Guest guest Posted February 6, 2001 Report Share Posted February 6, 2001 ARUNACHALA Sri Arunachala is the Lord and master of the Universe. The Arunachala hill is located in the town of Thiru Annamalai, 100 miles southwest of the city of Madras in the south of India. Sri Agasthiar emphatically states that the Arunachala hill is the concrete form of Sri Arunachala, the Universal Lord. It's the form of God that even the naked eyes can perceive. Arunachala, the hill and Arunachala, the Lord are non-different. This is foundational spiritual reality which has been personally experienced and vouchsafed by all Siddhas. Arunachala is the spiritual focal point of the universe. It is the endless spiritual fount that nourishes all beings. It is the spiritual cornucopia that embraces all spiritual seekers. It is the spiritual magnet that attracts spiritual seekers from all corners of the universe. It is the spiritual panacea for everyone, irrespective of race, religion or nationality. It is the biggest Siva lingam in the world. Sri Arunachala is the quintessential jothi lingam. Wherever you see a jothi (fire), know it to be a part of Arunachala. The Jews light the minorah. Christians light candles. The Zoroastrians light their sacred fire. The Hindus light their lamp jothi. The Tibetan Buddhists light their butter lamps. All these worship procedures honor God. Thus every religion practices jothi worship. The road to divine grace leads to Arunachala. To get divine grace, seek Arunachala. The Arunachala hill is so charged with spiritual energy that spiritual benefits get magnified manifold here. Spiritual activities conducted in Arunachala are thousand times more efficacious when compared to other places. The place is constantly buzzing with millions and millions of Siddhas in their subtle form who bestow countless spiritual blessings on the devotees engaged in spiritual pursuits in Arunachala. Hence the importance of visiting Arunachala and engaging oneself in spiritual activities there. Whether it be charitable works, service to the poor and the needy, meditation on the divine name or singing the divine name, do it in Arunachala and you'll reap untold spiritual benefits which will contribute to your rapid advancement on the spiritual path. Everything in the universe is represented in Arunachala. Thus circling the Arunachala hill is like circling the universe. This is why the Siddhas say that circling the Arunachala hill is the most effective spiritual practice for all beings. Circling the Arunachala hill is referred to as Arunachala giri valam. Even though circling the Arunachala hill takes just three and a half-hours but there's no spiritual activity in the universe which is its equal. Every human being, irrespective of race, religion or nationality MUST do it at least once in his or her lifetime. It doesn't matter if you are ten thousand miles away. You must make the trip to Arunachala just to circle the hill. The spiritual benefits of doing so can NOT be described in words. Sri Agasthiar says that if you circle the Arunachala hill but once, you'll destroy the karma of ten million births. No other spiritual exercise has this kind of power. If circling the Arunachala hill once can bestow so much spiritual good, imagine circling the hill thousands of times! They who circle the hill thousands of times are the ones who become Siddhas. It is absolutely crucial that you circle the Arunachala hill barefoot. The reason is that the very land surrounding the hill is a physical manifestation of Siddha beings and it is a sacrilege to place your shoes on them. So one must circle the hill barefoot. There are no exceptions to this rule. >From time immemorial Sri Agasthiar has been writing the endless saga of Arunachala. And he is still working on it. If the superhuman Agasthiar, the Lord of the Siddhas, has been cataloging the glories of Arunachala for countless aeons, where is the human tongue, which can describe the spiritual grandeur of Arunachala? Such a one doesn't exist. Sri Arunachala is beyond beyond the gamut of human comprehension and calculation. How then can one know Sri Arunachala? Surrender to his Divine Will and he will make himself comprehensible to you. That's the only way. While it is true that one can circle the Arunachala hill in three and half-hours, the Siddhas take a lot longer. Sathguru Venkataraman's teacher took him on pilgrimages to Arunachala many times. This was part of the Siddha's training procedure. During these spiritual excursions, he and his teacher would take one month to circle the Arunachala hill once. Why so long, one might ask. The correct procedure for circling the Arunachala hill is to take one step, look at the peak of the hill, take the next step and repeat the procedure. Each time you look at the peak, you get a different vision (darisanam) of Arunachala and each vision bestows a unique spiritual benefit on you. Sathguru Venkataraman's teacher would describe each vision of Arunachala and meaning behind