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Arunachala Grace Network
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I
prostrate to Sri Vigneshwara, the personification of auspiciousness for
the whole world, eliminator of the whole 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.
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Sing to the Mountain
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"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]
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Pearls from the Guru
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"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."
[A�vanhov]
"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]
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Hymn to the Guru
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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]
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| Arunachala Website |
| Arunachala News |
| Arunachala Birds |
| Arunachala Land |
| Navagrahas |
| Ramana Ashram Official Site |
| Indian Pond Heron Photographs |
| Shantimalai Trust Official Site |
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Arunachala Tidbits
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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
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Cassia Auriculata
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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.
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Indian Pond Heron
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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
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Guru Purnima
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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.
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Brihaspati, Jupiter
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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
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Humble (By Nasruddin)
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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!"
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Arunachala Reflections
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"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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