Temple Trees- Marundeeshwar Temple at Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai

This holy, ancient temple of Lord Shiva is "Shanti Swaroopa "Shantam"- Peace and Tranquility abounds. 
Marundeeshwar (Oushadeeshwar) is truly medicinal for mind and soul ---Om Namaha Shivaya- 

The Vanni -Shammi trees in the North East area are worshipped.

At Shree Marundeeswar Temple -Tiruvanmiyur Chennai - an extremely  serene temple area, which is lined with so many varieties of trees inc the Badam, Teak, Coconut Palms, Neem.

The Sthala Vriksha " Vanni"-Shammi trees are in the north west location are worshipped   in this beautiful ancient temple that excudes complete Peace and Tranquility.

Entry into the main courtyard starts with Shree Tripura Sundari - Chockayanayaki on right side (North side), Shree Vinayaka, Shree Subramanya adjacent in front and then the main Shiva sanctum sanctorum -

The gate at the western side has the Sthamba  and Nandi -vahaan of Lord Shiva facing the main deity

.(See Temple book by M.Rajgopalan  ) -

The Pradakshina of the temple is so soothing as it has a quietude and peace that transcends all and impacts.

The entire temple boundary is  lined with so many  trees and the peace that it exudes really impacts us as we do the Temple Pradakshina. 

The origin of "Sthala vriksha" and its special place in temples of earlier times is maintained so well and here we see all trees cared for and well  respected. When city constructions took  over from the traditional village life of and the  agrarian - forest culture, thankfully- at least these temple trees were carefully protected and so it is here. God be praised -
Om Nama Shivayah

Film: Pocohontas-song says it all from the Red Indian lore-

Greetings

WE have to see the world with a Childs eyes and some films do this very well-  Pocohontas and especially this song, says it all-

Rgds 

TR

 

pocahontas songs

colors of the wind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkV-of_eN2w

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkV-of_eN2w

 

COMMENTS

I need to come back. THIS SONG IS THE TRUTH!

we need to sing with all the voices of the mountain, we need to paint with all the colors of the wind.
UNQUOTE

Pocahontas was released on VHS in 1996 as part of the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection.

ECOLOGY - Red Indians Chief Seattle's Speech of 1854.

ECOLOGY in the past and now -

In  1854 the speech of Chief Seattle to US President

INTRODUCTION

The term ecology came into existence long before Oil Pollution. Many of us think that m.t.Torrey Canyon and the later oil spills invented this word. But, in fact,  respect for Mother Earth and all flora and fauna is the oldest Religion practiced, long before many present day beliefs came into prominence. Survival depended on this. Thus Man & Nature co-existing was practiced by all mankind in some form or other universally.

We have today realised that for sustainable economy  to be in place did not mean we wipe out or damage the flora and fauna through indiscriminate acts of de-forestation etc.

Global Warming, Food & Water Shortages, Mercury poisoning in lakes by effluents and devastation of natural resources are spin offs of such senseless acts.

To illustrate that, such respect for Nature was enshrined in all cultures read on:

RGDS 

TR

THE END OF LIVING

In 1854, long before the Oil crisis, the food crisis, the environmental protection Act and such associated trivia of our times, one of the most beautiful and profound statements on the Environment & Man was made.

It was made by a Savage, Chief Seattle, a Red Indian in reply to a Letter from the President of the U.S.A. offering to buy a large area of Indian Land.

EXCERPTS

1.        How can you buy or sell the Sky; the warmth of land? The idea is strange to us.

2.        If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the Water, how can you buy them? Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The gap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the Red man.

We are part of the Earth and it is a part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horses, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in all the meadows, the body heat of pony and Man all belong to the same family.

This Shining water that moves in the Streams and Rivers is not just Water but the blood of our Ancestors. If we sell you Land, you must remember, that it is sacred, and you must teach your Children that it is Sacred, and that each ghostly reflection in the clear water of the Lakes tells of events and memories in the Life of my People. The Waters murmur is the voice of Father’s,

Father…….We know that the White man does not understand our ways. One portion of Land is the same to him as the next, for he is a Stranger who comes in the night and takes from the Land what he needs. The Earth is not his Mother but his enemy. And when he has conquered it, he moves on …..

