 Satguru Siva Yogaswami Jaffna, Sri Lanka  Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami Hawaii, USA |
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 Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami Kauai's Hindu Monastery, USA 
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December 05, 2002
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 Welcome back to TAKA after a two-day retreat that followed a short 4 day phase. This is:
Gurudeva receives the traditional pada puja upon returning from a journey. This was always a powerful moment as the inner worlds of Kadavul Hindu Temple always seemed to come alive at this moment. It is always an especially amazing experience for those who have been traveling. When you live right inside this vortex of spiritual power all day long you tend not to feel on your emotional body. But when you have been away for some time and come home, it is like walking into a powerhouse.
Our Beloved and Revered Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
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Cybertalk: Bodhinatha speaks on Hindu culture, the theme of the Jivana Ritau, and begins with Gurudeva's central thoughts on culture which are captured in the five Living with Siva sutras on cultural accomplishments. He continues with Gurudeva's thoughts on the importance of the temple which sustains the culture and causes peace in individuals, homes and thus in the community.
" For more information about listening to Gurudeva's talks online and to hear them in other formats, click here.
And click here for an Index to All Past CyberTalks.
Study Gurudeva's teachings
every day. Visit the Master Course site!
Bodhinatha will be happy to hold "Prasnottara Satsang" -- "Questions and Answers" over the telephone with any Hindu religious societies, Hindu youth groups, Radio talk show hosts etc. All you need is a phone with a speaker and an enthusiastic audience. Arrangements may be made in advance by sending email to Yogi Mahadevan
If you are experiencing any problems listening to the audio, please to go our Audio FAQ page for sound geeks and follow the directions there.
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As the sanctum of Iraivan rises, all the issues surrounding the next stages are coming into focus... the doorway, the drainage, steps up to the sanctum. Sadhaka Tejadeva is helping his Talaivar, Sannyasin Yoginathaswami, by making several sets of architectural drawing needed for the on-going planning discussions.
Sadhaka Haranandinatha is a member of the Pilliyar Kulam. Normally he is focused on our book sales and distribution. But, while Sadhaka Thondunatha has been away, he has filled in to take care of all the duties of the Iraivan office in a admirable way. Sadhaka also has a special kind and giving nature and makes a point to download Tamil songs, news audio from Chennai, via the internet, then he makes cassette tapes from these and gives it to the silpis who can listen. This way, he helps the silpis keep in touch with India. Thank you Sadhaka for all your selfless service! You really set a wonderful example for everyone. Sadhaka also is in charge of our Mini Mela Bookshop, through which pilgrims and visitors receive the blessings of Gurudeva's teachings, taking home with them the life-changing books that Gurudeva gave to the world.
Just outside the publications facility, under the mango tree just next to Kadavul temple is the Mango Mandapam. A scene where much monastic counseling, talking with visitors, joyful fellowship, serious meetings etc. have taken place through the years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ News from Texas ~~~~~~~
Pundit Rajendra Sharma and his wife Asha have been close to Gurudeva for many years. Asha completed her study of Merging with Siva sadhanas and is "test driving" the new Mystic Mouse book in a formal way with a class in Texas... she writes from Houston:
Om Namah Shivaya
Swami Ji I started my class on 1 Dec as plans I
have 8 students ages 5yrs to 15yrs a lovely group and
very anxious to learn. the first day started with
prayer to Lord Ganesh. and lighting of the Deepa which
stayed lit during the satsang and classed ended with
a prayer for the peace of all mankind we will meet
next Sunday at 11am sharp. Thank you for your help
and I will keep you posted on our progress and at the
end of the sessions in Jan we will sent you our
comments on the book as a group.
I felt the presence of Guru Deva Ji Sundays (the last Chitra Puja day)
In service
Asha
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A peek at Iraivan from among the trees helps give you a feeling for our environment here on Kauai.
It is a long way up these days to reach the work area of the 15th course.
The outer stones of the 15 course were small and easily placed and jointed.
The 14th course was completed last phase. Here is Raman working on the back side of a 15th course outer wall stone.
Sundaram Achari at work.
California Golden Gate Mission
Mahasamadhi Observances
On November 3rd, the Golden Gate Mission members gathered at the Sankara family's home. Gowrie Sankara sends these photos and captions:
Here is Gurudeva's picture amid decorations for the puja in the living room.
The abishekam begins with Kulapati Vijay Sankara offering milk, sandalwood paste, honey,etc.
Arati with devotees and students watching.
The puja continues with devotees and students chanting Gurudeva's 108 names.
The sun blessed us with an auspicious bright light during the final arati.
Gurudeva's feet is covered with flowers and garlands.
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Our 11-acre village in India is home to 75 Indian master craftsmen who live there and work each day on the carving of the sacred white granite Siva Temple which will soon be shipped soon to Kauai and assembled. See our latest February 2001 Building Fund Progress Report and join our family of contributors today!
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Himalayan Academy student Chandra Shekharan from the Ukraine has arrived in India for a month long pilgrimage. Here he is at the Bangalore work site.
Chandra has been studying Gurudeva's teachings for many years and decided to become a Saivite. He was most fortunate to be able to meet Gurudeva when the European Innersearch stopped at St. Petersburg in Russia.
Chandra took a trip from his home in Ukraine to see Gurudeva and was, surprisingly (because Russian security was very tight at the time) was able to come on board the ship, where Gurudeva gave him his Namakarana personally. With Bodhinatha's blessings he decided to go on a pligrimage to India this year.
First he arrived in Delhi and then he went to Bangalore. We are fortunate to have really good contacts so that someone who is making his first trip to India can be well guided along the way. Here we see the ornamental carvers working on various pillar panels.
Chandra is very excited to be at the temple site. It is something he has been watching on TAKA for years and now he is really here!
Chandra has been doing a great Sivathondu by translating Gurudeva's works into the Russian language. He completed Merging with Siva and is now working on Living with Siva. for those who know Russian and have your Cyrillic fonts installed on your computer/browser you can view his work by clicking here
These are Potagai ready to be shipped. They are placed at the very top of the pillars. Here they are on the ground with the bottom side up. The small square in the center will fit in a small square indentation at the top of the pillar.
Chandra's daughter Julie is also interested in Saivism. Her father sent a picture of her a few months ago in a sari... but seems we have mis-placed it... Julie, is you are looking in from the Ukraine, can you send your picture again?
The stone chains of Iraivan, each one made out of a single piece of granite. From here Chandra will now move on to points in Tamil Nadu. He writes in this email from Bangalore:
"Just a short message again... Today is the second day of my stay in Bangalore. I have a great time with Kulapati and Kulamata! Yesterday we were in Siva temple with a huge Siva statue. Amazing! In the evening we were in Panchaganapati temple. There was a very short puja. Tomorrow I'll leave Bangalore and go to Chennai.
From time to time I get to think about Rajiv Malik. who helped me out on arrival in New Delhi, He was together with me almost all three days and helped me greatly.
Chandra
| MORE UPLIFTING THINGS |
Innersearch 2003-4 in India! We just completed the July 17-23 Kauai Innersearch, 2002. Bodhinatha will lead the next Innersearch to India, between Dec 2003 and Jan 2004. We will visit Bangalore and the Iraivan Carving Village, and settle in the South in Tamil Nadu, Click on the above for details on what will be an inspiring journey to our holy land of Bharat! |
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