Our Server Has Been Hacked
Happy Pancha Ganapati, everyone.
Several TAKA viewers have pointed out to us that search results on our website, particularly on this TAKA blog, make mention of certain pharmaceuticals and even sometimes redirect to a company that sells them. We have been aware of this for quite some time. Our server was hacked by spammers. We have eliminated the problem several times, but they keep coming back. We are currently working on hiring a professional to analyze the problem and fortify our server once and or all.
Thank you for your concern.
We hope everyone enjoys a beautiful holiday season.
Aum Namah Sivaya
"Loka Samasta, Sukhino Bhavantu!" Happy Pancha Ganapati to All!
Happy Pancha Ganapati to all living Beings in all Three Worlds!
Two years ago we solicited photos from devotees who celebrated Pancha Ganapati. Today we are making these an "Evergreen collection" using our new slideshow technology. Those who submitted them will enjoy a "blast from the past." The monks will be heading into a two-day retreat. Then on Sun One of next phase will have our own Pancha Ganapati Party! Until then, enjoy the slide show. Note, there are 80 plus photos and you can view large sized versions if you click the popout or full screen buttons on the lower right of the gallery stage. And don't forget to move your mouse up and down to view details in the portrait photos (or view all from the pop out window to see complete images throughout.)
Pancha Ganapathi at Malaysia – Day One
Pancha Ganapathi celebration at Malaysia was held at the residence of devotees.
Ganesha Puja was a part of the celebration..
The organizing team was ready with games....
The young ones as well as the elders participated in the games...
The first team to complete the first portion of the puzzle.....
The family sadhana for the first day of Pancha Ganapati is to create a vibration of love and harmony among immediate family members. We set up a shrine at our homes for our beloved Ganesha....
The shrine is decorate with traditional symbols, rangoli, lamps and more....
The family sits together for the purpose of easing any strained relationships that have arisen during the year.
A grand puja is performed invoking the spirit of Pancha Ganapati in the home.
As the family writes on the doorstep, they pray for well being in the house.....Jai Ganapathi....
Aadheenam Overflowing with Visitors
Today was quite busy at the Aadheenam. Public tour day coupled with a large wedding party pushed the limits of our Mini Mela. Here Bodhinatha is giving advice to the newly weds about how to maintain a beautiful relationship by settling any disputes that arise before you go to sleep at night.
The Bride, Raakhi and her family are from Vancouver Canada. The groom, Ajay and his family are from the Los Angeles area. The Priest is Vinay Chaskar.
The Jonejas family with Shobha, nine years old and Lekha, six years old from San Ramon, Californina.
Mukesh & Seema Garg with their two daughters, Kriti and Nupur. They are from Cupertino, California and had a chance to meet with Bodhinatha personally after the tour.
Blessing a rudraksha mala for our inspired guests.
Ganesha worked his magic today and kept the rain clouds in check.
Tour Day Last Phase
With the conclusion of Sadhu Paksha and Bodhinatha's return from Asia visitors are again blessed with personal darshan and book signing after our weekly tour.
George Bonaros is here from San Diego. He is originally from Ecuador and brought both his parents to Kauai Aadheenam. He had a vision of Gurudeva just before he came and asked Bodhinatha "How do I honor Lord Ganesha?" Bodhinatha is checking out the new bell he picked out for his puja along with his new book "Loving Ganesha". His mother was telling us that ancient icons have been unearthed close to her village that look like Siva Nataraja with his foot held high in a dance pose.
The holiday season will soon bring hundreds of guests to the Aadheenam. Wailua members are preparing for the many Hindu families which are free to travel with their children now as schools across the country begin to close.
Bhajan-Natchintanai Satsang Workshop
Kauai sishya along with with Woody and Sadhaka Tejadevanatha (behnd the camera) joined Sivakatirswami yesterday for the bi-monthly singing/chanting workshop. We practiced our basic Tamil invocations, two Vedic chants and then we went around the room with everyone leading a bhajan. Swami is teaching everyone to develop "auditory memory." We sing out loud while looking at the book and then you try to "listen and hear it" inside your head with your eyes closed and just mouthing the words, but making no sound. The goal is to memorize the songs and to go deep into the meaning while we sing. So it requires both understanding what you are singing and also not being dependent on the song books. We practiced some of the Natchintanai we all know well and started learning a new one "Nalluran Thiruvadi," which is very popular among Yogaswami's devotees. We also practicing some basic vocal exercises as recommended by Adi Sankara: taking deep breaths and then doing long SAAA, RIII, GAAA notes.
Swami pointed out that after radio came record players and then CD's and now iPods and iTunes. This change in the our interaction with music has turned us all into "listeners of the professionals," but in the old days, everyone would sing. You can see some videos from Jaffna where an elder is singing. He may not be in perfect tune, but he knows the songs! So we want to get back to the "old ways" where we all sing and we are not just "listeners." This is one of the main cultural components of bhakti sadhana in Hinduism.
December 2011 2-minute News Brief Video
Saivite Youth Retreat – Mauritius
Moksha Ritau Begins
Today the seasons changed. We head into the Moksha Ritau, winter. Here are reminders from Gurudeva, from his Saiva Dharma Shastras, on the significance and sadhanas of this inner season.
112 Introduction
Beginning with Hindu New Year in mid-April, three seasons of the year divide our activities into three great needs of humankind--the learning of scripture in the first season, Nartana Ritau; the living of culture in the second season, Jivana Ritau; and the meditating on Siva in the third season, Moksha Ritau. Thus we are constantly reminded that our life is Siva's life and our path to Him is through study, sadhana and realization. In ritau one, we teach the philosophy; in ritau two, we teach the culture; and in ritau three, we teach meditation.
120 The Third Season: Moksha Ritau
The third period of the year, Moksha Ritau, the cool season, is from mid-December to mid-April. It is the season of dissolution. The key word is resolution. Merging with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Metaphysics is the focus of study and intense investigation. The colors of this season are coral-pink, silver and all shades of blue and purple--coral for the Self within, silver and blue for illumination, and purple for enlightened wisdom. High above flies the coral flag, signaling Parashiva, Absolute Reality, beyond time, form and space. Moksha Ritau is a time of appreciation, of gratitude for all that life has given, and a time of honoring elders, those in the sannyasa stage of life. Moksha Ritau is excellent for philosophical discussions, voicing one's understanding of the path through an enlightened intellect. In finance, it is the time for yearly accounting and reconciliation. On a mundane level it is a time of clearing attics, basements, garages, sheds, warehouses, workshops and desks, getting rid of unneeded things, of pruning trees, of streamlining life on the physical plane--of reengineering.
122 Festivals and Realms of the Third Season
The major festival of Moksha Ritau is Mahashivaratri. It is at Kauai Aadheenam, as are all other gatherings, not a public event but a private one, due to the special sacredness of this sanctuary and its Iraivan moksha koyil. Church members, Academy students and special guests by invitation are all who attend. This and all other gatherings at the Aadheenam are restricted in size in keeping with a covenant with the county of Kauai in respect to the surrounding residential area. From December 21-25, the Pancha Ganapati festival is enjoyed in Church family homes worldwide, and the resulting joy and peace is felt even by strangers.
Last Day of Sadhu Paksha
Today is the last day of the Nartana Ritau. See you at the flag raising tomorrow morning!
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
