Muniswaran Statues at Pachaiamman Temple: Tiruvannamalai

One of the most interesting aspects of the Pachaiamman Temple at Tiruvannamalai is of the 14 magnificient statues set in the front of the Compound. The same statues are represented inside the Artha Mandapam of the Temple. 

A regional legend of Pachaiamman (an aspect of Parvati) has it that after completing her penance at Kanchi, the Goddess started off for Arunachala. She travelled with 7 Rishis and 7 virgins (Sapta Kanniyars) as part of a protective entourage. Halfway from Kanchi to Arunachala, the entourage stopped and made camp at the village Vazhapanthal. At that place the local king tried to molest the Goddess, and the 7 Rishis became as Muniswarans (guardians) and killed the king. 

Another story passed down orally for generations is that the Muniswarans were created to protect the Goddess Pachaiamman against seven Arakar Veerars (demonic warriors—Asuras). It is also mentioned that the demons were actually 8 in number. After killing them, Vaal (knife) Muniswaran gave the head of the demons, one to each of his brothers and kept two for himself. 

The Muniswarans are usually represented as 7 brothers. They are called as Sapta Muniswarans. In the Pachaiamman Compound there are 14 statues of Pachaiamman’s warrior guardians set out in two lines, with two representations of each warrior. 

Sapta Munishwarans at Pachaiamman Temple, Tiruvannamalai

The warrior guardians from left to right are: 

Vaalmuniswaran (knife) 

Karumuniswaran (dark) 

Ladamuniswaran (playful) 

Vedamuniswaran (book) 

Jadamuniswaran (red) 

Muthumuniswaran (pearls) 

Veeramuniswaran (strength) 

Muniswarans are a class of powerful spirits. These spirits are also known as Siva Ganas. They are considered to be servants of Siva and his female half Sakthi. Due to their nature, the Munis are classified as guardian deities. 

They can be former warriors, kings or sages who achieved the status of a Muniswaran after their human death. Some of the Muniswarans worshipped were created as Muniswarans and are not of human origin. 

Muniswarans are worshipped in various ways including tree and stone worship. At Pachaiamman Temple they are worshipped in the form of Statues (Uruvam Vallipadu). According to the Rig Veda, the Muniswarans are trained in various magic arts and believed to be capable of supernatural feats. 

Since Muniswarans are spirits, it is common to have animal sacrifice as part of the worship. However, animal sacrifice is not done for each Muniswaran. It occurs usually on new moon day. 

In this Pachiamman Temple compound there are also statues of Lord Muniswaran’s vahanas (vehicles) in the form of an elephant, a dog and five horses 

Sri Nanngaru Summer Visit to Arunachala

Recently Sri Nannagaru visited his Ashram at Tiruvannamalai and stayed for around 10 days. As always his darshan was sought by the many who accompanied him from Andhra Pradesh. The name Nanna Garu given to him by his devotees can be translated from the Telegu to mean “Respectable Father”. 

Sri Nannagaru was born Sri Bhupathiraju Venkata Lakshmi Narasimharaju on 23rd September 1934 at his grandparents’ house in the village of Kommara, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. He was to later settle at Jinnuru of the same District—at which place he continues to reside. 

As his father died when he was a child, he was brought up under the care of his mother and grandmother. In 1957 at the age of 23 years he had a dream of Ramana Maharshi which was to transform his life. 

Looking at Arunachala backgroud from Sri Nannagaru Ashram

Andhra Pradesh devotees waiting under Shamian

Sri Nannagaru with his Devotees

Preparing to give Discourse in Telegu to Devotees

Sri Nanngaru with Devotees at his Ashram

Below are selected teachings of Sri Nannagaru. To learn more about him, visit his website at this link here.

SELF

There is only Self and Self alone. It is Reality. It is Pure Consciousness. The world manifest is not real. Self is its substratum. It is Immortal It is Knowledge. It is Eternal Peace. It is Bliss. It is Light. It is Omnipotent, Omniscient. There are no divisions in the Self. It is Non-Dual. It is Indefinable. Water cannot wet it. Fire cannot burn it. It has no birth, no death. It shines in Our Heart. What the Jnani calls Self, a devotee calls as God. Silence alone is the best way of expounding it.

The nature of Self is Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. That is the way we aspire for happiness, love, beauty. It does not depend upon any other object. Our fondness for independence is an offshoot of it. Just as the screen is the base on which figures are projected, so also this variegated world is a projection of It. The sense of ego masquerades as the Self. Our selfish nature covers it.

