Time Cycles

[Now that the hot season according to the Hindu Calendar of Rithus, has begun this week at Tiruvannamalai, below are some extracts from, 'Health and Longevity' by renowned Ayurvedic practitoner, Robert E. Svoboda, to explain the process of seasons in Ayurvedic terms].


“Ayurveda calls space a substance because, in our world, space possesses qualities, like cold and wetness. Climate is one quality of that space; another is orientation, which is governed by the Earth’s magnetic field. Magnetic fields, both natural (generated by the Earth, the sun and the moon) and artificial (human-generated), also affect our brain waves, pineal secretions and other physical and mental functions. The gravity of the sun and the moon also affects us, as do their heat and cold, their light and darkness, and the seasons that all these influences together generated. The seasons control Earth’s rasa, from which we derive our rasa.

Rhythm is essential to life. The lungs and heart work rhythmically, the intestines produce peristaltic waves and the brain generates brainwaves, all of which are intricately interrelated with one another and with the external environment. Rtam, the rhythm of the universe, appears in our little world as rtu, or season, a ‘time to every purpose under heaven’. The Vedics created the image of cosmic rtam on Earth by establishing a system of days, months and seasons that ‘calendrifies’ the Gods. Ayurveda recognizes four main seasonal cycles: day and night, the seasons of the year, age and digestion.

Right-click to view enlargement

Seasons of the Year

Charaka divides India’s three seasons; winter, summer and the rains, into 6, 2-month seasons to integrate the lunar calendar with the solar year. There are actually two slightly different sets of season. The first contrasts the three intense seasons – cold, hot and wet – with the three milder ‘should’ seasons that separate them. The other emphasizes the natural progression in rasa in the environment, which develops as a result of the cold, heat and wetness of the seasons.

The sun is said to capture rasa from our planet, and the moon to release it again to us. During the 6 months from the Winter to the Summer Solstice, as the sun, the lord of the fire element, grows stronger daily, it progressively withdraws ‘juice’ from the world, drying it out. From the summer to the Winter Solstice, the sun’s power grows daily weaker, releasing that ‘juice’ again to us. This half of the year is ruled by the moon, which is the lord of the water element. The terrestrial environment and its denizens must perpetually adjust to this cyclical withdrawal and release of ‘juice’.”


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The following Ritus (Indian Seasons) are ruled by these planets:

Vasanta by Venus
Greeshma by Mars and Sun
Varsha by the Moon
Sharath by Mercury
Hemanta by Jupiter
Sisira by Saturn

Science Of The Self

There is an fascinating story of the famous astrologer Sri Venkateswara Sarma, who at the height of his fame and prestige met Sri Ramana Maharshi and thereupon decided to give up the science of Astrology for the science of the Self.

The story goes thus:


‘Sri Venkateswara Sarma (Sastrigal Mama) was an exceptional and astounding astrologer. From childhood he exhibited a rare genius in this field. While still very young, his extraordinary intelligence enabled him to master the most abstruse and difficult branch of astrology. All, including his guru, declared him as the wisest student.

Prasna is an astrological science based on a perfect fruition between mathematics and intuition. With just some meagre information from the questioner, which includes only the first word of the question, a Prasna astrologer can, within seconds, draw up mentally a horoscope. This requires great mathematical precision and perfection. Having drawn the horoscope within his mind, and in a flash also having studied it, the astrologer will have to wait, prayerfully. Then, from the depths of his inner intuition words gush forth, forming the astrological predictions for the questioner. As this Prasna process is not merely based on mathematical horoscopes, it culminates in intuitional revelation, and the predictions are said to be amazingly accurate and correct to the minutest detail. Sri Sastrigal Mama was highly proficient in this system of astrology.