it to his sincere student. Such is the education of a Siddha. There are infinity of Arunachala visions. It's of course no surprise that the infinite Lord sports an infinity of forms. But the spiritual aspirant should realize the vast infinity that's Sri Arunachala and try to see as many of the visions that Arunachala grants us. The more visions we see, the more rapid our spiritual progress. But this must not be done with a calculating attitude; rather it should be done with an attitude of loving surrender to the Divine Will. We have made a few of these Arunachala visions available in the Photo Gallery section of this Website. Sri Arunachala readily accepts those devotees who are willing to dissolve their individual egos in His Universality. But how can one do this? The Siddhas say that constant meditation on the Siddha Guru Veda Sooktha Maha Mantra is the ideal way to protect oneself from the snare of the ego. This maha (great) mantra is as follows: Nothing is mine Everything is yours O Lord of Grace! Arunachala! Those who meditate on this great mantra constantly will get the guidance of a Sathguru and will get to see, know and merge with Arunachala. Selfless Service at Arunachala Which is the punya boomi (holy land) that multiplies the effects of good deeds a thousand fold? Which is the punya boomi where millions and millions of Siddhas, Yogis and Rishis are present in their concrete or subtle forms? Where’s the largest Siva Lingam in the world located? Which is the punya boomi where every cubic inch of space is filled with thousands and thousands of Siva Lingams in their concrete, subtle and Jothi forms? The answer to all these questions is Arunachala, also known as Thiru Annamalai, 100 miles southwest of Madras. The town of Arunachala is built around the Arunachala Hill. This Arunachala Hill is like no other; it’s the largest Siva Lingam in the world. It’s the sthoola (concrete) form of Siva. It’s the brahmanda svaroopa (universal form) of the Universal Lord. It’s the quintessential Jothi Lingam. It’s a divine form that must be worshipped with bakthi (love). Arunachala, The Pinnacle of Spirituality Arunachala the Hill and Arunachala the Lord are non-different. They are one and the same. The Arunachala Hill is that form of the Lord that is visible to our naked eyes. But every cubic inch of space in and around Arunachala is made up of thousands and thousands of Siva Lingams in their concrete, subtle and Jothi forms. What we see is the world’s largest Siva Lingam; what we don’t see are the countless sookshma (subtle) Lingams and Jothi Lingams. But these are visible to the Siddhas, Yogis and Rishis who flock to this place in millions. They are the ones who truly understand the spiritual splendour and uniqueness of this divya kshetra. Millions and millions of Siddhas, Yogis and Rishis are ever present in Arunachala in their concrete or subtle forms. Why? Because Arunachala, the great spiritual magnet has drawn them there. Sri Arunachala draws all spiritual seekers from everywhere unto Himself. He’s the eternal refuge of all spiritual seekers. There’s no other place like Arunachala for the spiritually minded. These Siddhas, Yogis, Rishis and other great souls constantly replenish the spiritual sakthi (potency) of this place thus maintaining it as the spiritual power center of the universe. This punya boomi has been home to great Siddhas like Arunagiri, Gugai and Guru Namasivaya, Seshadri and Ramana Maharishi. These great souls have deposited their punya sakthi in this place for our spiritual upliftment. In fact, the millions and millions of Siddhas who are ever present here have been commanded by Sri Arunachala to work for the spiritual upliftment of all of humankind. Spiritual Upliftment at Arunachala Caught in the web of Maya (the grand delusion of the material world), the spiritual progress of humankind is blocked by a pleasure seeking attitude which leads to vices like dishonesty, corruption, immorality, selfishness, miserliness, jealousy, enmity, covetousness and others. But the Siddhas are aware of our sorry state and they have prescribed a solution by which we can become free from the grip of Maya and make spiritual progress. What’s this solution? Charitable deeds and selfless service performed under the guidance of a Sathguru. This is the only way to relieve ourselves from the vices of Kali Yuga. The punya sakthi generated from these good deeds obliterates the karma of many lifetimes and thus leads us to higher spiritual planes. This is the only permanent remedy for the ills of Kali Yuga. But how can we reach this state of sublime spirituality? Only by absolute surrender to the Sathguru, the embodiment of all knowledge. How can one get a Sathguru? Simple, say the Siddhas. Perform Arunachala giri valam. Circle the Arunachala Hill as many times as you can. This spiritual exercise will lead you to your Sathguru. Why? Because Arunachala giri valam is the foremost of all spiritual exercises, say the Siddhas. As you