Blessing Our New Skid Steer

This morning, the monks of Kauai Aadheenam gathered to celebrate and bless their newest piece of equipment, a Kubota SVL 97-2 skid steer, with a sacred Ganesha Puja. The machine was parked in front of a beautifully adorned murti of Lord Ganesha near the Siddhidata Kulam’s new shop, Hale Hana. Satguru, several monks and Vel Mahalingam, observed the traditional blessing, while Mayilnathaswami offered flowers and incense to invoke Lord Ganesha’s blessings for the new machine. Swami then got into the machine and started it up. It was ceremonially driven over a several limes, something observed in vehicle blessings to absorb negativity and barriers that may lie in the path ahead. Thus we mark the start of the Kubota’s role in supporting our many projects around the monastery. Much like our old skid steer, the Kubota will play a key role in the monastery’s self-sufficiency and the care of our land. From landscaping the temple grounds and maintaining vegetable gardens to grading land, improving roadways, and handling heavy mulching work, the machine is a welcome addition to our efforts.