It is only when you walk the walk that you realize how people have manipulated the path for their own agenda. Originally there would be a path walked by the master. Later, devotees would have lost the path momentarily only to join back on the original track later, missing some views and experiences meantime. Later devotees, would stray away and discover another path that would still bring them to their masters abode eventually.
Walking the Siddha path I realized how deviated the following was then, to the extend that it brought fear in others to walk along or hop onto the wagon. They stayed away for reasons that did not make sense either: marriages was not allowed, the path splits families, the followers had weird beliefs and practices etc. These were the reasons told to me when I took my first step into the mystical and mysterious world of the Siddhas. The negative perceptions of past devotees, fence sitters and people from the outside did much damage and created a phobia, hence discouraging the public from coming to the path.
On the contrary Siddha path is nothing like what I was told. It is only when you yourself take a ride in the buggy or roller coaster that you would know what the ride is like. Not that I can say that I fully understand the Siddhas, but some things have been demystified and the mystery revealed to a certain extent, sufficient for us to live a meaningful life in this world, performing our daily chores and carrying out our responsibilities, towards the family and the society.
I for one learnt that on the contrary, the Siddhas encourage devotees to marry and fulfill their responsibilities diligently. My very first guru Supramania Swami was a married man. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal was a married man. When he turned 50, Agathiyar selecting him for a bigger purpose, made him come out of the family way and serve the general public, guiding them to the path of the Siddhas.
When I met him for the very first time, he invited me to bring along my family for his talk later in the evening. He told me it was not sufficient that I came to the path, but had to bring the family too. I was blessed that my wife and children were receptive and willing to follow the path as I did.
When my colleague Muralitharan was waiting to have his Nadi reading with Nadi Nool Aasan T.Ramesh, he picked up a chat with a girl also waiting to see her Nadi. She told him that her male friend was inside the room having his reading told. She then stop for a brief moment and became excited, pointing out to Murali that she could hear her name mentioned from the conversation that was audible outside, from behind the closed doors. Soon her friend came out and she went in. Now Agathiyar mentioned the male friend's name in her Nadi. They came as friends but left as a couple match-made by Agathiyar.
Similarly many AVM family members were brought together in matrimony for the reason that they had been together in the past births. Those of us, seniors at AVM, when we went for a Nadi reading were told that we and our spouses were married in earlier births too.
Agathiyar warns parents that it is wrong for them to separate two souls who liked each other. My daughter and son-in-law met at the collage and continued being friends. After 8 years when they each had settled in a job, we made arrangements to marry them off. Although it was customary to compare each others horoscope for compatibility, but since they had liked each other, we had to forego that tradition. When I approached the priest at our neighborhood temple, I mentioned to him that, as they have known each other, we were not there to compare our children's horoscope but to only have him look into the almanac, and propose the suitable timings to have the engagement and wedding. He immediately told me three things: that if they liked each other, there was no need to see the horoscope, adding that the most important compatibility was that their hearts had come together in love for each other (mana poruttam); there was a reason that they are getting together in matrimony, and that was because of their past lives and karma that determines this sacred engagement; and finally he told us to go ahead and leave all the rest to Erai. His encouraging words brought relief and joy to us.
My family was blessed to have Tavayogi and Mataji attend my daughter's marriage in July of last year. As he was about to leave the premises after the wedding ceremony, Tavayogi whispered to me that all the Siddhas were there to bless all, showering flower petals during the wedding. I was very thankful for I knew it was possible by Tavayogi to bring the Siddhas down to witness and grace the solemn ceremony where two souls join in matrimony.
When the newly weds sat in front of Tavayogi for a Jeeva Nadi reading several days later, Agathiyar revealed the same, what Tavayogi had said much earlier. Agathiyar mentioned that all the Siddhas were assembled at the wedding hall, showering flowers and blessing them. He said that it was a very rare happening and reminded them that they were pretty much blessed to have the Siddhas drop in at their wedding.
We are told that the Gods and Goddesses too married and had spouses and these marriage ceremonies are reenacted in the temples annually. We are told that the Siddhas too lived with their spouses.
When AVM posed a question asking as to the origin of Agathiyar, in a Nadi reading, he reminded us that it was not their nature to reveal their origin or parentage. But the most compassionate father went on to explain very very briefly his past. What came as a welcome surprise to us was when he touched on his marriage with Lobhamutrai ma, that took place upon Lord Shiva's wish to see Agathiyar with a companion, like him.
