Climbing the "Top Spiritual Axis of the World": Mt Arunachala

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Mount Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai is definitely beautiful and at its south-eastern base sits an ashram that is known around the world, Ramana Ashram.
Spiritual seekers have been coming to this relatively small place for centuries, some even living in caves and many climbing to the top. But TODAY you can no longer climb to the top of the hill without a special permit.
However, when I visited India in 2018, you could, so in this video, I'll share that trip with a friend and more about why some people call this the holiest place in India. (Which is saying a LOT!)
What is one of your favorite places to explore and reflect? Please share in the comments?
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[@gopkrishenator]

Man you got to be blessed..I am in the USA for the past 5 years and I miss all these places having come from Tamil Nadu..I have been watching all you videos over the holiday season and you simply rock with humbleness..keep going ...

[@bjenks]

Thanks a ton, where are you located in the US?

[@gopkrishenator]

@@bjenks Currently in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania..

[@Steeple-Chase]

@@gopkrishenator Dr Godse ko jante ho ? 😂

[@HimanshuSharmaTY]

Stop cribbing. You must have gone there at your free will.

[@eternallyviv]

@@HimanshuSharmaTY tum sab desi log ek saath baithkar fair skin ke naam pe fairness cream lagake mantra japo na aur bolo..."gore chamde waale log, please hume validate karo. TUm jab humare des aur sanskriti pe video banate ho, humaari chhaati phoolti hai."

[@yellojindersingjsing4902]

Hi sar I’m from Hyderabad And I’m big fan of u Take care of my Sister take care

[@bjenks]

Thanks Yello 🙏

[@TravelingEddie]

Yo what's up Benjamin! Really digging this one. Much appreciated. Lots of people NOW MORE THAN EVER are seeking the Truth, are becoming more spiritually inclined due to how COVID - 19 has, because of governments shutting down borders and all, made some people turn their gaze inwards and for some they look to BHARAT (India) to connect more with THAT. It's a good thing if you can upload 2 videos per month regarding spirituality, medoitation and what not per month. I'm headi9ng back to BHARAT a whole lot sooner than I had planned and I am exhilerated by the visualizations I have been carrying out. January is when I plan to be there. Gonna touchdown in Delhi, stay there for 4 full days to make some travel and adventure videos there for the two channels I have about traveling and then head up to Tapovan, Rishikesh for a 2-week AYURVEDIC Mind and Body detox program. While there, I will visit several ashrams and places of spiritual pilgrimage, Haridwar included, and make videos about that to provide more of an idea for those who wish to go to those places but have never.

[@bjenks]

Hey Edwin! Thanks and good luck on your travels. I'm looking forward to going up to Rishikesh and similar places as well one day. I'll make plans after things open up again though. Great to hear from you :)

[@manojc4262]

Shiva is peace of mind

[@cspace1234nz]

Yes, last time I was there a couple of years ago they were no longer allowing people to climb to the top, something I had done many times before over the years. Of course I did it anyway. Some years ago you could also walk the 'Inner Path', essentially doing Pradakshina right at the base of the hill on an enchanting little track rather than on the road, it too was very special. They stopped that too. Ramana Ashram used to be a very special place also but in many ways has become a bit of a circus, as have Skanda Ashrama and Virupaksha Cave where Ramana spent many years. In spite of this at certain times of the day it is still possible to find moments of solitude and quietude in order to open up to the power and vibration of the place, even make a direct connection with Ramana if one's devotion is clear enough.

[@bjenks]

yes can not climb to top without permit now I was lucky to climb before

[@cspace1234nz]

@@bjenks ....yes I understand a German guy was off track (as we do) and fell of a large rock to his death, that was the official reason for no longer allowing walking on the hill without a guide. As is the case with everything else there are other reasons why and they all have to do with who gets paid.

[@HimanshuSharmaTY]

@@cspace1234nz Sounds true. Everything has been commercialized.

