Extract of Addendum

By Sivotondan – April 5, 1993
 

This Addendum was submitted with an appeal by Sri Ramanasramam relating to a (now resolved) concern regarding the possibility of construction of a State Government Complex on the foot hills of Arunachala.

The reason for this addendum is to set out in significant, but rather terse form, some of the fundamental metaphysical and cosmological principles upon which this Puratana Sthalam has been established.

Our strict intention is not to present any individual opinion, but to express some of the principles of the Hindu Sanatana Dharma as stated in various sacred textual sources – and particularly related to the Saiva Sampradaya.

As the country of Israel is the Holy Land of the Jews – likewise Bharata Desam is the Holy Land (Punita Bhumi) of the Hindus.

The extent of this Holy Land is tersely described in several texts:-

“The land to the north of the oceans and south of the Himalayas is called Bharatavarsha – and Bharatis are her progeny.”
                                                                                            Vishnu Purana:


“Commencing from the Himalayas and ending with the India sarovar (Indian ocean) this country established by the Devas is referred to as Hindusthana.”
                                                                                       Brhaspati Agama:

This Holy land is situated between two Poles – both of them outside Bharata Desam proper – and both situated in Buddhist countries.

The Northern Pole is Kailasa Giri situated in Tibet – and the Southern Pole, is Kadira Malai at Kadirkaman in Sri Lanka.

These two sthalams are of timeless antiquity and sanctity – and held in the greatest reverence by Hindus and Buddhists alike.

The whole of the Punita Bhumi of the Hindus is thus situated between the Poles – to the North – the FATHER – SIVA PRABHU – and to the South, the SON – SKANDA – the Tamil Devata, familiarly and lovingly known as MURUKAN.

Who is Skanda? Skanda is but an amsa (portion) of Siva – born directly from Siva’s Jnana – chakshus – and thus is Siva himself – immanent and functioning within the Prapancha.

As an extraordinary example of sacred geography – clearly exhibiting the knowledge of our ancient Rishis – it should be noted that both these Sthalams are located on the same degree of Longitude, same minute, and with a mere few seconds difference – Longitude: 81 degrees.

The Hindu Santana Dharma, comprises various Sampradayas which Adi Sankara simplified and codified into Shanmatam.

Of these six sampradayas – established for persons of differing temperaments (gunam or svabhavam), the major two are the Saiva and Vaishnava Sampradayas. The South of India is predominantly Saiva.

We are herein concerned with the Saiva Sampradaya – and with the pre-eminent Saiva Kshetra known as Arunachalam or Tiruvannamalai. There are also various other names designating this sthala. Interestingly, the Vaishnavas call the Arunachala Hill as Sudarsana giri – and the Saktas regard the Hill as a form of the Sri Chakra.

Principle of general importance: In the whole of Bharata Desam – wherever one may go – and whichever Siva sthalam one may visit – the Mula Vigraha in the garbha grha is the Siva-lingam.

There are twelve Jyoti-linga sthalams, where the Lingam is svayambhu. (Besides these, there are also other svayambhu lingams).

The origin of the Lingam as the Supreme Symbol of Siva: In Tamil, the Siva-lingam is described as aru-uruvam i.e. situated between and participating in the formless and form. (The analogous symbol in the Vaishnava tradition is the Saligramam).

The Primordial or Adi Lingam: Pauranika Basis:- The word ‘lingam’ means ‘sign’ or ‘symbol’. Several Puranas describe the LINGOTBHAVA of SIVA.

The Pauranika Katha in terse form is as follows:
Brahma and Vishnu were engaged in a very heated argument as to which of the two was the greater. Suddenly before them appeared a fiery column of LIGHT (agni-jyoti-lingam) of which they could perceive neither the beginning nor the end. A contest was devised by the two, that the one who first determined either the beginning or the end of this jyoti-stanu – he would be the greater. Vishnu mounted his boar (varaha) and penetrated through all the nether worlds; while Brahma mounted his swan (hamsa) and flew through the upper worlds.
Failing to find the bottom, and totally exhausted Vishnu returned to Bhuloka. Brahma also failed to find the end but resorted to a dishonest ruse when he found a Ketaki flower in space and requested it to act as witness to the fact that he had reached the upper limit. He also returned to Bhuloka and was proudly speaking of his ‘achievement’ when suddenly Lord Siva himself appeared in the middle of the Jyoti-lingam – and declared unequivocally that He was the greatest. Brahma was castigated by Siva for lying. Thus Brahma is not worshipped in any temple – (except in Pushkar, just a few miles from Ajmer, in Rajasthan).

