Giving below an extract from the book " Sathguru and The Glory Of Shakti Peetam " - a Publication of Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Brindavanam Trust, Chennai. Please read and be blessed.
Monday 24 June 2013
Sunday 23 June 2013
Thursday 20 June 2013
Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal - an excerpt from Dilip Magazine July - Sep 2010(Continued from earlier posting)
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| GURUJI SRI K.V.L.N.SHARMA
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Hailing from a family of Srividya Upasakas, Sri Sharma was born in Kanjanoor in South India. He belongs to the Sishya Parampara (fourth in-line) of Sadguru, having been initiated into Srividya rituals by his sister Smt.Vishalakshi Swaminathan who was initiated by Sri Naga Subramania Sastrigal, whose guru was Sri Pookada Sundara Sastrigal, a direct disciple of Sadguru Seshadri Swamigal.
An astrologer par excellence, Sri Sharma displayed keen interest in its study from an early age, a study, that assumes and professes to interpret the influence of the stars and planets upon human existence.
The year 1975 was a turning point in the life of Sri Sharma. He visited Tiruvannamalai along with Sri Naga Subramania Sastrigal. In his inner consciousness, he realised that Sadguru Seshadri Swamigal would now be his Guru and preceptor, which he accepted whole-heartedly. He now undertook to perform Guru Pooja on every full moon day, and this continues to date. The Sadguru ordained Shri Sharma to devote himself entirely to the cause of humanity.
In 1985, Sri Sharma received instructions from the Sadguru through his all-omniscient form and implicitly obeying his orders, quit his job and resolved to serve mankind. He followed the Guru’s instructions, underwent severe penances and austerities, and using astrology as a tool started solving unsolvable problems with the Sadguru’s blessings and guidance.
The Sadguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Brindavanam Trust (SSSSBT) was formed in 1991 and the Aaradhana and Jayanti Celebrations of the Sadguru were performed at Sri Sharma's house. The poojas Sri Sharma started at home soon came to be attended by a large number of disciples. The Trust expanded and soon many branches were started both in India and abroad. Sri Sharma felt that it was not enough to conduct only the Aaradhana for the Sadguru, hence decided to construct a temple and perform Kumbabhishekam. His thoughts crystallised into reality as He received divine orders from the Sadguru, who instructed that the temple should be a Shakti Peetam with Ambika, the Mother Goddess at the centre, and shrines for the 18 Siddhars be constructed around it. The place for construction of temple at Madambakkam, a village near Tambaram, also known as Madayambakkam, Chaturvedimangalam, Kamadhenupuri, Thirumadanagar in days of yore, was also chosen by the Sadguru himself.
The main project of the Trust was thus the construction of this Universal Temple as instructed by the Sadguru. Sri Sharma worked tirelessly and in 1994 the Balalayam was established at Madambakkam, from where extensive welfare and spiritual activities were carried on. In 1999, the land identified for the project was purchased from the Government of Tamilnadu and the foundation stone was laid. And finally in May 2004, the Universal Temple was consecrated. The Sadguru through Sri Sharma, whose surrender to his Guru was exemplary, guided the entire project.
An administrator par excellence, Sri Sharma has provided solutions to many unsolvable problems and with the guidance of the Sadguru, remains a guide and guru to hundreds of disciples around the world. Every New Moon day (Amavasya) after extensive Siddha Pooja, he conveys in a trance, the instructions from the Sadguru to his disciples. Today Sri Sharma is a link for the disciples of the Sadguru to the great Master, a Guru to whom devotees rush for solutions to their myriad problems.
Sri Sharma frequently travels abroad and spreads the message and fame of the Sadguru through his disciples living in those foreign countries. Branches of the trust have been established in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pondicherry and in overseas places like America, Singapore, Dubai, Bahrain and Abudhabi. The activities in all these places are being carried out by the Sadguru through Sri Sharma, by entrusting the job to specially selected devotees. Pooja on the day of Hastam (the birth star of Sadguru Seshadri Swamigal), Aaradhana and Jayanti are conducted at all these places. Annadhana forms an important aspect of these functions.
