COMING TO VAALAI THAAI

One of my relatives, a Professor at a local university, after hearing that I was into the worship of Agathiyar immediately asked me to comment and confirm certain things that he had read about Agathiyar. I replied to him sincerely that I did not know Agathiyar! I did not know if he was short or tall; if he was fair or dark etc. All we have of him is somebody else's vision, somebody else's picturisation of him and somebody else's story about him. I needed to see him for myself; I have to have my own experience with him and finally my own story to tell. I added that although I did not know a single thing about Agathiyar, but I have realised his presence; I sense when he is around us; I have seen him perform miracles. That is the simple truth. That is the only truth I know. So how was I to speak about him?

Similarly a friend wanted me to write about Agathiyar for his publication. I told him that if I agreed to write then it would be another compilation of material that is already available in the books and on the net. This was what I came across too when I began my search on any possible material about Agathiyar and the Siddhas. As I was hungry for knowledge on the worship of Agathiyar and the Siddhas, it was rather disappointing that all the sites carried the same text on them.  Seeing the lack of information available, for a start I took it upon myself to compile whatever hymns on the Siddhas for my personal rendition during my prayers. 

For the same reason I never drew Agathiyar. I used to draw well having drawn portraits of my parents, my children, Tavayogi, film stars, dancers etc. I told Agathiyar that if I were to draw him it would still be based on the already existing pictures, paintings, sculptures and statues of him. If my art was to be authentic he should show himself, only then I could draw him as he is. He has yet to show himself.  

Agathiyar has reminded me in the Nadi that he takes any form in which we would like to see him. He says he is in the Universe and the Universe is in him. He has proven beyond doubt that this is so when he took manifestations in various forms in the bronze figurine of his at AVM, presenting himself in innumerable number of forms of deities to the eyes of the many beholders and devotees. Similarly he has taken several manifestations in the physical form and met his devotees often without revealing his identity at that moment. He only revealed his presence later, mentioning these incidents in his Nadi readings. "Ayya" too has attested to Agathiyar's Divine Play or Leela. Amazing.

Agathiyar has shown so many instances of his presence. He has appeared on numerous counts during our recent pilgrimage to India. At the very first destination itself, Sri Rangam temple in Trichy, he came as a lady and held out his hands towards us. At Bhoganathar's Sannadhi at Palani he sat together with us, again as a lady, to hear us sing the Siddhar Potri. At Palamuthircholai Dyalen comes out of meditation to reveal that Vaalai came to bless us as we sang the Siddhar Potri. At Konganar's cave in Uthiyur, Agathiyar comes with Konganar as a gentle drift to bless all. At his home ground in Adhi Kumbeswarar Temple in Kumbakonam again he appears as a gust of wind and causes the buntings and dust to swirl up.

When a dear friend's mother was hospitalised and the doctor's were on the verge of letting her go, he prayed so hard that Father should spare her, that Agathiyar came again but as a strong surge of wind and blew the curtains and several other things away inside the hospital ward! She survived the very next minute. When my daughter was warded in the general hospital for dengue, he came with Thirumular to heal her, raising her platelet count which he specifically mentioned in a Nadi reading for Surendaran Selvaratnam in Kallar later. I have no idea here as to how and in what form they came.

It's amazing how Agathiyar held our hands and has taken us on this remarkable and amazing journey one step at a time without any hurry or urgency. He had instructed me to worship Lord Ganapathy, Lord Shiva, the Siddhas and him in the very first Nadi reading for me way back in 2002. Even before this initial reading, Agathiyar through Gopal Pillai who in turn came on a medium, passed Lord Vishnu's mantra meant for me, in 2001. This mantra was conveyed to me by my nephew following which after a few days, a painting of Lord Dhakshanamurthy was delivered by him to be kept and worshipped at my altar. Prayers to Goddess Dewi followed during this period of Navarathri celebrations - all courtesy and with the blessings of Agathiyar which I only came to know of after a couple of years later when my nephew decided to reveal its source. Amazing.

