Aadi Masam 2014

Aadi Masam (Aadi month) is an auspicious month for Tamilians, It is the fourth month in the Tamil calendar and filled with festivals and rituals. In 2014 Aadi Masam started on July 17th and will endon August 16th, 2014.

Aadi Masam is specially dedicated to the Goddess. During this month, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are the most important days during which grand pujas and rituals are performed in most Tamil Nadu Shakti Temples. All Fridays of Aadi Masam, especially the first and third, are considered very auspicious. 

This Festival occurs during the month of "Aadi" the 4th month in the Tamil Calendar. "Pooram" which is the star that occurs at this time, is one of the 27 stars (nakshatras) in Indian Astrology and is termed the star of Mother Parashakti. On this day, it is said that the Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra), exchange their constellation. Which means the Sun occupies the Moon's house of Katakam (Cancer constellation), and the Moon occupies the Sun's house of Simham (Leo constellation). Both the Sun and Moon rejoice at this exchange of houses, which is known as Parivarthanaa Yogam. 

Aadi Masam is termed inauspicious by many as Dakshinaayana Punyakaalam (Lord Surya -- the Sun god) changes his direction from north to south at this time) starts in this month. This is also called as Uttarayanam Punya Kaalam. In the Mahabaratha (Bhishma Parva), Bhisma waited till the birth of Uttarayanam to give away his soul as he had Iccha Mruthyu which means, (i.e. the ability to decide the day and time of one’s death). 

It is at the start of the Aadi month that the sun’s heat reduces and the rains start. It is during this time that the monsoon peaks on the West Coast and the rivers of Tamil Nadu (shrunken in the summer heat) get replenished, often to near full levels. Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time. 

Aadi Masam is a time of fervour and observances in Goddess related Water-forces and Natural forces (where prayers and pujas are offered to propitiate the powerful goddesses and seek their protection from the inauspicious aspects that are often associated with the month). The month of Aadi is considered very auspicious to connect oneself to this Divine power. However no Functions celebrating social occasions, such as weddings or other similar functions are celebrated during Aadi as such social functions are considered inauspicious during this particular Tamil month. 

Prominent Festivals during Aadi Masam, 2014 

Aadi Pirappu - July 17th 

Aadi Krithigai, - July 21st 

Aadi Perukku - August 3rd 

Aadi Amavasai – July 26th (no moon day) 

Aadi Pooram – July 30th (new moon day) 

VaraLakshmi Puja - August 8th 

Aadi Chevvai - All Tuesdays 

Aadi Velli - All Fridays 

Aadi Pooram

Dedicated to the birth of Sri Andal (one among 12 great Alwars of Sri Vaishnavism). 

The tenth day of the Aadi month is celebrated as Aadi Pooram day when Thirukalyanam (the Divine marriage of the God and the Goddess) is conducted. Special pujas are also conducted on this day. It is believed that if unmarried girls worship Goddess Andal on the tenth day of Aadi Pooram Festival, they will soon marry. 

Legend has it that Vishnu Chitha (known as Periazhwar) was a sincere devotee of Lord Ranganatha of Srivilliputhur. He was childless for a very long time. His prayers were answered and on Aadi Pooram day, when the devotee was collecting flowers in his garden to be used for puja, he found a girl child. The child was named Kothai who grew up with devotion to Lord. 

Sri Andal

Every day, Vishnu Chitha made a garland of Thulasi leaves to offer to the deity at the Temple, which Kothai used to wear before offering to the Lord. One day, a devotee happened to see her wearing this garland and replaced it with another garland. However, the Lord refused to accept the new one and said that He would only wear the garland worn by Kothai. Vishnu Chitha realized that his daughter was a manifestation of the Goddess Mahalakshmi. Andal then came to be known as Choodi Kodutha Sudarkodi, meaning ‘garland offered after being worn’. 

In Saiva Temples (as is observed at our own Arunachaleswarar Temple) this day is celebrated as the Valaikappu Festival for the Goddess, when glass bangles are offered to the Goddess and then distributed to devotees. The wearing of these bangles are said to provide offspring and generally protect one from evils. (Valaikaappu is a Festival during which a pregnant woman wears glass bangles, the sound of which is said to protect her and the child from evil forces). 