go around the hill, look at the peak of the hill with every step. Each of these visions (darisanam) will be a bit different from the previous one. Each of these visions can destroy significant portions of our bad karma. Thus the more darisanams that we see, the more karma we get rid off. This is the reason that the Siddhas say that we must do Arunachala giri valam whenever possible. The Power of Charitable Deeds If Arunachala is the foremost divya kshetra (place of pilgrimage) in the world, if a Sathguru is an absolute requirement on the spiritual path and if good deeds must be performed for one’s spiritual upliftment, imagine the positive effects of performing these good deeds under the guidance of a Sathguru at Arunachala! It’s the most potent spiritual combination there is! While good deeds performed anywhere result in punya sakthi, those done in Arunachala have their effects multiplied a thousandfold. This is because everything that we do in Arunachala is witnessed by the numerous concrete and subtle Siva Lingams that fill every cubic inch of this kshetra (holy land). Thus every good deed is blessed a thousand times and thus the effects of every good act are magnified a thousandfold if performed in Arunachala. The Universal Lord accepts the service that we render to the poor and the needy, the old and the infirm, the blind and the handicapped as pooja (worship) offered unto Him. But it’s only those who realize that even this service is possible only through the Lord’s grace who are accepted as true devotees by God. Such true devotees are the Siddhas, Yogis, Rishis, Nayanmars and Alvars. They worshipped God with true love and they want us all to do the same too. And the way to do this is through selfless service. Timing! Are there special times when we should engage in these services? Every day is a good day for serving and worshipping Sri Arunachala, but the Pournami full moon days and the Karthigai Deepam day are particularly important, say the Siddhas. The Pournami day marks the apex of spirituality in each month and the Karthigai Deepam day commemorates the appearance of the Lord as a jothi sthambam, an infinite pillar of light at Arunachala. Thus these days are particularly significant. While we must perform giri valam and good deeds every day at Arunachala, the Pournami days and the Karthigai Deepam day are particularly important. The Spiritual Magnet The Siddhas have long told us that Arunachala is the spiritual magnet who draws all spiritual seekers unto Himself. For those who are spiritually inclined, there's no destination quite like Arunachala. Arunachala is the ultimate spiritual refuge for sincere souls that hunger for spirituality. He's the only One who can satisfy the spiritual hunger that burns within seekers and aspirants. He's the One that our spirit craves unbeknownst to ourselves. He's the ultimate resting-place for all souls. He's our Lord, Master, friend, protector, provider and eternal well wisher. He's the source of all grace and mercy. There's no equal to this Master of Masters, Lord of Lords. He is the One and the Only One! He is the One from whom all words recoil in shame for not being able to describe His infinite grace. How can our soul reach this ultimate of resting-places? Simple. Just do giri valam. Giri = hill, Valam = circumambulation. Thus giri valam means circling the hill and Arunachala giri valam means circling the Arunachala hill. Arunachala giri valam is the easiest way to reach the peak of spirituality. The Siddhas tell us that the Pournami full moon day marks the apex of spirituality in each month. Thus performing Arunachala giri valam during Pournami thithi is spiritually very very effective. Arunachala, The Spiritual Alchemist So what has Arunachala done for us lately? Well, He has shown us proof that the word of the Siddhas is true. What did the Siddhas tell us? They told us that Arunachala is the spiritual magnet who draws all spiritual seekers unto Himself. Arunachala gives us empirical evidence of this every month. How? By drawing thousands and thousands of seekers unto Himself every month on the Pournami full moon day, exactly as the Siddhas have been telling us. An estimated half a million people (500,000) perform giri valam on the night of the Pournami day each month in Arunachala. This has been reported in the local press. Why, we can visit Arunachala on Pournami days and see for ourselves. Arunachala has thus changed the minds of men and women right under our noses! He has transformed the material minded human into a spirutal seeker. Of all the endeavors in this world, is there anything more difficult than this? Is there anything more difficult than converting the hunger for material riches into a hunger for the Lord's grace? Is there anything more difficult than transforming the materialist into a spiritual aspirant? Is there anything more difficult than converting the cold hard rock of materialism into the gold that's spirituality? There isn't. And Arunachala is