Meeting of Ramana Maharsi and Paramahansa Yogananda

A reader of the Arunachala Network Blogs wrote asking for information on the meeting of Ramana Maharshi and Paramahansa Yogananda.

In the words of Yogananda the meeting went like this:-

“Before leaving South India, I made a pilgrimage to the holy hill of Arunachala to meet Sri Ramana Maharshi. The sage welcomed us affectionately and pointed to a nearby stack of East-West magazines. During the hours that we spent with him and his disciples, he was mostly silent, his gentle face radiating divine love and wisdom.

To help suffering humanity regain its forgotten state of Perfection, Sri Ramana teaches that one should constantly ask himself: “Who am I?” The great Inquiry indeed. By stern rejection of all other thoughts, the devotee soon finds himself going deeper and deeper into the true Self, and the sidetracking bewilderments of other thoughts cease to arise. The illumined Rishi of South India has written:

Dualities and trinities on something do hang,

Supportless they never appear;

That support searched for, they loosen and fall.

There is the Truth. Who sees that never wavers."

Swami Yogananda asked the following questions:

Yogananda: How is the spiritual uplift of the people to be effected? What are the instructions to be given to them?

Maharshi: They differ according to the temperaments of the individuals and according to the spiritual ripeness of their minds. There cannot be any instruction en masse.

Yogananda: Why does God permit suffering in the world? Should He not with His omnipotence do away with it at one stroke and ordain the universal realisation of God?

Maharshi: Suffering is the way for realisation of God.

Yogananda: Should He not ordain differently?

Maharshi: It is the way

Yogananda: Are yoga, religion etc., antidotes to suffering?

Maharshi: they help you to overcome suffering.

Yogananda: Why should there be suffering?

Maharshi: Who suffers? What is suffering?

Yogananda: No answer.

The swami’s secretary C.R. Wright, asked:

Wright: How shall I realise God?

Maharshi: God is an unknown entity. Moreover, He is external. Whereas the Self is always with you and it is you. Why do you leave out what is intimate and go in for what is external?

Wright: What is this Self again?

Maharshi: The Self is known to everyone but not clearly. The Being is the Self. Of all the definitions of God, none is so well put as the biblical statement, “I am that I am” in Exodus (Chap. 3). Knowing the Self, God is known. IN fact, God is none other than the Self.

[Face to Face with Sri Ramana Maharshi

Ramana Kendram, Hyderabad]

Above is a fascinating short video in which Ramana Maharshi is sitting in the centre with Paramahansa Yogananda and Paul Brunton standing behind him. Which is rather apt as it was the writings of both these personages that brought so many devotees to India on their own spiritual quest.

In Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi the meeting and conversation between Ramana Maharshi and Paramahansa Yogananda goes thus:- 

Swami Yogananda with four others arrived at 8.45 a. The group had lunch in the Ashram Mr. C. R. Wright, his secretary, asked: 

Wright: How shall I realise God? 

Maharshi: God is an unknown entity. Moreover He is external. Whereas, the Self is always with you and it is you. Why do you leave out what is intimate and go in for what is external? 

Question: What is this Self again? 

Maharshi: The Self is known to everyone but not clearly. You always exist. The Being is the Self. 'I am' is the name of God. Of all the definitions of God, none is indeed so well put as the Biblical statement "I AM THAT I AM" in Exodus (Chap. 3). There are other statements, such as Brahmaivaham, Aham Brahmasmi and Soham. But none is so direct as the name Jehovah = I AM. The Absolute Being is what is - It is the Self. It is God. Knowing the Self, God is known. In fact God is none other than the Self. 

Question: Why are there good and evil? 

Maharshi: They are relative terms. There must be a subject to know the good and evil. That subject is the ego. Trace the source of the ego. It ends in the Self. The source of the ego is God. This definition of God is probably more concrete and better understood by you. 

Question: So it is. How to get Bliss? 

