181
General Discussion / where am I?
« on: April 25, 2015, 12:06:13 PM »I am away from India. I am not good with laptop. I am not able to type much.
Let me see what I can do.
Arunachala Siva.
Show Posts
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I am away from India. I am not good with laptop. I am not able to type much.
Let me see what I can do.
Arunachala Siva.
182
General topics / Major Chadwick Liberation Day - 17.04.2015
« on: April 17, 2015, 09:05:19 AM »
Today is the day of liberation of Major Chadwick (Sadhu Arunachala). He was born in the year 1890. He served the British
army in South America. He was captivated by the book of Paul Brunton - A Search in Secret India. He resigned from army and
came to Sri Ramanasramam in November 1935. He remained there for good. He has published his "A Sadhu's Reminiscences o
Sri Ramana Maharshi in 1961.
He writes:
Whenever people came to Bhagavan with their family stories He would laugh with the happy, and times shed tears with the
bereaved. He never raised His voice. He would never touch money because He never had need of it and was not interested
in it. He preferred every sort of simplicity.
*
Bhagavan was invariably kind to all animals. Snakes and scorpions were never allowed to be killed. For dogs He always
had a tender spot. There is a story about Cow Lakshmi which is known to all.
*
Bhagavan was a very beautiful person; He shone with a aura of visible light of aura. He had the most delicate hands I have
ever seen with which alone He would express Himself, one might almost say talk. He was scrupulously clean and His body
gave off a faint perfume, though He never used any scented soap. He always radiated tremendous peace, but on those
occasions when the crowds were attracted to the Asramam such as Jayanti and Deepam, this increased to an extraordinary
degree. The numbers seem to call up some reserve of a hidden force, and it was a great experience to sit with Him at such times.
*
I doubt if we realize how lucky we are. One is inclined to get used to things and take them for granted. But there is no
taking Bhagavan for granted, He is always surprisingly different, and that is one of the greatest wonders of His Presence.
*
Sri Chadwick fell sick and was admitted to Vellore hospital. The nature of sickness is not known but he had his tongue
swollen and he could not speak. Three days before Easter 1962, he asked the nurse, who was surprised about his
speaking, whether that day was Easter. The nurse replied that Easter would fall after three days. He said, 'No, today is
Easter for me.' He merged in Bhagavan that evening!
*
He had translated all the works of Sri Bhagavan in English and this was okayed by Sri Bhagavan. However, it was not
published since Osborne's translation was already published.
*
Arunachala Siva.
army in South America. He was captivated by the book of Paul Brunton - A Search in Secret India. He resigned from army and
came to Sri Ramanasramam in November 1935. He remained there for good. He has published his "A Sadhu's Reminiscences o
Sri Ramana Maharshi in 1961.
He writes:
Whenever people came to Bhagavan with their family stories He would laugh with the happy, and times shed tears with the
bereaved. He never raised His voice. He would never touch money because He never had need of it and was not interested
in it. He preferred every sort of simplicity.
*
Bhagavan was invariably kind to all animals. Snakes and scorpions were never allowed to be killed. For dogs He always
had a tender spot. There is a story about Cow Lakshmi which is known to all.
*
Bhagavan was a very beautiful person; He shone with a aura of visible light of aura. He had the most delicate hands I have
ever seen with which alone He would express Himself, one might almost say talk. He was scrupulously clean and His body
gave off a faint perfume, though He never used any scented soap. He always radiated tremendous peace, but on those
occasions when the crowds were attracted to the Asramam such as Jayanti and Deepam, this increased to an extraordinary
degree. The numbers seem to call up some reserve of a hidden force, and it was a great experience to sit with Him at such times.
*
I doubt if we realize how lucky we are. One is inclined to get used to things and take them for granted. But there is no
taking Bhagavan for granted, He is always surprisingly different, and that is one of the greatest wonders of His Presence.
*
Sri Chadwick fell sick and was admitted to Vellore hospital. The nature of sickness is not known but he had his tongue
swollen and he could not speak. Three days before Easter 1962, he asked the nurse, who was surprised about his
speaking, whether that day was Easter. The nurse replied that Easter would fall after three days. He said, 'No, today is
Easter for me.' He merged in Bhagavan that evening!
*
He had translated all the works of Sri Bhagavan in English and this was okayed by Sri Bhagavan. However, it was not
published since Osborne's translation was already published.
*
Arunachala Siva.
