On this auspicious day, yet another spiritual moment was celebrated. Bodhinatha gave acharya diksha to Sannyasin Arumugaswami. Gurudeva regarded this as a special blessing and responsibility, for his acharyas are given the commission to teach, interpret and nurture into the future of futures the order and its mission.

Swami received a private abhishekam on the banks of the Wailua River, where Bodhinatha and the three acharyas each poured a kumbha of river water over swami to betoken his entrance into acharyahood.

Later, dressed in new robes, Acharya Arumugaswami sat at Bodhinatha’s feet in the Guru Peedam, signed his vow books acknowledge the initiation and recited from Gurudeva’s instructions to his acharyas in the Nandinatha Sutras.

Instructions for Acharyas

SUTRA 361: THE SACRED DUTY OF MY ACHARYAS
My sannyasins who are acharyas are the supreme architects of our sampradaya’s future and the fulfillers of these Nandinatha Sutras. They carry this responsibility on top of their head. Yea, they are chosen ones. Aum.

SUTRA 362: TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHURCH KARMAS
My sannyasins who are acharyas realize that they are not beyond the laws of the land, but must work within them, even to the point of apologizing should misconduct occur on the part of Saiva Siddhanta Church. Aum.

SUTRA 363: NEVER DEMEANING OTHERS
My sannyasins who are acharyas nurture each devotee equally. They never make others their servants, order them about, shout at them, snap their fingers, clap their hands, nor strike or demean them at any time. Aum.

SUTRA 364: MY ACHARYAS SPREAD LOVE AND LIGHT
My sannyasins who are acharyas, filled with love and helpfulness, promote joy and harmony among the congregation. They never anger, incite fear or take advantage of a person’s health, wealth or well-being. Aum.