Maharshi: Bliss is not something to be got. On the other hand you are always Bliss. This desire is born of the sense of incompleteness. To whom is this sense of incompleteness? Enquire. In deep sleep you were blissful: Now you are not so. What has interposed between that Bliss and this non-bliss? It is the ego. Seek its source and find you are Bliss. There is nothing new to get. You have, on the other hand, to get rid of your ignorance which makes you think that you are other than Bliss. For whom is this ignorance? It is to the ego. Trace the source of the ego. Then the ego is lost and Bliss remains over. It is eternal. You are That, here and now . . . That is the master key for solving all doubts. The doubts arise in the mind. The mind is born of the ego. The ego rises from the Self. Search the source of the ego and the Self is revealed. That alone remains. The universe is only expanded Self. It is not different from the Self. 

Question: What is the best way of living? 

Maharshi: It differs according as one is a Jnani [knower] or ajnani. A Jnani does not find anything different or separate from the Self. All are in the Self. It is wrong to imagine that there is the world, that there is a body in it and that you dwell in the body. If the Truth is known, the universe and what is beyond it will be found to be only in the Self. The outlook differs according to the sight of the person. The sight is from the eye. The eye must be located somewhere. If you are seeing with the gross eyes you find others gross. If with subtle eyes (i.e., the mind) others appear subtle. If the eye becomes the Self, the Self being infinite, the eye is infinite. There is nothing else to see different from the Self. 

He thanked Maharshi. He was told that the best way of thanking is to remain always as the Self. 

[Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi]  

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. 

Jerzy Grotowski's Journey to Arunachala

Recently Viktor Adorján emailed me requesting permission to use a number of Arunachala photographs from my website Arunachala Samudra for a book he is writing in Hungarian about the famed Polish Theatre Director Jerzy Grotowski. I was happy to give the required permission but was interested in how Arunachala related to the Director’s life. It was then that Viktor Adorján explained the special connection Jerzy Grotowski had with India and in particular with Arunachala. So much so that on his death, his ashes were brought to this place and scattered on the Arunachala Hill. 

Viktor Adorján kindly supplied biographical information on Jerzy Grotowski, tracing the development of his theatre work with his search for a deeper understanding of human values. 

 --- oOo ---

Jerzy Grotowski was a Polish theatre director and a leading figure of theatrical avant garde of the 20th century. He was born on August 11 1933 in Rzeszów, Poland. When the war came in 1939 his father enlisted and his mother, brother and himself moved to the small village of Nienadówka. 

His mother was of of great influence in shaping the personality of the child with her strong opinions on unity and community. She was a Catholic but she thought of herself as “the most ecumenical amongst Catholics”. She sometimes brought books to the boys and it was amongst them that Grotowski found two favourites: “The life of Jesus” by Ernst Renan, and “Search in Secret India” by Paul Brunton. This was to develop in him an interest in different religions and he went on to read “The Old Testament”, the “Book of Zohar” and the “Koran”. But he wasn’t as interested in the religious contents of the books as much as in the personalities of the protagonists of the stories. 

In 1955 Grotowski graduated from the State Higher School of Theatre in Krakow with a degree in acting. After graduation Grotowski began his work in the development of experimental theatre. One of his central ideas was the notion of the 'poor' theatre. 'Poor' means the stripping away of all that was unnecessary and leaving a 'stripped' and vulnerable actor. To this concept of 'poor theatre' Jerzy Grotowski added the concept of the 'priesthood' or sacredness of the actor. When the actor enters the sanctity of the performance space, then a special event occurs, much like Mass in the Catholic Church. It was in this space, in the holy relationship between the actor and the audience, that an audience is challenged to think and be transformed by theatre. 

 

Jerzy Grotowski

In 1970 Grotowski finished his work and went and lived in India for some time. He travelled anonymously, not keeping in touch with his theatrical ensemble or friends. On his return he was unrecognisable as he had lost 40 kg in weight, and his body and face had been transformed. During his time overseas he had compiled notes developing ideas for a new work on the road to para-theatrical activity. This was to lead him to further experimental work concentrating on: “let us touch the state of the human being where one is not divided into body and soul, thoughts and feelings, active creator and passive receptor thereby giving the possibility for all to drop the masks of everyday life.” 