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Srichakra Mahameru
The Sakthi Peeta Brindavanam has as its Moolasthanam (the main shrine), the Supreme Goddess in her form as the Mahameru representing man’s ascent to the Supreme Godhead. Below the Meru is the Srichakra, which is formed as an image of Goddess Ambal. The word 'Maha' means 'big or large' and 'Meru' means 'mountain'. Hence the term Mahameru indicates 'Big Mountain'. When the Srichakra is made into a tall form, it is called Sri Mahameru. The Ashta or eight siddhis are present in the Meru, the manifestation of the cosmic power, which is an outward physical manifestation of a philosophy the world needs to understand, a philosophy that goes beyond the religious to spiritual realms, accessible to every true devotee and aspirant. Sri Vidya is the knowledge of Sri, the Goddess, the real knowledge that leads one to liberation, to the Supreme Truth. This intricate tradition guides the aspirant through the worship of several Gods and Goddesses to the central point which represents the Mother Goddess. The Srichakra, or in its elevated form, the Mahameru is representative of this progression. The formless (arupa) Shiva and Shakti appearing in a harmonious unison is Sri Mahameru.
It was the Sadguru's instructions that such a Mahameru should be carved out of greenstone only. After a two year long search, the specified greenstone as indicated by Sadguru in Sookshma, was located in Hassan, Karnataka. Two huge stones of 20 tons each without any crack were extracted and transported to Madambakkam after peforming various poojas. It took nearly one and half years under the leadership of Shri Gurumurugan, Shri Manikandan and Shri Vedagiri who toiled day and night, to complete the 4 feet tall greenstone into Srichakra Mahameru, which was done as specified by Sadguru in Sookshma. Usually Srichakra Mahameru is made in Panchaloka. Even Meru's carved out of stone is only 1 or 1.5 feet tall. But the Srichakra Mahameru at Madambakkam is unique, as it is 4 feet tall and fully made out of green granite stone. It was made fully conforming to Srividya tradition as formulated by Sri Adi Sankara. The Jala Vaasam of the Srichakra Mahameru took place on 13th July '03 followed by Dhanya Vaasam. Several anointments also took place.
Sri Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari now remains seated on this Srichakra Mahameru, containing the power of all these herbs within herself, warding off all the evils and curing all kinds of diseases afflicting us.
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The Siddha Mahapurushas
The Siddha Mahapurushas are divine human beings of great purity, particularly charac-terized by eight supernatural powers called the Ashta Mahasiddhis. They are the ones who have gone beyond the physical, to spiritual realms, conquering the senses and attained union with God.
The Siddhar saw his body as a temple, the Atman was God. The senses conquered, all his powers were channelised into reaching the highest state of realization. The Kundalini was thus awakened to attain enlightenment. These masters go beyond the physical to realms divine using the same sense organs that are used by ordinary man to satiate physical pleasures. By awakening the divine potential within them the Siddha Purushas attained exceptional powers called Ashta Mahasiddhis. These powers were used to benefit humanity and mankind, but never for any personal gain.
The genuine sage of enlightenment was a master of realization one who utilized his infinite powers for the well-being of mankind. They were concerned about the economic and even more, spiritual well-being of the distraught souls, who appealed to them for salvation. They had gone beyond the physical infirmities common to man, old age, sickness, mental aberrations, etc. The extent of their knowledge covered all areas of human thought, the past, present and the future, and with their divine powers nothing was hidden from them.
Siddha Purushas were those who could reach to and interact with God, owing to their disciplined sadhanas. Unlike saints, Siddha Purushas can be easily pleased by sincere and disciplined worship and they confer their blessings, which results in fulfillment of one's genuine wishes.
Guided by the greatest Siddhar, Sri Seshadri Swamigal, the 18 Siddha Mahapurushas have come to life at the Sakthi Peeta Brindavanam.
The 18 Siddhars consecrated here are: 1. Sri Sivavakiyar Siddhar; 2. Sri Kayilay Kambilisattamuni Siddhar; 3. Sri Maha Bogar Siddhar; 4. Sri Kaga Bujandar Siddhar; 5. Sri Pulipani Siddhar; 6.Sri Sattaimuni Siddhar; 7. Sri Agapey Siddhar; 8. Sri Azhugani Siddhar; 9. Sri Kudumbai Siddhar; 10. Sri Vallalar Siddhar; 11. Sri Idaikadar Siddhar; 12. Sri Pattinathar; 13. Sri Kaduveli Siddhar; 14. Sri Kanchamalai Siddhar; 15. Sri Chennimalai Siddhar; 16. Sri Kapilar Siddhar; 17. Sri Karuvoorar Siddhar and 18. Sri Pampatti Siddhar.
Here two Siddha Purushas represent a single planet, thus the 18 Siddhars represent the nine planets. Worshipping a particular set of Siddha Purushas, one can easily and quickly ward off the evil effects of the represented planet, and gain positive energy.
