 Satguru Siva Yogaswami Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
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 Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami Kauai's Hindu Monastery, USA |
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May 5, 2000
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Rohini Hindu Year 5102: Vikrama, the "Year of Fulfillment" |
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Cybertalk: Gurudeva divulges his own personal computer use in response to a cyber-devotee's question, "Gurudeva, do you yourself use a computer?"
Do you have questions for Gurudeva? Transcription of One of Gurudeva's CyberTalks Date: May 2 2000 Title: How Hinduism Today Got Started Category: Hinduism and Tradition Duration: 4 min., 7 seconds The next question is "What inspired you, Gurudeva, to create the magazine 'Hinduism Today'?" Over 20 years ago, I was invited by the Mauritius Government to visit that country and upgrade the Hindu religion. The Sri Lankan Government also brought me to Sri Lanka. I must have spoken to 600,000 people on the same mission - to strengthen Hinduism. I made a world tour to South Africa, to London and other countries and discovered that Hindus in each country were totally unaware or did not care what was happening within the realms of their religion in other places in the world. In each country, I heard the voices of many misconcepts, due to well-placed Christian and Communistic propaganda. The mission of 'Hinduism Today' and 'Networking Magazine' came from up down, to fulfill a need that was not being fulfilled. The intelligentsia of the world were relegating Hindu religion into history books and encyclopedias and putting it to sleep. So, here on our little island, thousands of miles away from any continent, we decided that I would have my swamis, yogis, sadhakas, and Siva-sevaks, perform a public service. Through the years, we went through many learning curves to bring 'Hinduism Today' magazine, up to the standard it is today. It is on news-stands, right alongside 'Newsweek' and 'Time' magazine - the only religious magazine that we see on news-stands, these days. What is the reading public that we target in our editorial policies? It is the leadership of the Hindu communities, throughout the world. Has it served its intended purpose? Yes, it has served its intended purpose, in uniting the minds of the Hindus, who are in leadership positions, influencing their sphere of followers, in a common thought of modern Hinduism, but not eroding upon any ancient traditions. We are very proud to announce that 'Hinduism Today' magazine is on the Internet, in a very large Internet site and reaching the minds of the younger generation, worldwide. We have been able to delineate the boundaries of Hinduism and to place this great, oldest religion in the world alongside Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Jainism, Sikhism and many of the other religions of the world. We have been able to show the strength of Hinduism, in articles, photographs from some of the finest photographers in the world - the Kumbha Mela, the world's most densely populated human gathering, ever to happen on planet Earth. We have been able to bring forward a 'Hindu of the Year' and to honor and listen to the wisdom of Swamis and Swaminis, every month. So, we are recording the modern history of the ancient Sanatana Dharma, which is now in Renaissance. Thank you very much for listening.  This wonderful piece of commissioned art from artist I. Wayan Marya in Bali depicts Lord Hanuman carrying the finished carved stones of the San Marga Iraivan Temple from India to Hawaii, a symbolic representation of the historic temple which is, in a sense, a gift from India to Hawaii and the world. And today we have this wonderful news from our temple carving site manager, Jiva Rajasankara, in Bangalore, India: "Subject: Re: Shipment of Temple Capstone to Hawaii Aum Sivaya, swami. The ship has already left Singapore for Honolulu. Mr. Tom (from Kerala) is arranging to come over to clear the customs and all formalities to ensure that the destuffing is handled carefully. We have managed to complete the entire roof stones(total of 189). That was a big step. Now we need to work on the balance of the beam stones and then proceed with the red flooring stones.
Aum.  Today's Sun One fire ceremony. The final offerings are first passed over the fire.  The fire is still blazing after the ceremony is finished and Gurudeva gives his spiritual discourse.  Sadhaka Rishithondunathan (left) with Jothi Sendan (center) and Erasenthiran Poonjolai (right).  The arati lamp. The ancient Agamic scriptures detail the process of invoking the Gods and opening the channels between the heavenly and earthly realms. The fire element is essential and the inner plane devas, beings living in the inner worlds, can see the flames as they are waved in this world.  This offering came to the temple, a gift for the monastery that will be part of tomorrow's lunch.  Parading to the San Marga Iraivan Temple foundation.    The "yagnasala" or "Hall of the Sacrificial Fire" is on the north end of the future Iraivan temple site and a brief ceremony is held here now each week to raise up the spiritual forces.   Our two fine young men from Edmonton, Canada, Devasiva (left) and Saravan Veylan. Their father and mother, Aran and Tara Veylan, have been devotees of Gurudeva for over 20 years and the family has been instrumental in helping to see the rise and success of the Edmonton Ganesha Temple which will be having it's Maha Kumbhabhishekam in June. Gurudeva will be traveling there to preside over the ceremonies.  Sun One is also a chance for our small island congregation to get together.    We have here new arrivals from India, Sitara Alahan and her father Durvasa. Durvasa was wise and, some might say courageous, enough to move his whole family to Chennai while his daughters went to school at Kalakshetra. The family is now planning to move back to the US.  Recent plantings in front of the monastery: bromiliads on mounds.  Wow!   This orchid has some amazing colors! 12 Glorious Days, 8 Enchanting Countries and One Chance in a Lifetime! Join Gurudeva for Himalayan Academy's 17th travel-study program, the 2001 European Innersearch, themed the "Hinduism Today Adventure". For information, please contact Sadhaka Dandapani. Space is limited and filling up fast! Very Important: Please include your mailing address and telephone number in the body of your message. We will keep you posted as the program develops. Sign our guestbook and we will send you a free issue of our global full-color bi-monthly magazine, Hinduism Today. 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 last forever; they're not a one-time gift. So gifts to this fund have 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, traveled with him or just talked with him over the years. A contribution to this fund is tax-deductible. |
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