AN ANNOUNCEMENT

Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar of Kallar Ashram, who arrived on 17 September, is in Malaysia currently. Those interested in having a Jeeva Nadi reading may contact her at  +6011-64615421 or WhatsApp her at +919842550987. She will be returning on 7 November. The following videos were recorded during her last visit in 2022.

BREAKING AWAY IS HARD

If I had written about those who came by back then, between 2013 and 2019, when Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) was a hub of activity, after a long absence, Agathiyar sent over a family who had been frequenting another establishment in the name of Agathiyar for some time, some time back. I provided my venue and asked them to carry out a Homam themselves the same day. Although I told them not to come back, I am happy that things have changed in a positive way in their lives. Today I had another man knock on my door. He had come with his family to participate in our inaugural puja to Agathiyar when Agathiyar stepped into my home in the form of a bronze statue in 2010. After 15 years, he came knocking on my door today, mentioning that he wanted to participate in a Homam stating that a temple does it. He was still not ready to carry it out himself.  I asked him if not now when for he was already 70. He was curious to know about a samadhi in Batu Gajah, too. I had to send him away, telling him not to return, after failing to try to convince him to carry out these rituals on his own. Many years back, a 60 year old man from a neighboring state, who scouted for anyone who was doing a Pornami Puja to participate in after a Nadi reading, was finally directed to me. I acknowledged his request immediately getting him to conduct the Homam. He left only to call me a year later. Chiding him for the long absence I asked him if he saw the Nadi again and would only come around when asked to participate the Homam in the Nadi. I asked him to look elsewhere this time around. If we are ever so dependent on this material world and religion for our existence and survival, similarly, we are ever dependent on another even for our spiritual upliftment. When are we going to take things into our own hands and bring these much-desired changes in us and our lives? I guess society has instilled much fear of God in us that we are fearful that we shall earn the wrath of the Gods. A devotee and reader who adopted the practice of lighting the Homam at her house and as a result had to face objections from these fearmongers in her family messaged me. I told her to bring them to my home to see for themselves how I was living a wonderful life. As Mahindren, who dropped by my home just moments ago, said, we created God and have become fearful of them; indeed, we have come to fear our own creation. 

I AM BLESSED

I am truly blessed. My family is truly blessed, too. Though we grew up with very little to eat, we never went hungry. We would have breakfast and a full and satisfying meal for lunch. What remains from lunch would be mixed and rolled and placed in our palms by our mother, and we would enjoy it during dinner. My parents sent all of us, my six siblings and I, to school, providing for all that we asked for. I got a scholarship by God's grace. I stepped into college by God's grace. Again I got a scholarship by God's grace. I got into a job by God's grace, too, at the age of 20. My wife was his choice. He gave me two wonderful girls. The house fell into my lap by his grace. I am blessed to have met wonderful souls throughout my life who enriched my life. I served the government for 36 wonderful years. Now that I have become a pensioner,  I am enjoying my life with my grandchildren. What else could one ask for? 

I am truly blessed. Agathiyar chose to come into my life at 43, calling me for a Nadi reading and spelling out my path. I am truly blessed that he sent me to Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai, my very first guru, and sent Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram to our shores. I am truly blessed to earn the merits of the 40 years of Tavam or austerities that Supramania Swami undertook and to receive what Agathiyar describes as a treasure in the form of Asana and Pranayama techniques given by Tavayogi. What else could one ask for? 

I am truly blessed for Agathiyar, who came initially as the words in the Nadi, as a painting, in physical form as my gurus, as the practice, as the path, as a Murthi or statue, as the many beautiful souls whom I encountered along the way, is showering his blessings as the Prapanjam in my final days. What else could one ask for? 

Today, he has me do nothing after mooting me to worship the Siddhas, practice Yoga, carry out the Homam or lighting the sacrificial fire pit, and Abhisegam or libation to his bronze statue that he had me commission and made in Swamimalai, bringing these into the homes of other devotees and the temples too, and carrying out charity. When all these tasks and efforts came to an end, he continues to shower me with "goodies" these days. What else could one ask for? 

Come take the leap, too. Come into the extraordinary and magical world of the Siddhas. This blog might be a starting point for you, as it was for many previously, back then. I received emails, messages, and visits appreciating the posts and telling me how the readers received answers to their doubts and queries, solutions, and understanding through these posts. Jnana Jothiamma, who was a Keralite, found her way to Kallar from the USA after reading my previous website, indianheartbeat. She wrote in too. She visited us twice in 2013 and 2014 before she passed away in 2017. She was personally guided and tutored by Agathiyar later. 

Greetings to you Sir, I was reading an article from Agasthiar.com......when one link led to another and then to another another and finally saw this link........My travels with Supramania SWAMY. This interested me a lot....a I had for a very long time  trying to find out visit Saint Agasthiar's cave. I read all the articles posted on Sadhguru Venkataraman's site. What is this person who is mentioned as Tavayogi. Is he a guide or an Enlightened Master. Then I saw this link which shows...."email me ". Hence I thought I would email and find out the details of all that is mentioned here. I would also like to know who shanmugam avadaiyappa is. regards.

I happened to ........rather spontaneously be guided to this site. In fact I feel more drawn towards Saint Agasthiyar. This urge/longing to visit the places where the Noble Saint had treaded started growing inside me for a couple of months. Whatever snippets I could get I started collecting from the internet. This was how I accidentally stumbled upon the previous site through which I was able exactly see and feel what i was searching for. But you have mentioned you had your Nadi read and it was mentioned there for you that you would meet Tavayogi. I did not have any nadi reading read for me.May be. since I am an ardent devotee of SHIRDI SAI BABA.......HE must have guide me to this site.......where I was able to read about your meeting with Tvayogi and also lucky to get his contact number  from you. Thank you so much Sir......for having replied my mails and for having helped me to establish contact with Tavayogi. The attachment shows the site .....under the caption "from my travels in India"...form where I was able to get the complete picture of your travel and experiences with the Tavayogi and Subramaniya swamy. regards,

Almost two years on, Agathiyar brings another soul from abroad to his fold just as he had brought Jnana Jyothiamma from abroad to his side.

My salutations to you. My name is Kogie Pillai. I hail from the southern most tip of Africa, namely South Africa. I got your personal email address off your blog when you kindly provided it to another devotee. I sincerely apologize in advance for using it, it is not my intention to invade your privacy in any way. 

I am a frequent visitor on your blog and I thank you profusely for being the instrument which led me to Agathiyar. My story is extraordinary, having said that, I believe every person fortunate enough to experience Agathiyar, would have an extraordinary story. 

Your writing is truly magnetic and the manner in which you selflessly share the personal experiences of your journey and your knowledge to educate us tiny atoms is sincerely admirable. The wise Agathiyar has certainly chosen an exceptional soul to impart the work of the siddhars. 