When I finally went over to India in 2003 to fulfill my atonement or parikaram, I met my very first guru in physical form - Supramania Swami of Thiruvannamalai. He gave me a mantra as a parting gift. It was a Shiva mantra. Two years later I met Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar ashram in Malaysia. He initiated my wife and me into the path of the Siddhas with Agathiyar's mantra. 

As I was asked to come in for a Nadi reading each time there was a message from the Divine Father, Agathiyar gave me more mantras to chant and contemplate on including his Moola Mantra "Aum Srim Aum Sathguru Pathame ...", the Arutperunjhothi Maha Mantra and the very name Muruga as a mantra too. 

In a recent Nadi reading for Surendaran Selvaratnam in Chennai, Agathiyar has instructed us to include hymns for Vaalai Thaai too during our prayers. It is amazing that he has brought us to the worship of Vaalai too. All this is only possible through our Father the most compassionate Agathiyar. 

THAYUMANAVAR

The Thayumanavar Sannadhi at Rock Fort in Trichy is a spiritual place to behold. Coming around in circles with my family, knowing pretty well that "He" was there, yet I could not locate him. We seemed to be lost. Then at the very moment when I had given up on finding his sannadhi, "He" appears in the form of a small fragile old man, choosing not to speak! As we stood looking at the walls of Malaikottai that looked all the same to us, we heard a loud clap. The lone figure who was suddenly spotted seated at the corridor along the temple walls motioned us to him. He immediately fled ahead of us, looking back to see if we followed him. My family and I hastened behind him lest we lose him. He took us from one spot to another, showing, pointing and at times touching and asking us to do the same, all instructed through gestures of the hands, hardly uttering a word. At one spot he went on his knees and stooped to reveal a magnificent Shivalinga hidden from sight in another space behind the walls, visible only through a window-like opening right at the bottom of the massive wall structure. At another sannadhi he indicates a nose ring by pointing to his nose and we find Goddess Mahalakshmi availing her presence and grace to devotees who came by.   Finally he motioned us up a flight of stairs but surprisingly never led us nor followed us as he had done earlier. He stood behind to watch us go up. As we reached the top of the stairs we came to the sannadhi of Lord Shiva. We carried on on our own from there as he had indicated that we would find our way up from there to Utchi Pillaiyar's sannadhi.

Before leaving him I shoved some money that I had on me into his shirt pocket and gave him a tight hug. That was way back in 2013. Miraculously this mysterious person appears again when I travelled to Rock Fort again in December of last year with AVM family. We spot each other and became equally excited on meeting up again. He again did not speak but indicated through hand gestures and facial expression his happiness in seeing me and recapped our earlier meeting to all the boys and girls from AVM.

Dr. B. Natarajan's recounts his wonderful experience at this temple in his Biographical Introduction to his "Songs of Saint Tayumanavar" (Dr. B. Natarajan of Chennai (Madras), India (1978)

The World was my open book and inner quest my deep study.
Who am I in the vastness of cosmic phenomenon?
The mystery car of time takes me round changeful seasons;
Destiny leads the play of life blind-folding me in self-oblivion.
"Who am l? What am I? Whence am I ?
What is beyond the entry and exit in this amphitheatre of existence?
Who feels in the senses and thinks in the mind and dreams in my fancy?"

Such were my self-reflections during my school days. I kept aloof from home, society, and noisy crowds taking delight in inner communion. Home and school resented my dreamy mood and crazy solitude. One day I was treated harshly by my kith and kin. I ran for refuge to the temple and there hugged the feet of God. I surrendered my life into the hands of the Divine Grace. 

"0 Grace, I take refuge at Thy feet. Lead me to Light from this dark vale of tears. Reveal to me the mystery of life and its mission. Keep me here to fulfil that mission and call me back to be with Thee". 

I sobbed in a frenzy of spontaneous fervour. I felt a warm current traversing my heart and brain and a descent from above which continues to this day. I was reborn in the Grace and could now understand the meaning of life and the language of the soul.

I sat in a dark corner of the temple forgetting body and world when a song attracted me to the lotus tank nearby. There, in the bright moon light, some monks were singing together a song that touched my soul.