He once described it to me by citing this example: One day a merchant came to his house while he was engaged offering worship in his puja room. His wife informed him that one Nagappa Chettiar was waiting on the verandah and that he seemed worried about some urgent matter. Not willing to interrupt his worship, and by merely listening to the name and the few details given by his wife, Sri Sastrigal Mama, within a minute, began giving the following prediction:

"Tell Nagappa Chettiar that he has come to inquire about his lost, costly diamond ring. He suspects his servant. Assure him that no one has stolen it. In his garden, near the well, there are two rows of plantain trees. On one side there are only two trees; on the other there is a cluster of trees. Let him search under the two trees and the diamond ring will be found there. While he was cleaning his clothes on the washing stone the ring slipped off his finger and fell to the ground."

Nagappa Chettiar returned home and found the ring exactly where Sri Sastrigal Mama had said, and because of this and similar astounding predictions Sri Sastrigal Mama became quite famous. He also became convinced that the Prasna branch of astrology was the most perfect science.

At the height of his career he heard about Sri Ramana Maharshi. When he first saw Sri Bhagavan's picture he was immediately captivated and traveled to Arunachala to see the Sage. He climbed up to Skandashram, where Bhagavan then resided. On the very first look that the Maharshi gave him, Sri Sastrigal Mama became his slave. He had a strong desire to stay with the Maharshi permanently, renouncing everything he held dear. Yet, there was still his lifelong attraction to the science of astrology. He felt distracted by it and did not know how to proceed.

One day, gathering courage, he approached Sri Maharshi in all humility and said, "Bhagavan, is not astrology the best and most accurate of all sciences?"

In silence Bhagavan looked at him deeply for some time. Then, slowly but firmly, he replied: "The science of the Self is superior to all other sciences."

It was the peak period in Sri Sastrigal Mama's life. For every prediction he was richly rewarded and was consequently acquiring immense wealth. Nevertheless, the words from the Master convinced him immediately to renounce his lucrative profession and pursue the science of the Self. His wife too fully supported him in this decision. The remainder of their life at the holy feet of the Sat-Guru, under the protective shade of the Sacred Mountain, Arunachala.’

[By V. Ganesan]

Magic of the Sun Mantra

Learning to Tolerate Great Heat

Many years later, when Jagadisha Sastri and I were walking down a street together in Bombay, it occurred to me that I had never seen him wear any kind of footwear. The black tar roads of the city got very hot in the summer and I found it hard to believe that anyone could walk comfortably without wearing sandals or shoes. I turned to him and asked, "Sastriji, your feet must have got burned a lot walking on these roads, isn't that so?" "No, no," he answered, "I have already got ravi raksha (protection from the sun) from Bhagavan. I may walk in any amount of heat but nothing ever happens to me."

I naturally asked, "How did you get this ravi raksha?"

By way of an answer, Sastriji told me a long story. "One day, right in the middle of the afternoon, Bhagavan took his kamandalu, got up and told me, "Jagadisha, come with me to walk about on the mountain."

"But it's so hot," I protested. "How can we move about in such weather?" I argued like this because I wanted to escape from the trip. Bhagavan found my excuse unsatisfactory. "You can move about in just the same way that I move about," he said.

"But my feet will burn!" I exclaimed. I didn't have any footwear with me and I didn't relish the idea of walking about over the burning rocks. "Will my feet not burn as well?" replied Bhagavan, obviously feeling that this was not a serious obstacle. Bhagavan never wore any kind of footwear. He could walk on the toughest terrain in any weather without feeling the least discomfort. "But yours is a different case," I answered, alluding to the fact that Bhagavan never needed footwear.

"Why? Am I not a man with two feet, just like you?" asked Bhagavan. "Why are you unnecessarily scared? Come on! Get up!"

Having realized that it was useless to argue any more, I got up and started walking with Bhagavan. The exposed stones had become so hot because of the severe heat of the sun that walking on them made my feet burn. For some time I bore the suffering, but when it became unbearable I cried out, "Bhagavan, my feet are burning so much! I cannot walk one more step. Even standing here is difficult. On all sides it is raining fire!" Bhagavan was not impressed. "Why are you so scared?" he asked. "If I remain in this terrible heat for any more time," I replied, "my head will crack open because of the heat and I will definitely die!" I was not joking. I really was afraid of dying.

