Guest guest Posted October 27, 1999 Report Share Posted October 27, 1999 Dear Seshadri: Hari Om! I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the faith in my fellow devotees. I wouldn't consider myself as anyone other than the dust particle at the lotus feet of Lord Siva. I am one of those thousands of servants to that master. I am sure he will understand my feelings, for he is the only one knows --- who I am... I never told my spiritual experiences to anyone except to my teacher and to a few known people. My teacher advised me that " Spiritual experiences do come and go. They are like milestones in your path. They show that you are on the right path. Do not stop there, march forward and reach the goal " . But when I saw your writings on spiritual encounters, some thing with in me has compelled me to write my experience. Perhaps, " SivAjna " . Also I am surprised to see your subject --- " your encounter with Lord Siva " . From my heart I wanted to ask " How did you know! " Actually, I wrote about a snake. I did not say that I saw Lord Siva! (but I should accept that in a way I did...) Perhaps, that is why you subjected it in such a way! Again, it is " SivAjna " (Ordered to be revealed by Lord Shiva) All my serious spiritual experiences started, when I started writing my commentary book on " Satarudriyam " . (namakam of Srikrishna Yajurveda). My experiences could become a big book if I started telling all of them! Living in the ashram was the beginning of it. The place is called as " kOTappakonDa " which is in Guntur District of Andhrapradesh. There is a great Siva Temple on the mountain. Every year, during Sivaratri, one million people assemble and offer their prayers to Lord Siva. Since most of you are interested, I would like to tell about another incident: I used to contemplate on each mantra and write. Some of the mantras (hymns) are too esoteric to write commentary upon. At one place, the veda rishi (seer) addresses Lord Shiva as " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE namaH " . Means " I bow to him, who is the lord of thieves dwell in the mountains, who personified as a land grabber (who steals others land property) " . I was troubled to understand that My beloved Lord Shiva is the leader of thieves? How is it possible! " What has my Siva got to do with thieves! " , This has troubled me very much. I stopped writing the commentary because I can't understand WHY! In the ashram, I had a duty to bring milk to the ashram from a village, which is 2KM near by. One day in the evening, at 6PM I was walking on my way to that village in order to fetch milk. Since it is a mountainous path, you often find the road deserted, especially at 6PM you hardly find anybody. I was walking thinking of the meaning " giricarAya " , wondering again " WHY? " ... All of a sudden, I saw somebody, from no where, appeared in front of me. He introduced himself to me and told me that he is coming from a nearby town. He was walking on a very fast pace. I like walking slowly, because it gives me time to think as well as enjoy the evening nature. So I let him go. I could see him in the vicinity walking on the road. Suddenly, a few thieves armed with knives, jumped on to him from the nearby bushes, beaten him blue, took all his money and belongings. All this was happening in front of my eyes. I was stunned by this incident happening in front of my eyes. They also saw me on the road, but didn't even come near to me... They just looked at me and went off... But before going, a person who looks like a leader of that thieves group, came near to me, looked at me, winked and smiled and went away!! A great surprise engulfed me, why this fellow winked at me! I approached that person who had just been robbed by thieves. I gave him a hand. This fellow started crying out loud and started confessing! He was addressing Lord Siva, who is called as Kotayya by the locals, who resides on the mountain saying that " Kotayya! you taught me a great lesson... I sure deserve this.... I sure deserve... Siva! forgive me for my sins. I know I am a sinner " . I am surprised. This fellow, in stead of crying for loosing his money, confessing to Lord Siva that he deserved it! I helped him in getting up and helped him walking to the nearby village. During the walk, I came to know that this fellow, by wrongful means, stole the land belong to his neighbor. He sold that stolen land to somebody else in the nearby town. Got the money and walking back to the village. That stolen money is again stolen by the mountain thieves. He was telling me about what he understood from this incident. He said that " what ever you deserve you get it. If you try to grab something that you don't deserve, you will be punished. You can never enjoy anything that does not rightfully belong to you. Your conscious pricks you and the society punishes you. For committing one sin, you get punished by two things!!! " I was awestruck to listen to this story. Some thing has started flashing in me. I started realizing the meaning of " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE namaH " . We were about to approach the village, this person asked me that he has to drink some water. I made him sit side by, on the road, and went to fetch some water from a near by well. I came back with water, but this person has disappeared. I looked for him but couldn't find him. He told me his name as " Rudrayya " . I went in to the village. Since I am a vedanta student from the ashram, villagers know me. I told the village chief about the incident. He immediately sent a lot of people to find out and catch the robbers. And he also told me that NO BODY named Rudrayya, who matches my description, who is involved in land dealing, is living in that village. Perhaps, he may be from the next village. Since I am concerned about that fellow's health, because he is beaten badly, the chief promised me that he will find out about this fellow. Anyway, the villagers escorted me back to the ashram. Next day morning, I came to know that there are neither the thieves sighted, nor there was any road robbery incident took place for the last 3 years. Also, there is nobody named " Rudrayya " who is involved in land grabbing in any nearby villages. All was a divine drama, played in front of my eyes. I finished my commentary on " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE " . Hari Om! Tat sat! Regards, Madhava > > JAIRAM SESHADRI [sMTP:seshadri] > Wednesday, October 27, 1999 5:18 AM > madhava > your encounter with Lord Shiva... > > > Dear Madhavaji... > > gosh Madhavaji...this has to be best encounter that i have ever heard > from a person alive..i have read of such encounters with sages and > rishis... > > i too am a bhakta of Lord Shiva and i have often dreamed of having an > experience like this...you are indeed blessed to have had such a > wonderful encounter... It stayed with you for 6 months...Lord Shiva > must have been with you or in you...or else why should the snake live > so close to you...with you? > > may i ask who your guru is and which ashrama you were part of ? > > thank you so much for sharing this experience with us..i am blessed to > have heard it ..it inspires me to meditate more... > > utomost pranaams and