I think by now you would have become familiar with the name Jnana Jyothiamma. Born in Kerala, having migrated to the USA, she took heed of a calling and came to Kallar, where her life changed. An ardent devotee of Goddess Ambal, Karapanasamy, and Shirdi Sai Baba, she was then introduced to Agathiyar and the Sidhas. Her journey on this path of realization needs to be told for it is a rare one.
Jnana Jyothiamma made a pilgrimage to Vadalur recently. The idea of going to Vadalur itself is an outcome of an extraordinary event. She had earlier called an electrical company to replace three numbers of lightings in her home. Last Thursday 8 August 2013, a young man in his twenties turns up at her door and provides the service. While he is attending to the job he requests her for a drink (Mooru). On completion of the task, he comments to her that he sees Ramalinga Adigal in her form. He enquires if she had been to Vadalur. This statement of his ignites the thought of going to Vadalur in Jnana Jyothiamma. She calls the company later to convey the message that she had not paid their staff for the services provided earlier. She is astonished to be told that they have yet to send someone over to replace those lights! Now, who did come earlier to Jnana Jyothiamma in the guise of the service personal? Did Ramalinga Adigal come and extend an invitation personally to Jnana Jyothiamma to come over to Vadalur, pay him a visit?
Jnana Jyothiamma prayed for the Lord to send someone to take her to Vadalur. She then searched the web to learn more about Ramalinga Adigal. Her search brought her to
http://www.vallalyaar.com/contact-us/ where on seeing Mathi Vanan's name she calls him up. Mathi Vanan immediately agrees to take her to Vadalur the next day, Saturday 10 August 2013, having himself gone there a couple of times. But Mathi later tells me this time traveling with Jnana Jyothiamma was a different experience. Both Mathi and Jnana Jyothiamma had not seen each other before this moment.
On Saturday it was raining cats and dogs in Chennai. As the driver and Mathi were wondering if at all they could journey to Vadalur, Jnana Jyothiamma presses them on to make this pilgrimage. A friend of Mathi was supposed to tag along but was not reachable until that morning. Jnana Jyothiamma leaves for Vadalur with Mathi and the driver at slightly after 4 in the early hours of the morning as dawn breaks.
At Sathya Gnana Sabai the high priest Jayapalan narrates the life and times of Ramalinga Adigal and explains to them the intricate and inner meaning to the concepts and teachings of the saint of Vadalur. Jayapalan mentions that it is only by the grace of Ramalinga Adigal that one can step into Sathya Gnana Sabai and goes on to say that Ramalinga Adigal is in Jnana Jyothiamma. Others come to their aid and provide them with more information. They witness the brief ritual (puja) at Sathya Gnana Sabai and Samarasa Sudha Sanmaarga Sathya Dharma Saalai where annadanam or free food is served since the days of Ramalinga Adigal. The temple priests invite Jnana Jyothiamma to partake the food but she chooses to have the food packed for reasons even she could not explain or understand. As she makes her way out of the Dharma Saalai she hears a voice calling out to her. Jnana Jyothiamma explains this encounter in her own words:
"This person caught me totally unaware and shocked. I became disoriented for a few secs (seconds) when he told me these (the following) words in Tamil .... "Ammadi, you have brought food for me isn't it?. I know you'll bring it for me....."
"When we came inside (the Dharma Saalai) there was nobody in the pathway. After finishing the prayers, Mathi and myself came out of the building and headed towards the gate to go to our final place .. Mettukuppam"
"We crossed almost 3/4 (of) the distance of the pathway leading to the gate, when suddenly I heard a voice calling Ammadi ....."
"I turned back and saw this person standing there and saying to me ... Ammadi, you have brought food for me isn't it? I know you will bring it for me..."
"We went to him and gave him the food what I got packed from the kitchen. He looked deep into my eyes and placed his thumb on my Ajna Chakra and smiled and told me he is happy ... Nalla Erru ... he said and went away taking the food."
"When we went to the kitchen to see the 'Anayathe Adupu", the cook and the priest who did the Pooja (prayers) told us a number of times to have food. But I was so adamant to pack it. Even Mathi asked me why I'm packing it instead of having it. I told him ... I want it packed ... Lots of rice, Sambar, Rasam and two kinds of vegetable dishes. At the back of my mind ... Molly (my self) was asking me ... what are you doing? But I was automatically doing what I was doing ... not knowing that I was going to give this food to my ... Father who was secretly waiting outside ..."
"Anybody can have food there .. coz (because) it is free Anadhanam 24/7 (twenty four hours/ seven days a week). Then why was this person asking me?"
After spending time at Sathya Gnana Sabai and Dharma Saalai they are led to the Theensuvai Neerodai and later to Sithi Valaaga Thiru Maaligai where Ramalinga Adigal attained Jhoti. Here as they sat in meditation walks in a lady sadhu who hands Jnana Jyothiamma some herbs asking her to consume. She says that she was directed to seek out Jnana Jyothiamma and deliver the medicine. Then she leaves. Mathi then enquires about the sadhu and they come to learn that there is a swami in the vicinity called Mouna Swami, who had only recently come out of his tapas of complete silence. They are lead to him by the caretaker. The Swami leads Jnana Jyothiamma to his shed in the undergrowth some distance away. He tells Jnana Jyothiamma that he was the one who sent the sadhu to meet her. Here the Swami has a private conversation with Jnana Jyothiamma before he bids her farewell.
Jnana Jyothiamma returned to Chennai around midnight, now even more determined to spread the word of God after having received Ramalinga Adigal's grace.
Jnana Jyothiamma and Mathi took photos and videos while at Vadalur that they had shared with me. I share them with you.
