Celebrating Ardra Nakshatra

Today is this month's Ardra Nakshatra, a day when Siva's grace flows forth with great strength. Each month a beautiful abhishekam is held is Kadavul Temple. Monks pour, milk, yogurt, citrus juice, chandana, honey, vibuthi and rose water over Nataraja as Sri Rudram is chanted. The absorbed pranas are then released during the final arati, blessing those who are both physically and mentally present.

He is the God of forms infinite in whose glory all things are--smaller than the smallest atom, and yet the Creator of all, ever living in the mystery of His creation. In the vision of this God of love there is everlasting peace. He is the Lord of all who, hidden in the heart of things, watches over the world of time. The Gods and seers of Brahman are one with Him, and when a man knows Him, he cuts the bonds of death. Krishna Yajur Veda

My God is the melter of my heart of love. Let all adore my God, the Lord of primal love, first of beings, my Siva, who again and again melts my heart. May He render me His love in foremost measure! Praise Him but once, the Pure and Holy One, and He will be your escort to heaven. He, Lord Siva, decked in honeyed konrai blooms, sits enthroned in my love, steadfast and free. Tirumantiram 274-275

Himself creates. Himself preserves. Himself destroys. Himself obscures. Himself, all these He does and then grants mukti--Himself the all-pervading Lord. Tirumantiram 1809

The universe, animate and inanimate, is His body. The universe, animate and inanimate, is His play. The universe, animate and inanimate, is He. The whole universe, animate and inanimate, is a wonder. Natchintanai

Never does a man attain moksha by his own skill; by no means other than the grace of Siva, the dispeller of evil, is such an attainment possible. Paushkara Agama

As movement within wind, as sugar within sugarcane, as ghee within milk, as juice within fruit, as fragrance within flower, thus does the Lord pervade all. Tirumantiram 2639

Devoid of beginning, duration and ending, by nature immaculate, powerful, omniscient, supremely perfect--thus is Siva spoken of in Saivite tradition. Ajita Agama 2.2618.1.

If you could see the arch of his brow, the budding smile on lips red as the kovai fruit, cool, matted hair, the milk-white ash on coral skin and the sweet golden foot raised up in dance, then human birth is no longer necessary on this wide Earth. Tirumurai 4.81.4

Instill in us a wholesome, happy mind, with goodwill and understanding. Then shall we ever delight in your friendship like cows who gladly rejoice in meadows green. This is my joyful message. Rig Veda

He, the Self, is not this, not this. He is ungraspable, for He is not grasped. He is indestructible, for He cannot be destroyed,. He is unattached, for He does not cling to anything. He is unbound, He does not suffer, nor is He injured. Sukla Yajur Veda

To Rudra, Lord of sacrifice, of hymns and balmy medicines, we pray for joy and health and strength. He shines in splendor like the sun, refulgent as bright gold is He, the good, the best among the Gods. Rig Veda

Love of Siva\

s feet eradicates bad karma. Love of Siva\'s feet grants you clarity of mind. Love of Siva\'s feet imbues the heart with gladness. Love of Siva\'s feet is consciousness itself. Natchintanai'

As movement within wind, as sugar within sugarcane, as ghee within milk, as juice within fruit, as fragrance within flower, thus does the Lord pervade all. Tirumantiram 2639

They are not for outward form and attire, nor for pomp and ceremony. Uprooting all bond and desire, abiding in the immaculate Lord, they bring to dire destruction the soul\

s egoity and its troublesome attachments. They, indeed, are pure Saivas. Tirumantiram 1438'

He is God, hidden in all beings, their inmost soul who is in all. He watches the works of creation, lives in all things, watches all things. He is pure consciousness, beyond the three conditions of nature Yajur Veda

Subtlest of the subtle, greatest of the great, the Atman is hidden in the cave of the heart of all beings. He who, free from all urges, beholds Him overcomes sorrow, seeing by grace of the Creator, the Lord and His glory. Krishna Yajur Veda

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