Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar -- Helper of the Distressed

Visited Swami at his Ashram about a week ago. As well as wanting to discuss matters relating to a family member, I rather enjoy visiting him at his peaceful Ashram in the Tamil countryside. 

Flagpost with Nandi and Shiva Shrine Doorway in background

On arrival immediately noticed how quickly the Temple and Ashram are developing. The Flagpost and Doorway with Steps to the Shiva Shrine are now covered with a layer of Panchaloha. [Panchaloha is a composite alloy believed to bring balance and ensure abundance and good fortune. The five metal alloy, the composition of which laid is down in the Shilpa Sastras is an amalgam of; gold, silver, copper, iron and lead (nowadays tin or zinc may also be added)]. 

Flagpost inside Temple

Steps and Doorway to Shiva Shrine

The next major development work that will be undertaken at the Ashram is the flooring both inside and around the perimeter of the Temple. 

Flooring to be laid outside perimeter of Temple. Trees to be planted in this area

    

Swamis Room and Office Rooms

As to the Ashram, noticed lots of new greenery and also that the dining and kitchen areas are being expanded to cope with the increasing number of devotees visiting his Ashram. 

Dining area is being enlarged

Enlarging the kitchen area

If you go to an earlier posting with photographs of Swami’s Ashram at this link here you will be able to see how quickly the Temple and Ashram are developing. 

New Greenery in parts of the Ashram

In an earlier posting on Arunachala Mystic I recounted Swami’s words on how he attained his healing and clairvoyant powers. 

Swami's interview area

“Following an incident in his life, Guruji stopped taking food, and continued in this manner for seven months whilst staying at Kanchangiri Temple’s Ashram. One day, when his body was in a dire condition, and there was no hope left for him, he prayed to Lord Unnamulai Ammal, tearfully beseeching, ‘you give food to the whole World, so why can’t you take care of my needs and feed me?’ Immediately on uttering this pray, five ladies and five men suddenly appeared and came to Guruji and laid him on the floor. The five ladies sat below the head of the prostrate body, and the five men sat above the head. Each of the five ladies started to remove parts of Guruji’s body, bit by bit, and made up small packages of the body parts. 

Swami's Chair and entrance to modest room

During this whole process Guruji felt absolutely no pain. Finally only his head remained. Thereupon the ladies said, ‘give these small packages, to those that come to meet you, as prasadam.’ . . . After this, the five men sitting above him, placed their hands upon Guruji’s head and after a few moments disappeared. At that very moment Guruji’s body reappeared and from that time till this day, Guruji has not had a single problem with his body, even though he hasn’t taken solid food for a number of years. 

Altar next to Swami's interview and sitting area

Some days after this incident whilst Guruji was in meditation, a Lingam suddenly appeared. In his excitement he tried to touch and lift the Lingam but as it was so heavy he wasn’t able to move it even an inch. Upon being unable to move the Lingam, he decided to perform a puja, so stood up in order to perform the ritual; as he stood the Lingam also lifted up to his position, slowly came towards him and then mingled with him. From that time onwards Guruji has been able to read peoples’ minds and see and understand their problems”. 

Blessings from Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar

In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 16, it is stated: 

catur-vidha bhajante mam 

janah sukritino ‘rjuna 

arto jijnasur artharthi 

jnani ca bharatarsabha 

"Four types of people seek Me – the distressed, the seekers of Knowledge, those desirous of good and the men of wisdom."

The distressed is the one who seeks refuge from the sorrow and suffering experienced in the world. The seeker of Knowledge is the one of an intellectual nature who comes to the Divine with the desire for knowledge. The devotee desirous of good is the person of practical nature who approaches the Divine as the giver of good in the world, and sees God as a means to fulfill worldly ambitions. Finally, the man of wisdom is the jnani who combines devotion and knowledge in order to attain complete unity with the Divine. 

Swamiji

 

Thus it could be said one worships God according to one’s own karma and follows the path to God according to one’s faith and past actions. 