namaskaar to you Madhavaji > > jairam > > > Message: 5 > > Mon, 25 Oct 1999 13:42:51 +0300 > > " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava > > RE: Of Vahanas and Two Sisters > > In deed, that is a wonderful experience. I also had similar > > encounters. In the year 1990 I spent my days in an Ashram learning > > vedanta at the lotus feet of my guru. Since the ashram is in a > > remote area, we often find deadly snakes around there. > > > > I adore Lord Siva. Eveyday morning 3:30AM I used to get up and > > meditate / offer my prayers to Lord Siva, then go for the satsang > > which is at 5AM in the morning. One day, after the meditation I > > opened my eyes to see a very big snake, with its full vigor, looking > > at me. Some how, I did not feel the fear of it. I was meditating > > on Lord Siva and after all this is his ornament! It has stared at > > me for a few minutes and crawled near to my pillow and settled > > there. I went on to my satsang and returned at 7AM and found that > > the snake was sleeping over there! At first I could not comprehend > > the fact that the snake is settling down there. Then I slowly sat > > there on the bed. It has moved a bit and looked at me and again got > > back into its relaxed posture, as if I am not a harmful creature :-) > > as if it didn't care about my presence there :-) I also felt a > > friendly feeling towards that snake! Any way, it has lived with me > > in the same kutia, near my sleeping pillow, for almost 6 months! > > Those days people used to talk about the snake and me in the ashram > > :-) I often used to watch a lot of snakes around my kutia, I guess > > they were the visiting friends of my room mate :-) (kutia = a small > > hut made of mud walls with a thatched roof). > > > > Our teacher never allow anybody to kill snakes or harm any beings > > that are living/visiting the ashram. She says " All these creatures > > have been here even before us. By constructing the ashram we have > > invaded their privacy. They, in a way, allowed us to live here. So > > let us not humiliate them by misunderstanding their hospitality. " > > By the way, in spite of all these wild creatures living around in > > the ashram, there has never been a case of snake bite or any such > > thing happened in the ashram! > > > > Regards, > > Madhava > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 1999 Report Share Posted October 27, 1999 > " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava >Ramakrishna >JAIRAM SESHADRI <seshadri >CC: ramakrishna , advaitin >[ramakrishna] RE: your encounter with Lord Shiva... >Wed, 27 Oct 1999 11:06:15 +0300 > >Dear Seshadri: > >Hari Om! > >I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the faith in my fellow >devotees. I wouldn't consider myself as anyone other than the dust >particle >at the lotus feet of Lord Siva. I am one of those thousands of servants to >that master. I am sure he will understand my feelings, for he is the only >one knows --- who I am... > >I never told my spiritual experiences to anyone except to my teacher and to >a few known people. My teacher advised me that " Spiritual experiences do >come and go. They are like milestones in your path. They show that you >are >on the right path. Do not stop there, march forward and reach the goal " . >But when I saw your writings on spiritual encounters, some thing with in me >has compelled me to write my experience. Perhaps, " SivAjna " . > >Also I am surprised to see your subject --- " your encounter with Lord >Siva " . >From my heart I wanted to ask " How did you know! " Actually, I wrote about >a >snake. I did not say that I saw Lord Siva! (but I should accept that in a >way I did...) Perhaps, that is why you subjected it in such a way! Again, >it is " SivAjna " (Ordered to be revealed by Lord Shiva) > >All my serious spiritual experiences started, when I started writing my >commentary book on " Satarudriyam " . (namakam of Srikrishna Yajurveda). My >experiences could become a big book if I started telling all of them! >Living in the ashram was the beginning of it. The place is called as > " kOTappakonDa " which is in Guntur District of Andhrapradesh. There is a >great Siva Temple on the mountain. Every year, during Sivaratri, one >million people assemble and offer their prayers to Lord Siva. > >Since most of you are interested, I would like to tell about another >incident: > >I used to contemplate on each mantra and write. Some of the mantras >(hymns) >are too esoteric to write commentary upon. At one place, the veda rishi >(seer) addresses Lord Shiva as " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE namaH " . Means > " I bow to him, who is the lord of thieves dwell in the mountains, who >personified as a land grabber (who steals others land property) " . I was >troubled to understand that My beloved Lord Shiva is the leader of thieves? >How is it possible! " What has my Siva got to do with thieves! " , This has >troubled me very much. I stopped writing the commentary because I can't >understand WHY! > >In the ashram, I had a duty to bring milk to the ashram from a village, >which is 2KM near by. One day in the evening, at 6PM I was walking on my >way to that village in order to fetch milk. Since it is a mountainous >path, >you often find the road deserted, especially at 6PM you hardly find >anybody. >I was walking thinking of the meaning " giricarAya " , wondering again > " WHY? " ... > >All of a sudden, I saw somebody, from no where, appeared in front of me. >He >introduced himself to me and told me that he is coming from a nearby town. >He was walking on a very fast pace. I like walking slowly, because it >gives >me time to think as well as enjoy the evening nature. So I let him go. I >could see him in the vicinity walking on the road. Suddenly, a few thieves >armed with knives, jumped on to him from the nearby bushes, beaten him >blue, >took all his money and belongings. All this was happening in front of my >eyes. I was stunned by this incident happening in front of my eyes. They >also saw me on the road, but didn't even come near to me... They just >looked >at me and went off... But before going, a person who looks like a leader of >that thieves group, came near to me, looked at me, winked and smiled and >went away!! A great surprise engulfed me, why this fellow winked at me! > >I approached that person who had just been robbed by thieves. I gave him a >hand. This fellow started crying out loud and started confessing! He was >addressing Lord Siva, who is called as Kotayya by the locals, who resides >on >the mountain saying that " Kotayya! you taught me a great lesson... I sure >deserve this.... I sure deserve... Siva! forgive me for my sins. I know I >am a sinner " . I am surprised. This fellow, in stead of crying for loosing >his money, confessing to Lord Siva that he deserved it! > >I helped him in getting up and helped him walking to the nearby village. >During the walk, I came to know that this fellow, by wrongful means, stole >the land belong to his neighbor. He sold that stolen land to somebody else >in the nearby town. Got the money and walking back to the village. That >stolen money is again stolen by the mountain thieves. He was telling me >about what he understood