An unforgettable Nectarine event

25th December 2012: Kadtal is located close to the International airport in Hyderabad. This year it became  home for  global  meditators. Close to 95,000 gathered from across the world, beyond barriers of religion and race, to listen to eminent artistes.  The Celestial Nectar team was invited to perform before them. These pictures have captured the mood of this gathering. They wouldn't let Arunji leave the stage until they extracted a bonus of his popular bhajan  numbers.

Ulsoor Turns into a Brindavan

9th December 2012: The evening session began with a sampler of caring beyond imagination. It was a narrative of a crab running on the seashore and admiring it's own beautiful footprints. Suddenly a huge wave splashed and washed away the footprints. The disappointed crab asked the wave:'I considered you as one of my Best friends, and then what made you do this?' The wave replied: "A fisherman was following your footprints, that’s why I cleared it off." Knowledge soon blended into devotional melodies  which  transformed the packed auditorium into a Brindavan; as if on cue, when the lines of Murali Manohara began, the audience were elevated into raas mood.

Trichy women get tips on Ancient Wisdom

5th Dec 2012: The Nivedan Hall, Trichy saw an eager turnout of a prominent Women Empowerment Group to gather tips from ancient wisdom. A serene ambiance and soothing music contributed to an absorbing  morning session. 

The preciousness of  human birth figured in the presentation that included techniques to tune and tame the Mind.  We are then freed to have  the time to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass; time to see, in broad daylight, streams full of stars, like skies at night; time to stand and stare!

Business Ethics and Spirituality

1st December 2012: Young Managers of tomorrow at a  Bangalore Business School called IAME-B SCHOOL. The audience were  in rapt attention listening to an address on Business Ethics and Spirituality. The presentation  traced examples of  how both Corporates and NGOs in the previous century operated ethically, still could  sustain competition and reward  their stakeholders  by practicing  values  and ethics in their managerial decision making. An enjoyable Q&A followed. 

Sripuram Chitrakoot Car Festival- 2012

Valliyur  gets its name from Valli, consort of Lord Muruga.  The town is located midway between  Tirunelveli and Nagercoil in National Highway 7.  Once a shanty village with farmers and shepherds, it is  home for  the beautiful Murugan Temple and the oceanic Valliyoor Kulam, the wide and appeasing Kuravan Malai of Western Ghats, all of which add up to to its beautiful look and feel.  Thirukurungudi one of the celebrated 108 Divyakshetras is only three kms from here.Sripuram  which is part of the town has risen in prominence in recent years  for its vibrant hill called Samiyar Pothai  where a large team of volunteers are engaged in various commendable community initiatives  that include  cultivation of  herbal plants and protection of environment.

The annual Sripuram  Chitrakoot Car-Cultural festival attracts thousands from different regions of the State and beyond. Eminent  artistes, dancers and singers participate in the festival.

26th November 2012, the Thean Amudham team was invited to perform at the festival. Dr.Arunji rendered a musical lecture on the topic Arthamulla Sampradyangal.  It turned out to be an unforgettable evening.The audience was drenched in knowledge and soulful bhajans.

BiBi Nachiyar: A tribute to the catholicity of Shri Ramanuja:

From the exuberant opening scene till the closing sequence in poignant devotion, the premier show of BiBi Nachiyar dance ballet had all the ingredients to hold the audience spell bound.  The event held on 15^th November 2012  marked the run up to the Millennium  celebrations  (1017- 2017) of Acharya Sri Ramanuja. The ballet draws inspiration from the much cherished story of Melkote Cheluvanarayanaswamy in true historic perspective with finesse and integrity.

The ballet revolves around the backdrop of  the temple town  which fell prey to the attack of Sultan  who ransacked its treasures. The ‘Utsav-murthy’ of the temple was carried away by him as war booty. Enraptured by the beauty of the idol, the Princess (Bibi) kept it with her.  Years later, Ramanuja had a dream in which Thirunarayana asked him to retrieve his idol from  the Sultan’s  hands. Acharya called on him and did convince him to return the idol. The Sultan however said that his collections were far too many to help any search!  It was then the Acharya endearingly called out “Ramapriya”  upon which, much to the astonishment of the entire Court the idol in child form ( see pic) came dancing towards Ramanuja and sat on his thigh. When the idol was brought back to Melkote, Bibi could not bear the separation and followed it to Melkote. She lived in Melkote for the rest of her life. Today an idol of hers adorns at the feet of the Utsavamurthy to commemorate her memory.

