Blog Archives
February 15, 2003 
Gurudeva listens intently to a visitor. He had the great skill to speak directly to where they were on the path, emotionally, intellectually, karmically and spiritually.
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LAST DAY OF PHASE NOTICE:
Today is Sun Six and we are heading into a three-day full-moon retreat. Tomorrow we will all be focused on Iraivan Day. This edition of TAKA will remain up until Friday, February 19th. Enjoy some deep full-moon meditations.
Our Beloved and Revered Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Attained Maha Samadhi on November 12th, 2001
Click to read for Details.
Mystic Mouse Coloring Book Now available
Today's sample page. ----- Click here to get your copy today!
Yogaswami sang:
HAVE YOU SEEN?
That Light that mingles with the seeing eye,
That Lord, have you seen?
That which is not male or female and yet both,
Have you not perceived that?
He who pervades earth and heaven
Have you not beheld Him?
He who is Beauty and Excellence,
Have you not experienced yet?
He comes as mother and father,
Did'st thou know Him as Siva?
He who animates in you and me,
Can you not realise Him?
That which nourishes the fruits to mature
Can you not relish It?
That which pulsates air and fire,
Can you not discern It?
That tonic that makes mortals immortal,
Have you tasted It and rejoiced?
The Lord who danceth in cremation grounds,
Can you not see without distinction?
--Natchintanai. 140
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Title: The Importance of Controlling Anger |
Cybertalk: Part 2 of 4 - In Bodhinatha's moksha ritau address for 2002, he continues with a practical explanation of the affects of anger and how important it is to get a control on this base instinctive emotion when intending to strive on the spiritual path.
Cybertalk Ends"
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.
|
Title: The Importance of Controlling Anger |
Cybertalk: Part 2 of 4 - In Bodhinatha's moksha ritau address for 2002, he continues with a practical explanation of the affects of anger and how important it is to get a control on this base instinctive emotion when intending to strive on the spiritual path.
Cybertalk Ends"
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.
Mr. and Mrs. Tribuvan and Pushpa Bhargava are here on pilgrimage for a few days all the way from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Here is Pushpa worshiping at the Swayambhu Lingam at San Marga.
When the visited the press shop we asked if she used the computer, she said yes, but she preferred not to waste to much time on it because it would take away from spiritual life.
Here the are at the Path of the Saiva Saints, Narmada Lingam.
Due to network upgrades yesterday we held these photos over... this is another group from the mid-west who comes annually for a pilgrimage... Yesterday was also one of the wettest days this year on Kauai.
More and more spiritual study groups are making a point of visiting Kauai Aadheenam.
Their leader was inspired with Bodhinatha's practical advice.
And here we are with Yogi Japendranatha who bravely put our new X-server and routers into their new sound-proof and protective rack/box. It was quite a job but he pulled it off beautifully and we are now back online.
These folks dropped by... The man on the left is a veterinarian... Very sweet people.
Today is the last day of the phase and as usual a bright group of visitors were on hand.
 The Remarkable Vision |
Iraivan Temple Progress Update |
Join this historic undertaking. Please contribute generously. Sponsor a stone today! |
| Order Sacred Rudrakshas or Gorgeous 2003 Iraivan Calendars with Hindu festival days on them. Great for Gifts! All proceeds go to the building fund. | ||
Iraivan is definitely the site to see now, especially with the pillars up.
Finishing touches at the pillar base.
Shanmuga Sthapati shares this interesting information about these images that decorate the 13th course of the temple.
"The Nasikoodu holds a significant place as a beautiful, decorative form in the South Indian tradition of sculpture and temple architecture. There are two types of Nasikoodu. One is called Mahanasi or Great Nasi. The other Kshutranasi is also called Alpanasi or Little Nasi by the sculptors.
"The numerous Indian temples, specifically South Indian temples, built by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara rulers many centuries ago still stand undestroyed testimony to the fact that no temple is complete without these decorative forms. Each ruler modified the form to his unique sensitivities and evolved a style of his own. These minor variations in no way affected the meaning and positioning of these forms in the structure of the temple.
"Nasikoodu means a 'crescent or half-moon shaped nose'. Usually, in this decorative form, numerous leaves and creepers are made to hang down from the lion's mouth. Or, from either side of the crescent-shaped body of the lion hang multilevel foliage. The lower part of the body has two beautifully sculpted makara birds facing each other with the mouths pointing upward towards the head through the body. Such a construct is called a nasikoodu.
"The South Indian tradition of temple architecture captures great beauty and meaning in the names and forms of the different parts of the design. In this way, if the dome of the temple is considered to be the face, the front portion of which has the nose, the form which is central to the dome is called the Mahanasi and what appears on either side of this, called the kshutranasi or Little Nasis, represent the eyes. So say texts on temple architecture. "
There is still another explanation for the nose-like function of these decorative forms. Temple vimanams stand very tall and are subject to high-winds. To protect the structure from breakage or collapse, these huge structures sit on the temple towers, with open passages providing air-ducts. Hence, the sculptors called these Mahanasi or Mukhanasi.
Iraivan's four new pillars
What is also special about Iraivan is of course, its setting. White granite in our tropical wonderland....
Bases for more pillars are being worked on here.
As the sand is removed the silpis work downward, perfecting the joints that will later be high over our heads. These boxes provide small work platforms.
Tools of the trade with the new addition of protective eye-wear.
More pillars in preparation.
Deft movements of the bar allow two men to move the end of a three-ton stone.
Working on a pillar base.
Raman at work.
After a somewhat dry winter we were gifted with an outstanding deluge yesterday... here we are on our way down to the river looking up at the stream that flows through the Aadheenam and then tumbles down to the river.
The falls across the pool below us are full.
The spate is nearly at it's highest where the falls actually disappear under the water.
At the top of Mount Waialeale, the rain devas are busy keeping up the mountains reputation as the rainiest place on earth.
of course with all that water, things grow rampantly. These albezia trees near the rivers edge are 60 feet tall and host for a truly giant mass of Morning Glory vines, the likes of which you have never seen.
Eventually, in the years to come the trees will be engulfed, swallowed up by the vine and eventually plunge to earth under the weight.
A magnificent African Tulip Tree with its crown of orange blossoms.
Another giant albezia, with vines that are gradually moving upward. It will take one or two decades, but eventually the vines will fill the tree.
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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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