I used to see a disfigured man cycle in the park during my regular morning walks. We use to exchange a few words briefly as he passes me on his bike. Interestingly today, the thought occurred to me if I would hug him. We have read and seen visuals of Mata Amritanandamayi hugging all those who stand in line for her blessings. When there are followers of gurus, commanding that devotees stand some distance away, preventing them from getting any closer to the master, and there are masters too who permit their devotees to touch their feet and perform "Patha puja" or wash their feet, this outstanding lady saint outshines all the other gurus. I believe she creates an avenue for people coming before her, to shed whatever baggage, emotions, pain, hurt, etc they carry with them, besides receiving a taste of her blissful state. Ramalinga Adigal whenever he comes to us, through devotees, hugs us all and passes on a taste of his blissful state reminding us to reach out to the Prapanjam and Arutperunjothi. Bhogar told us that like Mata Amritanandamayi henceforth he shall hug all who step into AVM.
If Paramahansa Yogananda through his book "An Autobiography of a Yogi" introduced me to the existence of men turned gurus and saints, Tavayogi bringing me to visit three gurus who were each in their own world, showed me that even the gurus vary by nature. Traveling back to his ashram after the visit, he pointed out their nature to me. While the first was caught up in the tussle to take control of the establishment set up by his guru, fearing that it would pass hands now that the guru had passed away, the second guru we met was pretty much caught up with the rituals in the temple that he ran. The last guru we met according to Tavayogi was a true Gnani, keeping to himself in a bungalow, sitting aloft from all worldly things.
We tend to stay away from people who are different from us for different reasons. I used to stay aloof from people begging on the streets in the past. I even stayed away from places where devotees offer offerings of animal sacrifices to summon deities. Then when we at Amudha Surabhi went into the homes of the unfortunate to deliver cooked food and groceries, as directed by Agathiyar, we saw single mothers tending to their children after their husbands absconded from their responsibilities and obligations. A grandma was looking after her grandson, a special needs child after his parents deserted him. Then we have a dad who is looking after his son who is a special needs kid too, after the mother left them. Another couple who convinced the management of a shelter to look after their child while they presumably went to work never turned up for the kid after some time. It was sad to see the parents desert these children. We were glad that we could bring some relief to these souls then.
The day I drop distinguishing people, judging them through their appearances, seeing their appearance, sex, color, creed, and race, I shall see Arutperunjothi, for Ramalinga Adigal sings that the moment he dropped the shackles of caste and religion he saw Arutjothi. I told Agathiyar that if he turns away people of other faiths, I shall drop him. He cannot be a savior only for his believers and turn away others. Now I realize that his arms are outstretched to all of humanity when we see many nationals from many nations turn up for Nadi readings. Though it hurts him to see none seeking out Gnanam, he never turns away anyone, even if they come to him for material gains or for solutions. Agathiyar does not distinguish people for he only sees the souls. Those seeking instant relief or Agathiyar performing magic will be let down for Agathiyar does not do magic, unnecessarily. For instance, in praying to him to relieve our discomfort, illness, sickness, disease, disorder, etc he gets us to seek medical attention at the hospitals or clinics or either the Siddha practitioners. At times he does save a life when all other means have been exhausted. But one should remember that this was a bonus and a privilege that many do not get. He should leave his old ways and turn a new leaf for he is reborn now. He should opt to serve God and humanity for the rest of his life. This is the least he could do in return. But it saddens me to see them going back to their old ways.
P.S. If I thought and wrote earlier at 10.29am that Mata Amritanandamayi is the only one as far as I know who hugs devotees to this day, I just read a piece of online news carried at https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-01/disfigured-man-carressed-by-pope-passes-away.html on Pope Francis embracing Vinicio Riva, whose face was disfigured by von Recklinghausen's disease, ten years ago in St. Peter's Square.
"Many will never forget Vinicio Riva, the man whose face was disfigured by a rare disease, who was embraced and caressed by Pope Francis ten years ago in St. Peter's Square, shortly after the start of his pontificate in 2013."
It is true that the divine walks in some. The divine is not in the stone or metal but among us. It is for us to recognize him.