It was yet another eventful day yesterday. The evening started with the AVM Kids lighting a small homam followed by the recitation of Agathiyar's name or Nama Japam led by Agathiyar. It gave us so much joy to see these children from a month old child to 10 years of age and the teens gather. After a break, Agathiyar came again and educated the small group he had called over on the importance of practice. He told them that they had whiled away some 2 1/2 years since he brought the shutters down on the AVM group, bringing a stop to doing puja and charity en-masse and having Mahindren teach them the Asana and Pranayama practice that Tavayogi showed us, and sent them on the way to do their individual practice. He reiterated again that if they had time for work and to eat and sleep why can't they allocate time for practice. There seemed to be a matter of urgency in Agathiyar bringing salvation to all those gathered and the few who did not turn up, whom he had me dial-up as he spoke to them. Agathiyar had to teach them the importance of the breath, which was the beginning and the end. He ended his two-hour session pointing out to us that the breath was Sivam. Period. He had Magindren show them again the Asana and Pranayama practice that was shown to us back then.
Lord Murugan who was supposed to be at Batu Caves blessing his devotees gathered to celebrate Thaipusam took some time for us too. He had us sing some songs and took delight in it. After Agathiyar took all of us to task for our lackadaisical attitude to life, health, and the importance of practice, Lord Muruga brought some cheer and smile to us feeding us Pongal or sweet rice that was served to him. It reminded us of how Ramalinga Adigal came last Thaipusam and Lord Shiva came on Shivarathri to be with us while everyone else was at Vadalur and the abodes of Shiva respectively.
The day ended on a happy note. The AVM Kids group was to turn up every first Sunday after Pornami to practice before Agathiyar. He was pretty serious about them keeping up with the practice. He finally had to draw down the shutters on puja at Pothihai Tharma Chakram. Agathiyar informed the host of his bronze statue formerly at AVM, and Lobama shall move to another residency soon. As for the charity arm that was registered as Persatuan Teman Setia (PTS) he asked that it too be dissolved so that they could move on from Sariyai and Kriyai to Yogam and Gnanam.
This the the play or Lila that Agathiyar foretold us that he shall execute asking me to just observe and not interfere a day earlier. Behind all the sternness shown by Agathiyar, he called up each and every one of us later and apologized for having to do so, reminding them of the importance of what was said.