Culmination of the Shivanga Sadhana

“It was 10th March and a wonderful night where without my efforts the great master lifted up my
energies. The next day the trek started and we had no idea as to its nature or experience. I think all the Six
thousand Shivangas are first timers and ignorant like me. The Swamis were present at the foot of the hill and at
certain places along the trek giving us guidance regarding slippery rocks or steps and helping us with tips.
The stick was the most useful after Water. After trekking for about three hours I was totally exasperated and the
water which I brought was completely exhausted I thought I have completed 90% of the trek I was in for a rude
shock as our swamy said that the third hill was just over. Without giving another minute of rest (the more you rest
you might fall asleep as the earlier night was spent awake and the body craves for rest) I started trekking up with
focus only on the next four steps ahead.

I made it a point not to look at the snake like colorful dots in the far off mountains which the Shivangas ahead of
me made. I took step by step cautiously as the way after the fifth hill was a rocky terrain with no pathway. The
descent on the fifth hill virtually blocked our farther view as the sixth hill was imposingly starring at us and
blocking the view of the seventh hill. The hot afternoon and the nylon backpack were adding to the burden of
carrying myself up.

Up on the way up the seventh hill I have to use all the four limbs as the trek was getting harder and harder.
Ultimately I could see the peak of seventh hill and the chanting of Shiva Shamboo, I was drawn to it immediately
and I was following the Shivangas to the sacred place. The cool breeze at the Ganesh Sannadhi was really blissful
after the arduous trek. The coconuts were broken and the wonderful Darshan that followed would give any person
the feeling of accomplishment.

I was grateful to the master for giving me the strength and faith to come up this far, and from somewhere I had
the confidence that the master would safely return me to my family waiting for me at the ashram.I was
overwhelmed at the grace which carried me in the trek. I know what kind of weak person I am and it was not me
who did it. It was him who did it for me defying my nagging back pain.”
“Shivanga sadhana was an opportunity to increase my awareness. The daily shiva namaskar and the eating
pattern set in a good discipline in my daily routine. Towards the end of the 45 days, which passed quickly, the
neem leaves were not so bitter anymore.

The bikshatan was a eye opener for me in many ways. Me and another meditator went to Skandagiri Murugan
temple in padmarao nagar. Within 25 minutes about 25 people have given Bhiksha. It was a very humbling
experience, and an opportunity to break my limitation of asking for alms. People were very receptive and knew
about spiritual sadhana and bhikshatan. one person even prostrated to us. Sadhguru often says that there has
always been the tradition of taking care of spiritual sadhakas. It was a wonderful experience to see that in reality.

The trek to seventh hill of the Velliangiri hill was a very tiring and wonderful experience, Physically and
emotionally. It was tougher than I expected and realized I should have prepared myself better for the trek. We
started late and the sun was too strong and I got dehydrated quickly and ran out of water. Walking with another
5000 sadhakas and to see the devotion with which everyone was trekking was a unique experience.

After 4th hill, I took a break and asked another meditator for some water and had conversation. I mentioned to
him that I am exhausted and do not want to be a burden on someone else, so I will go slowly and If I don't make it
to the seventh hill this time, I will come again. He said something very profound, "Anna for a trek like this we only
have one chance. It is now or never. there is no second chance. We have come this far to 4th hill and it was quite
difficult to come here. we will have to make it to 7th hill today". That gave me an extra boost and I pushed myself
and made it to base of 7th hill. Even though we did not have time to go to the temple at the peak of the hill, I
consider my self blessed to have seen the 7th hill. If there is a second opportunity I will make it to the top of the hill
the next time.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my experience.”