from this incident. He said that " what ever you >deserve you get it. If you try to grab something that you don't deserve, >you will be punished. You can never enjoy anything that does not >rightfully >belong to you. Your conscious pricks you and the society punishes you. For >committing one sin, you get punished by two things!!! " >I was awestruck to listen to this story. Some thing has started flashing >in >me. I started realizing the meaning of " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE >namaH " . > >We were about to approach the village, this person asked me that he has to >drink some water. I made him sit side by, on the road, and went to fetch >some water from a near by well. I came back with water, but this person >has >disappeared. I looked for him but couldn't find him. He told me his name >as > " Rudrayya " . I went in to the village. Since I am a vedanta student from >the ashram, villagers know me. I told the village chief about the >incident. >He immediately sent a lot of people to find out and catch the robbers. And >he also told me that NO BODY named Rudrayya, who matches my description, >who >is involved in land dealing, is living in that village. Perhaps, he may be >from the next village. Since I am concerned about that fellow's health, >because he is beaten badly, the chief promised me that he will find out >about this fellow. > >Anyway, the villagers escorted me back to the ashram. Next day morning, I >came to know that there are neither the thieves sighted, nor there was any >road robbery incident took place for the last 3 years. Also, there is >nobody named " Rudrayya " who is involved in land grabbing in any nearby >villages. All was a divine drama, played in front of my eyes. > >I finished my commentary on " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE " . Hari Om! Tat >sat! > >Regards, >Madhava > > > > JAIRAM SESHADRI [sMTP:seshadri] > > Wednesday, October 27, 1999 5:18 AM > > madhava > > your encounter with Lord Shiva... > > > > > > Dear Madhavaji... > > > > gosh Madhavaji...this has to be best encounter that i have ever heard > > from a person alive..i have read of such encounters with sages and > > rishis... > > > > i too am a bhakta of Lord Shiva and i have often dreamed of having an > > experience like this...you are indeed blessed to have had such a > > wonderful encounter... It stayed with you for 6 months...Lord Shiva > > must have been with you or in you...or else why should the snake live > > so close to you...with you? > > > > may i ask who your guru is and which ashrama you were part of ? > > > > thank you so much for sharing this experience with us..i am blessed to > > have heard it ..it inspires me to meditate more... > > > > utomost pranaams and namaskaar to you Madhavaji > > > > jairam > > > > > Message: 5 > > > Mon, 25 Oct 1999 13:42:51 +0300 > > > " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava > > > RE: Of Vahanas and Two Sisters > > > In deed, that is a wonderful experience. I also had similar > > > encounters. In the year 1990 I spent my days in an Ashram learning > > > vedanta at the lotus feet of my guru. Since the ashram is in a > > > remote area, we often find deadly snakes around there. > > > > > > I adore Lord Siva. Eveyday morning 3:30AM I used to get up and > > > meditate / offer my prayers to Lord Siva, then go for the satsang > > > which is at 5AM in the morning. One day, after the meditation I > > > opened my eyes to see a very big snake, with its full vigor, looking > > > at me. Some how, I did not feel the fear of it. I was meditating > > > on Lord Siva and after all this is his ornament! It has stared at > > > me for a few minutes and crawled near to my pillow and settled > > > there. I went on to my satsang and returned at 7AM and found that > > > the snake was sleeping over there! At first I could not comprehend > > > the fact that the snake is settling down there. Then I slowly sat > > > there on the bed. It has moved a bit and looked at me and again got > > > back into its relaxed posture, as if I am not a harmful creature :-) > > > as if it didn't care about my presence there :-) I also felt a > > > friendly feeling towards that snake! Any way, it has lived with me > > > in the same kutia, near my sleeping pillow, for almost 6 months! > > > Those days people used to talk about the snake and me in the ashram > > > :-) I often used to watch a lot of snakes around my kutia, I guess > > > they were the visiting friends of my room mate :-) (kutia = a small > > > hut made of mud walls with a thatched roof). > > > > > > Our teacher never allow anybody to kill snakes or harm any beings > > > that are living/visiting the ashram. She says " All these creatures > > > have been here even before us. By constructing the ashram we have > > > invaded their privacy. They, in a way, allowed us to live here. So > > > let us not humiliate them by misunderstanding their hospitality. " > > > By the way, in spite of all these wild creatures living around in > > > the ashram, there has never been a case of snake bite or any such > > > thing happened in the ashram! > > > > > > Regards, > > > Madhava > > > > >------ >Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah >Vivekananda Centre London >http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ ><< text3.html >> Respected madhavji Pranams. I am a just beginner in this spiritual path and I am so deligted by reading your experience with the robbers and rudrayya who is indeed that Lord Shiva himself. How blessed you are to see with this human eyes that great Lord who is not approachable for great rihsis and saints! Indeed you are a great rishi from rishi loka came here in this period. I bow to your lotus feet with my whole heart. I request you to please continue writing your divine experiences. They helps a lot for all persons who are in this path especially like me. Now i am more confident that if we are very true in mind and surrenders ourself to that great Divine Mother as told by Anuragji the mother surely comes to us. Thank you very much for sharing your divine experience with us In divine mothers love shashi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 1999 Report Share Posted October 27, 1999 Dear Madhava, It was so nice to read abt ur experience. Truly if one is faced with some doubts lord does come help one out in forn or the other to clear the doubts. It's just that one shouldn't loose faith. sure we will get to learn much from ur divine experiences. > > I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the faith in my fellow > devotees. I wouldn't consider myself as anyone other than the dust particle > at the lotus feet of Lord Siva. I am one of those thousands of servants to > that master. I am sure he will understand my feelings, for he is the only > one knows --- who I am... > > I never told my spiritual experiences to anyone except to my teacher and to > a few known people. My teacher advised me that " Spiritual experiences do > come and go. They are like milestones in your path. They show that you are > on the right path. Do not stop there, march forward and reach the goal " . > But when I saw your writings on spiritual encounters, some thing with in me > has compelled me to write my experience. Perhaps, " SivAjna " . