Guest guest Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008  ARUNACHALA GRACE NEWSAPRIL - 2008 Arunachala Grace Network I prostrate to Sri Vigneshwara, the personification of auspiciousness for the whole world, eliminator of the race of demons; Big Bellied, Elephant-Faced, Eternal, Shining and Supreme, bestower of Grace, Happiness, Fame and Intelligence on those who worship Him, and who forgives. *************** We are including a facility on this newsletter for readers who do not yet have their own subscription. [Please remember to adjust your 'spam' recognition to facilitate acceptance of the Newsletter]:Click Here to Subscribe Dakshinamurti Strotram Dakshinamurti Strotram "Whose luminosity is existence itself, entering all objects which are non-existent, as it were, shines forth; who instructs those who seek refuge in him that they are that supreme reality, as in the scriptural text; by realising whom these will occur no more entry into the ocean of transmigration of the soul, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form, be this adoration. Who is effulgent like a lamp glowing within a pitcher with many apertures; whose knowledge goes out through the eyes and the other organs of perception; whose perception is that "I know" whom the entire universe reflects as it glows following him; to him be this adoration, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form.Those who think that the physical body or the vital airs within it or the sense organs or the intellect or the nothingness as Supreme Reality, are labouring under an illusion like children, women and the sightless and blabber too much. May this adoration be to him, the annihilator of the delusion caused by the expansive might of the power of illusion, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form." Lord Siva and His Worship On the Mount Kailas, with Parvati Devi by His side, Lord Siva was sitting in a hall beautifully decorated by precious stones. At that time, Devi worshipped the Lord and requested Him to alter the name of Dakshayani given to her before, for being the daughter of Daksha. This Daksha was killed by Lord Siva for his disrespect and arrogance. On hearing this request Lord Siva ordained that Devi should be born as the daughter of Parvata Raj who was doing rigorous Tapas for getting a child. He also told Parvati that He would come over to her and marry her. Thus ordained, Parvati Devi was born as the child of Parvata Raj and since her fifth year, began to do rigorous tapas for being the bride of Lord Siva. During the absence of Devi, when Lord Siva was alone, the sons of Brahma, who are sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara, came to have Darsana of Lord Siva and prostrated before Him. They entreated the Lord to teach them the way to remove Avidya and attain salvation. They expressed that in spite of the vast study of scriptures they had no internal peace and they were in need of learning the inner secrets, by knowing which they could attain salvation.Lord Siva, hearing this appeal made by the sages, assumed the form of Dakshinamurti and remaining as the Guru Supreme, began to teach them the inner secrets by keeping Mouna and showing the Chinmudra by His hand. The sages began to meditate on the lines shown by the Lord and attained the state of inexpressible and illimitable joy. Thus Lord Siva came to be known as Dakshinamurti. [by Swami Sivananada] Sri Ramana and Siddha Talking about the time he lived on the Hill, Ramana once mentioned a vision he had whilst in a trance: 'I was wondering about aimlessly . . . I found at one place a big cave. When I entered the cave, I saw a number of waterfalls, beautiful gardens, tanks within those gardens, well-laid paths, fine lighting; everything there was most pleasing. As I went farther and farther I saw a Siddha Purusha seated like Dakshinamurti under a tree on the banks of tank. Around him, a number of Munis were seated. They were asking something, and he was replying to them. That place appeared to me very familiar. That is all. I opened my eyes. "Though you are in the form of a fire, you have kept away the fire and have taken the shape of a Hill, mainly to shower your blessings on people. You are always living here in the form of Siddha." [sri Ramana Maharshi - Letters by Sri Nagamma] Inspiration and Quotes "The soul is dyed the colour of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny . . . it is the light that guides your way." [Heraclitus]************************* The spiritual journey does not consist in arriving at a new destination where a person gains what he did not have, or becomes what he is not. It consists in the dissipation of one's own ignorance concerning one's self and life, and the gradual growth of that understanding which begins the spiritual awakening. The finding of God is a coming to one's self.