183
The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi / Sri Bhagavan's Aradhana -16.4. 2015
« on: April 16, 2015, 07:08:28 AM »
Today is Sri Bhagavan's 65th Aradhana, as per tithi (moon digit), Chaitra Krishna Paksha Tryodhasi. As per English calendar
it was on 14th April 2015. He shed His mortal coil on 14th April 1950 at 8.47 pm.
He is Brahma Vastu. Brahma Vastu is eternal and is every where. He said:
You all say, 'I am going. Where can I go. I am here.'
Let us all pray for His grace and blessings today.
He is ever living Guru. At 8.47 pm on 14/4/1950, a meteor emitted from Nirvana Room and moved skywards, turned north
and perched on the Arunachala. He and Arunachala are One.
Arunachala Siva.
it was on 14th April 2015. He shed His mortal coil on 14th April 1950 at 8.47 pm.
He is Brahma Vastu. Brahma Vastu is eternal and is every where. He said:
You all say, 'I am going. Where can I go. I am here.'
Let us all pray for His grace and blessings today.
He is ever living Guru. At 8.47 pm on 14/4/1950, a meteor emitted from Nirvana Room and moved skywards, turned north
and perched on the Arunachala. He and Arunachala are One.
Arunachala Siva.
184
General topics / punar vasu vaNNam & Sri Rama Navami -28.3.2015
« on: March 28, 2015, 06:09:34 AM »
Today is the punar vasu star day of the month of panguni (phalgun). punar vasu is the birth star of Sri Bhagavan.
It is also Sri Rama Navami, Sri Rama's birthday.
There will be special pujas today in the Asramam and this will be followed by special lunch. Sri Rama Navami is also
celebrated in the Asramam.
B.V.Narasimha Swami in his book Self Realization has compared Sri Rama and Sri Bhagavan.
Both were tall with broad shoulders and long limbs. Both were the epitome of Truth, compassionate and helpful
to those who have surrendered to them.
Arunachala Siva.
It is also Sri Rama Navami, Sri Rama's birthday.
There will be special pujas today in the Asramam and this will be followed by special lunch. Sri Rama Navami is also
celebrated in the Asramam.
B.V.Narasimha Swami in his book Self Realization has compared Sri Rama and Sri Bhagavan.
Both were tall with broad shoulders and long limbs. Both were the epitome of Truth, compassionate and helpful
to those who have surrendered to them.
Arunachala Siva.
185
General Discussion / Ugadi - 20.03.2015
« on: March 20, 2015, 12:24:52 PM »
I wish all the Forum Members,a happy and prosperous Ugadi tomorrow. Let this Ugadi bring all happiness and
further progress in spiritual pursuit.
Arunachala Siva.
further progress in spiritual pursuit.
Arunachala Siva.
186
General topics / Tevaram - Some select verses.
« on: March 10, 2015, 12:28:55 PM »வேயுறு தோளிபங்கன் விடமுண்ட கண்டன்
மிகநல்ல வீணை தடவி
மாசறு திங்கள்கங்கை முடிமே லணிந்தென்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்
ஞாயிறு திங்கள்செவ்வாய் புதன்வியாழம் வெள்ளி
சனிபாம்பி ரண்டு முடனே
ஆசறு நல்லநல்ல அவைநல்ல நல்ல
அடியா ரவர்க்கு மிகவே.
This is from KOLaRu Pathigam of Saint Tiru Jnana Sambandhar:
He is the consort of the lady who has got bamboo like (slender) shoulders. He has got neck with hala-hala poison held in it.
He plays Veena lucidly. He has got crescent moon without the dark spot, on His matted locks.He has entered my Heart.
The various planets and their movements - those of Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and the two snakes
node and anti node called Rahu and Ketu-- all these shall do only good, only great good for His devotees.
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
187
General topics / Sundaram Iyer's Day - 10.03.2015
« on: March 10, 2015, 07:19:17 AM »
Today is Sri Sundaram Iyer's Day. He who was a great karma yogi passed away on this day when young Venkataraman
was only about 12 years old. He worked as an uncertified pleader in Tiruchuzhi Court and was only taking up cases
of people who were aggrieved for genuine cases. The whole little down had an impressive view of him. He built a
house which had two portions, one portion was occupied by him and his family and another was kept for visitors and
pilgrims and government officials who visited Tiruchuzhi. The guests were fed nicely by Smt Azhagammal.
Iyer's passing away made an impression on young Venkataraman about death. This feeling became manifest only he
came to Madurai.
Iyer's family was split into two - Venkataraman and Nagaswami living with one of paternal uncles in Madurai and another uncle
in Manamadurai took care of Smt. Azhagammal and her other children.