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 1999 Report Share Posted October 28, 1999 dear Madhavaji... i truly believe that not only was that Lord Shiva HImself protecting you from the thieves, but also instructing you in your doubt that you nurtured about Him... You are indeed blessed and i would like to learn more about the festival where you say one million people collect.. God willing, one day i would like to make a pilgrimage to your ashrama and to that temple of Lord Shiva' please tell me more ....for it only increases my faith and devotion for the Great God Shiva...Lord Maheshwara! thank you and utmost pranaams to you Madhavaji i feel blessed to hear all these wonderful and inspiring incidents that only increase one;s faith pranaams again jairam > " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava > JAIRAM SESHADRI <seshadri > Cc: ramakrishna , advaitin > RE: your encounter with Lord Shiva... > Wed, 27 Oct 1999 11:06:15 +0300 > Dear Seshadri: > > Hari Om! > > I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the faith in my fellow > devotees. I wouldn't consider myself as anyone other than the dust particle > at the lotus feet of Lord Siva. I am one of those thousands of servants to > that master. I am sure he will understand my feelings, for he is the only > one knows --- who I am... > > I never told my spiritual experiences to anyone except to my teacher and to > a few known people. My teacher advised me that " Spiritual experiences do > come and go. They are like milestones in your path. They show that you are > on the right path. Do not stop there, march forward and reach the goal " . > But when I saw your writings on spiritual encounters, some thing with in me > has compelled me to write my experience. Perhaps, " SivAjna " . > > Also I am surprised to see your subject --- " your encounter with Lord Siva " . > From my heart I wanted to ask " How did you know! " Actually, I wrote about a > snake. I did not say that I saw Lord Siva! (but I should accept that in a > way I did...) Perhaps, that is why you subjected it in such a way! Again, > it is " SivAjna " (Ordered to be revealed by Lord Shiva) > > All my serious spiritual experiences started, when I started writing my > commentary book on " Satarudriyam " . (namakam of Srikrishna Yajurveda). My > experiences could become a big book if I started telling all of them! > Living in the ashram was the beginning of it. The place is called as > " kOTappakonDa " which is in Guntur District of Andhrapradesh. There is a > great Siva Temple on the mountain. Every year, during Sivaratri, one > million people assemble and offer their prayers to Lord Siva. > > Since most of you are interested, I would like to tell about another > incident: > > I used to contemplate on each mantra and write. Some of the mantras (hymns) > are too esoteric to write commentary upon. At one place, the veda rishi > (seer) addresses Lord Shiva as " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE namaH " . Means > " I bow to him, who is the lord of thieves dwell in the mountains, who > personified as a land grabber (who steals others land property) " . I was > troubled to understand that My beloved Lord Shiva is the leader of thieves? > How is it possible! " What has my Siva got to do with thieves! " , This has > troubled me very much. I stopped writing the commentary because I can't > understand WHY! > > In the ashram, I had a duty to bring milk to the ashram from a village, > which is 2KM near by. One day in the evening, at 6PM I was walking on my > way to that village in order to fetch milk. Since it is a mountainous path, > you often find the road deserted, especially at 6PM you hardly find anybody. > I was walking thinking of the meaning " giricarAya " , wondering again > " WHY? " ... > > All of a sudden, I saw somebody, from no where, appeared in front of me. He > introduced himself to me and told me that he is coming from a nearby town. > He was walking on a very fast pace. I like walking slowly, because it gives > me time to think as well as enjoy the evening nature. So I let him go. I > could see him in the vicinity walking on the road. Suddenly, a few thieves > armed with knives, jumped on to him from the nearby bushes, beaten him blue, > took all his money and belongings. All this was happening in front of my > eyes. I was stunned by this incident happening in front of my eyes. They > also saw me on the road, but didn't even come near to me... They just looked > at me and went off... But before going, a person who looks like a leader of > that thieves group, came near to me, looked at me, winked and smiled and > went away!! A great surprise engulfed me, why this fellow winked at me! > > I approached that person who had just been robbed by thieves. I gave him a > hand. This fellow started crying out loud and started confessing! He was > addressing Lord Siva, who is called as Kotayya by the locals, who resides on > the mountain saying that " Kotayya! you taught me a great lesson... I sure > deserve this.... I sure deserve... Siva! forgive me for my sins. I know I > am a sinner " . I am surprised. This fellow, in stead of crying for loosing > his money, confessing to Lord Siva that he deserved it! > > I helped him in getting up and helped him walking to the nearby village. > During the walk, I came to know that this fellow, by wrongful means, stole > the land belong to his neighbor. He sold that stolen land to somebody else > in the nearby town. Got the money and walking back to the village. That > stolen money is again stolen by the mountain thieves. He was telling me > about what he understood from this incident. He said that " what ever you > deserve you get it. If you try to grab something that you don't deserve, > you will be punished. You can never enjoy anything that does not rightfully > belong to you. Your conscious pricks you and the society punishes you. For > committing one sin, you get punished by two things!!! " > I was awestruck to listen to this story. Some thing has started flashing in > me. I started realizing the meaning of " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE > namaH " . > > We were about to approach the village, this person asked me that he has to > drink some water. I made him sit side by, on the road, and went to fetch > some water from a near by well. I came back with water, but this person has > disappeared. I looked for him but couldn't find him. He told me his name as > " Rudrayya " . I went in to the village. Since I am a vedanta student from > the ashram, villagers know me. I told the village chief about the incident. > He immediately sent a lot of people to find out and catch the robbers. And > he also told me that NO BODY named Rudrayya, who matches my description, who > is involved in land dealing, is living in that village. Perhaps, he may be > from the next village. Since I am concerned about that fellow's health, > because he is beaten badly, the chief promised me that he will find out > about this fellow. > > Anyway, the villagers escorted me back to the ashram. Next day morning, I > came to know that there are neither the thieves sighted, nor there was any > road robbery incident took