In the period of his life often termed, “Theatre of Sources,” Grotowski traveled extensively through India, Mexico, Haiti and elsewhere, seeking to identify elements of technique in the traditional practices of various cultures that could have a precise and discernible effect on participants. In 1980 he worked in Khardataka (near Calcuatta) and in village called Kendali with Baul Gaur Khep and Dibyendu Gangali and the actors Prabir Guh, Ramakrisna Dhar and Abani Biswart. 

In 1983 Grotowski was invited by Professor Robert Cohen to the University of California Irvine, where he began a course of work known as 'Objective Drama'. Which defined a search for something above “subjective art” (the art mirroring the world by a human subject), a kind of art having its point of view in objective (transcendent) perspectives. This search led into his last programme known as “Ritual Arts” or “Art as Vehicle”. This type of art is not for an audience but is a method, a tool for the “doer” to lift themself into a higher spiritual region and make contact with one’s elevated being. 

The work of Jerzy Grotowski in experimental theatre continued at Pontadera, Italy from 1986 until his death in 1999. 

*********************** 

“So, you can see his work as a theatre director became step-by-step a search for higher human values or – we can say – a search for different methods: 

(1) viewing a theatre performance 

(2) making a theatre performance as an actor, not giving any other person a role but giving pure myself without any “daily masks” 

(3) handling the act as a form of human exchanges 

(4) searching for something common, something that is ancient and “universal” 

(5) searching for something higher and, finally 

(6) searching for a method to make “myself” more spiritual and better by art 

The road leading from the book of his childhood “In Search of Secret India,” to his “Art as Vehicle” program shows that Grotowski’s connection to India was not only by events (lectures and visits) but it was also pivotal in the develoment of his personality. 

So it is understandable, I think, that his last wish and will was that his ashes should be scattered on Arunachala, where the old man (in the book “In Search of Secret India” -- Ramana Maharshi) was wandering and asking himself: “Who am I?” 

And it was done.” [Adorján Viktor] 

For more information about Jerzy Grotowski please visit the official website at this link here.

Vedic Birthday Mobile App.

Our friends at the Vedic Society based in Pondicherry, have developed a beautiful Vedic Birthday mobile app which is available online at this link here.

Description

 

The project of the development of the app started some years ago when the Vedic Society realised that astrologically there is the birthday we all know and celebrate when the same solar calendar date recurs each year but there is another birthday which more intimately represents the same lunar month and lunar day as the day of our birth.

Every year a similar moment will recur when the “moment” has a similar memory of that moment of our birth and this is our Vedic Birthday. For thousands of years in ancient India this was the only “birthday” that was celebrated. Still today in India birthdays of saints and sages are celebreated using this calendar.

For a long period of history there was a deep awareness of the lunar calendar and even this tradition is preserved not just in the Vedic calendar (the most ancient Indian calendar) but in the Jewish, Persian, Chinese, Nepalese, Mongolian and many other ancient calendar systems still in use today.

The time of our birth in this world is a very special moment indeed. The Vedic Seers taught that each soul will enter the world when the quality of light (manifested by the sun, the moon, the major planets and stars), at that particular location upon earth, has a suitable resonance to the quality of the journey of that particular soul.

It is something very beautiful indeed, very much aligned with soul-consciousness. On that particular Vedic Birthday one should take the time to reset and reflect inwardly on the source of all this universe. 

The mobile app calculates your Vedic birthday for yourself, friends and family and allows you to bring your awareness to this most ancient and beautiful celebration of human life. 

Help from Yogi Ramsuratkumar

Yesterday Wednesday September 10, 2014 I spent part of the morning at the Ashram of Yogi Ramsuratkumar. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit this Ashram, I always wonder why it has taken me so long to return there. Its a very beautiful and peaceful spot with a number of nice daily functions including pujas and chanting of the name. It is highly recommend that visitors to this Temple town spend time at the Ashram and Samadhi of this great saint. 

