My Poem to Arunachalam

Arunachalesvara temple is an important Shiva temple located in Thiruvanamalai which is about 130 miles from Chennai. The Arunachalesvara temple is one of the Panch Boota Stalas, or five Shiva temples, with each a manifestation of a natural element: earth, water, air, sky and fire. Arunachalesvara temple represents the fire element. The main lingam in the shrine is referred as Agni Lingam. The temple is located at the foothills of the Arunachalam hills. Every year during Karthigai Deepam a huge flame is lit atop Arunachalam hills. Thiruvanamalai is also the town where the modern day saint Ramana Maharishi lived.

A view of the Main Gopuram of Arunachalesvara Temple

A view of all the gopurams of Arunachalesvara Temple from Arunachalam Hills

In 2020, during a meditation session with my spiritual mentor, Teja Anand, I had a beautiful vision of the sanctum sanctorum of Arunachalesvara temple. I was seated at the feet of Lord Arunachalesvara. After the meditation I felt ecstatic and composed a poem to Arunachalam. It was my maiden attempt at poetry, so forgive me if it comes across very infantile. But here it is.

My Poem to Arunachalam

Arunachalam came to me,

Suddenly I was at the feet of the Lord

In places I have never seen or been the mind traveled.

Who is the Giver ?

Who is the Taker?

Who is the sufferer?

And who is the cause of suffering?

I belong to Lord Shiva.

I am His and His alone.

He lives in me and in every other being.

So I ask who is the giver? Who is the taker?

If I belong to Him and He belongs to everyone.

In complete devotion I merged within Shiva.

Shiva is not the black stone idol you see in the temple.

He is the love pervading the entire Universe.

Call Him Shiva, Allah or Parabrahman

He is in you and you are in Him

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