The Southern Mysteries

Dear One,

Greetings!

I am a true blood South Indian, who needs his piping hot, cuppa filter coffee every morning (And at all other times in between). That's a typical South Indian trait born out of mindless luxury you see.

It is said, South India is the spiritual hub of India itself. With contradictory feelings, do I support this claim; as modern South is whizzing head long the American way, with a touch of westernization in every step. My recent trip to this ancient center of learning left me with mixed feelings of joy and despair. On one hand, there is an influx of palpable modernism, with state-of-the-art shopping malls and multiplexes cropping up everywhere and the youngsters mindlessly speaking Tamil with a queer accent, let alone English (Thanks to the BPO invasion). On the other side of the coin, we have the old world charm still retained in some remotest part of Southern India, giving us a glimpse into the hoary and advanced civilization that we once boasted of.

South India, as all of us know, is renowned for it's magnificent temples. A temple, is primarily, a place of worship, but in ancient times, it was a kingly showcase of power and prestige. The Kings who built the temples, vied with each other to build it better and grander than the rest, making it into a holy competition. The huge temple courtyards and the intricately carved facades makes it impossible not to gasp in wonder. The construction techniques of temples were a closely guarded secret, handed down from father to son as an ancestral bequeathal of sorts. It is said, many temples in South and elsewhere, still hold within them secrets of the bygone ages; heavily encrypted and fortified within it's very walls. I guess, only modern technology can help us unlock these ancient secrets now, as the modern mind is spiritually in-adept nor sharp enough, to pierce through these veils of ancient mysteries.

One such temple is the Palani Murugan temple, nestled in the forests of Dindugal, Tamil Nadu. The temple is a marvel of exquisite beauty, but what is more mystifying is the idol inside the sanctum sanctorum. It's composition is very mysterious and utterly stupefying and has it's roots in Siddha Alchemy. The Siddhas, were super humans, who having attained absolute perfection of mind, body and spirit, thorough sustained spiritual practices, propagated good will and selfless service to the society . Their knowledge was vast and deep like the oceans, hiding deep within their bellies, secrets of the Creator and the Created. They were all-in-one perfect beings: master herbalists, scientists, architects, weapon masters, scholars, statesmen, metallurgists and much more put together.

The idol of Palani Murugan, is said to be made of 'Navabhashanam', i.e. A rare ingenious amalgamation of nine poisonous metals, smelted adeptly, thence turning it into an Elixir of Life. This secret smelting process, with the inclusion of various herbs and minerals, turns the poisonous nature of the nine metals into an amalgamation of curative and medicinal properties. The amalgamation technique was so advanced, that even the modern metallurgist gasp in amazement and disbelief, when they inspect this work of antique art. It is scientifically researched and documented; the water used in the ritual bathing of this idol has many curative and life giving properties. Lakhs of devotees are witness to these miracles of ancient science. Such was the mind and legacy of the ancients.

The idol of Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvathi, was made under the expert guidance of Siddhar Bhoganathar, the Master Siddha, whose scholarly works on Siddha medicine, is still the final word for all Siddha medicine practitioners. To evolve such a unique amalgam reveals the alchemy expertise possessed by the Siddha, Bhogar, the enormous spiritual heights achieved by him and the endless concern he had about the welfare of the followers devoted to Lord Murugan in future generations.

This is just but one example of ancient Indian ingenuity. India is filled with such breath taking examples of human excellence and spirit. A trip to interior South India, with a knowledgeable guide, can open up fascinating vistas, that you once thought never existed or even possible, to say the least.

Explore your own country. It has many mystifying secrets waiting to be explored and revealed. A country is known by its people, but first, you should know your own country, to realize and appreciate it's true beauty.

I am proud to be born an Indian. It's really God's Own Country - Incredible India! Mysterious India!

Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.