Students of Vaishnavi Natyashala, Bengaluru deserve all praise for their well crafted, choreographed movements under the commendable direction of Guru Mithun Shyam. He himself essayed the role of Ramanuja with great aplomb and devotion. Apart from the choice of ragas to which the lyrics were set, the dance movements carried the befitting nuances of Bharat Natyam, Mohini Aattam and Kathak.

Interestingly in SriRangam, there is a shrine next to the main sanctum lovingly dedicated to Thulukka Naachiyar (Islamic Princess). Once a year, the Kalyana utsava of Thulukka Naachiyar with Ranganatha is celebrated with great enthusiasm. In testimony to her unflinching love, to this day, Ranganatha’s breakfast consists of Butter Roti cooked in Mughlai style. They are first offered to the Naachiyar and then only offered to Ranga.

 The broad vision of Saint Ramanuja and the catholicity of Sri Vaishnavism have been best demonstrated in these historic narratives.

The Domlur Inspiration

The Domlur - Indira Nagar Art of Silence Course ended on an inspiring  note with a brief address by one of our senior local patrons. He narrated how his family fought their way with the State to protect the public land in Domlur which now  proudly houses a Government School, a PU College and play grounds. Often people think that they need financial resources to render seva to the community and the examples shared by him showed that our concern for the Society can also be demonstrated though social activism with genuine intent on common public good.

Participants were drawn  mainly from IT and ITES industry. Evidently, with the feedback already received and still flowing in, the Volunteer team feels fulfilled that their efforts were well directed.

As a parting memento, each participant got a copy of Arunji's latest essay on Joy of Parenthood.

Decade of service to Vedic tradition

The Agama Patashala  was established in October 2002 at the Kanakpura Road Bangalore campus. The  Gurukul is providing intensive training in study of  Veda, Agama, Sanskrit,, Astrology, Yoga, music, Sculpture, Epics and  scriptures. Besides they are also given training in practical modern subjects, including how to work with computers. 

4th October 2012 saw the third and fourth batch of Vidyanidhis- Pundits  present at a special Convocation. As they are getting ready to conduct pujas, abhishekas and other ritual- based  services  in temples and homes all across the country, they were imparted with special advices and  blessings from well known  Pontiffs and scholars.

The hidden power of our Art of Silence program:

22-26 September 2012: The Divine satsangs at Tiruppur and during the Art of Silence Course organised by the Temple of Knowledge, Rangasamuthram had memorable moments. The Isai sorpozhivu on Life, A Movie was well received at both the places. There was useful knowledge that captivated the attention of all age groups.

Self effort and Grace at work.

 Dr.Arun Madhavan recently returned after conducting our Art of Silence program in a rural location. The course witnessed deep silence kept by the participants. Many of them had to retire to their homes to cook food and take care of their school- going children. Yet they were back to the venue for the morning yoga at the time announced, maintaining strict silence all through. On the final day, when the silence was broken, he saw one participant who looked very content and cheerful to continue with his silence. After the closing ceremonies, Arunji was heading for the airport when the phone rang and the caller introduced himself as the one who didn't break his silence at the course venue. He had a wish to come across to the airport to bid farewell but Arunji dissuaded him. Instead he asked him if there is a location en route the airport where he could wait and meet him. Traffic was smooth all the way until Arunji's car reached a point where the traffic on the right side of the road was packed and stagnant, the left side was free. The host on the wheel saw an ambulance coming in front of him offering little maneuverability of space for the ambulance to pass through. He took the car over the pavement, only to to see the left wheel hanging into a 6 feet canal trench. Upon this sudden development they saw a familiar face rushing to the spot. He put his hand under the chassis to effortlessly lift the stuck vehicle weighing over one tonne and ease it on the road. He was none other than the participant who was waiting there to meet Arunji and his gesture was very timely and swift. After the pleasantries he asked a simple question- How did I do it? Arunji's reply was "your deep silence and spontaneous stretching of your hand gave you this extraordinary energy. There is an aphorism in Sanskrit which affirms this " ‘मौनं सर्वार्थ साधिके’ maunam Sarvartha Satakam". In Bangalore they say in Kannada: ‘summaniru manave, nee brahmanaguve’ ‘Remain quiet, O mind, you will become Brahman.’

