 Satguru Siva Yogaswami Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
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 Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami Kauai's Hindu Monastery, USA |
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May 19, 2000
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Jyeshtha Hindu Year 5102: Vikrama, the "Year of Fulfillment" |
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 Vaikasi Vishakam was celebrated early in the morning of the 17th. It was the first time in about 10 years that all our swamis were home at Kauai Aadheenam. We all went down to the river early in the morning and the whole Sangam took a bath in the river. Then later in the morning we took a photo of everyone. Here is Gurudeva with Paramacharaya Bodhinatha.
Cybertalk: Gurudeva gives a brief answer today to a question about the name, Vikrama, of the Hindu New Year begun in April. What does the name signify for the year to come?
Do you have questions for Gurudeva? A detailed index of past inspired talks is available here. Transcription of One of Gurudeva's CyberTalks May 14, 2000 Title: Dreaming of the Gods Category: God and Lords of Dharma Duration: 1 min, 26 seconds A cyber-space question from a Nordic pagan. Wondering why he's having dreams of Hindu Gods, he also has dreams of Pagan Gods as well. Well, we're Asian pagans. Paganism is a worldwide phenomenon that has been stiMulated and is reviving from the inside out. There's no difference between Paganism and Hinduism and no difference between the Pagan Gods and the Hindu Gods. The only difference is the name. So dream away, visit the Pagan Gods and the Hindu Gods. All the Gods are friendly to each other and you must be a very special person to be dreaming of the Gods. Aum Namasivaya, Aum Namasivaya Aum Namasivaya  All the swamis together.  We have 16 members of the Saiva Swami Sangam, Gurudeva and 15 initiated Sannyasins.  This morning was Sun one and our weekly homa ceremonies were attended by several pilgrim families.   Mrs. Raman Bhai Patel, her sister and her daughter Hansa. The Raman Bhai Patel family, from San Francisco, have been long time friends and supporters of Gurudeva since the days when his monks ran the Palani temple in San Francisco and California.  Offerings to the sacred fire can include many things or can be a simple as clarified butter and wood. Traditionally the common offerings also include a mixture of dry grains, water, ghee, rice, flowers, fruits. Once the fire is high, it is worshipped as a Deity until itself.  Gurudeva answers questions from his cyberspace audience.  The devotees come forward for the blessing of holy ashes applied to the forehead.   He had received quite a number of garlands today and looked grand!  Now we go out to San Marga.  Here is a close up of the Ganesha image that is worshipped at the Banyan tree at San Marga. It is slowly being engulfed by the banyan tree. After a few years it will be completely "swallowed up" inside the tree and we will install another one.  The energy of the temple is raised up through another simple fire ceremony at the Iraivan temple site.  The we all go off to take a walk on the path of the Saivite Saints.  On the path there is a giant outdoor Shiva Lingam, which can be bathed by pilgrims with water from the stream.  The lingam is from the Narmada river in India and is very large.      Gurudeva meets with Mrs. Raman Bhai Patel, her sister and daughter.  Later in the morning three more Patel families came to visit us, all from Pennsylvania: Panna and Narendra Patel, N.V. Amin with Sarika Amin on his left, and Jagdish, Vasu, Nishith Patel.  "Patel Day" at Kauai Aadheenam.  Vickneswaran, from Malaysia, is 14 years old and will be going to Canada to study for a few years. He intends return after completing school to become a monk.  Gurudeva's other monastery in the island country of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean near South Africa  Early in the morning, the residents of the Mauritius Hindu Monastery, after puja, affirmations, meditation and chanting, sit to perform sadhanas. Here, six-month resident Navind Sagum is writing pages of his "maha vasana daha tantra," a special practice Gurudeva has given all his devotees to write their past on paper and then... burn it up„a very soothing to the mind and enlightening practice. Gurudeva teaches that once the aspirant puts some order in his subconscious mind through practices such as these, then he or she may come effortlessly into meditation, the natural state of the mind.  Then, after breakfast and morning meetings, the residents tend to their various duties. Here, Navind Sagum has donned his outdoors work clothes and, during the first part of his day, he waters our vegetable gardens and harvests whatever crops are available. Today he picked our first "margoze"„ the Mauritian Creole word for "bitter melon." It is bitter indeed, but quite healthy, nutritious, recommended in ayurveda and, when placed in small quantities in our curries, imparts a wonderful flavor.  Then, still early in the morning we had the visit of the wonderful Ramsamy family of Moka. Mr. Ramsamy, right, is a free-lance priest, not associated with any single temple, and offering his services island-wide. Here he is with his son and wife. They were going on pilgrimage to several temples and holy places that morning.  Sri Ramsamy first laid down his offerings, then a small holy cloth, then prostrated and began offering his devotions.  Then he prepared for final arati (offering of the flame, high point of traditional Hindu service.)  Then radiant Sri Manogaran Mardemootoo of Cap Malheureux, in the island's far North, came by to offer worship and support to our Monastery and Spiritual Park, as he always does. Here, he hold copies of Gurudeva's books he has just purchased for distributing among people he knows. A couple of days before, he had also bought two copies of Loving Ganesha. As a result of their dedicated spiritual practice, Sri Manogaran and his family remain highly inspired, always, and in turn inspire other people they meet.  On Sundays, many people come to our Spiritual Park. And so, to help with the hosting so that we have the chance to meet and be of service to everyone who comes, Gurudeva's devotee, Sri Soundiren Arnasalon comes to spend a couple of hours at the Park. Here, a family has asked him whether he would perform a small arati to Lord Ganesha, and Soundiren has obliged. Most often, people will bring their own camphor or wick and oil and perform their own arati.
Gurudeva's Travel Itinerary/Visiting Kauai's Hindu Monastery 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. Gurudeva has accepted an invitation to attend a large Agnihotra yagna at Batu Caves June 3-4, organized by Dr. G. Paramasivam, managing director of Aboorvas company. The yagna is called "Aboorvas Anmeega Yathirai" and is expected to draw 50,000 devotees. The Aboorvas company is financing air tickets and accomodations for Gurudeva and two more mathavasi. Gurudeva is also bringing a third. The three traveling with Gurudeva will be Acharya Kumarswami, Sadhaka Thondunatha and Sadhaka Japendranatha. Following is a tentative schedule, meaning it's not confirmed: Gurudeva will first stop in Singapore for two nights. He arrives in Singapore on May 31 afternoon and flights to Kuala Lumpur on June 2 morning. Three temples in Singapore have invited Gurudeva's presence, where he will conduct book signings in the evenings. In Malaysia, Gurudeva will meet on June 2 evening with Academy students preparing to become vratasishya, and any young men interested in the mathavasi path. June 3 and 4 are the two days for the yagna, so Gurudeva will be committed to the yagna during that time. June 5 is yet to be schedule. Gurudeva leaves Malaysia back to Hawaii on the afternoon of June 6. After the book signings in Singapore, Gurudeva will have a large book release/signing in Malaysia on June 3, Saturday afternoon at the yagna, and at a large hall on Sunday that Brahmacharinis Chudikadevi and Gowri are organizing. We sincerely hope that all Academy students and Church members will help as much as possible to make these events a large success. 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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