"The Silent One possessed me in Silence and poured into me a speechless word that was the seed of wisdom. That word, O friend, had a magic effect on my life. It hushed up the mind and opened my heart to silent embrace of the Divine".

So on went the song which brought me peace and joy. I learnt from the monks the song and for the first time knew about its author, Sage Thayumanavar. I secured a copy of his works and treasured it in my bosom. The Songs of Sage Thayumanavar became the guiding light of my life. I still believe that the Divine Grace gave a silent friend to my Pilgrim Soul.

The songs of Thayumanavar removed my gloom and solved my mental problems. It unravelled the riddle of existence. Each line was a message and each message a vision of Truth. Each truth was a spark of intuition and each intuition had a transforming force.

The style of Thayumanavar was limpid, simple, straight, bright, profound and sweet. It flowed from the abundance of Soul's delight in rapturous union with the Beloved. Every hymn is a gem of divinity. It is an enchanting flute-voice of the soul that touches all souls. The poet was song and the song the poet.

This is the message of the Seer Poet:

"The unique One pervades all beings. All are one in that.
It is the Life of lives, the One that moves in many names and forms.
It is beyond the mental conceptions of caste, creed and religion.
Ascetic or householder, all have a right to live in its consciousness.
Come collectively to enjoy the bliss of life in the Divine Grace.
Call with deep love; the Grace shall pour itself from above."

Now let us see the evolution of his life towards Divinity.

The rock temple at Trisirapuram is a marvel of lndian architecture. It enshrines the image of Thayumanavar - the God of Mother love. The temple is busy with crowds of devotees singing devotional songs and dancing in ecstasy. Among them we see a brilliant boy, fair in colour, tall in stature, with rosy cheeks, lotus face and phosphorescent eyes beaming with grace and rays of knowledge. The boy contemplates upon the Divine for a while and then leaves the crowd. He quickly gets up to the topmost temple of the hill. There Ganesa stands.

The boy sits self immersed, meditates a while, and then sings:

"Rare is human birth.
While yet I live on this earth, in this body, with heart and soul,
I must revel in the ecstasy of Divine Grace."

The boy seeks a spiritual teacher to initiate him in the secret of the divine art. He stands again before Lord Thayumanavar and pours out his soul's aspirations into songs. He becomes silent in meditation, tears gushing out of his eyes in pearl drops of ecstasy.

The Pious Parents

A tall stately man comes in haste. He looks here and there and catches hold of the boy saying, "Come home; how long are you to be here? Come!"

That is his father, Kediliappa. Kediliappa 'literally means immortal Father. Born to this mortal father. the boy sought Father, the immortal. This saintly boy is our Thayumanavar. He was named after the Deity of the Rock-Temple.

Kediliappa Pillai, a Chola Vellala was an administrative officer of the Naik Kingdom. Kediliappa originally lived at Vedaranyam, a famous pilgrim centre. He was the trustee of the local temple. He was a learned man high in intellect and wide in heart. His wife Gajavalli was a pious lady humming devotional songs while attending to house-keeping. Their home was surrounded by a divine aureole. The liberality of their hearts expressed itself in charity and hospitality. There was a royal dignity in the personality of Kediliappa, and a remarkable sweetness in his words. His elder brother, Vedaranyam, a great scholar well placed in life, had no children. Kediliappa offered his own boy Siva Chidambaram in adoption to the elder brother. 

The King's Favour

Those were days of the Naik kings. The Pandyan dynasty had declined. The Naik chiefs of Vijayanagar possessed the Madurai Kingdom (1559-1736). Visvanatha, Tirumalai, and Mangammal were noteworthy rulers of Madurai. They were great patrons of art and poetry.

The grandson of Mangammal was Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha. He set up his residence at Thrisirapuram. He was a pious man, but not a statesman. He ruled for twenty-seven years (1704-1731). His kingdom was often attacked by the Maharattas and the Mussalmans. He wanted strong assistants. His minister Govindappa one day came to Vedaranyam. Kediliappa received the august guest with temple honours and entertained him under his hospitable roof. Both of them spoke on religion and politics. The Minister said, "Kedili, you are a scholar, a devotee, an astute statesman, a clever diplomat and a keen accountant. You are just the man that we are seeking. Come with me and serve the King".