Whether Sundaram Iyer attained mukti? It is a subtle point. I go with what is told in Srimad Bhagavatam. Prahlada
asks Narayana whether his ferocious father would attain mukti or Vaikunta padam. Narayana said: Because of you
all members in three generations before you and after you will reach Me.
Sundaram Iyer would have therefore attained Mukti because of his great son, the Son of Siva and the Sun of Jnana,
Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.
Arunachala Siva.
was only about 12 years old. He worked as an uncertified pleader in Tiruchuzhi Court and was only taking up cases
of people who were aggrieved for genuine cases. The whole little down had an impressive view of him. He built a
house which had two portions, one portion was occupied by him and his family and another was kept for visitors and
pilgrims and government officials who visited Tiruchuzhi. The guests were fed nicely by Smt Azhagammal.
Iyer's passing away made an impression on young Venkataraman about death. This feeling became manifest only he
came to Madurai.
Iyer's family was split into two - Venkataraman and Nagaswami living with one of paternal uncles in Madurai and another uncle
in Manamadurai took care of Smt. Azhagammal and her other children.
Whether Sundaram Iyer attained mukti? It is a subtle point. I go with what is told in Srimad Bhagavatam. Prahlada
asks Narayana whether his ferocious father would attain mukti or Vaikunta padam. Narayana said: Because of you
all members in three generations before you and after you will reach Me.
Sundaram Iyer would have therefore attained Mukti because of his great son, the Son of Siva and the Sun of Jnana,
Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.
Arunachala Siva.
188
General Discussion / Again a break!
« on: March 09, 2015, 12:41:51 PM »
I went for a wedding in Chennai along with my wife and returned to Bangalore only this noon. I am too tired to write any posts.
I shall re-start from tomorrow.
There were many difficulties in journey (tyre puncture) and also in Chennai (heat, crowd in the wedding, etc.,)
MY PRESENCE SHALL BE WITH YOU FOR EVER, BOTH IN TIMES OF HAPPINESS AND SUFFERING:
This might be a Biblical statement. But when I read this on the back of a car going in front, I remembered only Sri Bhagavan.
Arunachala Siva.
I shall re-start from tomorrow.
There were many difficulties in journey (tyre puncture) and also in Chennai (heat, crowd in the wedding, etc.,)
MY PRESENCE SHALL BE WITH YOU FOR EVER, BOTH IN TIMES OF HAPPINESS AND SUFFERING:
This might be a Biblical statement. But when I read this on the back of a car going in front, I remembered only Sri Bhagavan.
Arunachala Siva.
189
General topics / Annamalai Swami - Final Talks - Some Excerpts
« on: March 03, 2015, 09:49:00 AM »
Q: This behavior, these things that Jada Swami did, they are not the sort of thing that one would expect from a Sadhu living
on Arunachala.
Annamalai Swami: Guhai Namasivaya, who lived on the Hill several centuries ago, was also well known for his bad temper. In
one famous incident, he cursed a group of weavers who had been causing him trouble. Within a short time, all their business
failed. The curse was apparently a long lasting one, for in the years that followed, all attempts to start weaving business in
Tiruvannamalai failed.
Q: So would you say that Bhagavan was very tolerant of people who treated Him badly?
A.S. Yes. He never responded in a negative way to criticism. Sometimes He would even laugh when people said bad
things about Him. He was indifferent to praise and blame. They did not touch Him.
When Perumal Swami printed his insulting book about Bhagavan, He simply said, 'Keep the book in front of the Asramam
so that people can read it there. The good people won't believe it, but when the bad people read it, they will stay away
and leave me in peace.'
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
on Arunachala.
Annamalai Swami: Guhai Namasivaya, who lived on the Hill several centuries ago, was also well known for his bad temper. In
one famous incident, he cursed a group of weavers who had been causing him trouble. Within a short time, all their business
failed. The curse was apparently a long lasting one, for in the years that followed, all attempts to start weaving business in
Tiruvannamalai failed.
Q: So would you say that Bhagavan was very tolerant of people who treated Him badly?
A.S. Yes. He never responded in a negative way to criticism. Sometimes He would even laugh when people said bad
things about Him. He was indifferent to praise and blame. They did not touch Him.
When Perumal Swami printed his insulting book about Bhagavan, He simply said, 'Keep the book in front of the Asramam
so that people can read it there. The good people won't believe it, but when the bad people read it, they will stay away
and leave me in peace.'
