Set Amidst the Dense Forests at the Foothills of The

8/14/2019 Set Amidst the Dense Forests at the Foothills of The

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/set-amidst-the-dense-forests-at-the-foothills-of-the 1/18

Set amidst the dense forests at the foothills of the VelliangiriMountains, is the Dhyanalinga Multi religious Shrine, the first of itskind to be completed in over 2000 years. Created by a profoundmystic and yogi, it embodies the distilled essence of yogic

science.This powerful meditative space does not ascribe to any particularfaith or belief system nor does it require any ritual, prayer, orworship.

"Just sitting silently for a few minutes within the sphere of Dhyanalinga is enough to make even those unaware of meditation experience a state of deep meditativeness" - Sadhguru

The Sacred land of India has been witness to the lives ofcountless siddhas ¹, seers, saints, sages, and enlightened beings.The Dhyanalinga Multi-religious Temple, situated in Coimbatore,India, is very much a part of this glorious tradition.



Dhyanalinga is the distilled essence of yogic science. It does

not ascribe to any particular belief or faith. It does not requireany pooja or worship. Just sitting silently for few minuteswithin the sphere of Dhyanalinga is enough to make eventhose unaware of meditation experience a state of deep

meditativeness and feel the divine energy that overflows fromthis glorious form.Dhyanalinga was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev , arealized master, mystic and yogi, after three years of intense

process of prana prathista. Measuring 13' 9", Dhyanalinga isthe largest mercury based live linga in the world. In themetaphysical sense, Dhyanalinga is a guru, an energy centerof tremendous proportions. All the aspects of life areenshrined in the form of seven chakras energized to the verypeak and locked. A doorway to enlightenment and spiritualliberation, Dhyanalinga offers a sadhaka ² the opportunity to

perform sadhana ³ in utmost intimacy with a live guru, - anopportunity which is traditionally available to a select few.



Situated at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains,Dhyanalinga is a colossal entity of eternal vibrations.The earth colors, the natural granite, and the fusion ofirregular surfaces and shapes that form the Templecreates an ethereal ambience and an apt atmosphere to

receive the grace of the Dhyanalinga."Anyone who comes into the sphere of Dhyanalinga

cannot escape the sowing of the spiritual seed of

liberation." - Sadhguru



The Dome



Architect Of the templeIn ancient temples, the structure that houses the Deity is as important as theDeity itself. The parikrama or the walkway of the temple, the garbhagriha or theinnermost shrine of the temple, the shape and the size of the idol, the mudra held by the idol and the mantra (sound) used for the consecration of the temple

are the fundamental parameters of a temple. These elements are matched andbuilt according to a certain science and based upon the understanding of theenergies, thereby creating a powerful energy situation and facilitating innertransformation. The energies of the Dhyanalinga have been consecrated to last

for more than 5000 years without any dissipation.The elliptical dome that houses the Dhyanalinga is 76 feet in diameter and 33feet high. It was built without the use of any steel, cement, or concrete but withbrick and mud mortar stabilized with lime, sand, alum and herbal additives. It'sthe only structure of its kind.

The simple technology used is this -- all the bricks are trying to fall down at thesame time! But, the way the bricks are aligned and balanced, they can neverfall. The nature of this design ensures a lifespan of at least 5000 for the dome



At the heart of the temple, in the sannidhi or sanctum sanctorum,

the visitor finally stands before the immense and awe-inspiringDhyanalinga. Vibrating with the power of the primordial, casting itsspell on all those who enter its enigmatic presence, theDhyanalinga towers up to a height of 13 feet, 9 inches. It rises out

of the seven-coiled receptacle, the avudaiyar , which has beendesigned in such a way that every part of the avudaiyar is 3 feet 3inches in length and the total length of the avudaiyar is 13 feet 9inches, the same as the height of the Linga.

Surrounding the Linga is the jalaseema , a water body that has acooling effect on the Linga and gives the impression that theDhyanalinga is floating on water.

The Dhyanalinga is made up of a single high-density black granitestone and the Avudaiyar is made of white granite whose density is30% less than that of the Linga. Both the Linga and the avudaiyar

are energized with the qualities of the seven chakras ; hence the

Linga has seven copper rings and the Avudaiyar is in the form of aseven-coiled snake.



The Dhyanalinga is kept constantly wet to enable themeditator to easily receive the energies emanating fromit. Water drips onto it from a hemispheric copper dome

coated with gold, which is suspended above the Linga.The resonating sound of water dropping over the Linga,the shimmering reflections of the oil lamps on thegolden dome, the subdued interiors, and the all-

pervasive silence makes the entire structure ethereal.The natural draught of air and the choice of naturalmaterials make the dome a cool and soothing space,which breathes through every pore.

Time loses itself.