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| Photos of Guruji releasing Dilip Magazine at Sree Seshadri Swamigal Temple,Madambakkam,Chennai |
can please contact the temple Administrative office at the
following address:
Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Brindavanam Trust, New No.43, Old No.21/3, Alamelumangapuram, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Phone nos: +91 44 2493 8734 / +91 44 2495 3793
Email: swamigal@md4.vsnl.net.in
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal - an excerpt from Dilip Magazine July - Sep 2010
Sri Seshadri Swamigal
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| Spiritual Beacon of Arunachala |
Saints sanctify the staggered souls that swirl in the whirlpool of Samsara, to draw them out of it, to settle in eternal peace. They rather confirm the sanctity of the soul which shoves the fear of death, the root cause of all fears, entitling one to enjoy eternal bliss. Their very life is a teaching, thereby imparting guidance in a more profound way of instructing than by voiced verbal articulations.
Sri Seshadri Swamigal (1870 - 1929) was one such gift of Goddess Kamakshi to humanity. His life was replete with incidents, revealing to the world time and again, his spiritual greatness. He journeyed to the sacred Tiruvannamalai, where he remained for 40 glorious years till his Maha Samadhi.
Hailed as a Sadguru of infinite God-realization and enlightenment, he lived a life one with God. As understood by the spiritually advanced, Sri Seshadri Swamigal was beyond the description of a saint, a reality that cannot be clutched and clasped by the mind leading one to realization. But to laymen, he was a form that bestowed all the brilliance for a fruitful material and spiritual life.
A Guru and Master to hundreds of disciples who made their way to him in pain, only to find solace in his presence, he performed innumerable miracles to help his committed disciples, remaining to this day a beacon in their lives.
After his Maha Samadhi, the Sadguru proved yet again that the body is only an instrument to the true Master. Choosing such souls as he found fit, he guided his disciples through them. To this day, to the hundreds of disciples the world over, the Sadguru remains a symbol of hope and blessing, a light to brighten the dreary path of life. He desired that this blessing be made available to his sincere disciples. The benevolent master that he is, he remains accessible to the sincere seeker, an oasis of peace in the desert of human existence.
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BORN on January 22, 1870 in a small village near Kanchipuram in South India to Varadarajar and Maragathambal, a devout couple from a family of Sri Vidya Upasakas, in the lineage of Kamakoti Vamsa, Sri Seshadri Swamigal was born after faithful prayers to Goddess Kamakshi, ensuring a vision that Kamakoti Sastrigal, the adoptive father of Maragathambal, dreamt of. People claimed the radiant child to be the ornament of Goddess Kamakshi.The Kamakoti families, about 30 in number, were specially brought to Kancheepuram by Sri Adi Sankara, from Central India, to spread the Sri Vidya cult.
Even as a child, Seshadri showed early signs of devotion. He performed pujas, sang the devotional songs taught by his mother with concentrated devotion, would sit in meditation and go off into spontaneous trances. He was neither interested in games nor did he display negative characteristics. Everyone regarded the boy as a Divine Child.
The Krishna idol incident in his childhood revealed the greatness of his power and gave him the name “Thanga Kai” (golden hand). This incident, as narrated below, confirmed his divine nature.
At the age of four on his way to worship at the Varadaraja Perumal Swami temple in Kanchipuram, Seshadri and his mother stopped at a shop full of bronze castings of the gods. While at the shop the young lad picked up an image of Krishna and asked his mother to buy it, so that he could perform Krishna puja. Pleased to see so much devotion in a child so young, and thinking that the radiant child himself resembled Lord Krishna, the shopkeeper gave the idol free to the boy. The next day the trader proclaimed the boy to be most lucky, as the whole consignment of statues (because of the young boy’s touch), had been sold in one day. Normally he would not have sold even half the number through the entire festival. “Thanga Kai”, (golden hands), said the man as he prostrated before the child the next day. News of this incident spread quickly through the town and from that moment the young boy was known as ‘the one with the golden hand’.
In his fifth year, young Seshadri started his Vedic education at the Patasala in Kanchi. The child amazed everyone as he exhibited superhuman intellect and memory and possessed extraordinary debating skills. In this way, years went by until the time Sri Seshadri reached his fourteenth year when he lost his father Sri Varadarajar. Kamakoti Sastrigal came to offer condolences to the bereaved family and took them to his house, to live with him, at Vazhur. It was there that Swamigal completed his education and mastered various texts in Sanskrit and Tamil – the whole Vedanta with three primary texts - Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras, besides Vedas, Nyaya and Vyakarana. He also mastered music and astrology.
