I had read in the blog "Siththan Arul" where Velayutham Karthikeyan Aiya posted that the famed Nadi reader from Chennai Hanumathdasan was apprehended for seeking shelter away from the rain as it began to drizzle as he sat to read the Nadi as directed by Agathiyar in a distant temple ground. Agathiyar apparently asked him, "How can you become a Siddha if you are afraid of the rain?" Going by this statement I know that I cannot possibly become a Siddha for I fear rain and water. Not me alone but my elder brother too has become a joke in the family. He too would not take out the car when it rains. My previous officemates would tease me too saying that its merely a shower of water and not arrows and spears. I guess it is in the blood, the DNA. Looking back at the history of the Chettiars in whose community my father was born, a flood had forced the original residents of Kaveripattinam in the pasts to move inland until a king offered them a land to pitch their homes and stay. That is present day Karaikudi. Though they are inland now, it is interesting to note that even today the entrance to their homes has a wall purportedly built to keep the water away. This practice was prevalent in Malaysia too. The one my parents rented had one too.
Siva Vakkiyam had shared Balasubramania Adityan's post on fb in 2015, on how Periyava brought a changed in the atheist and none-believer Kannadasan's to write the "ARTHAMULLA INDHU MATHAM". The famed poet Kannadasan and movie director Sando Chinappa Devar who used to make devotional movies once met with an accident while traveling for a shoot. Devar sustained minor injuries, while Kannadasan lost consciousness and was warded. Devar who had much respect and devotion towards Kanchi Periyava, met him at Brahmapureeswarar temple and informed Periyava of the incident. Kannadasan who was then an atheist had gone on a roadshow condemning certain quarters and had staged a protest right opposite Periyava's Kanchi Madam a week before the accident. So Devar was surprised when Periyava enquire about Kannadasan's state. Devar mentioned Kannadasan’s condition to Periyava. Periyava began to speak about Kannadasan’s parentage and lineage. Periyava explained that the Chettiars were born to care for temples and went on to reveal about Kannadasan's lineage. Kannadasan’s great grandfather had taken up the task of renovating the Varataraja Perumal temple tower. The renovation to Yegambaranaathar temple was undertaken by his grandfather. The Kamakshi Amman temple was renovated by his father. Periyava packed some vibhuthi or sacred ash. Devar received it with hesitation. Seeing his hesitation and worry Periyava said, “தயங்காமல் கொண்டுபோய் பூசு. சூரியனை சில சமயம் மேகம் மறைப்பது போல் நாத்திகமேகம் இதுவரை அவனை மறைத்திருந்தது. இனி அவன் சூரியனாகத் திகழ்வான்", meaning, “Apply this vibhuthi without hesitation. Just as the cloud covers the sun, atheism has clouded his eyes. He will soon shine like the sun.”
Devar headed back for the hospital and applied the sacred ash on Kannadasan's forehead as told and placed the rest under Kannadasan's pillow. The next day, Kannadasan asked, “What is this? pointing to the vibhuthi on his forehead. Devar hesitantly revealed what had taken placed. To his surprise, Kannadasan began to cry recalling his protest opposite Kanchi Madam, "Only last week…So much compassion towards me? ” Kannadasan could not continue any further. Kannadasan requested Devar to take him to Periyava once he was discharged. The meeting took place and he handed Periyava a poem that he wrote. Having read the poem, Periyava blessed him to write about the greatness of his religion. Kannadasan came out with his "ARTHAMULLA INDHU MATHAM."
When I came to read the Nadi the very first time in 2002, Agathiyar asked me to build a temple for him. Then my guru Supramania Swami in 2004, took the initiative to build one for Lord Murugan but was stopped by the Divine. Tavayogi, though saw through the construction of his Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in 2016 and had handed it over to Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyaar in 2018 before his Samadhi. Then Lord Murugan in the Nadi reading the same year reminded me of a temple for him. Raja Raja Cholan is said to have been advised by his minister Karuvurar to build temples to offset the lives that perished as he took control of vast lands. I guess there must be an outstanding debt that my ancestors left behind that I need to fulfill.