Today at Kauai Aadheenam

This is the door for the base

Decorational itemsThis is the frame

This is the frame on the middle part

Jai Ganesha!

For the past few months, Sannyasin Kumaranathaswami has been guiding Sadhaka Shankaranatha in building a base for the fish tank in Siddhidata Kulam’s new office. Now, the project is nearing its final stage. It needs a few more rounds of sanding and a coat of oil before it is ready to be installed. Sadhaka has learned a lot from Kumaranathaswami about woodworking and is eager to apply this knowledge in his upcoming projects.

Yesterday was our monthly “Iraivan Day” morning where we all do various tasks related to Iraivan Temple. First thing in the morning we gather as a group to prepare the next Kauai’s Hindu Monastery monthly newsletter mailing. They are now all in boxes in the postal room, ready to be run through the postage meter. Muruganathaswami uses a laptop to keep track of our multiple organization budgets—Hindu Heritage Endowment, Himalayan Academy and Saiva Siddhanta Church—that pay postage for parts of the mailing.

Offering to Ganesha

Bell Pepper

Cucumber

Our cat Bandit having a good sleep

Jai Ganesha!

Recently, the mathavasi of Siddhidata Kulam harvested tomatoes. Among them was a “Gladiator” tomato, known for being larger than usual, which they offered to Lord Ganesha. They also harvested cucumbers and bell peppers. Enjoy the photos!

This second image collection shows Satguru giving second vishesha diksha (blessing and directive to personally perform puja daily) to a SSC sishya, then giving mantra diksha (blessing and directive to change 108 Namasivaya daily) to three SSC sishyas.

On subsequent days Satguru met individually with more devotee families and had a afternoon interview with Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation at their studio in Port Louis for a show called Encounter. The interviewer focused exclusively on philosophical questions. Satguru also met with the American Ambassador to Mauritius, Henry Jardine. His previous posts include Calcutta, where he learned Bengali, and Bangkok, where he learned some Thai. He is quite knowledgeable in the current state of Hinduism. 

A couple of young sishyas also produced a short video highlighting the monthly Ganesha Homa at our Spiritual Park and interspersed commentary given by Satguru and Shanmuganathaswami a few days ago. Here is the video

Sadhakas Sabanatha and Shankaranatha offer flowers to Gurudeva’s granite tiruvadi

“The cosmos is perfect, you know. Its laws are divine, its timing flawless, its design unique.” – Gurudeva

“If we are still reacting to our experiences, we are only starting on the yoga path to enlightenment.” – Gurudeva

“We make very little progress when we strive to conquer these baser instincts in a good mood. However, vast strides are possible when we are miserable and work with ourselves to replace our misery with joy and understanding.” – Gurudeva

“Humility is intelligence; arrogance is ignorance. To accept one’s karma and the responsibility for one’s actions is strength. To blame another is weakness and foolishness.” – Gurudeva

“Turn awareness back in on itself and simply be aware that you are aware. Try to penetrate the core of existence.” – Gurudeva

Jai Gurudeva!

Early this morning, our monks celebrated August’s Chitra nakshatra with our monthly padapuja to Gurudeva. This was the first time Sadhaka Sabanatha performed the puja as the main pujari, with Sadhaka Shankaranatha assisting. Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami is traveling, but our monks and island members attended, invoking the love and blessings of Gurudeva. Aum.

“We do not follow the way of words, which is repeating from memory verses and stanzas of scripture with meager mental interpretations of their meaning. We follow the way of transformational spiritual unfoldment. We follow the mārga of sādhana and tapas.” – Gurudeva