Agathiyar in his very first mortal birth, had the vision of Kailash at a very young age of 10. After the vision he took up extreme tapas (tavam) including breath control. With the holy feet of the Sadguru forever in his thought, he reached a state of Nirmala at Kailash. Upon receiving theecha from Lord Kailai Shiva, he was blessed to be born a Siddha. It was a mystical birth. Agathiyar adds that it was not necessary to dwell into the source and the details (Rishimulam Nadhimulam).
Born as a Siddha now and moving in the jungles, sustaining only on fruits, his thoughts fixed on Erai, having no attachment to the good or bad, he soon had the vision and grace of Goddess Vana Kali. Continuing with his seeking and search for realization, and upon accomplishment through further severe tavam, Lord Kailai Shiva shows him his vision in Pothigai. Merging with Erai, Agathiyar stayed on at Pothigai upon Lord Kailai Shiva's directive. While here he came to know about the medicinal benefits of various herbs and plants. Agathiyar received the names of Kudamuni, Kumbamuni and other names from Lord Kailai Shiva.
Going without food and remaining in silence, staying in the state of Vasi, adhering to the eight limbs of Asthanga Yoga and performing extreme tapas, for the rest of the Yuga, gaining the Siddhi to travel through air, yet Lord Kailai Shiva told Agathiyar that there was something that he had failed to accomplish and do. When Agathiyar asked for further clarification, Lord Kailai Shiva laugh and looked him straight into his eyes, "Although you are an embodiment of Jnana, and those who hold on to your feet shall never face any disappointments, Gurumuni you do not have a companion as I do."
Agathiyar was taken aback. He came to know that the Lord intended to get him engaged to the very representation of Mother Kaveri, and Kaberan's daughter, Lobamutrai. Hence in this Kali Yuga, his energy that was of Shiv Sakthi came to stay at Kalyana Theertam with the intention of blessing all those who came seeking him and stood before him and Lobha Ma, seeing them as a personification of Shiv Sakthi.
Agathiyar, in another Nadi reading, goes on to mention that his form in the granite statue at Agasthiyampalli was not a depiction of the state of yoga or jnana but that of a state of joy in him (Agathiyar) on having seen and had the vision and darshan of Lord Shiv and Sakthi Ma in their marriage attire after their marriage in Kailash. Hence so are the replicas of Agasthiyampalli Agathiyar at AVM and Eco City Agathiyar temple. We are blessed indeed to have Agathiyar in our midst in Malaysia, blessing all his devotees with good health, wealth, progeny and prosperity.
On the contrary Siddha path is nothing like what I was told. It is only when you yourself take a ride in the buggy or roller coaster that you would know what the ride is like. Not that I can say that I fully understand the Siddhas, but some things have been demystified and the mystery revealed to a certain extent, sufficient for us to live a meaningful life in this world, performing our daily chores and carrying out our responsibilities, towards the family and the society.
I for one learnt that on the contrary, the Siddhas encourage devotees to marry and fulfill their responsibilities diligently. My very first guru Supramania Swami was a married man. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal was a married man. When he turned 50, Agathiyar selecting him for a bigger purpose, made him come out of the family way and serve the general public, guiding them to the path of the Siddhas.
When I met him for the very first time, he invited me to bring along my family for his talk later in the evening. He told me it was not sufficient that I came to the path, but had to bring the family too. I was blessed that my wife and children were receptive and willing to follow the path as I did.
When my colleague Muralitharan was waiting to have his Nadi reading with Nadi Nool Aasan T.Ramesh, he picked up a chat with a girl also waiting to see her Nadi. She told him that her male friend was inside the room having his reading told. She then stop for a brief moment and became excited, pointing out to Murali that she could hear her name mentioned from the conversation that was audible outside, from behind the closed doors. Soon her friend came out and she went in. Now Agathiyar mentioned the male friend's name in her Nadi. They came as friends but left as a couple match-made by Agathiyar.
Similarly many AVM family members were brought together in matrimony for the reason that they had been together in the past births. Those of us, seniors at AVM, when we went for a Nadi reading were told that we and our spouses were married in earlier births too.
