Some highlights of the final day. October 28th.

A devotee was reflecting in the days moving toward Mahasamadhi this year, reflecting on Gurudeva's words that he had only one power, the ability to transform lives. If a shishya needed one siddi in her satguru, that would be it. Thinking thus, she penned this little ode to Gurudeva:

Only someone as true as Gurudeva could be so humble and silent about something so massive …

What a lesson in
standing in truth
irrespective of what others are doing
standing tall
resisting the temptation to flaunt
standing strong
responding only to love

O! Gurudeva
How much have I
to learn from you,
of you …

I rejoice and bask
in the joy
of having my breath touched
by one as rare as you!
O Gurudeva!
What could I do without you?!!
Infinite love and eternal gratitude
Aum Namah Sivaya!.

The new book, Path to Siva, speaks to key questions about Saivism and Hinduism in general. Chapter Six answers the question: "Is Hinduism a Religion or a Way of Life." Don't miss Bodhinatha's upadesha on this!

"Hinduism Is Both a Religion and a Way of Life" (October 25,2016)

Click here to see sishyas celebrating Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's Jayanti in Malaysia

Click here to see sishyas celebrating Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's Jayanti in Mauritius

"What is Hinduism -- Key Features" (October 18,2016) Our new book for youth, The Path to Siva, is going to be very popular. It is on the press now in Malaysia and the ebook versions will be coming soon. It contains 68 key questions and answers for young Saivite Hindus. Bodhinatha continues with his weekly series of commentaries on it's contents. In this past Sun One talk, he elucidates the four key beliefs in Hinduism, the three pillars of Sanatana Dharma and Gurudeva's three stages of faith. Primary to Hinduism is the key belief that God is within each of us. To have a well-rounded understanding and experience of Hinduism, to make spiritual progress, adhyatma vikasha, we need scripture, humility, temple worship, devotion. To fully experience God we need the guru to give the spark for meditation and deeper wisdom. Path to Siva, Chapter 5, What is Hinduism?

A few photos from Mauritius and their recent celebrations of Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's 74th Jayanti. Members there gathered together at the Spiritual Park and performed a padapuja to Satguru's paduka. Jai Gurunathan! Aum Namah Sivaya.

Aum Namah Sivaya
Jai Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami!

Today is Satguru's 74th Jayanati! Today we shower Satguru with gifts and our love for the infinite love and blessings he brings into our lives every day. Tonight the monks will make a special meal for Satguru and have a dinner in his honor.

From the Kularnava Tantra:
And Lord Siva said: There is One Real. Call it Siva. This Parabrahman is formless, stainless, one without a second, changeless, beyond the highest. This Mahesvara is all-knowing, all-doing, sovereign of all, self-luminous, without beginning or end. All embodied souls, jivas, all the born creatures, are portions of Me, like sparks of the fire. But human birth is the most important, for it is then that one becomes awake, aware of his state of bondage and the necessity of release. It is then that one is in a position to take steps for his liberation from bondage's hold.
Humans have a self-will and are not totally subject to the impulses and drives of nature as are other creatures. It is only on this earth--and that too in a human body endowed with a soul--that one can choose one's path for spiritual progress. But not all are aware of the precious opportunity afforded by human birth, which is truly the ladder to Liberation. The Self is to be realized only here in this life. If here you do not find it and work out the means for your Liberation, where else is it possible? It is possible nowhere else. It has to be worked out by yourself from within yourself.
The world you reach after the physical body is shed is determined by the level of consciousness reached while in the body. So, as long as the body lasts, exert yourself towards the goal of Liberation.
Remember, the physical body does not last forever. Age prowls like a leopard; diseases attack like an enemy. Death waits not to see what is done or not done. Before the limbs lose their vitality, before adversities crowd in upon you, take to the auspicious path.
Therefore, choose, then worship a Satguru. Worship his feet. Cherish the very sandals (paduka) which hold his feet. All knowledge is founded on those paduka. Remember and cherish those paduka, which yield infinitely more merit than any number of observances, gifts, sacrifices, pilgrimages, mantra-japa and rituals of worship.
It is these feet, when remembered, that protect in times of distress, danger or calamity. Study, remembrance, knowledge, donations, sacrifices and worship are truly done by him who ever remembers the Satguru's feet.
Look toward the direction in which the lotus feet of the Satguru lie and bow down to them every day with devotion.
There is no mantram higher than that of his feet, no merit higher than his worship.
At the root of meditation is the form of the Satguru. At the root of puja are the feet of the Satguru. At the root of mantra is the word of the Satguru. At the root of Liberation is the grace of the Satguru. In this world all holy actions are rooted in the Satguru. Therefore, the Satguru is to be constantly served with devotion for fulfillment.

