by Kaviitha Sajjith, India
A Divine Calling-into the arms of Arunachala Shiva
I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would one day visit the most sacred and holy abode of Shiva, Thiruvannamalai, where the sacred Arunachala Hill itself is the manifestation of Lord Shiva, precisely Lord Shiva himself. It just happened spontaneously by our Guru’s internal guidance.
Initially, when Sreeja asked me to accompany her to Thiruvannamalai, I believed she chose Mohanji’s home for seniors in Thiruvannamalai to express gratitude for her coming birthday, our small business success, and annadaan. However, by the end of the trip, I realized the true purpose of our journey was something beyond our understanding, known only to my beloved Lord, who brought me to Thiruvannamalai! Here’s how it all unfolded…
On October 1st, we both set off for Thiruvannamalai as planned. It felt like an unexpected blessing, and I was in a very happy state of mind filled with gratitude. We arrived around 3 pm at MHFS (Mohanji Home for Seniors) and decided to do Girivalam the next day.
After reaching MHFS, we heard true stories about Avadoothas doing Girivalam (circumambulation around Arunachala) and wondered if we would be lucky enough to see or get their blessings. We heard about Avadhootha Toppi Amma, who rarely looks at anyone or allows anyone near her.
After dinner, we discussed the difficulty of completing Girivalam, which involves walking 14 kilometers around Arunachala barefoot. We were told by the residents there that only a few fortunate ones can finish it in under 6 hours, especially if it’s their first time. I was on medication for rheumatoid arthritis and worried about walking 14 kilometers without shoes. I prayed and surrendered to Shiva and Mohanji for their presence and guidance on our journey.
The next day, we began our Girivalam with two kind souls from the Mohanji Foundation who offered to join and guide us. We began our Girvalam journey from the ancient Arunachala temple near MHFS, which predates the current one. Surrounded by prayers and chanting Om Namah Shivaya, we set off happily and completed a 9 km trek without much trouble.
Just as we started to feel tired, we saw Avadootha Toppi Amma, and she walked ahead of us for another 4 kilometers, giving us tons and tons of energy. We forgot our tiredness and walked behind her. There were times when she stopped, and we could feel her eyes on us, though it was for a few seconds each time. We were blessed to eat a portion of the idli after she finished eating along the way. This was a very precious moment for us. We were informed that unless permitted, we cannot touch or have the prasad.
We completed our Girvalam on Mahalaya Amavasya with Amma walking with us and blessing us with prasad. The memory still gives me goosebumps! Just before finishing our journey, we were fortunate to receive blessings from Avadootha Mauni Swami. It was a truly beautiful experience as he permitted us to see his face directly, whereas he usually sits facing the wall all the time.
We completed Girivalam in 3hr 45 min, and this was a shock to us and everyone with us. In the evening of Mahalaya Amavasya, we visited and prayed to Lord Shiva at Arunachala temple and lighted lamps at the temple in the name of our ancestors. Our heartfelt gratitude to Kishore and Manoranjan for arranging it all so beautifully.
The next day, we planned to visit all the Linga temples, which required us to take the same Girivalam route. We started our journey at 5 am. Then Sasiettan suggested we visit Ramana Maharshi’s ashram, which was on the way to Surya Lingam temple. Visiting the ashram was a miraculous experience.
From the ashram, we noticed a sign for Skanda ashram and decided to check it out, thinking it was part of the same area. However, as we walked, we realized we were climbing higher and higher. After about half an hour, we understood we had left the ashram and were heading towards Skanda ashram on Arunachala. After several hours of walking, we finally reached Skanda ashram and Virupaksha Cave, where Ramana Maharshi had lived and meditated during initial years.
We took a different path down from Skanda ashram and visited other samadhis on the way back. We found a woman selling bananas, so we bought some and fed the monkeys on the way. We understood that the divine plan was different from our plan as we had not planned this journey of climbing Arunachala and visiting the samadhis of great Avadhoothas along the way.
By noon, we returned to MHFS. We had our annadaan done at the temple and for the seniors at MHFS and went to sleep highly contented and in bliss. Little did I expect what was going to happen that night. We informed everyone we would leave by 5 am the next morning to travel back home.
That night at 2:45 am, I received a call from my daughter. She told me my husband had suffered chest pain at around 1 am and was at the hospital for further tests due to ECG variations. This was a shock for me as my husband never goes to the hospital, even if he is in pain. I was shivering with my mind scattered and very much disturbed. I went downstairs to where there was a life-size photo of Mohanji and Baba at MHFS. I began to pray ardently to Baba and Mohanji, and I felt a deep sense of clarity and peace envelop me. I felt and sensed like it was all part of a larger divine plan.
I continued praying, and Sreeja did Mai-Tri for Sajith. I surrendered all my fears and worries to Baba and Mohanji. My daughter constantly updated me, and everything happened very fast at the hospital. Even though he had pain in the right part of the chest, he had two blockages that were cleared on time, and a stent was placed. He had no pain after the stent was inserted, and we were told he would be in ICU for the next 24 hrs under observation. The doctor said everything was possible only because he came on time.
We started our journey back from MHFS at 5 am. By then, I had felt assured everything would be taken care of. I was at peace during the whole journey back. It gave me time to reflect on the series of incidents that took place, and I had tears in my eyes when I reflected on how the divine hands of Baba, Mohanji, and Lord Shiva worked to remove a lot of my and my family’s karma by making me reach Thiruvannamalai on time.
By doing Girivalam, I could sense the lightness in my body, mind, and soul as if a lot of baggage and blockages had been removed from the lineage as well. My husband falling sick on the day of our return was yet another unbelievable shock. If it had happened during our trip, it would have been a different story. What more to say but a divinely orchestrated plan and nothing else. We drove back to Kochi peacefully, filled with gratitude and joy.
Koti, koti pranams at lotus feet of Baba, Mohanji, and Arunachala Shiva for all the blessings and grace showered on me and my family.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 14th November 2024
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