With his education now complete, Seshadri’s mother, the pious widow Maragathambal, had a desire to arrange a marriage between her seventeen-year-old son and the daughter of a relative, but when it was discovered (by examining Seshadri’s horoscope) that he was destined to become a sannyasi and yogi, the marriage plans were swiftly cancelled. His mother, becoming more self-absorbed, started losing interest in worldly affairs and became increasingly weak – ignoring food and medical treatment. One day she called her son and predicted her death the next day. The following day at her bed, she called her child to her and chanted slokas from Adi Sankara’s Bhaja Govindam, then together they sang the song ‘Ambasive’ (a composition of his grandfather’s) after which keeping her hand on his chest she called out, ‘Arunachala! Arunachala! Arunachala!’ and laid herself on Seshadri's lap and died. The word 'Arunachala' struck a deep chord in Seshadri's mind. Though he had never been to Arunachala, he sketched the five peaks of the holy hill on a board and from then on worshipped Arunachala every day.
Seshadri’s uncle (who was childless) now took charge of Seshadri and his younger brother Narasimha Josiar. In his room, Seshadri did numerous pujas and continuous japa to pictures of Sri Kamakshi, Lord Rama and to his own drawing of Arunachala Hill. He would lock himself up in his room at five in the morning and refuse to come out before noon. He regularly fasted and could often be heard shouting Arunachala Shonadrinatha or reciting Vedic hymns late at night. His uncle and aunt were frightened by his strange worship and begged him to stop. But Seshadri would not listen.
One day he disappeared from a locked room when his family tried to keep him bound to family duties, manifesting yet again his spiritual greatness. Shortly after, Seshadri started to travel to various places in Tamil Nadu. At the age of nineteen, he met Sri Balaji Paramahamsa Swamigal, a wandering saint from North India, who initiated Seshadri into sannyas and instructed him in the Mahavakyas. This was the only guru and formal deeksha Seshadri is known to have had. Having no worldly attachments, he became a sannyasi (ascetic) and finally came to Tiruvannamalai in 1889 (at the age of nineteen) and remained there for forty years until he attained Maha Samadhi (a subtle state of divine bliss) in the year 1929.
The divinity in Sri Seshadri Swamigal became known to the world outside when he chose to reside in Tiruvannamalai. When he first arrived at Arunachala, his uncle and brother Narasimha Josiar came to see him. Both were overwhelmed with grief on seeing him in rags with matted hair and a thin dirty body. They entreated him to return home immediately, but Swamigal refused to leave.
Seshadri Swamigal moved about Tiruvannamalai for forty years, as an ascetic with total disregard for either name or fame. He would be seen meditating in different places. He would meditate at Draupadi Amman Koil and Easanyan Mutt or in the corridor surrounding the inner sanctorum at the Durgai Amman Temple. He would also do tapas at Kambathu Ilayanar, Pathala Lingam and Arunachala Yogiswarar Mandapam. He did not do tapas on the top of the mountain and instead would go onto the slopes of Arunachala to pray. He often talked about the unique aspects of the Arunachala kshetra. He would say: ‘This is the place where Swami (Siva) and Ambal (Devi) invite all and confer liberation, and Lord Krishna leaving aside his Sudarshana Chakra is playing on his flute. On hearing it, Lord Siva who is inside the mountain comes out to dance’.
Seshadri Swamigal was a living example of a Jnani. He had no home, dependents, property or any fixed habit or system. He would often conduct himself like a mad man and roam around in the heat of the day and stare up at the hot midday sun. At night, he would rest in some nook or deserted hall. He would be delighted when it rained and played in the streams on the street, sit in the water and go indoors only when the rain had stopped. His acts were dramatic and deeply impressive, but his behaviour was difficult to reason out. He would avoid rich food from wealthy persons but beg for cold gruel at a poor man’s house. He would at times share food with beggars or the left-overs on a banana leaf with a dog. Sometimes he would take no food at all and on other occasions consume enough for ten people. He would eat and drink like one swallowing medicine or one being forcibly fed. Although he did not accept money, he would sometimes receive expensive clothes but immediately transfer them to a poor person. Sometimes he would tear the clothes into pieces and garland the tail and horns of a calf. Given new clothes, he would make them look old within a couple of hours. He wore only a dhoti which would cover his toes and another piece of cloth swathed over his back and shoulders. He would squat anywhere regardless of whether it was slush, dirt or refuse. He did not own anything. He was in total oneness with everything and every being. When sitting, it was always in his favourite swastika asana.
