Pujas
February 20, 2008
Even though the maha rudra yagya won’t start for a few more days, we are enjoying the daily yagyas very much. Rudra abishekam is fun and the fire yagya is delightful up on the roof with the grand view of the temple tower (gopuram) in the background.
In the afternoon we spent a couple of hours recording Rudram, Chamakam, and Purusha Suktam. The plan is to send a copy to all the Shivaratri sponsors. The sound is fantastic and of course Seetharam, Sampath, and Ganeshan chanted with great clarity and enthusiasm.
Chandi Path, part 4
February 19, 2008
Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path is presented with a summary of chapters 10,11,12, 13. Chanting of Chandi Path, part 4.
Swimming!
February 19, 2008
If the sign in my room is to be believed, the hotel we are staying in is the proud owner of the first swimming pool in Kanchipuram!
Arrived!
February 19, 2008
Arrived in India yesterday and the weather here in Kanchiuram is actually cool! Delightful! Low humidity, sunny skies and a light breeze. After the usual jet lagged first day, we began with a small yagya this morning.
As usual, we started with Rudra Abishekam and Purusha Suktam. It is so great to hear these timeless hymns here in their land of origin.
After the pujas were done we went up on the roof for the homam (fire yagya).
So the pujas are off to a good start. They will continue on a small scale for the rest of this week, and the big ones begin with 1008 modaka offerings to Ganesha on Sunday.
Chandi Path, part 3
February 18, 2008
Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path is presented with a summary of chapters 7,8, and 9. Chanting of Chandi Path, part 3.
Subtle awareness
February 18, 2008
“Subtle awareness of the truth of the universe should not be regarded as an achievement. To think in terms of achieving it is to place it outside your own nature.
This is erroneous and misleading.
Your nature and the integral nature of the universe are one and the same;
indescribable, but eternally present. Simply open yourself to this.
-Hua Hu Ching; the teachings of Lao Tzu
Living…
February 17, 2008
“Living with unconditional sincerity,
dissolving all duality,
celebrating the equality of all things,
your every moment will be in truth”
-Hua Hu Ching; the teachings of Lao Tzu
Chandi Path, part 2
February 16, 2008
Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path is presented with a summary of chapters 4, 5 and 6. Chanting of Chandi Path, part 2.
Arrive at the unshakable
February 16, 2008
“To arrive at the unshakable, you must befriend the Tao (Brahman).
To do this, quiet your thinking.
Stop analyzing, dividing, making distinctions between one thing and another.
Simply see that you are at the center of the universe, and accept all things and beings as parts of your infinite body.
When you perceive that an act done to another is done to yourself, you have understood the great Truth.”
-Hua Hu Ching; the teachings of Lao Tzu
Admiration
February 15, 2008
“He who desires the admiration of the world will do well to amass a great fortune
and give it away. The world will respond with admiration in proportion to
the size of his treasure.”
Of course this is meaningless. Stop striving after admiration.
Place your esteem on the Tao (Brahman).
Live in accord with it,
share with others the teachings that lead to it,
and you will be immersed in the blessings that flow from it.”
-Hua Hu Ching; the teachings of Lao Tzu