He treats his Mother, the Earth and his brother the Sky, as things to be bought, plundered, sold like Sheep or bright beads. His appetite will devour the Earth and leave behind only a desert. The air is precious to the Red man, for all the things share the same breath – the beast, the tree, the Man, they all share the same breath. The White Man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers…. …..For whatever happens to the Beasts, soon happens to the Man. All things are connected…..If Men spite upon the Ground, they spit upon themselves. This we know; the Earth does not belong to Man – the Man belongs to Earth. This we know; all things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the Sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of Life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the Web, he does to himself…..

Where is the thicket ?  ----  Gone!

Where is the Eagle?  -----  Gone!

The end of Living  and the beginning of Survival.

From: Svetasvatara Upanishad

The God who is in the fire, the God who is in the water, the God who has entered into the whole world, the God who is in herbs, the God who is in trees – adoration be to that God, adoration to Him!

TR

Vanni Tree-Shiva and Shani Eshwara .

 Vanni Trees at the North West  Corner -bearing the Fruit -adjacent to the Naga stathala , at Marundeeshwar Temple Tiruvamiyur Chennai.( pic taken on 16th Jan 2010 Mattu Pongal day)

 Vanni Tree at the North West  Corner -at the Naga stathala
Below-
The BILWA , trifoliate leaf to Lord Shiva -

TR/Dt 17^th Jan 2011. 

Posted after  "Som Pradosh" at 8pm today.

 

The Vanni-(tamil) or Shammi (sanskrit) ,

Indian Mesquite (English)

WE attended the evening Darshan at Shree Shree Marundeeswar Temple -Tiruvanmiyur Chennai on  Sunday, 16^th Jan 2011 on "Mattu Pongal" day and paid respects at all the shrines-inc. the Sarveshwara pooja conducted between 4-6pm.

The Vanni Tree  in north west corner of the temple is a wonderful sight to behold bearing fruits at this time of the year. This Tree is  mentioned in the annals of this temple and is linked to Lord Shiva’s anugraha kripa  with links to Agastya Muni in temple history.

This is an extremely  serene temple compound , which is lined with so many varieties of trees inc the Vanni- (Shammi) tree seen in the north west location. Entry into the main courtyard starts with Shree Tripura Sundari - Chockayanayaki on right side (North side), Shree Vinayaka, Shree Subramanya adjacent and in front and then the main Shiva sanctum sanctorum -

The gate at the western side has the Sthamba  and Nandi -vahaan of Lord Shiva facing the main deity.

The Pradakshina of the temple is so soothing as it has a quietude and peace that transcends all and impacts as the entire  boundary is  lined with so many  varieties of trees. The temple book by Shri M.Rajagopalan mentions the origin of "Sthala vriksha", when trees were indeed respected. In time, when cities took over from an agrarian and forest culture at least the main trees were carefully protected and so it is here. The Vanni trees in the North East area are worshipped in this beautiful ancient temple that exudes total Peace and Tranquility.

Shiva and Shani- Eshwara are linked in some our prayers quoted below-in our scriptures - Shiva Roopa & Rudra Roopa. Rudra means energy of heat-fire and so it is with this Vanni Tree which scholars have researched and state  has the capacity to store  heat energy. Thus it is prescribed for Vedic Homas. Also for other purposes inc. medicinal and takes special  place in the Panchavati group viz. meaning a group of 5 sacred trees.

Om Vrikhsha Naam - Pataye Namaha; Harikese byo as in Sri Rudram Chanting - where the very hair (locks) of the Lord is compared to Trees dancing as in the symbolic Dance of Lord Shiva. The Bilwa Tree and Vanni Tree are both most associated with Lord Shiva. The sacred Bilwa trifoliate sees the bilwa stotra of Sri Adi Sankaracharaya dedicated to Lord Shiva.The  Vanni (Shammi tree)  is especially seen in Southern Temples in temples and associated with Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and to Shani deva.- the Navagraha Lord Shani-Eshwara,  the Karaka of discipline, removal of ego and ignorance as in  Rudra Roopa of lord Shiva to bring in Order and Justice especially in Kali yuga .

