HINDUISM
Linking Kovil with History
Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
Two weeks ago (March 20, 2010) the “KodiEattam” (The flag hoisting
ceremony) of the Hindu temple in Kochchikade, Colombo took place in
connection with the “Maha Utchava” of Sri Ponnambala Vaneswarar temple.
Recorder of religious festivals, Chelvathamby Maniccavasagar relates the
link between the temple and our religious history.
In the Lankan history of Hinduism, 19th century was a significant
era. Constructional activities were going on in an unprecedented scale.
A large number of Hindu temples were either restored or newly
constructed in some parts of the country where Hindus were settled in
substantial numbers. A large number of Hindu Temples were restored in
the Jaffna peninsula, Trincomalee and in the District of Batticaloa. The
most notable among the newly constructed temple was Sri
Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple in Colombo 13.
Commanding influence
In fact, a substantial number of people in Colombo were Hindus. Among
them entrepreneurs in the Business profession had a commanding
influence. Despite their diverse origins they were drawn together by
religious sentiment and a deep attachment to traditional Hindu values.
Those who were articulated and motivated with a deep sense of
commitment for the cause of preserving and fostering Hindu culture
assumed positions of leadership in mobilizing support for the
establishment of Hindu Institutions some of which have become exemplary,
and among the Arunasalam Ponnambalam was the most outstanding pioneer.
His father-in-Law, Coomaraswamy Mudaliyar, who belonged to the first
generation of Jaffna Tamils settled in Colombo and was the first Tamil
Representative in the Legislative Council was responsible for
establishing two Hindu Temples in Colombo: the Kathiresan Temple at
Gintupitiya and Muttuvinayakar Temple at Chetty Street.
Sri Ponnambala Mudaliyar who had a deep attachment towards Saivism,
the religion of his ancestors, found that there was no temple dedicated
for the worship of Shiva in Colombo, where worship could be conducted
according to Hindu Custom. He initiated measures for mobilising support
for the establishment of such a temple and the response from the
Merchant Community was most favourable.
The leading merchants of the Chettiyar Community, who were always in
the forefront in extending generous support for promoting the cause of
Hinduism, were a source of inspiration to him. A large sum of money was
collected and from a portion of that amount a plot of land at Sea
Street, which was formerly the property of Captain John Foulstone, was
bought on 5th July 1856.
Soon, the process of constructing the temple began and architects
were brought from South India for that purpose. In 1857, the buildings
which were of bricks and in an advanced state of construction, were
found to be expensive. An agreement in the form of indenture was made on
the October 11, 1857 spelling out the details of the administration.
The signatories to the agreement were Sir Arunasalam Ponnambalam and
several other Chettiars. The temple and its properties were to be
administered under the provisions of this agreement for a period of 110
years since its adoption.
The parties to this agreement had resolved unanimously that the
temple that was under construction should be dedicated for the worship
of Lord Shiva and called Ponnambalavaneswaram. It was also decided by
the parties concerned that it should be opened for the public worship
according to the forms and ceremonies of the Hindu religion.
Furthermore, the Hindu Temples are intended to instruct men in the
art of removing the veil of attachment that cover their hearts. Thus the
renowned Poet Thiagarajah cried at the temple of Thirupathi” remove the
veil, remove the veil within me, the veil of pride and hate.
Indeed, temples are centres of discipline where the aspirant is
guided step by step to attain the vision of the Truth. They are schools
for the training of the spirit, academies for the promotion of Sastric
Studies, they are Institutes of Super Science, they are laboratories for
the testing of the values of life and to awaken the Divinity in humanity
inducing men to believe that the physical frame in which he lives is
itself the House of God.
God is in our hearts like the lantern in the hand. If only we control
our senses and our hearts and tread the path of virtue and devotion to
the supreme being, we need nothing else. If we are ever in doubt and
without faith, like a vessel without captain, we shall be tossed on the
turbulent waters of life buffeted by the minds of fate and circumstances
unable to stand the stresses and strains, hope deferred and desire
unfulfilled. If we seek the God’s Trace, we shall succeed in keeping our
senses in check.
