Sri Arunachala Mahatmya1
(The Glory of Sri Arunachala) Nandi2 said: `That is the holy place! Of all Arunachala is the most sacred! It is the heart of the world! Know it to be the secret and sacred Heart-centre of Siva! In that place he always abides as the glorious Aruna Hill! `That day on which the ancient and wonderful linga of Arunachala took shape is the asterism of Ardra in the month of Mrigasira. And the day on which Vishnu and the other devas worshipped the Lord who emerged from the effulgence is the day of Maha Sivaratri.' Siva said: `Though in fact fiery, my lacklustre appearance as a hill on this spot is an act of grace and loving solicitude for the maintenance of the world. Here I always abide as the Great One (Siddha). Remember that in the interior of my Heart is transcendental glory with all the enjoyments of the world also. `Because they bind the beings of the worlds, know that relentless karmas become the bondage for jivas. The effulgent Arunachala is this (mountain), the mere sight of which causes them to become nonexistent. `What cannot be acquired without endless pains -- the true import of Vedanta [?] -- is easily attained by all who can either directly sight this hill or even mentally think of it from afar. 1Extracts from The Skanda Purana translated into Tamil by Sri Bhagavan. 2Nandi is the foremost devotee of Siva, always remaining in front of him. `I ordain that residence within a radius of three yojanas3 of this hill shall by itself suffice to burn off all defects and effect union with the Supreme even in the absence of initiation.' Devi said: `This is always the abode of pious devotees. Those who do evil to others here will, after suffering ills, be destroyed. Wicked persons will be completely bereft of their powers to do evil here in the twinkling of an eye. Do not fall into the burning fire of the anger of Lord Arunachala who has assumed the form of a hill of fire.' 3A yojana is ten miles.
