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. 

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

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. 

Aadi Masam 2014

Aadi Masam (Aadi month) is an auspicious month for Tamilians, It is the fourth month in the Tamil calendar and filled with festivals and rituals. In 2014 Aadi Masam started on July 17th and will endon August 16th, 2014.

Aadi Masam is specially dedicated to the Goddess. During this month, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are the most important days during which grand pujas and rituals are performed in most Tamil Nadu Shakti Temples. All Fridays of Aadi Masam, especially the first and third, are considered very auspicious. 

This Festival occurs during the month of "Aadi" the 4th month in the Tamil Calendar. "Pooram" which is the star that occurs at this time, is one of the 27 stars (nakshatras) in Indian Astrology and is termed the star of Mother Parashakti. On this day, it is said that the Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra), exchange their constellation. Which means the Sun occupies the Moon's house of Katakam (Cancer constellation), and the Moon occupies the Sun's house of Simham (Leo constellation). Both the Sun and Moon rejoice at this exchange of houses, which is known as Parivarthanaa Yogam. 

Aadi Masam is termed inauspicious by many as Dakshinaayana Punyakaalam (Lord Surya -- the Sun god) changes his direction from north to south at this time) starts in this month. This is also called as Uttarayanam Punya Kaalam. In the Mahabaratha (Bhishma Parva), Bhisma waited till the birth of Uttarayanam to give away his soul as he had Iccha Mruthyu which means, (i.e. the ability to decide the day and time of one’s death). 

It is at the start of the Aadi month that the sun’s heat reduces and the rains start. It is during this time that the monsoon peaks on the West Coast and the rivers of Tamil Nadu (shrunken in the summer heat) get replenished, often to near full levels. Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time. 

Aadi Masam is a time of fervour and observances in Goddess related Water-forces and Natural forces (where prayers and pujas are offered to propitiate the powerful goddesses and seek their protection from the inauspicious aspects that are often associated with the month). The month of Aadi is considered very auspicious to connect oneself to this Divine power. However no Functions celebrating social occasions, such as weddings or other similar functions are celebrated during Aadi as such social functions are considered inauspicious during this particular Tamil month. 

Prominent Festivals during Aadi Masam, 2014 

Aadi Pirappu - July 17th 

Aadi Krithigai, - July 21st 

Aadi Perukku - August 3rd 

Aadi Amavasai – July 26th (no moon day) 

Aadi Pooram – July 30th (new moon day) 

VaraLakshmi Puja - August 8th 

Aadi Chevvai - All Tuesdays 

Aadi Velli - All Fridays 

Aadi Pooram

Dedicated to the birth of Sri Andal (one among 12 great Alwars of Sri Vaishnavism). 

The tenth day of the Aadi month is celebrated as Aadi Pooram day when Thirukalyanam (the Divine marriage of the God and the Goddess) is conducted. Special pujas are also conducted on this day. It is believed that if unmarried girls worship Goddess Andal on the tenth day of Aadi Pooram Festival, they will soon marry. 

Legend has it that Vishnu Chitha (known as Periazhwar) was a sincere devotee of Lord Ranganatha of Srivilliputhur. He was childless for a very long time. His prayers were answered and on Aadi Pooram day, when the devotee was collecting flowers in his garden to be used for puja, he found a girl child. The child was named Kothai who grew up with devotion to Lord. 

Sri Andal

Every day, Vishnu Chitha made a garland of Thulasi leaves to offer to the deity at the Temple, which Kothai used to wear before offering to the Lord. One day, a devotee happened to see her wearing this garland and replaced it with another garland. However, the Lord refused to accept the new one and said that He would only wear the garland worn by Kothai. Vishnu Chitha realized that his daughter was a manifestation of the Goddess Mahalakshmi. Andal then came to be known as Choodi Kodutha Sudarkodi, meaning ‘garland offered after being worn’. 

In Saiva Temples (as is observed at our own Arunachaleswarar Temple) this day is celebrated as the Valaikappu Festival for the Goddess, when glass bangles are offered to the Goddess and then distributed to devotees. The wearing of these bangles are said to provide offspring and generally protect one from evils. (Valaikaappu is a Festival during which a pregnant woman wears glass bangles, the sound of which is said to protect her and the child from evil forces). 

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

For the schedule of the 2014 Valaikaappu (Bangle) Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple and the Fire Walking Ceremony in front of the Unnamalai Shrine please go to this link here. 

