Today Gurudeva is being publisher of Hinduism Today, reviewing the articles for the May/June issue that is now being prepared by the publications team. He has a unique way of doing this: the editors send him the text file which he has a special piece of software read outloud to him, while he scans the hard copy, thus giving both an audio and a visual experience.

In today's CyberTalk, Gurudeva answers two questions regarding death and dying, explaining why most people fear death, and we thought those who are not sound-webified would like a swift text summary of his discourse.

It is quite natural, he said, for people to fear the unknown, and death is unknown to most. People are even nervous when entering a new building or traveling to a place that they have never been before. It's the same with death.

The way to prepare for death is by living according to the knowledge of karma, reincarnation and the understanding that God is everywhere. Death only becomes a fearful experience if one lives according to the concepts of heaven and hell and up and down which is based upon the view that we only live once.

Gurudeva explained that whatever is in our mind prior to death that's where we are going to go after death. Two wonderful people recently passed on and they are now in the antaraloka, received there by their families and friends who had passed on earlier. Looking at their life pattern, we can ascertain where their souls would be and the legacy that they have left is evident in their family who are tremendously successful. That is the hallmark of the life that they lived so well.

Though we who are left may be sad, remember that the departed soul is happy in the inner world, freed from karmas and worries. They will take birth at the right time. Those who are living with half asian and half western beliefs would tend to cry at someone's death, but knowledgeable Hindus would smile contentedly that the departed had gone to Siva's Feet.

Here are some things my wife Sundari and I remember about her father's life:

Dr. Shanmugasundaram, 87 years of age, passed away at 4:35 a.m. on Saturday morning January 28th. He had arisen to perform his daily morning puja, and felt chest pains, and died quickly and peacefully in his son's home.

Dr Shan, as he was affectionately known, was a retired minister of Saiva Siddhanta Church, and had devoted all of his life to Sivathondu, first under Yogaswami's direction, and later under Gurudeva's direction. In 1956 Singhalese ethnic riots he collected clothes and supplies for distribution to affected citizens.

In Baticaloa, Tiruketeswaran Temple was in disrepair, in 1962 he was instrumental in raising money to rebuild the temple. In the late 1950's he helped his brother, Senator Nadesan, build the Hindu College, which is the only Hindu school for boys in Colombo. In the 1983 ethnic riots in Colombo his house was burned down by Singhalese mobs, and his mother died during the riots. Since that time he lived with his son, Ranjan, in Colombo. Young men in the Tamil community came to him whenever they wanted blessings for school final exam, or needed help with an English speech or assignment.

In the early 1980's he published a magazine, Sivaneri, promulgating Yogaswami's life and work. Starting in the 70's he gave talks about Hinduism on Radio Ceylon each week.

In the late 70's Gurudeva sent Dr. Shan to the country of Mauritius to inspire the Tamils there. In Lanka, he was a trustee of the Alaveddy Ashram.

Dr Shan stood up for Gurudeva's teachings in Sri Lankaand spoke tirelessly to the Tamils, explaining Gurudeva's work.

Sundari remembers the many visits Gurudeva and the swamis made to Sri Lanka, and that her father completely dropped all his work and family responsibilities during those times, so devoted was he to Gurudeva.

Later in his life, he cherished each letter, package, or book he received from the Aadheenam, most recently Merging with Siva.

He is survived by his wife, five children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandhildren.

* * * These are the things we remember about his life and work.

Aum,

Kulapati Easan & Kulamata Sundari

Congratulations to Erasenthiran for taking time in his life to come be with his Guru, get to know the mathavasis and help with all the Sivathondu we have here at Kauai Aadheenam.

Click here to sign the Guestbook and we will send you a free issue of our global full-color bi-monthly magazine, Hinduism Today.

THANK YOU, GURUDEVA!

For those who have been touched spiritually by Gurudeva's work, his books, his guidance, his inspired life and example and even his website, the "Thank You, Gurudeva Fund" has been established within Hindu Heritage Endowment.

Proceeds from this fund are forever, not a one-time gift, so gifts to this fund have an eternal gratitude built into them. They live on, in perpetuity.

Each month Gurudeva receives the income from the fund, to be used at his own discretion to promote his work and mission around the globe. He loves this, for he knows that it comes from all the good souls who have met him and studied with him, or traveled or just talked with him, over the years. A contribution to this fund is tax-deductible.

GURUDEVA'S MANY CYBERTALKS ARE NOW ONLINE

All of Gurudeva's Cybertalks are now on this site at:

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You will find here over 200 Inspired Talks, thoughtfully organized, with thorough text descriptions (yes, they are searchable!) so you can find the subjects that are of deepest interest to you. We encourage everyone to go to the page, bookmark it and visit now and again to listed to the wisdom of our beloved Satguru. Wow! What a grand addition to our website this is! Thanks to the many talented hands that made this possible.

Some cancellations have happened and suddenly we have some space available on the ship! But not too much! So please do call us soon, if you have a yen to travel inside and outside you.

Also, there will be another Innersearch announced for later this year, tentatively scheduled for New Zealand (where, surprise, Hinduism is the fastest growing religion in the country!) or to Europe, where Gurudeva has started several important temple in the last two decades.