 

PRAYER TO SHANI DEVA

Namasthe Konasaunsthaya Pingalaya Namosthute

Namasthe Shiva Roopaya Bhairavaya

Namasthe Vishnu Roopaya Krishnaayacha

Namasthe Bhabru sadnaya Suryaputraya

Namasthe Rudra Dehaya

Namasthe Kaalakajaye Namasthe Yamasanjaya

Shanishwaraya Namosthute.

Naashayii twachaayacha,

Papani Tathani Rogani Prayaschattu,

Prasadam Kuru Devescha

Dinaisya Pranathaswayacha.

Shani Deva's names include.

Bhabruhu 'Reddish'  as in the Sri Rudram.

Roudraya has many meanings ; one is Destroyer of ills & remover of sorrows by strict discipline –when ignorance is removed.

*************************************************************************

From Mahabharat Epic

-During exile period the Pandava Arjuna 's weapons are kept hidden in a Shammi tree it—
Then in last part of the exile in Mahabharata on Vijayadasami day, when the exile period is over,  Arjuna takes out his Weapons & Divya Astras..

RGDS
TR

Gardening in a City and Inspiration for this Blog

pics No 1,2 &3 are on a Terrace Garden in Pune 7th Floor

BELOW; Pics at my house -garden space.

Pics no 4 &5 are flowers & herbs grown on a side patch of 2 ft width.

17th Jan 2011.
Greetings
Ref. my Sankaranti - post and 5 Resolutions, am responding to 2 queries:
Q1- Gardening in congested cities- how is it possible?
Even 5 Potted plants on a Verandah is a start; possible-just start in the right season with all faith and interest. Have an efficient water drainage or pipe linked to outlet, in order to  not affect the lower floor flats due to water seepage or leakages.Involve others in a joint Grow Green effort. Do not ever get into or start a garden growing competition as it leads to no end of misunderstandings and quarrels. This is just plain civic sense.  
In due course, when there are abundant flowers grown, share some flowers with residents in the building esp. for pooja purposes, who will apreciate this. Just have some patience and it costs little.
A Sapling in season  costs  as low as Rs 20/- Even try Herbs - Tulasi,  Karoooravalli, Haldi etc..

A Garden is both therapeutic and a joy to spend time in and it really benefits all- .

In some high rise  flats I have seen  terrace gardens that have been  so well planned and developed-
see pic of Pomegranate grown  in a pot on a terrace garden in Pune.
Mylai Times had even featured a flat with a complete range of Vegetables grown on the verandah too. 

It is all possible when we have interest.

Q2- When did you get this idea & inspiration for a Nature Blog linked to Shastra and Vedic culture. 

I have always liked Nature-Also was taking Swadhyay classes in Gita at SA Sabha in earlier years.
Have a large store of data in my Archives and also pictures taken over the last 31 years . It was just a matter of editing and compiling it -to post. So finally, went in for this blog on 25th Dec. 2010 after running the nature series on personal emails only.
(My knowlede of  managing the software for such blog posts  and handling is is very limited) 

Frankly the inspiration  to have a Garden house came in 1978 -when we were looking  for a residence to live in and we were ready to build one, despite all attendant problemss. I wanted a Garden House and was prepared to work hard to achieve this from the basic level even on a shoe string budget.
So we got this going and had even named our house "Mahalakshmi"- located on Greenways Lane too.
Then, later with our friends went to Exxnora for Tree Planting support on our Road-
See earlier Blog Posts ---Location and history of the Trees grown etc are all covered

GOD HELPS ALWAYS
See pics attached.
Rgds
TR

SANKARANTI-Pongal Project of Jan 2011-Trees-Plants - Nature and Children

Trees-Plants - Nature and Children

REF - 15th Jan 2011 Pongal Project

Om Vrikshanam Pataye Namah-

Om Vrikshe Namaha -- Om Harikeshe Namah

The Sri Rudram, Shree VS & Shree LS is replete with Divinity manifested in Nature -eg. Om Jagat Vyapine Namaha in Shiva Ashtottara-73 namavalli

