Fwd: Fw: ARUNACHALA GRACE NEWS -- JULY, 2008 - excerpts

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ThePowerOfSilence , viorica

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ARUNACHALA GRACE NEWS

JULY, 2008

 

 

Arunachala Grace Network

 

 

 

 

 

Sing to the Mountain

 

 

" This is the working of the ceremony to save the green

ants, the aboriginal people and the dreamtime that holds the world

together. The white people are too young to know this and too old to

understand. Yet, you must listen to these words now and hear with

your hearts, the singing of the mountain.

 

 

 

The mountain sings. It sings like it has never sung

before; it is singing now for you, for us, for every living creature

on this beautiful Earth. The mountain sings its first and last song.

The music comes from far, far away yet; it is inside you, inside the

mountain, inside the trees, inside the rising sun, inside the stars,

inside the little pebbles in the river, inside the kangaroo, inside

the green ants, inside your mother, inside your father; the song is

singing by itself inside every living thing. Now, the mountain sings

to keep the world alive. When you hear the song inside your hearts,

sing back to the mountain. Sing back to the mountain ... sing back to

the mountain. "

 

[invocation of a Chief Uluru Aboriginal Elder]

 

 

 

 

 

Pearls from the Guru

 

 

" The syllable gu means shadows

 

The syllable ru, he who disperses them,

 

Because of the power to disperse darkness

 

The guru is thus named. "

 

[Advayataraka Upanishad 14-18, verse 5]

 

 

 

" A real guru is like an ice cube. He cools your

consciousness and then disappears without a trace. "

 

[Chitrabhanu-ji]

 

 

 

" Everyone has his own path, his mission, and even if you

take your Master as a model, you must always develop in a way that

suits your own nature. "

 

[Aïvanhov]

 

 

 

" My Guru became my all-in-all, my home, mother and

father, everything. All my senses left their places, and concentrated

themselves in my eyes, and my sight was centred on him. Thus my guru

was the sole object of my meditation and I was conscious of none

else. While meditating on him my mind and intellect were silent and I

had thus, to keep quiet and bow to him in silence. "

 

[sri Sai Baba of Shirdi]

 

 

 

" Everything in the world was my Guru. Don't you know that

Dattatreya, when he was asked by the king which Guru had taught him

the secret of bliss, replied that the earth, water, fire, animals,

men, etc., all were his Gurus and went on explaining how some of

these taught him to cling to what was good and others taught him what

things he should avoid as bad. "

 

[Ramana Maharshi]

 

 

 

" This beggar prays to his Father to bless you all who

have come here. My Lord Rama blesses you, My Father blesses you.

Arunachaleswara blesses you. It doesn't matter to me what name it is.

All the blessings of my Father for all of you! Well, that is the end.

That is all. "

 

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

 

 

 

Hymn to the Guru

 

 

One's body may be handsome, wife beautiful, fame

excellent and varied, and wealth like unto Mount Meru; but if one's

mind be not attached to the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what

thence, what thence, what thence?

 

 

 

Wife, wealth, sons, grandsons, all these; home,

relations,the host of all these there may be; but if one's mind be

not attached to the lotus feet of the guru, what thence, what thence,

what thence, what thence?

 

 

 

The Vedas with their six auxiliaries and knowledge of

science may be on one's lips; one may have the gift of poesy; and may

compose good prose and poetry; but if one's mind be not attached to

the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence,

what thence?

 

 

 

" In other lands I am honoured; in my country I am

fortunate; in the ways of good conduct there is none that excels me, "

thus one may think; but if one's mind be not attached to the lotus

feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

 

 

One's feet may be adored constantly by hosts of emperors

and kings of the world, but if one's mind be not attached to the

lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what

thence?

 

 

 

My fame has spread in all quarters by virtue of

generosity and prowess; all the things of the world are in my hands

as a reward of these virtues; but if one's mind be not attached to

the lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence,

what thence?

 

 

 

Not in enjoyment, not in concentration, not in the

multitudes of horses; not in the face of the beloved, nor in wealth

does the mind dwell; but if that mind be not attached to the lotus

feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what thence?