Swamigal was of medium height and of fair countenance. His hair hung in short ringlets to the nape of his neck. His voice was soft and his smile was as sweet and sunny as a child. His body would not be at rest for a moment. Even when sitting, he would catch something, put it down, lift it and then repeat it all over again a hundred times.
He was seen to move about without even a little rest. He walked fast and those following had to run to keep pace with him. No sound emanated from his walking or running, it was as if his body was light like a ball. He would seldom bathe, but occasionally pour a pint of oil on himself and roam in the streets with oil still glistening on his head. If he allowed himself to be shaved he would often stop it abruptly, with half of his face or head unshaved and appear in public with equanimity and total disregard for public opinion. He discarded rules and observances of caste, sanctity, prudence and decency but always avoided animal food and intoxicants.
He loved music, delighting his devotees with songs. On being asked, he would break forth into melodious songs often drumming rhythms on nearby surfaces. Sometimes he would place his hands on his hips and dance.
He was often taken to be a lunatic and at times purposely simulated madness. It was difficult to explain his general behaviour and impossible to account for the course of his conduct. He was always original and free, an ascetic who maintained a thorough control of his mind and senses up to the end of his life.
He was always seen playing pranks. He would suddenly laugh without stopping and those who witnessed his fun would be reduced to hilarity. He utilised a strange manner of speech to ward off crowds building up around him. He would go on speaking very fast, without any respite and with no end or meaning. Sometimes if someone spoke to him, he would reply in Sanskrit, not caring if he was understood or not.
All the above mentioned actions denoted the quality of sainthood that did not fit into a framework of identity. He was not body conscious nor did he bother about public opinion. He was a tapasvi of a very high order. One result of the mantras and sadhanas he practised from his earliest years was the development of various siddhis and psychic powers. He could tell about the past and the future and read minds with ease. With this power, he fulfilled the desires of people by showing visions they wanted to see, both in dreams and while being awake. He would bestow blessings on this devotees in many mysterious ways.
His miraculous touch is said to have cured many of those, who came to him with devotion. Often when people saw him in the streets, they would prostrate before him. He would get near them to enable them to touch his feet. But, he would never allow bad characters to touch his feet. He would run away from them and if they forced themselves on him, he would abuse them or even pelt them with stones. Seeing this, many people did not go near him. But when he knew about the good qualities of a person, he would himself catch hold of his hands and play. He would joke and run with young children. He never distinguished between males and females and sometimes would put his arms around the neck of a girl and walk along with her, and lie down in the street with his head on her lap.
Swamigal's interaction with the world was very strange. A person couldn’t take advantage of previous proximity – every moment was a new moment. People loved him, but some fearing they might be beaten, were frightened to come close. Generally, he would not call people by name, ask them how they were doing, suggest they come or question why a person did not come. He would neither talk sarcastically nor show intimacy on account of a past connection. His behavior was quite eccentric and unpredictable. He acted like a mad man at times, to fend off worldly people, but to earnest seekers he was extremely gentle and considerate.
Seshadri Swamigal blessed his devotees and helped cure their illnesses with his wonderful touch. While roaming the streets of Tiruvannamalai, he would sometimes enter a shop and dump the cash from a cashbox or throw the articles from the shops. The shops he entered used to do good business on that day and so shop keepers would eagerly await his arrival. To this day, the shops in Tiruvannamalai have his photos as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
One event that proved His omniscience was when He ran the streets of Tiruvannamalai declaring that Vithoba Swamigal of Polur had attained samadhi. The news of Vithoba Swamigal shedding his body in Polur reached Tiruvannamalai much later.
Sri Seshadri Swamigal had deep devotion to God especially in the form of the Goddess Kamakshi, Lord Rama and Arunachala. He was a great worshipper of Shakti. In the practice of concentration he sat steeped in samadhi, oblivious of his body. He loved service and by his own example showed it as a noble ideal to live up to. He was regarded with great respect and people regarded him a sage and not as a mad man. People would say, ‘He is a talking God, a divine incarnation, a great yogi, a great siddha’. Others would say that there were three lingas in Tiruvannamalai: One, Lord Arunachala, another Ramana Maharshi and the third Seshadri Swamigal.
