Today we installed the amazing bronze murti of our founder, Gurudeva. He now greets and blesses all pilgrims and visitors in his garden shrine at the entrance to the monastery. For a few years we had a stone murti there, but it began to erode in the tropical weather. This will endure.
This 25″ tall masterpiece is the work of Holly Young who lives on the Big Island. The original was sent last year to the little temple in Sri Lanka which houses our four most recent satgurus. It was so beautiful, we got Bodhinatha’s permission to have the team in Colorado make two copies, one for the Spiritual Park (which arrived about 12 days back) and another for Kauai Aadheenam. All three are now where they belong.
Jai Gurudeva! Jai Kailasa Paramparai!
Doug picks up the murti to move him 800 feet to the entrance.
He is right at home, seems he was always here.
This is the one sent to Sri Lanka, showing Holly’s gifted work.
The first image visitors encounter.
The sign points those who want to know more to his biography, using a QR Code.
A few weeks back we shared the auspicious planting of a small grove of Rudraksha saplings received from Nepal last year and put in their final places. They are acclimating and showing lots of fresh leaf growth. Some CyberCadets could not figure out where this new rudraksha Grove was located, so today we show you and at the same time share a slideshow of Hanumans around the world.
When we were working with the Hanuman bronze project years back, we gathered other Hanumans that have been created in stone, wood, metal and cement. We found hundreds, and the conclusion was our Kauai Hanuman is the most elegant, artful, refined in all the world. By exploring the gallery we predict you will come to the same conclusion. Also in the gallery is a photo of the hands of President Barack Obama. One day a journalist asked him to take everything out of his pocket so they could see what he carries. Among his keys and things is a small bronze Hanuman which he kept with him.
To get a visual of just where the new Nepalese Rudraksha Grove is located, go to the enclosed video. At 54 seconds stop, and you will see a swami standing beside the drone operator. Behind them is a row of hibiscus plants, and behind that is the field now planted with Rudraksha. You can see it is close to the original forest, only 120 feet away.
Our Balinese artist shows Lord Hanuman carrying Iraivan Temple from India across the ocean to Kauai.
Barack Obama shows his pocket contents to journalists. His small brass Hanuman is center/top.
The original black granite murti finished in India.
Bobby Page stands beside his master work in Colorado.
Here begins a series of 12 Hanumans from around the world. This is Bali.
Bali again…
Follow this QR Code to read the amazing, 11-chapter illustrated story of our amazing Hanuman, a story with a true life lesson at the end.
It is Krittika nakshatra today, and on this day each month a special homa is performed in Iraivan Temple, presided over by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami. So it is appropriate that we share a recently created tribute to Iraivan crafted by Rajkumar Manickam. Clock on the link below to explore.
Today we reached the $80,000 goal of our annual Digital Dharma Drive! It was not at all certain we would meet the goal, but in the last few hours before tonight’s transition to 2025, a few generous donors recognized our plight and gave abundantly. We are grateful for this amazing support. It means we can proceed with our highest ambitions in the year ahead, producing a third edition of Lemurian Scrolls, a new edition of Patanjali’s famed Yoga Sutras (fully illustrated by our Kerala artist), a new edition of Saint Tayumanavar’s 1,454 devotional poems to Siva, website enhancements and more. Mahalo nui loa, as the Hawaiian say.
Closeup of a basket of partially cleaned Rudraksha seeds from the Elaeocarpus Ganitrus tree
These are the saplings (in the foreground) as they arrived from Kathmandu, before they sprouted.
After a year, they grew to two feet tall and healthy. They like Kauai’s climate.
A field was cleared and mowed, and fences installed to keep the cows away. Then last week we planted 15 Nepalese trees which will be a future miniature forest we are calling a grove.
To make their transition to full sun easier, we placed red ti plants to provide shade at the hottest time of the day.
In the future we will have the original Indian Rudraksha Forest here, and just 80 feet away pilgrims can walk among the Nepalese trees
We published a major story about the growing and marketing of the rudrakshas of Nepal which you can read by following this QR code. Regale your friends with these fascinating details.
Consider the cosmic rhythm of creation, preservation and dissolution. Much of what we do in life is by way of maintaining what was created in the past. Housekeeping, equipment maintenance, mowing the lawn, washing the clothes. Now and again we get to create something special (which will need maintenance far into the future!)