 

 

 

Not in the forest, nor even in one's own house, nor in

what-is-to-be-accomplished, nor in the body, nor in what is

invaluable does my mind dwell; but if my mind be not attached to the

lotus feet of the Guru, what thence, what thence, what thence, what

thence?

 

[Adi Sankara]

 

 

Links:

Arunachala Website

Arunachala News

Arunachala Birds

Arunachala Land

Navagrahas

Ramana Ashram Official Site

Indian Pond Heron Photographs

Shantimalai Trust Official Site

 

 

Arunachala Tidbits

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace News

 

This month's Newsletter is dedicated to the Guru in

relation to the upcoming Guru Poornima on the 18th of July; there is

a section of 'Pearls from the Guru', 'Arunachala Reflections', and

the lyrical Hymn to the Guru by Sri Sankaracharya. The Guru is

represented by the planet Jupiter and this month we feature the

corresponding Navagraha; Brihaspati, and explain how it may affect

your life.

 

 

 

To send a personalized copy of this Newsletter, click

on 'send to a friend' at the bottom right corner of this Newsletter,

and you will be given access to an easy to use facility enabling you

to send copies of Arunachala Grace News direct to friends' email

inboxes.

 

 

 

Salem and Tiruvannamalai Districts

 

Farmers and environmentalists are fighting an iron-ore

mining project at Kanchamalai in Salem. According to official

sources, TIMCO and SISCOL joint venture wants 1,000 acres of mineral-

rich hills in two places in Tamil Nadu. While 638 acres is sought at

Kanchamalai, revered for the indigenous medical practitioners and

rich herbs, 330 acres has been asked for at Tiruvannamalai District

(Vediappanmalai, Kauthimalai). Around 90,000 trees at Kanchamalai and

200,000 trees in Tiruvannamalai District will be felled if the

project is cleared by the Forest Department. A Committee’s report

is currently with the Supreme Court.

 

 

 

" Thiruvannamalai "

 

Filming has started at Kumbakonam on the new movie

entitled 'Thiruvannamalai', directed by Perarasu and starring Arjun

and debutante Sania. The director says, 'there are no sentimental

scenes in the movie. It is an out-and-out commercial venture, but

quite different'.

 

 

 

The story has Arjun (reportedly displaying Shiva-like

qualities) playing a local television cable operator who has a

troubled relationship with politicians. The narration delves into the

animosity with corrupt politicians and follows the hero's struggle to

victory. Filming will occur later at Tiruvannamalai.

 

 

 

Solar Fencing

 

The Forest Department has started to erect solar fences

in parts of Reserve Forest areas in an effort to prevent wild

animals, particularly elephants, from straying out of forest areas.

The move is also aimed at protecting agricultural crops such as

sugarcane, paddy (rice), mango and banana from being damaged by

animals. So far, the department has erected a fence for about 22

kilometres, in Tiruvannamalai (at Mulakadu and Thamarai Reserve

Forest areas) and Vellore Districts.

 

 

 

Sugar Complex

 

The State Government has approved, Bannari Amman Sugars

plan to set up an integrated sugar complex at Kolundampattu Village,

Tiruvannamalai District which will comprise a sugar plant with a

capacity of 5,000 tcd, a co-generation plant, distilleries, ethanol

plant and bio-compositing units.

 

 

 

Loyola Academy

 

The Arunachala Education and Environment Development

Trust (AEED) has been gifted 41 acres of land at Ayyampalayam on the

Pondicherry-Bangalore National Highway (about 5 kms from the base of

Arunachala) by the Shantimalai Trust for the purpose of setting up a

residential school. Construction is currently underway on the

educational institution which is to be called Loyola Academy.

 

 

 

Ramana Maharshi Official Site

 

Make sure to bookmark the new web address of the official

Ramana Ashram website, (linked below) which is offering some

excellent new features, one of which is ALL old issues of the Ashram

Mountain Path magazine will be available for download as online e-

books. The next function to be celebrated at Ramana Ashram will be

Lakshmi (the cow) Ardhana on the 14th July.