Varuna Japam, April 28, 2014

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

Homam to propitate the rain Gods

Priests at Temple Tank

Immersion whilst performing Japam

Darshan of Arunachala whilst chanting

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

God Varuna 

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

Lord Varuna with crocodile vahana (vehicle)

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

In Valluvar’s Tirukkural, it is said: 

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

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

Extract from article by London Swaminathan 

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

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





Amurya upa surye
Yabhirva surya saha
Ta no hinvantvadhvaram

Apo devirupa hvaye
Yatra ghava pibanti na
Sindubhya kartva havi


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


Tat tva yami brahmaa
Vandamanastada saste
Yajamano havirbhi

Ahe amano varueha
Bodhyurusasa ma na
Ayupra moi


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

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

The Science of Mantra

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

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

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

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

Meaning of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana

For information and photographs of Ani Brahmostavam as is celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai and which commemorates Dakshinayana and marks the beginning of the sun’s movement in a southerly direction go to this posting here. 

For those interested in the esoteric significance of the two seasonal calendar delineations of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana, below is an interesting and thought provoking narrative. 

Meaning of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana 

The summer solstice falls in the month of June (corresponds to the Tamil month of Ani) and marks the beginning of Dakshinayana, which means in the Earth’s sky the Sun begins to trace a southward movement in the northern hemisphere of the planet. 

Similarly, the winter solstice, which falls in the month of December, marks the beginning of Uttarayana or the northern run of the Sun. The half of the year from the beginning of Uttarayana in December to the beginning of Dakshinayana in June is known as jnana pada. The other half of the year from the beginning of Dakshinayana to the beginning of Uttarayana is known as the sadhana pada. In terms of sadhana, Dakshinayana is for purification, Uttarayana is for enlightenment. 

A New Dawn

The change in the Sun’s relationship with the planet has a significant impact on lives of people, particularly for those who inhabit the region of the earth between eighteen degrees north to forty-eight degrees north latitude, because this part of the earth gets the maximum impact in this shift. A human being cannot escape anything that happens to the planet – I am not talking in environmental terms – because what you call as "myself" is just a piece of this planet, and a more sensitive and far more receptive part of the planet than what is there as earth. So whatever happens to the planet will happen a thousand-fold more within the human system. It is just that it takes some sensitivity and receptivity to experience it and make use of it. 

Many people are making use of it in unconscious ways, not knowing what they are doing. Unconsciously, on certain days they behave in a certain way. Every human being, no matter what level of competency he has reached in his life, either a great athlete or an artist or a musician or a politician or an intellectual, whatever he may be, will for some unknown reason seem to function better on certain days and certain times. And for some unknown reason he does not seem to do the same things as well on another day. This is not just about you. The whole dynamics of the planet and the system is working upon you. 

In the northern hemisphere of the planet, Uttarayana is the time of fulfilment, Dakshinayana is the time of receptivity. They are also understood as – the first six months from January to June are masculine in nature, and the duration of the southern run is the feminine phase of the Earth. The earth changing her fabric from being masculine to feminine is very significant for a sadhaka because we are moving into the six months of sadhana phase where receptivity is good. 

So Uttarayana and Dakshinayana have a significant impact on how the human system functions. Accordingly, spiritual aspirants shift their tone of activity – when the sun is in the northern run they are one way, when it moves to the southern dimension they are in a different way. During the southern run, what is below the Anahata chakra can be purified very easily. During the northern run, what is above the Anahata can be worked much more easily. 

If you look at the chakras as two different dimensions, the lower ones, the Manipura, the Svadhishthana, and Muladhara are more concerned in keeping the body stable, rooted. These are the earth qualities. They pull you to the Earth. It is nature. The more you ascribe your energies to these three centres, the more your qualities will become earthy and in the grip of nature. The upper ones, the Vishuddhi, Agna, and Sahasrara are three centres which are always taking you away. If your energies become dominant in these centres, it is pulling you away from Earth. These centres make you open to another force which we normally refer to as Grace – it is always trying to take you away from Earth. So between the first three and the last three, the first three are pulling you towards the Earth, the last three are pulling you away from the Earth. Anahata is a balance between the two. 

The human body, if brought to a certain level of intensity and sensitivity, is a cosmos by itself. Everything that happens in the external sphere, in a subtle way, manifests in the body. It is happening to everybody, it is just that most people do not notice this. But a more organised and purposeful rearrangement of the human mechanism could be done if one becomes conscious of the external movement and aligns that with the movement that is happening within the human system. If you want this body of flesh and bone to imbibe the nature of the cosmic body, understanding and being in tune with this movement of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana is very essential. 

[By Sadhguru] 

Soma Sutra Pradakshina

I just posted photographs and a narrative of the July 5, 2013 Pradosham as observed at the Arunachaleswarar Temple here at Tiruvannamalai. 

To view the posting please go to this link here. 

During the time of Pradosham a special type of circumambulating called Soma Sutra Pradakshina is done. 