Kediliappa shifted his family to Trisirapuram. King Chokkanatha, pleased even at the first sight, took Kedili into his council and gave him a free hand in the management of his household. Kedili was faithful to the king, alert to his duty and timely in advising him against enemies. Chokkanatha treated him like a brother. Kedili's fame and fortune flourished day by day. There was only one gloomy spot in his life; that was the absence of a child to cheer his home. He and his wife went daily to the rock-temple and prayed to Swami Thayumanavar for a child. They fed saints and made gifts to scholars. Kedili chanted holy songs. He also arranged for Vedic recitals before the sanctum of Thayumanavar. While the atmosphere was thus charged with holy vibrations, his wife Gajavalli became enceinte. Gajavalli spent her days in prayer and holy hearing.

One day devotees were chanting the soul-thrilling psalms of Maniccavachakar when Gajavalli delivered the gifted child. That child was named Thayuamavar, for it was born by the grace of Thayumanavar Swami. Kedili was overjoyed at the sight of his luminous son, radiant in beauty. Temple bells rang in blessings.

Learning and Yearning

Everyone was attracted to this lovely child. King Chokkanatha admired the boy and marked him for his service. The father brought up the son with high hopes. He taught him Tamil and Sanskrit, spiritual lore and statecraft. The king was satisfied with his progress. He was the cynosure of saints and scholars. He was an adept in Vedanta and Siddhanta. He read with rapture the songs of Saints like Maniccavachakar, Appar, Sambandhar and Sundarar. He mastered the Meikanda Sastras. These are holy books in Tamil. He studied the Upanishads, side by side with Tiruvachakam. He was a clever logician and none could rival him in discussions.

But, he was not satisfied with book-lore. Books did not reveal the Blessed One cradled in his heart. Words did not quench his thirst. From sunrise to sunset, he was seeking for something within, for somebody that can lead him to the fount of Self-Conscious Bliss. He had a rich home. He had free access to the King's palace. He was welcomed in royal circles. But the born sage preferred solitude to company, reflection to reading and introspection to speaking.

Words were loads to him, and books burdens. He went often to the rock temple and spent his time in meditation and prayer. In the bosom of purified calmness, in the silent seclusion of inner peace, he sought Self-reality with all the fervour of his faith. His eyes flowed with tears of yearning. His lips throbbed with songs of spiritual melancholy.

He had the sage-mind of Pattinattar, the contemplation of the Buddha, the inspiration of Vedic seers, the fervour of Maniccavachakar, the humility of Appar and the faith of Sambandhar. Nuggets of golden truth, cast in brilliant couplets, came out of the inner mine. Then longer poems flowed out spontaneously. Showering tear-pearls gushing out of his lotus eyes, the boy saluted and contemplated upon the Supreme. Learning yielded to yearning.

Thayumanavar saw the Hata-yogins controlling breath and twisting their bodies. He saw religionists in hot discussion; he saw verbomania quarrelling about the God whom they cannot even imagine.

He sought solace in the Unique One who is all and all in all. He invoked His grace day and night for a Guiding Light.

Kediliappa did not live to see the brilliant manhood of his son. He joined the majority while yet Thayumanavar was in his teens. His father's death intensified his yearning for spiritual freedom.

"With this body, I must attain liberation", this was his resolution.

But the King would not leave him to himself. "Dear Thayumanavar, serve me in your father's place" said he.

Thayumanavar had to obey the King. He became the Chancellor of exchequer of the Naik Kingdom. He fulfilled his state duties to the entire satisfaction of the King who loved him more and more. His Rani Meenakshi, fondled him. She was ready to do anything for him. People liked his gentle manners and benevolent heart. He did his duty for duty's sake; but his heart was aloof from the distractions of state affairs. He saw what the world was and took lessons from what he saw.