place for the last 3 years. Also, there is > nobody named " Rudrayya " who is involved in land grabbing in any nearby > villages. All was a divine drama, played in front of my eyes. > > I finished my commentary on " giricarAya kuluMcAnAM patayE " . Hari Om! Tat > sat! > > Regards, > Madhava > > > > JAIRAM SESHADRI [sMTP:seshadri] > > Wednesday, October 27, 1999 5:18 AM > > madhava > > your encounter with Lord Shiva... > > > > > > Dear Madhavaji... > > > > gosh Madhavaji...this has to be best encounter that i have ever heard > > from a person alive..i have read of such encounters with sages and > > rishis... > > > > i too am a bhakta of Lord Shiva and i have often dreamed of having an > > experience like this...you are indeed blessed to have had such a > > wonderful encounter... It stayed with you for 6 months...Lord Shiva > > must have been with you or in you...or else why should the snake live > > so close to you...with you? > > > > may i ask who your guru is and which ashrama you were part of ? > > > > thank you so much for sharing this experience with us..i am blessed to > > have heard it ..it inspires me to meditate more... > > > > utomost pranaams and namaskaar to you Madhavaji > > > > jairam > > > > > Message: 5 > > > Mon, 25 Oct 1999 13:42:51 +0300 > > > " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava > > > RE: Of Vahanas and Two Sisters > > > In deed, that is a wonderful experience. I also had similar > > > encounters. In the year 1990 I spent my days in an Ashram learning > > > vedanta at the lotus feet of my guru. Since the ashram is in a > > > remote area, we often find deadly snakes around there. > > > > > > I adore Lord Siva. Eveyday morning 3:30AM I used to get up and > > > meditate / offer my prayers to Lord Siva, then go for the satsang > > > which is at 5AM in the morning. One day, after the meditation I > > > opened my eyes to see a very big snake, with its full vigor, looking > > > at me. Some how, I did not feel the fear of it. I was meditating > > > on Lord Siva and after all this is his ornament! It has stared at > > > me for a few minutes and crawled near to my pillow and settled > > > there. I went on to my satsang and returned at 7AM and found that > > > the snake was sleeping over there! At first I could not comprehend > > > the fact that the snake is settling down there. Then I slowly sat > > > there on the bed. It has moved a bit and looked at me and again got > > > back into its relaxed posture, as if I am not a harmful creature :-) > > > as if it didn't care about my presence there :-) I also felt a > > > friendly feeling towards that snake! Any way, it has lived with me > > > in the same kutia, near my sleeping pillow, for almost 6 months! > > > Those days people used to talk about the snake and me in the ashram > > > :-) I often used to watch a lot of snakes around my kutia, I guess > > > they were the visiting friends of my room mate :-) (kutia = a small > > > hut made of mud walls with a thatched roof). > > > > > > Our teacher never allow anybody to kill snakes or harm any beings > > > that are living/visiting the ashram. She says " All these creatures > > > have been here even before us. By constructing the ashram we have > > > invaded their privacy. They, in a way, allowed us to live here. So > > > let us not humiliate them by misunderstanding their hospitality. " > > > By the way, in spite of all these wild creatures living around in > > > the ashram, there has never been a case of snake bite or any such > > > thing happened in the ashram! > > > > > > Regards, > > > Madhava > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 1999 Report Share Posted October 29, 1999 As I told before, I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the faith in my fellow seekers. Many of my fellow seekers sent me mails saying that my mails are helping them in reinforcing their faith. I thank the lord for that. Since they are asking for more, here I am again... The almighty is present in many forms, casting off the doubting minds. Only thing is that we have to have the right intellect to understand, right mind for devotion, right eyes to see. If we could do that, It is an assurance in Gita, then the rest will be taken care: " mayyEva mana aadhatsva mayi buddhiM nivESaya nivasiShysi mayyEva ata oorthvaM na SaMSayaH " -- Ch.12-8 In the year 1991 I was in Hyderabad. Staying with my friend Prakash. At Kukatpally Housing Board Colony (Known as KPHB Colony). There is a Hanuman Temple in the KPHB colony. I am going to write about an incident took place there. Every day night I used to go to the hanuman temple, spend time there, come home just before midnight. Some times Prakash used to join me. When ever he joins me, we used to discuss various points of vedanta. Other wise, I prefer to sit alone and contemplate, mostly thinking of life, the higher self, and the way you get dragged into things... Visiting temple was my regular ritual. Devotees leave by the time 9:30. You don't find anybody after 10PM in the temple. By the way, It was a very small temple then! Though, the sanctum sanctorum's gates get closed by 9:30PM, you could see Lord's idol through the see-through gates made up of iron rods. One day night, as usual I was sitting alone near a pillar, facing Lord Hanuma's idol. I saw an old man sitting near another pillar, with a big white mustache with beard, milky white hair, looked like he is at his ripe age. I happen to know almost all the visitors to the temple, I knew that I never saw him before... Only we both were around there. He was having a japamala in his hand. He was doing japa, closing his eyes. His face was glowing as if he is in ecstasy. Unusual to my behavior, I got curious! I wanted to know who that man is and what is he doing at that night there. I went near to him, touched his feet with great respect. He blessed me saying " aayushmAn bhava " . I sat next to him. I asked him, " Swamy, what is your name, what are you doing here at this night? " " Don't you know! I stay here only. And don't you worry about naming me... " he replied. " But, I never saw you here before " , I questioned again. " Hah! as if you knew everyone in the world " ... His reply jolted me. I didn't have any other words to say. So I just smiled and kept quite. Then he spoke with a bit of compassion saying: " I wouldn't prefer to be seen by people. That is why you never saw me before. I have been watching you since quite long. I have some thing to tell you. But I shall tell you when the need arises. Till then, though you see me in the temple, do not raise questions about me. I will call you when I want to talk to you " . It was an order. I understood... Then onwards I used to see him regularly. Though no words spoken, I touch his feet, he blesses me and there ends our reciprocation. He used to sit at the same place and does his japa. One day, I was about to leave the temple. He waved his hand and called me " Madhava! come here " . I went and stood near to him. " Madhava! I want to hear Bhagawatam. Can you perform a saptaham (talk for 7 days) here? " he asked. " But Swamy, I can't speak just thus. The temple organizers should invite me. Then only I could do it. And also I never gave lectures on Bhagawata, though I gave