To learn more about the life of Yogi Ramsuratkumar please visit his biography at my website Arunachala Samudra, at this link here.

The posting regarding the statue of the Yogi in his Samadhi Hall is very interesting, because it is the experience of many people that the statue indeed has a powerful energy. It is certainly a blessed place to visit if one needs help and inspiration in one's life.

Boys from the Veda Patasala bowing to the statue

View of Statue in foreground and Adhishtanam in background

Extract from above noticeboard by the side of the Statue:-


"Two parallel water lines linking this Statue and the Adhishtanam early on 22.02.2001, the day after interring of the physical bod of Bhagawan surprised every onlooker, for there was neither rain nor dew to carve out this pattern." 

“The adhishtanam is a shrine where the mortal coil of the Sanyasins is interred and a Shiva Lingam is consecrated as per the Shastric injunctions. Its also known as Samadhi. The Adhishthanam of a Great Jnani is an abode, radiating serenity, holiness and spiritual splendor. The Devotees, sadhakas and pilgrims who visit the adhisthanam and reverentially do pradakshinam, japam, dhyanam, namaskarams and puja, become the recepients of the Jnani’s blessings. Spiritual seekers regard the adhishtanam as a place to sit, meditate and resonate with the ultimate silence. Many are the instances where seekers have been blessed specially while praying in an adhishtanam with directions, guidance, intuitive revelations, etc. pertaining to their sadhana.”

A Meeting with Mookupodi Swamiyar

A reader of this blog has submitted the below narrative describing his own meeting and experience with Mokkupodi Samiyar. There is now a Facebook page dedicated to this siddhar at this link here.

"For the benefit of devotees, I wish to record the following events"

Basically I am a human with all sorts of desires, but struggling to gain inner peace. In that process – almost for the past twenty years, I read many books and followed the advices of many saints. In my pursuit of inner happiness, unfortunately, I could not have any living saints as my Guru. Further, the earthly things would also not allow me to proceed in my pursuit continuously. In short, I am an average human being, but have the desire to seek Atma or sprit. Another problem is that I always question things and won’t accept anything unless proven. May be, that’s why Children and innocent people always have good faith and chosen by God (as Jesus said those who believe in Father without seeing are blessed). 

Three years back, on seeing my quest, one of my friends introduced the name of Sri Ramana Maharishi of Tiruvannamalai and gave two volumes of Ramana Vazhi (The Path of Ramana by Sadhu Ohm). Those books and initial visit to Ramanashram wiped out most of my doubts (If I have any little more, it is purely due to my ignorance). Sri Ramana simply said to look inner and there is no other magic way to see God. 

So far, I took Girivalam about twelve times or more and I always choose a date other than full moon to avoid rush. I had many interesting events to narrate my experiences (or encounters) with GOD. But the following one, I wish to share the most. 

Mokkupodi Swami

On 07.09.2014, by 06.45 Hrs, I started my Girivalam and after paying respect to Sheshadri Swamigal (first time) I proceeded further with a silent prayer of AUM (as taught in the Isha Centre). About 08.00 Hrs (after 6th Km), while passing the Ner Annamalai Temple, I saw 15-20 people were either politely standing with folded hands or sitting on the floor near Navagragha area or lying down (Shastanga Namaskaram) seeking the blessings of someone whom I could not view because of a pillar. 

As it drew my attention, I stopped and returned few steps back to the see the incidents. Watching from the platform across the road, I had a view of a thin hand giving some signs and one umbrella stick projecting from someone’s lap. I also saw a person standing nearby (he actually talked over mobile communicating as “athu ingathan irukku”- meaning that is here). 

Curiosity overwhelmed, I asked the person “what is happening here?” 

He replied “It is Mokkupodi Samiyar. Everyone seeks Its dharshan. Sometimes It uses to scare people with stick. Even one VIP took It to her house for three days for getting ashirwad. It wandered around the hill for almost thirty years. It would not speak to anyone. Forest people moved It from the Arunachala Hill. Now It is staying in a nearby school and often comes out”. 

