மலா்கள் கேட்டேன்… வனமே தந்தனை… தண்ணீா்க் கேட்டேன்… அமிர்தம் தந்தனை… எதை நான் கேட்பின்… உன்னையேத் தருவாய்…
காட்டில் தொலைந்தேன்… வழியாய் வந்தனை… இருளில் தொலைந்தேன்…ஒளியாய் வந்தனை… எதனில் தொலைந்தால்… நீயே வருவாய்…
பள்ளம் வீழ்ந்தேன்… சிகரம் சோ்த்தனை… வெள்ளம் வீழ்ந்தேன்… கரையில் சோ்த்தனை… எதனில் வீழ்ந்தால்… உன்னிடம் சோ்ப்பாய்…
In asking the Lord the following...
When I ask for a little bloom he gave me a whole garden of it. I asked for water and he gave me ambrosia instead. What should I ask that you shall give yourself,
He was there as a path when I lost my way. He was there as a light source when darkness enveloped me. Where should I lose myself in order to see you,
When I fell into the dark pit he lifted me to the highest peak. When I was carried away by the floodwaters he brought me safely to the bank. Where should I leap into to merge with you?
...it brings out one's true yearnings.
Vairamuthu's song "Malargal Ketthen" very much describes my state and that of many others at AVM for the number of blessings the Siddhas have brought down on us from the Gods. They had become conduits that brought down their grace and compassion and energies too. It only goes to show the powers and potential of these Siddhas for otherwise why would Lord Siva send Agathiyar alone to the south to bring stability to the world when all the Gods and Goddesses gathered for his wedding with Parvathi. Agathiyar alone was equivalent to the strength and force of all those gathered at Kailash that day. We are grateful to have such a mighty force on our side. He has taken care of me and my family well. He has given me a monthly pension so that I do not need to go out to put food on the table. So how do I repay him? I write about him. In writing about him my thoughts are on him and his lilas. We are constantly speaking. I guess this is the least I can do for him. I thought my purpose ended there. But it was not to be. Lord Murugan and Agathiyar want me to turn each home into Agathiyar Vanam.
I had always felt that only those who had the wealth of calmness and humbleness should take the front desk for you never know who will walk in and cause a stir. Such a person would talk them out of their anger and send them back calmer after looking into their problems. I was not the front desk guy for I have a temper. Being a Virgo makes it worse since I am particular about almost every other thing. I cannot tolerate nonsense and idiocy. At the same time, Agathiyar wants me to be stern with others too. Thus I cannot imagine how Agathiyar has given me the task of turning others' homes into his Vanam or garden where he would then reside and carry out his austerities. But the invitations are out. I have to carry out the task given to me so that I can move on.
Lord Murugan and Agathiyar in asking to turn each home into Agathiyar Vanam, have made me question how do I go about it? Now I have to rewind the tape to the moment my home became Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM). I took up this name for my home as it was the name of the site on which stood Tavayogi's ashram Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Kallar so that we could share its location and details of events with others. Agathiyar kept sending strangers who soon became acquaintances to my home to witness the Pornami or Full Moon prayer as I guess I was the only one doing it then. I too had difficulty in finding any organization, movement, or society that was carrying out the worship of the Siddhas some ten years earlier during the early years of my search to learn their worship. Since no one did I started on my own with whatever tools were given to me. I opened my doors to them. Today Lord Murugan and Agathiyar are asking the others to open their doors to yet others in search of homes where Siddha puja is carried out. The intent of the Siddhas is to expand the faith beyond the four walls of AVM.
Spreading the word around I received mixed reactions. Some told me that they have stopped Puja and moved within. Others agreed to open their homes and conduct the Siddhar Puja pretty soon as they had many things going currently. Someone replied it was a timely message from me as he was going through a tough time at the office. Well as for me the message is out and I think I have begun on the task given to me.