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
190
General topics / His Transforming Presence -- Joan Greenblatt.
« on: March 03, 2015, 07:39:43 AM »
I was first drawn to Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi over 25 years ago, through a remarkable photograph of His. At that time,
I experienced a feeling of coming home to something that was always a part of me. Initially, I devoured every book on His life
and teaching, being both fascinated and charmed. For almost a year I read the small booklet Who am I? on a daily basis,
letting the words sink in. I don't think I truly intellectually understood the import of the words but my heart began to open
in a deep and profound way. In times of silence and attentiveness, the recognition of Who am I? became more and more
of an intuitive experience, beyond the realm of thought.
During this period, Bhagavan the person, held me in His grip through His profound humanity, compassion, soft doe like eyes,
and great wisdom which provides each individual with what is most needed at that moment. The events of His life were
fascinating, spontaneous realization, austere life in caves upon the Hill,and immense compassion - ultimately manifesting
in the form of an Asramam that grew around Him. His was a life of true perfection and grace, both inwardly and outwardly.
Arunachala Siva.
I experienced a feeling of coming home to something that was always a part of me. Initially, I devoured every book on His life
and teaching, being both fascinated and charmed. For almost a year I read the small booklet Who am I? on a daily basis,
letting the words sink in. I don't think I truly intellectually understood the import of the words but my heart began to open
in a deep and profound way. In times of silence and attentiveness, the recognition of Who am I? became more and more
of an intuitive experience, beyond the realm of thought.
During this period, Bhagavan the person, held me in His grip through His profound humanity, compassion, soft doe like eyes,
and great wisdom which provides each individual with what is most needed at that moment. The events of His life were
fascinating, spontaneous realization, austere life in caves upon the Hill,and immense compassion - ultimately manifesting
in the form of an Asramam that grew around Him. His was a life of true perfection and grace, both inwardly and outwardly.
Arunachala Siva.
191
General topics / What the Maharshi means to me - An article by J. Jayaraman in the Centenary of
« on: March 02, 2015, 12:47:17 PM »
If God be the one that does things and lets everyone else take credit, then I cannot imagine a better example of God
playing the role of man playing God than Sri Ramana. Here was an entity incarnated, in mortal coil moving as one among
us, concerned intimately with each of our concerns and yet simultaneously above it all, much like the mountain remaining
at once earth-and-heaven bound.
From the Centenary of the Advent Souvenir, 1996.
Arunachala Siva.
playing the role of man playing God than Sri Ramana. Here was an entity incarnated, in mortal coil moving as one among
us, concerned intimately with each of our concerns and yet simultaneously above it all, much like the mountain remaining
at once earth-and-heaven bound.
From the Centenary of the Advent Souvenir, 1996.
Arunachala Siva.
192
General Discussion / Back!
« on: March 02, 2015, 12:24:04 PM »
Dear All.
This time it took more than 1 week,due to my shifting of house in Bangalore. I hope to write some posts everyday.
Arunachala Sivas.
This time it took more than 1 week,due to my shifting of house in Bangalore. I hope to write some posts everyday.
Arunachala Sivas.
193
General topics / Sivaratri - 17.02. 2015.
« on: February 17, 2015, 10:56:37 AM »
Today is Sivaratri. In Karnataka and Tamizh Nadu in all Siva temples there will be celebrations. In Karnataka which is
having a good population of Veera Saivas, the government has declared today as a holiday.
What can be more appropriate than to think of Siva through the following verse of Tiru Janana Sambandhar,who composed
this verse when he was just three years old?
தோடுடைய செவியன் விடை ஏறியோர் தூவெண் மதி சூடிக்
காடுடைய சுடலைப் பொடி பூசி என் உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வன்
ஏடுடைய மலரான் முனை நாள் பணிந்து ஏத்த அருள் செய்த
பீடுடைய பிரமாபுரம் மேவிய பெம்மான் இவன் அன்றே.(1.1.1.)
Arunachala Siva.
having a good population of Veera Saivas, the government has declared today as a holiday.
What can be more appropriate than to think of Siva through the following verse of Tiru Janana Sambandhar,who composed
this verse when he was just three years old?
தோடுடைய செவியன் விடை ஏறியோர் தூவெண் மதி சூடிக்
காடுடைய சுடலைப் பொடி பூசி என் உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வன்
ஏடுடைய மலரான் முனை நாள் பணிந்து ஏத்த அருள் செய்த
பீடுடைய பிரமாபுரம் மேவிய பெம்மான் இவன் அன்றே.(1.1.1.)