the master of this spiritual alchemy. And this spiritual alchemy, that of converting our materialism into spirituality, is indeed the greatest of all His miracles. Giri Vala Yoga, The Most Effective Spiritual Practice To the human eye, the Arunachala Hill appears to be around 3000 feet high. But to the Siddhas, it stretches out to infinity. Thus we can not even begin to comprehened the spiritual preeminence of Arunachala. The Siddhas say that even Soorya (sun) and Chandra (moon) circle Arunachala without going directly overhead. While there are many deities who are touched by Soorya during His Baskara sparsa pooja, Arunachala is the only deity whom Soorya circumambulates! To even think of Arunachala, let alone perform giri valam, one must have lots of good karma in his or her spiritual bank account, say the Siddhas. To know the proper Siddha procedure for performing giri valam, one must have the Sathguru's grace. The Sathguru is the key to unlocking the spiritual treasure chest that's Arunachala. The Siddhas say that any one who visits Arunachala must perform giri valam. Why? Because this is the proper procedure for worshipping Arunachala. Even Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra did it. When the Lord appeared as an infinite jothi sthambam (pillar of light), no one, including Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra could comprehend Him. Only after they performed giri valam could They see Him. So if giri valam is the proper procedure for the Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra Trinity, is it not the proper procedure for us? Every deity including the Trimoorthi trinity have performed Arunachala giri valam. It's a spiritual exercise that every one of us must do, irrespective of race, religion or nationality. It's the one panacea for all ills spiritual and material. It's the easiest way towards spiritual upliftment. It's the simplest yet most effective spiritual practice known to man. It's yoga of the highest order. Giri vala yoga is the easiest and most effective yogic practice. There are no complicated postures to learn. If you can walk, you can do girivalam. Even if you can't walk, if you can move, you can do giri valam. Nay, you must do giri valam. And what if you can't even move? No problem. Just ask some kind soul to carry you on the giri valam route! Yearn to do Arunachala giri valam and all the right things will happen; the Siddhas will find a way to accomodate the sincere longing of a pure heart. The Grantor of All Desires Arunachala giri valam is the easiest way to get whatever you want. Do you want to become the richest human on the face of the earth? Do you want to become the greatest scientist the world has ever known? Do you want to be an emperor the likes of whom the world hasn't seen? Do you want to become a Siddha? A saint? A devotee? All of these and more can be achieved through Arunachala giri valam. Whatever you want, you'll find in Him. Whatever you desire, whether it be material or spiritual, can be gotten through Arunachala giri valam. Lord Arunachala is the grantor of all desires. Even divinities reach their exalted state only through His blessings. Arunachala is also the grantor of that sublime, indescribable state of pure, unalloyed bakthi (divine love) in which one merges with Him forever. As we have mentioned elsewhere in this issue, every cubic inch of the space surrounding Arunachala is filled with millions and millions of sookshma (subtle) jothi lingams. Miliions and millions of Siddhas are forever present in this punya boomi (holy land). This sacred land is like no other. It's the spiritual refuge for every one of us. An Infinity of Visions With every step on the giri valam route, we should look at the peak of the Arunachala Hill. Each of these visions is known as a Arunachala Muka Darshan. There are an infinity of these Arunachala visions. The leader of the Siddha community, Maha Guru Sri Agasthiar, has been cataloging these visions for our sake from time immemorial. Sri Nandeesvara has been describing these visions and Sri Agasthiar has been cataloging them. And the endless saga continues! It's with this background knowledge that one should approach the limitless ocean of revelation that's Arunachala giri valam. To think that one can become an expert at Arunachala giri valam in a few years is sheer lunacy! Sri Agasthiar has codified a substantial chunk of this spiritual knowledge in the form of 1008 volumes for His Siddha disciples. Each of these volumes is made up of 108 books with 1008 chapters each. He has cataloged 100,008 introductory giri valam procedures for His junior Siddha disciples. There are many more for more advanced Siddhas! There are different sets of giri valam procedures for humans, Siddhas, Devas, deities and so on. This knowledge was revealed to the Sathguru, Guru Mangala Gandharva Venkataraman by his divine teacher Sri Idiyaapa Eesa Siddha over the course of many years. What we present in this article is not even a