The purpose of my email is to humbly seek your permission to share my story with you, on a private platform (perhaps on this email address), and given that you are so far travelled on your journey with the divine one, any insights or thoughts you may have, I would be most grateful to receive. Blessed Regards, KP

 She wrote again later,

Towards the end of February, 2015 I stumbled upon a blog, quite by accident, or so I thought. I subsequently learnt that there are no coincidences or chance experiences, as we often perceive them to be. The photos of the Agathiyar Gnana Peedam in Kallar caught my eye and from that very first visual, I experienced a physical energy vibration under my skin, which flowed through my body. This was accompanied with a spinning sensation at the top of my head (crown chakra). It felt strange at first.

For the days that followed I frequented the site with increased curiosity. Again, I followed the links and arrived at the ashram in Kallar. I viewed the prayers and visually absorbed the statues and the inside of the temple with piqued interest. Each time I indulged myself with these visits the vibrations I experienced became more intense. I remember little else other than the distinct knowing that I had to go there.  

Again, I must thank you for being instrumental in guiding me towards this path. I am aware that you have played this role in the lives of many and you may see this as part of the work during your journey. For me however, you will stand out as a flag, one that signalled the path ahead for a major life change, one I am immensely grateful for. I refer here not just to finding your blog and the connection to Kallar, but largely to the education I have gleaned from your writings. Warm Regards, KP.  

Besides the posts and subsequent correspondences that set the stage for these wonderful souls to visit my home, Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) in later years, Agathiyar also brought several people knocking on my door after their Nadi readings. 

So did Tavayogi and Mataji point others to AVM, too. I received the following email that surprised me.

Ayya, my wife already spoken to mataji regarding my problem. She asked me and my wife to join your pournami guru poojai. Need your permision and location of the poojai. Jeeva naadi will be read by tavayogi ayya this saturday. Thanks

A year later, I received a note of gratitude from him.

Just goin to my past emails and found this ayya. Lot of things come to my mind. Im really grateful and thank you sincerely from my heart for all you did past year. Ayya think you still remember how I came to AVM. It all started with my 2 year old daughter call to you. Its first time I talked to you. You had guided me for past year directly and indirectly through your blog. I never missed your single post since beginning.

When I really down and dont know what to do agasthiar appa sent you for rescue. Its all still fresh in mind when I mention to you at AVM murugan let me down and you consule me that all happen due to karma and appa will save me. Even I helped lot of people before you are the only good soul that asked me if I needed any financial help during that difficulty.

When jeeva naadi reading at Kallar appa mention that Tavayogi ayya is my past life guru .... Appa also mentioned that all my karma will vanish soon that really happened recently. I did anathanam at Subramani swami samadhi and started my parigaram. Really felt like being blessed by Subramani swami that time.where I shared the picture to you from India. All the parigarams done perfectly with all the blessing of agasthiar appa, subramani sami and yourself. Even in aasi gandam I seen December 2015, appa mentioned "naanum esanum mannam kulirnthe ponnen".

All what happened to me is like miracle where till now im feeling like dreaming. Where just a year ago I felt that my life is gone and no one can save me. Maybe my life can be a motivation to everyone for not lost hope where miracles can be done by appa just in a split second. Just surrender fully to him and he knows what is right for his children.

Thanks again ayya. Hope you continue your good deeds to human kind. Even we less communicate or meet up but my mind and soul always thinking about you. Take care.

This soul introduced me to a friend of his, too, who wrote to me. 

Greetings Sir. My name is …and I am from Klang. I have been reading your articles for the past 2 months repeatedly, as I find them amazing and give me a sense of spirituality every time I read them. It is amazing to know that you have experienced many miracles throughout your trip to India. I met Nadi Reader Ramesh at the end of March, where he read my olai. At first, I took it very lightly about the reading, but a tragic event, which was mentioned in Olai Suvadi, happened to me in less than a week from the time Olai was read! I realized that it is no joke. The tragic event actually led me to a path in which I started to read and deepen my knowledge in sitthar and olai chuvadi. That is when I found your article. That was the time I joined … and I was put under the supervision of … I used to share with him about Ollai Suvadi, Agathiyar, and your article. And I was given a book title ‘ANTHOLOGY OF SITTHARS’ by …which was given to him by … who apparently knows you. I started reciting the Sitthar’s Potri from the book. Now I realize that when I first went for my olai reading, it was mentioned that I would have Sitthar valipadu and Sittar thodarbu in this birth. I am seeing it happening now! I met … last Friday, he shared many things with him on Sitthar, and he mentioned you and how the olai reading has been so accurate for you. It would be great if I could meet a great soul like you, and I would like to listen to the greatness of sitthars from you. Is it possible to meet you? 

Many years back, a teen from Pune wrote to me telling me that Agathiyar had mentioned the blog in her Nadi reading and told her to follow it, where she would receive answers to all her doubts and queries.  

Hi sir. I am only 17 years old and I live in maharashtra. Thanks for a very enlightening post from none other than the great sage agasthiar. I really prayed to him to tell me about the working of karma and he replied through your post!I am thankful to both of you. 

She wrote again, 

Hi. I commented a few days earlier about karma questions. They are kind of solved now. I really love your blog and it is my only hope! i went fr another nadi reading. he advised me to read your blog regularly and pray regularly. when i asked the doubts in my mind he said that i should ask them to u as told in earlier reading. 

After connecting with Tavayogi, she got back to me. 

thank you...it was lovely conversing with tavayogi ji by email and also on phone. u have been forever supporting...cant thank u enough. thanks agasthiar also. wherever he is i know he is listening to me. i started with confusion and ended in bliss. it was a tough journey but the end couldnt be more perfect. thanks for writing ur wonderful blog and for replying to my every mail and comment. thanks for the 24 min short potri. it worked! ...immediately. i listen to the moola mantra everyday on youtube. it is pacyfying and beautiful. and i have agathiar standing behind me to catch me if i fall..thank u again.

Most recently Agathiyar asked a young girl to begin reading this blog from the very first post. 

The following are further emails I received.

• Sir, I read with interest your search on the path. It is, indeed, a very rewarding and rich experience.

• Hi Shanmugam, I came across a few of your uploaded documents on SCRIBD.COM and those are lovely writings. (Suddenly your name keeps popping up on my computer screen. :))You seem like a spiritual person to me as much as I am, seeking truths and understanding of them. I am currently residing in Petaling Jaya, and if you feel like meeting up with me to have an exchange of opinions and views, as I do, please let me know. :) Bless you. 

