CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM - Secrets behind the Chidambaram Nataraj Temple
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
The secrets behind Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
http://bharataagamas.blogspot.com/2008/02/chidambara-rahasyam.html
Jai Maharaj
http://tinyurl.com/24fq83
http://www.mantra.com/jai
http://www.mantra.com/jyotish
Om Shanti
tripur...@yahoo.com
Thanks. Actually, in Tamil if you ask any one what chidhambara
rahasyam is, they will tell you it means nothingness! In normal
conversation, if some one says "it is all chidhambara rahasyam" it
means nothing, all expectation and in the end it is nothing! That is
the lay meaning. How did this come about? I will try to explain.
Unlike any other theology, Hindus have a unique feature, totally
different. That is that God is transcendent and also Immanent. For
example, Islam denies His immanence. Christians as usual waffle. All
agree God is Transcendent and is Omnipotent. But regarding
Omnipresence and Immanence, Hinduism has the best and clearest
theology. God is *here and beyond*. Thus He is accessed *now* and
*here*. Not just hereafter, posthumously.
His Immanence means Creation emanated from *within Him*. All creation
is divine. Creation is His manifestation. Now for creation, five basic
elements are required.
First, without Space no creation is possible. Hence space has to be
created. With creation of space, time arises too. Hence God is the
author of space and time. Then we have air,fire, water and lastly
earth ( the elements from the most subtle to the grossest, leading to
solidity).
The Lord is celebrated in all His manifestations:
Chidhambaram as Space- Chit means Consciousness and ambaram means
clothing or covering or sky. One who is Consciousness and covers
Space! Hence Lord Shiva is worshipped as Space, His manifestation
Air- Kalahasthi temple. Fire- ThiruvaNNamalai temple. Water-
Thiruvaanaikkaval temple where Water flows on the Lingam constantly
Prithvi ( earth) Kanchi Ekambareeshwar temple- Lingam made of earth.
Thus all manifestations of His glory are celebrated.
Lay people do not know that Space itself is celebrated. There is a
garland in space hanging. The priest shows aarthi towards space after
puja and asks: do you see the rahasyam ( secret)? People see just
space and think it is nothing! And say yes and go away wondering what
the priest asked!
That is chidhambara rahasyam!
Also see:http://popupwindow.blogspot.com/2006/02/chidambaram-sky-of-
consciousness.html