I was in high school (mid 80s) when I first heard about Sri Kumara Swamiji and Tapovan. I remember coming here few times with granny, mom, Deepak, Suresh mama and cousins. As far as I remember, I saw Swamiji just one time. Praveen, my mom's brother, had told me that Swamiji could read our minds just by looking at our faces. I was... what to say ...little nervous about facing Swamiji. Later when I met Swamiji, I realized he was the most gentle person I'd ever seen.
That's the room he used to spend most of his time meditating. Devotees would wait outside this little room to get a chance to see and speak to this great saint. I remember sitting there waiting for Swamiji to emerge from the room. He would be seated on the little platform while he spoke to the devotees. People would come here asking for advice on several problems. We too were here to seek advice to improve my parents' strained relationship. Swamiji had suggested dad should feed sajji grains to sparrows every morning for few months. I wondered how that could help and many years later realized how it worked. Watching little birds hop and pick grains thrown at them had a calming effect on a troubled mind. Many years later I picked the habit of feed pigeons at Manish Complex.
Going back to childhood days, I remember Deepi, Suresh mama and two little cousins spend a week or so here at Sumeru, living quarters for devotees. Deepak had described how much fun it was. It seems they would wake around 5AM, take cold bath, say prayers and do Yoga. I was happy not to been there ...cold bath at 5AM! Madness! Food would be served in the kitchen. Memories are sketchy ...an aged woman did the cooking, something like that. Many years later I realized the spiritual benefits of this routine. Though I never did Yoga, I've been taking cold bath for many years now. A two minute after bath prayer is a part of my routine for the last few years.
The Divine Temple is a meditation hall for devotees. Strict rules apply to those who wish to meditate inside. Devotees are supposed to take a bath, dress in fresh white clothes, write "HE PRABHO PRASEED AUM" 1008 times to qualify for an entry into The Divine Temple. I asked the caretaker I wanted to experience it. He asked me to write my name and contact number in a register. I would be contacted for my turn. I asked for a tentative date. Caretaker's words left me dumbfounded- may be two years. Wow! I'm still waiting for that call.
Back those days Tapovan was 4kms away from Dharwad. Today, the city is grown that far slowly swallowing the ashram...
Do check out the other post on ತಪೋವನ್ ~ Tapovan.
.........
That's the room he used to spend most of his time meditating. Devotees would wait outside this little room to get a chance to see and speak to this great saint. I remember sitting there waiting for Swamiji to emerge from the room. He would be seated on the little platform while he spoke to the devotees. People would come here asking for advice on several problems. We too were here to seek advice to improve my parents' strained relationship. Swamiji had suggested dad should feed sajji grains to sparrows every morning for few months. I wondered how that could help and many years later realized how it worked. Watching little birds hop and pick grains thrown at them had a calming effect on a troubled mind. Many years later I picked the habit of feed pigeons at Manish Complex.
Going back to childhood days, I remember Deepi, Suresh mama and two little cousins spend a week or so here at Sumeru, living quarters for devotees. Deepak had described how much fun it was. It seems they would wake around 5AM, take cold bath, say prayers and do Yoga. I was happy not to been there ...cold bath at 5AM! Madness! Food would be served in the kitchen. Memories are sketchy ...an aged woman did the cooking, something like that. Many years later I realized the spiritual benefits of this routine. Though I never did Yoga, I've been taking cold bath for many years now. A two minute after bath prayer is a part of my routine for the last few years.
The Divine Temple is a meditation hall for devotees. Strict rules apply to those who wish to meditate inside. Devotees are supposed to take a bath, dress in fresh white clothes, write "HE PRABHO PRASEED AUM" 1008 times to qualify for an entry into The Divine Temple. I asked the caretaker I wanted to experience it. He asked me to write my name and contact number in a register. I would be contacted for my turn. I asked for a tentative date. Caretaker's words left me dumbfounded- may be two years. Wow! I'm still waiting for that call.
Back those days Tapovan was 4kms away from Dharwad. Today, the city is grown that far slowly swallowing the ashram...
Do check out the other post on ತಪೋವನ್ ~ Tapovan.
.........