As per Swami’s own Divine Dream, he has been given powers and abilities to see and help understand the problems of those in distress and those in need of guidance and support. From my own experience and from those of others I have learnt of, Swami helps, inspires and guides those who come to him. 

Truth and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

The below article on Sri Shirdi Sai Baba has been submitted to Arunachala Mystic by Mr. Bharath Kumar. To read more of his articles please visit his own recently started site at this link here. 

***********************

Jesus Christ says in The Holy Bible "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). Similar was the life of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. 

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba – other than mischievously and jocularly accusing devotees (whom He was testing) through His instructive Leelas, had lived the way of Truth throughout His divine Life. A few instances in this regard from His life are described here from the Sri Sai Sathcharita. 

As guardian and custodian of innermost details of the past of all who knew Him, He revealed these details at the appropriate times to help correct devotees and steer them to the righteous path –and never for boasting or for publicly showing off His divine powers. 

Truth is not just about communicating accurate facts alone – but it attains divinity only due to the noble goals for which it is going to be used. Truth is about freeing ourselves from the unreal samsaaric worldly illusions and not about revealing inner/private or irrelevant but accurate facts of everything or everyone – which leads to gossip-mongering. Sri Sai stressed on these finer aspects of truthful behaviour. 

Once, Shirdi merchants jointly decided to stop giving free oil to Sai and all of them falsely told Sai that there was no oil to give. Sai then showed them His divinity by lighting lamps with water. When the merchants sought Sai's forgiveness, He advised them not to indulge in lies and forgave them. 

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba at His Dwarkamayi

In one case, He intimated a person criticizing everyone (including Sai) by showing him a pig munching dirt and garbage and indirectly teaching him to have better control over his tongue (speech) in future. 

Sri Sai Baba said that in His place of residence (i.e. Dwarakamayi), no untruth was ever uttered. He also used to say that He would even give up His life just to keep His promises. This quality is akin to Sri Lord Ramachandra of Ayodhya (an embodiment of Truth with whom Sri Sai is compared to). 

Once, He scolded Nana Saheb Chandorkar (a close devotee of Sai) for avoiding and behaving high-handedly with a person requesting donation from him at his home. This incident, Sri Sai observed from Shirdi itself. Sai advised him to be truthful and polite to beggars/alms-seekers in future - whether giving asked donation or not. 

Sri Sai constantly reminded devotees to fulfill their vows to Gods and family deities – sometimes cryptically by sending them to where they had vows waiting to be fulfilled. As in case of Shama (a school teacher and Sri Sai's close associate) He directed him to go to a temple at Vani. Shama incidentally had a long-due family vow pending there – which he himself did not know! Same was the case of two gentlemen from Goa who forgot to fulfil specific money vows to God years ago in private! 

Sai also advised devotees to deliver exactly the items (whatever was entrusted to them) to be offered to Sai at Shirdi. Devotees were taken to task for mixing items and for toying casually with the money entrusted to be given for Sri Sai. 

If a devotee requested Sri Sai to have lunch at his home, Sai, if He did promise, always kept His promise somehow through various representatives who visited the said devotees at the appointed times – appearing seemingly from nowhere, but really master-minded by Sai's divine grace. 

In another case, a wealthy but miserly visitor who wanted Sai to teach him 'Brahmagyaan' (Supreme knowledge) in an hour while keeping a tonga waiting – was tested by Sai. Sai asked everyone around for five rupees money several times, but none had the sum. The miserly visitor heard, but kept silent as he was not asked directly though he had bundles of money with him. Sai told him unless he removes the attachment for money he had displayed, Brahmagyaan was difficult to attain. Both money attachment and Truth were thus tested here by Sai. 

Thus Sri Sai Baba practised and preached the righteous way of Truth steadfastly during his divine life. 