The Inner Parikrama

The Dhyanalinga Temple layout is geometrically a simple fusion ofshapes, but experientially a profound space for meditation. The peripheraldimension of the structure is a congregation of modulated spaces subtlypreparing the visitor for meditation at every step. The unusual sunkenreception engages the viewer with the 17 feet white granite monolith, theSarva Dharma Sthambha. Symbols of major religions of the world areinscribed on three sides of this Sthamba forming an appropriate sign ofwelcome for one and all, beyond religious divide.The back of the Sthamba is inscribed with the schematic of the seven

chakras of the human body, in the form of lotuses that represent differentlevels of consciousness. The chakras are flanked on either side byflowing forms of snakes, representing the Ida and Pingala nadis, themasculine and feminine or the logical and intuitive energy states. Thecentral stem connecting all the chakras at the center is the Sushumnanadi, the principal channel of energy according to the yogic sciences. Arising sun carved in stone crowns the Sthambha, symbolizing a new dawnand the pattern of fallen leaves beneath the sun symbolizes the death ofthe past. The Sthambha area of the temple is built in the form of a yantra,

which is closed on three sides and gives the feeling of an open-armembrace to the visitor.



The stone gateway or the Thorana is designed according to

the principles of traditional Indian Temple Architecture. Itsafeguards the temple and acts as the main entrance. Toreach the open pathway, the parikrama, the seeker crossesthe three entrance steps symbolizing the gunas - Tamas,Rajas and Sattva, which are the three basic qualities of themind. The unusual height of the steps forces the visitor topress the sole of his feet on the pebbled surface of these

steps, which in turn activate certain nerve centers in the body- a preparation of the system to make it more receptive to theenergies of the Dhyanalinga.The parikrama, leading to the Dhyanalinga, communicates a

sense of both artistry and spirituality. It comprises a centralpathway, which is open to the sky, establishing a visualconnection between the entrance and the dome, reinforcingthe integrity of the relationship of spaces. The central

pathway is flanked on either side by covered aisles.



As one enters the parikrama, on theleft is the statue of Pathanjali, the

celebrated author of Yoga Sutras,regarded as the father of yogicsciences. The eleven-foot tall statue isdeliberately placed in a sunken shrine,thus establishing an immediate

relationship between the colossalidentity of Pathanjali and the dwarfedviewer at the same level. The statuesculpted in black granite depicts a

fusion of snake and man, symbolizingthe dual nature of life. It alsosymbolizes the divine nature of manevolving from his earthbound nature.Hence, the sunken shrine depicts thesnake below the earth and the manabove it. The snake covering the headof the statue with its hood representsthe raising of energies through the

seven chakras, thus reflecting theobjective of yoga.



The parikrama ends at a vaulted tunnel that leads to thedome of the Dhyanalinga. Carved on the threshold of theentrance are two snakes with a single raised hood,

indicating the non-dual nature of the Dhyanalinga. Overthe vault is a seven-hooded monolithic snake,symbolizing the seven dimensions of life reaching the

peak of consciousness.The earth colors, the natural granite, irregular surfacesand the shapes that form the Dhyanalinga temple createa very earthy and ethereal ambience, blending with the

surroundings and intensifying all elements of nature; asmooth prelusion to the warmth and womb-like feel ofthe Dhyanalinga Dome.



On the right is the Vanashree shrine,the feminine deity of the Dhyanalingatemple and a counterpoint to thePathanjali shrine. In contrast to

Pathanjali's sunken base, theVanashree shrine is placed at a higherlevel than the pathway. The Vanashree,made of green granite, is a sculpturalrelief of a peepal tree. A gold leaf at the

center symbolizes warmth andprosperity. The energies of the deity aresuch that it is especially beneficial forwomen and children to meditate in the

vicinity of the shrine. The traditionalKeerthi Mukha, the glorious face, findsplace above the shrine of Vanashree.



Six artistically sculptured granite panelscover the aisles, illustrating the stories ofsix South Indian sages who attained

enlightenment. Each panel captures amoment in these extraordinary lives. On thethreshold are six images of meditative

postures each carved into a triangularform, which indicate the Siddhi State of sixspiritual chakras. The form of a yogi

prostrating before the Dhyanalingasuggests the sense of surrender that isrequired to enter the Dhyanalinga space



TheerthakundIn India it is tradition that prior to entering any temple, one is required to

wet the entire body to help make it more receptive to the energies of thetemple.The Theerthakund, a subterranean tank, with a solidified mercury lingam,immersed in water was built as a preparatory tool to enhance spiritualreceptivity in a person before entering the Dhyanalinga. It is situated onthe northern side of the temple complex as part of the Outer Parikrama.Since ancient times mercury has been an important substance in all kindsof spiritual alchemy around the world. The Linga, or Rasalinga, weighing680 kgs, is ellipsoidal in shape and is 99.8% pure mercury solidified at

room temperature.According to the principles of modern chemistry, this kind ofsolidification is not possible. But here, the Rasalinga has been solidifiedthrough the ancient science of Indian alchemy.In March 2006, Sadhguru consecrated this Linga, energizing it through apowerful process. This Linga will retain these energies almost eternally.The Theerthakund though basically used as a preparatory tool to enterDhyanalinga, it is very powerful by itself. It straightens out the energy orthe pranic imbalances in a person, which leads to physical and mental

well-being. Above all, it creates a tremendous sense of receptivity -s iritual rece tivity in a erson.



For more details and programmes about ISHA FOUNDATION

pl. log on to ishafoundation.org

Dhyanalinga.org or sadhguru.org

Set Amidst the Dense Forests at the Foothills of The

Documents

Transcript of Set Amidst the Dense Forests at the Foothills of The