• Mister Shanmugam Avadaiyappa, I am from El Salvador, Central America, and know of your experience and authority on Nadi Astrology, because I have read your texts IN THE PATH OF SIDDHAS ENGLISH, IN SEARCH OF THE PATH, END OF THE PATH, SIDDHAS IN MALAYSIA ENGLISH, THE SIDDHAS, and SIDDHA POTRI IN ENGLISH. 

• Hari Om dear spiritual Aspirant, My name is … and I went through the details of your travel in India; it was an amazing phenomenon and very motivating. 

• Dear Shanmugam, I have just read your inspiring pilgrimage notes to Tamil Nadu with Swami Tavayogi! Thanks so much for sharing part of your journey with a spiritual traveler from afar. I lived in India for 11 years, until two years ago. 

• Many thanks, Shan: Lovely site you have put together. If I can ever help. Let me know. Fondest wishes… 

• I have read your account of your trip to southern India and am very inspired to make the journey in the next couple of years.   

• Vanakam. Your website is interesting. 

• Hi! I appreciate your blog writing! 

• Dear Sir, My Name is … and I am from Karur, Tamil Nadu. I came to Kuala Lumpur last March and working as a software engineer in …….I saw some of your books about Agathiyar in SCRIBD.COM and liked it very much. 

• Dear Mr. Shanmugam Avadaiyappa, My name is … and I am residing in Malaysia. I have been reading about your spiritual journey in regards to Agathiyar teaching and Tavayogi as your Guru. Is it possible for me to meet and discuss with you about spiritual matters, which I believe that you might be able to help me? I have been praying to Lord Agasthiyar to show me the path and someone that might be able to help me along the way. Thank you for your time and help. Sincerely …  

• Dear Shanmugam, Read your article on the web regarding Agathiar and different Siddhars.

• Dear Sir, I read your website and your articles as well. Was astonishing. 

• Dear Brother, I read your book in SCRIBD and much inspired about your development.

• I have been reading some of the travel stories published on the internet and have seen your pictures from them in the past couple of years. These act like an incredibly strong magnet but have never tempted to contact you. About 2 years ago I visited Krishnaveni amma near Papanasam and this was thanks to you otherwise I would never have been able to locate her. She among others has transformed my life completely. I had the honor of staying with her in the daytime a whole 2 days. Also, the small Agathiar shrine next to her ignited the inner fire straight up. Now I know this is just one place and there are many just waiting to teach those who are thirsty for it. So I feel it is time to just contact you and go straight to the point. What are the chances for me to join up with you for a couple of weeks just meditating in the amazing Tamil Nadu treasures as my longing for this is bigger than anything else in the world. I will be going to India in February and March 2013 and if you are open for such a request just name the dates and financial support needed and I will be there. I hope this is not too straightforward and I am already grateful enough to be able to talk to you as you already showed me a very small but life-changing area of southern Tamil Nadu that I will never forget. Yours truly … 

• Dear Sir, How are you? I saw your good website depicting your spiritual adventures and Thavayogi. I also read about the Nadi joshiyam and your adventures. It was a delight to read and I would like to thank you for taking your time and effort in sharing your spiritual journey. Truly, it can be an inspiration. 

• Happy New Year to you Shanmugamji, I read some part of your article about your travel in India to visit the Siddha’s Samadhi.  

• Hi Shanmugam, I was going thru the website on Agathiar and sighted the website on your experience and travel in India. I was quite amazed by your experience and some are unexplainable I see what you mean. 

• Dear Sir, I just saw the website and the Agathiyar caves. 

• Dear Shanmugam, Thanks very much for a very good blog. 

• Vanakkam Shanmugam avargalay, I visited your site www.indianheartbeat.20m.com and found it to be very informative. 

• Dear Sir, I really felt happy when I got your site thru Google while searching for some information regarding spiritual places. I got much information from the site and thank you for sharing your experience with gurus. I prayed to the almighty to bless you to continue the spiritual service. Om Namah Shivaya. ……… 

• Thanks for the reply. I think your site is great and really enjoy the material and pictures. 

• I happen to see the website in which you have mentioned that you are blessed with Agasthiyar Moola Manthiram. 

• Your experience with the Siddha Purushas is very interesting to read. 

• Dear Sir: After reading the writings, I am very much interested in meeting the Tavayogi. 

• Aum Sri Sairam: Your site is well written. 

• Pranam! I happen to read your experience with “Sri Thavayogi” at various places and received the blessing of Siddhars. 

• I was surfing the internet and found your website. 

• Dear Sir, I cannot thank you enough for the valuable information on your website. I went through the indianheartbeat.com. It is very inspiring for a woman like me, who was sitting on the fence until I read your experiences with the Nadi and the great siddhars. I am like a blind horse running everywhere in confusion without a proper guide and path. Your website has encouraged me to go forward with what I need to do in my life. The article above is very comforting, as I came across many who discourage women from doing spiritual practices like Mantra or Sadhanas. According to some, Mantra are sacred and so rules and restrictions have to be followed which deters women from doing the Sadhanas. I always wondered why it is so because it is God who created both the man and woman. God will surely not be biased on spiritual advice when it comes to a different gender. I still do not understand why even Vedas restrict women from doing some Sadhanas. This is what I was told by a person who knows about Vedas and all. Oh, yes. I am ignorant. Obviously, I will not understand many things. But I hope with all my heart that God forgives me and gives me a chance to walk on his path from now on. Please keep up this good deed. It surely is an eye-opener for many. 

• Respected sir, I am ... aged 36 years old. I saw urs Pilgrimage tour to Sivanmalai and then to Konganars cave. I saw those beautiful of the caves and the temple. 

• Dear Sir, I read about your experiences at scribd.com. It's really amazing and wonderful to read it. 

• Very well Documented. I Earnestly hope and pray that all these messages you have been posting with full Devotion on Agathiayar and the Siddhas, and Information about the Compassionate Nature and Workings of the Agathiyar, reaches out to the Masses and everyone gets a chance for the Betterment of their lives...All that Agathiyan wants of us is the Reach Out to Him.He is ever ready as a Compassionate Father to help everyone..Shivay Namah Aum..

I GUESS I SHOULD

Just as a mother bears the pain at childbirth to cuddle her newborn later, Agathiyar tells us to bear the pain that comes as a result of the practice of Yoga Asanas and Pranayama. He tells us that that is bliss. To attain the state of bliss, Ramalinga Adigal tells us that only god knows the pain he went through. Agathiyar tells me that what I went and am going through is minute compared with what they had been through. Tavayogi too did mention that we got it easily, while it came to him the hard way. I am thankful to Agathiyar for his generosity in parting the ways and the means to me so that I too shall one day join his fold. Hence, he had tasked me to write about the changes taking place within so that readers could get an idea of what was in store for those who sought to become light. I guess Agathiyar wants me to continue to write, as he brings me to write the above, again. 