Sri Nannagaru visits Arunachala Christmas 2015

One of the best known spiritual Masters who visit Arunachala is Sri Nannagaru. He is currently residing at his Ashram at Tiruvannamalai. He arrived on December 23, and will be leaving and returning to his native place in Andhra Pradesh, in the morning of December 29, 2015. 

Below is a short extract of his narrative about a “pure mind.”

Sri Nannagaru is now 80 years of age

“One must have the grace of God to attain the highest state or the complete bliss state. Ishwara’s (God) grace is of utmost importance to reach the highest state. If his grace is not there, then all efforts may not be successful. The mind is the creation of God. A mind free from desires, greed and jealously, and which neither sees good nor bad, such a mind is known as ‘bangara manasu’ (a mind that is pure). Such a mind is given by Maha Vishnu.

Followed by his Andhra devotees to Arunachala

All the sadhana or spiritual practice that we are doing is to attain that ‘bangara manasu’. Our actions in the past affect us in this birth in two ways: the body suffers from disease;and the mind gets trapped in grief. Both disease and grief are fruits of previous actions (done in past births). So, in this life you must not keep recalling issues that have affected you. Leave them, forget them and move forward. In this life, do not be bothered about the past and the future. Future actions will take place as they have to. Thinking about them and disturbing the mind is not correct. Each one must learn to dwell in solitude (Ekanta Vasa) at least for an hour each day.

Giving Speech at Ashram, December 2015

If you face all events in life happily, slowly the result of the past actions decreases. Gradually you will gain supreme knowledge. Each task or work assigned by God to you must be performed in a righteous way. If it is not possible, then do not do it. As far as possible do not jump into other people’s issues. This again leads to ignorance. But you can do tasks for the welfare of others. 

View of Arunachala from Ashram

  

Feed and take care of old people and animals in the house. Think that the Lord has come in their form. This process is called seva or selfless service. Then the work does not become a burden. Through work you are glorifying God.” 

Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi - The Omniscient World Teacher

[With thanks to Mr. K. Bharath Kumar for submission of this narrative]. 

Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi was a rare gem among the thousands of saints produced on Indian soil. He showed that God was indeed ever-present and that God was working His Leelas (divine plays) even then - when the country was subjugated by a host of foreign rulers. 

In those confused times when people had to digest both the culture changes from the Islamic period as well as changes brought by the then-ruling British system, Sri Sai Baba came as a beacon for the country - carrying within Him the power of almost all Indian Gods - be it Hindu or Mussalman or other religions - as well as providing the unifying powers to help Indians during this severe testing period in Indian history. His yogic powers appealed to people of all religions. Sai treated all people equally, regardless of their religion, creed, race or social status. To many, He appeared as an Avataar of Lord Shiva leading a simple, austere lifestyle distributing 'Vibhuti' (sacred ash) to His devotees and practisings advanced yoga to maintain His supernatural powers. As Lord Shiva, Sai demonstrated full influence over all five elements of nature. 

To Christians - He appeared as Jesus often taking the Karma of devotees and healing many children by taking their disease unto Himself. To Muslims, He was a very holy Avaalia Saint who dressed in Muslim dress and resided in a mosque. Thus, by manifesting the quintessence of the Gods of all religions, and solving all their problems, He showed to all, that God is beyond the labels of any specific religion and that there were many different paths leading to the same God - ('Allah Malik' was His favorite phrase - meaning 'God is Master'). 

Sai's infinite reservoir of love was His notable quality and what He expected from all His devotees to evolve into - and this noteworthy message to humanity He practised well even amidst the oppressive British regime. 

Sai expected only Faith (in God) and Patience (in God's timing for answering prayers) as the only two qualities He expected from devotees. He showed that human beings are psychologically similar despite ethnic and cultural differences prevalent everywhere. 

Original photo of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

Sai Baba was the ultimate destination where all religions intersect commonly and harmoniously and showed the way to shed outward social differences. He allowed all religions to practise their rituals in His mosque, and encouraged celebrating many Hindu and Muslim festivals together at Shirdi for many years. 