To know the Self is our goal. Constant hearing of it. Remembrance of it, and establishment in it snaps our egoistic ties. The seer of the Self alone gets himself extricated from entanglements.

EGOISM

The ‘I’ thought, which emanates from the source, is egoism. Only after its emergence, the rest of the thoughts emerge. The world is seen only when one is egoistic. As long as ego subsists body is taken as real, world is taken as real. God is taken as real. When ego is erased, body, world and God vanish. As long as the idea that ‘I am the body’ persists egoism does not leave us. It alone results in restlessness. Ego has no form, but it exists catching hold of a form. It is neither male nor female, but assumes such a role. 

The entire maya or illusion is a creation of the ego. Real Self is like the vast sea, whereas ego is like a bubble. There can be the sea without a bubble, but there cannot be a bubble without the sea. Identification with the little self is the cause of grief. When one identifies with the vast waters of the sea, the tiny bubbles cease to exist and with them worldly sorrows also. The figure underneath the temple Gopuram (figure sculptured at the base of a tower) feels that it is carrying the entire structure; so also, the man of ego feels that he is helping the entire world. As long as the ego and the consequent ideas of doership continue, ignorance also continues. If one enquires wherefrom the ‘I’ thought has arisen, then his look centres round the origin and then only egoism drops out.

MIND

After the rise of the ‘I’ thought the rest of thoughts originate. Mind is a bundle of thoughts, and is also termed as ‘Jiva’. Jiva does not get extinct with the death of the body. It takes up a new body. In deep sleep we do not have thoughts, and hence, mind is also absent there. There is no body, no worlds in deep sleep. When we awake, the first thought, the ‘I’ thought arises, and the rest of the thoughts follow it. Wife and children alone do not constitute ‘samsara’. Your mind is your samsara. It does not leave you if you run away from your house, wife and children. 

Mind has no form or name, but it always adheres to a form or name. Food serves as source for the mind. The world is nothing, but the mind. Just as a spider spreads its own web and gets entangled therein, and ultimately dies, so also the mind creates samsara and one gets entangled in that samsara and gets subjected to death. The mind, which has created this world, has also the power to destroy it.

The brain is like a tape recorder and the mind is the tape. Sense organs are speakers. That which is recorded in the tape is heard through speakers; likewise the latent tendencies of the mind spread and are felt through our sense organs. A true Guru pulls out the thoughts and destroys the Mind.

Previous actions constitute latent tendencies, and remain in seed form in the heart. They spread to the brain and evolve as thoughts. If the thoughts are removed one by one, there remains nothing like a mind. If the wood is removed the fire gets extinct. Without purification of the mind, knowledge cannot be had.

Mind and prana (life force) have got their origin in the same place – the heart. If the life breath is controlled, Mind gets controlled. That is why pranayama is recommended. As long as one thinks of things external, the mind oscillates. As long as the mind is externalised, the original sin remains.

God’s Grace controls the unruly elephant called ‘mind’. Surrender confers energy to the mind by a single unified attention and a purified mind turns inwards and such a purified mind merges in its source, the heart, then that mind becomes Self itself.

That is the essence of yoga.

DESTINY

Destiny is confined only to the body and has nothing to do with the Self. Identification with the body results in grief. Men are conferred liberty not to identify with the body. By practice identification with the body can be overcome. The body drops after the exhaustion of destiny. Don't give scope for vain thoughts, useless deeds and unnecessary desires. Utilize the freedom conferred by God. Restrain vain thoughts, and abide in the Self. Then new tendencies will not be generated, and you will be extricated from all sorts of bondage. If identification with the body is not overcome, grief results; unless the latent tendencies are dropped away, the state of happiness cannot be enjoyed. For One who abides in the Self there is nothing like destiny.

RELIGION

Religion is a creation of the mind. There are several religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam etc. In fact, there are as many religions as there are minds. Creeds and religions are only creating feuds, dissensions and wars, resulting in bloodshed. Religion is acting as opium instead of making people wise. Men are becoming slaves to religion. The Self is there even prior to the birth of religions. The purpose of religion is to show the path to the realization of the Self.

If the welfare of society is not the goal of a religion, such a religion is not worth its name. One may worship his own God; but his love of religion and his love of God should not make him hate others. There is no God without the Self. In the name of religion and personal Gods, men are fighting with each other, only for their own aggrandizement. Religions create narrow domestic walls. Our concepts and precepts are standing in our way of finding the Truth. There is no God higher than Truth. Change of religion does not release one, but on the other hand a change of mind does.