When Ramana Maharshi came to Tiruvannamalai seven years after Seshadri Swamigal’s arrival, Swamigal was immediately aware of the young swami’s state of self-abidance and he felt a motherly love for him. Sri Ramana spent his time then, immersed in the bliss of the Self, in the thousand-pillared hall in the front portion of the Arunachaleswara temple. Urchins, not understanding his state, pelted him with stones. Sri Seshadri tried to protect the young swami, who seemed quite unaware of his body and surroundings, but the urchins continued their harassment. To avoid this unwanted attention, Sri Ramana moved into the Patalalingam, an underground vault in the temple. He remained there, in deep meditation, for many days, oblivious to the ants, vermin, and mosquitoes who were feasting on him. Sri Seshadri found him there and asked his (Sri Seshadri’s) devotee, Venkatachala Mudaliar, to lift “his child” out. He cleansed Ramana’s blood-oozing wounds and revealed Ramana as a saint to the world.
The people affectionately called Seshadri Swamigal as Periya Seshadri (Big Seshadri) and Ramana as Chinna Seshadri (Small Seshadri).
Swamigal once appeared in his devotee’s dream, a Tamil teacher from Chennai, and asked him “Do you want to see a diamond?”. This particular dream came several times to him. He was now possessed by greediness and started imagining that Thangakai Swamigal would give him diamond when he would meet him. He came to Thiruvannamalai to have darshan of his guru. He searched for him the whole day but could not find him. Tired, he fell asleep. He was woken up by small kids who shouted “Ghost!! Evil!!” and started throwing stones at the garbhagraha (the inner room where the idol of the deity is placed) of Patalalingam. He chased the small kids away and went inside. He was taken by awe seeing a teenager sitting, oblivious of all that happened around him, letting his body to be infected by ants and insects. He realized that he could not take him out, hence he asked a person to take care of him and went again in search of Thangakai Swamigal, since he knew that only Thangakai Swamigal could bring him out.
After four hours of search he found Swamigal and brought him to the spot. Swamigal went in and shouted “Perisu!!! Perisu!!! Romba Perisu!!! (Big!!! Big!!! Very Big!!!). Last birth’s good deeds made him like this”. That lad was none other than Bhagavan Sri Ramana. Thangakai Swamigal only brought him out of patalalingam. Thangakai Swamigal asked his devotees to take him to his devotee Venkata-chala Mudaliar’s house.
He then put his arms around the Tamil teacher and asked “Vairam paththiya, vairam? (Did you see the diamond?)” The Tamil teacher now understood what Swamigal meant when he said diamond.
Having lived at Arunachala continuously for forty years and helping all kinds of people, Sri Seshadri Swamigal decided to finally shed his body. One day in 1928 during the month of Karthigai, he asked a devotee, ‘Shall I build a new house and go away?’which actually meant ‘I have completed my task, shall I now depart?’ At first the devotee thought the question a prank, but finally, after many days, responding to this question, she answered that ‘He should construct a new house and practise yoga’. Sri Seshadri accepted his devotee Subbalakshmi’s words as Parasakthi’s approval. Satisfied with the reply, he said, ‘Yes, yes, it shall be done!’.
Some days later his devotees, who wanted to photograph him, gave him an oil bath and then bathed, dressed, scented, garlanded and photographed him. Immediately Swamigal caught a fever. His condition worsened and he was laid up.
However on the forty-first day he found the strength to have the darshan of Lord Arunachaleswara, one last time. On returning from the temple he sat down in a puddle of water and refused to change his wet clothes when he got back to the house. Within days, on January 4, 1929, Sri Seshadri Swamigal left his body and Tiruvannamalai was engulfed in sorrow. As is the custom in the case of a saint, his body was not cremated but buried.
After preparation, his body was brought out in procession which is said to have been so splendid that the entire stock of camphor in the shops of Tiruvannamalai was exhausted. All incoming buses were full and overcrowded. The streets were jammed with devotees and the night seemed like a bright day as it was so brilliantly illuminated by the burning camphor. The air was filled with groups singing devotional songs and the music of instrument players. It was at Agni Theertham that Sri Ramana Maharshi joined the procession. A samadhi was constructed where Sri Swamigal’s body was interred. That samadhi tomb is now enshrined within the grounds of Sri Seshadri Ashram on Chengam Road, Tiruvannamalai. Although Sri Seshadri Swamigal has shed his mortal coil, He is ever present helping, blessing and guiding his devotees to everlasting bliss. His own search brought him to Arunachala and it is to this sacred Hill that Swamigal tells all, to look up to, to fulfill life’s highest goal. And the Sadguru having attained mahasamadhi at Tiruvannamalai, now guides his devotees in Sookshma Roopa. As per divine command of the Sadguru, a life-like exquisite and delicate three feet statue, which is full of life force, spiritual energy and aesthetic divinity was also installed at Madambakkam, Chennai (for temple details see page 30) for daily worship and Aaradhana. The stone for making this beautiful statue was brought from the base of Annamalai (Adi Annamalai) as per the divine order of Ambika.