Those were troubled times. Trisirapuram was a field of conflicting forces. The throne was shaken by invasions and revolutions. Political butchery, local treachery, social animosity, royal indolence and religious pretence disrupted the harmony of life everywhere. The marauding Maharatta hordes and the invading Nawab's forces were lurking in ambush in the vicinity. The clatter of enemy swords enervated the Naik forces. Thayumanavar saw with open eyes the danger of royal courts disrupting by flippant pleasures. The kingdom was a web of spies and a trap of enemies. The friends of today became the foes of to-morrow. None can play with fire without being scorched. Thayumanavar did not like to be caught in this political turmoil. He witnessed a thousand golden hypocrisies and pitied humanity caught in the coils of temptation. Thayumanavar despised the mere life of carnal desires and sex indulgence. Yoga was his deep aspiration. A Master sought the Seeker.

The Master

One day Thayumanavar went up the rock-temple for his daily worship. There he met a Sage who belonged to the order of Saint Tiru Mula. The Master and the disciple discovered each other. The disciple fell at the feet of the Master, shedding tears of joy and poured out his heart in sublime songs. The Master blessed him graciously, took him alone, and accepted his devotion.

"Master" said the disciple, "I shall follow Thee, renouncing home and royal service."

"Wait, good soul!" admonished the Teacher,

"Be a householder until you beget a child. Then I shall come to initiate you in meditation. Be silent. Rest in peace; keep quiet; have faith. You will reach the supreme state of Bliss".

Having said this, the Master went away. Thayumanavar shed tears of joy and gratitude at the love of his gracious Master who opened his inner eye and followed his teachings faithfully.

Liberation

The free soul, hungering for the inner delight, cannot live in the limitations of a royal court. Its proud pleasures are flimsy shows of sanity. It is a place for flatterers and not for sages and seer-poets. Thayumanavar would make his life a song-offering to the Divine of his heart. He would live in the Divine, for the Divine. He lived in tune with the Infinite and would not seek the lightning smile of royal favour. He would be the king of the Spirit's kingdom and never a slave of worldly empires. He would enjoy the soul's birthright. He remembered God in all the changing phases of life. He aspired for grace and never for gold.

As knowledge dawned upon the aspirant, he rose above the mythic imagination of mental poets, coloured exaggerations, fads, creeds, cults and dogmas. Faith in the inner reality gave him force. Force fructified into grace and grace into knowledge. He drew the mind from the wandering senses into inner recollection, and contemplated upon the pure reality which he was. He discriminated the Spirit from the body of nature. He internalised his attention, intensified his concentration, controlled his thoughts and lulled his mind to meditation. A dynamic peace possessed him. His heart widened into a deep compassion for all. His equal vision saw one Soul in the king and in the subject. Life in harmony with the Divine was eternal springtime; life in separation was cyclonic winter. His brain thought, his heart loved, his vital liked nothing but the Divine.

The invincible Grace heard his heart-beat. It influenced the king.

Chokkanatha was a devotee of Siva and lover of saints. He saw a holy saint in his secretary, Thayumanavar.

"Thayumanavar," said the king one day.

"Your Pilgrim Soul seeks the inner temple. I see the hidden light flaring up in your emotional symphony. We see the world with a thousand-eyed mind and arc deluded. You see the spirit of things with the one-eyed heart. Can the myriad-eyed night equal the one-eyed day? Your soul hungers after the Supreme Reality. State service is a hindrance to your aspirations. Waste not your days in politics and diplomacy. You are no more the king's servant; the king is your servant. Come, I shall raise a peaceful Ashram for you, and you can fix yourself in yoga there".

"I am grateful to you. O king; God has heard my prayer from your heart. I am liberated; thanks" said the saint, and he repaired to the banks of the Kaveri to continue his meditation.

The king raised a fine hermitage on the river bank and served the saint devoutly.

That is Mother

The saint was self-absorbed. The mind was nullified like a burnt camphor, in the flames of self-consciousness. Body-consciousness was lost in the Infinite Spirit. The body changes and falls like the petals of a flower. The immortal Spirit rises up at the magic touch of the Divine Energy generated by meditation. The saint realised the self of all throbbing in his heart. He felt the pinch of hunger when anyone was hungry. He shivered when a poor man had no clothes for the winter.