The Dance of Divinity –(note inspired by CCMT)

The dancing and swaying of trees esp tall coconut trees in the wind. Observe all trees and plants on a windy day or when a gentle breeze sets in. The long branches and leaves resemble the hair -locks of Lord Shiva in Sri Rudram.This Cosmic vision is what our ancients saw in all of Nature –Prakruti; thus eco systems was not just revered, but also Worshipped, as Manifestations of the Divine.

The 5 Elements, the very Earth- sand, stone & clay and all in which the roots of a tree are grounded, the sun that keeps us all alive, all animals,  birds, insects.

We humans are a part of this system and must Respect our ecosystems. See the speech of a wise Red Indian Chieftain Seattle to the US Govt.on Land owning (see next post). 

REF: What we can do

For "Sankaranti 'Pongal" - Jan 2011

Project :Trees,Plants - Nature and Children--

GOALS

1) Nurture own Garden with greater Care.

2) Nurture Trees on our Road with Greater care- Community Development 

3) Distribute Tulasi or suitable plant in small pots (suited for Flats / Verandahs) on special days

4) Organise Tree Tours/Talks (with a Botanist) ; presentations in suited forums.

5) Involve schools and take up “Children Connect with Nature”- by kindling interest through Nature tours , picnics , parks, growing plants and caring for a small garden -even a few small potted plants and Adopt or Plant a Tree Project in association with organised Forums as a Volunteer. 

This makes a difference in eco protection and helps in so many ways, apart from adding beauty

Rgds 

 Many flowers and herbs can be grown ina small patch-

 The Sun -Pratyaksha Devata -in Sankaranti "Om Surya Namaha "
Pic from our Prabhat Somnath (Gujarat)  Teerth Yatra -PSTY

 The Farmers feeds us and in fact-- the whole  World -We depends on them for food; Respect them

The Guru Guides us -Taken at Prabhat Somnath (Gujarat)  Teerth Yatra -PSTY
See water storage and conservation in such areas with Step Wells.(next post)

 The Peepul Trees at Gulwady Village-near our shrine to our Ancestors.

The earth, the sea, the  sky & clouds at Monsoon time -pic taken near my house on the beach.
All a part of the wonderful ecosystem

Our home "Mahalakshmi"- -covered in Green foliage -pic taken after Rains--

With Regards

TR

Making a Difference- every bit counts in Ecoprotection -of natural resources..

ECO PROTECTION TODAY--

The mantras all Government Bodies speak of are just 3 :

1) Sustainable development 2) Eco protection with Go Green and 

3) Conserve Resources- but so many feel this is just talk- talk or is not within their range or not their  business-

Actually quite the contrary !! Tree Planting or at least care for those trees in the vicinity and  nurturing is within reach of all-

A  simple anecdote often taken by us in HR Sessions is quoted below:

STARFISH ANECDOTE- 
Once a man was on a beach, where countless thousands of starfish had washed up, their life and water ever so slowly ebbing into dust.A passer by  came along, and asked him:
"Hey- What are you doing ?

Why are you wasting time; Had you the rest of your life to spend doing this, you would not scratch the surface of the dying starfish. You cannot help more than a drop in the bucket. 

Why do you think that it matters?"

The man calmly, patiently, bent over, took a starfish, and threw it up in the air, arcing as it came down to splash back into the life giving water.----"It mattered to that one." 

Photo source ackd with Grateful thanks-

/www.postersguide.com

I was listening to Vividh Bharti Radio  morning broadcast and the the last part of their  Triveni programe was from the great song " Phir Subha Hogi.It really says it all-

We live on Hope & Faith plus with some Initiative---.

Planting Trees and nurturing them in a crowded Metro needs this faith and this makes a huge difference as in the above Starfish Attitude.  

Never give up-- 

Rgds 

TR