SHOULD I?

Much has been  said and written in this blog. As they say all good things too shall come to an end, I am thinking about winding up both this blog and my YouTube channel. If Agathiyar wants me to continue he will give me a sign, right? Let us wait and see.

JEEVAN MUKTA

Politicians are seen fighting among themselves for position and authority, and nations are at war, a fight for land and wealth, among other reasons. There is only one place where no fights take place and only peace dwells - the cemetery. Or do they pursue and continue their fight there as well? Desires are the root cause of all our sufferings. Be it position and authority, money or property, or sex, the chase that is on, the thoughts that cause sleepless nights, once attained, are exhausted momentarily only until another round of it comes to take hold of us or another desire crops up. It is never-ending. This is the reason even godly men fall for it at the peak of their fame. To make it to the list of a pure, untainted guru, one has to come several lifetimes until even the slightest desire or thought is extinguished. So, where did it start and when shall it end, if ever? The beginning and the end are always kept a secret, right?

I attended a funeral for a friend and devotee's father some days ago. While the rituals were underway, my friend's 4-year-old daughter walked over to me with a coloring book and a coloring set, drew up a chair, and asked me to color with her. She marked the places I should color, and we had a short conversation going on at the same time. I saw the purity and innocence in her. Neither she nor her older sister knew what was taking place. That is the world of children. They only know when we point it out to them. Then again, they would not understand either. Neither do we adults. How can sight, speech, hearing, touch, and smell be real if they are all interpreted? Whatever these sense organs, the eyes, skin, tongue, and ears, perceive is referred to a ready bank of previous sensations, arriving at us after being cross-referenced with them. Similarly, people's perceptions of distance and time vary too. For instance, time stands still for lovers. However, parents have to juggle their time, as they often struggle to find enough time to complete household chores and daily tasks. So what then is real? If we learn to see afresh, everything shall be seen in its exact form, untainted by the past, right. 

During my days of bachelorhood, I was rather confused and doubted if god was truly loving, caring, and compassionate. The doubt arose when those whom I knew were told that it was these very deities whom they worshiped who caused these miseries and their sufferings. Before I could back off from the ritual of puja at home and daily temple visits, Lord Siva himself came in a dream and told me to cool it off. Today I understand pretty well why it was said so. Isn't all this the gods' lila or play? Isn't this his creation, that he sustains and destroys when its purpose is done? The truth was put to us in such a manner that made us angry with them, thinking and asking why they, who are supposed to be our guardians, are up to this mischief. Today, we have come to an understanding, whether we choose to believe or otherwise, that nothing moves without their will and nod, and that we are mere pawns in their hands both before and after accepting them into our lives. It does not mean that once we come to their path, we can decide our future. We are still under their rule, just as before we stepped in. It is just that now they dictate to us rather than our past karma. In recent years he has shown us that all is flawed by the hidden hands of Maya and tells us to carefully sieve through them to arrive at the truth. There is nothing original. Language has evolved, writing has evolved, the soul has evolved, man and creation have evolved, and all this will go on evolving. When they say it's their play, they are asking us to take things lightly and playfully too, not to get attached to it and leave it when required. It is only when we come to the state of acceptance that we truly understand their play and lila. They are bringing us from a state of anger and ignorance to one of acceptance and peace.

Just as my family did not know what I was doing and transpired behind the closed doors of my puja room in the early years of my worship to the Siddhas, these days, towards the end of the journey now, no one knows what transpires behind the closed doors of my bedroom, where I spit out phelm and bile each night. A cleansing is taking place within. Contrary to the common belief that sexual fluids have to be preserved for a higher cause, Agathiyar says this, too, needs to be discharged. I do not know the outcome as yet, and where all this is taking me. But I shall go with the flow. Do we want to be on the receiving end or the giving end? Initially, on the receiving end after being trashed and wounded, we turn towards the light. When we engage with the light, we too begin to give to others, helping them move up the evolutionary ladder. We become Jeevan Muktas.

THE JOURNEY, THE EXPERIENCE, THE LESSON & THE UNDERSTANDING

Tavayogi was asked to come to Malaysia in 2004 by Agathiyar to sow the seeds on our shores. He followed a Nadi reader, not knowing what was in store, nor did he know anyone locally. He made a few acquaintances while here and preached at a Narayanan temple before leaving. Meanwhile, Appana Nagappan, who was told that he would meet his guru, ventured to Kallar, made acquaintances with him, and eventually brought him over the following year to officiate his new Peedham at Batu Caves. Here is where I was drawn to meet Tavayogi after his name, which continuously appeared in the local Tamil daily, rang a bell. When I went for my Nadi reading in 2002, the Nadi reader passed me a leaflet carrying his name, which mentioned the building of a temple for Agathiyar in Kallar and sourcing funds for it. I became his student.

Just as Tavayogi was tasked to sow the seeds, Agathiyar had Bala Chandran Gunasegaran turn up at my home after his Nadi reading in 2013, to watch and participate in the Pournami Puja. Bala Chandran then began to bring his friends, and these youths flooded the gates to my home, which took on the name Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM). We extended our arms to care for the hungry, poor, and unfortunate, going by as Amudha Surabhi (AS). Then, in the wake of the pandemic, Agathiyar had me bring down the shutters to AVM and AS and had each man go his way, taking along whatever tools and materials that they had picked up during those six years. 

As for me, he told me to go within. Following the practice of the Asanas and Pranayama that Tavayogi showed me in 2007, Agathiyar unleashed the power of the creative energies that created us and, since then, remain dormant within the Muladhara, which made its way to Svadhistana and eventually pooled and ponded, stagnating in Manipuraka. In 2024 over two days, he broke the banks of the pond, bringing on a swirling sensation that made me nauseous and my body froze from the neck downwards, giving me an idea of how a dead body would lie as a log. He then paved the way for the energy to reach Sahasrara within days, bringing on a sensation of flowering of the 1000-petaled chakra, telling me that henceforth the energy would do its work, which is going on even as I pen these words. Unlike Tavayogi, who was tasked to preach, Agathiyar, who knew I had little patience with people, and would blow my top, and ruin all his hard work in bringing me to this state, instead of having me take the stage or address a forum too, had me write about the path to becoming light, and share my inner experiences from the comfort of my home. I have been saved again, as he always does, staying safe behind the curtain, unknown to many and carrying out my given tasks.

Since Agathiyar directed me to share with those keen to follow the path, here are the many materials and tools that I have made available online. The rest is available in this blog and accessible when viewed as a web version.