Thus, He bonded the two communities together in preparation for the freedom movement later. He also advised freedom fighter Shri Lokamanya Tilak that patience and silent sacrificial service will yield desired results and requested him to adopt peaceful means to achieve freedom from British rule. 

Sai Baba accepted all offerings from all people but continued a penniless Fakir's style of life donating almost offerings to the deserving. Sai Baba advised devotees to be content with whatever Fate or God has blessed them with and work out their bad Karma putting complete faith on Him (Guru) and their favorite God. 

Despite His "pluralistic" religious identity, Sai Baba was against religious conversions of any sort and asked people to continue following ancestral deity worship and time-honoured rituals as they had done for centuries. Thus lakhs and lakhs of orthodox people grew from just mechanical ritual worship to God-realization - which was His real goal i.e., to solve devotees' temporal problems and elevate people towards spirituality. Shirdi in State of Maharashtra is today a revered holy pilgrimage spot where people from all walks of life visit and attain peace and often find their prayers answered. Sri Sai Baba's assurance to the world that He is ever alive for answering His devotees' calls has been tested and indeed had proved true for a multitude of followers around the world. 

Moving towards the future as a globalised nation, India facing challenges on many fronts - factionalism between states, frequent natural disasters, border tensions, decayed values and fallen Dharma, wanton violence, aggressive growth at the cost of nature degradation, and expected climate change complications. Sri Sai Baba's teachings of fleeting evanescence of human life, focusses on the true goals of our precious human birth. These goals are the practice of contentment, leading a simple lifestyle, brotherhood and charity – which are all crucial for the world and India. Particularly in these times where the world is caught in a vise-like grip of sense-gratification and desire attainment at all costs; decreased belief in the Divine Creator; materialistic success as the ultimate goal; disengagement of average person's human spirit from compassionate feelings for Nature, God and the poor; aggressive "dynasty-building" agendas at all levels from bottom to top of the social pyramid. 

Sai Baba was unique in that He did not take many formal disciples or successors, preach lectures or mantras, or change His meagre 'Fakir' (mendicant) ways - even after lakhs thronged to Shirdi for His blessings. His ever-living and all-encompassing spirit and physical tomb-presence will carry devotees forward to face each day bravely whatever challenge the country and world gets to meet daily. 

Aum Sairam. 

Sri Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal's Ashram and Temple

A few days ago I visited the Ashram of Sri Siva Siddha Mona Swami to check out the (almost) completed Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple constructed at the Ashram. The Ashram is in a peaceful spot within the radius of the power of Arunachala, however the road to it is circuitous and for ever twisting upon itself. Thus although the actual distance from Arunachala Hill is around 25 kms, the journey by road is more like 35 kms.  

It was very nice to be in the countryside and away from the hustle and bustle of Tiruvannamalai.    

Our road eventually led to the gate of the Ashram. And the first thing we noticed was the huge statue of Siva in sitting pose on the roof of the Temple. From the ground to the top of the statue, it is 54 feet.

On asking, Swamiji told us that the total cost for building the Temple thus far comes to 1 crore 15 lakhs (i.e. Rs.11,000,000). All that remains to be done is completion of the Temple flooring which is estimated will come to around Rs.10 Lakhs.

Projects for the further development of the Ashram and Temple will include the following: 

Purchase of adjacent one acre of land for development. Estimated cost Rs.20 Lakhs. 
Construction of Kalyana Mandapam Hall for Weddings and Functions.
Creation of a new Dining Facility.

In niches on the outside wall of the Temple are shrines dedicated to Lord Vinayagar, Lord Murugan, Lord Dakshinamurti and the Goddess Durga

Side view of completed Temple

Although the Temple was closed for mid-day, we were kindly allowed inside to take photographs. 

