Having continued the tradition of Sariyai that was taught by my parents, my worship and reading came to an end after I had dreamt of Lord Siva who told me to take a break and put down all the religious and spiritual learning and knowledge that I was carrying and all the doubts and questions that arose as a result of the injustice I saw served on his devotees and the pain they suffered. I could not comprehend why they were punished. This did not tally with what I read in the books. I let go of all forms of worship and reading beginning that day in 1988.
After 14 years of hibernation, I was abruptly summoned to the path and the worship of the Siddhas through a calling from Agathiyar to his path in 2002 through my very first Nadi reading; bringing me on a pilgrimage of holy temples and to my very first guru Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai the following year in 2003; bringing Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal to our shores in 2005; bringing me to his abodes accompanied by Tavayogi in 2005; bringing Tavayogi again to teach us Yoga asanas and pranayama in 2007; coming as a bronze statue to my home in 2010, and sending several youths to my home to join me in my puja to the Siddhas and carry out charity work in 2013. I named my home Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia for ease of giving my location. This name was referred to by Agathiyar in subsequent Nadi readings, coming as a confirmation that we were on the right track.
After 14 years of hibernation, I was abruptly summoned to the path and the worship of the Siddhas through a calling from Agathiyar to his path in 2002 through my very first Nadi reading; bringing me on a pilgrimage of holy temples and to my very first guru Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai the following year in 2003; bringing Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal to our shores in 2005; bringing me to his abodes accompanied by Tavayogi in 2005; bringing Tavayogi again to teach us Yoga asanas and pranayama in 2007; coming as a bronze statue to my home in 2010, and sending several youths to my home to join me in my puja to the Siddhas and carry out charity work in 2013. I named my home Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia for ease of giving my location. This name was referred to by Agathiyar in subsequent Nadi readings, coming as a confirmation that we were on the right track.
As we progressed on the path with the guidance of Agathiyar and the other Siddhas and Lord Murugan in the Nadi, along came many deities initially to visit Agathiyar and later to guide and bless us too. Ma and Aiya in their numerous forms and names; Agathiyar and the Siddhas including Dhanvanthri, Bhogar, Tirumular, and Ramalinga Adigal; Supramania Swami and his guru Yogi Ramsuratkumar; Tavayogi and eventually Lord Siva too. Lord Murugan gave the name Agathiyar Tapovanam to our home, again confirming that we were on the right track.
As we progressed on the path making the acts of doing charity habitual just like drinking, eating and breathing that is all part of us, Agathiyar revealed to us his five tenets that he had revealed at the Tamil Sangam in the past, translated and posted by Vashisht Vaid in his blog https://holysageagathiyar.com/. This came as a confirmation by Agathiyar that we were on the right track having adopted these five noble virtues. We were given the rare opportunity to serve God, our parents, ancestors, fellow humans, and the rest of God's creation, uplifting the soul in all those whom we came across.
As we progressed in Kriyai carrying out rituals that we were directed to do by our gurus, Agathiyar came in the Nadi and complimented us on our commitment to his word and tasks given. This came as a confirmation by Agathiyar that we were on the right track. We were given the rare opportunity to pray for the good of all of creation.
Finally after a long stint of serving Agathiyar; doing puja accorded in Kriya; and carrying out charity, Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came to introduce Yoga to the others too and came back often to check on their progress too, telling us in a compassionate and fatherly way at times and driving us hard at other times. This came as a confirmation by both of them that we were on the right track to begin the journey within. For this purpose, he gave us certain breathing and meditation techniques that will help kick start us on our inner journey. This comes in the form of four Avasthai just as he had given and endorsed the four tools Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam, and Gnanam earlier on our external journey. We were introduced to these four stages after we took the plunge into Yogam. BKS Iyengar wrote in his Astadala Yogamala Volume-1 that these four Avastha that is described in the Hathayoga Pradika, a classic Sanskrit manual on Hatha yoga, based on the Sanskrit texts and Swami Svatamarama's own yogic experiences and Siva Samhita, starts with the gross and ends with the finest. We too began the journey looking out to the gross that is in the external. Today we are brought to look at the fine and subtle within.
In "Meditation in Hatha Yogic Text: A review", Dr. Somdutta Tiwary and Dr. Amit Tyagi explain the process based on "The Hatha Yoga Pradipika." They wrote that these four Avastha were steps taken to unite the Human Consciousness with the Super Consciousness. Various granthis or knots give way or are pierced as we journey upwards and within towards this union. Only lately did I come to know that these granthis or knots, the Brahma granthi, the Vishnu granthi, and Rudra granthi, and the six chakras shall be pierced with the further practice of pranayama.