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For the schedule of the 2014 Valaikaappu (Bangle) Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple and the Fire Walking Ceremony in front of the Unnamalai Shrine please go to this link here. 

Similarities between two great Mahans

Received an interesting email (reproduced at the bottom of this posting) from Mr. K. Bharath Kumar pointing out the similarities between the two great Mahans, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and Arunachala’s own Sri Seshadri Swamigal. 

I’ve also noted the likeness between these saints and often visit the back of the samadhi of Sri Seshadri to take darshan of the statues of the two Mahans sitting side-by-side. 

Two great Mahans

"Sri Seshadri Swamigal arrived at Tiruvannamalai in 1889 when he was 19 years old. He lived uninterruptedly at this place for the next forty 40 years until 1929. He lived the life of an Avadhuta, with no home or ashram, and moved from place to place within Tiruvannamalai. After he left the body, his devotees made his samadhi at a spot off the Chengam Road, which was later to incorporate also an Ashram in his name which is located next to Ramana Maharshi Ashram."

To learn more about the great Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal go to this link here: 

"Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi lived between 1838 and 1918 and whose real name, birthplace and date of birth are not known. An Indian spiritual guru and a fakir that transcended the barriers of religions, Sai Baba of Shirdi was regarded with great reverence by both Hindu and Muslim followers. He lived in a mosque and after death his body was cremated in a Temple. 

His philosophy ingrained 'Shraddha' meaning faith and 'Saburi' meaning compassion. According to him Shraddha and Saburi were the supreme attributes to reach the state of godliness."

To find out more about Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, go to this link here: 

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Similarities between Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi and Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai (Arunachala) 

There is a close likeness between Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi and Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai. 

1. Both lived in their chosen small towns for half a century without moving or wandering outside anywhere. 

2. They both lived moderately, placed least emphasis on external appearances, clothes, grooming, etc. 

3. Both were well versed in difficult yogic practices. 

4. Both gave away all material possessions, presents given to them - then and there - without hoarding any possessions. 

5. Both stressed on sincerity of devotion, power through prayers and right conduct to all devotees. 

6. Both were remarkable healers - even mud and sand became effective medicines when given with their blessings. 

7. Both were able to foretell the future of people and prescribed remedies for their problems. 

8. Both manifested themselves as the favorite Gods of their devotees - whatever they may be - i.e., they were personifications of many important Hindu Gods who appeared from both these saints' physical shells on many occasions based on devotees' prayers/needs. 

9. Both of them were very simple in their lifestyles taking the least from humankind and nature and have given maximum service useful for several generations. 

10. Both of them did not write a single book, nor did they give any elaborate lectures. Both conveyed through simple examples and parables - sometimes meaningful sometimes confusing to their devotees. 

11. Both did not start any ashrams, nor did they start new rituals or formal procedures, or a lineage of disciples as most modern saints/sadhus typically do. They were both interested solely for the upliftment of humankind - to move humans towards realizing their true self and God and spent their entire life in this mission. 

12. Both EVEN NOW exist in subtle spiritual form LONG after their samadhis (passing away) and devotees are being helped and guided in mysterious ways by them EVEN NOW. 

[Mr. K. Bharath Kumar] 

2014 Supermoons

The third quadrant of 2014 will be bathed in moonlight as three perigee "supermoons" occur in consecutive months: July, August, September. The just completed poornima (full moon) of July 12, 2014 was the first of three “perigee” moons, nowadays known as “supermoons”. Such moons are around 15% bigger and 30% brighter than an ordinary full moon. The closest supermoon of the year comes with August 10, presenting a moon that’s only 356,896 kilometers (221,765 miles) from Earth. 

“Supermoon” is a situation when the moon is closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon. So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent at such times. Full Moons vary in size because of the elliptical (oval) shape of the Moon's orbit. The Moon at its nearest (around 363,000 km) is called a perigee and at its furthest (405,000 km) an apogee. When the time of the perigee aligns with a full or new moon it is called a “Supermoon”.

When the rising full moon is viewed low in the sky, it creates what’s called as a “moon illusion”. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. 