Uttarayana – Hoisting of Flag at Temple

The term Uttarayana is derived from two different Sanskrit words "uttara" (north) and "ayana" (movement) thus indicating the northward movement of the Sun. This movement begins to occur a day after the winter solstice in December which occurs around 22 December and continues for a six-month period through to the summer solstice around June 21 (dates vary). The raising of the Flag at the Temple at this time denotes functions leading up to Makar Sankranti (Pongal) to be celebrated on January 14, 2015.

During the winter solstice the southern hemisphere tilts towards the sun and the rays of the sun appear to fall directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. The southern hemisphere experiences the longest day and shortest night and the northern hemisphere experiences the opposite, i.e., the shortest day and longest night. 

Raising Flag at Arunachaleswarar Temple

The northern hemisphere now tilts towards the sun and the rays of the sun appear directly over the Tropic of Cancer. From our perspective on Earth, the sun has apparently travelled between the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer, Uttarayana.The return journey is called Dakshinayana. 

Uttarayana means the end of the days of darkness in the northern hemisphere. The six months of darkness at the north pole ends and the six months of light begin. These six months of human time are considered to be one “day” of the Devas. The Devas awaken from their slumber and shower their blessing on us. 

The first month of Uttarayana, the pre-dawn of the devas, we spend euologising the Gods, with song, and prayer. We line our streets with the festive kolams as welcome to this wonderful period as we publicly display our joy. We strive to celebrate all that is important during this time like the viviha and the upanayana. We begin new ventures with the hope that the Devas witness these life passages of ours and shower their blessings on our efforts. Vaikunta Ekadashi, or Moksha Ekadashi is during this period, the dawn of the devas, when Lord Vishnu awakens to embrace his devotees and grant them moksha from the cycle of rebirth

Shirdi Sai Baba at Arunachala

Up until 2008 there were no Shrines dedicated to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba here at Arunachala. Subsequently in 2014 we now have a Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine on the girivalam roadway near Adi Annamalai, a Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine close to the Hanuman Temple on the girivalam roadway and a bhajan hall dedicated to Sai Baba near the Durga Amman Temple in town.

The below photograph (which dates from 2008) is of a crate with a statue of Sai Baba inside, marking the place near Adi Annamalai that has now become a Temple dedicated to his name. 

To read more about the development of the Temple go to this link here.

Crate on land in 2008

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba at what will become a Shrine and his new home

2014 Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine at the same spot

Inside the Shrine

Perpetual flame from Shirdi alight in the Shrine's Dhuni

Pepetual flame from Shirdi

Development adjacent to Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine, girivalam roadway

In the above photograph, taken a few days ago, one can see the development of facilities connected to the Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine currently underway. It does seems a pity that the facility is being built so close to the Shrine. 

Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine, girivalam roadway near Hanuman Temple

Bhajan Hall near Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai

COMPLETE SURRENDER TO SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI 

[Stories from Shri Sai Satcharitha by Hemad Pant]

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi stressed the importance of complete surrender to Him to many of His devotees during His life in the flesh in the Dwarakamayi masjid. He said that he who remembers Him always, meditates upon Him all the time with love and devotion, he will soon see Him and merge with Him. To the devotee surrendering himself completely to Him, Sai Baba said that He was indebted to him and will repay his debt by giving him salvation (i.e., self-realization). 

Sai Baba further said, a devotee worshipping Him this way, becomes one with Sai - just as a river gets to the sea and merges with it. Sai urges devotees to leave out pride and egoism and then surrender themselves to Him, always remembering that Sai is not all far off and is in fact seated in our very hearts! Moreover, if we practice surrender with the feeling that Sai Baba is all-pervading (everywhere, in every creature, and in immovable objects as well), we will attain oneness with Him for sure. 

Hemad Pant advises us that to take refuge in Sai's feet with the feeling that the Self and Guru are one and the same and this will help us realize goals and remove difficulties quickly. Sai Baba assures us: "If you always say "SAI SAI", I shall take you over the seven seas. I do not need any paraphernalia of worships...I rest there, where there is full devotion." 

A few real-life incidents of total surrender by Baba's devotees to Baba's feet are discussed below. 

1. Bhimaji Patel of Narayangaon, Poona District, came to Shirdi in 1909 with serious chest diseases and tuberculosis having lost hope of any cure. He surrendered to Baba's feet crying out in despair. Baba was moved by his tears, blessed him and then cured him by means of two dreams. Through these dreams, he made Bhimaji experience the exact suffering required for removing the previous Karma that resulted in this disease. Bhimaji's sincere surrender to Baba showed all that Baba came to devotees' rescue, and expected nothing from His devotees except remembrance of His Name, unswerving faith and devotion. 