Where did this Lingotbhava of Siva take place?: All Saiva Puranas agree that the place is Arunachalam (Arunagiri, Sonachala, and significantly in Tamil as Tiru-anna-malai. ‘Anna’ meaning unapproachable because of the Lingam’s fiery nature.

In the South of India, commencing from Sri Kalahasti, there are five Siva sthalams dedicated to the five elements – the Panchamahabhuta sthalamas. Of these, Arunachalam is the Tejo-lingam or Agni-lingam.

The great significance or Tattvam of the Arunachala Kshetra:
Note: this Kshetra is unique because it is actually the Arunachala Maha Mandalam.

This Mandalam is a circle with the Arunagiri as its centre. The radius of this circular Mandalam is said to be three yojanas. A yojana is an ancient measure of distance and is estimated to be between 7 and 10 miles. The Giriparadakshina-vidhi is 8 miles – and it is our ‘guess’ that this equals one yojana.

Linga Tattvam: What is herein stated is but a hint to the profound significance of this symbol of Siva. It is not an exegesis.

The Siva-lingam is essentially a Vertical Axis – originally (and externally) of LIGHT – and as the Maharshi Ramana points out – this LIGHT is formless and transcends the concepts of light and darkness. It is Siva-jnana – devoid of avidya. It is beginningless – anadi – and endless – ananta – therefore INFINITE.

In Western esoterism, the Primordial Axis is referred to as the AXIS MUNDI.

However – the Siva-lingam is not only the Vertical Axis, macrocosmically passing through the centre of every loka, or degree of existence, and microcosmically through the centre of every being; but this Lingam centrally intersects a Horizontal Plane called the YONI.

Polar symbolism is also axial, as well as the symbolism of the Tree. It is under this very Vertical Axis – the Asvattha Vriksha – that the Sakyamuni sat and realised Samyak Sambodhi – and thus became known as Gautama Buddha.

Arunachalam of Tiru-anna-malai as the Primordial Svayambhu Lingam: Of all svayambhu lingams – the Aruna-giri is the first, or adi-lingam. All other Siva-sthalams derive their greatness and power from Aruna-giri. Every other Siva-sthalam represents an amsa of Siva.

The Aruna-giri is a natural hill (Kailasa-giri is the same). Other svayambhu lingams, as for instance, in the 12 Jyoti-lingam sthalams are natural uncut stones.

Lingams in other Siva temples are cut and constructed according to Agama and Silpa Sastra.

Note: It is this fact of being a natural hill which makes the Arunachala sthalam PRE-EMINENT amongst ALL Saiva sthalams.

A comparison of two great Siva Sthalams: KASI – (Varanasi) is not only a very ancient Siva Kshetra, but also one of the most ancient cities of India. It was a city before the time of the Buddha. Kasi has been, and even is today, the most sacred of all CITIES of the Hindus. Hindus of all Sampradayas and from all parts of India flock continuously to Kasi, regarded by all as the most sacred city in India. Innumerable numbers go to perform various Kriyas, particularly Sraddha rituals. Many also go and reside there, with the idea of dying there and thus obtaining Moksha. People from all parts of India reside there. Mainly around Hanuman Ghat – Indians of the four Southern States reside.

From time immemorial Kasi is known as a city of learning – particularly in Sanskrta Bhasha, Vedas, and all other Sastras.

On the other hand, the Arunachala Kshetra is not anywhere nearly as well known as Kasi.

Tiruvannamalai is renowned in Dakshina Bharat for its Karttikai Dipam festival culminating in the lighting of the Dipam on top of the Hill on Krittika Nakshatram in the sauramana masam of Karttika.

The profound difference in the importance of Kailasam and Arunachalam is that Kailasam is the Residence of Siva (the Kailasagiri being the Bhuloka reflection of the Kailasa-loka, analogous to the Vaikunta-loka of Vishnu).

But the Aruna-giri is SIVA HIMSELF.

The Hill represents Siva’s sthula-sarira; the hidden ati-sukshma sarira is Sadasiva (Sadakhya tattva); the invisible column of LIGHT as Vertical Axis, passing through the centre of the Hill is ARUNA, of which word, Sri Ramana gives one meaning as Sacchidananda – therefore Siva himself; - and the ACHALA (unmoving) tattvam represents PARA-SIVA.

So here, in Aruna-chala we have the TOTALITY – from the Supreme unmanifested (avyakta) PARA-SIVA down to AGNI as the gross element – Mahabhuta.

Kasi is open to all – but Arunachalaam may be truly regarded as ‘MARMA’ sthalam, for it is the most apt and congenial place for the minuscule minority of atmika-sadhakas who follow the JNANA-MARGA. Our Puranas emphasis that in the Kali Yuga the only Marga is Bhakti Marga.