Supreme Power
In the Shivan Temple, the Lord Shiva as the Supreme power, performs
five fold functions namely creation, maintenance, destruction,
purification and release. He is said to be performing these functions
while dancing. In fact, these separately considered are activities of
the deities - Brahma Vishnu, Rudra, Maheswara and Sadasiva. This cosmic
activity is the central motive of the dance.
During the Chariot festival of Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple, the
statue of Lord Shiva is decorated and illuminated and taken along the
compound of the temple followed by poojas and Bhajans. The chariot is
pulled by massive ropes by thousands of devotees wherein the rich and
the poor mingle shoulder to shoulder in pulling the body politic of the
Divine state.
In Hindu literature, the Chariot represents our body which is yoked
to four horses (the sense organs) wherein the individuals sits, dejected
and despondent, driven by the intellect which, with the mind fuide the
horses.
These horses represent human passions and the reins symbolise the
necessity of restraining and guiding the passions.
The journey of the chariot is an emblem of the progress of life and
the lesson is that throughout his life one should control the passions.
A simple note on Cosmic Ray and Ray of Relativity
K.S. Sivakumaran
In Tamil such terms as Sivamayam, Anbumayam, Arivymayam, Inbamayam,
Gnanamayam, Sarvamayam, Sarvathathuvam and Sarvaviyabhagam all refer to
the Cosmic Ray and Law of relativity in Saivaism, one may go to ponder.
We have three vital terms called Pathi, Pasu and Paasam in Tamil.
Pathi relates to something that rules or that is omnipresent. Pathi
is also equal to Para Aathma (Soul).
It is both positive and negative. It changes accordingly. Pasu means
that is governed. It is a living soul.
It deviates from Sivam and due to desire it has a separate existence.
Paasam is also known as Mummalam - Aanavam, Maayai, Kanmam.
I am at a loss to find the exact word in English for the above words.
What all these say is that sin of commission equates the cause for
existence.
We hope erudite scholars in Hinduism (Saivaaism) elect to explain to
our readers as simple as possible these intricate concepts.
[email protected]
Where lies Divinity in Humans?
Thilaka V. Wijeratnam
Where lies Divinity in humans? This is an eternal search of the
humans. It would be interesting to know about a few stories that are
prevalent on the subject.
Here is one such story - Brahma the creator after creating living
beings was entrusted with the task of keeping Divinity in some location
where the humans would not look for or find it. He pondered a lot where
to keep it safe from the human beings. If a man aspiring to be a
superman and empowered like the saints and sages of Bharat, then it
might result in chaos.
Some said this and some said that. But Brahma was not satisfied. Some
celestial beings suggested hiding it in the bowels of the earth. “No”
said Brahma - “man can easily find it.” “At the ocean floor!” suggested
another. “He would find the means to go there too,” said Brahma. Another
suggested taking it to the highest peak. Brahma had a vision of two men
reaching it.
The Quest
“No hopes,” said Brahma. “What about space?” asked an intelligent
celestial intellect. He can’t think of coming towards our habitat?”
“Those destined to be scientists would overcome that obstacle too,”
said Brahma. The last century proved him right. All the celestial beings
gave up and went their way. Brahma sat in deep meditation.
Then it struck him like a flash of lightning. Hide it in the humans
themselves. That’s the only place the humans would not look for. So
Divinity in fact lies smugly in the deep recesses of humans’ hearts
enjoying this game of hide and seek with the humans. Man is there on top
of rocks and hills meditating.
He sits under water meditating. He joins a group of organized
meditations - but to no avail - He couldn’t find Divinity. He didn’t
look within him - Humans are out eternally searching for this prized
possession.
Sri Aurobindo
But the chosen few were successful, said Sri Aurobindo, “the basis
and fulfilment of a divine life are found in the experience of unity by
which man identifies himself with the cosmic and transcendal self and is
identified in the self, but with an entire freedom from grief, and
illusions, with all its becoming.”
Says the Holy Koran,” He who beareth his home in search of knowledge,
walketh in the path of Allah.” Saint Thinimodar has this to say, “I am
soaked in worldly thoughts. May I change over to the divine
consciousness and thus save myself.”
