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Two days back Rajkumar Manickam, after working with the monks, sent us an amazing Adobe Express creation giving the entire life of Saint Tayumanavar in illustrated form. It is a fun way to learn who this articulate and highly mystical Sivabhaktar was, how he endured great loss, rose to become finance minister to the king, left the palace to wander from temple to temple and write his 1,452 songs. Click on the second image below (with the giant Sivalingam), and the story will load in a few moments. Then use the mouse to scroll down, revealing image after captioned image. Aum Namasivaya!

Aum Namah Sivaya

As you an see in a recent post, Tandu has been taking great care of the bonsai at the Kadavul Temple Tank. He is a master of the art. This wonderful video was created to showcase spoken Shum. You can see the transcript here:

Bashuh

Zakyka m’na

Rogini :  Bihyishum Isani

Bii luhling chanim  m’na  charehm°  rehmnam bibisim tyevum  lipuhvum 

Have you seen the bonsai tree by the temple near the water pool

Isani : Mi, satasim chani dimam, luhling liim m’na maa

Yes, walk around the monastery and you will see many bonsai trees

Rogini : Mum Dimsiluhbi

This is a creative work, done methodically

Isani : <<Tandu>> m’na bayasim

Tandu is the bonsai master

Rogini : Bii Ining chamam <<Tandu>>

Can I meet Tandu

Isani : Vumvumruh

Sure

Isani : <<Tandu>>, limbutye chamam ingtasi tyeamli

Tandu, please meet my friend

Tandu : Bihyishum. Kam nimf

Rogini : Zasiba . chatyem luhling língguhreh  M’na

Where do you find bonsai tree

Tandu :  Chamim maguh 

In the forest

Isani : Tyem , luhling Chabi unga

So you dig out from the soil

Tandu : Mi

Isani :  Rehim luhling íngm’ikam simm

How do you transport it

Tandu :  chamim ingtasi iya vumm ingtasi bima

In my car to my house

Rogini : Rehim luhling mifahna m’na

How do you take care of the bonsai tree

Tandu : m’shumlinuh ruhsimrehm

Good planning is important

Tyebi livicha  Sapuhda  shali kamnam

Choose the right size of the pot

Isani : Rehim livicha Sapuhda shali kamnam

How to choose the right size of the pot

Tandu : miaguhli chasa Tyeda shali

Judging by the underground stem (roots) size

Rogini : Luhling hiasapuhda 

You are trained for accuracy

Tandu : Cham kamnam nim Sapuhda unga zaim

Fill the pot with the correct soil mixture

Isani : Bii tyevum, maunuh ruhsimrehm chazanam muhm’tye m’na

Are water, fertilizer important to maintain healthy bonsai

Tandu : Mi, uu chasim kamnam chatyem aditye

Yes, and place the pot where sunlight goes through the leaves

Rogini : Chatyem Luhling remove chareh aves

Tandu : Kam lisi chanam nilimf

When the leaves that change to yellow

Rogini : Bii luhling kambilim m’na

Do you prune the bonsai

Tandu : Mi, símum’u

Yes, consistently

Isani : Rehim luhling chazanam tyeda tyembimmam

How do you hold the stems firm

Tandu : Ining luhsímmuh nim Ana kydi  

I attached with copper wire

Isani : Kam nimf m’na lasaimu

Where is (your) awareness watching the bonsai grow

Tandu : Binibanuh

Joy when a creative project is almost finished.

Rogini :  Maa simmuduh shumlinuh Adimmi

Very impressive skill.  Bravo

Mulingshum

Om Namasivaya

The two masterful bonsai trees gracing the Kadavul Temple pool are a delight to all pilgrims. But their beauty comes with great discipline and care. The roots are so shallow, even 3 days of no rain/water can stress them and so Tandu Sivanathan has to be constantly aware of their needs.

Two days back he and his friend and bonsai sensei, Abe, gave the two a haircut. Why? Without continual pruning, the carefully developed miniature proportions and artistic structure gradually disappear. We share the happening in our slideshow today.

Bonsai, the sacred art of shaping living trees in miniature form, carries a history of more than a thousand years, passing through generations as both a refined craft and a contemplative discipline. It quietly reflects profound spiritual truths long cherished in Hindu thought. The gardener does not force the tree but guides it with patience, restraint and loving attention, working in harmony with nature rather than against it. In this gentle partnership we see the path of sadhana itself—steady effort joined with divine grace.

A bonsai reminds us that spiritual maturity is not measured by outward size or display but by balance, rootedness and inner beauty. As branches are trimmed and growth directed, the practitioner is inwardly taught the same lesson: refine the mind, steady the heart and allow life to unfold according to dharma. Thus the tending of a bonsai becomes a quiet meditation, a daily reminder that with patience, humility and devotion the soul too can be shaped into a work of living harmony.