Raising the Flag for the Moksha Ritau

Aum Namah Sivaya

Yesterday, following our Siva Homa, the monks paraded out to the flagpole with Satguru to fly the flag for the new season. The old flag was lowered and the coral-pink flag of the Moksha Ritau was raised. Next, the troupe traveled out to Iraivan Temple for an arati in the inner sanctum. Aum.

From the Saiva Dharma Shastras:

112 Introduction
Beginning with Hindu New Year in mid-April, three seasons of the year divide our activities into three great needs of humankind--the learning of scripture in the first season, Nartana Ritau; the living of culture in the second season, Jivana Ritau; and the meditating on Siva in the third season, Moksha Ritau. Thus we are constantly reminded that our life is Siva's life and our path to Him is through study, sadhana and realization. In ritau one, we teach the philosophy; in ritau two, we teach the culture; and in ritau three, we teach meditation.

120 The Third Season: Moksha Ritau
The third period of the year, Moksha Ritau, the cool season, is from mid-December to mid-April. It is the season of dissolution. The key word is resolution. Merging with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Metaphysics is the focus of study and intense investigation. The colors of this season are coral-pink, silver and all shades of blue and purple--coral for the Self within, silver and blue for illumination, and purple for enlightened wisdom. High above flies the coral flag, signaling Parasiva, Absolute Reality, beyond time, form and space. Moksha Ritau is a time of appreciation, of gratitude for all that life has given, and a time of honoring elders, those in the sannyasa stage of life. Moksha Ritau is excellent for philosophical discussions, voicing one's understanding of the path through an enlightened intellect. In finance, it is the time for yearly accounting and reconciliation. On a mundane level it is a time of clearing attics, basements, garages, sheds, warehouses, workshops and desks, getting rid of unneeded things, of pruning trees, of streamlining life on the physical plane--of reengineering.

We begin with a homa in Kadavul Temple

Before the flame is lit, a short puja is done for Ganesha, Hanuman, Varuna (as the small water pot) and Siva (the large water pot).

Lord Ganesha\

s bronze murti'

Ghee is offered in abundance to the flames

Following the homa, the monks head out to the flagpole and to Iraivan Temple

The old flag is lowered and the new one is attached

Jai!

Next to Iraivan Temple

We come across Chinnu. He was on his way up to Kadavul Temple to begin his day before Nataraja.

The sun rises behind the new flag

Up to the temple we go!

It has been raining, making much of the stone appear dark

Monks\

footprints as they enter the temple'

Into the inner sanctum for an arati

Aum Namah Sivaya!

After many blessings, it\

s back to the monastery to start the day and the new season'

Aum.

}

];