14th January 2009
Makara Sankranti
Blessed Soul & Adorable Self,
I fondly remember all of your honourable and enthusiastic participation at our recent fellowships. I convey my earnest wishes on this auspicious occasion of the Vedic soli-lunar calendar day of Makara Sankranti, the entry day of Sun into Capricorn. The Sun rises to dispel the darkness of night by its own light. Likewise, the light of spiritual teachings arise to destroy ignorance. However, they cannot illuminate the Self. The Self is luminous like the Sun, and is verily the substratum of these illuminating teachings.
Everyone in essence is self-luminous waiting to proclaim one's pure luminary status by striving, and manifesting the promise of the spiritual teachings. Remember that faith also needs to be cultivated just as a genius needs prodding and practice. When the rays of yearning meet the rays of discourse emanating from the heart of the Guru (a spiritual master), it heralds a powerful wave of spiritual regeneration in the seeker and in the environment. You all help create this magic that fellowships (satsanga) are meant to bring about.
Outwardly, I live in harmony with the Divine Mother and her abundant nature, but inwardly I am drunk steeped with the wine of the mystic. For the wandering mendicant, realization is the fruit of seclusion. For the wondering recluse, meditation is the food for the soul. My long stretches of inner silence during wandering and wondering in forests, caves, altars and monasteries where often the light of Sun is unable to brighten the day, have been fully lit by the light of unalloyed awareness. Even in isolated places I am not lonely because I am alone with God.
I bear many testimonials of my wondering and wandering in Himalaya . At every reflective pause during my trekking, I have been taken backwards through the labyrinth of time. The treks were filled with frequent stops in villages where I often sat and took meals with the most unassuming seekers on my way to remote caves and altars. I offered my prayers at each such site, recognizing the silent blessings flowing forth from these living shrines.
The entire Himālayan range spans about 3000 km and has three layers of mountains acting as a receptacle for a number of glaciers and lakes. The lower Himālayan ranges hold more vegetation and rare medicinal herbs which survive the wintry conditions of somewhat lower altitudes. Himālaya literally translates as the abode of the snow, but has been called the heart and soul of the gods (Devatātma) by the famous Sanskrit poet Kālidasa. Well known for its mystical tradition, it is home to a number of yoga lineages. Most of the distinct mountains have names and are revered as entities each embodying a stream of knowledge. Traditionally, a spiritual lineage of masters is connected with a distinct mountain and a particular esoteric heritage.
The vast body of glaciers and lakes (such as the Mānasarovar next to Mount Kailāsh ) represent the sublime knowledge. And the melted snow that forms their waters captures the essence of divine grace bestowed from the mountaintops. Therein, the glaciers are adored as the body of knowledge frozen and preserved for a timed release. The abundant spree of rivers and rivulets represent the streams of knowledge reaching out to the parched lands to quench thirsty souls. Himālaya is thus considered to be the disseminator of spiritual knowledge and divine inspiration, precipitating the higher knowledge from the yonder abodes for genuine seekers. The mountain villagers view Himālaya with awe as the father of the great shakti and holy mother, Pārvati, who is the venerable consort of the auspicious Lord, Shiva. Himālaya continues to beckon truth seekers and meditators to its abode. Its rarefied atmosphere thins out worldly distractions, and the enchanting holiness makes the seeker adapt to the austere terrain.
This is my message on this rising-Sun-ethos of the Capricorn entry marked by history as the Makara-Sankranti. I bow to the divine grace for letting me put the spirit out there. Your yearning participation allowed our hearts to resonate with the hymns and philosophical renditions of our ancient Sanskritic lore kept alive by the unbroken lineages of the Himalayan Masters. Thank you for being there, here and now.
With my abounding holy blessings,
Swami Vidyadhishananda
This is a transmission from Self Enquiry Life Fellowship, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization.