I was blessed to have been gifted with the Vasudeva mantra that brings balance to the Vishnu granthi. It was only then that I came to know about the granthis when I researched on the Vasudeva mantra that was given by Agathiyar without any knowledge that it was from him, that came as a surprise and a mystery back then in 2001. I learned that I had received the Vasudeva mantra that helps pierce the Vishnu granthi, on that blessed day. I had received this mantra even before Agathiyar came to me through the Nadi reading a year later. He through his apostles had me located and had the mantra delivered in preparation to receive him.
R Venu Gopalan in his book, "The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini", enlightened me further on this mantra stating that the Vishnu Granthi adds obstructions for the sadhaka keeping one under the wraps of attachment and bondage. Agathiyar in wanting to help me when I stagnated in Yoga, admitted that it was very difficult indeed to free oneself from the clutches of these worldly bonds, hence came to show me the way to clear these obstacles and move on.
Tavayogi told us that our efforts or sadhana were useful to traverse the first two chakras. Beyond that, the divine who comes as the guru, shall by his grace lead us on. Lord Muruga chose to pierce the Brahma granthi in his devotees, gifting it only after asking them numerous times if they would surrender to him. He asks them to open up their hearts to let him in. I understood that the Brahma granthi or knot in the hearts of all those gathered and had stepped forward in total surrender to him were pierced by his Vel during his initiation on that blessed day. As for me, he showed me to Agathiyar as I hold him dear and close to my heart. Today I understand why he sidelined me, for Agathiyar had initiated me much earlier.
True to Tavayogi's words Agathiyar told me that I had stagnated at Svadisthana and came to give me a hand in delivering certain techniques to bring me out of the stagnated pool. Similarly, he gave others certain practices and techniques too. Those who never ventured to learn Yoga asanas and pranayama are being brought to learn and put them into practice. They have taken the first step in pranayama called the Arambha avastha. They are started off by teaching Nadi-sudhi or purification of channels of energy in the body and followed by the pranayama techniques that Tavayogi left us, acclaimed as a heritage by Agathiyar.
I was taught Nadi-sudhi in the Nadi by Agathiyar at the very beginning of my adventure in 2003. This was followed by the numerous steps that Tavayogi showed us in 2007 and that I put to practice. The pranayama techniques made me experience the Prana that soon engulfed and enveloped my whole body, traversing and moving throughout my body to the extent of swelling and blowing up like a balloon. But it was nice. Adopting proper breathing and with the practice of full inhalation and exhalation, we observed as described that the length of the breath that is inhaled begins at the Manipuraka and traverses 12 units to reach Ajna. This beginner steps, if done diligently results in the Brahma granthi or knot in the heart pierced through. Today I see the result of this practice as it has enhanced the senses of perception also credited to this piercing.
True to Tavayogi's words Agathiyar told me that I had stagnated at Svadisthana and came to give me a hand in delivering certain techniques to bring me out of the stagnated pool. Similarly, he gave others certain practices and techniques too. Those who never ventured to learn Yoga asanas and pranayama are being brought to learn and put them into practice. They have taken the first step in pranayama called the Arambha avastha. They are started off by teaching Nadi-sudhi or purification of channels of energy in the body and followed by the pranayama techniques that Tavayogi left us, acclaimed as a heritage by Agathiyar.
I was taught Nadi-sudhi in the Nadi by Agathiyar at the very beginning of my adventure in 2003. This was followed by the numerous steps that Tavayogi showed us in 2007 and that I put to practice. The pranayama techniques made me experience the Prana that soon engulfed and enveloped my whole body, traversing and moving throughout my body to the extent of swelling and blowing up like a balloon. But it was nice. Adopting proper breathing and with the practice of full inhalation and exhalation, we observed as described that the length of the breath that is inhaled begins at the Manipuraka and traverses 12 units to reach Ajna. This beginner steps, if done diligently results in the Brahma granthi or knot in the heart pierced through. Today I see the result of this practice as it has enhanced the senses of perception also credited to this piercing.
After 18 years Agathiyar has permitted me to withhold my breath in retention or kumbhaka bringing me into the second stage of pranayama called Ghata avastha. He has asked to bring the attention inwards towards the breath, having us observe it. He has asked the others too to observe their breath. Swami Sivananda at http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection§ion_id=1305, teaching about prana and pranayama mentions the results of this practice, "Withdrawal of the senses is arrived at and by doing this, connection with the external senses and stimuli are all gradually severed." Ramalinga Adigal too has asked that we observe the breath and promises the said benefits. By performing Nadi-sudhi, and ensuring that the breath is moving in both nostril without any blockages, and silently observing the breath, Ida and Pingala begin to move through the middle channel or Sushumna. This results in the piercing of the Vishnu granthi or knot in the throat.
Over time and with practice, by shortening the length of inhalation and exhalation, the breath begins to leave from Sunya in the heart or Anahata now and goes on to the Mahasunya or Ajna between the eyebrows. We have then arrived at Parichaya Avastha, where the piercing of the Rudra granthi happens. When we all stood at the threshold of the Rudra granthi, Ramalinga Adigal and Agathiyar came to pierce it gifting it to us again. We were asked to knock the door to his kingdom though, using the tool of breath as the door nock handle. Here the lock to the door of the home to all Siddhis that Ramalinga Adigal defines as Kan Puruva Puttu or கண்புருவப் பூட்டு is broken or opened.