I was wondering whether it is publicity stunt by some beggar. Then suddenly that person stood up and rushed to beat a person (he was holding a baby on his shoulder and seeking his blessings). Everyone run off. It walked back to the temple wielding the stick vigorously. 

Another person standing nearby said it is his kind punishment to ward of past evil doings. I could not laugh because of the humbleness shown by the people. Though run away, people started to follow It wherever It goes. After two minutes, It retuned back to the pillar and sat down. 

Now acting upon my sixth sense, I prayed to God and Ramana – If that is really a saint or siddhar, then I could possibly communicate in spirit or telepathy. So I crossed the road, and from about 40 feet distance (to avoid any beating) watched Its side posture. Till this time, I did not see Its face. I kept my heart calm and didn’t think of anything. I didn’t offer any prayer to that. In fact I wanted as this my spiritual test and thought that if It is an enlightened person, It would give me a dharshan. 

After 2-4 minutes, It slowly turned and gave a sign (hand sign shooing away). I suspected whether it is for me or I have to go away. So I continued to stand there itself. Suddenly, It stood up again and moved away from me to the Temple side. Abruptly It stopped and turned back. It saw people around in a half circular movement of its head (180 degree). Then It directly looked at me. Though there were people (on sideways), that look was directed to me. I could not believe myself. The distance was now about 50-60 feet, I was on Its direct vision line and no one stood in between. May be somebody was standing behind me and probably It could have watched him – was my thought. 

Slowly, It lifted its right hand and kept above his eyes as if seeing or identifying someone in distance standing in sunlight. 

Now I could experience that all the people were looking at me. It is a direct Dharshan. But foolishly, I was inactive. I could not bow my head or pranam as I tried to keep my mind silent. Then It moved towards me. Suddenly I feared that I have to move to avoid any beating. My eyes were moved with him. It halted five feet away from my left side and turned Its head and looked at me. It gave hand sign of waving or go away. Then It walked further without turning back. A woman with a son followed It. 

The person earlier answered me came and said that It blessed you. I asked for meaning of the hand sign. He replied that It indicates that there is no problem in your life and not that telling you to go away. 

Moved by Heart, I also followed It for about half a kilometre. I wanted to offer my pranam and wanted to touch Its Feet. But It went straight into a school without turning back. Standing opposite to the school gate, I watched him till It moved away from my sight. 

On my return to Trichy, I browsed google and came to know about this enlightened Mahan. I called him as It – as he was initially introduced to me like that. I am happy that I had the dharshan and blessings of a Siddhar. But I also worried about the way he leads his life. While the so called saints and pseudo-enlightened people are moving in luxury cars and have all comforts, a real saint (you should watch his thejas - glowing face and powerful eyes in You Tube released by one Shri Megaraj). May be penance requires no comfort. 

Now I grieve that I should have behaved well in front of MPS. But by recording this, I could compensate in a way so that someone may notice it or write it – in the way people now remembers Shridi Sai." 

[By J. Ilango Jayaraman]

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. 

Linga Bhairavi -- Feminised Male Aspect of the Divine

Owners of a store on Car Street, Tiruvannamalai are devotees of Sadhuguru Jaggi Vasudev founder of the Isha Foundation which is a “volunteer-run, international organisation dedicated to cultivating human potential. The Foundation is a human service organisation that recognises the possibility of each person to empower another - restoring global community through inspiration and individual transformation.” 

Copy of photograph in Car Street store

I am unfamiliar with this organisation, but while at the store on Car Street noticed a startling photograph on the wall – I was to learn that it is of the Linga Bhairavi. Here at Arunachala we have our own synthesis of the male-female principle in the form of Ardhanarishvara so was interested to learn more about the Linga Bhairavi – which is a feminised version of the male aspect of the Divine. 