For the overwhelming majority of spiritual aspirants who following Bhakti Marga – Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa appeared in North India – in Bengal – and he was destined to be the great EXEMPLAR of this Margam – and in a very short time his name and greatness have become known world-wide.

In an analogous manner a perfect EXEMPLAR of the Jnana Marga appeared in Dakshina Bharata whos name and renown have become known internationally, this EXEMPLAR is none other than Ramana Maharshi.

His function was to re-state in direct terms the Jnana Marga and make it available to those whose temperament takes them inexorably on this Path.

Like Sri Ramakrishna his name and renown have become known internationally. This EXEMPLAR is none other than the incomparable RAMANA MAHARSI.

The reason why so many Westerners are being drawn to this Centre is because in Judaism and Christianity, the Jnana Marga is no longer available.

The Jnana Marga was available in the West, and in Europe up till about the 12th century A.D., and was virtually snuffed out by the upsurge of materialistic sciences at the period called the Renaissance.

Whatever guru-paramparas of the Jnana Marga that may have existed – appear to have totally vanished.

Christianity today is completely lacking a Metaphysical dimension – and thus Western seekers searching for a Jnana Marga must turn to Hinduism or to Mahayana Buddhism. Some also turn to the Sufi doctrines of Islam.

Arunachalam as Adi-Svayambhu-Linga Kshetra:

Significance of Arunachala
Translation of a Tamil verse by Sri Raman Maharsi:
 

‘The sudden rise of the blazing column of Annamalai in front of Brahma and Vishnu and their utter distress at not being able to know the same, is symbolic of the sphurana of the Heart Centre as the real Self of the intellect and the ego.’

Significance of the Beacon
Translation of a Tamil verse by Sri Ramana Maharsi:

‘Getting rid of the “I am the body” idea and merging the mind into the heart to realise the Self as non-dual Being and Light of all, is the real significance of darsana of the beacon of Light of Annamalai, the Centre of the universe.”

The Glory of Sri Arunachala
These statements are extracted from the Skanda Purana.

NANDI said: (Nandi is the foremost devotee of Siva)

“Arunachala is truly the holy place. Of all holy places it is the most sacred. Know that it is the heart of the world. It is truly Siva himself. It is His heart abode, a secret Kshetra. In that place the Lord ever abides as the Hill of Light named Arunachala.”

“The day on which the ancient and wonderful linga of Arunachala took shape is the asterism of Ardra in the month of Mrigasira and the day on which Vishnu and the other Devas worshipped the Lord in the form of effulgence is the day of Mahasivaratri.”

SIVA said:

“Though in fact fiery, my lacklustre appearance as a hill on this spot is an effect of grace and loving solicitude for the maintenance of the world. Here I always abide as the great one (Siddha). Remember that in the interior of My Heart is transcendental glory, with all the enjoyments of the world also. This glorious Arunachala is that of which the mere sight suffices to remove all demerits which divide up Being into egos and finite worlds.”

“What cannot be acquired without endless pains – the true import of the Vedanta – is easily attained by all who can either directly sight this Hill or even mentally think of it from afar.”

“I ordain that residence within a radius of three Yoganas of this Hill shall be itself suffice to burn off all defects and effect union with the Supreme (even in the absence of initiation (DIKSHA).”

DEVI said:

“This is always the abode of pious devotees. Those who do evil to others here will, after suffering ills be destroyed. Wicked persons will be completely bereft in the twinkling of an eye, of their powers to do evil here. Do not fall into the burning fire of the anger of the Lord Arunachala who has assumed the form of the hill of fire.”

Here follows a well-known Sanksrta sloka:

By having darsana of Chidambaram
By being born in Kamalaya
By dying in Kasi
and in the case of Arunachala by (mere) remembrance,
(one attains) liberation.

Brief Summation:
We have shown that the Punita Bhumi of the Hindus lies between two Poles – the Northern Pole being Siva, and the Southern Pole a projection of Siva himself – as Skanda – Murukan.

Throughout the Punita Bhumi there are innumerable Siva sthalams – and the very Centre of all these sthalams is the Secret and Sacred Heart Centre of Siva – known as the Arunachala Kshetra.

Therefore the ADI SVAYAMBHU LINGAM is the HEART centre of SIVA, and this SIVA Kshetra is PRIMORDIAL and PRE-EMINENT.

Special Remarks:

The Hill is the Lingam, and the comparatively level land at the base, extending up to the Giripradakshina Vidhi, is the YONI.