This is That
August 31, 2007
“When he knows the atman - the Self, the inner life, who
enjoys like a bee the sweetness of the flowers of the senses,
the Lord of what was and of what will be - then he goes beyond fear.
This, in truth, is That.”
-Yajur Veda
Rudra abishekam
August 30, 2007
This image is from a recent Rudra Abishekam where the pujas offerins are primarily liquid and are poured over the Shiva lingam.
I like the big trisul (trident) painted on the wall. Shiva’s trisul represents a variety of 3’s in the vedic tradition; the past, present, and future, Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, the three gunas (Sat, Rajas, Tamas), the three shaktis; will, action and wisdom. I am sure the list goes on.
Note also the stylized drum which is from Shiva Tandava….the drum of time that Shiva uses while he dances.
Facing South
August 29, 2007
This is the temple for Dakshinamurti as mentioned in yesterday’s post. It is part of a patasala where young Brahmin boys go for their training as young as 10 years old! They live communally and during our visit seemed to be genuinely happy in spirit of what might be considered to be fairly austere conditions.
There are a few interesting facts about Dakshinamurti. He is always shown facing south…as opposed to most deities who are facing east. South is the direction of Yama, the god of death, and is generally considered to be the least auspicious direction.
But this ties into Shiva’s form as Mrytunjaya…the victor over death. Shiva is facing south to rule over death and protect his devotees.
Hereis the first verse of the Dakshinamurti Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya
Vishvam darpanadrishyamaananagariitulyam nijaantargatam
Pashyannaatmani maayayaa bahirivodhbhuutam yadaa nidrayaa
Yah saakshaatkurute prabodhasamaye svaatmaanamevaadvayam
Tasmai shrii guru muurtaye nama idam shrii dakshinaa muurtaye
The universe is like a mirror of the ultimate truth that is the supreme Brahman; the one without a second. The mind, senses and intellect are able to discern the reflection of Brahman as Atman. The ultimate identity of atman as Brahman is fully apparent after self-illumination. I offer my deepest appreciation to the auspicious guru, an embodiment of Dakshinamurti, and whose grace is responsible for my enlightenment.
Dakshinamurti
August 28, 2007
Dakshinamurti is the form of Shiva who is the prototypical guru. It is Dakshinamurti who first reveals the knowledge of Brahman to the ancient rishis. For Guru Poornima each year we have a special puja for this Dakshinamurti who is in a small temple outside Kanchipuram. You can see the abishekam in a video on the Puja.net site.
In the image above note that his left hand is in the Chinmudra with the finger and thumb together. Mudras always have some symbolism to them in addition to their mystical significance. in this case the divine is the thumb and the finger is the individual soul. They are thus shown as being connected and one.
After the absihekam on Guru Poornima, he looks very nice!
Consciousness
August 24, 2007
“Wave, foam, bubble - all these are nothing but water in reality. So this body and all are nothing but consciousness - the one pure consciousness.”
Sri Shankaracharya in Vivekacudamani
He’ll grind ’till…
August 23, 2007
More from Basavana…
“He’ll grind till you’re fine and small.
He’ll file until your color shows.
If your grain grows fine
in the grinding,
if you show color
in the filing,
then our lord of the meeting rivers
will love you
and look after you.”
Basavanna the poet
August 22, 2007
Basavanna was a poet in India who lived in the 1100’s and was deeply devoted to Shiva. He wrote beautifully about the frustrations of a devotee struggling for spiritual acomplishment, and joy of discovery. His wry observations contain much humor and insight. He lived near the confluence of three rivers in Kappadisangama and refers to Shiva as the “Lord of the meeting rivers”.
“Does it matter how long
a rock soaks in water:
will it ever grow soft?
Does it matter how long
I’ve spent in worship,
when the heart is fickle?
Futile as a ghost
I stand guard over hidden gold,
O lord of the meeting rivers.”
The yogi is superior
August 21, 2007
“The yogi is superior to the ascetics. The yogi is superior to the Vedic scholars. The yogi is superior to the ritualists. Therefore, Oh Arjuna, be a yogi”
-Krishna to Arjuna
Bhagavad Gita
(6, 45)
The candidate and the pundit
August 20, 2007
Narasimha Bhattar, on the right, is the chief Priest at the Malibu Hindu Temple, my friend, and the person who inspired the creation of puja.net. Recently some members of the Indian community held a fund raising breakfast for Hillary Clinton and Narasimha and the other priests from the temple were invited to chant some vedic blessings for her.
Narasimha said that she was very smart and appreciative of the chanting and spoke with them intently about the Vedic tradition for about 15 minutes.
Light
August 19, 2007
The illumined Seer, the leader of men,
the magic craftsman, the sage who burns
intense with seer-wisdom.
He found that which was most hidden,
the secret and mysterious nature of the light.
-Rig Veda IX.87.2-3