Traveling monks shared an update from their travels. Yoginathaswami gave a speech at Quest International University in Ipoh. The workshop covered topics such as Hinduism as a complete way of life, the current state of Hinduism, who the monks are, and the importance of maintaining a minimum daily sadhana. Yoginathaswami also showed a video about the monks, which the students enjoyed very much. More than 70 students attended the event.
Photos from today’s walk through the monastery sacred garden on Kauai
Today’s amble through the monastery’s sacred gardens became a meditation on water — among the most common substances on Earth, yet also one of its rarest treasures. Without it, no garden could flourish, no forest could endure and no human life could continue. On our island of Kauai, water appears in many forms at once: rushing rivers, quiet pools, misting rain, waterfalls tumbling over volcanic stone and delicate droplets resting silently on lotus leaves. It is an essential offering to Siva in the temple sanctum during abhishekam. Clear water appears empty, but contains 5-6 million forms of life in a single drop. Patiently, persistently, unceasingly, water moves toward its source, the sea, just as the soul moves toward God.
Water is endlessly adaptable. It accepts every shape without losing its own essence. It yields to obstacles and moves around them effortlessly. It can appear gentle enough to cradle a lotus leaf, yet powerful enough to carve valleys through stone over thousands of years.
Scientifically, water is astonishing. A simple molecule made from two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom forms the basis of nearly all life on Earth. Its unusual properties allow plants to draw moisture upward against gravity, help living cells regulate temperature and enable oceans to store immense amounts of heat that stabilize the planet’s climate.
In Hindu thought, water has always carried sacred meaning. It purifies, renews and restores. Temples are traditionally built beside rivers, tanks or oceans, recognizing water as both a physical necessity and a spiritual symbol. Watching the streams move through the monastery gardens today, one is reminded that water teaches by example. It yields, adapts, nourishes and continues moving forward without resistance.
We have much to learn from water’s ways.
A drinking fountain stream arcs gracefully through the air, suspended for an instant before returning to earth. The river waterfall observes from the distance.
The Wailua River winds through dense greenery, carrying fresh mountain waters to the ocean.
Lotus leaves float peacefully atop a small pond, collecting drops of fresh Kauai rain.
Knowing He would be outdoors in the tropical rains, we provided Ganesha with an umbrella.
A tiny pond of water rests perfectly upon a lotus leaf, unattached, as we should be.
Four drops of water gather on the small bell attached to the umbrella.
One of many falls, this one emptying into Rishi Valley Pond.
Getting the water under the paths and roads. Not pretty, but oh-so-necessary.
Water lilies looked after by Yogaswami in the distance.
Raindrops on the lotus leaf.
Narmada Stream connects two ponds.
Wailua River moves toward the sea, 3 miles away.
The monks log any rainfall over .5 inche. We get about 100 inches a year!
Saint Sambandar dances in his fountain.
A seldom traveled path in the garden.
Cascading down a steep slope.
Pilgrims love the solitude of the river rocks.
Black rock and water, what a combination.
Bali Hai waterfall, just 15 feet away from falling into the river.
A carefully set exposure.
Small fall near Yogaswami’s murti.
Looking straight down as water enters the Narmada pond.
A shallow rain puddle captures fleeting reflections of sky, leaves and passing clouds.
The Siddhidata Kulam has been steadily crafting a beautiful wood edge to wrap around the top of their fish tank for providing a balance to the base and cabinets underneath. Nityashankaran Mogan from Malaysia helped when he was here in March/April. Well, it’s finally been completed and is now installed on top of the tank, looking stately.
Today our monks were able to send up our new drone for a quick test flight, and capture a few photos with its Hasselblad-engineered lenses.
Apart from using drones for taking pretty photos, the Aadheenam puts them to work in other capacities as well, such as in surveying our agricultural, construction and landscaping projects. They are also used for taking updated images of our sprawling, nearby agricultural water systems—an important part of our island’s local sustainability efforts in our area.
A view from the top
The aadheenam’s new survey drone. Time to launch.
current test pilot
Kadavul Temple
It takes just a few seconds to fly over the pali to Iraivan Temple
Looking back we can see to the ocean
The temple’s new path foundation is looking bright!
A quick journey to the rudraksha forest parking area. Can you spot Hanuman?
Our vegetable garden looks quite organized from up above
The mulch (on the left) is gifted to us by island tree trimmers
Yoginathaswami and Nirvani Tejadevanatha are traveling to Malaysia. They will be in Malaysia from May 18 to June 10. During their visit, they will attend various events and give talks on a wide range of topics related to Hinduism and the Path to Siva book. They will also meet with our members and attend satsangs. Aum
Lotus can be distinguished from water lilies by the fact that they hold their leaves above the water when mature.
Swami adds the small fish.
Ken places the first lotus, the American Yellow, into its pot
One of the water lilies is already blooming
The lotus propagation area
That tall pink plant is an aquatic carnivorous plant Ken brought.
More to come…..
The Saga Continues
We have shared recently how lotuses that were once super abundant in our ponds were totally eaten by the ravenous tilapia fish some years back. Inspired by two pilgrims, we have successfully (with the help of Kauai’s lotus whisperer, Ken Bernard) established just yesterday seven lotuses in seven 130-gallon pots buried in the ground. Ken also brought water lilies and five fast-growing aquatic plants. These will provide interest in the pots when the lotuses naturally die back and hibernate. He also introduced some small red platies fish and a few small snails who, as they multiply, are to become the maintenance crew.
Ken brought an abundance and with the additional plants he and Sadasivanathaswami set up a small Water Garden Propagation Area with the idea that when these lotuses and water lilies in smaller pots bloom they can be displayed at the Iraivan Temple entrance for all pilgrims to enjoy for a few days or weeks.
We learned from Ken that there are only two true species of lotus on the planet, the Asian Sacred Lotus and the American Yellow Lotus. Ken remarked that their new home, being half Indian and half American is an apt place for these two. And, he added, lotuses have been on the Earth for 130 million years, and are among the earliest flowering plants.
Factoids
Lotus has several unusual features that fascinate botanists:
Thermal flowers
Some lotus flowers can regulate temperature slightly, which is rare among plants.
Extremely durable seeds
Sacred lotus seeds have germinated after more than 1,000 years. One famous Chinese lotus seed was dated to around 1,300 years old and successfully sprouted.