During the time of Pradosham, Soma Sutra Pradakshina is the suggested method of circumambulating God. In some Temples this is always followed. In this method the gomukhi is never crossed. The gomukhi is the place where Abhishekam water is flowing Northwards. By doing this method of Pradakshina one does not step over the holy water. 

As per the above marked symbols this pradakshina goes thus: 

First saluting Rishabham Devar (Nandi the Bull) go anti-clockwise and salute Chandichar (not crossing the gomukhi). 

Now return in a clockwise manner and salute Rishabham and continue clockwise until reaching the gomukhi (again don’t cross). 

Then return in an anti-clockwise direction, salute the Rishabham again and proceed towards Chandichar. 

From there return back clockwise without worshipping the Rishabham and reach the gomukhi. 

Finally return back anti-clockwise from there to salute Rishabham Devar and continue to Chandichar and return back to Rishabham and worship the Shiva Lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy bull. 

This is one pradakshina. Three such times pradakshina are to be done. 

The curve traced by doing the pradakshina is very similar to the periphery of the crescent moon. Hence this way of circumambulating is called Soma Sutra Pradakshina. 

The Naked Saints of India

The below is a fascinating narrative written by the eminent Dadaji entitled, “The Naked Saints of India,” which explains that according to scriptural texts, naked sannyasins are regarded as manifestations of the highest expression of renunciation. 

Later in this posting I have included an excerpt from Day by Day which details Ramana Maharshi’s experience (in his own words) of his time living as a naked sadhu (albeit for slightly different reasons to the ones explained in the Dadaji narrative) whilst staying at the Arunachaleswarar Tempe when he first arrived at Tiruvannamalai. 

The Naked Saints of India 

In some of the oldest scriptural texts of India, we find references to naked saints and sannyasins. In the Rig Veda of Vedic Aryan tradition reference is made to them but worded in such a way that shows the Brahmins did not properly understand them but were held in wonder by the spiritual and psychic powers some of them possessed. 

These naked Sadhus belonged to the non-Vedic or pre-Aryan religion which flourished long before the Vedic religion was introduced into India. The scriptures of these people were known as Agamas and the same teachings were later written as Tantras. The earlier texts of the Agamas are mostly dialogues where the spiritual teaching is put into the mouth of the Lord Shiva as Guru teachings to Parvati the Mother Goddess as sishya. The same teachings found their way into the Vedic texts and were known as Upanishads. The Agamas tell us of naked sannyasins as revealing the highest expression of renunciation and suggests that he who wants nothing of the world does not want its rags either. 

Another reference tends to be critical of one who claims to be a high initiate and yet hides the lingam (penis) which is the sacred symbol of Shiva. The sannyasins of the non-Vedic religion practised tapas or austerity. It was the path between needless and foolish physical discomforts on one hand and sensual luxury-seeking on the other. It was the path of moderation which was later introduced into Buddhism as the Middle Way. These sadhus did not take any vow or make any promises. 

Nakedness was accepted as part of their way of life, but there was nothing to prevent a sadhu from using clothes to protect himself from extreme cold or in time of sickness. There can now be little doubt that complete nakedness was the accepted pattern for the majority of sadhus and a pattern which still existed till the time of Gautama the Buddha and Mahavira the Jain. Although the Buddha probably remained naked until the day he died, his followers introduced robes into the Buddhist order. Also among the Jain followers of Mahavira, there came a division into two separate sects -- the Svetambars, clad in white cloth and the Digambars who sometimes wore clothes but were expected to end up naked at some future date. Nakedness was never practised by laymen in the Jain community. Many foreign visitors have often rushed to see a Digambar Jain only to find he was a decorously dressed shopkeeper. Household Jains take their designation from the sect which they follow. 

The feature of naked sadhus is still fairly common, even in modern India. Overseas visitors seldom see them because they seldom live or visit the tourist fleshpots and city terminals. When Allen Ginsberg, the American poet, visited India some years back, he expressed in letters which were printed in City Lights his sad disappointment at not seeing even one naked sadhu. This could be surprising because in Banaras, which he visited, it is doubtful if this great city of Shiva has ever been without naked sadhus and in considerable numbers. 

Banaras is still the one city in India where you can walk about naked and yet remain unnoticed. Even beggars display mutilated genitals to reveal a mental inclination to celibacy and a great sacrifice which would make physical delinquency impossible. In these days most naked sadhus wear a cloth in public or when travelling. They neither wish to draw needless attention to themselves or amuse the schoolboy population now sadly conditioned by modern education. Hindu Digambar sadhus have outnumbered, and still do, the naked Jains by thousands to one. Many city councils have introduced by laws forbidding public nudity even among sadhus. A new sense of Western respectability has come to India just at a time when the West is abandoning its Puritanism. 