Linga Bhairavi Shrine at Foundation

In this respect I am posting a couple of photographs of this feminine Linga and also an extract of an (abridged) dialogue by Sadhuguru Jaggi Vasudev explaining the principles of the Linga Bhairavi:-
 

“Linga Bhairavi will be a very new form. A linga typically represents the masculine, but she is a Linga Bhairavi. Bhairavi means it is feminine. She will be of different nature. She will respond to a particular kind of appeal. If someone knows how to do the necessary appeal, she will respond to them in a big way. So you will have a kind of super technology with which you can get anything you want done - that is the whole idea of Devi worship. There is a huge culture of Devi worship here in India. But not only in India - in Arabia, Europe, and large parts of Africa, everywhere goddess worship was the most prominent thing till the monotheistic religion came up. All the crusades and inquisitions were mainly against people who were goddess worshippers. They tried to completely banish the goddess from the planet, but in India she lived and she continues to live. Everywhere else, wherever the monostheistic religions dominated, they completely erased the worship of the feminine. 

One crucial point they held against these Devi or goddess worship groups was, they said they were doing devil's work because they were doing things that other people could not grasp or understand. They could do things that others would not have means to do - that means they were into occult practices. Because they could perform occult practices, they were branded has devil worshippers and put to death, or their places of worship were burnt. Systematically, over centuries, goddess worship was completely erased. 

Here in India, it is still a very strong culture, but today, even here it has become like this that people conduct Devi worship in a clandestine way. People have become educated - anything that does not appeal to their reason, they want to destroy. Because of this, most of the Devi temples conduct the core of their worship in a very clandestine way, not known to the outside world. Not everybody, just a small group of people is involved in this, because unfortunately, society has become very male dominated . . . When I say male dominated, I do not mean man is dominating. I mean the male mind is dominating . . . .

People have still kept the feminine alive in them - there are many of them. But I think worship of the feminine being mainstream is over in the world. It will always be somewhere clandestine

 . . . So we want to create Linga Bhairavi as a space which will be open for the occult. We will open up that possibility. This may cause a certain amount of misunderstanding and disturbance in people around right now, but that does not matter. I have gotten used to living with misunderstanding, and misunderstanding will always be there. These are sciences; these are things that very few people in the world can do. So, we will establish this space when I am still around. These are things which will live for a very longtime, and these are things which people will cherish. This is not only for the occult. For people who are only seeking physical health and material wellbeing, Linga Bhairavi could be far more responsive. . . . 

So, if you want health, wellbeing, prosperity - these kinds of things are very strong in the Linga Bhairavi energy. People who imbibe it can benefit from it that way. And she has a spiritual possibility also. Especially for those who are emotionally bound, the devotee kind of people, Linga Bhairavi will become a stronger attachment . . . So Linga Bhairavi can become a powerful force. 

She will be fierce and powerful. What level of consecration to go for depends on many factors, especially the kind of support that will be there

 . . . One example that is fairly well-known is Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Ramakrishna used to call Kali and she would come. He would actually feed her and she would eat. The plate would become empty. It was the real form, because these forms were created long ago. These are not just dolls that are created for the psychological wellbeing of a person. These are energy forms, which have been created and let loose. If you know how to bring them down, you can bring them down right here, like a live thing.  

If we want to go for that level of consecration, it will involve a lot more. A new goddess will become alive. Making her alive in one form, here in the idol is one level of consecration. Making her truly alive, not in just this form, so that simply she is there, is something else. We could also establish a method that can be imparted to people, through which they can bring down that particular form into their lives. That will take a lot more. That is the kind of work I must be doing. I am in my elements only in that kind of work. We will make up our mind how exactly to create her, whether to make her mild or to make her wild. What kind of goddess do you want, mild and nice, or wild and wonderful?” 

Video of Swamis and Sadhus, Arunachala

Below is a very beautiful video created by "Om Tapas" of a number of Swamis and Sadhus at Arunachala. Its a very pleasing, meditative video.

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 

Swami Vellaiyananda--Life and Tales

The below narrative is a short biography of a Yogi, Swami Vellaiyananda who hailed and lived in Karumarapatti Village, located around 20 miles from Tiruvannamalai. The sadhana he was engaged in throughout his life was believed to have given him certain powers and siddhis. Many villagers would visit Swami regularly, such was their faith in him. Although he was little publicized, those who were meant to meet him, did; and he was visited by many both Indian and Westerners who needed his help and guidance.

