We had another joyful day of Guru Purnima activities. In fact, there will be so many photos coming in today and tomorrow that we will defer the final installment of Open House photos until next phase…

The morning began with a powerful Muruga Abhishekam in Kadavul temple at 6 am, attended by all the pilgrims, followed by breakfast at 8:00am…

At 9 am a simple but remarkable group worship of the Narmada Lingam on the Path of the Saiva Saints started from the Aadheenam, which comprises today’s photo documentary… it was so special and beautiful we did not have the heart to cut out too many photos…

Saravananathaswami and Sadhaka Tejadevanatha led the group this morning. The milk that was just received from our two cows morning milking is brought out

…and poured into the shiny polished Kumbhas…

Ladies ready for the parade posing for the camera.. it is a bright sunny morning.

The parade wanders off to San Marga…

Kovilur Swami is with us today…

The Path of the Saiva Saints is a formation of the stream and a path that snakes through trees to the north of Iraivan…

Lilies are bright in today’s sun…

Once inside the glen… the rest of the world fades away..

Clockwise on the path the Narmada Lingam..

Kovilur Swami began the Abhishekam… water….

water…

Milk…

arati…

We will let the pictures speak for themselves and share some of Siva Yogaswami’s profound thoughts on the worship of Lord Siva.

We are the servitors of Siva.

No harm will befall us, if without forgetting we meditate on the holy mantram that we have neither beginning nor end, neither birth or death, neither day nor night, neither happiness nor sorrow.

What you contemplate, that you become. Persistent spiritual effort is necessary. Do not become discouraged.

Those who fail to toil will not reap any reward. No pains, no gains is a familiar saying in the world. Perserve until you succeed.

(offering the juice of oranges and limes)

Why do you constantly ponder on unworthy pursuits? Banish these futile intents and worship God with a full heart.

Accept joyfully and carry out whatever is dispensed to you. In the end everything will lead you to success. Perform cheerfully whatever work and duties are assigned to you, and be convinced that everything that happens is for the best. It is so. You may even ignore these things altogether. Both courses are acceptable.

Your liberation does not depend on action or inaction. Do not desire to be free of action. Do not become attached to action. Devote yourself to that which naturally befalls you, whether it involves action or inaction.

We are the servitors of Lord Siva. We lack nothing. Our duty is to serve the Lord. It is the fundamental goal of our life in this world.

The moon fulfills the will of Siva. The sun and other planets also carry out His bidding.

The gods and demons, and all other beings are also engaged in the performance of the Lord’s work.

In everything do we see the will of Siva at work. Not an atom mo
ves but by His will–nothing gained and nothing lost. We continue to be ever the same.

There is no one above us or superior to us; good and evil cannot affect us. There is no beginning and no end for us. We have no likes or dislikes; we have no desire for material goods. The specter of the mind does not haunt us; neither are we bound by the limitations of place, time or causation. We simply bear witness to everything around us.

Believe in God; Believe in Him with perfect trust. Consider Him as sweeter than the sweetest of earthly joys.

Ponder that He is the incomparable One.

Reflect on His glory night and day and at all times. Let the constant remembrance of Him fill the interstices of your being.

Meditate that, “I am naught–He alone Is.”

Let the worship of God be the goal of your life.

Whatsoever you think, that you become. Cherish the Lord in the recess of your heart. Everything, everywhere is subject to His Will. Ultimately it will be seen that he is All in All.

After the worship, a short tour of our garden… Giant Pumpkins…

Getting to know Nandini… one of our small calves.