Ashta Prathaapa Giri Valam Days
Eight Special Days at Arunachala
Day 2 - Nov/18/99
The Siddhas have designed a special eight day giri valam worship procedure for this
Pramaadhi year (mid April 1999 to mid April 2000).
This is the Ashta Prathaapa Arunachala Giri Valam worship procedure.
Nov/18/99 is the second day of this eight day period.
As we have said
elsewehere in this issue of AUMzine,
every cubic inch of the Arunachala space is filled with Siva Lingams in their
sookshma (subtle) and jothi form. Wherever Siddhas look, they see millions and
millions of Siva Lingams. Hence their attachment to the Arunachala punya boomi (holy land).
Every cubic inch of the Arunachala space is special. There's no other place quite like it in the
universe.
When we perform Arunachala Giri Valam (circling the Arunachala Hill),
we do it in the midst of these numberous sookshma jothi lingams. Unbeknownst to us,
we come into contact with millions and millions of these Siva Lingams and this spiritual contact
purifies us. Thus Arunachala giri valam is the most effective spiritual practice known to man.
Arunachala Giri Vala Yoga
Arunachala giri valam is a yoga. In fact, it's the most effective yogic practice known to man.
There are no complicated postures to learn; just walk the nine miles and look at the peak of the
Arunachala Hill with every step. That's all we need to do. The sookshma jothi lingams and the
numerous Siddhas who are ever present in sookshma form will spiritually uplift us as a reward for our
girivalam.
Arunachala giri valam is the greatest of pilgrimages. It's the pinnacle of all spiritual practices.
It's the most momentous "journey" of our lives. Brushing against millions and millions of
sookshma jothi lingams in a four hour period is the easiest way of attaining spiritual upliftment.
Though we are able to see the Arunachala muka darshans in sthoola (concrete) form, we must yearn to see the
unseen sookshma jothi lingams. In the world of spirituality, sincere yearning can achieve everything.
Yearn to see the sookshma jothi lingams! How? By patient, diligent effort in the form of many many
giri valams. This is giri vala yoga. Every deity including the Trimoorthi trinity has performed
Arunachala giri vala yoga.
Nov/18/99 Giri Valam Procedure
Ekadasi thithi, Pooratadhi and Uthiratadhi
nakshatrams and Siddha Yogam - these are the
time characteristics of Nov/18/99. The Siddhas say that this is a good day to pray to
Arunachala for a good job.
Is it ok to ask Arunachala for material things?? We have discussed the Siddha viewpoint on this issue
elsewhere.
A good job is essential for our survival in this world of matter.
And is there any one better than Arunachala to give us the gift of a good job? Never.
Getting a good job as a personal gift from Arunachala is possible through giri valam on Nov/18/99.
On this day, make a garland of hibiscus flowers and vilvam (Cratæva religiosa) leaves
with your own hands. Carry this garland while performing giri valam.
The Nov/18/99 giri valam worship procedure starts at the East gopuram temple tower of the Arunachala temple.
At the entrance way of this temple tower, look at the sun briefly using the
Paasanguli mudra technique. This is the proper way of looking at the sun; looking at the Sun
without using this Siddha technique can damage your eyes. So be careful!
Start your giri valam at the East gopuram after this darshan of Soorya in the august presence of Lord Arunachala.
On the giri valam route, just before you reach the Adi Annamalai temple, you'll find the
Soorya Lingam shrine. Many don't stop by this shrine. Many don't know about it. But you must
get a darshan of Soorya Lingam on each giri valam.
Giri Valam in the Mind
We must get a good feel for all spiritual landmarks in Arunachala.
During every one of your giri valam worship procedures, make sure you get a good mental picture
of all the spiritual landmarks on the giri valam route - the various Nandi deities,
the ashta dik lingams,
the ashta dik nandis,
the various punya theertham ponds and so on.
We should become intimate with all these landmarks.
We should know them like a tour guide knows his landmarks.
Why? Because we should perform giri valam everyday!
How can one do giri valam everyday? After all, not every one lives in Arunachala.
So how can this be possible?
The Siddhas say that when you can not be physically present in Arunachala,
you must do maanaseega giri valam, giri valam in the mind.
You must do this every day as part of your nitya pooja (daily worship procedure).
Maanaseega giri valam is a great spiritual practice, but to do it well, you must have a good feel for
all the spiritual landmarks on the girivalam route; you must be able to visualize the
entire giri valam route in your mind's eye. You must be able to mentally transport
yourself to Arunachala and bring the spiritual sights of Arunachala in front of you.
This is an extremely effective and powerful worship procedure.
Do maanaseega giri valam exactly like physical giri valam. In other words, you can't
finish it off in ten minutes. The mental giri valam should take as long as the physical
giri valam would. You must feel the tiresomeness that you feel after the physical giri valam.
Only then can it said that you're following the maanaseega giri valam procedure properly.
But note that maanaseega giri valam is a procedure that should be resorted to only when
you're not physically present in Arunachala. We can not substitute maanaseega giri valam
for physical giri valam as we please! The 1000 or 2000 giri valams that the Siddhas ask us to
do in our lifetimes need to be performed physically. Maanaseega giri valam is a daily spiritual
yoga practice that's apart from these physical giri valams that all of us must do in our lifetimes.
Soorya Lingam
During your giri valam on Nov/18/99, stop by the Soorya Lingam shrine.
Nearby is the Soorya theertham sacred pond. Take a ritual bath in this pond
or at least sprinkle its holy waters on your head and body.
Perform archana
for the Soorya Lingam deity using the hibiscus flowers and vilvam leaves that you have carried with you.
Take a few of these flowers and leaves as prasad,
wrap them in orange colored cloth and
hold this in your hand as you continue your giri valam.
Giri Valam on Nov/18/99 should be concluded at Soorya's sanctum within the Arunachala temple.
From Nov/18/99 onwards, perform Arunachala giri valam 1000 times within a two year period.
Those who do this will be blessed with good jobs that will ensure their prosperity through out their lives.
This is the righteous way of acquiring a really good job. This is a special prescription
of the Siddhas for the Pramaadhi year.
Think of the number of years that we have wasted in our lives.
Think of the many many problems that we have had to go through.
Think of the diseases and ailments that we have had to endure.
Think of the bad habits that we have had to overcome.
Think of the time wasted because of all these issues.
Let's put an end to this pain and suffering
by performing 1000 Arunachala giri valams between Nov/18/99 and Nov/17/2001.
Let's make a new beginning.
Let's march towards our spiritual salvation by
surrendering to the most merciful Lord Arunachala.
This is the advice of the
Siddhas.
Eight Special Days
Nov/17/99
Nov/18/99
Nov/19/99
Nov/20/99
Nov/21/99
Nov/22/99
Nov/23/99
Nov/24/99
|
| 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 |
| 