Even today the great names and outstanding sadhus of Indian history and tradition have mostly been naked. In the years which followed the Muslim invasion of India it became obvious that there were many things which they did not like about Indian Paganism. They showed their aversion to images by smashing them and destroying temples. They loathed the sight of the naked sadhus, yet for some reason feared to interfere with them. 

There is only one record where a man was executed by King Aurangzeb for public nudity. He was not actually a sadhu. Born in Persia as a Jew, he became a convert to Islam. As a Muslim he came to India selling embroidered garments in Delhi. There he changed again and became a devotee of Rama and wrote many beautiful songs. Even this might have been ignored but he began to dance around the streets in the nude. The Muslims would not recognize that a Muslim could possibly embrace another religion. He was executed by the king as a degenerate Muslim who exhibited himself naked. 

Indian Paganism made its inroads into Islam and in India, unique among all other Muslim communities, we have records of numerous Muslim and Sufi saints who adopted nakedness. Some exist even today. It was the Muslims who seem to have first used the word Hindu and therefore it is a very recent addition to Indian words. It sprang from their own references to "people living on the other side of the Indus,' who were the "Indus' and later refined to Hindu. Many Indians still find the word unacceptable although it enjoys common usage. It is not found in the Vedas, Upanishads or the Bhagavad Gita. Since there was a time when the religion of old India enjoyed a monopoly, a name was unnecessary. After the invasion of the Aryans, the non-Vedic people began to use the term Sanatana Dharma, the eternal wisdom or teachings. When the Vedic and non-Vedic religions merged, the term came to be generally accepted. 

The Agamas of the original Indians have been ignored by Western scholars in favour of Vedic literature. This, in spite of the fact that it is the Agama teachings which have dominated Indian spiritual life for three to four thousand years. They and not the Aryan Vedas form the basis of all that is taught in all the Puranas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Uddhava Gita and other Gitas. The Avadhut Gita and the Jivanmukti Gitas, generally studied only by sadhus, are regarded as teaching the highest principles of spiritual life and refute much of what is taught in the Aryan Vedas. 

Historically the sannyasin goes back to primordial times. Some Indian scholars, free from Western conditioning, have speculated that they began in an age when nobody wore clothes and retained their naked status even after woven cloths and linens came into common usage. It is only an idea but the spiritual leaders of many religions do tend to preserve customs and forms long afar the lay population has abandoned them. Beyond this, we can consider that stronger than all other motives was the desire of the sadhu to remain a natural man in his natural environment. This separated him from the tendencies of worldly people to become more and more affluent and cling firmer to those delusions which he had abandoned. 

All Upanishadic and Gita teachings lead to the one simple but inescapable truth that we are not bodies but immortal souls. So what does an immortal want to hide and should they try to look like worldly men? The word Digambar is taken from the Sanskrit Digambara. Its literal meaning is wearing the sky or sky-clothed. Though often used as a synonym for naked, it has a much deeper meaning. A householder is separated from his environment by his clothes, and when he removes his clothes he is separated from his environment by his skin. He fails to understand or realize the oneness of all nature and life. This should not be so with the sadhu and when he is digambar he is one and absolute with everything. 

[By Dadaji] 

Day by Day 

By A. Devaraja Mudaliar 

10-10-46 

. . . . . 

This afternoon, Mr. Subba Rao said that some incidents in Bhagavan’s life had not at all been recorded in any book so far; for instance, he said, nobody knew that Bhagavan was for some time nude, but he found out by reading Bhagavan’s horoscope that he must have been nude for some time. It was then discovered in the Telegu biography the above facts about Bhagavan was mentioned. 

This led Bhagavan to say, “It is true I was nude for some time in the early days, when I was under the illuppai tree in the Temple compound. It was not because I had a vairagya that I should have no clothing of any sort. The cod-piece I was wearing used to bring on sores where it touched the skin. When the sore became bad, I threw away the cod-piece. That is all. There used to be an old Gurukkal who for the first time arranged for some regular food for me either by supplying some from his house or by sending the abhisheka milk from the Temple to me. After I had been nude for about a month, this old Gurukkal told me one day, ‘Boy, the Karthigai Deepam is approaching. People from all the 24 districts will be flocking here. Police from all the districts will also be here. They will arrest you and put you into jail if you are nude like this. So you must have a cod-piece.’ So saying, he got a new piece of cloth, made four people lift me up and tied a cod-piece round me.” 

Arunachaleswarar Temple Puja Details

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

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

Pooja Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. Marriage Fee Rs.150/-

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

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

Arunachala Pujas

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

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






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

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