[@cspace1234nz]

@@Foguete400 ...I have no idea. As far as I know you technically aren't allowed up at all and there were large signs that threatened fines and/or imprisonment...Lol ! But there are young guys who hang around Skanda Ashram who will take you up to the top of the hill fas your 'guide' for a price and they no doubt pay the right person in order to do that. I would do that if I had never been up there but I've been many times. I'm actually going back to Tiru in three weeks time for a month but I have no desire to climb to the top, I've done that enough. It's very cool though, well worth it.

[@cspace1234nz]

@@Foguete400 ....wander around, you'll find where you need to be. There are many old caves all over the hill but just untold places that feel special. The hill has a sort of magnetism that draws you in if you're open to it.

[@SrigiriNilayam]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 🕉️ అరుణాచలేశ్వరాయ నమః 🔱 🕉️ நமசிவாய 🔱 🕉️ Hara Hara Mahadeva 🔱 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@rahuls4863]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing this Benjamin. As an Indian, this is helpful for me too :) One thing wish to share with you - since you have started discovering the good things here - please do share the true meaning with your people in US. Many I have talked say - Hinduism means - 1 lakh gods, diwali, caste system, women jumping into fire etc etc, many elephants and snakes, and a colourful story and myth. But as you seen in this trip - it is very subtle and oure - just one thing God - when you reached on top - no rituals are needed - it is for you. There are no poojas you do - or some one does to you. You understand things. That state is what Hinduism always way. People over years - most people unknowlngly assume hinduism is set of colourful, some harmful, some harmless rituals. Thanks for sharing since that path you took, I have not taken yet, so this is gonna be my guide :)

[@bodhiganguly]

Saints used to travel by foot from arunachalam to mount kailash 4000 kms away

[@bjenks]

😮🙏

[@futureindia7934]

Please travel to velliyangiri hills in coimbatore and visit Isha foundation..

[@bjenks]

I would like to visit Coimbatore, looks nice for yoga and that statue!

[@positivevibes2468]

Future India - Is Sadhguru often at that Isha location?

[@uday20101]

On the foot hills u will visit Vellingiri andavar which is another place were Sages were around ......tht will be another spiritual journey

[@sindran126]

Do you know the myth story about how this mountain created by lord shiva. It's very interesting story abot 3 legend gods

[@vssunilkumar5016]

Om namah sivaya, God bless you sir

[@TravelingEddie]

You asked us to share this video with peeps looking for this kinda stuff and so I shall pal. Shubkamnae! Jai Hind!

[@bjenks]

Thanks a ton, Edwin!

[@veerrajutv1642]

Wonderful and great video. The incarnation and meaning of Lord Shiva have been depicted very well and Arunachalam Temple's view is simply great.

[@bjenks]

Thank you and the views are beautiful up there

[@oComics]

Excellent production Ben.. thanks for the video!

[@vijeandran]

thx brother

[@satishchandraGK]

By far the best amongst your videos. Keep it up!

[@ASHUTOSHKUMAR-vf8ip]

India is spritual centre of world

[@MohanKumar-vf1ft]

Sir, Thiruvanamalai is Very nice place, thanks for putting this information in your channel....

[@uday20101]

Nice video in the making mate good work

[@rajkumarnerella2762]

Spend your time there in Arunachala hill .. Do a long meditation and you will definitely catch your unknown happy feelings

[@arunachala143]

He is a supreme power to rule all over we call him mahadev god of all gods

[@ultimatebonglife]

awesome editing,creativity and deep knowledge of good presentation.you deserve more likes and views.keep it up.

[@bjenks]

Thank you very much!

[@naveen.v1090]

Last November I claimed the same hill💪 pretty awesome view🤩I miss Michelle on this clip😓I hope she enjoy in her home🏡 make a video about how you meet Michelle🤩I'm curious😉

[@bjenks]

Awesome! Yeah I am missing Michelle as well. Good idea for a video, thanks 😊

[@villageoorvalam]

Thanks for the video.

