As TAKA visitors know, a world-class landscape architect has been sponsored to come to Kauai and develop the gardens around Siva's Hawaiian Abode. He is Martin Mosco, a Buddhist priest and master contemplative garden designer. One of the principles he and Sadasivanathaswami are working with is the idea that the granite structure is Siva as unchanging, masculine, strong, transcendent. The surrounding Sacred Gardens are the living temple, Siva as life and form, feminine, nurturing, immanent.

Two of the three needed models are complete and have been moved to the Banyan Mandapam where a photo study was done for Martin's records and mapping. We share those photos today. As you will see, Martin has chosen giant boulders as his principle garden language. The first two images are plan views of the Western (mountain) side of Iraivan and the Eastern (ocean) side. The other images are various details showing the bridges, waterfalls, islands (can you spot Turtle Island?) gathering areas, paths, ponds and such. It's quite a breath-taking vision. Not to mention a mountain of work!

Yesterday evening ended with a splendid sky over the mountains. It seemed nearly every shape and style of cloud was present, from the silky rainclouds to the simple jet stream. This world never ceases to amaze.

O Gurudeva!
How good it is to see you again
in this your new form
Magical are the chosen hands that crafted
holy, pure
how blessed to hold you close!
Patiently you allowed
all the twists and turns
flames and burns
beatings many too!
Now you call us loud and clear
It is your vibrant voice we hear -

"Rise, rise, rise!
Come on over
to where Heaven meets Earth!
O! What I would do
for you to glimpse
so beauteous a place
for you to taste
true love, joy and grace!

I can see, though,
from the smile on your face
the song in your heart
the wet eye, the warm flower
how ready you are
to journey on
explore, uncover, realign
to what is true, what is real!

Come, come ... I wait
I am here for you
always was, always will be
just do your one bit and
I will do mine
maybe, even nine score and nine!
Resolve, rise, reclaim your right
the time now is for action
and soon will come a time
when you too can stand
seemingly frozen in metal or stone
when all you came to do this time around
is complete, perfect and whole!

Rise, rise, rise!
Come on over
to where Heaven meets Earth
where I stand quietly in wait
at Iraivan's Glorious Feet!"

Infinite love and eternal gratitude

Aum Namah Sivaya!

A Siva Bhaktar

This month the monks have been bringing in piles of swiss chard and kale for the kitchen. All this beautiful food was grown by the monastics in the gardens.

This month was the annual Ladies' Retreat, organized by Kulamata Devi Param from Walnut Creek, California, with the help of Kulamata Isani Alahan on Kauai. It consisted of a week of classes and talks given by monks, dinners together, and outings to see the island, including a whale watching tour. The ladies all had a wonderful time at this satsang with Bodhinatha which was followed by a group picture on their last day.

After years of study and preparation, Saiva Siddhanta Church vratasishya Shanta Devi Periasamy from Singapore received her samaya(mantra) diksha yesterday morning, which means receiving spiritiual initiation from the Satguru to chant Aum Namah Sivaya 108 times daily on rudraksha japa mala. Also, Mrunal and Padmaja Patel of Texas took their Vratasishya vows, becoming formal sishyas (members) of Saiva Siddhanta Church. Congratulations to all of you!

On the day of Mahasivaratri, Gurudeva's bronze was unveiled at the monastery. A short puja was performed by Natyam Nandinatha after an introduction by Sadasivanathaswami. Gurudeva was then uncovered with the help of Holly Young, the wax sculptor and the statue's creator. Three guests were then honored. Martin Mosko whom is helping with the Iriavan landscaping, Ava Waits who is a sister to one of the monks, visiting the Monastery for the first time, and then Holly.

Aum Namah Sivaya
Last night we celebrated Mahasivaratri. The night began with Bajans then a potent Homa. The Kumbha was then paraded around Nandi and brought into the inner sanctum to be poured over the Lingam by Bodhinatha at the end of the abhishekam. Following the Homa everyone was led through a guided meditation towards Siva consciousness. After listening to a beautiful recorded talk by Gurudeva, Bodhintha give insight into the devotee's role in the intensity of their experience of divinity, through worship and darshana.

More photos from the Iraivan Carving site in India