Digital books available for download at 

• https://www.scribd.com/user/164903150/agathiyanproductions
• https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/fire-of-devotion/17037876
• https://www.scribd.com/search?query=shanmugam+avadaiyappa

and some previous websites, which seem to remain behind, although I had deactivated and made them defunct in the past.

https://sidha-heartbeat.webnode.page/

https://sidha-heartbeat.webnode.page/news/miracles-at-kallar/

Here are extracts from these websites for your reading.

Miracles at Kallar

27/07/2013 14:52

Agathiyar has been performing miracles at the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil in Kallar, Kovai.

What started as a humble hermitage by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal on the instruction of Agathiyar, the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham has today mushroomed into a much bigger ashram, the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil Dhyana Kudil. Agathiyar instructed Tavayogi to seek Agathiyar Vanam and set up his hermitage. Therefore, Tavayogi found himself at present-day Kallar on the 9th km of the Ooty-Mettupalayam route.

Agathiyar instructed him to install the 6 Aathaara Peedham to be worshiped. This 7-tier granite structure was subsequently made and installed. When the Peedham was delivered in one huge piece, Tavayogi and the other devotees were figuring out how they were to haul it across the railway tracks and up the hill where the ashram stands. Agathiyar assures Tavayogi and gives a sign. They engage an elephant to do the task.

Once at the top and in the ashram, they faced the problem of moving it into the meditation room. The elephant comes to the rescue again by using its trunk to push the Peedham in place.

Agathiyar sent local native aboriginal Indians to settle around the Peedham. The Government later built homes for these dwellers. Tavayogi started feeding these native children and donated clothing and stationery with funds from the public.

Tavayogi was then instructed to propagate and spread the teachings of the Siddhas to devotees in Malaysia and Singapore. Towards that purpose, Tavayogi made a few trips to these countries. 

Tavayogi started conducting the Yagam or lighting of the sacrificial fire. Later, he was instructed to light five fire pits, and this was increased to 108 the following year on the instruction of Agathiyar. 

Then a fiber statue of Agathiyar was installed, and another of Thava Murugan followed soon. The statue of Agathiyar was placed because the public could not comprehend the formless; they needed a statue to look at, focus and, contemplate, and touch. 

A devotee later suggested that Lord Murugan, too, be placed to complement Agathiyar, as Murugan was Agathiyar’s guru. Therefore, the statue of Thava Murugar or Siddha Supramaniar came to be.

Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar, on her part, was told to bring back to Kallar a small granite statue of Agathiyar she had had made some time back under instruction by Agathiyar, and which was placed somewhere else. Watch the festivities and prayers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAAdKAS-cI0

Then Tavayogi ‘discovered’ that he had a Jeeva nadi in his midst amongst the numerous nadis he had in his possession. He discovered that letters appeared in the nadi on their own. He was then instructed by Agathiyar to read to devotees who came in search of the Jeeva Nadi on Saturdays. Mysteriously, Agathiyar puts a stop to the nadi reading a year back. After a lapse of a year, Agathiyar has begun speaking through the Jeeva Nadi again.

 

Agathiyar then instructed Tavayogi to place a granite statue of him (Agathiyar) at the exact spot where he had appeared to Tavayogi in the jungles of Kallar. 

A few days before the Agathiyar Jayanthi & Guru Puja celebrations on 31 December 2012, a sadhu mysteriously shows up at Kallar, bringing with him an unusual Rudraksha and hands it to Tavayogi with instructions to worship it as a linga. A peacock mysteriously appears at the ashram out of the blue on one fine day. Along the way, Tavayogi gets visitations from Siddha Konganar, Lopamudra, and Lord Murugan.

Agathiyar continues performing miracles at the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham.  Watch the miracles at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6vaqdfRKRU

Read more: https://sidha-heartbeat.webnode.page/news/miracles-at-kallar/

Miracles by Sidhas

27/07/2013 12:59

Agathiyar Grooms a Disciple for a Bigger Mission.

 

When Agathiyar performs miracles through Molly Menon for all to see!

Just as we have seen the many miracles that have taken place at Tavayogi’s Ashram in Kallar, Agathiyar did perform equally magnificent miracles in the life of an ardent devotee. She is Molly Menon from Lakeville, Minnesota, USA.

Molly was an ardent devotee of Goddess Ambal and Karupana Samy. Each time she returned to her homeland in Kerala, she never failed to offer her prayers to the seven-foot-tall Karupana Samy, whom she installed in Chennai. Watch a video of the prayers performed here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjL9vnPpxbk

She was an ardent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, too.

Then she came across Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal’s website, which sent her reeling to Kallar at https://www.scribd.com/doc/156307011/From-My-Travels-in-India

At Kallar Agathiyar, through Tavayogi, she was magically and mysteriously initiated. Tavayogi sent her away after her initiation. She went back to the USA only to return the following year (2012) to participate in the Agathiyar Jayanthi celebrations in Kallar. Watch the Jayanthi celebrations at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feW3LVVp5zk

Her tale is to be told, for it is a magnificent one. Molly used to share many hours with me on SKYPE, even before she made the journey to Kallar. Her yearning for Agathiyar grew from day to day.

Her first wish to go to Kallar was fulfilled when there was a calling within her. After Kallar, her life changed drastically and dramatically.

She used to watch the prayers for Agathiyar at my home via SKYPE and very much wanted to participate in the rituals. The ever-compassionate father created an opportunity for her to do so eventually in India itself at her convenience. She did the rituals to her heart’s content. Her second wish too was fulfilled!

She was having severe leg pains that affected her mobility. Agathiyar sent Siddha practitioners to heal her. Tavayogi introduces her to Siddha Practitioner Dr Ram Subramaniam. Her wish that her bodily aches should go away was fulfilled! Her third wish was fulfilled, too!

Feeling better, now she was able to go on a pilgrimage! The Dr and she go on a pilgrimage to Ambasamudram and Papanasam. At Kalyana Theertam, she is greeted by Agathiyar and Sadhu Krishnaveni Amma’s devotees. She is invited into Sadhu Krishnaveni Amma’s ashram. Devotees of Sadhu Krishnaveni Amma bring her to the caves in the vicinity. Her yearning to see Agathiyar materializes when Agathiyar shows her his light form or Jothi Darisanam in the caves of Kalyana Theertam. Her wish to see Agathiyar was fulfilled! Her fourth wish is fulfilled, too! It is here too that a stream of light appears mystically from the sky, follows her, blessing her, and slowly makes its way to Agathiyar and Lopamudra, who are seated majestically on a chariot! Amazingly, this majestic display was visible only on camera! Watch her journey along the path of the Sidhas at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opbi_oNDgYs

Molly Menon had always mentioned that she would want to lay a mat and lie in my prayer room.  Her wish was granted when ‘strangers’ laid a mat and placed a pillow for her to rest at Kalyana Theertam! The fifth wish is granted!