[@sivakumark1915]

Benjamin, I was expecting this video from you long time before. Am wondered why you chose Thiruvannalai town to stay. There is a reason, it might not be your choice, it's a definite call made by Lord Shiva to you to experience him. Enjoy the stay, try to explore indeep on Shiva

[@sivakumark1915]

Siva , Dallas

[@bjenks]

Hello Sivakumar, I came here for a retreat in 2018 and loved the place. The longer story is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boLWcpyljqefiK8

[@bjenks]

Thanks!

[@82vishnu.k52]

It's my home town 😊

[@raj1hans]

paul brunton of 2020 😇🙏

[@bjenks]

Haha thank you thank you, I liked his book about the Himalayas. Be nice to see

[@maheshpmuraleedharan4105]

👌👌👌👌

[@bjenks]

🙏✌️

[@abby-kamakoti]

I would recommend you. thirukazhukkundram,which is similar to thiruvanamalai in tamil nadu,near chennai. It is place where a conch will be risen from a pond every 12 years

[@myrooftopgarden8005]

Your videos are really very nice. Do come to Maharashtra. Aswell

[@manikshamik]

There are "33 koti " devatas, and that doesn't mean 33 million. Koti is a stage/layer. 33 koti means 33 gods of that stage.

[@NetiNetiTV]

İt's a very good Video Benjamin, 🔱 thank you so much 🙏🏻 😍. I am still in Tiruvannamalai and make also many videos. Your Video inpired me. 😉 Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏻 😊

[@KarthiKeyan-yh7pc]

There is another holy hill called paravadha malai very near in same tiruvannamalai district if u wish explore The place

[@lav1827]

I studied there, wow 🤩 that's very soothing place, and it's rath yathra, you have to see it ❤. Lord shiva is everything but nothing. This sentence has lot kr meaning on it.. Hope you could find out why I am saying this.

[@user-wn2om2er9g]

Om namasivai🙏

[@santh0sh219]

Next time you try paruvathamalai it's will be more great 🔥🔥love from thiruvannamalai 🙂

[@RohitSharma-jp5pl]

Grt

[@rajkumarnerella2762]

It is a seven days of trecking of this holy hill

[@rajakarnani2666]

Nice Benjamin

[@studyease4826]

FROM TIRUVANNAMALAI

[@prasad9349]

There is no existence of 33 million gods in the Hindu religion, the misinformation comes from the existing 33 Koti of Devas, and simply meaning 33 types of gods whose function of existence is to sustain the world. The 33 Koti of Devas is also the creation of Supreme Braham. Well I have subscribed your channel just to see your interest in India & it's Spirituality.Try to visit as many as spiritual places in India.

[@whellockroad]

Great stuff, Benjamin. Old Austin guy here, currently living in Mexico, but I want to return to Tiru. However, I'm 75 and wonder about getting insurance. Is it MANDATORY? I'm happy to go there without it, but if I MUST have it, I'm not sure I can find anyone who would insure me at my age. Would love your reply here. thanks

[@gouravtaparia]

It's actually a misconception that Hinduism have 33million gods. Somebody failed when they were translating from Sanskrit to hindi/english there is a saying 33 koti devata which means 33 types of Gods.

[@bjenks]

Thanks for clearing that Gourav

[@lakshmisaienterprise9002]

Good

[@vikki96]

👌

[@PinkySingh059]

