A young lady surprised me by asking to learn about Gnanam in her message to me on Fb. Soon we talked over the phone. I was extremely happy that there was a soul that would have satisfied and made Tavayogi very happy, as Tavayogi told us hardly anyone came to him or came to read his Jeeva Nadi wanting to know about Gnanam. Those who come were all interested in worldly things. When Agathiyar came around asking what we wanted some time back he stopped short of offering my wish to be born again and again to serve him asking me if that was what I really wanted. Sharing this with Mahin we wandered if we should ask for Gnanam even though not knowing what it was as Tavayogi used to remind us that that was what we should seek. Agathiyar defined it the next time he came as the experience gained in journeying within oneself.
He says of Gnanam, "You asked of me Gnanam. When one goes within and his journey starts, the effect of the result of this journey on him is Gnanam."
"நீ என்னிடம் கேட்டது ஞானம். ஒருவன் தனக்குள் உள்வாங்கி அவனுள் பயணம் துவங்கும் நேரம் அப்பயணம் தரும் பாதிப்பே ஞானம்."
So it seems that it is the outcome of an internal journey within oneself.
He added that "It defers for each person. As such I cannot possibly define it."
"அவை ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் மாற்றம் பெரும். ஆகையால் அவை நான் இதுதான் என்று சொல்ல இயலாது."
He added further that Gnanam is not gifted but has to be earned, experienced, and learned.
"ஞானம் என்பது நான் தருவதல்ல. நீ கற்பது."
As Agathiyar said that Gnanam was not gifted by him nor offered on a plate it has to be acquired through experience in journeying within, traversing each chakra, and upon reaching the final destination that would be the flowering of Gnanam. Agathiyar says that the truth shall dawn when we go within. When the truth is known the veil is shed. When the veil is drawn aside the truth is revealed. That is the moment of Gnanam. It is not hokus pokus. It is beyond that too.
"நீங்கள் உள் பயணிக்கும் போது எல்லாம் தெரிய வரும். எல்லாம் தெரிய வந்ததால் திரை விலகியதற்கு அர்த்தம் தானே? எல்லாம் தெளிவாகத் தெரியும் சமயம் திரை விலகியதற்கு அர்த்தம். அதுதான் ஞானம். இது மந்திர ஜாலம் அல்ல. அதற்கும் அப்பால் பட்டது."
I guess it is the soul's journey that he speaks of and not the daily experiences and lessons we gain from our interaction with the world outside us. If our daily experience in the material world was Gnanam then everyone would be a Gnani in his own way. This would rightly be worldly wisdom accumulated from the lessons learned from the experiences gained in the years of living. It would be the wisdom to decide, choose and advise on what is right and wrong. But the Gnanam spoken about by the saints is the experience of going within and churning the sea and bringing the tide up, expelling the poison that Lord Shiva would then consume and bring forth the ambrosia that is hidden deep within the sea bed or rather the deep recesses of our inner Self. Ramalinga Adigal in asking me to stomach all the inconveniences including the noises and awful stench and smells of animal poo in the neighborhood that I faced that surprisingly surfaced the day after Agathiyar asked me to go within, told me that they were hindrances placed by them. He explained further that effort in going within is needed to overcome the troubles and that it shall exist until we are lost within ourselves. The experience gained will bring about Gnanam. Ramalinga Adigal affirms further that attaining the state of Gnanam needs effort. The effort placed in going within brings new experiences quite unlike what we have seen in our daily lives.
"அவைகளை உமக்கு இன்னல்கள். அவைகளை உமக்கு ஞானம். பொறுத்துக்கொள். தனது முயற்சியால் உமது ஐம் புலன்களை அடக்கிடுவாய். அது நடக்கும் வண்ணம் இவைகள் உமக்குத் தொந்திராவு வழங்கும்."
