Nov/23/99
6 p.m. IST
1230 hours GMT
at Arunachala
Citizens of the world, We invite every one of you to focus your mind and spirit on the
sacred Arunachala deepa jothi light at
6 p.m. Indian Standard Time (1230 hours GMT) on Nov/23/99.
Every minute that we spend in the Arunachala punya boomi (holy land) is special.
Why, every minute that we think of Arunachala is special.
But are there specific time periods which are even more special?
Yes, say the Siddhas.
As we have mentioned elsewhere in this issue of AUMzine,
the Pournami full moon days of each month and the Karthigai Deepam day each year are particularly
important at Arunachala.
The Karthigai Deepam Day
The Karthigai Deepam day commemorates the appearance of the Lord as a jothi sthambam, an infinite pillar of light
at Arunachala.
The Karthigai Deepam day is the Karthigai
nakshatram day
of the Karthigai maasam (generally mid November - mid December of each year).
On this day, at 6 p.m. Indian Standard time (1230 hours GMT), deepa jothi flames are lit at the
peak of the Arunachala hill to mark the Lord's appearance as a jothi sthambam, an infinite pillar of light.
The Lord's jothi sthambam form perplexed even the Trimoorthi trinity.
No one could understand this form and thus everyone surrendered to the Lord and begged Him to reveal Himself in a more
understandable form. The ever merciful Arunachala acquiesced to their sincere request and manifested Himself
as the Arunachala Hill, the world's largest Siva Lingam, a form which everyone of us can perceive and enjoy.
In this form, He packed an infinity of divine darshans (visions) for our spiritual enjoyment and upliftment.
Thus the Karthigai Deepa Jothi festival is also an affirmation of our eternal gratitude to the Lord's
kindness for manifesting Himself in a form that even mortals can perceive and enjoy.
The Most Potent Moment
The lighting of these deepa jothi flames mark the apex of the Karthigai Deepam festival
at Arunachala. This happens at 6 p.m. Indian Standard Time (1230 hours GMT) on Nov/23/99 this year.
At this moment the already sacred Arunachala environs become even more sacred; every Siddha in every
part of the universe, every Yogi, every Rishi, all the Devas and Devata angel beings, the Navagrahas,
the Ashta Dik Paalakas, the Trimoorthis and all other divinities become present in their sookshma
(subtle) form or in some concrete form at Arunachala at this moment awaiting the Lord's appearance.
Right in the middle of this highly charged spiritual atmosphere, the Lord once again manifests Himself
in the deepa jothi flames, thus blessing one and all with His presence.
Thus this moment every year has a special significance; the spiritual potency of this moment in time
is unmatched.
How to Make Use of this Moment
What should we do at this moment in time? If you're in Arunachala, your eyes should be focussed on the
deepa jothi at the peak of the Arunachala hill. You should pray with utmost sincerity for the
spiritual upliftment of everyone including yourself. If you're not in Arunachala, your mind's eye
must be focussed on exactly the same thing. Visiualize the lighting of the deepa jothi and the
Arunachala hill in your mind and pray with the same fervor.
Wherever you are, make sure you light lamp jothis
in commemoration of Lord Arunachala's grace.
Place the tallest and largest of your lamps in the middle of your lamp arrangement.
This lamp is symbolic of Arunachala, the spiritual power center of the universe.
Perform anna dhaanam (giving the gift of food) and other deeds of selfless service
through out the Karthigai Deepam festival irrespective of wherever you are.
Do this to show your gratitude to that ocean of grace, Lord Arunachala, the Master of the universe.
Other articles in this issue of AUMzine discuss Arunachala and girivalam in greater depth.
And more are forthcoming!
Don't miss them!
|
| Om Salutations to Arunachala |
| Om Salutations to Sri Agasthiar |
| Om Salutations to the Maha Guru |
| Om Salutations to the Agasthiar Lineage |
| Om Salutations to the Siddhas |
| 
