Sadhaka Shankaranatha is painting the floor with a smile on his face—happy to be getting the greenhouse back in operation.
Current condition of the greenhouse
Both Sadhaka and Brahmachari working together in painting the floor
Mayilnathaswami is mixing the paint for them
Before they start painting Mayilnathaswami vacuums the floor
Happy to have you back Vel Mahalingam!
Several months ago our Greenhouse was infested by little bugs which caused all the tomatoes and peppers to rot. When something like this happens we have to shut down the greenhouse completely in order to clean everything and restart the plants. Due to this the monastery faced some shortage of tomatoes for our daily cooking. Now, the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam have started to get the greenhouse up and running again. After the removal of the plants and initial cleaning, the team has started to re-paint the white floor. Before that they had to do some prep work by vacuuming and cleaning to remove any and all dust or debris. Just a few days ago, our long-time member Brahmachari Vel Mahalingam from Mauritius, arrived on island for a three-month stay. He is helping the Siddhidatta Kulam get the greenhouse back in action as soon as possible, so that we can have our delicious tomatoes and peppers for our kitchen again.
Sadhaka Shankaranatha cleaning the Greenhouse using the Pressure Washer
Our monastic greenhouses where created by, and have long been cared for by, the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam. After many years of Kauai’s weather, the shades are now in need of some deep cleaning and repairs. Due the the strong UV sunlight we have here, the shades had started to deteriorate. This is bad for many reasons, one of the main ones being that the plants are no longer as protected from the sun. These shades automatically go up and down based on the sunlight and heat. If it’s too bright, they lower to protect the fragile plants from the light and if it’s cloudy out, they raise up to offer as much light as possible. The SK Team decided to replace the torn shades with new ones, but in the process discovered that the greenhouse needed to be thoroughly washed. Today they spent the morning pressure washing the greenhouse to make it look like new.
Sadhaka Shankaranatha putting the soil around the new papya tree
Ta-da!! New Papaya trees
The new papaya trees standing tall along with the old papaya trees where its days are being numbered
Sadhaka is happy about the new papaya trees
As everyone knows, the monks here loves papayas, but did you know that we grow them by ourselves? The trees are taken care of by our monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam, who have been wonderfully managing them for many years. But just like all things, these trees must eventually conclude their time on this beautiful Earth. So recently, the SK team decided to plant some new papaya trees, replacing the older ones that have been producing delicious fruits for many years.
As you can see in these pictures, Sadhaka Shankaranatha is working hard to plant the new trees. First they have to dig a hole around the old trees, going deep for their roots. Once the old tree has been removed, they plant the new papaya tree. Once placed in the ground, new soil and mulch is added. As you can see, it requires quite a lot of work to upkeep our many papaya trees and ensure that our monks have an everlasting supply of these healthy, tasty fruits!
We have created three wonderful applications for everyone around the globe to enjoy. The idea was to develop apps where people can access some of our teachings and educational materials, allowing them to explore and learn more about these topics.
The first application is the Hinduism Today app. Through this app, you can read all of our latest and archived magazine articles. You will receive updates and new issues instantly, without any delays. Additionally, all the access you have on the website will be available in the app as well.
The second application is the Spiritual Workoutapp, one of our most popular apps. It is currently only available on iOS, but will be made available on the Play Store for Android users later this year. The Spiritual Workout app was created for those seeking a tool to enhance their meditation and prayer practices. You can set timers for your meditation sessions and daily sadhanas. This app was designed with the intention of providing users access to various methods of meditation, enabling them to carry their spiritual practice with them wherever they go, without the need to carry multiple books.
The third application is the recently rebuilt Gurudeva app, which is a wonderful app those who have followed Gurudeva and his teachings for many years. This app provides random quotes from Gurudeva, many of which have had a profound impact on people’s lives. The app also lets users share and save quotes to read later, especially when they need inspiration.
The images below show the options available in these applications:
Gurudeva Application
Hinduism Today Application
Spiritual Workout Application
So without wasting any time, visit this link https://www.himalayanacademy.com/our-apps/ and download these applications for use it for your daily life and spiritual enhancement.
A very familiar face (Guess who is it). No? The Dalai lama.
With a Japanese Zen master
At the boarding gate, ready for our adventure.
Guruderva’s upadesha in Jaipur
Shum Meditation class during the round-the-world Innersearch
Gurudeva carefully observing a master Japanese calligrapher at work
Roshi Kabori later visited us in Kauai
Deva Rajan with a cobra around his neck bravely playing the flute in India
We look down at Tiruvannamalai Temple from the hilltop
Jai Ganesha!
As we were going through our photo archives, we stumbled upon a wonderful episode of Gurudeva’s old Innersearch. In this captivating journey, Gurudeva traveled with his devoted members and a few of his monks across various countries, including Sri Lanka, India and Russia. The images we found from this time evoked a wave of nostalgic memories, transporting us back to moments filled with energy and inspiration.
In these photographs, we see a young and vibrant Gurudeva, full of life and passion, leading his group with an infectious enthusiasm that is hard to forget. The smiles on the faces of the monks and members capture the essence of their shared experiences, revealing a deep bond forged through spirituality and exploration. It’s intriguing to see how some of the monks have changed over the years, and you might find it a bit of a challenge to guess who they are, as time has gracefully transformed their appearances while their spirits remain unchanged.
During their travels, Gurudeva and his group immersed themselves in the rich cultures and traditions of the places they visited. In Sri Lanka, they engaged with the local communities, learning about their customs and rituals while sharing the teachings of Saiva Siddhanta. The vibrant festivals and colorful ceremonies provided a beautiful backdrop for discussions on spirituality and the universal values that connect all of humanity.
The images from this journey remind us of the transformative power of travel, especially when it’s infused with purpose and intention. Gurudeva’s ability to connect with individuals from various walks of life underscores the universality of spiritual principles. The joy and curiosity on the faces of those who participated in his sessions reflect a longing for connection that is inherent in all of us.
As we reminisce about these travels, we are reminded of the importance of cultural exchange and the sharing of knowledge. Gurudeva’s commitment to spreading the teachings of Hinduism while also embracing the traditions of others serves as a beautiful example of how spirituality can flourish in diverse environments. This legacy inspires us to continue exploring, learning, and growing, while honoring the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices that exist in our world.
In reflecting on Gurudeva’s journeys, we not only celebrate his contributions but also acknowledge the ongoing journey of each individual who seeks to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. These archives serve as a testament to the impact of his teachings and the bonds created during these transformative experiences.
Now enjoy these nostalgic memories from decades ago.
Krittika Homa is held monthly at Iraivan Temple, with Satguru always in attendance. Out of curiosity, we asked ChatGPT about Krittika Homa, and here is the answer it provided. Its response isn’t perfect, but it was better than expected:
The Krittika Homa, associated with Lord Shiva, is a ritual performed for various purposes, including purification, blessings and spiritual upliftment. It typically involves invoking the Krittikas (the Pleiades constellation) along with the worship of Shiva.
Key Elements of Krittika Homa for Shiva:
1. Preparation: Cleanse the area and set up an altar with images or murtis of Lord Shiva. Gather offerings such as flowers, fruits, ghee and specific grains.
2. Mantras: Recite specific Vedic mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Krittikas. The chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya” is often central to the ritual.
3. Fire Offering: A sacred fire is lit, into which offerings are made while chanting. This symbolizes the connection between the material and spiritual realms.
4. Prayers and Intentions: State your intentions for the Homa, which could include seeking blessings, prosperity, health or spiritual growth.
5. Aarti and Pradakshina: Conclude the ritual with Aarti (a devotional chant) and circumambulation around the altar.