lectures on Bhagawatgita. " I replied. " Don't worry! everything will be arranged. You are about to move from this place. Before you leave I want to hear Bhagawatam. " (I thought, he was speaking of me leaving that temple that night. I should have known that I am about to move from Hyderabad to Bombay on a new employment) " But Swamy! the temple is very small. And never there were any lectures arranged here. I don't think the temple committee would oblige. " I was skeptical. He smiled and told " Madhava! You are born with a doubting mind. I told you just do it. Things will take care " . I didn't question any further. I decided and thought " If it has to happen, it will happen " . I went home and slept. Next day, I got a call to my office. Prakash told me that the temple committee is asking for me, they requested to see me at 6:30 in the evening (that is too early to me). Any way, I went and met them. They told me that they are thinking of conducting a Bhagawata Saptaham. They asked me to perform it. I am surprised at the way things are taking place. I asked them out of curiosity on why they thought of it all of a sudden. Their reply was a bit unsatisfactory. But then the temple pujari (he is still working there) told me that " Madhava Swamy! (they used to call me swamy :-)) it is me who asked them. Today morning, I got this thought of a Saptaham. " I agreed to a date to perform the Saptaham. The temple committee president asked my help on designing a pamphlet, because they never did any such thing before. I helped them. That day night, I couldn't see that old man. Though I eagerly searched for him every where, my search turned futile. I couldn't see him till I finish my seven days talks on Bhagawatam. I started saptaham (giving lectures on Bhagawatam) in the temple. First day there were 20 people. Next day there was 200 and the number of listeners increased too much, the temple premises could not cope. Prakash's mother (she is no more) used to come regularly to listen. Prakash, those days being a big clog in a Medical company, due to the busy schedules, could not attend that regularly. Every day, a monkey used to come and sit near the dhvajastambaham and stay there till the end. Though humans fail to attend on a regular basis, the monkey was a regular attendee :-) Every day, I used to look for that old man in the crowd. He never turned up. I finished the saptaham. It went very well. People started visiting Prakash's place, because I stay there. That has become a disturbance to home! Three days after finishing the saptaham, I was as usual sitting there in the temple. I saw the old man again. I went and touched his feet. I asked him " Swamy! where have you been? You told me that you wanted to listen to Bhagawatam, once I started you disappeared! " He smiled and told me that he visited regularly, though I could not recognize him. He also told me that some of the people who have attended my lectures are going to do some renovations to the temple. They will construct a Siva temple next to this small temple. The temple is going to grow very big! My lectures are aimed at casting off some doubting minds " ... His wordings were quite confusing. Though I am a questioner, in his presence I never got a doubt, as if I were under his spell. He told me that he got to go. I asked him when could I see him again. He told me that he will visit me again when I am far off to an unknown land. I am still waiting to see that old man again. Though I know now whom I have met those days, I would leave it to your imagination. The temple where I gave my first ever lectures on Bhagawatam, as told by the old man, has grown quite big. Any city bus that goes to KPHB colony, Hyderabad stops right in front of the temple. The temple pujari and the committee are still there, though I haven't met them since I left that place. No point, my mission accomplished :-) There is a big Siva temple constructed next to the Hanuman temple. I moved away from the disturbance to again to an unknown land where I could find some peace for contemplation, I lived in Bombay for 4 years, undisturbed. (Those who want to know: Prakash, one of the very few true friends I ever have, has renounced and now known by the name Brahmacari Govinda Chaitanya. He is now at Chinmaya Mission, Vizag. At present he is serving as Executive Secretary General, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, Youth wing of Chinmaya Mission.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 1999 Report Share Posted October 29, 1999 Dear Madhava., I am really blessed to know your such a great experience, I am sure God has blessed you and your presence in this list will surely reinforce the faith in all of us. Sarvam Vasudevamayam Jagath Prashanth > > " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava > > As I told before, I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the > faith in my fellow seekers. Many of my fellow seekers sent me mails saying > that my mails are helping them in reinforcing their faith. I thank the lord > for that. Since they are asking for more, here I am again... > > The almighty is present in many forms, casting off the doubting minds. Only > thing is that we have to have the right intellect to understand, right mind > for devotion, right eyes to see. If we could do that, It is an assurance in > Gita, then the rest will be taken care: > > " mayyEva mana aadhatsva mayi buddhiM nivESaya > nivasiShysi mayyEva ata oorthvaM na SaMSayaH " -- Ch.12-8 > > In the year 1991 I was in Hyderabad. Staying with my friend Prakash. At > Kukatpally Housing Board Colony (Known as KPHB Colony). There is a Hanuman > Temple in the KPHB colony. I am going to write about an incident took place > there. > > Every day night I used to go to the hanuman temple, spend time there, come > home just before midnight. Some times Prakash used to join me. When ever > he joins me, we used to discuss various points of vedanta. Other wise, I > prefer to sit alone and contemplate, mostly thinking of life, the higher > self, and the way you get dragged into things... Visiting temple was my > regular ritual. Devotees leave by the time 9:30. You don't find anybody > after 10PM in the temple. By the way, It was a very small temple then! > > Though, the sanctum sanctorum's gates get closed by 9:30PM, you could see > Lord's idol through the see-through gates made up of iron rods. One day > night, as usual I was sitting alone near a pillar, facing Lord Hanuma's > idol. I saw an old man sitting near another pillar, with a big white > mustache with beard, milky white hair, looked like he is at his ripe age. I > happen to know almost all the visitors to the temple, I knew that I never > saw him before... Only we both were around there. He was having a japamala > in his hand. He was doing japa, closing his eyes. His face was glowing as > if he is in ecstasy. Unusual to my behavior, I got curious! I wanted to > know who that man is and what is he doing at that night there. I went near > to him, touched his feet with great respect. He blessed me saying > " aayushmAn bhava " . I sat next to him. I asked him, " Swamy, what is your > name, what are you doing here at this night? " > > " Don't you know! I stay here only. And don't