Siva's Great Night

The monks and devotees of Kadavul Nataraja celebrated the yearly festival known as Mahasivaratri. The temple was packed full of souls yearning to realize that divinity which lies within us all. Not only were we blessed by Siva's shakti, but also by a Yogi Tapasvin ceramony held by Satguru and the acharya's. Two young monks died as yellow robes took over their new bodies. When you get a chance, say hello to Yogis Mayuranatha and Jayanatha.

As the night\

s homa began, rain poured down from the dark sky wrapping the building in a holy bath'

The new yellow cloth of the tapasvin waits their new owner. Tonight the Natyam dies and becomes reborn as a Yogi, only to suffer the death of the ego once more. This second stage of tapas is even more painful as the ego slowly realizes it\

s being replaced by actual wisdom. '

The two postulants sit in front of their Satguru and read aloud their new aspirations

The two read aloud, \"The postulant who qualifies enters onto the path of yogi tapasvin formally through the ceremonial samskara of nirvana diksha performed by his guru...\"

\"The yogi\

s life in the monastery is one of humble service, worship and yoga. Our Shastras explain, \'They should be silent. They should not teach, express or expound, but penetrate deeply into themselves with their Gurudeva and with us, until the guru\'s diksha takes hold, and Saiva Siddhanta and all philosophies unfurl in great furies of inner knowing.\"'

\"During this time, all efforts will be made to abash the ego so the soul stands forth as an object of humility.\"

\"The lack of worldliness he holds and the previous tapas he had done gains him access into his guru\

s realm, and from the guru\'s direction keeps him upon the run.\"'

\"He runs here; he runs there--as a servant, he is everywhere.\"

Satguru signs the holy covenant

\"O yogi, without forethought, dive into me. Without forethought, I accept you, For you are the other part of me--Parasivam, Satchidananda and all forms I flow through, contemplate or meditate.\" Kadavul Nataraja

Welcome to this small brotherhood of discipline

May your ego death be swift

Now the monks gather for the night\

s main event, our lingam abhishekam'

This is a rare event whereby the monks youngest in rank proceed first to offer sacraments to this great powerful lingam

On the sides and inner-halls of the temple monks silently roar inside themselves

The thick fog-like atmosphere of darshan intoxicates those near

Our two new yogis offer water and then milk

After the milk, yogurt and honey our swamis begin to pour their heart and soul onto the lingam

Satguru chants Sri Rudram with passion

Yogi Jayanatha follows his guru\

s lead'

Monks stand awaiting their turn to offer the pranic liquids to the lingam

Natyam Dayanatha and Nirvni Tejadevanatha coordinate the timing of the items and keep operations running smoothly

The mysterious Nathas know no limit to devotion and experience of the divine within

The gamut of colors in these flowers is like a potion to behold, ingredients to a sages brew kettle. They make their way into the shrine and become an integral part of the deities clothing like spices to a curry.

Yogi Adinatha puts the finish touches on all the arati lamps

We end with Satguru making the final offering, the homa kunda blessed earlier in the night.

Monks look on at the magical moment

Aum Namah Sivaya! Jai to Kadavul Nataraja!

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