One day the king offered him a rich shawl. At that moment, a poor old lady passed by shivering in cold. Thayumanavar gave the shawl to the lady, saying "Mother, you need this more than I". The king felt insulted and demanded an explanation.

"Swami, I gave a fine shawl for your use and you have presented it to the old hag of low caste. Why so ?"

"No caste, no hag! I gave the shawl to the Universal Mother! It is She who has received back what belonged to Her" came his immediate reply.

Silence Meets Silence

The great silent sage, Sadasiva Brahmam, sanctified the atmosphere of India in those days. He moved steeped in trance. The sky was his roof and earth his home. To see him was to know the Real. His songs were already popular among the learned. On his way to Pudukottai, Sage Sadasiva met Thayumanavar (1738). Their meeting was like the meeting of Vedanta and Siddhanta.

"Silence is Peace; Silence is Bliss; Silence is Knowledge" wrote the sage. Thayumanavar already a lover of Silence, became yet more silent.

The King Dies

The time was troubled by plots of enemy chiefs and by open skirmishes. Now the Maharatta cannon thundered and now the Musalman powder exploded. The foreigners became aggressive. Peace was in exile and war shook the land with terror. Traitors betrayed masters. Enemy spies created divisions in the camp. King Chokkanatha was a good man but not a good ruler. He called to his help, anybody and everybody. The only true helper was the Tondaman of Pudukottai, a brave hero who guarded the Trisirapuram fort with the help of his Marava heroes. But a double-dealing Iago sent a secret spy to the sabre-rattling Maharattas. The Maharattas had politics in their brain and courage in their heart.

One night when everything seemed quiet, the fort entrance opened; the main door swung aside; trumpets were heard, guns reported; cannons boomed; the Maharattas were in the heart of the city. Chokkanatha was choked with grief. He must either become his enemy's prisoner or die, shedding blood in fighting an overwhelming force. Chokkallatha would do neither. He shouted aloud the name of God: "Siva, Siva, how false is the world! How dangerous sovereignty and how heavy the crown! Man has a treacherous tiger in him. How can I trust human nature? I take refuge at Thy feet, Siva! Siva!" The king died of broken heart. The pathetic scene inspired the Naik army with new courage. Raghunatharaya Tondaman, the famous king of Pudukottai, took charge of the task of guarding the fort: vigilant swords and cannons kept the Maharatta hordes at bay. The Tondaman crushed the enemies whose plots were leading to a conflagration. The dread of war being over, Rani Meenakshi, the widow of Chokkanatha, assumed sovereignty (1731-1736).

The Love Noose

The first man to attract the queen was Saint Thayumanavar.

"Holy Sir" implored Queen Meenakshi. "I am helpless and alone. You are the only wise man whom I can trust. Your head and heart alone can save the Kingdom. Its welfare depends upon you. Come and help me, in the name of my husband who loved you so much!"

The saint took pity upon the helpless queen; he felt obliged to do his best to maintain peace and restore order in the realm. Under his influence, treachery was knocked down like an uprooted tree. The den of misrule became a haven of order and discipline, under the control of Thayumanavar. The Rani was all regard for him. But her regard carried passion into her youthful heart. His beauty of person his strong will, wisdom, sagacity, political acumen, religious fervour, austerity and sweet words, worked like magic upon her imagination. Regard turned into affection, affection into love, love into lust, and lust inflamed hidden passions in the uncontrolled mind. She treated him like her close companion. The friendship ripened into love; and she approached him alone one night with a pining heart, with passion-lost modesty. She stood before the meditating saint like an image of love-lorn beauty. The saint knew her wiles.

