When researchers and learned try to place the Siddhas in a timeline, trapping them in the web of time-space which they are said to have transcended; authors contained them in the pages of their books and their stories; and the gurus gave them forms and images; the Siddhas seem to be breaking all that was held as "Vedham" or the "Truth" by us. For instance Agathiyar in having the famed Nadi reader Hanumathdasan read the Nadi at his temple pointed out a figurine of his sculptured in cement at the top of the entrance and said that was not how he looked like, short and stout. Tavayogi after having had Agathiyar come as light had placed a granite statue of Agathiyar in the spot in the hills behind Kallar ashram. Tavayogi and Mataji going through some text describing his figure and stature made a fibre statue and placed him at the Kallar ashram. I was asked to commission his statue in bronze in the looks of the granite statue of his at his temple in Agasthiyampalli. He now graces the homes of select devotees and shall return to AVM for the Guru Purnima celebrations. So what did he actually look like?
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| Foreground: Agathiyar ar AVM; Background: Agathiyar at Agasthiyampalli. |
We shall wait for the day he gives his Darshan together with Lobama that he has promised. Since I drew well having painted portraits of my parents, actors, and dancers, I wanted to see Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal and draw them. I had told Tavayogi my desire and wish back then. He replied that they shall come but added "Is that what you want?" Taking the hint from him I dropped the desire then for I sensed that there were much bigger things to desire for. Seeing my devotion towards Agathiyar my daughter who drew equally well painted his image in the looks of the bronze statue in our home and gifted me.
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| Her art used on the cover of our album Agathiyar Geetham. |
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| Her art based on the bronze statue of Agathiyar. |
Recently Agathiyar told me and my wife about his wish to appear with his wife Lobama before us. He also said that their images would stay in me so that I could draw them. It was a gift for our devotion towards him he added.
Similarly many have given theories about his birth and the periods he lived in, some based on research and archeological findings and others scrutinizing the various Siddha texts and songs. Agathiyar in asking me to carry out his Jayanthi on the day of his "birth" told me in the Nadi that it was 27 1/2 Naligai that worked out to 11.58 minutes after the birth of his star Ahilyam. If Tavayogi says that we know his birth but no one knows when he expired, but there are theories about his samadhi in several places.
Wanting to know from the horse's mouth as they say, Suren agreed to ask Agathiyar in his Nadi reading when he was in Chennai in 2017. Agathiyar though he revealed some bits of his(story) reminded us not to "dig into the past". He had the Nadi reader Tamarai Selvan Aiya only read out what appeared and not elaborate further as all readers tend to do. The translation from Tamil goes as follows.
"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 Esan, he was blessed to be born a Siddha. It was a mystical birth. Agathiyar adds that it was not necessary to dwell on the source and the details (Rishimulam Nadhimulam Ariyavendam).
Born as a Siddha then 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 further severe tavam, Lord Kailai Esan shows him his vision in Pothigai. Merging with Erai, Agathiyar stayed on at Pothigai upon Lord Kailai Esan'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 Esan.
Having accomplished much to his credit, as in going without food, performing extreme tapas adhering to the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, for the rest of the Yuga, remaining in silence and in the state of Vaasi, and gaining the Siddhi to travel through the air, yet Lord Kailai Esan told Agathiyar that there was something that he had failed to accomplish and do. When Agathiyar asked for further clarification, Lord Kailai Esan laughed and looked him straight into his eyes, "Although you are an embodiment of Gnanam, 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, all those who came seeking him and stood before him and Lobha Ma, at Kalyana Theertam, seeing them as a personification of Shiva Sakthi, his energy that was of Shiva Sakthi shall come to bless them."