Divine Devi moments at Dindugal

10th August 2012 was the auspicious Aadi Shukravara when thousands thronged the biggest Devi temple in Dindugal. Dressed in their finery, men and women rejoiced the festive moments of Pulling the Golden chariot with the presiding Devi atop. The Thean amudha satsang began sharply at the announced time.The assembly had invitees of all age groups, distinguished guests from business, industry, academy and the District Collector  as the  Chief Guest.  Special  bhajan compositions added to the unforgettable evening that was live telecast to a larger audience.   

Thaen Amudham Satsang Dindigul 10th August 2012

Life A Movie - Musical Lecture at Coimbatore

Sunday, 29th July 2012.

The who's who of the Textile city of Coimbatore - top  names from the field of Education, Medicare, Industry, Accounting, legal brains and Architects turned up with their families to listen to the  musical discourse on a rather unusual topic: "Life, a Movie".  It was the inaugural event of a Centenary celebrations at the renowned KothandaRam Mandir.. It was enriched with mellifluous bhajans and meditation making the  three hour session vibrant and meaningful.

Thiru aadipooram treat:

18th July 2012 - Thousands gathered in the precincts of the famed Sri Andal temple of Sri Villiputtur to bask in the  Music Yatra. the serenity and silence of the audience was palpable more during the meditation. Eager audience  from different parts of the State and beyond,  felt  ecstatic  and enriched with the musical treat; on hearing about the satsang at Kovilpatti on 19th July many of them traveled the next day for another spell binding event.  

Money can wait!


Kovilpatti  has emerged today as a  prominent production center for matches and festive crackers in India. Autos are in demand here as means of intra- town movement. One of the satsangees had engaged an auto  from her home and discharged him upon reaching the  temple auditorium earlier in the evening. Couple of hours later as she was looking for transport for the return journey home, the very same rickshaw driver  greeted her.

She got puzzled and asked:"Haven't you moved on  for further hire all this while for your daily earnings?" The man was in a serene state of bliss and gratitude  and answered her: "When you signed me off, I heard the melody streaming from the temple auditorium and I was attracted like a magnet to stay rooted till the end. Earnings don't matter ma'm. Thank you  for bringing me to this spell binding  experience in my life" 


Uplifting fragrance:

The auditorium was bathed in the impressive fragrance of  gundu mallige variety of Jasmine, adding to the aroma of incense from the shrine and lifting the  spirits. Kudos to the team for their very warm hospitality. The plastic free campaign launched by them was greatly appreciated.

Thiruaadi Pooram Festival at Srivilliputtur 18th July 2012

Thaen Amudham Satsang at Kovilpatti on 19/07/2012

Snapshots of Music Yatra in Divya Desams of Chola Dynasty- June 2012

Thaen Amudham Divya Satsangs in Kumbakonam and Thiruvarur

19th June 2012 - Deiveega Innisai at the Sarangapani temple  premises. Kumbakonam. 

Sarangapani temple is the biggest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam and it belongs to 13th century. The temple sanctum is designed like a chariot with wheels and is drawn by horses and elephants. 

 20th June 2012 Thean Amudha Divya satsang at Thiru Chirupuliyur Samprokshanam celebrations
at Thiruvarur. 

Thiru Chirupuliyur off Thiruvarur Krupasamudram or Arulmaakadal temple is located at the junction of Mayavaram - Tiruvarur High Road. Lord Ranganatha originally gave darshan to the Rishis in his full form as in Srirangam. Because of their old age, the Rishis could not see the big image of the Lord clearly and hence the Lord appears here in Bala Sayanam as a small kid in sleeping posture. This is one of the only two Divya Desams where the Lord in Sayana Kolam is facing the Southern direction, the other being Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. 


 Legend has it that Garuda does not fly over this place! Once Garuda and Adisesha got into an argument as to who was more powerful and devoted to the Lord. Seeing Garuda a little arrogant, Lord Vishnu went in favour of the Serpent God. Worried that Garuda might be angered at this, Adisesha seeks Lord’s protection, upon which Lord asks him to roll himself and lie under him. It is said that as a result of this anger, Garuda never flies over this place. There is a separate shrine for Sri Adhisesha near the pushkarani - known as Ananthalwar Temple.It is said that one will be relieved of Naaga Dosham if one visits this place. Unmarried people and childless couple visit this temple for prayers. 