Sadhu Krishnaveni Amma’s devotees and Molly then set off to the jungles of Kalahasti to perform a Yagna. Molly is shown an amazing streak of light at the original Srikalahasti temple! Her sixth wish that Tavayogi should take her to all the caves and shrines of the Siddhas was fulfilled!

I had told Molly about how Agathiyar had opened his eyes in the granite statue of him at Vedharanyam and Courtalam and in the painting of Agathiyar in the home of devotees. While in Chennai, she is taken to a temple built by a new acquaintance, where Ramanujar opens his eyes! 

Molly was sad that she had lost a gift that was precious to her, given by someone close to her when she was leaving the USA. The person friend whom she became acquainted with recently hands her a box, which, on returning home, she finds out to her amazement, contains a similar gift to the one she lost at Dallas!

She had told me she wanted to move house as her present home was not conducive to meditation. Then she becomes acquainted with a devotee of Lord Murugar. Amazingly, Lord Murugar provides for her to be in solitude through Balakrishnan Swamy Mn!

On 21 March 2013, Molly Menon informed me over the phone from Palani that a 200-year-old man knocked on her door. She invited him in. He gave a loud laugh and spoke to her about the mystical rudraksham in Tavayogi’s possession. He then asked her for a drink. Molly went to fetch him some drinking water, expecting him to disappear by the time she returned. However, he was waiting for her. He sipped the water and returned her the tumbler. He gave her a peck on her cheek on the exact spot Molly had kissed the granite statue of Agathiyar at Tavayogi’s ashram in Kallar. The statue is now placed in the hills of Kallar. He then left. All this took place in three minutes. Molly, out of curiosity, peeked into the tumbler. What did she see? There was honey in it!

She was in solitude at Palani beginning 7 March 201,3, before Agathiyar instructed her to move to another spot of his at Kalyana Theertam. After a short stay at Kalyana Theertam, she is back in Chennai.

Read more: https://sidha-heartbeat.webnode.page/news/miracles-by-sidhas/

Miracles at Kalyana Theertam

27/07/2013 12:31

Agathiyar Shows His Presence At Kalyana Theertam, Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu

Molly Menon from Minnesota, USA, made a pilgrimage to Kallar, where, without her least expectation, Agathiyar through Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal initiated her. She had planned to spend six months at Tavayogi’s Ashram but was made to return to the USA after a couple of weeks, missing the Annual Guru Puja and Jayanthi celebrations. She returned after a year to participate in the festivities. She made acquaintances with a Siddha medicine practitioner, Ram Subramaniam, who was introduced by Tavayogi. They together made a pilgrimage to Papanasam.

There started a trail of miracles and astonishment.

Just as Agathiyar reveals to his student Siddha Pulastyar that the Siddhas are in the form of Jothi, in the Jothi and as the Jothi, and as Swami Saravanananda says, “The body of such a Siddha appears to be a ball of fire or a pillar of fire”, Agathiyar shows a marvelous spectacle and reveals his presence to Molly and Ram Subramaniam at Kalyana Theertam.

Molly describes the event in her own words, “The latest clip, what you just posted...Miracles by Siddhas, I feel the words. Effulgence of light or streaks of beaming light can be used instead of the display of lights. Display means projection/presentation/something that can be seen and noticed...something very Ordinary... Effulgence of light or streaks of beaming light can mean...something Heavenly /Divine. This is just my Understanding, Shan...”

Just see for yourself in the following photographs snapped feverishly by Siddha Vaidyar Dr Ram Subramaniam during the precious moments of revelation. Words would not describe faithfully this majestic Effulgence of lights posted at https://apps.facebook.com/tripwow/ta-075a-2e7e-ece1?fg=1.

Swami Saravanananda had a similar experience of witnessing the balls of fire while he was keeping night vigils in the Pothigai hills. People here called these balls of fire the luminous Siddhas - the bodies of celestials and advanced Siddhas. The local folks say the Siddhas come out to parade their form in balls of light after 11 pm daily. 

Read more: https://sidha-heartbeat.webnode.page/news/miracles-of-the-sidhas/

These miracles are happening even till this day to devotees who began the journey holding on to Agathiyar's hands, in their own lives and on their own turf. This blog is full of such miracles. Dwell into it and find out for yourself.

DOWN MEMORY LANE 3

I used to sit for hours going through the albums at the Janani Music Center, looking for Hindi songs that had a tamil version of it. Here are some of these songs.

DOWN MEMORY LANE 2

I seem to have come one full cycle, coming back to where I started. Here I am sitting in my living room, watching the rain, sipping a cup of hot coffee, and listening to the songs that I hand-picked from the LPs at Janani Music Center in Kuala Lumpur and had converted to cassettes in the late 80s and 90s. These songs do sound very different when listening to them on my 7.1 sound system compared to the portable radio cassettes of the past. Come, let us enjoy together.

DOWN MEMORY LANE 1

I was crazy about songs and movies since day one, always arriving earlier to listen to the soundtracks played before the start of the show, sitting in the front row of the theatre, which cost 35 cents, for that was what I could afford as a kid back then. Growing up, I aspired to become a movie director, but good sense told me otherwise. Same goes with my desire to become an artist. 

When I was transferred and came to Kuala Lumpur in 1988, I had access to shops selling LP vinyl records, cassettes, and CDs. I would frequent these shops and list out songs from an LP and have them transferred to tape for a fee. These tapes, which were collecting dust, were given a new life when a Pakistani Christian friend of mine who repaired electronic equipments stopped me in front of his house as I passed by after my morning walk several weeks ago and passed me a used cassette player that he had made good, since I had mentioned to him of my large collection of tapes. Later, he came by my house to listen and told me to digitize these tapes in case I might not find spares if the player broke down. 

I had previously digitized some of my favourites and uploaded them to https://www.angelfire.com/art/indianheartbeat/index.html

Taking up his advice, I have digitized the first instalment of songs and uploaded them to YouTube. 

TIPS & MATERIALS

Many years back, a physiologist at a Medical center who followed my blog and used to email me walked up to me during an Agathiyar's puja that we carried out at a temple. I was surprised how he located me in the crowd. He immediately spoke about my experiences having conversations with Agathiyar and asked if I could be hallucinating. Since he had already determined the end result, I told him that I did not want to be his test model and asked him instead to walk the path and know for himself. 

To those keen on walking the path, I could share some tips and materials to begin with. 