Arunachala Siva.
194
General topics / Going Back the Way We came:
« on: February 11, 2015, 09:48:16 AM »
This is an article by Sriram Ananthanaryanan in the Mountain Path, October -December 2014.
*
An amusing incident took place a few years ago, during one of my visits to Sri Ramanasramam. Late one evening,a small frog
entered my cottage through the bathroom window. Inadvertently, I went rather close to him. It is difficult to say which one of
us was more surprised. The little one expressed his surprise by leaping off the wall and onto the floor below.I made a rapid
exit out of the bathroom. A little later,the small frog found his way to the living room. I had to find a way to evict this visitor
from my room.By tapping a stick close to where he sat, I hoped to coax this unwelcome guest to make an exit through the
main door. He moved a couple of feet, in the correct direction, but then he reversed course and jumped right back, barely
avoiding me! I had to come up with a better strategy. There was plastic dustbin in my room. If I could succeed in placing
the dustbin over the little one,then I could drag the dustbin across the room and evict the visitor through the main entrance.
With dustbin in hand,I approached him. With one quick movement, I placed the bin over the spot where he was seated, but
he was quicker with an agile jump that would envy of an Olympic athlete. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I had to abandon
this strategy as well. Somehow I managed to get him back into the bathroom, closed the door and retired for the night.
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
*
An amusing incident took place a few years ago, during one of my visits to Sri Ramanasramam. Late one evening,a small frog
entered my cottage through the bathroom window. Inadvertently, I went rather close to him. It is difficult to say which one of
us was more surprised. The little one expressed his surprise by leaping off the wall and onto the floor below.I made a rapid
exit out of the bathroom. A little later,the small frog found his way to the living room. I had to find a way to evict this visitor
from my room.By tapping a stick close to where he sat, I hoped to coax this unwelcome guest to make an exit through the
main door. He moved a couple of feet, in the correct direction, but then he reversed course and jumped right back, barely
avoiding me! I had to come up with a better strategy. There was plastic dustbin in my room. If I could succeed in placing
the dustbin over the little one,then I could drag the dustbin across the room and evict the visitor through the main entrance.
With dustbin in hand,I approached him. With one quick movement, I placed the bin over the spot where he was seated, but
he was quicker with an agile jump that would envy of an Olympic athlete. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I had to abandon
this strategy as well. Somehow I managed to get him back into the bathroom, closed the door and retired for the night.
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
195
General topics / My Spiritual Journey with Bhagavan
« on: February 07, 2015, 06:55:51 AM »
This is an article that appeared in Oct.-Dec.2014 issue of Mountain Path.This is by R.Ravindran.
Introduction:
Like many people I was not concerned about spiritual matters for many years until I married my caring wife,Sri Kumari,
became father to my two fine sons,Suman and Sajan. I had reached my forties. As a scientist I was engaged in conducting
seminars and classes in IT Quality Management in my office. Over a period of time the number of training days increased
so that I landed in a situation where I spent almost every night thinking about my next seminar or about office problems.
This resulted in sleepless nights which created health problems, I would become giddy while conducting the courses during
the day. Suddenly in the middle of a lecture,I would feel a jerk in my head, as I was about to fall down.Somehow with
great difficulty I would manage to continue the lecture by standing before a table,using it as back rest or holding on to it
for support.When I tried to force my mind to sleep, the number of thoughts increased and completely affected my ability
to rest.When my mind was creating unlimited problems for me I thought,'Oh God, Why have you created the human mind?
Have you not made a great blunder by doing that? You should have left human beings without minds.'
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
Introduction:
Like many people I was not concerned about spiritual matters for many years until I married my caring wife,Sri Kumari,
became father to my two fine sons,Suman and Sajan. I had reached my forties. As a scientist I was engaged in conducting
seminars and classes in IT Quality Management in my office. Over a period of time the number of training days increased
so that I landed in a situation where I spent almost every night thinking about my next seminar or about office problems.
This resulted in sleepless nights which created health problems, I would become giddy while conducting the courses during
the day. Suddenly in the middle of a lecture,I would feel a jerk in my head, as I was about to fall down.Somehow with
great difficulty I would manage to continue the lecture by standing before a table,using it as back rest or holding on to it
for support.When I tried to force my mind to sleep, the number of thoughts increased and completely affected my ability
to rest.When my mind was creating unlimited problems for me I thought,'Oh God, Why have you created the human mind?
Have you not made a great blunder by doing that? You should have left human beings without minds.'
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.