangada who was suffering, 

"The Lord of Aruna Hill is a repository of compassion and His glory is great. Circumambulate the Aruna Hill on foot as a means of release from suffering". 

 

Merry Christmas, Arunachala 2017

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

WITH LIGHT AND LOVE FROM MEENAKSHI, ARUNACHALA