millionth part of this knowledge, because according to Sri Agasthiar, the human mind can not even grasp that much. The rest must be learnt directly from the Sathguru. A Glimpse into Beginners' Giri Valam Here's a rough sketch of the Arunachala giri valam route. Though it's not to scale and it's not exact, it can be of help to those of you who are new to Arunachala giri valam. The shaded area is the Arunachala Hill and the thick black line is the giri valam route. The green dots are some of the important landmarks on the giri valam route. These and a few others are described in the text that follows. Enter the Arunachala temple through the East gopuram (tower), landmark 1 in our giri valam map. Make your way to the Brahma Lingam shrine within the temple. This shrine is the starting point for your first giri valam. Worship the Lord and make your way to the south gopuram. The South gopuram of the Arunachala temple is landmark 2 in the giri valam map. Look at the Arunachala Hill from the south gopuram. This vision is known as Eka Munikkal Koombu Muka Darshan. This is the vision that reminds one of forgotten promises. If you don't stay true to your word, whether inadvertently or not, bad karma is the result. This vision reminds you of things that you may have to do to keep up your word. Visit the Indra Lingam shrine, landmark 3 in our giri valam map. This is the first of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. The next stop is the Karpaga Vinayaka Ganesh temple, landmark 4 in our giri valam map. Worship Lord Ganesh and continue on the giri valam route. Agni Lingam shrine, landmark 5 in our giri valam map. This is the second of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. Just within this segment of the giri valam, there are hundreds of important Arunachala darshans. These should be learnt directly from the Sathguru. Indra Theertham sacred pond and Indra Mandapam. Seshadri Ashram, landmark 6 in our giri valam map. The vision from here is Théjó Muka Darshan. This vision makes the indecisive decisive; it gives clarity of thinking to those who are muddled. It helps those who are not successful in business or in making friends. Ramana Ashram, landmark 7 in our giri valam map. Éru Pancha Muka Darshan, the vision that redeems. Expiatory darshan for those who may have sinned because of the pressure of circumstances. Protects them from sinning again. Near Ramana Ashram is another little ashram. The vision from here is Dhida Muka Darshan. The Lord advised the Universal Mother to see this darshan during Her giri valam! This is the vision that gives one a resolute, purposeful approach to life. The wavering mind becomes purposeful as a result of this darshan. Nandi Mandapam on top of a huge rock. The vision from here is Bringi Muni Mayaana Darshan. Next we come across the huge Prithvi Nandi deity, the first of the Pancha Bootha Nandi deities on the giri valam route. The vision from here is Prithvi Bangaaru Muka Darshan. This is a very important darshan. Offer deepam and incense to Arunachala from here and prostrate yourselves in front of Him. This vision offers relief from poverty. It blesses one with wealth and gold. Yama Lingam shrine, landmark 8 in our giri valam map. This is the third of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. Appu Nandi deity in a small mandapam, the second of the Pancha Bootha Nandi deities on the giri valam route. Look at the peak of the hill through the horns of the Nandi deity. This vision is known as Mitra Chaaru darshan. This is the vision that reunites those who are estranged or separated; it's the vision that retrieves that which you may have lost, whether it be land, money or anything else. Nirutthi Lingam shrine, landmark 9 in our giri valam map. This is the fourth of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. Siva Raja Singa theertham pond. On the banks of this pond is a Nandi deity. Look at the peak of the hill through the horns of this deity. This is the place to make spiritual resolutions. This is the place to give up bad habits. The angel Siva Raja Singa, who guards this spot, is the witness for the resolutions you make here and the bad habits you give up here. Once given up, we dare not succumb to these habits again. Siva Raja Singa will remind us of our holy promise to Arunachala. But if we still break our resolve, we'll have to face the wrath of this most powerful angel. Because of these stipulations, many figure that it's best to not make a resolution. But this is no solution. Spiritual upliftment is the result of making resolutions and sticking to them. To visit Arunachala and not make spiritual resolutions is to have wasted a unique opportunity. Make positive resolutions, stick to them and march on the path of spiritual upliftment. As we continue on the giri valam route, we see dense shrubbery on our right. This shrubbery is so dense that it obscures Arunachala from our sight. The Siddhas refer to this shrubbery as Kaama Kaadu, the forest of