2. Dr. Pillai, who suffered from severe thirst and Cholera requested Baba for a remedy. Doctors would have said that the remedy prescribed by Baba would have aggravated this particular disease (and would have said no) - but this was given with Baba's grace and the devotee's faith, surrender and hence cured Dr. Pillai's disease! There are many more several real-life incidents of how diseases were cured by unusual remedies prescribed by Baba. There are also cases where Baba's mere words of grace removed virulent diseases including poisonous snake bites without any medicines at all! In all these cases, the absolute surrender by the devotees and total faith in Baba's words contributed to the speedy recovery. 

3. In one example, Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) tried a medicine given once by Baba without consulting Baba at all - thinking that it worked once and so it will work again! But in fact the remedy made the disease worse and so he realized his mistake and surrendered to Baba again and got cured by His grace. Thus it was the attitude of complete surrender that made the real difference here. 

4. Ratanji Wadia of Nanded, a kind-hearted rich businessman pleaded to Gods for years to bless him with a child but it was not happening. On guidance from Das Ganu Maharaj, he surrendered to Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi. Sai tested his true faith and blessed him with his heart's desire with several children! 

Sai Baba assured us that even after MahaSamadhi: "Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who would surrender themselves whole-heartedly to me". Nishtha (Faith) and Saburi (patience) according to Baba are twin sisters. Baba expected only the above two qualities from devotees. Total surrender to Baba means that our very breath and activities in day-to-day life should be intertwined with Sai Baba in our breath along with Nishtha and Saburi as our very eyes guiding us. Only such complete surrender to Baba will get Baba's response quicker. 

Today's fusion of all cultures and technology-driven fast lives, we are more and more dependent on machines, servants, and external factors so much and so a significant portion of our commitments are left to the hands of forces outside our control unfortunately. Thus total surrender has become more difficult to us these days than in the simpler olden days. The solution lies in practicing seeing Sai in all these machines and helpers and trying hard to make our lives as simple as possible and by surrendering all outcomes to Sai who is "The wire-puller of the show of the universe" as He remarked. 

[Submitted by Bharathkumar K. 

With reference to Shri Sai Satcharitha] 

Thavathiru Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal and Parvathamalai

I recently made a posting on Arunachala Grace about Parvathamalai giving information about a number of legends surrounding that sacred Hill which is located about 25 kms from Tiruvannammlai. To read the posting go to this link here. 

The below is a narrative about the saint Thavathiru Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal who is believed to have lived for many years on Parvathamalai and engaged in sadhana dedicated to Lord Shiva. The following legend appears in a well known book written in Tamil—I believe this is the first time this tale has appeared in English. 

The story goes thus: 

Thavathiru Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal 

To the northern side of Tiruvannamalai there is a place which has the sacred blessing of Lord Shiva and which used to be known as Trisula Paaruvatham. Today this sacred place is called, Parvathamalai. It is an ancient Hill which has a beautiful Temple of Lord Mallikarajuna Iswara located on its summit. This sacred Temple is believed to have originated over 2,000 years ago. The Hill is surrounded by forests and mountains and is known as Thirumoolaarenyam. 

A number of Siddhas and Maharshis have performed Thaavam at this place. A famous Rishi known as Mirukaandu Muni, lived on this Hill and with his power of thaavam a river originated nearby called Mirukaanda River which now flows all through the forest. Agathir Maharshi and Kaanuvar Rishi have performed thapas and stayed for sometime at this sacred place. Even today a number of Siddhas and Rishis are believed to be residing at Trisula Paaruvatham. The Universal Guru, Aathi Shivalinga – Chariya Peruman Gurupeetam is at that spot even now. 

 

Parvathamalai through the Mist [photo by Amalraj]

Thavathiru Guru Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal was the sixth Gurumoothy of the Gurupeetam. He was well versed in the agamas and in all manner of spiritual books. He performed Shiva Linga pooja each morning, noon and evening for many years. 

During his lifetime a Mughal (Muslim) king named Naavab Baadhumsha interrupted a Tiruvannamalai Temple programme during Festival time while a Panchamoorthy procession was going on. It is customary for saints to walk at the back of a Panchamoorthy procession: Neadumaran Devar, Jollyganda Devar, Paanapathera Devar, Veerupatchi Devar and Arunachalam were on a palaquin at the back of this procession. The Mughal king watching the procession viewed the saints at the back and asked that if the procession was for the five Gods on their vahanas how could it be acceptable that these saints should be coming on a palaquin at the back of them. This king felt that such an act was entirely improper. 