Swamigal's devotees take to Nama Japa or recitation of God's name as a spiritual practice. The mantra of Seshadri Swami "Om Sadguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Tiruvadike" when prayerfully recited invokes His blessings. Hence let us worship this great saint for deliverance from all kinds of maladies, especially the grave one of birth and death. w
References & Acknowledgements : www.seshadri.info
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Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram
Seshadri Swamigal's Ashram is next to Sri Ramanashramam between the second and third Lingam on the circumambulation route. Regular pujas are performed at the samadhi of Sri Seshadri Swamigal. There are a few platforms for meditation in the open, in a beautiful garden, under the cool shade of trees. One can do meditation facing the holy hill Arunachala, from this garden. A book stall in the Ashram sells photographs and books. Accommodation is available and food is served by a canteen inside the Ashram.
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Shakti Peeta Brindavanam
The Sri Chakra Mahameru Shakti Peeta Brindavanam at Madambakkam, near Selaiyur, Tambaram (Chennai) is a unique Universal Shrine, where the highest of philosophical truths are available for the ordinary man. Built exactly as per the instructions and guidance of Sadguru, the temple combines the power of Shakti worship with the infinite enlightenment of the 18 Siddhas who are also consecrated here. Worshipping here, man receives solace from his myriad problems as well as guidance, to lead a higher life. This Universal Shrine is open to all mankind irrespective of class, caste and religious considerations.
Consecrated on 30th May 2004 in the presence of a vast multitude of devotees, the Shakti Peeta Brindavanam was the culmination of many years of struggle and hard work by a committed team headed by Guruji Sri K. V. L. N. Sharma. The Seshadri Brindavanam Trust was constituted in 1991. The purchase of land and laying of the foundation stone finally took place in 1999, after years of negotiation for the clearance of sale of land from the Government. Funds were raised for this purchase and for maintaining activities both welfare and spiritual, at the Balalayam, the miniature temple, to the final consecration of the temple. Today, thanks to the committed efforts of Sri Sharma and his devoted team, the Universal Shrine is a place of worship and guidance to scores of disciples. The crafting of the unique 4ft tall Maha Meru in granite, and the sculpting of the unique idols of the Siddha Purushas, could never have been achieved without the divine grace, guidance and blessings of the Sadguru. The Shakti Peeta Brindavanam has as its central point the Supreme Goddess in her form as the Maha Meru representing man’s ascent to the Supreme God head.
The Shiva Shakti Sri Chakra Maha Meru, the only one of its kind in the world, has been carved out from a single block of green granite stone, that symbolizes the universal cosmic power.The 135-cm Maha Meru has been sculpted according to the norms laid down by Sri Adi Sankara. Below the Meru is the Sri Chakra. The eight siddhis are present in the Meru, the manifestation of the cosmic power. An outward physical manifestation of a philosophy the world needs to understand, a philosophy that goes beyond the religious to spiritual realms, accessible to every true devotee and aspirant.
The other deities in the temple
The Divine Cow Kamadhenu, bestower of all boons, adorns the Ardha Mandapam in front of the Maha Meru. The Siddha Devadai and Raja Kali Amman are also sculpted exquisitely in green granite. There are also shrines for Sri Maha Ganapathy, Sri Subramanya with His Consorts, Sri Muniswarar, the four Saiva Saints and Sri Nandikeswarar.The sanctum sanctorum for Lord Guruvayurappan is replicated as in Guruvayur. Then there is the shrine for Sadguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal, who is hailed as an embodiment of Goddess Shakti and an Eternal Guru to the whole of mankind. Surrounding the Goddess, are the sages or masters with infinite power and enlightenment, the 18 Siddhars, who have travelled the path from mundane to sublime, conquering the senses to merge in the Supreme Truth.This is also the only temple with shrines for the 18 Siddha Purushas.There is no separate place of worship for the Navagrahas, since the Siddhars are believed to reflect their powers as well. Next there are five Sthala Vrikshas symbolizing the five elements (Pancha Bhoota Shaktis). There is a shrine for Sri Nagaraja along with consorts, as at Thirunageswaram. The other shrines seen in the Brindavanam are of Sri Ayyappa, Sri Kodanda Rama and Sri Anjaneya.
