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Bodhinatha at the Sun One Homa we had yesterday.

Bodhinatha's Sun One Video. Most Recent update: May 2, 2003, "Bodhinatha shares a question from an email on the confusion between various Gods in Hinduism and then continues presenting his insights on the Hindu Yama (a guideline for conduct) called: "Arjava," "Honesty." (posted today). Opens in separate Window. Quicktime 6.0 required to view this 30 minute MP4).

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The homa begins.

This is rudraksha wood, collected and cut by the devotees for use in the homa.

The traditional offering of diverse grains, legumes and leaves to be put into the homa are laid out ready for the oblation.

Arati to the Kumbhas

The camphor from the arati light is then dropped into the homa to begin the worship.

Written prayers are in the fire now, carried into the inner world by the Messenger of the Gods, the Friend of Mankind, Lord Agni, the Fire.

Devotees sit soaking up the bliss and shakti... Our big family of Chettiars from Chicago has come to join us this morning along with a tall young man from another island who was originally for Iran and loves the Hindu way of worship. Of course, in Iran many sacred home sites with fire altars much like this one have been found in ancient ruins.

The final offering...

Now we take you for a walk out to San Marga and back up the path from the swayambulingam....

Spring marches into summer on Kauai with daily showers alternative with bright warm sun and all the plants and trees are in "overdrive." These Golden Shower trees are blooming well.

Also called the Cassia tree, they are sacred to Lord Shiva. In the gentle breeze the soft delicate petals float down through the air onto the ground, like the Grace of God that is always falling down on our heads, were we but to take a moment and see it.

Om Namasivaya!

Now we approach Muruga Hill from the South.

Going around Muruga Hill at the base and coming back up from the North we now go up, as will pilgrims in the future who will enter from the beginning of San Marga. Just before departing the silpis installed the peedam and the shaft of the Vel that was carved in India.

The Vel will be placed on top by the new team of silpis after they arrive.

The original site of the Swayambhu Sivalingam where Gurudeva saw Lord Siva sitting on the stone in the center, while Gurudeva was siting on the stone on the right, in the photo, looking up at Siva sitting as Dakshinamurti. The lingam has been worshipped daily since that auspicious day on Feb. 12, 1975.

Our Siddhidata Kulam has uncrated the four sages in front of Dakshinamurti

They lay happily awaiting their turn to rise up and face the great silent source of all knowledge: the Southern Facing God Siva. (Dakshina=south; murthi=image of a God.)

This one got tired of sleeping so long in his crate and finally sat up to begin his meditation, waiting to hear the revelation of the Vedas from the Breath of God.

Iraivan in the background.

Later in the morning our Chettiar family went for a long tour of San Marga. Here they are at the path of the Saivite Saints, worshipping the Narmada Lingam.

Milk for the abhishekam

Gurudeva envisioned pilgrims of the future walking here in silence contemplating their lives, the lives of the Saivite Saints while merging with the forces of nature.

Catching the tirtha milk after the worship...

The milk abhishekam of the Siva lingam has a magical vibration.

Aum Namasivaya!

Aum Namasivaya!

Next the water offering from the stream.

Aum Namasivaya!

Prostrations to Lord Siva.

The family is awestruck by Dakshinamurthi and say they are inspired to help with future San Marga projects.

The families are from Chettinad in Tamil Nadu and are will known to Trichyswami who is one of Iraivan spiritual patrons.

The ladies take their foot bath... as will many pilgrims in the future.

Then the gentlemen.

Paramacharya Palaniswami meets the family in the publications offices. They are long time readers of Hinduism Today.

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