 

 

Ramana Ashram official site

 

 

Cassia Auriculata

 

 

 

 

 

Cassia Auriculata also known as Tanner's Cassia is

commonly found throughout Tiruvannamalai District. Parts used of this

shrub are: flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and barks. It is specially

famous for its attractive yellow flowers, which are used in treatment

of skin disorders, itching and body odour (the dried flowers are used

as an external scrub). An extract of the flowers have been found to

have a laxative effect. Leaves and fruits are used in the case of eye

treatment and skin problems with a compound syrup prescribed for uses

such as sore eyes and chylous urine. This shrub is an antioxidant.

 

 

 

Cassia Auriculata controls blood sugar and is famous for

its rejuvenating properties. It establishes good control on sugar

levels and reduces symptoms like Polyurea and thirst in Diabetes.

Oral administration of the aqueous extract of the flower results in

reduction in blood glucose and an increase in plasma insulin.

 

 

 

The bark of Cassia Auriculata is a rich source of Tannin

and is used in tanneries. Infusion of bark is used for enemas and

gargles. The plant yields a yellow dye. Coffee made from powdered

seeds or leaves, is a good substitute for coffee made from seeds of

Coffea Arabica, and is also usefully prescribed in giddiness due to

heart disease.

 

 

 

 

Indian Pond Heron

 

 

 

 

 

The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) is a very common

species throughout Tiruvannamalai District, where it is often quite

tame and easily approachable. It can often be seen foraging around

rubbish heaps in rustic areas outside villages, as well as in more

natural habitats. Found wherever there is water; river, jheel,

roadside ditch or Temple pond.

 

 

 

Its an egret-like marsh bird chiefly earthy brown when at

rest, but with glistening white wings, tail and rump that flash into

prominence immediately it flies. Its flight is heron-like; steady

wing beats with neck pulled in. This bird at rest is quite drab, and

the contrast when it takes flight and suddenly becomes a blur of

white, is really spectacular.

 

 

 

Its normal way of feeding is to stand hunched up at

water's edge waiting patiently for movements and jabbing at the

quarry when opportunity offers and its diet consists of freshwater

molluscs, amphibians and insects.

 

 

 

Its breeding habitat is marshy wetlands nesting in mixed

congregations of crows and other birds in large leafy trees. It

nesting season in South India is November to January and it lays 3-5

pale greenish blue eggs. Its call is a harsh croak when flying off

and a low conversational note, waku and a variety of peculiar

mumblings are produced by nesting pairs.

 

 

Indian Pond Heron photographs

 

 

Guru Purnima

 

 

 

 

 

The day of full moon, in the month of Ashadh is

traditionally observed as Guru Purnima and this year falls on Friday,

July 18th. This event historically celebrates the anniversary of Sage

Vyasa’s birth. (Vyasa is believed to have edited the four Vedas,

written the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavata).

Consequently spiritual Gurus are revered on this day by remembering

their life and treachings.

 

 

 

A period of 'Chaturmas' (four months) begins from Guru

Poornima. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their

disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on

the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in

Vedantic discussions.

 

 

 

 

Brihaspati, Jupiter

 

 

 

 

 

Graha (from the Sanskrit 'seizing, laying hold of'), is

a 'cosmic influencer' on the living beings of earth. In Hindu

Astrology, the Navagrahas (i.e. nine realms) are living energies

which put out waves of energy that affect our awareness. They are

personified as celestial beings and worshipped as deities and are

addressed personally in order to gain their help in their respective

areas of influence.

 

 

 

Brihaspati (Lord of Light) is the personification of

piety and religion, the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifices, and

represented as the Purohita (Priest) of the Gods with whom he

intercedes for men. He is the Lord of planet Jupiter and of Sattwa

Guna and represents knowledge and teaching.

