Kauai Aadheenam

Aum Namah Sivaya

Happy Ardra Nakshatra!

Today our monks performed the special monthly abhishekam to Lord Nataraja in Kadavul Temple. We can’t photograph the event, but here’s a few photos taken around the monastery recently.

First is a collection of images from our newly producing dragonfruit cactus near our kitchen. It gives incredible flowers, followed by equally as wonderful fruits. Next we take you to the afternoon Muruga puja in Kadavul Temple. And finally, off to our small culinary mushroom growing initiative, to see them go from sawdust block, to kitchen to lunch-plate.

The amazing dragonfruit flower. It blooms for one day only

A few weeks later you get some lovely fruits

Yum!

A few days ago Vel arrived at the airport

This afternoon he and Kodiswara are attending the Muruga puja

A great way to start your afternoon

Next, inside our humble gourmet mushroom operation. Where temperature, airflow and humidity must be closely controlled. These are otherwise sterile blocks of growing mushroom mycelium. Once the bag is opened and exposed to air, light and a drop in temperature, they grow mushrooms.

The summer had been too warm to grow much, but these chestnut mushroom give a small flush

A few days layer they turn a bright orange.

Our lion’s mane mushrooms are also content to fruit this time of year

Chestnut mushrooms are similar to Shiitake mushrooms

The day’s fresh, homegrown ingredients: Eggplant. Roma Tomato blend, green beans, chestnut mushrooms, bell peppers, okra, dill, rosemary, parsley and thyme.

A mediterranean chickpea dish to go with the salad and green beans

And of course, a mushroom risotto using our chestnut mushrooms

Something for Satguru and the monks to enjoy!

Jai to the Nandinatha Sampradaya!

Jai to the Kailasa Parampara!

Jai Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami!

Today we celebrate Satguru’s 82nd Jayanti. Throughout the day, many blessings and good wishes have been coming in from throughout the world, and this evening the monks will enjoy a special evening meal with Satguru. The monks of the Siddhidatta kulam have been preparing the bountiful feast, while others have been gathering special gifts and decorating.

Leave your birthday wishes in the comments and we’ll make sure Satguru gets them!

From the Kularnava Tantra:

“And Lord Siva said: How can My subtle perfection, which is one, omnipresent, attributeless, indifferent, undecaying, unattached like space, unbeginning and unending, be an object of worship for the dualistic mind? Hence it is that I as the Supreme Guru have entered into the bodies of human Satgurus.

“Even My gross aspect, being full of light and energy, is imperceptible to human eyes. For this reason I have assumed the form of the Satguru in the world, and thus protect the race of sishyas.

“As Mahesvara, in human body I secretly wander on the Earth in order to favor sishyas. As Sadasiva, I assume the modest and merciful form for the protection of sadhakas. Though remaining above samsara, yet I appear and act in this world as though I were a man of samsara.

“When the fruits of sin predominate, Satguru is seen as a person. And when the fruits of virtuous acts prevail, Satguru is seen as Siva. Like blind men deprived forever of seeing the sun, unfortunate jivas are unable to see the real Satguru, the embodiment of Mahesvara, though He is present before their eyes. It is undoubtedly true that Satguru is Deva Sadasiva Himself, for who is it that grants Liberation to seekers if Satguru be not Siva Himself?

“O Beloved, there is not the least difference between Deva Sadasiva and Sriguru. Whoever makes a distinction between them commits a sin. For by assuming the form of a preceptor, the Gurudeva severs the multitude of bonds which bind jivas to the state of pasu and enables them to attain the Self, Parasivam.“

Aum Namah Sivaya

Jai Ganesha!

As of October 1st, our 4th-quarter 2024 issue of Hinduism Today is available to read online on our Hinduism Today website. You can read the issue in its entirety here.

You can also download our free Hinduism Today app here

The feature story

Our Insight section: Visiting a Hindu Temple

Satguru’s publisher’s desk: Concentration & Willpower

This issue’s cover

Embark on a cultural and spiritual odyssey with the latest issue of Hinduism Today, where every page is infused with the rich heritage and profound teachings of Hinduism. This edition brings to light the grandeur of the little-known Mahasivaratri Festival in Mandi, a unique gathering where 200 deities converge from as many villages, attended by hundreds of thousands of devotees celebrating Siva’s Night with great reverence and joy.

Our 14-page Insight Educational centerpiece (“Visiting a Hindu Temple”) explores the deep significance and proper etiquette of temple worship through a detailed guide designed to enhance your spiritual encounters and understanding of these sacred spaces. Each part of a temple visit is illustrated and explained. A great resource to share with first-time visitors to our temples around the globe.

In a series of thought-provoking articles, Hindu leaders share their insights on integrating spirituality with modern living, offering perspectives that bridge ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges. Our publisher, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, writes of willpower and concentration, clarifying that our inner life and outer life are more intertwined than we often think.

Discover the unusual history of Siamese Brahmins who perform religious rites for the king of Thailand. There’s an article on the monastic centers in Tamil Nadu that serve as guardians of South Indian Saivism, with stories of how they are modernizing. A US lawyer calls for Dharmic bylaws in the diaspora temples, assuring the welfare of temple priests who are not always treated well, it seems.

Anne Petry and Padma Krishnan team up (photographer and writer) to give us an in-depth look at how cows are treated in India, where they enjoy life as nowhere else. Vanamali Mataji, an 84-year-young sage in Rishikesh, gives us a master class on the sacredness of women. Plus, there are articles on the benefits of turmeric, one woman’s journey into Hindu chaplaincy, “Digital Tools for a Spiritual Life,” how parents can inspire their kids by example, and more.

The popular Quotes & Quips section is rich with humor, cartoons, and sagely sayings; Global Dharma explores mini-stories from around the world. It’s a rich issue, with something for everyone.

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami’s October 2024 Publisher’s Editorial from Hinduism Today Magazine.

“We all know individuals who don’t connect their inner life to their outer life. They give meditation a high priority when they sit to meditate and want to go within. Outside of meditation, when they are at work or school, they don’t apply the same level of willpower and concentration. Some even belittle ordinary life, taking a “whatever” attitude: “It doesn’t matter as much. The inner life—that’s what’s important. The outer life—that’s something to be endured.” What’s wrong with such an attitude?”