From left to right, Sacrifical Altar, Flag Staff and Lord Nandi

The Shrine of Lord Shiva, with attendant keepers at doorway

Background of Nandi is the Meenakshi Shrine

Shrine of the Goddess

Back of Siva Sannidhi representations of the 18 Tamil Siddhars

Outside the Temple is the Navagraha Shrine

Puja including abhishekam and aarti occur every day at: 

5.00 a.m. 

12.00 p.m. 

4.00 p.m. 

8.00 p.m. 

Each month special pujas take place at Pradosham (evenings from 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) and at Poornima from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. The Poornima puja includes Abhishekam, Fire Homam and Anandam.

The Ashram of Sri Siva Siddha Mona Swami is set in a peaceful area. Currently 8 sannyasins are staying at the Ashram under the care of Swamiji. However there are a couple of rooms available for (ONLY) gents to stay at. 

Left is current Dining Area

Swami's room with curtain on right. Adjacent Office and Administration

Sri Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal

Swamigal

Throughout this Arunachala Mystic website, there are postings describing the history and healing intercessions of Sri Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal. 

Due to his earlier intense sadhana he was gifted certain siddhas including clairvoyance and powers of healing. An increasing number of devotees and pilgrims visit Swamigal at his Ashram to consult with him and receive his blessings. 

Now that there is a Temple at his Ashram devotees may also wish to arrange a puja in conjunction with their own needs in order to further bless their prayers. 

Pujas to support sankalpas can be arranged on behalf of interested parties. In this respect if any individual person wants to support one of the 4 daily puja, the cost is Rs.1000/-. 

To sponsor a 6 hour Poornima Fire Homam with Puja is Rs.20,000/-. 

For more information on any of the above please get in touch direct with Swami's Ashram. Contact details below: 

Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar Dharma Paribalana Trust 

Sethavarai, Nallan Pillai Petral Village & Post, 

Gingee Tk 

Villupuram Distrct, Tamil Nadu 

Landline: (0)4145-295514

Your New Star Sign

Several years ago I learnt online that Zodiac Star Signs have been incorrectly miscalculated resulting in a missing thirteenth sign of the Zodiac—i.e. the constellation Ophiuchus. At that time I learnt my Star Sign (with all its attendant traits and qualities) is not the Taurus I used to check in newspaper horoscopes and is instead a more personally favoured Aries. Glad to know, as I have never thought of myself as Taurean! 

Anyhow recently the same story has appeared in a number of media outlets, so for all of you who like to check your horoscope Star Sign am reproducing the gist of the information below:- 

 

Previous Zodiac

To understand the zodiac you need to see the stars behind the Sun. They’re normally too dim to see in daylight, although you might spot them during an eclipse. As we orbit round the Sun, a different constellation appears behind it each month. Ancient astronomers named this ring the zodiac, meaning ‘circle of animals’. 

When the zodiac was devised by the ancient Greeks, people were assigned star signs based on the constellation that was behind the sun at that time. However the Earth is affected by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun which introduces a wobbling effect on the Earth i.e. precession—in which the Earth behaves like a spinning top. The Earth takes about 26,000 years to complete this wobble and has resulted in the Constellations drifting by a whole month. 

To make things even more complicated there is a thirteenth star sign called Ophiuchus (the serpent bearer). 

Ophiuchus -- the 'serpent bearer'

The 13th sign Ophiuchus 

The Sun passes in front of Ophiuchus – the 'serpent bearer' – for 19 days each year. The astronomical zodiac actually contains 13 star signs – the 12 that we’re familiar with plus Ophiuchus. 

Ophiuchus was deliberately left out of the original zodiac, even though the Sun clearly passes in front of it after passing in front of Scorpius (commonly known as Scorpio) and before reaching Sagittarius. The reason for this is not known, but it may be because ancient astrologers wanted to divide the 360 degree path of the Sun into 12 equal parts, each one of 30 degrees.

Below is a list showing one’s correct Star Sign as calculated by astronomers/astrologers taking into account the information about precession and the “new” constellation Ophiuchus.

