Swamimalai

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Muruga expounding the Pranava Mantra to Lord Shiva at Swamimalai.

• Swamimalai: Swamimalai is one of the Arupadai Veedu temples of Muruga (one of the six holy abodes of Muruga).

• Sri Muruga expounding Pranava Mantra to Lord Shiva: According to legend, Sri Muruga expounded the Pranava Mantra to Lord Shiva in Swamimalai. Once when Lord Brahma was proceeding to Kailasha, child Muruga asked him the meaning of Pranava Om. When Brahma admitted his ignorance, Muruga imprisoned him. On the request of the devas, Lord Shiva commanded Muruga to release Brahma, and asked whether he himself knew the meaning of Pranava Om. Muruga replied that he knew the meaning of Om and can expound it only if he (Shiva) approaches him (Muruga) as a disciple. Lord Shiva out of fatherly love agreed and listened to the exposition of Om from Muruga at Swamimalai.

• Muruga as Guru: In Swamimalai Muruga expounded the Pranava Mantra with the attitude of a Guru and Lord Shiva listened to it with the attitude of a disciple. So Muruga is depicted in the posture of a Guru with tuft and sacred thread.

• Swamimalai is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

1. Stotras
2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature

Meditation on Earth and Life: >>

Om, May there be Peace in Heaven,
May there be Peace in the Sky,
May there be Peace in the Earth,

(Shanti Mantra of Upanishad)

Preserve Nature,
And Nature will preserve Us,
Simplify Life,
And help Nature thrive,
Plant Trees,
And make our planet Green.

Next >>