Tirukural – Chapter 64
Section VI: Ministers
Chapter 64: Ministers
Verse 637
A minister at his desk is studying various texts which have been translated from different nations of the world. He is interested in how others have dealt with issues that face him today and remains open to the wisdom that he finds from their experience.
You can access the entire text, in Tamil and English here:
Weaver’s Wisdom
Verse 631
A minister is he who can conceive a great enterprise,
rightly choose the ways, means and time, then carry it out.
Verse 632
Added to the above five, a minister is well-endowed with
steadfastness, learning, perseverance and protection of the people.
Verse 633
He who can divide enemies, bind friends more firmly
and reunite estranged allies is unequivocally a minister.
Verse 634
Call him a minister who comprehends things,
effectively executes them and competently directs others.
Verse 635
The helpful aide understands codes of conduct, discerns what is
fitting in every situation and speaks with learned deliberation.
Verse 636
When shrewd intelligence combines with scholastic study,
who can stand before such peerless subtlety?
Verse 637
Though thoroughly learned in theoretical methods,
one should act only after fathoming the world’s proven practices.
Verse 638
The loyal minister’s duty is to communicate his counsel,
even if his leader is a dullard who spurns advice.
Verse 639
Better for the king to face 700 million far-off foes
than to retain a single counselor who conspires at his side.
Verse 640
Little matter that they can devise the perfect plan;
those without executive skills never finish their work.
The Power of Affirmation – Part 2
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives his weekly upadesha in Kadavul Temple at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery in Hawaii. It is part of a series of talks elaborating on the inspired teachings of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami as found in his book Merging With Siva. Here, Satguru discusses “The Power of Affirmation,” a talk given in 1958.
A Stairway to Iraivan
Aum Namah Sivaya
Today we bring you the current progress on the entry steps that lead up from near the Wailua River to Iraivan Temple. The first set of steps have been completed, and now the forms will be built for the next. Following the completion of the concrete pouring, a 15"-high lava rock wall will be built on both sides and eventually the steps will be clad with stone. One of the magical things is the three elephants are climbing the stairs along with pilgrims. Aum.
Worshiping Siva as a Pillar of Light
Several days ago during the Krittika nakshatra, Satguru, the mathavasis and local members observed Krittika Deepam. This is a time when God Siva is celebrated as an infinite pillar of light, usually by lighting a large lamp or flame. Many Murugan temples observe this festival since Muruga's energies are easily felt during the Krittika nakshatra. In some instances, most notably atop Arunachala, a giant bonfire is lit to represent the divine and all permeating light of Parashakti. This year we celebrated in front of Iraivan Temple. Several monks set up a pillar of dried palm fronds, imbued with large amounts of camphor and ghee. Upon everyone's arrival at sunset, an arati was performed and the fronds were then lit in a brightly burning blaze of billowing darshan. Aum.
"Now have I realized the path of Hara. In the past I sought Him in narrow paths and strayed. Lo! All the while He stood before me like a beacon light in firmament, guiding my voyage across the sea of my soul's longing. The path of Siva is the proven path. It led them to Hara. It is the royal path that renowned souls have walked, the path divine that took the devout to cosmic space. That path do seek, enter and persevere. Still your wandering thoughts, chant the sacred syllable 'Shi' and so persevere on the path of Hara. You shall envision primal light effulgent."
Tirumantiram 1562-1563
The Power of Affirmation – Part 1
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives his weekly upadesha in Kadavul Temple at Kauai's Hindu Monastery in Hawaii. It is part of a series of talks elaborating on the inspired teachings of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami as found in his book Merging With Siva. Here, Satguru discusses "The Power of Affirmation," a talk given in 1958.
Tirukural – Chapter 63
Chapter 63: Being Undaunted by Troubles
Verse 625
A man is confronted with multiple troubles and tribulations. His mother is ill and his wife has fallen and hurt her arms. Behind, the fields are dry and lifeless. He persists despite the many troubles, and for this is blessed by a deva.