Your Correct Star Sign: 

Capricorn January 21 to February 16 

Aquarius February 17 to March 12 

Pisces March 13 to April 18 

Aries April 19 to May 14 

Taurus May 15 to June 21 

Gemini June 22 to July 20 

Cancer July 21 to August 10 

Leo August 11 to September 16 

Virgo September 17 to October 31 

Libra November 1 to November 23 

Scorpio November 24 to November 29 

Ophiuchus November 30 to December 18 

Sagittarius December 19 to January 20 

Eclipses: Observances and Superstitions

The Lingam at Arunachaleswarar Temple moolasthanam is “suyambu” which means it is self-created (not manmade) thus this Temple does not close during either lunar or solar eclipses. However after the end of an eclipse special rituals are observed at the Temple. 

Another famous Shiva Temple that doesn’t close during an Eclipse is the Kalahasti Temple near Tirupati. The reason being is that Lord Shiva at that place wears the Navagrahas as a belt at His waist and thus no grahan (eclipse) can do any harm. 

However as a general rule Hindu Temples close during Eclipses because it is believed that at that time strong negative charges bombard earth. As Temples are built to attract astral energy and positively charge devotees, the positive effects will be reversed during a solar eclipse. Another belief is that Murtis in Temples, have an external energy around them as a consequence of pujas, mantras and rituals and that the pull of the sun and moon can weaken that energy during an eclipse. 

Rahu

Legend of Rahu and Ketu 

In the 35th chapter of the Bhagavata Purana there is a legend explaining why Rahu and Ketu are responsible for all solar and lunar eclipses. In this legend the gods and demons were engaged in an endless war. Lord Vishnu persuaded them to abide to an amnesty so that the ocean could be churned thereby benefitting both sides. The gods under the leadership of Indra grabbed the tail of the king of snakes, Vasuki, who was used as a rope for churning the ocean, while the demons under the leadership of Vali held the mouth of Vasuki. The great mountain Mandara acted as the churner. 

Ketu

As a result of this churning, the first to come out was the terrible poison, halahala. It was voluntarily sucked in by Lord Siva, but he held it in his throat, the reason why Siva is also known as Nilakantha (the blue-throated one). Then out came Surabhi, Kaustubha, Parijata, Laksmi, the Moon, Varuni (the goddess of wine) and finally Dhanvanatari; the originator of medicine, with a pot of amritam, the nectar—which the demons ran away with. 

Churning the Ocean and Mohini

Lord Visnu acting in the interest of the gods transformed himself into Mohini, a beautiful woman. Dazzled by her beauty, the demons offered the pot to Her and asked Her to distribute the nectar amongst them all. However She gave the nectar to the gods. One of the demons, Rahu, saw through the trick and sat in the line in disguise. But before he could swallow the divine nectar, the Sun and the Moon detected his masquerade and reported it to Lord Visnu, who then chopped off Rahu's head with his Sudarsan Chakra. 

Because Rahu had already drunk the nectar, he remained alive in spite of his being reduced to a trunkless body. Since then Rahu has not forgiven the Sun and the Moon. And this is the reason why, every once in a while Rahu gobbles up the Sun or the Moon—which we refer to as Solar and Lunar eclipses. However being trunkless Rahu cannot hold either the Sun or the Moon for long, and they come out safely after a while. With time the headless trunk of the demon came to be known as Ketu, and the earlier version of Ketu turned into what is known as Dhumketu. 

Astronomically speaking, when the sun, the moon and the earth are all in line, with the moon or the earth at the centre, a solar or lunar eclipse takes place respectively. 

--- oOo --- 

In the case of both solar and lunar eclipse, if an eclipse affects the region that you are living in, one is directed to follow certain rituals prescribed by the scriptures. 

