“Hehehehehe thanks guys for the cake and the wishes”
Jai Ganesha!
On 10th March, the Siddhidata Kulam’s mathavasi celebrated our dearest Bhairava’s birthday. He enjoyed a peanut butter cake and a handsome bow tie. Bhairava is more than just a dog for us, he is like another monk and gentle protector. Having Bhairava with us is a great blessing for all us. Even though it was last week you’ll can still wish him a happy birthday, and we make sure he gets all the wishes. Aum!
The saint served in his early years as the accountant for the king.
He is given diksha by his guru, Maunaguru, who was ever silent.
As many of you know, the monks have been (and continue) working on a new book, an English edition of the 1,454 songs of Saint Tayumanavar, the Tamil poet and philosopher who lived from 1705 to 1742. His songs to Siva are revered in South India and memorized by children in annual competitions. Imagine, learning so many songs by heart.
When in Singapore two years back, we met an Oduvar, Vivek Raja, whose temple singing is deeply spiritual, completely traditional. We commissioned him to sing the Tamil songs in his trained style, and when he returned to India he made great progress, though there is much yet to be done.
Today we share the first song for you to enjoy, along with the Tamil and the meaning of the lyrics in English. Click the sound baar under the slideshow to hear this first song. Below is the English rendering:
What is it that is immeasurable effulgence, perfect bliss, filled with grace? What is it that willed to contain the countless universes in boundless space and there flourishes as the Life of life? What is it that stood transcending thought and word? What is it that remained as the ever-contentious object of countless faiths claiming, “This, my God,’’ “This, our God’’? What is it that exists as omnipresent and omnipotent, love-filled and eternal? What is it that knows no limits of night and day? That indeed is what is agreeable to thought. That indeed is what fills all space in silentness. That indeed is what we in meekness worship.
At Satguru’s behest, two web pages have seen upgrades over the last few months. On the new “Shum Language of Meditation” page, we present the seven dimensions, the full alphabet and a overview of how words are formed, calligraphy, proportions of images and rules for connecting images. The slideshow above displays the short word kasi and then expands to finally become iinsimliamkasi. Subsequent slides show all the rules for connecting images when writing the full version of letters.
On the “Twelve Shum Meditations – Level One” page we have the original collection of meditations for each month of the year plus related reading material or additional Shum words selected by Satguru to round out the meditation. This page has existed for a while but needed cleaning up and added the shum script for each meditation collection.
As the landscaping continues, we try to take regular, updated photos
Palms look quite different up here
Some nice afternoon lighting
Over the last few days, Sivanadaiyar Kodiswara has been studying drone piloting so that he can help with the aerial surveying and photography of the aadheenam grounds and temples. Today was an initial flight with instructions for him to capture several updated survey photos. As you can see in the photos, he did a wonderful job and even captured a few unexpected angles that turned out great! Aum.
Mayilnathaswami performing the Ganesha puja with Satguru’s presence
Many of the other monks attended the event
Satguru carries the blessed Ganesha to the buildings new meeting and shrine room
Satguru offering the arati to Nataraja and the newly installed Ganesha
Yoginathaswami explaining the long journey to the building’s completion
Satguru looking around the place
Yoginathaswami explaining about the space to both the Paramacharya
Jai Ganesha!
On March 9th, the Siddhidata Kulam’s new office was officially inaugurated. A small puja to bless the new office was performed by Mayilnathaswami, with Satguru and the monks attending. Later, after the puja, Yoginathaswami gave a tour of the office, explaining the space and how it would be utilized. It has been a 26 year goal for Siddhidata Kulam to eventually create this new office and machine-shop, reflecting the patience and dedication of the kulam’s monks.