This week we created a new little forest of Rudraksha trees from Nepal. Just 15 trees, so we call it our Nepalese Rudraksha Grove. The seed for this was sown some 2-3 years ago when we did a major article on the Rudrakshas of Nepal. We flew Nikki Thapa from Kathmandu to the deep Khandari Valley that lies just 33 miles from Mount Everest. The story was fascinating, full of facts like Rudraksha sales represent 6% of Nepal’s GNP, and the rather stunning fact that the most expensive single bead every purchased on auction went for $84,000 (it had 33 faces, so one in a billion). Nikki sent us a handful of beads from that valley, and we were amazed how distinctive they were, bigger, lighter in color and even more ornately “carved” than the Indian beads.
So we flew Nikki back to the valley with the mission to acquire 18 small trees which—after nurturing them in her home for the winter—she packed and shipped to Kauai. They grew slowly at first, but when they realized where they were they took off and became lush and healthy. They were ready to get out of their pots, so we cleared a portion of our cow pasture, put up fencing to keep the cows from making them bovine salad, dug 15 holes (three did not make the journey) and planted them in our finest plant mix. They are settling in, happy to be out near their comrades, the Indian Rudrakshas. In the future pilgrims can visit two rudraksha forests from two nations, and the Mini Mela will have a new offering for pilgrims, grown on the Aadheenam grounds. So, having created a sacred space for future pilgrims, we settle in to mowing the field, fertilizing the saplings, mending the fences and so it goes. Create, maintain, dismantle. Take a breath and repeat.
This photo shows the color difference between the darker ruddy brown of the Indian bead and the lighter khaki brown of the Nepalese beads. Only usually the Nepali beads are larger than their Indian brethern.
The holiday season in Western countries can be confounding for Hindu kids and families. Unfortunately, due to social pressures and lack of alternatives, many Hindu families follow this Christian cultural juggernaut. So Gurudeva created a five-day gift-giving Hindu festival in December. It has found its way around the world, as our ai-generated slideshow proves (OK, intimates)! Here is a Hinduism Today editorial from Gurudeva that explores the issue and his solution to it.
Daddy, Do We Get Toys for Christmas, too?
PUBLISHER’S DESK by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami _____________________________
Yuletide is not a Hindu holiday, but we have our own December gift-giving festival called Pancha Ganapati _____________________________
Daddy, do we have Christmas? What do we do? Don’t we get presents, too?” That question was heard in so many Hindu homes some 15 years ago that it inspired us to create a new holiday based on time-honored traditions. In cooperation with swamis, scholars and elders, an alternative for Christmas was conceived and put into action. Pancha Ganapati, a five-day festival celebrated from December 21 through 25, has since become a favorite in homes all over the world. The winter solstice has always been a festive time of year in all countries, religions and among Hindus especially, for it is a traditional season for the worship of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Lord of Culture and the Arts.
In the Sri Lankan tradition, for example, thirty days are dedicated to Ganesha worship during December-January in the festival called Markali Pillaiyar. In Vedic astrology this time of year marks the end of the sun’s southward movement and the beginning of its movement north. Since most Hindus do not celebrate Christmas, they often find it difficult to relate in a meaningful way to those who do. Their children are often embarrassed when asked why they don’t receive gifts like their friends. Adults feel the need to give gifts and mail greeting cards as well as accept them from relatives, neighbors, friends and business associates. The five days of Pancha Ganapati offer a Hindu expression of this natural season of worship, gift-giving and celebration.
December 25 and the days that precede and follow it have truly become a special time of year for people of many religions, and for the nonreligious as well. In fact, this season has become so universally popular that it has virtually become a secular cultural holiday in addition to its special observance by certain religions. Recognizing this fact, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Christmas a secular, social holiday. This is because it has become a time for everyone to rejoice, give and share their abundance, each in his own way.
imageDuring each of the five days of Pancha Ganapati, a special sadhana, spiritual discipline, is focused upon by the entire family. Because of the festival’s importance as a new beginning and mending of all past mistakes, a shrine is created in the main living room of the home and decorated in the spirit of this festive occasion. At the center is placed a large wooden or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If this is not available, any large picture or statue of Lord Ganesha will do. Lord Ganesha is often depicted as coming from the forest; therefore, pine boughs (or banana leaves) may be used. Flashing lights, tinsel and colorful hanging ornaments may also be added. Each morning the children dress or decorate Ganesha anew in a different color: golden yellow on December 21, then royal blue, ruby red, emerald green and finally brilliant orange. These are the colors of His five powers, or shaktis.
Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and incense is offered to Lord Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the children. Chants, songs and bhajanas are sung in His praise. After puja, the abundant, diverse sweets are shared by one and all as prasada. Each day gifts are given to the children, who place them before Pancha Ganapati to open only on the fifth day. Gifts need not be extravagent or expensive; they should be within the means of each family. Handmade presents are by far the most precious. Ganesha does not want gift-giving to promote Western commercialism but to further the great Hindu culture. Clearly, killer games should never be given. Greeting cards, ideally made by the children, offer Hindu art and wisdom, such as verses from the Vedas. Now let me explain how the five-day celebration is observed.
December 21, yellow: The family sadhana for the first day of Pancha Ganapati is to create a vibration of love and harmony among immediate family members. The day begins early, and the entire family works together to design and decorate the shrine with traditional symbols, rangoli, lamps and more. Then a grand puja is performed invoking the spirit of Pancha Ganapati in the home. The sadhana of the day now begins. The family sits together for the purpose of easing any strained relationships that have arisen during the year. They make amends one with another for misdeeds performed, insults given, mental pain and injuries caused and suffered. When forgiveness is offered to all by one and all, they speak of each other’s good qualities and resolve that in the days ahead they will remember the futility of trying to change others and the practicality of changing one’s self to be the silent example for all to witness. Gifts are then exchanged and placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati. As family harmony is important to all Hindus, this sadhana must be taken very, very seriously.
December 22, blue: Day two is devoted to creating a vibration of love and harmony among neighbors, relatives and close friends and presenting them with heartfelt gifts. The sadhana of the day is to offer apologies and clear up any misunderstandings that exist. Relatives and friends in far-off places are written to or called, forgiveness is sought, apologies made and tensions released. Gifts received are placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.
December 23, red: The sadhana for the third day is to create a vibration of love and harmony among business associates, the casual merchant and the public at large. This is the day for presenting gifts to fellow workers and customers and to honor employers and employees with gifts and appreciation. The sadhana today is the settling of all debts and disputes. Gifts received are placed unopened before the Deity.
December 24, green: The sadhana of day four is to draw forth the vibration of joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and the dance. Family, relatives and friends gather for satsang to share and enjoy their artistic gifts. Then all sit together before Ganesha, Patron of Arts and Guardian of Culture, discussing Hindu Dharma and making plans to bring more cultural refinements into the home. More gifts are placed before Pancha Ganapati.
December 25, orange: The family sadhana for the final day is to bring forth love and harmony within all three worlds. Because of sadhanas well performed during the first four days, the family is now more open and aware of Ganesha’s grace, and their love for Him is now overflowing. On this day the entire family experiences an outpouring of love and tranquility from the great God Himself. His blessings fill the home and the hearts of everyone within it, inspiring them anew for the coming year.
Quite honestly, however, many Hindus do celebrate Christmas and would ask, “What’s wrong with that?” My answer is that it dilutes and weakens our noble tradition and leads children astray. Each religion educates its young in a sectarian way, for religionists believe that to learn one specific path is sufficient and necessary. Therefore, education should not be diluted by taking in all religions under one banner.
Religions are one in their movement toward God, some offering knowledge, others service, others love, attainment and direct experience. At the same time, they are different in their practices and attainments, and most assuredly distinct in their beliefs, the foundation of the attitudes of their members. It is good to love and respect all religions; that is a necessary condition of individual spiritual unfoldment. Following the path given by our religion leads one onward through religious practices and sadhana into Divine Realization.
The success of any person on the spiritual path is reliant upon the depth and strength of his religious roots. A great tree with roots well wrapped around boulders and sunk deep into the Earth can withstand any storm. High winds are nothing more to it than the cleansing of its branches. The individual on the path must be just as firm in his religious foundation in order to withstand raging emotions, depression and elation, confusion and despair. To him, such disturbances will be nothing more than a cleansing of false concepts as he dives deeper into his religion and philosophy.
We can clearly see that religion and tradition are interlocked in the annals of time back many thousands of years, and how tradition moves forward from one generation to the next, setting the patterns for humanity. Every time-honored tradition loyally serves mankind, and by following it through the context of one of the great religions of the world, one cannot go astray. Jai Ganapati! May He lead us always along the right path.