Life of Swami Vellaiyananda

Of the pancha bootha sthalams, Arunachala is the foremost. It is the place where Lord Shiva appeared as a tower of fire and it gives freedom (mukti) to devotees who just think of it. 20 kilometres northeast of Tiruvannamalai and 3 kilometres from Mangalam Village, is the farming village of Karumarapatti.

It is at this village that Swami Vellaiyananda was born on August 17th, 1927 as third child of Chinna Thambi and Kulla Ammalaiyar. He was known at that time as Vellayan. Villagers were later to know him as Karumarapatti Swami and SrilaSri Vellaiyananda Swamigal.

From the age of seven he performed morning puja at the local Krishna Temple thereupon he sat facing the southwest towards Arunachala, to do his prayers and meditation. When he was young he used to play with boys of his own age. The boys recognising a force in the young boy, were attracted to Vellayan and obeyed him. Together they would perform bhajans at the Ganesha Temple in the village and their leader would tell miraculous stories about God.

He finished school at an early age and living in his village focussed on his agricultural work and performing pujas to his chosen Gods. His concentration was on devotional worship and he exhibited little interest in family activities. Vellayan was a devotee of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and often visited Tiruvannamalai and Tirupathi. He would say that his heart was full of love for Shiva and Vishnu and that he was not interested in any other God.

In 1956 Vellayan at 30 years of age married his uncle’s daughter a 15 year old girl by the name of Amirtammal. After two years they had a son named Raghunathan.

Kuppan Gowantar who was 15 years senior to Vellayan and a devotee of Pondi Swamigal, tried several times to bring Vellayan to the ashram of Pondi Swami, but a meeting was not allowed to happen at that time. But one day when Vellayan was working in his fields, he had a vision of a man, he asked whether the person was his friend Kuppan Gowantar’s Guru, Pondi Swami. The man said yes and asked Vellayan to visit him. Without a moment’s delay, Vellayan travelled to Tiruvannamalai and performed girivalam to seek permission and blessings from Lord Annamalaiyar to allow him to visit Pondi Swami.

Thereupon he travelled to the saint’s village. Even though there was a large crowd surrounding Pondi Swami, the famed saint called the young Vellayan and his wife to him. Pondi Swamigal gave prasad to Vellayan’s wife in the form of betel leaf, fruit, coconut, flowers and jaggery. He then put vibhutti on both of them and told Vellayan that he would make great spiritual advancement.

During time of Swami's intense sadhana

As a result of the meeting with the great saint Pondi Swamigal, Vellayan’s spiritual yearning grew and with an increased interest in meditation, he chose to spend time in isolation. As his home in 1962 was only a small one room cottage he was unable to undertake meditation either at that place or at the village Temple. Thus he would travel each day 3 kilometres to nearby Mangalam Village to meditate in a spare room owned by his devotee Appu Gowndar. He would daily meditate in that room from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then afterwards return to his own village.

In 1969 a second son Dhavaraja was born to Vellayan and his wife. At that point with his spiritual thirst ever increasing, a small concrete platform was made outside his cottage to allow him to concentrate on his meditation. This programme of meditation began in 1970 and continued for 25 years. During that time he continually reduced his intake of food and water. Much of the time was spent in trance in which he spoke to siddhars. To outward appearances it appeared that Vellayan was a madman talking to the air.

Sitting on that concrete platform, where he performed meditation, he started to meet with devotees who came for his help to alleviate problems they were experiencing in their lives and to receive the Yogi’s blessings.

The Yogi’s appearance grew startling. The hair on his head and beard grew very long and was rolled up into three separate balls. Many devotees thought it a blessing to touch the rolled up balls. Visitors would bring lemons to Swami; and to some devotees the Yogi would return the fruit and instruct them to drink the juice of the lemon. To other devotees he told them to put the fruit at the front of their home in order to get rid of problems. Other devotees brought coconut, fruit, camphor, incense and flowers to Swami and he would ask the devotees to do puja to the Vel (spear) which was in front of his platform. Vellayan spoke to all devotees who came to see him and extended his grace to them.

