Saint Tirumular said of the Guru in the Tirumantram:

“In Siva was he rooted: Sivam did he see everywhere.
In the will of Siva did he discern all things,
Transcending consciousness of past present and future,
And duality ceasing did he realize sweet serenity.”

Today we held the Publisher’s Desk meeting, which has been missed for several months due to Bodhinatha’s travels. Here with Bodhinatha presiding, plans are made with the Ganapati Kulam for the future content of Hinduism Today magazine. Managing editor, Sannyasin Arumugaswami brings a draft list of all the articles for the next issue which are reviewed. Bodhinatha shares all his ideas for future stories. Observations on trends and events on the Hindu horizon are shaped by the discussion into concepts for articles, with tentative decisions made for concrete steps to get the research, photography and writing done. In today’s meeting some content was determined for issues as far as two years into the future. A new dimension has come in now as we add to the mix what possible video and audio content might be possible for the Digital Edition.

Thambynathan Nutanaya cut his own hair the other day. Today he is helping the Lambodara Kulam in the morning put together a photo copy of Saiva Initiation rites.

Paramacharya Palaniswami and Sannyasin Sivakatirswami reviewing the roster of all the new things that have to get done for the Digital Edition of Hinduism Today… In the background, a marvelous display of all the covers of the Hinduism Today magazine.

Clifford Isara, CPA, is a prospective new auditor for the Hindu Heritage Endowment accounts. He came by to talk to us and learn about what we are doing.

Saravananathaswami through our wide angle lens… It was the Ekadanta Kulam report day at lunch. Swami shared news of his work with Satellite email news. Those who get this marvelous HTML news letter know of his good work. He has also been communicating with various young men who have expressed interest in monastic life. His fellow Kulam member, Sadhaka Dandapani, who is behind the camera, has been working on Innersearch follow up.

Tropical rains last night, Siva’s rather amazing irrigation system, which can reach every square millimeter of land on the Earth without a single pump or pipe. Great design that! Let’s go for a walk over to Kadavul Temple…

Nandi the bull at the entrance…

Thanks to the wide angle lens you get a great shot of the inside of Kadavul….

Inside Kadavul today, Paramacharya Ceyonswami replaced the astrology board after the homa was completed. Each day he fixes this so it reflects perfectly the stars above our head. The blue circle in the middle is a new addition, showing the Nakshatras, which are the 27 major star groups that surround us on the ecliptic. That’s the Earth at the very center, a blue lapis ball.

Pictures of Lord Nataraja are not allowed, so, we close the curtains and take a picture of the crystal Lingam (from gecko’s point of view)…which is destined for Iraivan Temple.

A shot from our Guru Peedam window, where the monks meditate each morning together.

And then inside to the Peedam….

Inside is a shrine for Yogaswami, an oil painting above by one of India’s foremost painters, Indra Sharma, and a golden metal icon below. To Yogaswami’s left under the glass is a towel he used which is now a precious artifact; and to the right is a stainless steel cup that was his favorite.

We had a special lunch yesterday, February 15th, which was the 31st anniversary of Gurudeva’s vision of Siva, the three-part vision that led to the discovery of the svayambhu lingam on San Marga and the birth of Iraivan Temple. Our chef celebrated by making a sumptuous feast, seen below.

We all gathered for our meal in the Peacock Courtyard, an open, brick-floored space within the main building.

Bodhinatha presides at the lunch, asking for news of the day and sharing his wisdom.

We all chant the Bhojana Mantram to begin, our food blessing. Here Malaysian youth Nutanaya chants with us.

Someone took a picture of a picture… Bodhinatha in New Delhi at the new Akshardam center there…