Eclipse Special Observances 

At the time of an eclipse, people are enjoined to bathe in sacred rivers, do charitable acts and donate cows, money and gold. The day after an eclipse one should feed the poor, Brahmins and Sadhus. After an eclipse householders are expected to clean their home and kitchen vessels, etc. One should not take food during the eclipse. When the eclipse begins the food should by then have been digested. A bath has to be taken before starting to cook after an eclipse. One should take food only after seeing the sun or the moon free from the eclipse. When the clear sun or the moon is not seen before sunset or sunrise, in the case of the solar and lunar eclipse, food can be taken only after the sun or the moon is seen the next day. 

Pregnant women should not see the sun or the moon during the time of the eclipse. Superstition has it that in the case of seeing the sun or moon during an eclipse, that a child born thereafter may be born with a defect. It is regarded as taboo for men and women to have physical congress at this time. It is also believed that one should take great care to avoid bleeding, scorpion stings, etc., as they have disastrous results at the time of eclipse. Even an earthworm has a poisonous effect when it bites during an eclipse. 

One should take a bath after an eclipse because it is believed that the earth is plunged into darkness during a lunar or solar eclipse. Darkness symbolizes impurity and therefore one has to sit in one place and chant the name of God. Once the eclipse is over, light returns back to earth; and to rejoice, one has to cleanse the impurity that darkness brought, worship God and offer donations to express one’s happiness. 

Those who do Japa at the time of an eclipse derive great benefits as it contributes towards relieving the suffering of humanity and also benefits the planets. As the blessings of the Gods is readily available at this time, the result of mantra is believed to be especially auspicious when chanted during the period of an eclipse. The spiritual significance of the eclipse states that as an eclipse is ended by a bright Sun or Moon, so too, ignorance will also be eclipsed by the attainment of self-knowledge and manifestation of the effulgence of Self.

--- oOo ---

The next Eclipse at Tiruvannamalai -- Partial Lunar April 4, 2015

Next Eclipse viewable here will be a partial Lunar Eclipse

Care when watching 

Permanent eye damage can result from staring or even looking at the disk of the Sun directly, or through a camera viewfinder, or with binoculars or a telescope even when only a thin crescent of the Sun remains. The 1 percent of the Sun's surface still visible is about 10,000 times brighter than the full moon. Staring at the Sun under such circumstances have the same effect on the retina of your eyes than a magnifying glass to focus sunlight onto paper, and eventually burning a hole in it! The retina is delicate and irreplaceable. There is little or nothing a retinal surgeon will be able to do to help you. Never look at the Sun outside of the total phase of an eclipse unless you have adequate protection. Remember, your eyes can be damaged without you feeling any pain. 

To find out about Eclipses in you region go to this link here.

Solar Eclipse March 20, 2015

Below is a map of the path of the solar eclipse on March 20, 2015. It will NOT be visible from any place in India. However we will experience a partial lunar eclipse in the first week of next month. And before that hope to post information about the spiritual implications of both Solar and Lunar Eclipses.

One very unique feature at such times at Tiruvannamalai, is that in most cases Temples shut during the period of an Eclipse but Arunachaleswarar Temple does NOT shut during an eclipse. The reason for this is that the  Lingam in the Sannidhi is Suyambu -- i.e. naturally formed not manmade.

For the time being all readers living in places that will experience the solar eclipse tomorrow please observe the below safety suggestions. 

Permanent eye damage can result from staring or even looking at the disk of the Sun directly, or through a camera viewfinder, or with binoculars or a telescope even when only a thin crescent of the Sun remains. The 1 percent of the Sun's surface still visible is about 10,000 times brighter than the full moon. Staring at the Sun under such circumstances have the same effect on the retina of your eyes than a magnifying glass to focus sunlight onto paper, and eventually burning a hole in it! The retina is delicate and irreplaceable. There is little or nothing a retinal surgeon will be able to do to help you. Never look at the Sun outside of the total phase of an eclipse unless you have adequate protection. Remember, your eyes can be damaged without you feeling any pain.