you worry about naming me... " > he replied. > " But, I never saw you here before " , I questioned again. > " Hah! as if you knew everyone in the world " ... His reply jolted me. I > didn't have any other words to say. So I just smiled and kept quite. > > Then he spoke with a bit of compassion saying: " I wouldn't prefer to be seen > by people. That is why you never saw me before. I have been watching you > since quite long. I have some thing to tell you. But I shall tell you when > the need arises. Till then, though you see me in the temple, do not raise > questions about me. I will call you when I want to talk to you " . It was an > order. I understood... > > Then onwards I used to see him regularly. Though no words spoken, I touch > his feet, he blesses me and there ends our reciprocation. He used to sit at > the same place and does his japa. > > One day, I was about to leave the temple. He waved his hand and called me > " Madhava! come here " . I went and stood near to him. > > " Madhava! I want to hear Bhagawatam. Can you perform a saptaham (talk for > 7 days) here? " he asked. > > " But Swamy, I can't speak just thus. The temple organizers should invite > me. Then only I could do it. And also I never gave lectures on Bhagawata, > though I gave lectures on Bhagawatgita. " I replied. > > " Don't worry! everything will be arranged. You are about to move from this > place. Before you leave I want to hear Bhagawatam. " (I thought, he was > speaking of me leaving that temple that night. I should have known that I am > about to move from Hyderabad to Bombay on a new employment) > > " But Swamy! the temple is very small. And never there were any lectures > arranged here. I don't think the temple committee would oblige. " I was > skeptical. > > He smiled and told " Madhava! You are born with a doubting mind. I told you > just do it. Things will take care " . I didn't question any further. I > decided and thought " If it has to happen, it will happen " . I went home and > slept. > > Next day, I got a call to my office. Prakash told me that the temple > committee is asking for me, they requested to see me at 6:30 in the evening > (that is too early to me). Any way, I went and met them. They told me that > they are thinking of conducting a Bhagawata Saptaham. They asked me to > perform it. I am surprised at the way things are taking place. I asked > them out of curiosity on why they thought of it all of a sudden. Their > reply was a bit unsatisfactory. > > But then the temple pujari (he is still working there) told me that " Madhava > Swamy! (they used to call me swamy :-)) it is me who asked them. Today > morning, I got this thought of a Saptaham. " I agreed to a date to perform > the Saptaham. The temple committee president asked my help on designing a > pamphlet, because they never did any such thing before. I helped them. > > That day night, I couldn't see that old man. Though I eagerly searched for > him every where, my search turned futile. I couldn't see him till I finish > my seven days talks on Bhagawatam. > > I started saptaham (giving lectures on Bhagawatam) in the temple. First day > there were 20 people. Next day there was 200 and the number of listeners > increased too much, the temple premises could not cope. > > Prakash's mother (she is no more) used to come regularly to listen. > Prakash, those days being a big clog in a Medical company, due to the busy > schedules, could not attend that regularly. > > Every day, a monkey used to come and sit near the dhvajastambaham and stay > there till the end. Though humans fail to attend on a regular basis, the > monkey was a regular attendee :-) > > Every day, I used to look for that old man in the crowd. He never turned > up. I finished the saptaham. It went very well. People started visiting > Prakash's place, because I stay there. That has become a disturbance to > home! > > Three days after finishing the saptaham, I was as usual sitting there in the > temple. I saw the old man again. I went and touched his feet. > > I asked him " Swamy! where have you been? You told me that you wanted to > listen to Bhagawatam, once I started you disappeared! " > > He smiled and told me that he visited regularly, though I could not > recognize him. He also told me that some of the people who have attended my > lectures are going to do some renovations to the temple. They will > construct a Siva temple next to this small temple. The temple is going to > grow very big! My lectures are aimed at casting off some doubting minds " ... > His wordings were quite confusing. Though I am a questioner, in his > presence I never got a doubt, as if I were under his spell. > > He told me that he got to go. I asked him when could I see him again. He > told me that he will visit me again when I am far off to an unknown land. I > am still waiting to see that old man again. Though I know now whom I have > met those days, I would leave it to your imagination. > > The temple where I gave my first ever lectures on Bhagawatam, as told by the > old man, has grown quite big. Any city bus that goes to KPHB colony, > Hyderabad stops right in front of the temple. The temple pujari and the > committee are still there, though I haven't met them since I left that > place. No point, my mission accomplished :-) There is a big Siva temple > constructed next to the Hanuman temple. I moved away from the disturbance > to again to an unknown land where I could find some peace for contemplation, > I lived in Bombay for 4 years, undisturbed. > > (Those who want to know: Prakash, one of the very few true friends I ever > have, has renounced and now known by the name Brahmacari Govinda Chaitanya. > He is now at Chinmaya Mission, Vizag. At present he is serving as Executive > Secretary General, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, Youth wing of Chinmaya Mission.) > > > Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah > Vivekananda Centre London > http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 1999 Report Share Posted October 29, 1999 Went right thro' my heart with my body shivering. Mahesh Madhava K. Turumella [madhava] Friday, October 29, 1999 5:46 AM ramakrishna ; advaitin Cc: saradaji [ramakrishna] RE: your encounter with Lord Shiva... " Madhava K. Turumella " <madhava As I told before, I am writing this ONLY BECAUSE it might reinforce the faith in my fellow seekers. Many of my fellow seekers sent me mails saying that my mails are helping them in reinforcing their faith. I thank the lord for that. Since they are asking for more, here I am again... The almighty is present in many forms, casting off the doubting minds. Only thing is that we have to have the right intellect to understand, right mind for devotion, right eyes to see. If we could do that, It is an assurance in Gita, then the rest will be taken care: " mayyEva mana aadhatsva mayi buddhiM nivESaya nivasiShysi mayyEva ata oorthvaM na SaMSayaH " -- Ch.12-8 In the year 1991 I was in Hyderabad. Staying with my friend Prakash. At Kukatpally Housing Board Colony (Known as KPHB Colony). There is a Hanuman Temple in the KPHB colony. I am going to write about an incident took place there. Every day night I used to go to the hanuman temple, spend time