Agathiyar warns parents that it is wrong for them to separate two souls who liked each other. My daughter and son-in-law met at the collage and continued being friends. After 8 years when they each had settled in a job, we made arrangements to marry them off. Although it was customary to compare each others horoscope for compatibility, but since they had liked each other, we had to forego that tradition. When I approached the priest at our neighborhood temple, I mentioned to him that, as they have known each other, we were not there to compare our children's horoscope but to only have him look into the almanac, and propose the suitable timings to have the engagement and wedding. He immediately told me three things: that if they liked each other, there was no need to see the horoscope, adding that the most important compatibility was that their hearts had come together in love for each other (mana poruttam); there was a reason that they are getting together in matrimony, and that was because of their past lives and karma that determines this sacred engagement; and finally he told us to go ahead and leave all the rest to Erai. His encouraging words brought relief and joy to us.
My family was blessed to have Tavayogi and Mataji attend my daughter's marriage in July of last year. As he was about to leave the premises after the wedding ceremony, Tavayogi whispered to me that all the Siddhas were there to bless all, showering flower petals during the wedding. I was very thankful for I knew it was possible by Tavayogi to bring the Siddhas down to witness and grace the solemn ceremony where two souls join in matrimony.
When the newly weds sat in front of Tavayogi for a Jeeva Nadi reading several days later, Agathiyar revealed the same, what Tavayogi had said much earlier. Agathiyar mentioned that all the Siddhas were assembled at the wedding hall, showering flowers and blessing them. He said that it was a very rare happening and reminded them that they were pretty much blessed to have the Siddhas drop in at their wedding.
We are told that the Gods and Goddesses too married and had spouses and these marriage ceremonies are reenacted in the temples annually. We are told that the Siddhas too lived with their spouses.
When AVM posed a question asking as to the origin of Agathiyar, in a Nadi reading, he reminded us that it was not their nature to reveal their origin or parentage. But the most compassionate father went on to explain very very briefly his past. What came as a welcome surprise to us was when he touched on his marriage with Lobhamutrai ma, that took place upon Lord Shiva's wish to see Agathiyar with a companion, like him.
Agathiyar in his very first mortal birth, had the vision of Kailash at a very young age of 10. After the vision he took up extreme tapas (tavam) including breath control. With the holy feet of the Sadguru forever in his thought, he reached a state of Nirmala at Kailash. Upon receiving theecha from Lord Kailai Shiva, he was blessed to be born a Siddha. It was a mystical birth. Agathiyar adds that it was not necessary to dwell into the source and the details (Rishimulam Nadhimulam).
Born as a Siddha now and moving in the jungles, sustaining only on fruits, his thoughts fixed on Erai, having no attachment to the good or bad, he soon had the vision and grace of Goddess Vana Kali. Continuing with his seeking and search for realization, and upon accomplishment through further severe tavam, Lord Kailai Shiva shows him his vision in Pothigai. Merging with Erai, Agathiyar stayed on at Pothigai upon Lord Kailai Shiva's directive. While here he came to know about the medicinal benefits of various herbs and plants. Agathiyar received the names of Kudamuni, Kumbamuni and other names from Lord Kailai Shiva.
Going without food and remaining in silence, staying in the state of Vasi, adhering to the eight limbs of Asthanga Yoga and performing extreme tapas, for the rest of the Yuga, gaining the Siddhi to travel through air, yet Lord Kailai Shiva told Agathiyar that there was something that he had failed to accomplish and do. When Agathiyar asked for further clarification, Lord Kailai Shiva laugh and looked him straight into his eyes, "Although you are an embodiment of Jnana, and those who hold on to your feet shall never face any disappointments, Gurumuni you do not have a companion as I do."
Agathiyar was taken aback. He came to know that the Lord intended to get him engaged to the very representation of Mother Kaveri, and Kaberan's daughter, Lobamutrai. Hence in this Kali Yuga, his energy that was of Shiv Sakthi came to stay at Kalyana Theertam with the intention of blessing all those who came seeking him and stood before him and Lobha Ma, seeing them as a personification of Shiv Sakthi.
Agathiyar, in another Nadi reading, goes on to mention that his form in the granite statue at Agasthiyampalli was not a depiction of the state of yoga or jnana but that of a state of joy in him (Agathiyar) on having seen and had the vision and darshan of Lord Shiv and Sakthi Ma in their marriage attire after their marriage in Kailash. Hence so are the replicas of Agasthiyampalli Agathiyar at AVM and Eco City Agathiyar temple. We are blessed indeed to have Agathiyar in our midst in Malaysia, blessing all his devotees with good health, wealth, progeny and prosperity.