Listen to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's lastest talk. He continues with his commentary on the new book "The Path to Siva" Chapter 4."Religions Have Very Different Beliefs" (October 10,2016)

Hindus believe there is one Truth, we just all don't agree on the name and nature of God. To compare Hinduism with other religions, you need to ask the orthodox practioners what their beliefs are. For example, one Christian minister explained that he believes we are fallen beings, not inherently good and need to be redeemed or face eternal Hell. Hinduism believes the opposite: we are divine beings with instinctive, intellectual and intuitive natures. Everyone will eventually become a spiritual being and attain God realization. That is about as far apart as we can get in beliefs. There is really no way that the two can be compared.

Path to Siva, Chapter 4.

Click here to go to an index of all of Bodhinatha's and Gurudeva's online audio.

Don't miss Bodhinathas powerful Sun One Talk!

"Ultimate Goals: Realization, Liberation, Merger" (September 24,2016)

The three distinct attainments in our philosophy: realization-nirvikalpa samadhi, moksha-liberation and merger-vishvagrasa. Believe in our ability to raise consciousness high and hold it. Every day live in the highest state of consciousness you can. Take on Siva's point of view, see divinity. Experience what's real. Pay attention to that aspect of you which is Siva.

Path to Siva, Chapter 3.

Click here to go to an index of all of Bodhinatha's and Gurudeva's online audio.

Bodhinatha's Latest Upadeshas:"Evolve Through Self Control; Follow a Religion" (September 18,2016)

The soul body plus the essence of the soul, Parashakti and Parasiva, together equals the totality of the soul. The essence of the soul is being Siva and the soul body is becoming Siva. The soul body is maturing, growing. We suffer until we learn to control our body, mind and emotions achieving imperturbability even if we find out the world is going to end tomorrow. Calmness is a platform for meditation.

The modern self-designation "Spiritual But Not Religious" is like a scientist who says he is going to figure it all out by himself. You are not likely to get very far. To progress, follow a well documented religious path. Path to Siva; Lesson 2.

Click here to go to an index of all of Bodhinatha's and Gurudeva's online audio.

Many will know the dedication and Sivathondu done by one of Yogaswami's oldest devotees in Sri Lanka: Somasundaram Sanmugasundaran. "Dr. Shan" as he was affectionately called, was loved also by Gurudeva who brought him to the US to share Yogaswami stories and help Gurudeva in task of bringing the traditional Saiva culture to the west.

Dr. Shan lived in Colombo and would travel frequently to Jaffna to visit his Guru, Siva Yogaswami. After Yogaswami's Mahasamadhi there were only two centers in the North founded by him and his devotees. In Colombo, the devotees had for decades every month to honor Yogaswami, but they had no dedicated center of their own, which was a cherished dream of Yogaswami's Colombo family. Then came the war and the vision was way-layed for many years. But after the war, the devotees got to work and finally, the Sivayogaswami Trust of Sri Lanka, whose current president is Sri Ranjan, Dr. Shan's son, completed the new center: the Sivayogaswami Tiruvadi Nilayam of Colombo. Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami wrote this report just before returning home, describing events of August 31 in Colombo, Sri Lanka


Jai Ganapati.

This morning was the opening ceremony for Sivayogaswami Tiruvadi Nilayam, Colombo. The event started from the adjacent Ramakrishna Mission. We arrived at RK Mission a little after eight AM which was just in time for a few minutes of the final arati of their morning puja to Ramakrishna. Next a short talk with the head swami Sarvarupanandaji.

We began the event with a parade of a Yogaswami photo from Ramakrishna Mission down the street and around the corner to the Sivayogaswami Tiruvadi Nilayam. An elaborate abhishekam was held to the tiruvadi. This was similar to what we do for Gurudeva. This was accompanied by beautifully sung Natchintanai. Then began the speeches. Speakers were from: Ramakrishna Mission, Sarada Ramakrishna Mission (women), All Ceylon Hindu Congress, Chinmaya Mission and the government minister for Hindu Culture.

Then the downstairs library was opened. It was donated by Jayanthi Nilakanthan in memory of her aunt Ma Navaratnam. And last, as usual, was the singing of Sivapuranam by Manikavasagar.

Om Namasivaya,
Bodhinatha