3:30 There is no 33 million gods in Hinsuism, but only 33 gods. ’33 Crore Gods’ is a completely misinterpreted fact due to wrong translation of Vedic Sanskrit by certain foreign 'scholars'. The term ‘trayastrimsati koti’ mentioned in Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda, and Satapatha-brahmana, is rightly translated as 33 Gods. The term koti in Sanskrit has two meaning, one is ‘type’ and the other is Crore. So, somewhere in translation, they missed the basic fact that Sanatana Dharma/Hinduism has 33 Supreme Gods and not 33 Crore Gods. According to Vedas there are 33 Gods/Devas. These Gods are separated in the following pattern : 12 + 11 + 8 + 2. 12 is the number of Adityas, 11 are the number of Rudras, 8 is the number of Vasus, 1 is Prajapati, the Master of Gods, and 1 is the Supreme Ruler who is very powerful. Names of all 33 Vedic deities: 12 Adityas (personified deities) correspond to the 12 Solar months and represent different attributes of social life. The Vedic sages especially venerated the Adityas and Vedas are full of hymns dedicated to Indra, Agni, Surya, Varun and the like. These are: 1. Indra/Shakra (eldest and the undoubted leader of other Adityas) 2. Ansh (due share), 3. Aryaman (nobility), 4. Bhaag (due inheritance), 5. Dhatri (ritual skill), 6. Tvashtar (skill in crafting), 7. Mitra (friendship), 8. Pushan/Ravi (prosperity), 9. Savitra/Parjanya (power of word), 10. Surya/Vivasvan (social law), 11. Varun (fate), 12. Vaman (cosmic law). 8 Vasus are attendant deities of Indra and comprise of eight elemental gods that represent the different aspects of Nature. They are: 1. Anil (Wind), 2. Apas (Water), 3. Antariksh/Dyaus (Space), 4. Dhara (Earth), 5. Dhruv (Pole Star), 6. Anal (Fire), 7. Prabhas (Dawn), 8. Soma (Moon). 11 Rudras: · 5 abstractions - Ānanda (bliss), Vijñāna (knowledge), Manas (thought), Prāṇa (breath/ life), Vāc (speech), · 5 names of Śiva - Īśāna (ruler), Tatpuruṣa (that person), Aghora (not terrible), Vāmadeva (pleasant god), Sadyojāta (born at once) · 1 - Ātmā (spiritual self) In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the 11 Rudras are represented by ten vital energies (rudra-prana) in the body and the eleventh one being the Ātman (the soul): katame rudrA iti | dasheme purushhe prANA AtmaikAdashas te yadA.asmAchchharIrAnmartyAdutkrAmanty atha rodayanti tadyadrodayanti tasmAdrudrA iti || 4 ||

[@rajkumarnerella2762]

I never got a chance to use the opportunity. Please use the opportunity

[@Saitama-ur3lq]

how to get a permit to go to the top of the mountain

[@thisispuneetz3297]

Hii, hope you are doing well . I want to correct your info. There are 33 types of gods in Hinduism not 33 million.

[@360islamicinfo]

J

[@goyalnishugoyal007]

Hey Benjamin, What you do for work that allows you to travel so much?

[@bjenks]

I am not working at the moment. I saved up some money at my last job working at an online matchmaking company 😊

[@goyalnishugoyal007]

@@bjenks That's great, please try to visit chandigarh it is a very small city not much to see but many other places are nearby like amritsar shimla and many more. I can be your guide.

[@HimanshuSharmaTY]

There are not 33 million gods in Hinduism. Pls check with someone with knowledge that "koti" does not translate to "million" in the context and has a different meaning here altogether.

[@myrooftopgarden8005]

Are you travelling now in time of corona without mask....🥴

[@kuldeepsingh-lq2zc]

nie

[@deepakchoudhary7712]

It is not 33M It is 33 KOTI type god's Which is 330M en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hindu_deities

[@bjenks]

Thanks Deepak

[@SrigiriNilayam]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 🕉️ అరుణాచలేశ్వరాయ నమః 🔱 🕉️ நமசிவாய 🔱 🕉️ Hara Hara Mahadeva 🔱 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@saikrishnabattu592]

Oh this is better from you, you must do pradhakshinas for some beneficial

[@MokshagnaKanya]

Don't do like children on Shiva hill. Don't do fun there.

[@prrabhu]

There are 333 million Devas, not Gods !

[@gauravrai9323]

👌👌👌👌