Vishvanathaswami Receives Diksha on Mahasivaratri
Today, we welcome a new Sannyasin, Swami Vishvanathaswami. Having completed years as a Nirvani Sadhaka and several years as a yogi, today he experienced the death of his old self during a ceremony this morning in Kadavul Temple. We share with you words from his vow book, The Holy Order of Sannyas. At the homa in Kadavul (no cameras allowed):
Together he and the satguru symbolically conduct his antyesti samskara, the ritual funeral rites, to betoken the death of the personal self and the birth of the spiritual being. He places the remnants of personal identity, hair, clothing, pulnool or sacred thread and all desires for wealth, progeny and fame into the homa fire, beseeching the permission of Lord Ganesha and heeding the path of Lord Muruga, vowing aloud his renunciation thus:
"All that I have and all that I am I now give unto my God, my Gods and my guru. I have no family except the Divine Father Siva and Mother Sakti who dwell in Kailas and on Earth the sangam of Saivite devotees. I have no home except the stillness of Being. I have no possessions except my faith and dedication. I have no desires except my desire to serve and to realize God."
He then says aloud three times, "I, wishing for mukti, take refuge in this sacred Order and in God Siva, who created the world, who breathed out the Vedas. The purpose of my life is to cultivate dispassion, to become pure, to attain union with God Siva and be immersed in Divine Love. I do fully and of my own volition accept these Holy Orders of Sannyas, now and for the remainder of my life, and bind myself in the fulfillment thereof to the ancient Order of sannyas, to my satguru, to my Saivite Hindu faith and to the devas, the Mahadevas and Lord Siva Himself. I am the Atman, the non-dual Parasiva, pure and free."
He then walks seven steps around the homa fire, returning to kneel at the guru's feet. He is thereafter dead to the world. The satguru then whispers the Panchakshara Mantra in the candidate's right ear three times, along with personal instructions for meditation. The sannyasin is given his ascetic name, "Vishvanathaswami!" his danda, a mala of 108 rudraksha beads for japa yoga, a deer skin, a kamandalu or water bowl. After bathing in the nearby river where he intones the sannyas mantra, dips three times into the waters and then dons the kavi for the first time, the candidate returns. A puja is performed to invoke the blessings of the Second and Third Worlds. The satguru then takes ashes from the homa fire and marks the tripundra on his fore-head and covers the body with the sacred ash. After the puja the following are read aloud to the sannyasin:
Siva Yogaswami:
"Hail, O sannyasin, love's embodiment!
Does any power exist apart from love?
Diffuse thyself throughout the happy world.
Let painful maya cease and ne'er return!
Day and night give praise unto the Lord.
Pour forth a stream of songs
To melt the very stones.
Attain the sight where night is not nor day.
See Siva everywhere, and rest in bliss.
Live without interest in worldly gain.
Here, as thou hast ever been, remain.
Then never will cruel sorrow venture nigh.
Hail, O sannyasin,
Thou who knowest no guile!
Establish in thy heart and worship there
The Taintless One--
Panchakshara's inmost core,
Whom neither Vishnu nor Brahma
Had power to comprehend.
Thou that regardest all others as thyself--
Who in this world can be compared with thee? The powerful karma
Thy past deeds have wrought
Will vanish without trace.
Daily, on the thought
Is not this jiva Siva?" thou must meditate.
Best of sannyasins, of one-pointed mind! Morning and evening worship without fail The Holy Feet of the Almighty Lord,
Who here and hereafter
Preserves and safeguards thee.
Cast aside the fetters of thy sins!
By steadfast concentration of thy mind Awareness of a separate self
Thou must extirpate.
Conquer with love all those that censure thee. Thou art eternal! Have no doubt of this! What is not thou is fancy's artiface. Formless thou art!
Then live from all thought free!"
--Siva Yogaswami
18 Responses to “Vishvanathaswami Receives Diksha on Mahasivaratri”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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February 21st, 2020 at 3:07 am
Aum Namah Śiva. How wonderful. Mangalam Sannyasin Swami Vishwanathaswami. in Oneness, uplifted by your attainment.
February 21st, 2020 at 6:32 am
Congratulations!
Aum Namah Shivaya!
February 21st, 2020 at 7:09 am
Congratulations to Vishwanathaswami! Aum Namah Sivaya!
February 21st, 2020 at 8:44 am
Congratulations and Aum Namah Shivaya to the new Sannyasin.
February 21st, 2020 at 9:00 am
Beautiful! Om Shanti.
February 21st, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Congratulations Swami.
Aum Aum.
February 21st, 2020 at 2:02 pm
Congratulations Swami
Aum Sivaya
February 21st, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Many Congratulations Sannyasin Vishwanathaswami ! Aum
February 21st, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Congratulations Vishwanathaswami! Om Namasivaya Om. So uplifting and awe inspiring.
February 22nd, 2020 at 12:43 am
Jai Ma
Jai Amma
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Hrim Namah Shivaya
Om Hrim Haum Namah Shivaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
In Service of God and Guru
February 22nd, 2020 at 1:15 am
Your dedication and commitment has paid off Swami. Congratulations. Aum Namasivaya. Jai Kailasa Guru Parampara.
February 22nd, 2020 at 5:39 am
Aum ~ It is awe inspiring to see dedication and perseverance be rewarded. Congratulations, brother and friend. ~ Aum Namah Sivaya
February 22nd, 2020 at 7:31 am
Aum Namasivaya,
What Joy to see this transformation on Path of Jiva to Siva!
Thank you for your dedicated service and inspiration!
Aum Namasivaya.
February 22nd, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Great Step forward! Aum.
February 23rd, 2020 at 2:37 am
Hail, O Sannyasin! Aum Namah Sivaya, Vishvanathaswami !
February 23rd, 2020 at 1:22 pm
The dedication and singular pointed will that is required to pursue this path is humbling. We feel very blessed to have another Swami join the order. Jai Kailasa Parampara!
February 25th, 2020 at 2:32 am
Aumsivaya dear Swami Vishvanathaswami.
Lots of love from Mauritius
Adi Sankara Peruman
February 26th, 2020 at 8:10 am
Wonderful to see. You deserve it. So many years of consistent service. Your perseverance is commendable. Swami Vishvanathaswami……. sounds good !