desire. Once we "enter" the forest of desire, we can't see Arunachala any more. This is the symbolism behind this dense shrubbery. This is the place to give up improper desires. If you have succumbed to lustful desires, this is the place to ask for forgiveness. This is the place to expiate the bad karma resulting from lust and the evil wrought by it. This is also the place to expiate those sins resulting from not caring properly for the yagnopaveetha sacred thread. How? By doing anga pradakshinam upto Théyu Nandi. The details should be learnt from the Sathguru. Théyu Nandi deity, the third of the Pancha Bootha Nandi deities on the giri valam route. Look at the peak of the hill through the horns of this deity. This vision is known as the Chathur Muka Darshan. Lord Brahma saw this darshan during His giri valam. It's the vision that makes one proficient in the Veda scriptures and well versed in other forms of knowledge. Those who see this darshan will also get Lord Brahma's grace. Next is the important Gayatri Darshan. Those who see this darshan will get the grace of Mothers Gayatri, Savitri and Sarasvathi. As we proceed further we see the Sakthi Siva Darshan. This is the vision which offered solace to King Nala and his wife Damayanti. This vision reunites estranged couples and kids who have been separated from their parents. It promotes unity and harmony in family life. Soorya Lingam shrine, landmark 10 in our giri valam map. Varuna Lingam shrine, landmark 11 in our giri valam map. This is the fifth of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. Unnamulai Mandapam and Unnamulai Theertham pond. Mother Unnamulai is Lord Arunachala's consort. She performed years of severe penance at this spot to be united with Arunachala. Remember the Mother's penance when you reach this spot. The vision from Unnamulai mandapam is known as Somaskanda Drashan. Adi Annamalai temple, landmark 12 in our giri valam map. The vision of Arunachala from this temple is known as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan. The great Siddha Thirumoolar saw this darshan. Those who want to get Thirumoolar's grace must get this darshan during their giri valam. This is very important for them. Manivaasaga Theertham pond. Sing Thiruvaasagam songs from this spot. Next is the Manivaasaga Mandapam. The darshan from this spot is known as Lavanya Suka Muni Darshan. This is the vision that makes one beautiful. However ugly one may be, this vision will make them beautiful some how or the other, may be through cosmetic surgery too! Those who are disfigured will get some of their original looks back through the help of doctors. Vaayu Lingam shrine, landmark 13 in our giri valam map. This is the sixth of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. The vision from here is known as Kanda Neeru Muka Darshan. It's the vision that offers relief from all physical problems related to wind. Next on the route is a Nandi. The vision through the horns of this deity is known as Janma Saabalya Muka Darshan. This vision offers salvation from curses received in many many births. Abaya Mandapam, landmark 14 in our giri valam map. The vision from here is the Dasa Muka Darshan. It's a darshan that offers relief from many problems. The demon Ravana got redemption from his sins through this darshan. Sri La Sri Lobha Matha Agasthiar Ashram, landmark 15 in our giri valam map. This is the ashram which is being established by the Sathguru, Guru Mangala Gandharva Venkataraman, the 1001-st teacher in the Agasthiar divine teacher lineage. The vision from here is the Siva Sakthi Aikiya Svaroopa Darshan, the vision of Siva and Sakthi in perfect alignment. This is a great panoramic view of Arunachala! Those who just can't seem to get married will get married as a result of this vision. This vision reunites estranged couples and promotes harmony in family life. It's the vision for begetting children who will grow up to be Siddhas and saintly beings. The majestic Adhikaara Nandi shrine, landmark 16 in our giri valam map. Kubera Lingam shrine, landmark 17 in our giri valam map. This is the seventh of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. This is a deity worshipped by Mother Lakshmi Herself and thus a very important stop on the giri valam route. Idukku Pillaiaar Ganesh shrine, landmark 18 in our giri valam map. The shrine which can remove the karma of millions of births. The very important Pancha Muka Darshan. This vision blesses the devotee with career advancement. Next we pass by the cemetery area. The vision from here is the important Kóna Linga Muka Darshan. This is the vision for renunciants who want nothing but the Lord, whose sole refuge is the Lord's lotus feet, who are pure of heart and who have no desires except the Lord. These souls must see this darshan. It'll do them much good. (By the way, let it be known that the ochre colored robes are meant only for true renunciants. It's a great sin to wear the ochre robes without having renounced