 Sage Pulikkal Munivar came to Chirupuliyur and did penance here praying to Lord Narayana to grant him eternal bliss. The Lord obliged and the place was named after the sage as Chirupuliyur. The idol of the Sage is found along with that of Kanvar in the sanctum sanctorum. All episodes connected with this place are found in the fourth chapter of the Brahmanda Puranam. Saint Tirumangai Alvar has glorified the significance of this lord in ten divine hymns.

Nada Neerajanam at Thirumala Part I

Nada Neerajanam at Thirumala Part II

Nada Neerajanam at Tirumala Part III

Resurrecting the lost glory

One of the ancient temples built during the rule of the Pandya Kings  was  resurrected at  Konthalam in Erode District on 31st May 2012. It was preceded by elaborate vedic  ceremonies with deep spiritual fervor. Many felt as though they had returned to witness the reenactment of what happened at the same venue circa 800AD. 


At the entry point of the  main motorway  it looked like  any other  obscure village but once we got closer to the  renovated  Thiru Nageswara- Varadaraja temple, we were enraptured by  the  sculptural aesthetics. The consecration ceremony  was performed by eminent  vedic Pundits from across the State ably supported by the  vedic  team from Sri Sri Gurukul. The finale  was witnessed by several thousands  who basked in the Celestial Nectar nama sankirtan the previous night when the sky  was resplendent with  color filled pyrotechnics.

Nada Neeranjanam at Thirumala

A gentle shower gave an auspicious start to an electrifying satsang in which artistes from three states took part viz. Karnataka, T.N and Andhra Pradesh. The rendition of  Govind Nama Samkirtan lasted ninety minutes.

Breezy moments of Music and Meditation at OK Mandapam

The location of the satsang witnessed  downpour of rains consecutively for two days prior to the event  to help keep the temperature soothing and breezy. Over two hours of  mellifluous bhajans held  the audience drawn from urban, semi urban and rural areas enthralled and made the session of meditation memorable.

Forthcoming events

30th May 2012: Kumbabishekham of the ancient  Kondalam  Temple off Erode.

Vibrant moments at Vizag

The days 17-18 March 2012 were filled with vibrant moments at Vizag, AP.  Audiences both Industry and general public responded spontaneously to the  soulful  moments  of meditation from the  latest album "Music Yatra". The  feedback sharing  both at Visakhapatam Steel Plant campus and at the Ambedkar Bhavan, Srikakulam reflected the deep healing and grace that every one experienced.

Honours from Delhi Tamil Sangam

The Musical Discourse at the Delhi Tamil Sangham  went off very smoothly. Evening was preceded with garlanding their newly installed 150 tonne Tiruvalluvar idol.

Vote of Thanks at the Art of Living Foundation Silver Jubilee

Car Festival at Koniamman Temple 26.02.2012 - Coimbatore

 The  history  of Koniamman  dates back to the13 century A.D. patronized by the Mysore dynasty kings who revered Her as Mahishasuramardhini of Karanataka. It is  believed that the name Coimbatore originated from the name of this deity.

The 90' Rajagopuram  under way  will be the tallest in the region  similar to the Royal Tower of Madurai Meenakshi Temple,  that can be seen from any part of the city.  The temple has a large following of  devotees  from places like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Kerala,A.P and Karnataka and  equally in countries like  US, Russia, Australia and  UK. 




A highlight of the Car Festival  was  an evening of Thean Amudha Isai Malai  by Shri. Arunji  held in the precincts of the temple on Sunday, 26th February 2012. The audience was taken through an enjoyable music yatra in Navarasas. It was a  whole new experience cherished by one and all.

The Karamadai Kainkaryam

The Karamadai  devotees  heard with rapt attention not only the vibrant bhajans but also a brief  talk on  the subject of kainkaryam to the Divine at three levels - physical, manasika and  vachaka. It was followed by the  rendition of the ever popular  Ranga Ranga  and meditation. When the audience was visualising Him in their hearts, the utsav murthis made their appearance  alongside the mandap  area itself! 

ஞானம், த்யானம், கானம் மற்றும் குற்றால ஸ்னானம்

சமீபத்தில் முது நிலை த்யான பயிற்சிக்காக குற்றாலம்  சென்ற போது, அங்கிருந்த வானர (குரங்கு) கூட்டம் எங்களை அன்புடன் வரவேற்றது.  நீண்ட இடைவெளிக்குப்பின், நண்பர்களை சந்தித்த ஓர் ஆனந்தம்!  