People around the King told him that these five saints were very powerful and by power of their tapas were able to eliminate any problems or difficulties that might arise. On hearing this the King became enraged and cut a cow (which was near to him) into two halves. He told all around that he challenged the saints that if they truly were in the possession of Divine power that they would be able to make the cow come back to life. The King announced that if the saints were to fail that he would destroy the Arunachaleswarar Temple in retribution. The five saints tried all manner of puja, mantras and invocations to heal the cow and bring it back to life—but they failed with every attempt. 

After sometime they heard a voice emanating from the sky informing them to go to Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal as he alone could make the cow come back to life. The five saints set off on the 25 km distance to Trisula Paaruvatham (Parvathamalai) to see the saint and to inform him about the King’s challenge and to request him to come and return the cow to life. 

Metal Padukas

When the five saints reached the Guru Peetam, Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal was in Shiva Yogam. Two tigers (who were manifestations of God Shiva and the Goddess Parvati) were sitting on both sides of him and the saints were unable to reach him. After Swamigal completed his yoga, the two tigers left the place and the five saints talked with Swamigal and informed him about the challenge of the King. 

On hearing the challenge Swamigal requested that the five saints should worship the Shiva Lingam murthy at the Lord Mallikarajuna Iswara Temple on top of Trisula Paaruvatham (Parvathamalai) and then informed the saints to make arrangements for a powerful and special puja. He gave explicit instructions that they should prepare a homam (burning sacrifice) long enough to fully stretch to Tiruvannamalai. It was his intention and tapas that he would walk through the 25 km long, burning homam whilst wearing scorching hot metal padukas. The five saints made the arrangements as outlined and Swamigal started his way towards Tiruvannamalai. As Swamigal reached the direction of Esanya Lingam (northeast of Arunachala) the two halves of the cow came together and joined up. 

Swamigal went to the Big Temple and after worshipping Lord Arunachala sprinkled the holy water from his kamandalu onto the cow and the creature immediately returned to life. The hitherto distressed calf became happy and jumped towards its mother to have milk. The King was shocked to see such happenings and fell to the ground, worshipping the Swamigal in remorse for his actions. The King most eager to see the full extent of the spiritual powers of the Saint, requested Swamigal to bring to life a stone bull (Nandhi) in the Temple. Swamigal said that it would happen and recited the Linga mantra. As he was chanting the Nandhi came to life, stood up and made a loud sound and then sat back down and became stone again. 

The King felt great remorse for his treatment of Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal and aplogised most earnestly for everything that had transpired. He then went with the Swami to the Gurupeetam on Trisula Paaruvatham, stayed some time performing service for the Saint and then returned to Tiruvannamalai. Veera Vairakiya Moorthy Swamigal continued at Trisula Paaruvatham all the while performing his Shiva Linga pooja and in this way helped develop Shiva bhakti amongst the people. He himself was to merge in the feet of his Lord Shiva. 

Shani Pradosham September 6th, 2014

The first Pradosham in this month fell on the 6th September 2014. As it was a Saturday it is known as Shani Pradosham or Shani Pradosham Vrata. According to Hindu astrology Saturn is known to affect one adversely on occasions when it placed in a certain position in one's horoscope. A prayer to God, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate one’s hardships. Thus, it is believed that by observing a Vrata (vow) and offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Shani Pradosham, one can escape from the ill effects of Lord Shan (one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial Gods).

Outside the Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

Pradosham fast is observed from sunrise to sunset and ends with the evening puja. On Pradosham Day Puja is performed during Pradosham kaal. Pradosham kaal means twilight period. The twilight period starts approximately 1.5 hours before sunset and ends 1 hour after the sunset. During this period, the devotees believe that God Shiva and Parvati are most happy and will satisfy prayers asked during the puja. 

Crowds of devotees circumambulating in Temple Compound on Pradosham

While most devotees prefer observing a strict fast by refraining from food and drinking only water, some devotees practice a partial fast by consuming fruits and water. Nonetheless, the strictness of the fast totally depends on the devotees. Even after offering the evening prayers, devotees eat only the Prasad and recommence with eating proper food only the next morning. During the day of the fast, devotees visit Shiva temples and offer pujas and chant mantras. 

In procession with murti of the Gods on Nandi

Legend of Sani Pradosham 

Sani Pradosham, the Pradosham which falls on a Saturday, corresponds to the planet Saturn and is associated with the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. 

