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. 

Visit to Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal

It was such a beautiful Sunday. The sun was toasty, and the sky almost violet in its intense colouring. It just seemed to right kind of day to venture into the nearby countryside and have a nice adventure and to give myself a treat. The adventure I chose was to catch an autorickshaw with a friend and travel into the countryside a short distance to visit Sri Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal. 

As is always the custom as soon as we arrived at his ashram, at which ten sannyasins currently reside, we were offered tea. We decided to forgo tea and meals for the chance to take immediate darshan of Swami.

Swami was warm and welcoming and asked why it had been so long since our last visit and then preceded to give both myself and friend private interviews. After giving specific guidance and directions to us both, he sent us to the dining hall for meals. 

While we were eating our meal, Swami continued giving private interviews to the constant stream of visitors to his Ashram. He himself needed to take no repast, as he has been living on a liquid diet only for many years. 

Swami on his Verandah talking with a visitor

Visitors arriving throughout the day to talk with Swami

Samadhi of Sri La Supaya

Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal’s guru was Sri La Supaya. Sri La Supaya was born on December 13, 1937 and attained samadhi on November 11, 2011. He hailed from Mahadevanmalay, Tiruvannamalai District. He achieved realisation around his 30th year. After his Guru attained Samadhi, Siva Siddhar Mona Swamigal according to his inner guidance came to this place and his ashram has developed accordingly. 

Top of Sri La Supaya's Samadhi a 3-dimensional Chakra

Uttarayana – Hoisting of Flag at Temple

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

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

Raising Flag at Arunachaleswarar Temple

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

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

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

Aldous Huxley describes the aspect of Lord Nataraja

The great writer Aldous Huxley (Brave New World, The Perennial Philosophy, The Doors of Perception, Island) describes the "Dancing Shiva" image of Lord Nataraja and its immense significance and comprehensiveness. 

Shirdi Sai Baba at Arunachala

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

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

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

Crate on land in 2008

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

2014 Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine at the same spot

Inside the Shrine

Perpetual flame from Shirdi alight in the Shrine's Dhuni

Pepetual flame from Shirdi

Development adjacent to Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine, girivalam roadway

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

Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine, girivalam roadway near Hanuman Temple

Bhajan Hall near Durga Amman Temple, Tiruvannamalai

COMPLETE SURRENDER TO SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI 

[Stories from Shri Sai Satcharitha by Hemad Pant]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Submitted by Bharathkumar K. 

With reference to Shri Sai Satcharitha] 

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. 

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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. 

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“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.