Technically speaking, the moon turns full at the instant it lies most opposite the sun for the month. Because the moon stays more or less opposite the sun throughout the night, watch for a full-looking moon in the east at dusk, highest in the sky around midnight and low in the west at dawn. On the nights around the night of full moon, the moon looks full for a few nights. 

The geological effects on Earth from a “supermoon” are supposed to be minor according to studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists. Their findings are that the combination of the moon being at its closest to Earth in its orbit, and being in its “full moon” configuration (relative to the Earth and sun), should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day. The Earth has stored a tremendous amount of internal energy within its thin outer shell or crust, and the small differences in the tidal forces exerted by the moon (and sun) are not enough to fundamentally overcome the much larger forces within the planet due to convection (and other aspects of the internal energy balance that drives plate tectonics). 

All full moons (and new moons) combine with the sun to create larger-than-usual tides, however “supermoons” have even more affect on ocean tides.

Super Moons 

Hinduism propounds the idea that the (nine) Navagrahas (of which Chandra = the moon, is one) are 'markers of influence' -- living energies which put out waves which affect our awareness by seizing our consciousness when we come under their influence. Reports of psychics and seers agree that Grahas cause a direct energy influence upon the energy bodies and minds of all life on earth. The nine planets (Navagrahas) are transmitters of Universal, archetypal energy and the qualities of each planet helps maintain the overall balance of polarities in the solar system. 

The moon is a powerful influence on the human psyche. During full moons (and even more so during the intense “supermoon” periods) one may feel more restless or experience more turbulent energies. 

The sun is the indicator of the soul and the moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Even though all the Navagrahas are represented at Arunachala, the moon with its particular association with Lord Shiva (Chandrasekhara) is believed to have an extraordinary and particular influence at this place. 

To read more about Lord Siva as Chandrasekhara, go to this link here. 

Arunachala Oracle

We recently uploaded onto our website Arunachala Samudra a new programme entitled Arunachala Oracle. When you first arrive at the programme introductory page you will learn of the workings of the Oracle and be then taken to a meditation page of an effulgent picture of the Lord and (if you wish) listen to inspirational Arunachala-Siva audios run on a continuous long loop. When you feel calm and composed you may then ask the Oracle your question and leave it to Divine Providence to supply you with the answer. 

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“In India there is still a custom in villages of people depending on providence when there is no possibility of a decision being arrived at by reasoning on a particular matter, and of taking recourse to Dharmapatra, the leaf of impartiality to know the will of Providence; when they ascertain it thus, they act accordingly, without further argument or reasoning. The leaf of impartiality is made use of in the following manner: 

“Yes” and “No” are written on some fragments of paper or on Vilva leaves, which are put into an empty water-pot, and a child is asked to pick up one fragment or a leaf. If the child picks up a “Yes” fragment, the person who has recourse to this expedient knows that Providence sanctions the contemplated course. If the other pieces is picked up, he takes it that the will of providence forbids the course.” 

[Page 140—Sri Ramakrishna the Great Master Part 1] 

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As well as the Leaf of Impartiality utilised in India for many hundreds of years, there are many other methods used by Devotees to access the will of Divine Providence. Sri Sathya Sai Baba often used to counsel his devotees that when they had a situation that required action, they could revert to “chits” in order to access the Will of Divine Providence. In this respect He suggested that the devotee keep a number of tokens or coins on their altar in order to access a “Yes” or “No” answer from the Divine. 

A great devotee of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Shri Madhav Lele published a well known book, “Your Questions and Shree Sai Baba Answers,” which is comprised of 720 possible answers available in response to a devotee’s question. 

The premise of Arunachala Oracle is the same as the Leaf of Impartiality, the recommendation of chits from Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the book of guidance of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. 

Arunachala Oracle is comprised of 630 possible answers compiled from sayings and recommendations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Arunachala saints and devotees and answers of the book of Madhav Lele. 

When visiting this programme please treat it with respect. You will receive an answer from Divine Providence directly proportionate to the extent of your seriousness and surrender. 

To learn more about the Oracle and then ask your question go to this link here.