Initiation, called diksha in Tamil, is an all-important part of the Saiva path. Tirumular speaks lovingly of the potencies created by Siva diksha, of the need for initiation if one ever hopes for progress on the path within. So when students and members were brought before Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami after the puja, it was a highpoint of the Innersearch and a high point of their spiritual lives.



The place was a small chamber just in front of a black granite murthi of Kadaitswami, so the parampara was fully present. Past and present. One by one they came forward, touched the Satguru’s feet, made traditional offerings and sat to recite their vows aloud before him. Satguru blessed them and accepted their loyalties and commitment to the path.




In all there were ceremonies for six Church members: two vishesha diksha, three vrata shishya and one arul shishya. Vishesha Diksha for Jegadessa & Nalini Chenganna of Mauritius; Vratashishya for Vandana Nathoo, Shanthi Suresh and Rajeshwari Parasivam.
Arulshishya vows were taken by Sakuntalai Periasamy of Singapore. Nuckiren Pyeneeandee got his ears pierced.

From 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM the Innersearchers were blessed with our richest, longest, most elaborate temple rites. An amazing Siva homa and abhishekam was held at the Siva temple which has a shrine for Kadaitswami’s mahasamadhi.




A team of ten priests worked tirelessly (and clearly had been working for days to prepare all of the kumbhas, offerings and conches.) A large crowd of devotees filled the entire temple hallways and drums and nagaswaram played loudly throughout. This temple holds a special place in our hearts. It is where Kadaitswami’s body is interned and in 1983 Gurudeva was asked to participate in a kumbhabishekam ceremony here.


Sadasivanathaswmi stood by anxiously as Gurudeva climbed a rickety bamboo ladder to the top of the temple vimanam to pour holy water over the golden kalasams. It seemed a dangerous moment. Several of the trustees today recounted that morning today. Siva was taken around the temple toward the end in a small chariot, and hundreds of devotees rushed forward to touch Bodhinatha’s feet, or even the hem of his robes, seeing a brief moment of grace. Men held to monks’ arms, tears streaming down their cheek, eyes wide open in gratitude. Such a long puja is rare these days, but the power released was equal to the love of Siva present.