[Aldous Huxley] Meditations of the MoonHalf of the human race lives in manifest obedience to the lunar rhythm; and there is evidence to show that the psychological and therefore the spiritual life, not only of women, but of men too, mysteriously ebbs and flows with the changes of the moon. There are unreasoned joys, inexplicable miseries, laughters and remorses without a cause. Their sudden and fantastic alternations constitute the ordinary weather of our minds. These moods, of which the more gravely numinous may be hypostasized as gods, the lighter, if we will, as hobgoblins and fairies, are the children of the blood and humours. But the blood and humours obey, among many other masters, the changing moon. Touching the soul directly through the eyes and, indirectly, along the dark channels of the blood, the moon is doubly a divinity. [Aldous Huxley] The Moon The Tides The moon's gravitational pull on the Earth is the main cause of the rise and fall of ocean tides. The moon's gravitational pull causes two bulges of water on the Earth's oceans—one where ocean waters face the moon and the pull is strongest and one where ocean waters face away from the moon and the pull is weakest. Both bulges cause high tides. As the Earth rotates, the bulges move around it, one always facing the moon, the other directly opposite. The combined forces of gravity, the Earth's rotation, and other factors usually cause two high tides and two low tides each day. Sonnet of the Moon Look how the pale Queen of the silent night doth cause the ocean to attend upon her, and he, as long as she is in sight, with his full tide is ready here to honour; But when the silver waggon of the Moon is mounted up so high he cannot follow, the sea calls home his crystal waves to morn, and with low ebb doth manifest his sorrow. So you that are sovereign of my heart have all my joys attending on your will, when you return, their tide my heart doth fill. So as you come and as you depart, joys ebb and flow within my tender heart. [Charles Best, 1608] The Charge of the Goddess I am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man. Call unto thy soul; arise and come unto me; for I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite [Charles Godfrey Leland] To the Moon Art thou pale for weariness Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth, Wandering companionless Among the stars that have a different birth, And ever changing, like a Joyless eye That finds no object worth its constancy? [Percy Bysshe Shelley] Moon Information Links: Arunachala Website Arunachala Roundup Arunachala Birds Arunachala Land Oregano Photographs of Lapwing Aldous Huxley the Mystic Salesians of Don Bosco Comprehensive Moon Information Photographs of Land Arunachala Tidbits Agricultural sales onlineIn a bid to bring down the number of intermediaries and help farmers get better realisation for their produce, Tamil Nadu is expected to adopted a proposed new NSEL (National Spot Exchange Ltd) platform allowing farmers to sell their products online based upon online price quotations (similar to stock market quotations). The main advantage of the new system is farmers will be assured of better prices for their products as they will be directly selling to customers without any intermediary. Currently there are about seven-eight people who operate between the farmer and end customer. Because of this, realisation for a product is only around 25% what the consumer ultimately pays. The proposed online trading system would increase the realisation up to 80%. A representative of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association has stated that farmers in Tiruvannamalai would be able to use the NSEL platform to sell products online shortly on a pilot basis. SEZ at CheyyarThe Government of Tamil Nadu proposes setting up an Automobile and Auto Spare Parts SEZ (Special Economic Zone, designated geographic region of greater economic flexibility) in 255 acres at Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai District In connection with the rapid industrial development of the State, a recent budget has proposed installation of 90 new electrical sub stations, as part of improving the power transmission and distribution of infrastructure in the state at a cost of Rs 1,720 crore. Water Situation In increasingly resource stressed regions of India, Tiruvannamalai District has been deemed to be one of a hundred Hard-Rock Districts most at risk of Groundwater Depletion. The MoonThis month we have dedicated a special section to the moon. Describing its connection with Shiva and importance at Arunachala and given information about the physical and mystical relationship of the moon with man. In addition we have included a very beautiful short story 'Moonlight' and several inspirational poems about the Moon. Indian Oregano (Coleus aromaticus) Oregano