Rivers have their source in hills so do all beings have Divinity as
their source.
How many of us look for Divinity within us?
What are the qualities of Divinity -
* Generosity is a Divine trait.
* Bear with an enemy even when he hurts you.
A couplet in “Thirukural” (no. 151) says it briefly.
Even as the earth bears and supports the very man who digs deep into
her, so do the great show forbearance towards those who hurt them.
In Ramayana, Vibusana was Ravana’s brother. He left his brother and
surrendered to Rama. Though Sri Rama’s supporters raised objections,
Rama said. “Eventhough he is from the enemy rank, who harmed us, yet I
would take unto my fold, he that surrenders.”
Of forbearance Thiruvalluvar says,
“Forbearance is characteristic of a Saint.
He does not return evil for evil”
These qualities of Divinity are found in Saints like Sri Ramakrishna
Param Hamsar, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Swamy Vivekananda.
Holy Mother Sarada Devi, the Sithars mentioned in earlier articles
and also in great souls like Mahatma Gandhi.
Though all men could not be Saints, they can still try to be by
adhering to some noble qualities or by emulating such noble births. Next
to generosity, kindness, compassion, respect for others’ faith, respect
for the individual, a charitable mentality, self-control, selflessness,
self-surrender, pure love for all beings, endurance, humility,
righteousness are the stepping stones that lead man to discover Divinity
tucked away in his heart.
Service to the mankind is known as Warayajna - “Beholding humanity as
the manifestations of Divinity and serving it on right lines is verity
Nara Yajna”, says Mahabharatha.
Almost all religions speak of this Divinity in Man.
The scholar monk Swamy Vivekananda said,
“Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this
divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal.”
The Koran says, “I am in your own souls. Why see ye not? In every
breath of yours am I, but ye are blind, without true eye and see me
not.”
“The heavens beyond are great and wonderful but greater yet and more
wonderful are the heavens within you.” Those are the words of another
saintly son of Barath - Sri Arobindo.
Finally let me sum up this topic of divinity, quoting from the
greatest disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Parama Hamsar, Swamy Vivekananda or
Swamiji for devotees:
“Man is to become divine by realising the divine. Idols or temples or
characters or books are only the supporters, the helps of his spiritual
childhood, but on and on he must progress.”
Hinduism Page will appear on Mondays
Contributions from readers on all aspects of Hinduism are welcome.
Such articles should be to the point and help readers to understand
the quintenance of Saivaism (Saiva Siddantham) and vedantic philosophy.
Religious institutions can inform us weeks ahead of their prospective
functions. Address your articles and pictures to the Features Editor
(Hinduism Page), ‘Daily News’ Lake House, Colombo-10 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Chariot Festival in Vavuniya |
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Large number of
devotees participated in the Chariot festival held at the
Rambaikulam Karumari Amman Temple in Vavuniya recently.
Picture by T. Vivekarasa, Vavuniya Spl Corr. |
Flag
Hoisting Ceremony |
Annual “Ther” (Chariot) Festival |
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Shri Muththumari Amman Shri Muniyandi Swami Aalayam, Glanie
Street, Colombo 2 held its thirteenth anniversary flag
hoisting ceremony recently. Here the procession the “Thear
Bawani” with devotees at the street, is shown above. Picture
by Ruaik Farook |
Several thousands of devotees participated at the Annual
“Ther” (Chariot) festival of Sri Ponnambalvaneswaran Kovil
at Kochchikade in Colombo 13 last week. Picture shows the
colourfully decorated chariot being taken in procession from
the Kovil premises around streets. Picture by A.
Mathuraiveeran |
Cash
Grant to ‘Varsity Students |
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As a part of its
social service, All Ceylon Hindu Congress arranged to give
cash grants to Jaffna University students who were released
from IDP camps. In the picture, the Head of the Nallur
Aathenam is seen handing over token payment to an
undergraduate in the presence of A. Thevasagayam, Trustee of
London Kanaga Durai Amman Kovil, who assisted ACHC in this
noble task. Pic: ACHC |
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