Thayumanavar: What has brought you here, Queen, at this hour ?
Queen: My heart has brought me to you, sir. I offer myself to you in surrender. I love you.
Thayumanavar: But I love none but the Divine in my heart.
Queen: Sir, consider me as your wife.
Thayumanavar: I consider you as my Mother. Mother, do not test me. I am your simple child.
Queen: My lord, I dedicate my life to you; embrace me now, or I shall embrace death.
Thayumanavar: That shall not be, Mother. O God, save me from the noose of lust. Divine Force, save me from this flashing sword of lustful eyes. Let not my purity be killed by its venomed edge.
Queen: My beloved sir, I shall give you all my wealth; love me.
Thayumanavar: Woman. your wealth is filth.
Queen: I surrender my kingdom to you.
Thayumanavar: Your kingdom is wardom. Leave me in peace.
Queen: My man, it is the Queen's order. Obey me.
Thayumanavar: I obey only the King's order. The King of my soul is God.

The Rani cast a lust-lit look and departed like storm driven lightning. Her love changed into wounded pride; she meant harm and the saint knew it. Next day, she was determined to force him to her will. She ordered one of her ministers, Narayanappa, to bring the saint to her private apartment. The minister went, saw, came back and reported that the saint escaped; his whereabouts not known! She sent spies abroad. But before she could avenge herself, civil war raged in the kingdom; Chanda Saheb assailed her capital; conspirators and opportunists shattered her peace and the minister himself rebelled against this woman of intolerable pride and suspicious conduct. 

How did he Escape ?

Where was Thayumanavar ? How did he escape the guards and the spies? Silent, aloof, meditative, Thayumanavar had watched the play of the egoistic forces in the royal court since the sudden death of the king. Opportunists and sycophants thought the honest saint a stumbling block on their way to power. How can the blind know the sun? They knew that the queen loved him. They made her believe that Thayumanavar was an impostor. Influential talebearers, wicked slanderers, double-tongued flatterers, who won her favour, poured gentle venom into her ears. "O Queen, I sounded his heart today; it is flaming with passion for you. He closes his eyes just to adore your image installed in his soul. Meet him alone; He will fall at your feet; he is your slave; see that today!" Thus the cunning courtiers calumniated the saint and induced the queen.

The saint knew the nature of the worldly; he heeded not the dagger-look of jealousy, the frown of insolence and the nuisance of talebearers. With a calm self-gathered inner strength, he was prepared for the coming events. Daily he was making himself ready to leave the capital. He had two trusted disciples. Arulayya, the first disciple, had the gift of clairvoyance:

"Master, the talebearers are working out a plot that would cost you either your sainthood or your life. So, I am removing the family property to Vedaranyam. It is under the Maharatta king of Tanjore. These people cannot go there." The saint nodded his assent. Arulayya quietly removed all valuables to Vedaranyam along with a merchandise. Everything was kept ready for the saint outside the fort. That particular night, the saint dressed himself as a Naik soldier and escaped watching eyes. The horse was ready; Arulayya was there to do everything. They quickly crossed the boundary of the kingdom. And then, Thayumanavar, in the robes of a wandering sanyasi, joined a party of monks bound for Rameswaram.

In those days, the Maravas of Sivaganga and Ramnad raised the standard of national Independence against alien powers that usurped the throne of the Tamil Nadu. Even to the end of the eighteenth century, the brave Maravas fought for national freedom and gave shelter to political refugees. It so happened that the party which opposed Rani Meenakshi, hatched its plot in the Marava territory, from Sivaganga and Ramnad. So Thayumanavar made haste to reach Ramnad where he could live unmolested by the Rani's men. The king of Ramnad received the saint with due reverence and gave him a garden home for the practice of his yoga.

The Silent Sage

Thayumanavar went to Rameswaram and there dedicated thrilling psalms to the Universal Mother who saved him from the dangerous lust of the Rani. Any how he had to guard himself from spies and traitors.

Thayumanavar remembered the words of Sadasiva Brahman and he practised inner Silence as well as outer. The mouth would not open for words and his mind for thoughts. At this juncture he met another time near Mana Madurai, the Silent Brahman and received his blessings (1743). The Brahman wrote a famous book called Atmavilas which pleaded for perfect silence and solitude and aloofness in utter renunciation. This book was explained to Thayumanavar. Thayumanavar wrote many poems in the light of Atmavilas.

Sadasiva said in it,

"Live not in the crowd of men; run away to solitude.
Shun the lure of the opposite sex as if you were eunuch.
Treat sense pleasures as poison.
Seek lonely places for self reflection.
Wander freely in the Hall of God, sky-roofed".