According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasen, who was a pious devotee of Shiva and worshipped him continuously. He was blessed with a celestial gem which could create miracles. Rivals of Ujjain, King Ripudaman and King Singhaditya of neighbouring kingdoms decided to attack Ujjain to appropriate the celestial gem. King Chandransena unaware of the impending attack was involved in his worship of Lord Shiva. A farmer's boy (Shrikhar), walking on the grounds of the palace heard the king chant Lord Shiva's name. However on being discovered by the King’s guards, the farmer’s boy was removed from the palace grounds and sent to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. 

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvarti on Nandi, the Bull

Shrikhar (the farmer’s boy) continued to pray and news spread to a priest named Vridhi. Who upon the urgent pleas of his sons, also started to pray to Lord Shiva. The attack by the enemies of the King occurred on a Saturday and with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, (blessed by the God Brahma to be invisible), the invading Kings plundered the city and attacked the inhabitants, who were all Shiva devotees. Upon hearing the pleas of his helpless devotees, Shiva appeared in his Mahakal (form of light) and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasen. 

 Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of that kingdom. From that day on, (at that place) Shiva resided in his light form as Mahakal in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of Shiva and Parvati. 

Lord Shani Venkateshwara Temple (north Arunachala near Kubera Lingam)

It is believed that people worshipping Shiva on Sani Pradosham will be free from the fear of death and diseases and have an increase in their worldly wealth. 

Life of Shirdi Sai Baba

In an earlier posting Mr. K. Bharath Kumar wrote about the “Similarities between two great Mahans,” namely Sri Seshadri Swamigal (of Tiruvannamalai) and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. 

When I first arrived at Tiruvannamalai I was very surprised that at that time there was no Temple dedicated to the great saint Shirdi Sai Baba. However several years ago, at long last, a Temple was opened which is dedicated to this great Mahan. For an earlier posting I made on my Blog Arunachala Grace with information and photographs of the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on the Arunachala girivalam roadway, please visit this link here. 

Below I am posting a narrative recently received from Mr. K. Bharath Kumar about the life of Shirdi Sai Baba. 

Statue of Shirdi Sai Baba at his Arunachala Temple

SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI ­ A GOD WHO WALKED ON THIS EARTH ­ WHO TOOK THE LEAST BUT GAVE PLENTY BACK 

Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi was a great saint of India who lived about 100 years ago in Shirdi, Maharashtra. He lived a life of utmost simplicity and preached the message of love, unity, brotherhood, and kindness towards all living creatures. 

His date of birth, place of birth, parents, original name, religion and caste ­ none of these details have been found till date. He was well respected by all religions, especially the Hindus and Muslims. He was brought up for a few years among a Muslim family given to them by his real parents and later lived all His life in an old mosque that He named as "Dwarakamayee". He worked very hard for upholding Hindu­-Muslim unity during His lifetime. 

Sai Baba spent about sixty years in His Dwarakamayee mosque in Shirdi village in a most simple manner with least material possessions during His entire lifetime. He redistributed all the wealth that devotees showered on Him back to the needy poor and deserving villagers daily by the end of the day. He started everyday as a "fakir" (sanyasi without money and other attachments) in the morning and finished the day daily in the same state ­ even though very lavish sums of money and valuable items were presented to Him from His devotees daily. 

Even His name i.e., "Sai Baba" was given to Him by Shirdi villagers ­ such was His complete disowning of titles and possessions starting from His very name. His simple assurance "Why Fear When I am Here" has been a life­saving mantra for millions of devotees all around the world. Sai expected only two qualities from His devotees "Shraddha" (Faith) and "Saburi" (Patience) and did not differentiate anybody on the basis of their religion, caste, race or any other factor and behaved the same to beggars and to princely figures. 

He was different from all other saints that India has produced in that He did not establish an Ashram or institution ­ nor did He take any disciples until the end, nor did He preach any special mantras or theories, nor did He leave any successors or heirs. He was an unique "Samarth Sadguru" who guided devotees on every aspect of their lives by first solving their urgent problems (such as money, diseases, lack of child, averting dangers, etc.) while making them interested in following a spiritual path of life finally. Rephrasing His own words, "I give them what they want so that they will like what I give them". 

He retained His simple ways of begging daily for His food till the end ­ although devotees showered Him with choice varieties of food items ­ which He usually distributed to the deserving. Even though His devotees wished Him to be a King ("Maharaja") and provided several costly royal items to Him ­ he never used them till the end, he always wore His usual simple plain robe (torn on one side), never wore slippers, always walked on foot instead of taking any vehicles, and never took anybody's service for free, despite His all­-powerful image in the village. 

