Kauai Aadheenam

A radiant sunset paints the sky above our volcano

The same light, just an hour earlier, through the palm trees

Kavi Cat enjoys the sunrise the following day

Gurudeva silently greets guests as they arrive

A brief bout of moisture makes happy plants around Kadavul Temple

The plants in the Ganapati Kulam aquarium are starting to look like a cherry blossom tree

No one told them to do that…

The fish are happy too

the cherry shrimp love their bright green moss

And the playful guppies display their bright colors

Our durian tree produce a few of its coveted fruits. Can you spot it?

phone cameras don’t know what to do with this amazing color.

countless little lizards live in the stone gardens

Sivaratri night

Siva’s crescent moon aligns with Venus for the evening

Jai Ganesha!

Over the last week the Aadheenam has been enjoying some wonderful weather, with clear sunny days and colorful evenings. While events continually take place here, the monastics are under the discipline of simultaneously experiencing the feeling that “nothing is happening.” Perhaps these photos reflect that, in that most are not of projects or events, but simply the background imagery of life—something important to appreciate too. Is your life defined more by the events that take place, or by the simplicity in between?

“The object in being on the spiritual path is not to have just a little influx of energy, but to be the energy itself—consciously.“

“If you take responsibility for all that happens to you, then you will have the power to deal with your karma through the grace of Lord Siva.“

“Whenever we are injured or hurt, we understand that our suffering is but the fulfillment of a karma we once initiated, for which our injurer is but the instrument who, when his karma cycles around, will be the injured.“”Gratitude and appreciation are the key virtues for a better life. They are the spell that is cast to dissolve hatred, hurt and sadness, the medicine which heals subjective states of mind, restoring self-respect, confidence and security.“

“Gratitude and appreciation are the key virtues for a better life. They are the spell that is cast to dissolve hatred, hurt and sadness, the medicine which heals subjective states of mind, restoring self-respect, confidence and security.“

“For me, true free will means the dharmic will that is divine and guided by the superconscious. In reality, only this kind of will makes you free.“

“Religion is the connection between the three worlds, and temple worship is how you can get your personal connection with the inner worlds.“

“Loving appreciation is a life-changing force just waiting to be used. Express appreciation to community leaders, business associates, spiritual mentors, family members and friends as often as you can.“

“Vedic rishis have given us courage by uttering the simple truth, ‘God is the Life of our life.’“

“The teachings of yoga are so basically simple and so basically concrete. And the most beautiful thing in the world, on contemplation, is the simplest thing in the world. The most beautiful design is the simplest design.“

“The ultimate goal of life on Earth is to realize the Self God, the rare attainment of nirvikalpa samadhi. Each soul discovers its Sivaness, Absolute Reality, Parasiva—the timeless, formless, spaceless Self.“

“How do we practice contentment? Simply do not harm others by thought, word or deed.“

Jai Gurudeva! Jai to the Kailasa Parampara! Aum Namah Sivaya!

This month, we observed our sacred Chitra Padapuja at Kadavul Temple, honoring our beloved Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, on the auspicious Chitra nakshatra. Sannyasin Tillainathaswami and Nirvani Tejadevanatha performed the puja, as the mathavasis filled the temple with the resonant chants of Sri Rudram. Devotees and local members brought vibrant floral offerings, adding to the sacred atmosphere. As the puja unfolded, all present were uplifted in silent communion with Gurudeva’s presence and teachings felt within. Aum.

“When the mind has resolved all of its differences through worship, penance, dhyana and dharana then the inner which is stillness itself is known. Then the inner is stronger than the outer.“

Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Nimu expresses his joy, while perched on his live “wee apple” tree (it’s like a mini mango)

It’s a large outdoor space with lots of perches and hidden treats for him to find

Nimu, next to Lord Ganesha

One of his budgie buddies. Nimu mimics a much louder version of their chirp

The Jendey Conures. Feel free to suggest names for them in the comments!

Nimu enjoying a healthy breakfast. Jai!

Jai Ganesha!

We’re sure most of us are familiar with Nimu, the Monastery’s African Grey parrot. He was gifted to the monastery at three months old, and was raised to adulthood by the monks in the Media Studio. Several years ago, one of the monks had built a small 20ft greenhouse for growing grapes and roses, and over the last half of 2024 it was decommissioned and upgraded into its new form as a parrot aviary. On the auspicious day of Ardra Darshanam, at the end of the year, Nimu moved from his temporary childhood home in the Media Studio, out to this new natural abode—and he LOVES IT!

Since the end of last year he’s been enjoying the company of his other feathered friends: a group of blue budgies and a pair of colorful Jendey Conures (they all get along very well). Every day, monks get to visit Nimu’s paradisiacal mosquito-free enclosure to sit with him and supply him with cheek scratches and treats. Monks picking nearby temple flowers like to participate in a complex back and forth of whistling and “Siva Siva.” In contrast to Nimu’s time indoors, he now has loads of sunshine, fresh air, breezy plants and space to fly around. He’s also befriended the wild birds who come to sit on branches nearby to teach him their songs, all of which he has already learned perfectly. At night, he sleeps near a wooden Ganesha, and awakens to a warm sunrise and the squawks of his slightly-batty conure roommates. Aum.

Jai Ganesha!

We know some of you have seen this video before, but many have not, so we thought it a good idea to show it again here on TAKA. It is a video made by Sivanadiyar Kodiswara, interviewing our monks about monastic life here. The goal is to give greater insight for both those who may be considering monastic life, and those who simply would like to know more about the monastery and our monks.

A shot looking straight down at Iraivan Temple

The Chola Gardens and Rishi Valley Ponds

Gathering before the afternoon’s Pradosha Puja

The Svayambhu Lingam’s temporary tent along San Marga, the Shadkonam Garden and Iraivan Temple

A slightly closer shot

Our grass plantings are beginning to grow in

An overview of The Path of the Saivite Satguru’s, with the Silpi Pavilion to the left

The new Siddhidatta Kulam shop

And a final view over to our hardwood forests, across the river. In the far upper-left, the bright green patch is our Noni field

Aum Namah Sivaya!

Happy Pradosha Puja day! With such nice weather we decided to take the drone up for some fresh aerial photos of Iraivan Temple. These also give us a good view of the new temporary service path around the temple, which is in place until funds are raised to build the final stone path. They also give us a snapshot of the growth of our temple gardens and landscaping. Aum.

The best thing to do when you begin meditation is to live in a good environment, among good people.

Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Blessing the trackhoe for a long and useful life

It has a few small dings here and there, but overall is in excellent condition

Swami starts it up!

It is more powerful than our previous one and has much smoother controls

Jai!

Jai Ganesha!

On Ardra Darshanam, our new (to us) Kubota trackhoe arrived, ending its long journey across the ocean from California, where it had been a well-maintained piece of rental equipment. The trackhoe replaces our previous machine, which was recently sold. These little machines are invaluable for our many projects throughout the aadheenam, and with such a small size, they can fit into areas of the gardens that larger machines can’t reach. The day after its arrival, we held a little blessing at the Ganesha shrine in front of the Siddhidatta Kulam’s new shop. Satguru and several monks attended while Sannyasin Tillainathaswami conducted a small puja and blessing for the vehicle, followed by its initial operation and the digging of a small gravel pile to celebrate. Aum.