Arunachaleshwara has the reputation of being the champion of the handicapped and the unfortunate in the legendary fight at the time of Daksha –yagna several Devatas who had lost their limbs at the hands of Veerabhadra worshipped Arunachaleshwara and recovered their former figure and blemishless beauty. Thus Indra got his teeth, Agni his hands, Sun... Continue Reading →
The magic of Holy Waters
Shiva stands majestically in the form of mountain in Arunachala. “Shivam Shonachalaakritim”, says Gautama, also, the Shiva linga is mountain itself “Shivalingam-adirupam”, he asserts. The wonderful lingam of gigantic stature is worshipped by all Devatas and Rishis. Sacred waters There are several theerthams in Arunachala containing the holy waters of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada,... Continue Reading →
Shiva bestows boons
“People who indulge in mere nama-sankirtan or offer prayers to Arunachaleswara even from distant places”, Gautama Maharshi told Parvathi Devi “will have salvation conferred on them. (“Kirtito janardooraihi Shonadririti muktidaha”). Gifts, havans, homas, japa and all types of thapas in the mountainous region will bring infinite benefits. Long ago, in order to enlighten Brahma and... Continue Reading →
Chapter 4 – Genesis of Jyothir-linga
Once Sanaka Rishi asked Brahma about the greatness of Arunachala, ” Chaturmukha! Lord of the fourteen worlds, foremost among the Devatas and praised in the Vedas”, Sanaka said to Brahma in great humility and with folded hands, “By Your Grace, I have got full enlightenment. By Your great and singular initiation, the wealth of devotion... Continue Reading →
Chapter 3 – Apeetakuchamba and Arunachaleswara
Krittika is a great star ruled by Agni, the Lord of Fire – in consonance with the hymn of Yajur Veda “Agnirnahpaatu Krittikaaha….” That is also incendiary constellation identifiable with the manifestation of Devi. Hence when Goddess Parvathi herself undertakes a pradakshinam of the fiery lingam in Arunachala on Karthika Krittika day especially at sunset... Continue Reading →
Chapter 2 – Benefit of Giri-Pradakshinam
“Whoever undertakes the Giri-pradakshinam with the mind securely fixed in My dhyana”, says Lord Arunachaleswara, "will get the benefit of My early grace.The dust he himself raises with his feet will serve as an instrument of immortality”. Whoever begins the mountainous pilgrimage will get unexpected help even from the Devatas in various ways. The Devatas... Continue Reading →
Chapter 1 – Greatness of Arunachala (that attracted Mahaan Seshadri and a host of Sages)
If Varanasi(Kashi) is reputed to confer immortality on those dying there, Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) holds out the same benefit to all those who remember its glorious name! Remember, it is just the remembrance of Arunachala: “Nama smaranamatrena yatpaatakavinaashanam” declares the celebrated Skandapurana. By remembering the great name, all sins of a person will disappear and he... Continue Reading →
Introduction to “Greatness of Arunachala” by Mahaan Sri Seshadri Swamigal
Sadguru Sri Seshadri Swami's "Sesha Gita" The mountain of Arunachala, Thiruvannamalai, is a monumental linga affording protection to animate and inanimate world in addition to the incomprehensible galaxy of bodies in Brahmic manifestation. As a place endowed with the potentiality for erasing sinful karma and for promoting prospects of salvation, Arunachala is the only one of... Continue Reading →
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