Today at Kauai Aadheenam

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.

“We can see that from the mystic’s point of view, he is the watcher. And as the mirror is in no way discolored by what it reflects, so is the mystic in his perfected state. Your perfected state, too, as the watcher, is right there, deep within you. The next time you sit for meditation, follow my guru’s advice to us all and witness your thoughts. Be that stationary awareness, holding form in its own perfection. All you have to do is to watch your mind think. Then and only then are you experiencing your perfect state of inner being. The only difference between the jñānī and the novice is that the jñānī stays in there longer as the watcher, whereas the novice experiences this only momentarily from time to time. “

Kodiswara putting up the sign

There are two signs on each corner

Jai Mahalingeshwara!

For the past few months we have been facing a small issue where some visitors have walked up to Iraivan Temple while still wearing their shoes. They are not aware that the proper thing to do, is to remove them before walking up the entry steps towards the Nandi Mandapam. Since some people simply don’t know the protocol, we decided to put up a sign to inform them “No shoes or sandals beyond this point.” In some temples people are allowed to wear sandals within the outer structure. However, we must be strict because the consecrated Nandi Mandapam requires that people not wear their shoes around it. Today Kodiswara printed, laminated and installed the sign, which will be temporary until a more elegant, aluminium sign is created. Have a great day everyone! Aum!

Our Server Is Being Upgraded

Every few years it is necessary to change our server which is hosted by a professional company. On November 11 and 12 they will be porting our extensive data to new hardware and we will not be able to post TAKA for those days. We will return.

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.

“In concentrating on a flower, one of the sādhanas that you have been given, when awareness is held steady and only the flower exists within the mind, as well as outside your body, close observation and scrutiny of the flower can then begin. An intuitive flash will bring knowledge of the complete cycle of that particular form in all phases of its manifestation. This intuitive flash comes to those just beginning the processes of meditation. Later on, the process can be slowed down and sustained. We cannot be imaginative here or fantasize, for only through actually keying into the particular area in time and space does one begin to contemplate future and past in relationship to it.”

Saravanathaswami chanting mantras before he starts to do the abhishekam

The abhishekam started off by cleaning Lord Muruga with normal water. Sadhaka Shankaranatha assisting Saravanathaswami with the abhishekam.

First we begin with milk

Followed by Yogurt

Honey

Panchamirtham

Ghee

Coconut water

Vibuthi

Sandalwood

FInal Kumbha of rose water

Final Arati

Divine darhsan of Lord Muruga

Vel Vel Muruga!

Yesterday was Skanda Shashti, for which we performed an puja and abhishekam to Lord Murugan in Kadavul Temple. Saravanathaswami officiated the puja, assisted by Sadhaka Shankaranatha and the monks. The puja was attended by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and many devotees, including those who joined in on the live stream (see previous post). The abhishekam included offerings of milk, yogurt, honey, panchamirtham, sandalwood water, coconut water from fresh coconuts, vibuthi and the rose water. Once finished with the abhishekam Muruga was elaborately decorated while devotees sang devotional songs to Lord Murugan, which created a powerful energy for everyone present. After the alankaram (decoration) the puja was finalized with the passing of flames, the chanting of Muruga’s 108 names and devarams sung by Yoginathaswami. The final arati was a very energizing day for everyone. Here are some of the pictures from the event for everyone to enjoy. Jai!