everything.) Eesaanya Lingam shrine, landmark 19 in our giri valam map. This is the eighth of the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the giri valam route. Mother Durga temple, landmark 20 in our giri valam map. The vision of Arunachala from here is known as the Maaya Kuzhi Vadu Darshan. If you see this darshan along with the Pournami full moon, the maaya arising out of a million desires, the maaya of an agitated mind that hankers over a million things will go away. Lustful feelings will subside in their intensity. Improper sexual desires will decrease. Those who have led a life of sin should seek expiation at this spot. They should forego their sinful life and lead a good life marked by lots of charitable deeds; they should feed and clothe the poor, offer free medical and educational help to them. Pavazha Kundru Muruga temple, landmark 21 in our giri valam map. The darshan of the Lord here is equivalent to the darshan of the Lord of the Palani Hills. Bootha Narayana shrine, landmark 22 in our giri valam map. The vision from this spot is known as Pasupathi darshan, meaning that the pasus (individual souls) must reach the pathi (God) through giri valam by the grace of a Sathguru. This is the spot where the beginners' giri valam is deemed complete, provided you fed the poor and the needy during your giri valam. Offer the results of your giri valam to Lord Bootha Narayana for safe keeping. Visit the Irattai Pillaiaar Ganesh shrine, landmark 23 in our giri valam map. Enter the Arunachala temple again through the East gopuram. Make your way to the South gopuram and from there to the West and North gopurams, landmarks 26 and 25 respectively in our giri valam map. Worship all the deities in the temple including Nandeesvara and the Muruga deities known as Kambatthu Ilaiyanaar and Gopuratthu Ilaiyanaar. Offer your respects at Sri Durvaasa Rishi's sanctum. Surrender to the Lord and the Universal Mother in their main sancta and request Their grace. Ask to be Their devotee eternally. Mentally offer your respects to Maha Guru Agasthiar, the revealer of this knowledge and His divine teacher lineage. Make sure you follow the basic giri valam rules during your giri valam. Feed the poor and the needy during giri valam. Talk about God alone during giri valam. Be totally spiritual during giri valam. Share this precious knowledge with one and all. It's not enough that you do giri valam; make sure you involve others in giri valam too because that's what Maha Guru Agasthiar wants every one of us to do. Remember that what the Sathguru has revealed in this article is only a glimpse into the first of 100,008 introductory giri valam procedures! In other words, this is only a glimpse into the beginner's giri valam procedure. Just think of how much more there is to learn! Seek out the Sathguru who can reveal more and more of this knowledge to you. As we said before, the Sathguru is the key who unlocks the treasure chest that's Arunachala. Be eternally grateful to Sri Agasthiar and His divine teacher lineage, the revealers of this knowledge. Om. Basic Girivalam Rules Giri = Hill, Valam = circumambulation. Hence Giri Valam means circling the hill and Arunachala Giri Valam means circling the Arunachala hill. Perform Arunachala Giri Valam with your friends and family. Stop by the Sri La Sri Lobha Matha Agasthiar Ashram en route and partake of Sri Agasthiar's Arunachala prasaadam which is served in the Ashram on the night of Pournami Giri Valam. The vision of Sri Arunachala from the Ashram is known as Siva Sakthi Aikiya Svaroopa Darisanam. During the Giri Valam, look at the peak of the Arunachala Hill with every step you take. Meditate constantly on the mantra Arunachala Siva throughout the Giri Valam. You may sing bhajans or you may talk about totally spiritual topics like the ones discussed in this Website and in Sri Agasthia Vijayam. Please avoid talk of any other kind at least during Giri Valam. Have some eatables handy so that you may distribute them to the poor and the needy on the way. Make sure you do not wear footwear of any kind during the Giri Valam. This rule can not be relaxed; everyone must follow it without exception. Enjoy Arunachala's grace to the fullest measure! We are all His sons and daughters and He's waiting to shower His grace on us. The Giri Valam is the easiest way of getting His limitless grace. For more details, refer to the Arunachala page in this Website. If you can't be in Arunachala at these special times: (1) Perform maanaseega giri valam (giri valam in the mind) using the Arunachala photographs in the picture gallery. (2) Perform girivalam around other sacred hills like Kailaasa, Thiruparankundram, Karoor Thaan thóndrimalai, Palani, Trichy Hill Fort, Rathnagiri Ayyarmalai, Kundrakudi, Thirukachoor (near Madras), Parvatha Malai, etc. Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices. http://auctions./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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