முதல் நாளன்று மெளன சுவாமிகள் மடத்தை சேர்ந்த சித்தேஸ்வரி பீடம் கோயிலில் நடை பெற்ற சத்சங்கம் மிக அற்புதம்.  விநாயகர் முதல் ஆஞ்சநேயர் வரை சுமார் பத்து சன்னதிகள் இக்கோயிலில் உள்ளன.  மேலும் சுவாமிகளின் மஹா சமாதியும் உள்ளது.  இந்த கோயிலில் உள்ள  விநாயகரின் பெயர் 'நாடி விநாயகர்'.   பல ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் இவரது கண்ணில் நீர் வந்ததாகவும், அப்போது அவரை ஒரு மருத்துவர் பரிசித்து, விநாயகருக்கு  நாடி துடித்து ஜுரம் அடிப்பதாக கண்டு பிடித்ததாகவும் உள்ளூர் மக்கள் கூறுகிறார்கள்.  அந்த விநாயகரை பார்த்த எனக்கும் நாடி துடித்தது.

மாலையில் நீர் வீழ்ச்சியில் தண்ணீர் வரத்து சுமாராகத்தான் இருந்தது.

வெள்ளிக்கிழமை அன்று இலஞ்சி குமரன் (முருகன்) கோயிலில் சத்சங்கம்.  சுவாமிமலையில் முருகன் சந்தன காப்புடன் இருக்கும் போது குமாரனாகவும், விபூதி காப்புடன் இருக்கும் போது கிழவராகவும் தோற்றம் அளிப்பார்.  இந்த கோயிலில் முருகன் விபூதி காப்பில் இளம் குமாரனாக காட்சி அளித்தார்.  மெய்சிலிர்க்க நடந்த இந்த சத்சங்க நிகழ்ச்சிக்கு பிறகு இரவில் கடும் மழை. ஆனால் மறு நாள் காலை மழை முழுவதுமாக நின்று, நீர்வீழ்ச்சியில் வரத்து அதிகரித்தது.  எங்களுக்காக பிரத்யேகமாக மழை பெய்தது போல் ஓர்  உற்சாகம்.

மத்யமாவதி ராகத்தில் 'சௌபாக்ய லக்ஷ்மி வாரம்மா' என்ற பாடல் மிகவும் அற்புதம்.  சத்சங்கத்தில் பக்க வாத்யம் வாசித்த கிருஸ்துவ நண்பர்களிடமும் 'சரஸ்வதி கடாக்ஷம்' நன்றாக தெரிந்தது.  கலைவாணி, ஜாதி மதம் பார்ப்பது இல்லை போலும்.

டிசம்பர் 31 இரவு 12 மணிக்கும் மேலாக நடை பெற்ற சத்சங்கம் ஒரு திருவிழா போல் அமைந்தது.  சங்கரன் கோயிலில் இருந்து  வந்த வாழும் கலை நண்பர்கள் / நண்பிகள் பிரம்மாண்டமாக பூக்கோலம் வரைந்தனர். வழக்கமாக அளிக்கும் பக்திப் பாடல்களுடன், கதைகளையும், நகைச்சுவையையும் அருண்ஜி  வழங்கியதில் சிரித்து சிரித்து பலர் வயிறு வலித்து போனார்கள். 

நீண்ட இடைவேளைக்குப்பின், நிறைய இளைஞர்கள் இந்த த்யான முகாமில் பங்கு பெற்றது ஒரு மன நிறைவான விஷயம். மிகவும் கடினமான யோக வசிஷ்டா-வை அருண்ஜி அவர்கள் மிக எளிமையாக கையாண்டதை கண்டு அனைவரும் ஆச்சரியப்பட்டு  போனோம். நிகழ்ச்சிக்கான ஏற்பாடுகளை மிக சிறப்பாய் செய்திருந்த திரு அசோகன்ஜியை பலரும்  பாராட்டினர்.  

சென்னை திரும்பியவுடன், காசு கொடுத்து கடையில் தண்ணீர் வாங்கிய போது, குற்றாலத்தில் அருந்திய பதநீரும், நுங்கும் நினைவிற்கு வந்தது.

அன்புடன்

இரவிச்சந்திரன் முத்துதீஷதர்

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