"Bhagavan smiled and said in a very quiet and deep voice, "Jagadisha, give up your fear and listen. You must have the bhavana (mental conviction and attitude) that you are the sun. Start doing japa (internal repetition) of the mantra Suryosmi (I am the sun) with the conviction that it is really true. You will soon see the effect of it. You yourself will become Surya Swarupa, that is, you will have the characteristics of the sun. Can the sun feel the heat of the sun?"

I followed this instruction of Bhagavan and started doing japa of this sun mantra because there was no other way to be saved from the burning heat. In a short time I began to feel the effect of the japa. The severity of the heat lessened and eventually I began to experience, instead of the severe heat, a pleasing coolness. As the burning sensation diminished I found that I was able to walk quickly alongside Bhagavan. By the time we had both reached Skandashram I found that my feet were not at all burnt as I had continued the mantra japa right up till the end of the walk.

Later, I was astonished to discover that the effect of chanting this mantra was permanent. Though I no longer chant it, I have never again suffered from the heat of the sun. I can now walk in the summer on the tar roads of a city like Bombay with bare feet.

Arunachaleswarar Temple Puja Details

This week, the Administration Office of Arunachaleswarar Temple gave me the below list detailing pujas that can be performed at their Temple and including current tariffs.

To order a puja please go to their website at this link here.

Pooja Details

1. Arulmigu Swami and Amman Milk Abisegam Rs.750/-

2. Arulmigu Swami and Amman Special Abisegam Rs.2,150/-

3. Arulmigu Vinayagar, Swami and Amman Special Abisegam
Rs.2,450/-

4. Arulmigu Pancha Moorthigal Special Abisegam Rs.3,500/-

5. Parivara Moorthi Milk Abisegam (Per Sannathi) Rs.750/-

6. Thirukkalyana (Marriage) Urchavam (including Arulmigu
Swami and Amman Abisegam) Rs.8,500/-

7. 1008 Sangabishegam, Arulmigu Vinayagar, Swami and
Amman Abisegam Rs.8,800/-

8. Maganyasarudra Abisegam Arulmigu Vinayagar, Swami
and Amman Rs.4,500/-

9. Abisega Darshan Fee per Head Rs.250/-

10. Kattalai Archana (One Year) Rs.250/-

11. Annadhanam Per Day (100 members) Rs.1,500/-
Annadhanam Yearly One Day (100 Members Investment) Rs.20,000/-

12. Fixed Depsoit for Kattalai Archana. Rs.5,000/-

13. Marriage Fee Rs.150/-

14. Manamakkal (Bride and Bridgegroom) Azaippu Fee Rs.250/-

15. Golden Car Fee Rs.1,500/-

Arunachala Pujas

In response to requests from readers of Arunachala Grace interested in arranging pujas to be performed on their behalf at various private Arunachala Temples, I can now invite you to get in touch at the ‘Email Me’ facility on Arunachala Mystic for more specific information.

To view photographs of pujas previously performed at several private Temples go to the following links for a Shiva Puja, a Rajarajeshwari Puja, a more elaborate Rajarajeshwari Puja, and a puja dedicated to Lord Murugan.






Arunachaleswarar Temple, Adiannamalai Temple, Arunachala Ashta Lingams and many other Temples and Shrines throughout Tiruvannamalai are under the general control of the administration of The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu Government. For this reason devotees must go direct to the specific Temple controlled by the Department in order to arrange pujas at those Temples.

Check this contact link to get in touch with Arunachaleswarar Temple to arrange a puja to be performed at that place. However as their website is not up-to-date I will shortly list details of specific pujas currently available at the Big Temple.

