Aurora of Arunachala

The below narrative is of the light of Arunachala, experienced by a devotee of a Sri Seshadri Swamigal during his visit to this place:

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"The importance of the sacred place of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu lies in the secret of its being the centre of the Thejo-lingam kshetra and in its being the secret abode of the Supreme Lord Shiva in his elemental form of fire. While the celebrated linga adorns the Temple of Arunachaleswarar, Skandapurana comes out with the exciting fact that the mountain of Arunachala is itself the present version of the original fiery linga in the form of a pillar that confronted Brahman and Vishnu in times of great antiquity, the Lord have settled himself in the form of the mountain in order to bless all beings who go round it. He is the august Divinity living seemingly silent as a pradakshina priya. But those who have gone round and worshipped him know he is not silent but verily vibrant as a beacon of light—as a Jyoti sui generis. 

Arunachala Light

The Jyoti 

The great one who first beckoned me through the emerald route leading to the sanctity of Arunachala was none other than Bhagavan Sri Seshadri Swamigal himself. Early in the 1970’s, I had not even heard of his name. But one day, as I was meditating in Bangalore in the early hours of the morning his effulgent figure appeared before me. The thajasic vision with the golden face and form was such that I had no two opinions about his being a great one. I was only keen on the identity of the central figure of my visionary experience. It was only when I saw his portrait on the same evening in a great devotee’s place that I came to know about his identity. I thanked him silently for his kindness of the type that has no parallel in this world. 

As I learn that his Samadhi and abode of tranquility glorified Arunachala, I embarked on a pilgrimage to the Ashram shortly thereafter. It was past midnight when my friends and I reached the Samadhi. After about two hours of rest, I work up early and found that the whole landscape around was totally plunged in darkness because it was a New Moon day (Amavasya); even the electrical lights were not visible but it was not dark in one spot behind Seshadri Ashram at the foot of the mountain of Arunachala. A huge elliptical ball of brilliant light stood from the ground to a gigantic height. The sight of what I would like to call Aruna-Jyoti was also shared by another who came out with me at the same time. The Jyoti vanished after two minutes. 

Sri Seshadri Swamigal statue back of Samadhi

I should hasten to add that the Jyoti of Arunachaleswarar is not confined to any particular form or denomination. Everything depends upon His will, grace and illimitable kindness. Indeed, the Lord is everywhere inside every jeevan, inside the mountain of Arunachala and outside. What makes visits exciting is the rewarding experiences of the Jyoti—thanks to Arunachaleswarar’s manifestations of his Jyoti-maya form. What is even greater about the Lord is that, as the scriptures proclaim, he is visible in his Jyoti state both in the Antarmukha and Bahirmukha—in the microcosm and the macrocosm. 

The Jyoti that becomes visible either as a result of the grace of Sree Seshadri Swamigal or Sree Arunachaleswarar is so variegated that no one can say anything precise about a great God who defies description. But it can be categorically asserted as emphasised by Skandapurana that Arunachala offers more vivid experiences of the celestial light or Jyoti than any other kshetra.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba at back of Samadhi

Perhaps the most spectacular of the Jyoti phenomena is the aurora of Arunachaleswarar emerging from the top of the mountain in a fantastic cluster of rays beaming to great heights in all directions. This was visible once on the eve of our pradakshina from Sree Seshadri Swamigal’s ashram as the starting point of pradakshina. What is significant is the same aurora in miniature form is sometimes also visible from the top of the jyotirlinga in Arunachaleswarar Temple."

[By S. Suryanarayan] 

An experience with Sri Seshadri Swamigal

I arrived at Tiruvannamalai twenty years ago by a late evening bus. I had been sent here by my own guruji, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and had only the vaguest idea about the hill Arunachala. I also knew a little about two of the more famous saints, Sri Ramana Maharshi and Yogi Ramsuratkumar (who a friend of mine visited in the mid 1980’s.). Other than that I had little information or knowledge. On the bus a retired Police Inspector took me under his wing and expressed concern that I had no knowledge of the area or thought of where I would put up on arrival. It was he that kindly took me to the ashram of Sri Seshadri Swamigal and arranged my lodging with what was then a very small ashram with only minimal accommodation facilities. 

I stayed ten days at the ashram of Sri Seshadri Swamigal and received guidance and inspiration throughout my time both at the samadhi of the great soul and also from sitting in what was then very pretty ashram grounds. I bow to the karma that led me to this great soul and unto his loving protection. It was he that welcomed me to Arunachala and provided the beginning of my knowledge and connection with the great Hill. 

[Meenakshi Ammal: author of Arunachala Mystic]

Isakki Swamigal -- Part 2

Isakki Swamigal also known as Panchamukha Swamigal, belonged to Tirunelveli District. He was born in 1917 to Chella Perumal Pillai and Muthammal. From his early days, he had good devotional thoughts and spiritual practice. During his school days at age of 13, he came to Tiruvannamalai with his parents for the Karthigai Deepam Festival. As in those days they had to come by walk, Swamigal followed his parents and they reached Tiruvannamalai after a long journey. With his parents Swamigal went on giripradakshina, on reaching Niruthi Lingam Temple, Swamigal was very much attracted by Lord Shiva, and had a strong thought of doing meditation at that place. Since he was very young he was unable to do so, and he followed his parents and went on to complete giripradakshina.