Agathiyar in consoling me said that the source of these disturbances which he terms Pulurivigal or parasites shall exist even if we were to run and hide deep in the jungles. Only then they shall be in a different form. Since we are in towns and cities the irritation shall come through people and their pets. Agathiyar explains that when we fully understand ourselves and gain self-realization; when we understand the Ganangal or Bhuta Ganangal; and come to finally realize that nothing is permanent, at that moment we shall enter and remain in the void of space (Vezhi Kadappathu). That is just "being" or Summa Erupathu. When we go within its silence is heard in this state of Sunyam or void or silence where there are no labels, forms, or sounds. Everything dissolves into IT. Only existence prevails.
"உன்னை நீ முழுதும் அறிந்து உன்னைச் சுற்றி இருக்கும் கணங்கள் அறிந்து எதுவும் நிலை அற்றது என்று நீ அறியும் அத்தருணம் வெளிக்குள் நீயே வெளி கடப்பாய். அத்தருணமே சும்மா இருப்பது."
Now I understand why Supramania Swami did not hear the din that came from the motor workshop that sprang overnight next to the kudil we built for him at Thiruvannamalai. It dawns on me now that what they are implying is that by ignoring the pain and troubles we overcome them without any confrontation.
After a brief spell of some four years beginning in 2019 where Agathiyar brought a halt to all puja and charity, Lord Murugan asked me on Thaipusam day, to turn each home, just as my home has turned into, an Agathiyar Vanam. He has brought me back one cycle, back to square one, to what I did in the beginning years. But as Tavayogi replied when I asked him about the need for him to build the ashram temple and he replied that it was not for him but for others, and just as Agathiyar told me that the Homam I was asked to carry out was not for me but the good of the Prapanjam; and just as Lord Shiva in 2020 and Prapanjam herself in 2022 asked us to conduct the Homam to heal the world from the effects of the coronavirus, I guess similarly the divine has tasked me again to revisit these rituals for the sake of others yearning to come to the path.
How did I begin then? For each home to evolve into Agathiyar Vanam, Siddha puja shall be conducted first beginning with the recitation of the names of the Siddhas and followed by the ritual of performing the Homam. The householders would have to carry out charity. Agathiyar in addressing all those gathered during his Vizha, wanted us to entertain the guests who turn up in their homes for he says that they are sent by him. The pantheon of gods and heavenly beings would turn up too. It was a means of carrying out charity for those who did not have the means and opportunity to do it elsewhere. Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongkarakudil expounds on this teaching asking us to carry out Virunthu Upasarippu at home when we entertain visitors with food offerings besides Annadhanam or feeding the hungry out there too. These would amount to stepping into Kriyai taking upon ourselves these noble tasks. Then there is a need to embark on Yoga that brings us to the journey within that flowers into Gnanam. To get started one needs to learn about the Tattvas that govern us. Then one has to notice the changes taking place within and realize and become aware that his journey within has begun. He has to acknowledge the power of the breath and question himself if the breath was in him or if he was of it and hence recognize the merger. This would be the advent of the Pranava Deham.
"உடல் கூறு தத்துவங்களைத் தெரிந்துகொண்டாயா? தேக மாற்றம் உணருகிறாயா? உன் உள் பயணத்தை அறிந்துகொண்டாயா? பிரணவத்தின் சக்தி உணருகிறாயா? உன் பிரணவத்தால் ஊடுகிறாயா? அல்லது பிரணவம் உன்னுள் ஊடுகிறதா?"
An understanding of the structure of the body is a prerequisite to an understanding of the inner journey. The subtle experiences that result from bodily changes bring a new understanding of the inner journey. Becoming aware of the breath and its movement brings us to merge with the breath. Remaining in this state of bliss (இன்பத்தில் ஆழ்ந்து கொண்டுவா) we finally are set ablaze in effulgence (உன்னுள் ஜோதி எரியும்). The Pranava Deham then fuels the Jothi.
Agathiyar had reminded us at the start of our journey within that external insignias and symbols, customs, and traditions were not necessary.
