Meditation and Yoga Centre- The Glory of ancient Kingdom Venkundranadu-the abode of Vedic and Landscape Meditation
The ancient Sanskrit texts such as Skandapurana, Kasyapakshethra mahathmya, old Tamil Classical Sangam Literary works and other archaeological evidences reveals that the ancient Kingdom site of Venkundranadu (means the region with divine hills) flourished at the tributary zone of the Peraru/ Bharathapuzha river Valley at Palakkad district of South India, was a major centre of Meditation. This Venkundrum divine land was known in different names such as Venkatam (the land of lord Venkitan/Vishnu,), Venginadu, Sithasailabhoo/ Porainadu (rocky region), Kolladesam, Vidharabhoo etc with cultural background. Textual and inscriptional evidences reveals that a number of spiritual Gurus, sages and royal figures such as Kasyapamuni, Rebhyanmuni, Parasuraman, Markkandeyamuni, Sankanan,Sivadasan, Dharmavarman, Hemangan etc took tapa/ meditation in this divine land- Venkatam, that was one of the most prominent ancient brahminical settlements site in Kerala. The duty of providing materials such as Somalatha, antelope skin (krishnajinam) and other Yaga materials to the Kerala Brahmins for conducting Soma Yaga and the 1/6 of the effect of the blessings of Yagam was rest with the Venkundranadu rulers- shows its past glory and the hidden status enjoyed that kingdom . The Venkatamala divine hill ranges is also related to the Ramayana epic, oral and other traditions says that the Seetha ramakudam ( present Seetharukundu waterfall pool site with caves at the foothill region) was the resting and bathing place for Rama and Seetha during their course of Vanavasa. Like the spiritual land at Govindamala, Dharmarnya, and Gayathrisryngam of this area, the archaeologically significant Viruthi was such a major meditation place where the idol of a Rajarshi – Rebhyan Muni still in intact with other cultural evidences even though it was a deserted spiritual centre.
As a symbol of gratitude to the Rebhyamuni and Kasyapamuni of this Vencata land Suchetas Mahasthita a spiritual guru(teacher) is residing in a small Ashram known as Kaivalyadhamam at Viruthi and proving the service of Meditation and Yoga practices with a noble mission by extracting the Vedic and Buddhist concept of landscape meditation. An opportunity to learn and practice the Buddhist meditation technique of Vipassana is also very important. Suchethas Mahasthitha has a wider experience of travelling all over India and foreign countries such as France, Germany, Check Republic, Slovakia Switzerland etc to provide with experience the inner beauty of meditation and yoga. Travelled to European countries many times and interaction with many western people gave him a lot of opportunities to understand the different culture and the problems that they are facing in the modern world with a spiritualistic solutions of Yoga and meditation.
The practice of meditation is an uninterrupted thinking of one thought was the definition given by the original yoga teacher Pathanjali. Meditation is the focussing of the mind on one object and if mind acquires concentration on one object, it can concentrate on any object whatsoever. For achieving concentration, withdrawing the mind from sense objects is also essential. The combined practice of withdrawing the mind and senses and focussing the attention leads gradually to dhyana, the state of true meditation, when we are able to hold the mind on one chosen thought. By this process we will witness the workings of the mind without trying to suppress or direct thoughts that arise and finds his/ her wandering mind becoming calm, fit for deeper meditation. By practicing the thinking of excellent thoughts and calm with sitting in a quiet place is also important. The Upanishad describes meditation as the key to success. Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavatgita, Puranas, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus and all other spiritual teachers have preached the significance of meditation for attain enlightenment and illumination of mind.
The goal of the yoga is to manifest our divinity of our soul, by controlling internal and external nature. The systematic methodology of enfoldment of this inner potential Divinity, by moving towards self perfection is referred to as Yoga. By practicing the art of Yoga the ‘animal- man ascends through the stages man-man- super-man and divine man. By practicing the yoga the limited, narrow, selfish thinking completely changes and takes the shape of an integrated, all-encompassing, selfless character expressed by equanimity. The state of divinity or self perfection is the state of pure consciousness, maximum creativity and bliss. By practicing Yoga under a spiritual Guru/Teacher this state of delightful, blissful happiness will be attained in physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels.
The Glory of Viruthy as a centre of spiritual – the land of Ancient Meditation Centre
As a part of archaeological exploration to identify the real significance of ancient Venkundranadu, Sanalkumar has discovered the deserted land of Viruthi, its cultural and spiritual background with archaeological evidences. Viruthy – Situated amid paddy fields and open farmland on the outskirts of a picturesque hill view with several waterfalls, streams, pre- historic and puranic background still retains its identity of cultural spirituality. This deserted village (ghost town –means has a number of historical remains such as Muniswarankavu, Herostone, Padapeedam, menhir, stone pillars, load bearers, open aired shrines stone images, lotus pond etc . The presence of 3 load bearers (Athanis) nearby temple complex reveals that it must have a resting place for the traders connecting between domestic and coastal trade links. The term Viruthy is also known as Dhanabhoomi in Sanskrit which means the land gifted by the royalty. The usage of the term Viruthy dates back to the medieval period. The Viruthy land is normally given to a person as a reward for their services to the country or temple. The term Viruthy is mentioned in the stone inscription at the Poomullimana Tali Temple at Peruvemba.
Rebhyan Muniswaran Idol: A stone image locally known as Muniswaran is installed in the sub shrine at Muniswaran Kavu. According to Kasyapakskethra Mahathmya the Muni/Sage was a Brahmin devotee of Siva was known as Rebhya Muni. The idol is north facing, to the Siva shrine in front of stone Pillar with sculpture. Oral tradition says that the image of Muniswaran was obtained nearly ninety years ago while cleaning the nearby Manikundrum lotus pond. The image is seated in lilasana on a pedestal with Jathabhara spread out in five layers at the top of the head with a Ushisa (knotted hair). It is adorned with three valayas and two keyura valayas each in hands. The right palm is placed open on the right thing holding a flower and the left hand rests on the left thing. The Yajnopavitha (sacred thread) crosses over the left shoulder. It has layers of chains or necklaces and also an udharabandha. There are anklets (chilangas), in both the legs. The sculpture has protruding eyes. Even though certain attributes of this image resemble Sastha, it also resembles the image of a Buddhist / Jaina muni or Rajarshi with royal back ground of more than 2000 years old. However Sanskrit work Kasyapakshethra Mahathyamam revels that this Rebhrya muni was a Brahmin Sage.
A pair of Padhapeedam (Foot prints, Hero stone, Stone pillar with human image is related to several religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and early form of Hinduism.
Landscape Meditation Centre
Sanalkumar is visualizing the dream of reviving the past glory of this land of Land Scape meditation centre to commemorate the memory of Rebhyamuni and Kasyapa for imparting Indian values of culture and heritage. Sanalkumar with his wider experience of archaeological field researches and travelling experiences of heritage sites all over India is planning to recreate the glory of this spiritual land Viruthi by setting up a world class meditation research centre aiming to impart the deep rooted knowledge of Meditation, Yoga, spirituality, culture and archaeology of this land with a conference, exhibition and reference halls. In this picturesque valley at Viruthi a small ashram Kaivalyadhamam situated -with the help of spiritual Gurus/ teachers and scholars the culture and spirituality of this divine land is hoping to impart to the academic and global community with a noble vision.
