A human needs rest. That is the sole purpose of inviting "Nidra Devi", or in other words, sleeping. A sleep of hearty 8 hours gives one the pleasure of freshness, the pleasure of a new beginning everyday. But life is so long that we get fed up with the new beginning itself and hence, we search for an end. We search for something that gives us eternal pleasure and not just transient happiness. Some, because of their extreme intellectual capabilities and the quality to punctiliously observe the universe and infer the cause of it, understand it in a mere single birth. But the rest, who are extremely large in number, might either not understand it at all or visit this earth more than a thousand times to elucidate the mere idea. Yet, in this span of time, God incarnates on this ephemeral earth to distinguish between real and unreal for the well fare of the liberated souls. In this elite are those souls like Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja etc. But even these souls had to expound the knowledge before they attained the state of immortality. But for a Soul like Sri Ramana Maharshi, it was as though salvation was made for him. Neither the study of the Vedanta, nor a debate on Mimamsa gave light to this divine soul. The deep detachment to the world and the poignancy for the body liberated Him from the clutches of the world. A boy of the mere age of 15, if can attain Sannyasa without the help of Vedanta or a scholarly patriarch, then one can imagine the stretches of His mind. Venkataramana further transformed his soul to Sri Ramana Maharshi, Ramana the great sage. He attained nirvana in the holy city of Arunachalam, near Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.
Indeed, this divine soul bestows divine radiance of knowledge and serenity upon all its seekers and believers. That is the sole reason why Arunachalam is so beautiful. Like the Himalayas, Arunachalam also has a bucolic appearance. The very speciality of this divine hill is that, rather than worshipping or regarding an idol or a stone as God, the hill itself is regarded to be Shiva himself or Arunachaleshwara. It has it's own charisma. The divine chirps of the peacocks seem as though they're yearning for Ramana Maharshi and lamenting upon his merging with eternity. An Ashrama adorned by Maharshi himself is situated on the top of the Arunachalam hill, famously known as Skanda Ashramam. The divine presence of Maharshi compensates for the sweltering heat. It indeed is a once in a life time experience.
An abode of peace, a place of austerity and a temple of love is the meditation hall. Bhagawan’s photo is kept on the cot He used to rest his body on. His presence is highlighted every second, everywhere in the Ashrama. Devotees, early in the morning, besmear the holy ash on their foreheads and head towards this hall. They sit and meditate for hours and hours together, beseeching His grace and striving towards eternal peace. It indeed gives a great pleasure to be in Bhagawan’s presence and concentrate on our life’s purpose – eternity.Bhagawan’s mortal body is under Mother Earth’s love and concern. His Samadhi is covered by a pedestal over which a Shiva Linga is installed. This Linga is worshipped everyday in the age old Vedic ways and traditions. Next to Bhagawan’s Samadhi is situated His Mother, MatruBhuteshwara’s Samadhi. Bhagawan bestowed salvation on His Mother and Her mortal remains are under a Shiva Linga, which too is worshipped on a daily basis.
Skanda Ashramam, the abode of peace. It is holy by the very fact that it adorns the Arunachalam hill and Arunachalam hill is holy because of the fact that in the pages of history, there is a whole chapter on Arunachalam in which divinity cruised all over the hill in a mortal body. The body indeed is ephemeral, but His presence is an ever-prevailing experience.
Peacocks, mynas, crows and langurs are so etiquette as though Maharshi himself has taught them the propriety of welcoming His devotees. The peacocks’ chirps in the early morning, the langurs passing across the visitors' paths, as though excited to see their beloved Guru's beloveds and the trees swaying gently, blowing the cold breeze, as though caressing the devotees' cheeks - such is Maharshi's grace.
The way to Skanda Ashramam though is filled with perils of the terrain; all the despise and stress is lost as soon as one finds himself in the presence of Ramana. People from seven seas across, come to Maharshi, yearning for His grace. The silence of the Ashram is filled with the sound of Maharshi's preachings. The emptiness is filled with Maharshi's exuberant thoughts. These thoughts are further exalted by us and we in turn exult. Such is the dazzling radiance of Skanda Ashramam.
Peacocks, mynas, crows and langurs are so etiquette as though Maharshi himself has taught them the propriety of welcoming His devotees. The peacocks’ chirps in the early morning, the langurs passing across the visitors' paths, as though excited to see their beloved Guru's beloveds and the trees swaying gently, blowing the cold breeze, as though caressing the devotees' cheeks - such is Maharshi's grace.
The way to Skanda Ashramam though is filled with perils of the terrain; all the despise and stress is lost as soon as one finds himself in the presence of Ramana. People from seven seas across, come to Maharshi, yearning for His grace. The silence of the Ashram is filled with the sound of Maharshi's preachings. The emptiness is filled with Maharshi's exuberant thoughts. These thoughts are further exalted by us and we in turn exult. Such is the dazzling radiance of Skanda Ashramam.