Swamiji during his birthday function

Later Swami moved from his concrete platform into a more modern village house situated just outside the village. Many wonderful events and miracles were reported as a result of Swami’s guidance and blessings.

Birthday function of Swami

Photograph taken towards end of Swami's life

On November 5th, 2012 Swami Vellaiyananda attained samadhi.

Below are a few lines of Swamiji's biography by a devotee.

“So we come to Karumarapatti. He lives in a small house outside the village, with a large courtyard in front. In the middle is a small pedestal on which is planted a trident, symbol of Lord Shiva. In front of the wide open door is Swami, he sees us and beckons us to pick up at the shop next door, some lemons, vibhutti, a coconut, incense and bananas. We return and Swamiji indicates that we should light sticks of incense and break the coconut as an offering to Lord Shiva. After this ceremony has been performed, we enter into the small room holding the lemons, bananas and vibhutti. We sit in silence in the room where he gives his darshan. All around the walls are pictures of Swamiji.

He sits in his wooden chair with his arms on the rests. He is shirtless, skin weathered by time and he wears just a faded lungi. His face and body are coated in places with vibhutti. His eyes are deep, bright and sparkling. His beard and hair are white and fall to the ground, twisted and rolled along the ground like a snake . . . they are at least two metres long. The nails of his fingers are very long, nearly four inches at least, some broken, which pose a problem for grasping objects.

I must be dreaming, sitting here with this Yogi. It is amazing and almost unreal. A mysterious, sacred atmosphere pervades the room. I watch in silence. Then I prostrate myself at the feet of the Yogi and I remain kneeling before Him. He looks at me intently and stares into my inner being. His gaze is almost unbearable. He raises his half-closed eyes to heaven, then after what seems to be almost an eternity, he turns his gaze towards me and says with a big smile:-

"I took all your negative karma, now you no longer have any negative karma. Every day you will see me in your meditations, I'll be there."

A Miracle of Swami Vellaiyananda

Of this narrative I am about to relate I have firsthand knowledge. It is completely correct in all its essentials. This event occurred around 12 years ago and involved an ordinary village girl. The girl made a very auspicious marriage to a person of wealth, greater intelligence and higher social standing. She was the envy of her family and friends. Time passed and I hadn’t met her for a long while. When we next met I noticed how thin she had become. She acknowledged this and mentioned that although she was eating well, she was rapidly losing weight. After the passing of several more weeks I went to check on her and my concern increased at her continuing weight loss—as now she was looking dangerously thin.

I telephoned her husband (who was overseas) and suggested he bring forward his return to Tamil Nadu in order that he might take care of his wife and ensure she received the best medical care. Even though it was difficult for him to do this, something in the tone of my voice must have inspired him to take immediate action, as he quickly rearranged his schedule and was soon back in Tiruvannamalai. By the time of his return his wife looked like a walking skeleton. He took her by car to specialty hospitals in Chennai, where after a battery of tests, nothing could be found amiss. They were both filled with fear and a sense of hopelessness.

On the couples' return to Tiruvannamalai from Chennai, I met the husband and for no reason I understand (either then or now), suggested he go and meet with Swami Vellaiyananda and ask for his intercession and help. In order to save further discomfort to his wife, the husband left his wife at their home and proceeded alone to Karumarapatti Village (about 20 miles from Tiruvannamalai). Immediately upon entering Swami’s room, the Yogi looked piercingly at him and said, “your wife is almost dead. Relations jealous of her marriage which has brought wealth and good fortune have paid for a black magician to put a wasting curse on her. I shall tell you exactly what you need to do to counteract this hex and your wife will begin to put on weight from this moment on.” 

Swami Vellaiyananda gave details of what needed to be done and the husband followed his instructions exactly. From that moment his wife started to put on weight until she became plump and healthy—which she remains until this time.