or Pot Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) is a species of Origanum. Oregano (Tamil = Karpooravalli) and belongs to the plant family Lamiaceae (Mint family) with the Indian species being different from the Mediterranean Oregano (Genus Origanum which has 49 species). The Indian Oregano (Coleus aromaticus) is a strongly aromatic erect, spreading plant, with many branches, with fleshy leaves and stems. Leaves are heart-shaped, 4 to 9 cm long, the margins toothed and rounded and with small flowers. The use of this herb in cooking is well known, however more importantly Oregano is also thought of as a miracle herb in its wide ranging medical applications. These properties of Oregano are possible due to the active phenolic compounds; carvacrol and thymol that have fungicidal properties. In addition, Oregano has calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and vitamins A, C and Niacin. These combine to give it extraordinary fungicidal and germicidal properties. It is gentle and safe and has been demonstrated to be able to kill a wide variety of virus, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. It is used for general cleansing or specific problems; indigestion, diarrhoea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache, earache, rheumatism, whooping cough, and bronchitis. It is an effective first aid for bee stings and other venomous bites. Relief from symptoms of sore throat, diaper rash, intestinal gas, mild breathing difficulties, skin disorders, dandruff, allergies, hay fever and sinusitis are reported. It is a powerful painkiller, stimulates flow of bile aiding digestion and reported to have anti-oxidant properties. Administration of this herb is used both topically in the form of poultices to treat carbuncles, boils, sprains and painful swellings, and as a decoction juice drink in the case of dyspepsia, respiratory aliments, chronic coughs, bronchitis, colic, flatulence and rheumatism. The juice of the leaves can also be used topically in the case of earache. Oregano The Quiet Place 'There are quiet places also in the mind', he said meditatively. 'But we build bandstands and factories on them. Deliberately -- to put a stop to the quietness . . . All the thoughts, all the preoccupations in my head -- round and round, continually What's it for? What's it all for? To put an end to the quiet, to break it up and disperse it, to pretend at any cost that it isn't there. Ah, but it is; it is there, in spite of everything, at the back of everything. Lying awake at night — not restlessly, but serenely, waiting for sleep -- the quiet re-establishes itself, piece by piece; all the broken bits . . . we've been so busily dispersing all day long. It re-establishes itself, an inward quiet, like the outward quiet of grass and trees. It fills one, it grows -- a crystal quiet, a growing, expanding crystal. It grows, it becomes more perfect; it is beautiful and terrifying . . . For one's alone in the crystal, and there's no support from the outside, there is nothing external and important, nothing external and trivial to pull oneself up by or stand on . . . There is nothing to laugh at or feel enthusiast about. But the quiet grows and grows. Beautifully and unbearably. And at last you are conscious of something approaching; it is almost a faint sound of footsteps. Something inexpressively lovely and wonderful advances through the crystal, nearer, nearer. And, oh, inexpressively terrifying. For if it were to touch you, if it were to seize you and engulf you, you'd die; all the regular, habitual daily part of you would die . . . one would have to begin living arduously in the quiet, arduously in some strange, unheard of manner.[Antic Hay by Aldous Huxley] Huxley the Mystic Red-Wattled Lapwing The Red-Wattled Lapwing (Tamil = alkati) is a bird commonly found around Tiruvannamalai. It is a large plover about 35 cm long, with wings and back a light brown and head, chest and front part of neck, black. A prominent white patch runs from belly and tail. Which displays in flight as a prominent white V-shaped wing bar. It has a red wattle in front of each eye, long yellow legs and a short black-tipped tail. This large wading bird is often found at the banks of reservoirs and water catchment areas, and in great numbers around the Arunachala Samudram Lake. This bird usually keeps in pairs or groups in well-watered open country, ploughed fields, grazing land, tanks and water bodies. It is also found in forest clearings around rain filled depressions. It runs about in short spurts and dips forward to pick up food. It is the first to detect intrusions and raise an alarm and inspite of slow deliberate wing flaps, has great agility in defence.The Red-Wattled Lapwing lays 3-4 eggs in a heavily camoflauged ground scrape or depression during March to August-September. Its