Lord Shiva Puja

Arunagirinatha Temple is the third oldest Shiva Temple at Tiruvannamalai. Some say; Adi Annamalai Temple is the head of Lord Shiva, Arunachaleswarar Temple is His body and Arunagirinatha Temple comprise the feet of the Lord.

The Temple is privately run by a Trust and through the good work of a local Brahmin priest family, was recently restored to its former glory.

To read more about the Temple and to view more photographs, go to this link here and to this link here.



















Below are photographs of a fire homam performed at the Temple. This particular Homam lasted about four hours and engaged the offices of five priests.








































To learn more about how to organise an homam to be performed at the Arunagirinathar Temple please use the 'contact me' at the top left of this page.

Rajarajeshwari Puja

The Rajarajeshwari Temple which is set on the Girivalam Hillround Roadway at Parvati Hill, is undeniably one of my favourite Tiruvannamalai Temples. To learn more about the history of this shakti and love-filled Temple and the family who have developed it, go to this link here.








The Temple although small has several fascinating and unique features, one being the presence of the powerful Sri Meru Yantra in the inner sanctum sanctorum at the feet of the Goddess Rajarajeshwari.







Another interesting aspect of this Temple, is the presence of statue representations of the Dasa Mahavidyas which are worshipped independently to the Goddess in the Temple's Shrine room.

”The feminine aspect of the Divine represents knowledge (wisdom) and also what is hidden, secret, subtle and sensitive, what has to be searched out and discovered. The Goddess who represents both the teaching and its comprehension, is thus the inner guiding power. She represents creation on all levels, expressed through her Ten Wisdom Forms (Dasa Mahavidyas) and their different functions.”

For more information and to view photographs of the Dasa Mahavidyas go to this link here.







The puja photographs accompanying this posting are of a puja dedicated to the Goddess and included sutras such as Sri Sukta, Rajarajeshwari Stotram and the Lalita Sahasranama. The Homam lasted nearly five hours, and was performed by five priests and included abhiskeham of the Goddess and the Sri Meru Yantra.








This particular Temple specialises in performing pujas dedicated to the auspicious aspect of the Goddess. To view photographs of an even more elaborate puja go to this link here.































To learn more about how to arrange a homam to be performed at the Rajarajeshwari Temple please use the 'contact me' at the top left of this page.

Lord Murugan Puja

The Subramanya Temple which is located on the Vellore Road, opposite the Collectorate is only about forty years old however the statue of Lord Murugan, ensconced in the Temple's shrine room is more ancient and hails from the Siva Temple at Kadaladi.

In 2003 work was started on the enlargement of the Subramanya Temple and was finished in 2006 with abhisekham performed in 2007.






Even though Lord Murugan is a beloved God in Tamil Nadu, there are few Murugan Temples in Tiruvannamalai probably the most famous being the Pavala Kundru Temple set on a spur on the face of Arunachala.







For more information and photographs of this Subramanya Temple go to this link here.







This particular Temple specialises in performing pujas to overcome obstacles and problems in one’s life. The below photographs are of a recently performed fire homam sponsored by a private party which lasted nearly five hours, was performed by five Brahmin priest and dedicated to the alleviation of difficulties
























This Temple is privately run through a Trust and to learn more about how to arrange for a homam to be performed at this Subramanya Temple please use the 'contact me' at the top left of this page..

Spiritual Energy

"The Hill Arunachala constitutes the most powerful concentration of spiritual energy on this planet.

For here the spirit of light has assumed an inert mineral form analogous to the apparent dullness of dreamless sleep.

But, as in sleep, there blazes at its heart the column of light, the Tejo Lingam of Siva, that rears to infinity.

Down this column, as down a pathway cut through space by the beams of the full moon, swarm the unearthly siddhas who, while on earth, reside within the caverns of the hill."

Kenneth Grant

[Photo courtesy of D. McCambridge]