Twice a year on Gurudeva’s Jayanthi and at Guru Purnima time, we conduct our monastic vow ceremonies and vow renewals. This year Satyanatha is given the yellow sash of the natyam, which indicates that he is entering into a period of training that may one day, if he qualifies, lead go becoming a yogi and later taking lifetime vows of renunciation.

His natya vow book says: The natyam (literally “dancer”) works diligently toward the ideals of purity, selflessness and humble service. As the Saivite Shastras say, “The sadhakas seeking deeper admittance into the monastery and those in yellow could fulfill each duty, were punctual, accurate, refined, serving long hours, performing their tapas and were as spontaneous as a six-year-old child in their happiness and response, yet transparent. He has forfeited a happy family, a contented home, for his inner quest. He has forfeited wealth, the fulfillment of personal desires when the desires most need to be fulfilled, as the perfect dancer would when devoted to his art. The natyam tunes the nerve system of his body into his Guruji to serve the Saivite religion in years and centuries to come.”

Reading aloud his vows after the Chitra puja yesterday.

Signed by Bodhinatha