there, come home just before midnight. Some times Prakash used to join me. When ever he joins me, we used to discuss various points of vedanta. Other wise, I prefer to sit alone and contemplate, mostly thinking of life, the higher self, and the way you get dragged into things... Visiting temple was my regular ritual. Devotees leave by the time 9:30. You don't find anybody after 10PM in the temple. By the way, It was a very small temple then! Though, the sanctum sanctorum's gates get closed by 9:30PM, you could see Lord's idol through the see-through gates made up of iron rods. One day night, as usual I was sitting alone near a pillar, facing Lord Hanuma's idol. I saw an old man sitting near another pillar, with a big white mustache with beard, milky white hair, looked like he is at his ripe age. I happen to know almost all the visitors to the temple, I knew that I never saw him before... Only we both were around there. He was having a japamala in his hand. He was doing japa, closing his eyes. His face was glowing as if he is in ecstasy. Unusual to my behavior, I got curious! I wanted to know who that man is and what is he doing at that night there. I went near to him, touched his feet with great respect. He blessed me saying " aayushmAn bhava " . I sat next to him. I asked him, " Swamy, what is your name, what are you doing here at this night? " " Don't you know! I stay here only. And don't you worry about naming me... " he replied. " But, I never saw you here before " , I questioned again. " Hah! as if you knew everyone in the world " ... His reply jolted me. I didn't have any other words to say. So I just smiled and kept quite. Then he spoke with a bit of compassion saying: " I wouldn't prefer to be seen by people. That is why you never saw me before. I have been watching you since quite long. I have some thing to tell you. But I shall tell you when the need arises. Till then, though you see me in the temple, do not raise questions about me. I will call you when I want to talk to you " . It was an order. I understood... Then onwards I used to see him regularly. Though no words spoken, I touch his feet, he blesses me and there ends our reciprocation. He used to sit at the same place and does his japa. One day, I was about to leave the temple. He waved his hand and called me " Madhava! come here " . I went and stood near to him. " Madhava! I want to hear Bhagawatam. Can you perform a saptaham (talk for 7 days) here? " he asked. " But Swamy, I can't speak just thus. The temple organizers should invite me. Then only I could do it. And also I never gave lectures on Bhagawata, though I gave lectures on Bhagawatgita. " I replied. " Don't worry! everything will be arranged. You are about to move from this place. Before you leave I want to hear Bhagawatam. " (I thought, he was speaking of me leaving that temple that night. I should have known that I am about to move from Hyderabad to Bombay on a new employment) " But Swamy! the temple is very small. And never there were any lectures arranged here. I don't think the temple committee would oblige. " I was skeptical. He smiled and told " Madhava! You are born with a doubting mind. I told you just do it. Things will take care " . I didn't question any further. I decided and thought " If it has to happen, it will happen " . I went home and slept. Next day, I got a call to my office. Prakash told me that the temple committee is asking for me, they requested to see me at 6:30 in the evening (that is too early to me). Any way, I went and met them. They told me that they are thinking of conducting a Bhagawata Saptaham. They asked me to perform it. I am surprised at the way things are taking place. I asked them out of curiosity on why they thought of it all of a sudden. Their reply was a bit unsatisfactory. But then the temple pujari (he is still working there) told me that " Madhava Swamy! (they used to call me swamy :-)) it is me who asked them. Today morning, I got this thought of a Saptaham. " I agreed to a date to perform the Saptaham. The temple committee president asked my help on designing a pamphlet, because they never did any such thing before. I helped them. That day night, I couldn't see that old man. Though I eagerly searched for him every where, my search turned futile. I couldn't see him till I finish my seven days talks on Bhagawatam. I started saptaham (giving lectures on Bhagawatam) in the temple. First day there were 20 people. Next day there was 200 and the number of listeners increased too much, the temple premises could not cope. Prakash's mother (she is no more) used to come regularly to listen. Prakash, those days being a big clog in a Medical company, due to the busy schedules, could not attend that regularly. Every day, a monkey used to come and sit near the dhvajastambaham and stay there till the end. Though humans fail to attend on a regular basis, the monkey was a regular attendee :-) Every day, I used to look for that old man in the crowd. He never turned up. I finished the saptaham. It went very well. People started visiting Prakash's place, because I stay there. That has become a disturbance to home! Three days after finishing the saptaham, I was as usual sitting there in the temple. I saw the old man again. I went and touched his feet. I asked him " Swamy! where have you been? You told me that you wanted to listen to Bhagawatam, once I started you disappeared! " He smiled and told me that he visited regularly, though I could not recognize him. He also told me that some of the people who have attended my lectures are going to do some renovations to the temple. They will construct a Siva temple next to this small temple. The temple is going to grow very big! My lectures are aimed at casting off some doubting minds " ... His wordings were quite confusing. Though I am a questioner, in his presence I never got a doubt, as if I were under his spell. He told me that he got to go. I asked him when could I see him again. He told me that he will visit me again when I am far off to an unknown land. I am still waiting to see that old man again. Though I know now whom I have met those days, I would leave it to your imagination. The temple where I gave my first ever lectures on Bhagawatam, as told by the old man, has grown quite big. Any city bus that goes to KPHB colony, Hyderabad stops right in front of the temple. The temple pujari and the committee are still there, though I haven't met them since I left that place. No point, my mission accomplished :-) There is a big Siva temple constructed next to the Hanuman temple. I moved away from the disturbance to again to an unknown land where I could find some peace for contemplation, I lived in Bombay for 4 years, undisturbed. (Those who want to know: Prakash, one of the very few true friends I ever have, has renounced and now known by the name Brahmacari Govinda Chaitanya. He is now at Chinmaya Mission, Vizag. At present he is serving as Executive Secretary General, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, Youth wing of Chinmaya Mission.) Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah Vivekananda Centre London http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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