The breath that pierces the Rudra granthi brings further bliss. By slowly decreasing the length of the breath inhaled and exhaled, it begins to move within and eventually stays at Ajna. We arrive at the state of Kevala kumbhaka or sahaja kumbhaka that results in "the holding of the breath with no particular state of respiration in consideration." We have arrived at the fourth and final stage called Nishpati avastha. No longer in need of any yogic practice, we enjoy the bliss of samadhi or the state of consummation between God and Man, or "the consummation of praṇayama coinciding with the jivanmukti state." Yogi Professor Ramdas Prabhuji writes at https://lahirimahasayakriyayoga.org/om-namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya/
Over time and with practice, by shortening the length of inhalation and exhalation, the breath begins to leave from Sunya in the heart or Anahata now and goes on to the Mahasunya or Ajna between the eyebrows. We have then arrived at Parichaya Avastha, where the piercing of the Rudra granthi happens. When we all stood at the threshold of the Rudra granthi, Ramalinga Adigal and Agathiyar came to pierce it gifting it to us again. We were asked to knock the door to his kingdom though, using the tool of breath as the door nock handle. Here the lock to the door of the home to all Siddhis that Ramalinga Adigal defines as Kan Puruva Puttu or கண்புருவப் பூட்டு is broken or opened.
The breath that pierces the Rudra granthi brings further bliss. By slowly decreasing the length of the breath inhaled and exhaled, it begins to move within and eventually stays at Ajna. We arrive at the state of Kevala kumbhaka or sahaja kumbhaka that results in "the holding of the breath with no particular state of respiration in consideration." We have arrived at the fourth and final stage called Nishpati avastha. No longer in need of any yogic practice, we enjoy the bliss of samadhi or the state of consummation between God and Man, or "the consummation of praṇayama coinciding with the jivanmukti state." Yogi Professor Ramdas Prabhuji writes at https://lahirimahasayakriyayoga.org/om-namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya/
The purpose of the Second and Third Kriya is to break the heart granthi in order to get the fourth state, Turiya, or Samadhi. The heart knot is the Vishnu-Granthi. Therefore, the supreme Vishnu mantra (mahamantra) – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – is used for this purpose. The Vasudeva-mantra of 12 syllables – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – is known as a Mukti Mantra because it grants release from Samsara for the one who recites it with devotion and faith. In the light of Kriya Yoga, the fourth state of Turiya, or Vasudeva, is a synonym for Kevala Kumbhaka.We tend to notice a discrepancy as to the location of the Vishnu granthi here. The earlier references to the Hathayoga Pradika and Siva Samhita, locate the Brahma granthi at the heart or Anahata, the Vishnu granthi at the throat or Vishudhi, and Rudra granthi between the eyebrows at Ajna, while Yogi Professor Ramdas Prabhuji locates the Vishnu granthi as being at the heart. Nevertheless, its the message that is important here.
One who "having destroyed all the seeds of karma", sustains and lives on Prana, and "drinks the nectar of immortality", "enjoys the bliss of samadhi" that equates to being liberated in a sense. "A new life begins filled with contentment and harmony. The yogi/ni is detached and the Sukha and Duhkha don’t affect them anymore. The yogi/ni submits to the will from above. They are no longer bound by old patterns and attain freedom and liberation." This is the final state of such a one who has traversed the four states in pranayama.
Agathiyar has groomed and brought us this far to begin to walk through these four states. Ramalinga Adigal says of our achievements as just the beginning and that there is more to it and that we need to put in more effort. The results shall be in accordance and relative to the effort we place he says. The four Avastha in pranayama has come now as a confirmation by Agathiyar that we are on the right track.
Agathiyar finally has brought us to go within and step into Gnanam. Agathiyar has asked us to venture into Gnanam now for the time is right and ripe. He named our home as Gnanakottam. This came as a confirmation by Agathiyar that we were on the right track. In this era of the Siddhas and with the coming of the Siddhas, I believe that all things spiritual shall be made easy and easily attainable by their grace and some effort on our part. But we need to tell them clearly and state openly that we want it. We need to knock the door. The divine shall never dispense the magic to those who cannot treasure the gift. With the care and concern and under the constant watchful eyes of both Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal we are confident that we shall gain victory in this venture, a beautiful adventure that is both mystical and mysterious.
Sources: http://www.srimayogaschool.com.au/pranayama-info.html
http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection§ion_id=1305
https://www.santosha.com/philosophy/hathayoga-pradipika-chapter4.html
https://www.intuitiveflow.com/spiritual-development/
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Ni%E1%B9%A3patti-avasth%C4%81