He maintained an ever­burning fire altar ("Dhuni") whose ashes called "Udhi" was given free to all devotees. Many diseases were cured by applying Udhi on affected area or by intake. Like Lord Shiva of the Hindus, He showed through these ashes "Udhi" that life was short and material possessions including the human body get reduced to ashes finally. So, Sai Baba reminds us of this fact through His practice. This Dhuni has been burning steadily in Shirdi to this day for over a hundred years. 

Sai Baba has performed innumerable superhuman miracles that even modern science is yet to explain ­ such as mind­reading, foretelling the past, present and future of devotees on seeing them for the very first time, averting dangers occurring in faraway places without physically leaving Shirdi, stopping natural calamities by His voice, and curing diseases given up by doctors ­ to name a few. He performed easily difficult yogic practices such as Kanda­yoga (complete disassembly of body and reassembly). Despite His clear superhuman powers. He claimed humbly that He was just a servant of God, even at the peak of His enchanting, divine life. 

His unique specialty was that He encouraged whatever good qualities devotees had with them and encouraged traditional practices that devotees followed without stopping them or converting them to new rituals. He prescribed appropriate remedies for each devotee depending on their unique situation ­ for some He proposed solitary meditation, for others group discussions and bhajans, for others He suggested continuing worshipping their family deities' idols and so on. He encouraged festivals, rituals and practices of both Hindus and Muslims in Shirdi and these evolved into big festival events attended by lots of people from all over. 

His constant utterances "Allah Malik" (God is the sole proprietor/master), "Sabka Malik Ek" (There is a single master for all) have been unifying phrases that has created a huge following amongst diverse communities in India and abroad ­ who see in Him the very personification of their favorite Gods ­ as Lord Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Venkateswara, Datta, Maruti, Allah, Christ, Nanak to name a few. 

Even after His passing away in 1918, the world is full of increasing instances of Sai Baba's invisible presence protecting and helping devotees across the world. His eleven assurances to all, especially the assurance that He is EVER­living to help those who surrender to Him ­ has been a life­giver to innumerable many ­ including this author. This author was taken into His protection 6 years ago and Sai Baba has always answered his calls for help. 

Written referring several Sai literature sources the author has read thus far, especially "Sai Sathcharita" from Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi by Bharathkumar K., Chennai, India 

2 Maha Sani Pradoshams while Saturn is Exalted

Two of the most powerful Pradoshams of 2014 occurred on Saturday April 12th and Saturday April 26th. When Pradosham falls on Saturday (Sani) it has unique properties that enhances karma removal power. 

Photographs of April 26, 2014 Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Nandi milk abhishekam

According to Hindu astrology Saturn is known to affect one adversely on occasions when it placed in a certain position in one's horoscope. A prayer to God, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate one’s hardships. Thus, it is believed that by observing a Vrata (vow) and offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Shani Pradosham, one can escape from the ill effects of Lord Shan (one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial Gods). 

Nandi being bathed with vibhutti

Pradosham fast is observed from sunrise to sunset and ends with the evening puja. Since the name Pradosham literally means ‘a period just before sunset and after sunset’, the Pradosham period for prayers is from 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset. While most devotees prefer observing a strict fast by refraining from food and drinking only water, some devotees practice a partial fast by consuming fruits and water. 

Tumeric wash for Nandi

Nonetheless, the strictness of the fast totally depends on the devotees. Even after offering the evening prayers, devotees eat only the Prasad and recommence with eating proper food only the next morning. During the day of the fast, devotees visit Shiva temples and offer pujas and chant mantras. 

Offering aarti to God

On Pradosham Day Puja is performed on Pradosham kaal. This Pradosham kaal is exactly for 2 hours and 24 minutes. Pradosham kaal means twilight period. The twilight period starts approximately 1.5 hours before sunset and ends 1 hour after the sunset. During this period, the devotees believe that God Shiva and Parvati are most happy and will satisfy prayers asked during the puja. 

Performing circumambulation inside Temple Compound

The Gods on Nandi in procession at Big Temple

Lord Annamalaiyar and the Goddess

Legend of Sani Pradosham 

Sani Pradosham, the Pradosham which falls on a Saturday, corresponds to the planet Saturn and is associated with the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. 

According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasen, who was a pious devotee of Shiva and worshipped him continuously. He was blessed with a celestial gem which could create miracles. Rivals of Ujjain, King Ripudaman and King Singhaditya of neighbouring kingdoms decided to attack Ujjain to appropriate the celestial gem. King Chandransena unaware of the impending attack was involved in his worship of Lord Shiva. A farmer's boy (Shrikhar), walking on the grounds of the palace heard the king chant Lord Shiva's name. However on being discovered by the King’s guards, the farmer’s boy was removed from the palace grounds and sent to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. 