1. Begin worship to the Siddhas to get their attention, gain their trust, and receive guidance. 
2. Once we come under their watchful eyes, they shall guide us by any means. Remember that there are no rigid and standard operating procedures, but instead all the tools and practices are catered and customized for each individual. 
3. Follow diligently what is told for the duration or given without question, for a start, for otherwise we would never get going. 
4. Do not desire the said results or compare with others' results. 
5. Be patient. Nothing shall happen overnight. 
6. We have to fortify our body and breathe through Yoga techniques that shall come to us with their grace. Have a guru in the physical form with you so that you can refer to her or him in the event of changes that begin to take place. In the absence of a guru, the Siddhas would guide and advise in some appropriate manner.
7. Coming into Kriyai (personally conducting rituals) from Sariyai (temple visits and pilgrimages), we take up Yogam (Asanas and Pranayama techniques). Henceforth, the Siddhas and the energies within would do their work.
   

A reader and author of several books messaged me her intent to write about the Siddha path and the methodology that they prescribe some time back. As she told me that she had no idea of the four divisions or phases mentioned above, I asked her to begin the worship of the Siddhas first, gain these experiences, and only later write about it for the following reasons.

• Tread the path first. Gain all these experiences. Then, when you write about the path, it would not be theoretical but one that you had walked. See if you can get hold of a guru on this path of the Siddhas in your place. I have written extensively about these on the blog. Look it up. Do a search on this in the blog, and the search results will bring you to the relevant posts and pages.
• I wrote as I traveled the path, seeing that there was a lack of information or reluctance on the part of many to share or reveal. All my writings were initially for my use, but I began to share with others too, seeing how difficult it was to lay my hands on them, especially when it was all in Tamil. To write about the Siddhas, you must have at least traveled with them. Tavayogi only wrote his books after some 45 years on this path.
• Then you need not look elsewhere. They shall fill you in. Be patient. Your book has to be authentic and not based on others' learning and understanding. Walk the path n then begin to write about the Siddhas. There is no hurry. Give it time. Experience them first. What you shall write on the Siddhas shall be what you have experienced. Then you can bring in the experiences of others to fortify your writing. This is what Tavayogi told me.
• Walk the path first. For when you release your book, someone is bound to ask if you have experienced all that is written. Why, Agathiyar himself shall put this question to you through someone. What are you going to say then?
• This is my humble opinion. 

All the materials for making this journey are in this blog. For those using handphones, go to "View Web Version" and find these links. I hope and pray that you, too, shall arrive at this state of bliss that I am in. 

AGATHIYAR

I am not a scholar. I am not well-read in the sacred texts of religions. Whatever little knowledge I have was picked up from books that I either bought, were given to me, or I borrowed from the libraries, and listening to elders. I believed in them until a series of tragedies that happened to relatives and friends shook my faith. I questioned if God was for real and whether he was indeed compassionate, kind, and loving. Lord Siva came in a timely manner to ask me to go on a break, from all the puja I did at home and the temple visits I carried out as a bachelor back then, between 1980 and 1988. After 13 years, Agathiyar decided to come into my life first by giving me the Vasudeva mantra in 2001, coming through my nephew to chant, and later reading out my Nadi when I went for my Nadi reading the following year. He had me drop in on Supramania Swami, my first guru in Tiruvannamalai, the following year, when, upon leaving him after spending some precious 5 hours with him, he gave me a Siva mantra to chant. Later in 2005, I met Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal on my shores, who officially initiated me into the Siddha path by giving me a mantra of Agathiyar to chant, and initiated me into Yoga on his next visit in 2007. There was no turning back after that. But still, I knew little of the immense religious knowledge out there. Instead of filling me up with bookish knowledge, Tavayogi took me on a journey of self-discovery, trekking into the jungles and staying in caves. It was an experience of a lifetime that reading books would not have given me. He had me begin doing rituals backed by Agathiyar, giving me first-hand experience with them, breaking the need for a middleman. My gurus stepped aside after showing me the way and the means to continue on the path. They made sure that I did not rely on them for all my spiritual seekings. I had to discover for myself. Agathiyar would come to confirm or correct my understanding that came through from the experiences gained from these practical lessons. This applied to both Kriya and Yoga. 

Today, though, I have yet to know Agathiyar, his origin, and his story, which I sought to know back then, and have yet to see him, which I desired much; I have come to accept and regard them as unimportant now. Instead, I feel his presence both around me and in me and others. My family and I get to hug him whenever he comes through another. We get to have a conversation with him. If initially, he spent brief moments with us, later he spent more time, and these days he is ever in our homes and our hearts. What else could we ask for? If someone were to contest and ask me to show evidence and proof or ask to bring him before them, I am at a loss. This is not a finding that we deduce from an experiment we carry out in a laboratory to show to others. It is not magic either. It has to be lived and seen by each individual. 

A SOLO JOURNEY

The daily routine of home puja that I did twice at dawn and dusk, and the daily temple visits, together with all the reading and debating with senior friends in my bachelor days beginning in 1980, was brought to an end by Lord Siva appearing in a dream back then in 1988. God, who resided in the skies, brought into the temples and homes, is now seen as the Prapanjam and realized within and in all of her creation.

Then, the many rituals I conducted after coming to worship the Siddhas in 2002, on full moon and new moon nights, as well as other auspicious days, together with the charity programs I participated in with Agathiyar bringing several other followers to my home in 2013, were brought to an end back then in 2019 by Agathiyar, who moved me to dissolve the group. For one who used to check the Hindu almanac, now needs to be told or reminded of auspicious days. 

When Agathiyar told me that I did right in seeing him and adorned him as Lord Ganapathy during his Sathurthi many years back, a reader commented in the comments section, saying that these deities are different and cannot be the same. Sharing a lengthy passage he quoted from the sacred texts and other sources. 

Thank you for sharing this story. Amazing devotion. I just wanted to comment on your new Video. You show pictures of Aghastiyar worshipped as Ganesha. Ganesha and Aghastiyar are different living entities. The Mayavada theory that all is one and you can worship in whatever way you like is wrong, as will be proved from the Vedas and Vaishnava Acharyas:

"Just as the Gaṅgā is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and Lord Śambhu [Śiva] the greatest of Vaiṣṇavas, so Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the greatest of all Purāṇas." [Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.13.16 https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/12/13/16 ]

Translation:

“Śaṅkarācārya is not at fault, for it is under the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that he has covered the real purport of the Vedas.

Purport:

[...]

“The Māyāvāda philosophy,” Lord Śiva informed his wife Pārvatī, “is impious [asac chāstra]. It is covered by Buddhism. My dear Pārvatī, in Kali-yuga, I assume the form of a brāhmaṇa and teach this imagined Māyāvāda philosophy. In order to cheat the atheists, I describe the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be without form and without qualities. Similarly, in explaining Vedānta, I describe the same Māyāvāda philosophy in order to mislead the entire population toward atheism by denying the personal form of the Lord.” In the Śiva Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead told Lord Śiva:

dvāparādau yuge bhūtvā kalayā mānuṣādiṣu

svāgamaiḥ kalpitais tvaṁ ca janān mad-vimukhān kuru

“In Kali-yuga, mislead the people in general by propounding imaginary meanings for the Vedas to bewilder them.” These are the descriptions of the Purāṇas.

