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ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA, March 17, 2008: Recently, on January 25, ten thousand Hindus gathered at Tirupati to show their opposition to the governmental control of temples.

For years, Hindus had been watching how the government of Andhra Pradesh had been taking over management of their temples, and then selling thousands of acres of land that belonged to these temples, thus leaving them with little or no economic basis. This was being done without the permission of the local Hindu community. The endowments department, whose duty is the preservation of old temples, had turned a blind eye to these activities and encroachments. Furthermore, about 34,000 temples had been taken over for government control. Only 18 per cent of the revenue of these temples is said to be given back for temple purposes, while the remaining 82 per cent is used for other things by the government at their discretion.

Due to public demand, about 30,000 temples have been given back, but those that had the largest economic income were kept by the government. To make the government more aware of the Hindu community’s outrage and demand for change, a huge public forum was arranged on January 25 in Tirupati.

Several Hindu leaders addressed the thousands present. They all emphasized the need for Hindus everywhere to be strong enough to preserve and protect their tradition, starting with their temples.

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KAUAI, HAWAII, USA, March 18, 2008: Readers have asked HPI where to find the book “What Is Hinduism?”, reviewed by Rediff News as summarized on yesterday’s HPI. The book can be purchased here.

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GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA, March 2008: His Holiness Vishwaguru Paramhans Swami Maheswarananda is currently on a World Peace Tour and whilst in Australia on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, he gave Satsang to the Australian public on the significance of his holy day in honor of Lord Shiva. Here is an excerpt of his talk.

Today is one of the most beautiful constellations and beautiful days in the year. Every day is beautiful but today is special. Today Lord Shiva is celebrated, adored and worshipped throughout the whole world, where millions upon millions meditate upon him and repeat his name. Today is Shivaratri, the night of Lord Shiva! In every Shiva temple in the world they will perform abhisheka throughout the night–millions of people are reciting Lord Shiva’s name, fasting all day and in the morning they shall break their fast. Why fast? When you fast, your energy is balanced and it is also a kind of austerity, purification of consciousness, with control over the senses to balance your intellect and emotions. More spiritual energy develops in your heart and consciousness when you fast. Each atom in our body and on this planet vibrates today with the energy of Lord Shiva.

Who is Shiva? Shiva is known as Svayambhu. No one created him, he manifested himself. He was the first creative consciousness in Anant Brahmand, the endless universe. This endless universe we compare with the body of the mother whom we call the Cosmic Mother, and within her that cosmic consciousness resides–it is not dormant, it is residing–like an embryo in the body of the human mother. Within this endless universe the resonance awakes–Nada–the sound. That sound is known as OM and that sound still resonates in the entire universe, not only on our planet. Each blood cell still resonates immensely with this manifestation of Lord Shiva.

Awakening of the cosmic consciousness is the manifestation of Shiva–I am one and now I will multiply. Out of his consciousness, thousands of sun systems, stars and planets, visible and invisible elements are created. Shiva was, is and will be. Shiva means consciousness, pure and crystal clear. Shiva means the beauty and Shiva means the Truth. Shiva means the liberator. Shiva means moksha. First is Shiva, the entire universe is a manifestation of his form, represented in the Shiva Lingam. Shiva is considered one of the most merciful Gods, with a little prayer he will be pleased and will fulfill all wishes.

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A journalist dreamed that he interviewed God and asked Him what surprised Him most about people. God answered, “That they get bored being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then later long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.”
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