"All this while it was an external journey, one that was worldly. Now it is a journey within. We shall not play Siddhis or tricks. There is no need for external insignias. Only if there is a need for it shall we take it up. This is Sudha Sanmargam."
"இது நாள் வரை நீ கடந்து வந்தது இவ்வுலக வாழ்க்கையின் பயணம். இனி நீ கடக்க போவது உமது உள்பயணம். சித்து வேண்டாம். வெளி சின்னம் வேண்டாம். அவசியம் இருக்குமானால் அணிந்து கொள்ளுங்கள். இது சுத்த சன்மார்க்கம்.
Now he reiterates the same asking us to only anoint the ash, and carry or participate in the customs and rituals if the need arises. He told us that henceforth he would not appear before us, neither would he apply the holy ash on us, nor bless us verbally or through touch. When Lord Murugan after seeing each one of us some time back called us back and applied the Vibhuti as if it was an afterthought, he whispered to me, that if he does not apply the sacred ash on their foreheads they would be disappointed. Hence he had to please them. He laughed at our dependency on external symbols.
Agathiyar in my final Nadi reading on 24.12.2019 before he changed his modus operandi and spoke to us through his devotees, revealed that,
"Gnanam is the art of transforming the Asudha Deham into a Sudha Deham and later into the Pranava Deham and finally into the Oli Deham. Gnanam then is in knowing this art and making the transformation happen. For this to take place we need to observe the breath and know the Tattvas too."
"அசுத்த தேகம் சுத்த தேகமாகி, பிரணவ தேகமாகி, ஒளி தேகமாகும் வித்தையே ஞானம். அதற்குத் தியானத்தில் வாசியைக் கவனி. உடல் குறு தத்துவங்களை அறிய வேண்டும்."
On 30.1. 2020 he commanded the following.
"Sit before me and meditate. During this moment carry out the cleansing breath as taught by your guru. Just the important ones. You shall sense a coolness within. Remain silent in these moments. Focus on your breath. Your breath shall touch the Suzhimunai and swirl. Travel along your seven chakras. That journey shall awaken your chakras. After traversing these chakras when it touches the seventh you shall know your purpose here. Currently, your breath is at the Svadhishthana. It is about time it opened up. This is the right time to start this practice."
"தினமும் காலையில் குளித்து வெறும் வேஷ்டி அணிந்து என் முன் அமர்ந்து தியானம் செய்து வா. தியான முறையின் பொது உமது குரு கூறிய சுவாச சுத்திகரிப்பு பயிற்சியினை செய்து வா. அனைத்தும் வேண்டாம். மூல பயிற்சி மட்டும் போதும். அதை நீ செய்து வர உனக்குள் ஒரு தனி குளிர்ச்சி ஏற்படும். அந்நிலையில் நீ அமைதி கோல். உனது மூச்சில் கவனம் கோல். உமது மூச்சு உமது சுழிமுனை தோட்டு சூழும். உமது ஏழு சக்கரங்களில் பயணம் செய். அப்பயணம் உமது சக்கரங்கள் ஒவ்வொன்றாய் பூர்த்தி செய்யும். மூலாதாரம், ஸ்வாதிஷ்டானம், மணிபூரகம், அனாகதம், விசுத்தி, ஆக்கினையென ஏழாவது சக்கரம் தொடும் நிலையில் நீ உனது பிறவிக்கான பலனை அறிவாய். இத்தருணம் மான் மூச்சு குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. அவை திறக்கும் தருணம் வந்தது. இப்பொழுதுதான் நீ உமது பயிற்சியினை தொடங்க வேண்டும். இந்நிலையில் அச்சக்கரம் முற்றும் திறந்து விடும்."
Agathiyar continued on the changes to be expected on 22 August 2022.