Main Festivals
The main festivals at the Shakti Peeta Brindavanam are the Aradhana and Jayanthi celebrations of Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal in December and January each year. All other major festivals are also celebrated at the Shakti Peetam. Planetary transits are occasions marked by special worship. The Siddha Purushas at the Universal Shrine manifest the power of respective planets. Hence the ill-effects of negative planetary positions and placements can be removed by worshipping here. The Universal Shrine also offers solace to the mentally depressed.
Service Activities
"Serenity" the welfare centre of the trust is engaged in mitigating the sufferings of the poor and needy. Welfare activities are undertaken irrespective of caste, creed or religious consideration, based on the siddha doctrine of equality of mankind. The aim is to reach out to all sections of humanity to alleviate pain and want.
The centre provides nutritious and wholesome food daily for 100 people in the Annadana Mandapam located inside the temple. Fresh nutritious milk is provided to around 200 to 300 children from its own dairy farm (Goshala)every Sunday. A scheme known as 'Kamadhenu permanent fixed fund' has been implemented, under which, the interest earned will be utilized to maintain the cows. Free medical assistance and aid is provided to people in and around Madambakkam. Dedicated doctors look after patients and free medicines are also provided on the spot. Ozonized water is suppled to pilgrims visiting the temple. Clothing and blankets are distributed to children, the aged and infirm during special days. A top class legal firm associated with "Serenity" provides free legal advice and aid for the needy.
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Method of Worship
1. Worship Sri Shakti Peeta Ganapathy at the Adi Peetam (Balalayam). Worshipping him by offering a full coconut solves immediately, problems like property litigations, obstacles in travel, marriage. etc
2. Next devotees worship Sri Nagarajar and Sakthivel. Rahu Dosham and the malefic effects of Mars in horoscopes are negated by offering worship here.
3. Next at the Sookshma Meda devotees offer silent prayers placing their hand on the Paadukas of the Sadguru marked on the divine dais and receive his guidance.
4. Next devotees worship at the shrine of Arupalakshmi for prosperity and removal of all financial problems.
5. Devotees go to the main temple worshipping on the way Jatamuneeswarar and Soolini Durga.
6. Devotees enter the main temple and worship Sundara Ganapathy and Sri Subramanya with his consorts Vali and Devasena.
7. Then worship is offered at the main sanctum of the Goddess Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari in her form as Maha Meru.
8. Next one worships at the shrine of the Sadguru.
9. Going around the main shrine of the Goddess one worships Lord Dakshinamoorthy, the four Shaivite Saints Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikavachakar, then Lord Vishnu, Lord Ayyappa and the Goddess Raja Kali Amman.
10. Then one comes to the shrine of Lord Guruvayurappan.
11. On the outer prahara are the 18 Siddhars, starting from Sri Sivavakiyar Siddhar and ending with Sri Paampatti Siddhar.
12. After worshipping the sages the devotee worships Lord Rama and Anjaneya and Lord Rahu and returns home in peace, filled with an inner calm having placed one’s burdens at the feet of the Guru, confident that solutions will be found.
To be continued
Saturday 15 June 2013
Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigaal's Hasta Puja
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| Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal |
Sathguru seshadri swamigal monthly Hasta pooja will be conducted at our 18 siddar universal shrine on monday 17th june 2013 between 5pm & 7pm - contact temple for sankalpam, abisekham -044 22281408, Hasta puja also conducted in mumbai - contact Shri Ravidranath -09987273963 for seva details- ALL ARE WELCOME.
Smt Vaidehi Anantha Krishnan and Shri Ananthakrishnan's House at Roof Top, Andheri. All are requested to contact them for their participation in any Seva in puja.
You can contact them @ 02228364807.
( Copied from Shri Ravi Shankar's posting )
Request all to please come forward to make this function a great success and be receipient of Mahan's blessings. At this juncture,I also post an article written by Smt Rajeswari in the special souvenir brought out on the occasion of First Temple Kumbhabhishekam.
People wanting to participate & donate to this greatest Seva
can please contact the temple Administrative office at the
following address:
Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Brindavanam Trust,
New No.43, Old No.21/3, Alamelumangapuram,
Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.
Phone nos: +91 44 2493 8734 / +91 44 2495 3793
Email: swamigal@md4.vsnl.net.in
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