You can access the entire text, in Tamil and English here:
Weaver's Wisdom
Verse 621
Laugh when troubles come your way.
Nothing conquers calamity better than that.
Verse 622
A tide of troubles will recede the moment
an intelligent man's mind collects itself to face them.
Verse 623
Trouble itself they send away troubled
who do not trouble themselves at the sight of it.
Verse 624
Troubles will feel troubled facing a man who faces them
like the determined bullock that wades through every difficulty.
Verse 625
Though massed upon him like a mountain,
a man's afflictions will be crushed by his undaunted will.
Verse 626
Those who do not clutch their wealth, boasting, "I have so much,"
will not, in poorer times, bemoan, "I have so little."
Verse 627
Knowing this body to be the prey of misery,
high souls, expecting troubles, do not find them troublesome.
Verse 628
Declaring difficulties to be perfectly natural,
those who do not pursue life's pleasures will not suffer its sorrows.
Verse 629
He who does not long for joy in joy
will not suffer sorrow in sorrow.
Verse 630
The man who does not distinguish pain from pleasure
becomes so distinguished that even enemies hope to pay homage.
Art from Kerala
There is a profound project underway deep in the monastery. It is the creation of a new book by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, his commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. The manuscript is done and much of the artwork has been received from Kerala. The book will be designed and published next year.
Meantime, we thought our CyberCadets would like to see one of the recent canvases. It is a visual summary of Verse 2.1, namely:
tapa svdhya yevara-praidhnni kriy-yoga
"Kriya yoga is comprised of austerity, self-study and devotion to Ishvara."
The Process of Making Rudraksha Jewelry
A short video by Velika Nataraj detailing how Kauai Aadheenam's rudrakshas are cleaned and processed. They can then be used to make the malas and jewelry that are sold at the Aadheenam's Mini Mela shop
Tirukural – Chapter 62
Chapter 62: Perseverance
Verse 615
An energetic weaver works at his loom, smiling with the joy of working hard to support his family. Behind him his wife is adorned with good clothes and jewelry. She lovingly takes care of her father as the children are studying industriously. The man’s hard work has brought abundance to the family.
You can access the entire text, in Tamil and English here:
Weaver's Wisdom
Verse 611
Never say in weakness, "This task is too difficult."
Perseverance will confer the ability to accomplish it.
Verse 612
Beware of leaving any work undone, remembering that the world
abandons those who abandon their work unfinished.
Verse 613
The pride of profuse giving dwells only
with the dignity of diligent effort.
Verse 614
Like the swordsmanship of an effeminate man, the philanthropy
of those who avoid hard work will end in failure.
Verse 615
Standing like a pillar, he who prefers work to pleasure
supports his family and sweeps away their every sad sorrow.
Verse 616
Perseverance generates prosperity,
and the lack of it engenders poverty.
Verse 617
They say the black ogress called Misfortune lurks in laziness,
while Goddess Fortune lingers in the laboring toils of active men.
Verse 618
To be destitute of good fortune is no one's disgrace, but shame
belongs to those devoid of wisdom and tenacity.
Verse 619
Though destiny decrees that one's deeds will fail,
the wages for determined work are always paid.
Verse 620
Those who strive with tireless exertion and remain undaunted
will live to behold the backside of retreating Fate.
A New San Marga Bell Tower!
Jai Ganesha!
Recently we've completed the construction of a new bell tower along San Marga. If you have ever walked down San Marga from the Rudraksha Forest, you might recall that just after Muruga Hill there is a small wooden archway with a bronze bell attached. From afar the bell can be heard as pilgrims ring it, heralding their entrance into the Shivaloka while they move ever closer to their destination of Iraivan Temple. As a gift to the aadheenam, Umut (the mason who built Iraivan Temple's lava rock wall), volunteered to create a new archway from concrete and stone. A larger and more ornate bell would then be added. After a little over a month of work, the new bell was installed a rung loudly, echoing across San Marga. Next time you visit these sacred grounds, remember to strike this bell for all the three worlds to hear. Aum Namah Sivaya.
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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