Shrikhar (the farmer’s boy) continued to pray and news spread to a priest named Vridhi. Who upon the urgent pleas of his sons, also started to pray to Lord Shiva. The attack by the enemies of the King occurred on a Saturday and with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, (blessed by the God Brahma to be invisible), the invading Kings plundered the city and attacked the inhabitants, who were all Shiva devotees. Upon hearing the pleas of his helpless devotees, Shiva appeared in his Mahakal (form of light) and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasen. 

Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of that kingdom. From that day on, (at that place) Shiva resided in his light form as Mahakal in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of Shiva and Parvati. 

It is believed that people worshipping Shiva on Sani Pradosham will be free from the fear of death and diseases and have an increase in their worldly wealth. 

To learn more about Sani Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple, go to this link here.

Varuna Japam, April 28, 2014

Varuna japam and yagam at Arunachaleswarar Temple was performed on April 28, 2014. The rendition of Varuna Japa whilst immersed in the Arunachaleswarar tank, is a ritual meant to propitiate the rain god (Varuna) to bestow copious rain and banish famine, is also aimed at appeasing the Almighty to ensure common good and world peace.

Homam to propitate the rain Gods

Priests at Temple Tank

Immersion whilst performing Japam

Darshan of Arunachala whilst chanting

Varuna Japa comprises many rituals. Some scholars stand for hours in chest deep water in a Temple tank whilst chanting the Varuna mantra or other mantras. Some perform abhisheka to the Lord's processional deities, others conduct homam to propitiate the rain Gods, do japa or recite the Vedas and sanstras. 

God Varuna 

Varuna in the Vedas is a powerful God. He is the guardian of cosmic order (rta=rhythm=ruth=truth) and in charge of the oceans, water sources and rains. He is worshipped by seagoing people and fishermen. His vahana (vehicle) is shark fish or crocodile. Tamils have always believed in his control over rains and worshipped him for rains. In this respect one of the oldest Tamil book “Tolkappiam” says he is the God of littoral areas/Neithal. 

Lord Varuna with crocodile vahana (vehicle)

On another level Varuna is in charge of West direction, (Lord Indra controls East). Mitra and Varuna are paired in Vedic hymns which to the belief of interpreting them as Day and Night, Sun and Moon, Light and Dark, and Positive and Negative energy. The Tamil saint Agastya (who made a grammar of the Tamil Language) is considered to be the son of Varuna and Urvasi. 

In Valluvar’s Tirukkural, it is said: 

Couplet 18 "If rains fail, festivals of the year and the daily worship of the gods will cease". 

Couplet 19: "Charity and devotional practices will not be observed in the world unless rain falls." 

Extract from article by London Swaminathan 

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Below is an audio of the proper chanting of Varuna Japam.





Amurya upa surye
Yabhirva surya saha
Ta no hinvantvadhvaram

Apo devirupa hvaye
Yatra ghava pibanti na
Sindubhya kartva havi


May waters gathered near the Sun, and those wherewith the Sun is joined, speed forth this sacrifice of ours. I call the Waters, Goddesses, wherein our cattle quench their thirst; oblations to the Streams to be given.


Tat tva yami brahmaa
Vandamanastada saste
Yajamano havirbhi

Ahe amano varueha
Bodhyurusasa ma na
Ayupra moi


I ask this of thee with my prayer adoring; thy worshipper craves this with his oblation. Varuna, stay thou here and be not angry; steal not our life from us, O thou world-ruler.

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The Science of Mantra

Below is an extract from an illuminating and fascinating exposition on the physics and metaphysics of sound (mantras) by the late Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi. 

"If the divisions of labour on a hereditary basis is good for all society, what specifically is the benefit gained from the vocation of Brahmins, that is preserving the Vedas?" is a question frequently asked. 

The potter makes pots for you; the washerman launders your clothes; the weaver weaves clothes for you to wear; the cowherd brings you your milk; the peasant tills the land to grow rice for you to cook and eat. Everyone does some work or other essential in the life of everybody else. The rice (or wheat ) grown by the tiller sustains us all. The cloth woven by the weaver is indispensable to our modesty, it is also needed to keep us warm in the cold season. We drink the milk brought by the cowherd and also use it to make buttermilk; we cook our food in the pot made by the potter. We find that all jatis provide commodities useful for the society. What is the Brahmin's contribution in this context? What vocation is assigned to him by the Sastras which are the basis of varna dharma? 

To read more of this narrative go to this link here.