BE GRATEFUL

When I came to know about the Nadi and the Siddhas and their path or Margam at the age of 43, I asked Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal why did I not know it sooner but only came to know about it late in life. He answered rather blunt and in the face, "Be grateful for at least you have come to it (the path) now".

I was warded for the very first time in the government hospital at the age of 54. The irony is that this "fortress" was brought down by a very tiny aedes mosquito. I succumbed to dengue. I then realized how fragile we were. I was grateful that I had not fallen terribly ill to warrant hospitalization until then. My mother was hospitalized two years ago. It was her very first time at a ripe old age of 88. My father-in-law was admitted recently at 80 years of age. It was his very first stay at the hospital.

When you are either 54, 80 or 88 years of age and you succumb to an illness that warrants hospitalization for the very first time in your entire life, be grateful. Be grateful that you have had a serious enough illness to warrant an admission in the wards only at the age of 54, 80 or 88 and not sooner. Be grateful for the illness free days you had enjoyed all these years before this admission. Be grateful if you come out of it. Regard the present as a bonus and an extension of time.

When my mother-in-law was having depression, we prayed for her quick recovery. When my daughter broke her tibia and fibula bones in an accident we prayed that her bones should heal and mend fast. When my younger daughter came down with dengue too, we prayed that her platelet levels should rise fast and return to normal. When my mother was treated for a low GFR or glomerular filtration rate, we prayed that her kidneys should regain normalcy. When my wife was admitted for surgery we prayed that she should recover fast. When my father-in-law was admitted for excess phlegm in lungs, we prayed that he should recover too. When members of AVM family and their dear ones were ill or underwent extreme duress and pain, we prayed for them too.

When my brother-in-law complained of stomach pain and was operated on, he went into coma and passed away. Our prayers that he should recover was not fulfilled. 

Then the question arises why God saves some and not the others? 

This question I had was answered when Sri Krishna narrated an event in their family circle. A relative was bedridden after an illness for close to 5 years. Sri Krishna who was into the Nadi, and organised tours specifically to appease the karma of many, seeked the Nadi and did all the parikaram or atonements for the sick relative. During this course of parikaram and period Agathiyar stressed that the sick should never give up but remain strong. But sadly his sick relative died. His family and friends came down on Sri Krishna venting their anger at Agathiyar on Sri Krishna, for not saving the soul. They questioned the Nadi and the many parikarams that was in vain and ended useless, futile and pointless. They threw hurtful words at him and walked away in disgust.

There is never a Nadi for a dead man. But in this case Agathiyar called Sri Krishna for a reading. He asked Sri Krishna what he was supposed to do? Sri Krishna and his family wanted the sick relative to survive but the relative had given up on life, asking and praying that God should take him away! Agathiyar reminded them that that was the reason he had asked the sick to remain strong. Besides the prayers, the parikaram done and the help from the Siddhas towards changing one's fate, the sick person concerned should remain strong in spirit. 

Maybe my brother-in-law too had given up.

Now we do pray for the sick while asking the sick to be strong; but we leave the results to Agathiyar and God. If someone passes away even after all the medical attention given and the prayers done for his recovery end futile, let him/her go. Death is not the end. The soul has another journey to take on. Let them go for they have exhausted their karma for this birth. They will be back with another load of karma to unload.

For those nearing death, let go too of all the desires for wealth; let go of all grudges and pain; forgive yourself for all the wrong doings and forgive others too. Only then would the soul leave this body without a struggle and peacefully. Thank God for all the good received throughout your life. Pray that he should continue to care for all those whom you are leaving behind, just as he had cared for you. Be grateful for this life and what it had offered to you.  

Be grateful for this life and what it had offered to you!

If your once lucrative business was going down after many years of success; be grateful for the days that you made money.

Be grateful for the job you hold for there are many without one.

Be grateful for the food on your dining table for there are many who go by without food.

Be grateful for having an opportunity to study; while many never had.

Cherish the good memories you had and be grateful for those fine and sunny days.

If you have hands and feet, eyes and ears, be grateful. If you are able to eat be grateful. 

It only takes a walk into the hospital to realize how blessed we are.

It only takes a walk through the squatters and slums, to realize how fortunate we are.

Be grateful for all that you had. Your mantra and the only one should be, "Thank you God! Thank you God! Thank you God!"

Show your gratefulness by giving back to the less unfortunate. The rich might not need any assistance from you; but the poor would certainly appreciate any help from you.

Reach out to the poor in your neighbourhood; workplace; or school. Reach out and provide aid to the childrens home and old folks home that is nearby. They are all God's children. Reach out to God by reaching out to these children.