"You shall witness many changes taking place within you. Do not fear. Due to the activation of the chakras your body shall emit a foul smell. You shall have constipation. You shall urinate often. Take lots of warm water. The Agathiyar Kuzhambu you took did help in expelling the 3 dosas. But there is still more filth that shall be expelled in due time. Carry out the said practice."
"உடலில் பல மாற்றங்கள் கண்டறிவாய். பயம் கொள்ள வேண்டாம். இச்சக்கரங்கள் புணர்ச்சியால் உன் உடலில் ஏற்படும் மாற்றங்கள், துர்நாற்றம் வீசும், மல சிக்கல் ஏற்படும், கழிவு ஆகும், சிறுநீர் அதிகம் வெளியேறும். வெந்நீர் அதிகம் அருந்து. அன்று நீ உண்ட குழம்பினாள் உன் உடலிலிருந்து வாத, பித்த, கபம் சற்றே அகன்றது. இன்னும் இருக்கிறது. அவை அகலும். இப்பயிற்சியினை மேற்கோள்."
He enlightens us further. "All this while you have gained external knowledge or Ulaga Gnanam. Now you shall gain Gnanam that is going to serve you." Agathiyar reiterates that "When one starts the journey in going within, the result is Gnanam. But it shall vary among people. Hence I cannot say exactly what shall take place."
"ஒருவன் தனக்குள் உள்வாங்கி அவனுள் பயணம் துவங்கும் நேரம் அப்பயணம் தரும் பாதிப்பே ஞானம். அவை ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் மாற்றம் பெரும். ஆகையால் அவை நான் இதுதான் என்று சொல்ல இயலாது. நீ இதுவரையில் கண்ட ஞானம் உலக வாழ்க்கை ஞானம். இனி காணப்போவது உனக்கான ஞானம்."
Agathiyar says that when our personal thoughts leave us know that that is the start of the journey towards attaining Gnanam referring to those who are yet to take up his teachings seriously.
"When their external thoughts leave them Gnanam shall dawn on them and they shall take up the path of Gnanam."
"அவர்களின் எண்ணம் எப்போ அவர்களை விட்டு விலகுகிறது அப்போ அவர்கள் ஞானம் கைகூடி அவர்கள் ஞான பாதையில் அடி வைப்பார்கள்."
Ramalinga Adigal came on 14.5.2020 and gave me a tremendous boost. He spoke about the effulgence that shall come down to reside both in the home and in us and walk this earth.
"When you reach my state, energy will come within you without your knowledge. That is Suzhimunai. There is much to learn. You have my blessings. I shall travel with you till you reach the destination. I accompany those who go deep within. Follow your breath. Place the effort and you shall reach the destination."
"எனது நிலையை நீ தொடும்போது உன்னை அறியாது உன்னை நோக்கி ஒரு சக்தி உன்னுள் இறங்கும். அதுவே சுழிமுனை. நீ கற்பதற்கு இன்னும் இருக்கிறது. எனது பரிபூரண ஆசியோடு கற்பிப்பாய். உன்னுள் ஜோதி எரியும் வரை நான் உன்னோடு வருவேன். ஆழ்ந்து இருப்போருடன் நான் சேர்ந்து இருக்கிறேன். உமது பிரணவத்தை கொண்டு செல். ஜோதியோடு கலப்பாய்."
We owe all this to our gurus. As we are told that they were the catalyst and the fuel that elevated us to the present state.
"Supramania Swami was the guru who led you to the path of worship to guru. He taught you guru bhakti or devotion to the guru. You received the merits from his tapas. Tavayogi too in his light form is trying to bring salvation to you. He is traveling with you. You traveled in his way and followed his teachings. You spread his fame and helped him attain the state of Jothi. He who is currently with you shall continue to travel with you."