 

 

 

Jupiter is considered to be the most auspicious of the

planets and is an indicator of fortune, wealth, fame, luck, devotion,

faith, spirituality, charity, morality, meditation, mantra, children,

magistrates, ministers, lawyers and leaders in government and

religion. Jupiter represents sacred scripture, wisdom, benevolence

and philosophy. His nature is Kapha, or watery, gemstone Yellow

Sapphire or Yellow Topaz and metal Gold. Jupiter's direction is

Northeast and His day is Thursday.

 

 

 

Worship of Brihaspati or Guru (Jupiter) Devata results in

a cure from ailments affecting the stomach and helps ward off sins

and gain strength, valour and longevity. Brihaspati is revered as

protector of the worlds and is very kind-hearted. He is considered to

be the dispenser of justice. Brihaspati can be known only by a study

of the Vedas.

 

 

Navagrahas

 

 

Humble (By Nasruddin)

 

 

 

 

 

My beloveds, I remember a time long ago when I was still

a Mulla. I lived in a small town, just big enough for a real mosque,

with a beautiful mosaic wall. I remember one evening, we had finished

our prayers. The stars were clear and bright, and seemed to fill the

sky solidly with lights. I stood at the window, gazing at the lights

so far away, each one bigger than our world, and so distant from us

across vast reaches of space. I thought of how we walk this earth,

filled with our own importance, when we are just specks of dust. If

you walk out to the cliffs outside the town, a walk of half an hour

at most, you look back and you can see the town, but the people are

too small to see, even at that meagre distance. When I think of the

immensity of the Universe, I am filled with awe and reverece for

power so great.

 

 

 

I was thinking such thoughts, looking out the window of

the mosque, and I realized I had fallen to my knees. " I am nothing,

nothing! " I cried, amazed and awestruck. There was a certain well-to-

do man of the town, a kind man who wished to be thought very devout.

He cared more for what people thought of him than for what he

actually was. He happened to walk in and he saw and heard what

passed. My beloveds, I was a little shy at being caught in such a

moment, but he rushed down, looking around in the obvious hope

someone was there to see him. He knelt beside me, and with a final

hopeful glance at the door through which he had just come, he

cried, " I am nothing! I am nothing! "

 

 

 

It appears that the man who sweeps, a poor man from the

edge of the village, had entered the side door with his broom to

begin his night's work. He had seen us, and being a man of true faith

and honest simplicity, his face showed that he entertained some of

the same thoughts that had been laid on me by the hand of Allah

(wonderful is He). He dropped his broom and fell to his knees up

there in a shadowed corner, and said softly, " I am nothing...I am

nothing! "

 

 

 

The well-to-do man next to me nudged me with his elbow

and said out of the side of his mouth, " Look who thinks he's nothing! "

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Reflections

 

 

 

 

 

" This beggar wandering here and there, tired of wandering

but having no home, Arunachalesvara, in the form of this hill, had

mercy on this miserable sinner. So he gives thanks, a thousand

thanks, to this Holy Hill, this Holy Temple. Oh, the magnanimity of

the Lord! He has given me shelter for twenty long years. Whereas

others who come are enabled to stay only days or weeks . . . For

thousands of years the Hill has given shelter to so many dirty

sinners like me, and Arunachala will give us shelter for thousand of

years to come. "

 

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

 

 

 

" There is a magnetic mountain which attracts all living

beings. The moment one thinks of it, it controls the actions of all

beings who think of it and attracts them towards itself. Not only it

attracts to itself but makes them motionless. How wondrous is the

power of this magnetic mountain which takes such sacrifices. Oh!

Jivas! Attain liberation by realising the nature of Arunagiri. "

 

[Arunagiri Yogi Vijayathe]

 

 

 

" This is Siva Lingam. It is enough to worship this. One

can become spiritually enlightened and attain liberation. "

 

[sri Seshadri Swamigal]

 

 

 

" In this world though sacred shrines may be in all the

four directions yet can they be equal to Arunachala? For a good deed

done in this Arunachala will yield benefit a thousand times.

Similarly although there might be thousands of sins they will be

reduced to one in this place.

 

[Guhai Namasivaya]

 

 

 

" This Hill only waits to respond eagerly and tenderly to

even our weakest yearnings towards It. "

 

[sri Ramana Maharshi]

 

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