"Arunachala Malai" is considered to be Lord Arunachala Himself. People circumambulate this Holy Mountain and walk for almost 14 kms. The Sadhus, with their clumsy yet tied tufts of hair praise Lord Shiva and bask in the sun, walking through their mental and physical journey. Their ash besmeared foreheads convey the message of their unfathomable devotion to Him. Devotees go even by car around the mountain and feel elated and contented, as though a great feat has been achieved.
The Lord rests in the Arunachala temple, in the form of a Linga. The temple has 4 grand temple towers, each adorning a direction and 4 small temple towers, each portraying the then king's grandeur. "Chozha Nadu architecture", the architecture of the Cholas is extremely intricate and to understand its significance, one has to assiduously observe it. Excerpts from the Shiva and Vishnu Purana beautify the temple. It has in total 4 main idols of Sri Arunchaleshwara, Sri Parvati, Sri Ganapati and Sri Subrahmanya. Many other sub-idols are kept throughout the temple premises. The Gods savor the devotees' offerings as well as their infinite devotion.The Raja Gopuram is so tall and exquisite that to have a total glimpse of it, one has to walk at least quarter of a kilometer inside the temple. The Garbhagriha or the main worship place of the idol is lighted by the age old brass lamps. The divinity and grandeur of Arunachaleshwara Linga is so much that the huge queue is no match for the grace He bestows upon us. But yes, the glowing lamps inside suffocate the devotees. It's something to wonder how the priest stays alive inside for the whole day. Probably it's His grace, again.
Subrahmanya has a great significance in Tamil Nadu. He is worshipped from the core of peoples' hearts. "Vel Murugan" is what one of His names is. His temple too is present amidst the great walls of Arunachala. If son has got such an importance, then one can guess the significance of His Mother. Parvati Devi, the beloved of Lord Shiva too has a separate temple but not with extreme separation from Her beloved. In the presence of Him, solitude can be observed amidst crowds.
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Sri Rangam, the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu. The largest temple in India and the second temple having the largest temple tower or the Raja Gopuram is indeed a heavenly sight. People have a soft corner in their hearts for Him and He has a soft corner in His heart for Lakshmi Devi. Sri Rangam temple has such a huge temple tower, the Raja Gopuram, that one shall lean back and fall if he/she tries to take a peek of it's tip. It reaches the zenith of the sky. So does the grace of Rangamannar. An Ekadashi is special for Sri Vaishnavas. A Peratashi Shanivaram is extremely auspicious. The Lord has His devotees stand in thousands to peek a glimpse of His idol form, in which He alluringly sleeps with Bhoo Devi and Sri Devi at His service. The idol is alluded to Rangamannar Himself. He sleeps on Adi Shesha, a beautiful yet robust snake. Embellished with the ornaments of the Raja Vamsha or the royal jewels, he shines in the dim light of the oil lamps. He is oiled with sandalwood oil, His face shining with the glory of the 3 worlds. His one limb, positioned near the ear to support his Eternal Sleep and his other limb, a refuge for the refugees with extreme benevolence and elation. He bestows His grace on his loved ones in such a way that they literally yearn to see Him in this form again.
Thayar Sannidhi, or the abode of Lakshmi Devi, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are extremely mesmerizing and soothing to the eyes. Mother, craving to see her children bestows Her unfathomable love and blessings on Her children. Her beautiful eyes, with a reflection of Him in them; a smile on Her face, displaying how raptured She is to see Rangamannar and Her beautiful hands, filled with charisma and motherhood for her children in stress. Such is the divinity of VishnuPriya. She is called by infinite names, yet Her form is one; Her mercy for Her children is one.
Chakrathalvar(aka Sudarshana Chakra) Sannidhi is another exceptional sub-temple in the temple premises. The discus weapon of Lord Vishnu is also worshipped and given equal importance as given to He Himself.
Garudalvar, Lord Vishnu's mount also has a prominent space reserved in the temple. It indeed is obvious that he occupies an aristocratic status in each and every ritual performed in Sri Rangam. He carries the Creator effortlessly with a glee on His face. He indeed is honorable. Almost a 3-story high idol of Him is worshipped everyday. Garuda Sthamba, or the mighty pillar depicting Garuda, is always worshipped at the beginning of the daily rituals. The royal treatment offered to the deities is just awe-striking.
Ramana Maharshi’s blessings, Rangamannar’s royal descend to the Earth as well as the serenity observed in these heavens is unforgettable and shall be cherished in the next 7 births. Especially Bhagawan’s grace is immeasurable like the ocean’s expanse. Expounder of knowledge, Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi till date communicates with His devotees through his esoteric eyes, His mellifluous voice and His infinite intellectual capacity. Hail Him!