[...]

This is confirmed in the Padma Purāṇa, where Lord Śiva tells Pārvatī:

śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi tāmasāni yathā-kramam

yeṣāṁ śravaṇa-mātreṇa pātityaṁ jñāninām api

apārthaṁ śruti-vākyānāṁ darśayaḻ loka-garhitam

karma-svarūpa-tyājyatvam atra ca pratipādyate

sarva-karma-paribhraṁśān naiṣkarmyaṁ tatra cocyate

parātma-jīvayor aikyaṁ mayātra pratipadyate

“My dear wife, hear my explanations of how I have spread ignorance through Māyāvāda philosophy. Simply by hearing it, even an advanced scholar will fall down. In this philosophy, which is certainly very inauspicious for people in general, I have misrepresented the real meaning of the Vedas and recommended that one give up all activities in order to achieve freedom from karma. In this Māyāvāda philosophy, I have described the jīvātmā and Paramātmā to be one and the same.” How the Māyāvāda philosophy was condemned by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His followers is described in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Second chapter, verses 94 through 99, where Svarūpa-dāmodara Gosvāmī says that anyone who is eager to understand the Māyāvāda philosophy must be considered insane. This especially applies to a Vaiṣṇava who reads the Śārīraka-bhāṣya and considers himself to be one with God. The Māyāvādī philosophers have presented their arguments in such attractive, flowery language that hearing Māyāvāda philosophy may sometimes change the mind of even a mahā-bhāgavata, or very advanced devotee. An actual Vaiṣṇava cannot tolerate any philosophy that claims God and the living being to be one and the same. [Chaitanya Charitamrita https://www.vedabase.com/en/cc/adi/7/110 ]

I told him that if he had so much bookish knowledge, he should start his own blog and educate others, and not comment on others' blogs. I deactivated the comments section since then. Today, Agathiyar shows us that he is the Prapanjam and all of it.

So too do many seekers join movements and societies only to become dissatisfied for various reasons and speak ill or write about them without addressing these issues. Instead, it would be noble to leave these movements to start one on their own, where they can do it the way they want. During my days of search to learn about the worship of the Siddhas, I never found any movement engaged in doing it. They only did charity. I opted to stop my search and stay home to carry out my own home puja to the Siddhas with whatever material I had gathered. Soon, Agathiyar sent me Tavayogi to officially guide me. Tavayogi introduced rituals and initiated me officially into Yoga. The Asanas and Pranayama techniques I adopted and practiced that Agathiyar refers to as a treasure have lifted me and given me immense bliss, though it was painful at the very same time. Since then, Agathiyar had me move into the next phase of abstaining from doing anything and instead do nothing. Internal changes began to take place, bringing on body aches and discomfort. Agathiyar consoled me, equating pain with bliss. These have disappeared just as mysteriously as they came on. I am at peace doing nothing. 

There are so many lies being told both in the material world and the spiritual. Everything gets adulterated over time. Just as the best recipes and tastes are lost over time, and in preparing and serving the masses, so too in the religious and spiritual field, sermons and rituals become less authentic, irrelevant, and pointless over time, and at times dangerous when given to the masses. Agathiyar tells us to carefully sieve through them, asking us to question them and not to accept blindly. 

Religion is personal. Spirituality is even more personal. One drops the association with others when he reaches the higher rungs of the ladder. Agathiyar told me it was now a solo journey, each man for himself, when he brought the shutters down on Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM). Be true to your soul. Let it dictate to you. 

MORE LEARNING

Man who marveled at nature and its creator soon began to idolize him in statues that soon became temples and places of worship. Man who connected directly with god soon began to depend on middlemen to reach god. Ancient cultures revered nature and worshipped it. Modern man thinks he is a superior race and trashes and tears down nature. He is so embroiled in enmity for all the wrong reasons that he never gives a moment towards nature. Man forgets easily that he needs other beings and nature to survive together. But there seems to be hope, and it is happening already. 

In "Changing Planet: River Restoration" on the BBC, we are told,

The whole ecosystem was damaged, and numbers of Chinook salmon fell by more than 90 per cent. This had a profound impact on members of the local indigenous tribes, such as the Yurok and the Karuk, who have lived alongside the 254 miles of the Klamath for thousands of years....Now, after decades of campaigning, the dams are being demolished. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/)

In the USA, they are bringing down four dams for the sake of the salmon. We are shown these moments where the dams are demolished, which will enable the salmon to reach their spawning grounds to breed.

Tavayogi obliged my wish to carry out my very first Annadhanam or serving free food at his Kallar Ashram when I was there the very first time in 2005 after seeing photos of children in the neighborhood being fed. Many years later, in 2013, Agathiyar brought several youths to my home, and we engaged in feeding the poor and hungry, first in the welfare homes, old folks homes, children homes, and later took this aid to the streets, feeding the homeless, subsequently branching into handing out groceries to those who had a roof over their heads but were poor and unfortunate. Then he had us stop this in 2019. This directive came in the wake of the pandemic. He asked me to go within. When Agathiyar asked us to stop, we did have the question crop up in our minds of what would happen to them and who would help them now. But Agathiyar asserted that somebody else shall continue the work. Many years later, my wife told me that we were getting "high" in doing this. This act though noble, was secretly working on building our egos, she felt. If allowed to continue, we would be caught in the vicious net of attachment. Hence it was halted we assumed. We began to ask ourselves, too, if we were making the recipients dependent on these handouts for life. 

My daughter shared a video of how damaging aid can be. The video at "PragerU" was both shocking and saddening. Senegalese entrepreneur Magatte Wade made it clear on the onset that,

"To be clear, I’m not speaking about aid in response to an emergency like a natural disaster. But these disasters are rare. “Development aid” is an ever-flowing river of money and goods, and it’s destroying a continent."

We, too, I guess, began to "measure success by money spent and goods distributed, not by actual economic development or the creation of profitable businesses", as she said further. 

"Even more frustrating is how this system creates a culture of dependency that diminishes their dignity." Indeed, we had contributed towards eroding their dignity further too. We carried videos of these handouts on YouTube and other social media.  Realizing this some time back, I have made these videos private since then.

Magatte Wade says it aptly, "Condescension cloaked in do-goodism." I guess we had joined the fold of the "misguided kindness of strangers," as she says. 

We have come to realize that Agathiyar had given us an experience through this, and that we had to move on to seek other experiences as well. Hence the reason for bringing the shutters down of charity.