Greetings on the occasion of thiruvatharai

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Today is the thiruvaadhirai nakshaththram in the month of Maarkazhi,

and is a very auspicious day for Lord Nataraja (Shiva).

 

It also marks the birth of one of the greatest Saivite Saints

Manickavachakar.

A small excerpt (free translation) from his celebrated work Thiruvachagam:

 

In the strong grasp of karma, (50) I lay, hidden by Maya's stygian shroud.

Firmly bound by the ropes of virtue and of sin, Draped with outer

skin, enveloping within nothing but worms and filth, -

Enmeshed within this nine-gated foul abode; By the five senses sore

deceived, - (55)

A banal animal, a venereal brute inferior even to a dog –

O One without blemish - yet - to such a person like me, Thou cam'st in

Grace on this same earth, didst reveal Thy mighty feet

O embodiment of all knowledge, to me who lay mere slave, Thou didst

grant Grace,

Essential Grace more precious than a mother's love !

 

Today also marks the day Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi was born in 1879;

I wanted to share this wonderful video perhaps already familiar to

most of you, (which was forwarded to me recently).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvIlhN0frdY

 

Pranams to all.

Hari OM.

Shyam