diet consists of ants, beetles, caterpillars, insects, snails and vegetables all picked from the ground. It feeds both in the night as well as the day. Probably the most distinctive thing about it, is its amusing and easy recognisable call, which sounds like a scolding, 'did-he-do-it'; often uttered throughout the night. Photographs of Lapwing A New Time In last month's Arunachala Grace News, there was an interesting narrative on the Siharam Institute in Tiruvannamalai. For this month's Newsletter I asked the Co-ordinator of the Institute, Fr. Edwin Vasanthan, to explain the difference their Programmes will make in the lives of the Dalit students. What would happen to students if they had not been recruited for the skill-developments courses in Don Bosco SIHARAM? Social background of the students The target group of the Don Bosco Siharam Institute is from the marginalized group known as Dalits. This group which is socially, culturally, educationally and politically segregated from the rest of Indian society has been considered as untouchable (in this country) for thousands of years. This form of apartheid in the Indian sub-continent is more prevalent in rural areas (inhabited by seventy percent of the population), and is known as 'casteism'. The practice marginalizes Dalits from the mainstream and deprives them of opportunities to emancipate themselves from social bondage. Even after sixty years of Indian Independence, which guarantees every citizen the democratic benefits of; equality, fraternity and solidarity -- the community of Dalits are still not accorded a life of dignity and self-respect. Educational opportunities The educational opportunities for Dalits are very much limited due to current national, social and educational polices. Fifty percent of Dalit children enrolled in primary education do not continue onto Middle School. Out of the remaining fifty percent, only two percent who join Middle School, complete their Secondary Education. Due to the expense of Higher Education, even the two percent of Dalits, who have completed Secondary Education, are usually unable to continue onto Higher Education -- hence this particular community always remains at the first rung of the social ladder. In addition Dalits who convert to Christianity are denied certain social-welfare benefits including Scholarships and quotas in employment available to non-convert Dalits. This phenomenon is perpetuated in order to ensure that this particular target community remains an unorganized labour force primarily involved in menial jobs like scavenging, landless agricultural labour, unorganized and unskilled construction work and employed as domestic servants. The future If students from this particular group are given sufficient care and attention backed up by a solid educational foundation and opportunities for skill developments, the age-old caste stigma will be wiped out and will lead to the social integration of Dalits into the wider community. This process begins with students given the opportunity to attain Higher Education qualifications, allowing them to enter into well paying professional careers thus emancipating their entire family from economic burdens. Hence we call this project: "A Bread Winner Per Family". Once this economic emancipation takes place it will pave the way for a newfound dignity and self-respect of the individual within their own family, thereby bringing about their social integration into mainstream society. In this way age-old 'casteism' will be automatically wiped from village communities and a new social order created; where Justice, Fraternity and Equality will usher in a Kingdom of God on the Indian soil.Contact for information or vist: vasanthsdb at gmail dot com Salesians of Don Bosco Moon at Arunachala Lord Shiva wears on his head the crescent of the fifth-day moon. Placed near his fiery third eye this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of Moon and signifies that Shiva possesses the power of procreation co-existent with that of destruction. Shiva is known as Chandrasekhara, which means, one crowned by the Moon. In some cultures the appearance of the new crescent moon has been celebrated as a return of the moon from the dead. This celestial body is a powerful influence on the human psyche. Its influence which is always available at Arunachala is celebrated in disparate ways during Sivaratri and Poornima. Sivaratri is the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, when the moon is waning and the sun is in the sign of Aquarius. It is a night of consecration and illumination. Each month there is Sivaratri and once a year Mahasivaratri. Chandra, who is the deity of the moon and presiding deity of the mind loses one sixteenth of his brilliance every day after the full-moon day and continues waning until, by Sivaratri, he is left with just one