We continue to take each of the books that Gurudeva authored (or channeled, as is the case here) and create a audio version using his professionally cloned voice. Lemurian Scrolls is now complete and available here. The Editors’ Introduction for each chapter is rendered in a different voice.
For example, here is Chapter One–
Lemurian Scrolls Audiobook Read More »
Jai Gurudeva!
Several days ago, during the Chitra nakshatra, we observed our monthly pada puja to Gurudeva. Monks and devotees gathered before sunrise in Kadavul Temple and enjoyed a padapuja performed by Sadhaka Shankaranatha and Yogi Haranandinatha.
“The guru helps the devotee to hold his mind in focus, to become pointedly conscious of thought, word and deed, and to cognize the lessons of each experience.” – Gurudeva
Chitra Puja – December 2025 Read More »
Aum Namah Sivaya
With the monastery’s observance of Sadhu Paksha having come to a close, we enter our next season today. We began the day with a homa and a parade out to change the flag. Here are reminders from Gurudeva, from his Saiva Dharma Shastras, detailing the significance and sadhanas of this inner season.
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.
Welcome to the 2025 Moksha Ritau! Read More »
To be sure, modern life has its challenges, and they are far from trivial. But it’s easy to forget that life on earth has much improved in the last few millennia. So much so that many modern human live better than the kings and queens of yore.
Take Louis the XIV for example, France’s King who lived 1638-1715. When Gurudeva and his Innersearchers visited his royal residence, the Palace of Versailles, we were first struck by the opulence and stunning architecture. But as his life was described, we learned he lifed without many of today’s amenities. The King used an outhouse, and bathed from a bowl that held about two gallons of water. His life was harsh in many ways, compared to ours today.
In reflections of gratitude, we evolved a list of the King’s austerities, a list that would equally apply to others of his era—Russia’s Peter the Great, China’s Qing Emperor, Leopold I of Rome, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Powerful men, the most powerful on earth in those days, and yet life was rugged for them (and a hundred times more rugged for their subjects)
This made us feel immensely thankful for our life. So we carried that simple discovery further, and made a list of how, today, we all live better than the kings and queens of yesteryear. Enjoy
On-demand transportation
The king summoned horses and carriages and waited. We summon a car in minutes that arrives clean, heated, and fast, day or night. If he traveled to England, it was a long and difficult journey taking 5-10 days by horse carriage and ferry. Today we can fly there in 3 hours, in comfort no less! Watching the latest movie and eating lunch brought to our seat.
Instant sanitation
Louis XIV used chamber pots and an outhouse. We have private flush toilets, hot showers, running water, sewage systems, and sanitation that would have seemed miraculous.
Medical care
A toothache could kill a king, and there was no Novocain. We now have drills to remove decay, antibiotics, anesthesia, health enabling drugs, imaging, emergency surgery, and pain relief on demand.
Hot water day and night
Royal baths required servants, fires, and time. We turn a handle and have endless hot water instantly. Nevermind a shower with water pressure.
Climate control
Versailles was freezing in winter and stifling in summer. the palace was either too cold or too hot. We maintain precise indoor temperatures year-round with heating and air conditioning. Not to mention we on Kauai seldom gets above 85 or below 65.
Lighting
The palace relied on candles and oil lamps. We have bright, safe, adjustable lighting at any hour with no smoke or fire risk. And no cleaning up melted wax.
Entertainment
The king hosted musicians and performers at great expense and effort. We summon music, films, lectures, and performances from every culture instantly. YouTube alone gives us access to five billion videos!
Information access
Louis XIV relied on courtiers and messengers. We access the sum of human knowledge instantly, translated, searchable, and up to date—all on our private phone. And we can command an AI assistant to do all kinds of chores for us.
Communication
Royal letters took days or weeks. We send swift messages and speak face to face across continents in real time.
Food variety and freshness
Royal cuisine was rich but repetitive and seasonal. We eat foods from every climate and culture any day of the year. We can even have it delivered to our door. Mexican tonight, Chinese tomorrow, Indian the day after. And kept safe and fresh with refrigeration.
Living like Queens and Kings Read More »
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives his weekly upadesha in Kadavul Temple at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery in Hawaii. It is part of a series of talks elaborating on the inspired teachings of Satguru Śivaya Subramuniyaswami as found in his book Merging With Śiva.
“Like the Hindu religion itself, the Hindu temple is able to absorb and encompass everyone. It never says you must worship in this way, or you must be silent because there is a ceremony in progress. It accepts all, rejects none. It encourages all to come to God and does not legislate a single form of devotion. Hindus always want to live near a temple, so they can frequent it regularly. People arbitrate their difficulties in the vicinity of the temple. The Hindu people treat the temple very seriously and also very casually. It’s a formal-informal affair. Between pūjās, some may sit and talk and chat while others are worshiping. You might even find two people having a dispute in the temple, and the Deity is the arbitrator of their quarrel, giving clarity of mind on both sides.“
Love of the Gods, Part Three Read More »
Today marks the end of our current lunar phase. The next two days will be retreat days for the monks. it also marks the end of our Sadhu Paksha observances. Several days from now we will enter our new season, the Moksha Ritau.
“It is the interplay between our experience and how we respond to it that makes karma devastating or helpfully invigorating.” – Gurudeva
Aum Namah Shivaya
Sadhu Paksha Comes to an End Read More »