On going to the southside of the mountain during the giripradakshina, the hill which appeared as a single form, appeared in a bifurcated form, representing Shiva and Parvati. On going further to the western side of the hill, it appeared as three peaks which represents the almighty performing the duty of creation, maintenance and destruction of all things in the world. On going further Swamigal visited Gowthama Ashram, and Adi Annamalai Temple and reached the side where the Hill shows the five peak points, called panchamukha. 

Panchamukha Point

On reaching panchamukha point, Swamigal felt that almighty Shiva from his one form divides into five moorthis to perform the essential functions that keep the world alive; creation, protection, destruction, embodiment and saving with grace. So the five faces of Shiva appears as the five peaks of the Hill, which represent panchamukha darshinam of the Hill. On feeling this thought, Swamigal had a sensation that he was at the foot of Mount Kailas. As his spiritual thoughts increased, tears flowed from his eyes and his heart was fully inspired. He felt to meditate there at the Panchamukha Point, and from that day onwards he had a very strong attachment to that place. In later times, he stayed there and was popularly known as Panchamukha Swamigal.

After having darshan of Karthigai Deepam and Tiruvannamalai Big Temple, Swamigal and his parents travelled northwards on a pilgrimage to many Shrines. Their pilgrimage included Temples at; Virinjipuram, Kanchipuram, Thiruthani, Tirupathi, Thiru Kalahasti and Thiruvetriyur. Afterwards they started travelling southwards on their pilgrimage, visiting Temples at; Virudhachalam, Vadalur, Chidambaram, Sirkali, Rameshwaram until they reached Trichy. At Trichy they worshipped Thayumanavar Swamigal, then proceeded to two more Temples: Thiruvaranagam and Thiruvanaikaval. Swamigal and his parents started their journey in the Tamil month of Ippasi and returned to their village in the Tamil month of Margahi on Thiruvathira Star Day.

Upon completion of the pilgrimage, Swamigal completed his days at school and after finishing his education married. But still his heart was full of thoughts of Arunachala and he often visited Tiruvannamalai, staying at Appar Swamigal Mandapam and going on giripradakshina and meditating near Panchamukha Point. Like this several years passed. Later, he thought to stay at Tiruvannamalai. Sometime between 1959-1960 in the Tamil month of Avani in the Tamil year Vikari he left his house at Tirunelveli and came to Tiruvannamalai. After arrival, Isakki Swamigal started to perform giripradakshina regularly.

For several years Swamigal daily continued his giripradakshina and started to become famous amongst the locals. Groups of people started to go around the hill following the Swami. During their procession around Arunachala, people started to chant the panchakshari mantra of Shiva, “Om Namah Shivaya,” and “Arogahara! Arogahara! Annamalaiku Arogahara!” Increasingly more people started to follow Swamigal during his giripradakshina. Upon each time of reaching the Panchamukha Point, Swamigal would stop and stay at a small mandapam nearby to perform meditation. During his days, Swamigal met and saw several siddhars and yogis who went round the hill on giripradakshina.

People who came for darshan of Isakki Swamigal started to tell him their problems and to ask for his blessings. Some came to Swamigal and requested that he cure their disease. Isakki Swamigal was very surprised that people should come to him, asking for his help, as he believed that Lord Shiva is responsible for all happenings in the world, so who was he to bless anyone? He told those that came, to surrender to Lord Shiva by surrendering to Arunachala. He assured them that whatever problem they may have, that by performing giripradakshina, their problems would be solved and their diseases would be cured.

Based on the problems and diseases concerned Swamigal advised giripradakshina for one mandalam (48 days), two mandalam (96 days) or for three mandalams (144 days). His followers started to take his advice and performed giripradakshina to relieve their difficulties. To avoid the constantly growing crowds around him, Swamigal moved to another part of the Hill.

During his life, it is believed that Isakki Swamigal performed angapradakshinam (pradakshina by rolling the body in a clockwise movement on the ground) of Arunachala 1008 times. Even today, it is thought that Swamigal in his astral form performs giripradakshina twice daily. Close to the Panchamukha Daharshanam Point there is a small meditation mandapam where it is believed that he performs meditation daily at midday. Near the mandapam, Swamigal created a well in order to supply drinking water for devotees.

Swamigal performed meditation at several places in and around Arunachala. He performed dhyanam northside of Adi Annamalai near the Kavasa Theertham, where it is believed that Lord Annamalaiyar showered his blessings upon Swamigal and gave him the power of healing.

There are reputed to be 360 ponds around the path of Arunachala giripradakshina and also several natural springs on the Hill itself. Swamigal said that on the northern side of Arunachala there is a big stone point called the “peacock dancing stone point,” below there is a spring called “Arasudayan Sunaei,” which has cool, sweet water throughout all seasons. At the southern part of the Hill, there is another natural spring called, “Pugunthu Kudithan Sunaei,” at this spring the pathway is very narrow and one has to bend down close to the ground in order to enter. Inside, it is wide and broad and the water is cool and delicious. It is said that at this place one can always hear the sound of an echo.

Until 1975, Swamigal performed meditation daily at Panchamukha Point from 12.00 to 2.30 p.m. He had been to all parts of Arunachala and knew each and every bit of the Hill. One time when he was on the Hill, Lord Shiva came in the form of a wood cutter and showed the way for Swamigal. Isakki Swamigal's samadhi is located at Panchamukha Point. This narrative to be continued.