sixteenth of his power. It is on this night of the waned moon (Sivaratri) that it is believed the mind is most tractable and can be easily conquered. Whereas the nights of Siva are usually associated with mastery of the mind and success of spiritual ambitions, Poornima (full moon) is more about success of boons, vratas and heartfelt prayers. Doing pradakshina on Monday, (the day of the Moon -- Chandra) is particularly helpful if one wishes to start a new project, attain a high elevation in life or rid oneself of the fear of death. In Sanskrit Chandra means, 'bright and shining'. In Vedic Astrology, Chandra represents brain and mind, emotions, sensitivity, softness, imagination, Queen and mother. The bright moon is considered a benefic, and for this reason answers to prayers connected with the Poornima (full-moon) aspect, are believed to be more easily attained. Chandra has the following associations: the colour white, gender female, metal silver, gemstones; pearl and moonstone, element water, direction north-west, season Winter, body part blood, food rice, taste salt, day Monday, guna Sattwa. Hinduism propounds the idea that the (nine) Navagrahas (of which Chandra is one) are 'markers of influence' -- living energies which put out waves which affect our awareness by seizing our consciousness when we come under their influence. Reports of psychics and seers agree that Grahas cause a direct energy influence upon the energy bodies and minds of all life on earth. The nine planets (Navagrahas) are transmitters of Universal, archetypal energy and the qualities of each planet helps maintain the overall balance of polarities in the solar system. The sun is the indicator of the soul and the moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Even though all the Navagrahas are represented at Arunachala, the moon with its particular association with Lord Shiva (Chandrasekhara) has an extraordinary influence. Moonlight One day Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to dine with their uncle and aunts Thunder and Lightning. Their mother (one of the most distant Stars you see far up in the sky) waited alone for her children's return. Now both Sun and Wind were greedy and selfish. They enjoyed the great feast that had been prepared for them, without a thought of saving any of it to take home to their mother - but the gentle Moon did not forget her. Of every dainty dish that was brought round, she placed a small portion under one of her beautiful long finger-nails, that Star might also have a share in the treat.On their return their mother, who had kept watch for them all night long with her little bright eye, said, "Well, children, what have you brought home for me?" Then Sun (who was eldest) said, "I have brought nothing home for you. I went out to enjoy myself with my friends - not to fetch a dinner for my mother!" And Wind said, "Neither have I brought anything home for you, mother. You could hardly expect me to bring a collection of good things for you, when I merely went out for my own pleasure." But Moon said, "Mother, fetch a plate, see what I have brought you." And shaking her hands she showered down such a choice dinner as never was seen before. Then Star turned to Sun and spoke thus, "Because you went out to amuse yourself with your friends, and feasted and enjoyed yourself, without any thought of your mother at home--you shall be cursed. Henceforth, your rays shall ever be hot and scorching, and shall burn all that they touch. And men shall hate you, and cover their heads when you appear." And that is why the Sun is so hot to this day.Then she turned to Wind and said, "You also who forgot your mother in the midst of your selfish pleasures - hear your doom. You shall always blow in the hot dry weather, and shall parch and shrivel all living things. And men shall detest and avoid you from this very time." And that is why the Wind in the hot weather is still so disagreeable. But to Moon she said, "Daughter, because you remembered your Mother, and kept for her a share in your own enjoyment, from henceforth, you shall be ever cool, and calm, and bright. No noxious glare shall accompany your pure rays, and men shall always call you 'blessed.'" And that is why the Moon's light is so soft, and cool, and beautiful even to this day. Arunachala Land Some time back we posted information on land available at the northside of Arunachala. The owner of this land has recently informed us he is currently building two Western style homes on the 10 acre land, each with its own twenty cent compound (i.e. one fifth of an acre). He is prepared to do the same for other interested parties or sell the remaining land in customised parcels to suit the individual needs of purchasers. Photographs of Land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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