Sreejith Narayan

In the very first Bhajan that Swami taught after declaring His Avatarhood, "Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam", He urged everyone to surrender to Lord Shiva of the Arunachala hill, further implying He was that very same Shiva who is Omkara personified. Such is the importance of Arunachala, the holy hill at Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. It is also an important place for devotees of Sri Ramana Maharshi, with Sri Ramana Ashram situated at its foothills.

To further elaborate on the holiness of the place, in the text Arunachala Mahatmyam, translated from Sanskrit to Tamil by Sri Ramana Maharshi, it is said:

"Arunachala is truly the holy place. Of all holy places it is the most sacred! Know that it is the heart of the world. It is truly Siva himself! It is His heart-abode, a secret kshetra. In that place the Lord ever abides the hill of light named Arunachala." 

When asked about the special sanctity of Arunachala, Sri Ramana Maharshi declared that other holy places such as Kailas, Kasi and Chidambaram are sacred because they are the abodes of Lord Siva whereas Arunachala is Lord Siva himself.

In June 2012, a Sai devotee who has been in Swami's fold for many years, was making Pradakshina (Circumambulation) around the Arunachala hill. She was crying and praying to Swami, pleading Him to come back soon in the same Sathya Sai form. All of a sudden, a man who looked like a Saint, whom she had never met or seen before and who was absolutely unknown to her, appeared right in front of her. He looked at her intensely and declared:”YOUR SWAMI IS SURE TO COME BACK SOON. DO FASTING ON THE 23rd!” Saying this, he just walked away and disappeared leaving the devotee dumbfounded. How could that man who looked like a Saint know what she had been thinking about and praying for? Where did he come from and where did he go?!!!

Even though I am yet to visit that sacred place, I have heard many stories of Divine beings living on the hill and there have been some recent sightings of them as well. I believe this holy hill will be one of the major pillars in the spiritual pantheon, sanctified by the presence of awakened souls participating in the ensuing Golden Age marked by Swami's Return.

Dr. Srikanth and Shivani Sola of Devas Unlimited have mentioned the following about the importance of this hill in the unfolding Golden Age. 

“In the Golden Age (Sat Yuga), many rishis and saints who have hidden themselves away from the public eye will again become available. A few days ago the Devas showed us a vision of Arunachalam, the sacred hill in Tamil Nadu, south India which is famous for its ancient Shiva temple as well as the ashram of the venerable Sri Ramana Maharshi. Many, many siddha purushas (perfected beings) are ensconced away within the bosom of the sacred hill, silently doing their tapasya for hundreds and even thousands of years. 

Some of these rishis, the Devas told us, come into the world only during each Sat Yuga. Others hid themselves away so as to be unaffected by the onslaught of Dwapara and Kali Yugas. 

In the years to come, many of these rishis will awaken from their Samadhi and become available to us. Some will form new spiritual centers of learning. Others will go about quietly meeting and teaching those souls who are ready for advanced lessons. And still others will simply vibrate at a high rate of consciousness, silently blessing all those around. 

We cannot go and interact with these rishis just yet, as the depth of their Samadhi does not permit communication with us. However, we can go near and attune our awareness to theirs, allowing us to benefit from their presence”.

My soul sings...

Victory to the Noble Teacher, Lord Sai Natha.
Chant "Om Namah Shivaya",
Chant the name of Lord Shiva
Who resides in Arunachala. 
Chant the name of Lord Baba
Who is Omkara personified.
Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam. 
Dusthara bhava saagara taranam