"சுப்ரமணியன் உனக்கு வழிநடுத்திய குரு. குருவைத் தொடர்ந்திருக்கும் ஒரு சீடன் அக்குருவை எவ்வாறு நடத்த வேண்டும் என்று கல்வியை சுப்ரமணியன் உனக்குப் போதித்தான். அவன் தவ வலிமையை நீ பெற்றாய். தவயோகி ஆத்ம ஜோதியாய் உங்களை கரை தேர்த இன்னமும் முயற்சிக்கிறான். உங்களோடே பயணிக்கிறான். அவன் வழி நடந்து முழுமையாக கடைபிடித்து வரும் ஒரு சீடன் நீ. அவன் புகழை பரப்பிய உன் தவ வலிமையால் அவன் ஜோதி நிலை தொட்டு விட்டான். தற்பொழுது அவன் உங்களை வழி நடுத்த உங்கள் அருகில்தான் இருக்கிறான். இன்னும் இன்றும் உங்களோடு பயணிக்கிறான்."
Agathiyar in explaining to those gathered around to celebrate his Vizha on Thaipusam day finally made me realize why Rengarajah Desigar had refrained from blessing me when I visited him in 2003 making me upset and question my worth. I had asked him to bless me expecting him as all gurus traditionally do, to either place his palm on my head or verbally say something but Rengarajah Desigar chose to remain quiet and seemed to hold back the blessing. After asking several times he finally uttered that coming there itself was a blessing. As I was a new kid on the block, just a year old on the path, I felt dejected and questioned myself if I was not worthy of his blessings. Today I understand fully when Agathiyar addressed us. Agathiyar spelled out clearly that just entering the presence of a saint or the premise would suffice in us gaining their blessings just as Rengarajah Desigar had meant back then. This reminds us of Agathiyar's earlier reminder of how to conduct ourselves at the samadhis of saints. He questioned us bluntly as to who we are to think we are empowering them by carrying out rituals for them. If we empower the deities to come within the statues and grace and bless us by carrying out rituals at these temples similarly when Agathiyar came to my home in the form of a bronze statue he told us to give life to the metal by reciting his mantra 100,000 times. We understood that the energy harnessed through the recitation was transferred to the otherwise lifeless statue. We had tapped into the Prapanjam reciting Agathiyar's name and passed on the accumulated energy to the statue that received and gained Sakthi or power, which would eventually serve to see through the needs and desires of the devotees. The samadhis on the other hand are supercharged with the living masters sitting in samadhi. What we are to do is to sit and partake in the prevalent energy and leave. No rituals are required. Similarly reading about how the silent guru Bhagawan Ramana dishes out his blessings silently, each devotee who enters his divine space or has an audience with him, or stood or sat in his presence would go through a unique and different experience. Agathiyar in acknowledging our spiritual growth told us to acquire all that we desired from Prapanjam directly as he had given us access to it and Ramalinga Adigal has taught us the means and methods to for it on his numerous visits.
A friend and devotee who is currently witnessing an internal journey himself says he has to differentiate his thoughts from the messages given. So too when they come through us we asked ourselves if it is our thoughts or their messages. Agathiyar told us that he lives in us, sees through us, hears through us, and speaks through us. Since Agathiyar says he is in us, listening and speaking within us, he has asked us to stop relying on external sources for Gnanam. He shall use us to do his work. He spelled out different tasks to those gathered around telling us that he has much work for us. As for me he brought up the subject of the need to raise a temple again. If I had thought all this while and questioned the need for another temple among the many for Lord Murugan and Agathiyar, Lord Murugan told me that he was never really shown in the correct light. He said that I shall show him differently. But this time around he spoke about each home becoming a temple. Lord Murugan clarified that the temple was the home of seekers and devotees. They now showed me how and in what sense it was to be different clearing the air. When others start to gather followers creating temples, spaces, places, and venues for them to gather and worship the Siddhas, here Agathiyar has us start in our own homes and bring the Siddhas and deities to stay, hence turning our homes into temples too. In starting on the first step of turning the home into a temple we shall soon turn this body into one too by his grace and begin the process of the merger with the divine.