Thayumanavar steeped himself in meditation and in writing his spontaneous songs which Arulayya copied and gave to the world. Silence opened the psychic centres and meditation absorbed cosmic energy and awakened Divine knowledge so that the Sage lived in tune with the Self and wove his realisations into sublime verses. He scarcely saw the people. The few that sought him were satisfied with hearing his songs sung by Arulayya every evening.

The garden where Thayumanavar lived is marked today by a small temple where his image is adored. There too an offer came to him from the Royal court, but he refused it.

"I have seen enough of this political and social drama. I have watched the world and I prefer silence all the more. Silence is my book of Knowledge" wrote the saint.

He forgot the past in self-immersion. He opened his heart to divine love. He entered inner solitude, plunged into inner silence, and settled in the deeper Self. He kept his self-level, even like the ocean which overflows not by the inflow of rivers and which dries not by evaporation.

The Sage as a Householder

In meantime, the political turmoil in Madura and Trisirapuram ended in a tragedy for the Queen. Rivals joined the Nawab and brought about her downfall. Chanda Sahib ravaged her kingdom and imprisoned her. She drank poison and died. Thayumanavar saw the tragedy of selfish pride, greed, vanity, ambition and treachery that made a hell of human life. He saw the fate of passion. He saw how rival forces endangered kingdoms. His way was now free from the queen's spies. 

Just at this time, his elder brother, Siva Chidambaram, came to Ramnad and persuaded him to return to Vedaranyam, where he could live conveniently and carry on his yoga. Thayumanavar started with Arulayya, visited Madura and other pilgrim centres on the way and reached Vedaranyam. The village received its sage with temple honours. Thayumanavar entered his ancestral home. A bride awaited his arrival. His relatives entreated him to marry her and to show the world how one can be yogin and a householder at the same time. There was the word of his Master too.

The Brahmacharya life of Thayumanavar was so disciplined, he was physically and spiritually so strong that he could live in communion with God, wherever he might be. So, the saint married the chosen bride, the fair and chaste Mattuvarkuzhali meaning 'lady of flowing fragrant tresses'. Both lived together like life and body. They got a child who was named Kanakasabhapati. Thayumanavar initiated his wife in Yoga and meditation, after the birth of the child. Thayumanavar and his wife lived such a life of purity and meditation. He read to her ancient books of wisdom. He dedicated song-flowers to the divine every day and explained them to his companion in life. They lived a simple life and gave liberally to the needy. Thayumanavar, like his father, supervised the local temple. He made it thrill with the songs of saints and vedic songs.

But unfortunately, Thayumanavar's wife passed away saying, "Lord, renounce the world after educating my boy and placing him well in life and not before let my soul rest in Thee!"

The sage Thayumanavar was faithful to his duty as a father. He educated his son, placed him with his elder brother and waited for the next command from his Master.

Thus Spake the Master

Thayumanavar was now soul-free; he kept himself aloof from home affairs. He gave away a part of his wealth to his son and another part to charitable endeavours and a third part to the temple, keeping for himself the wealth of divine Grace. The time was ripe; the Master came one day when he was meditating before the vast sea near Vedaranyam.

Thayumanavar fell at his feet crying:

"Master, by Thy Grace, I am free to follow Thee. Bless me with Thy Grace. Let me enter the high plane of superconscious trance. Let my being thrill with the nectar of immortality"

The words uttered by the Master were woven into songs and became the Philosophy of the Silent Sage. The Master graciously looked at the ripe soul and said,

"My darling, your psychic being is ripe enough to receive that yoga. My son, hear from me the ancient wisdom taught by Sri Mula and Satyadarsi and sing it to humanity. The world of manifold appearances is the multiplicity of one Divine Energy. It is a play in five acts, creation, preservation, destruction, self-absorption and salvation. The play is kept going on by the Cosmic-Force, at the Will of the Witnessing Lord God is All-in-all, all-blissful, all containing and impersonal. Grace is His personality. He is omnipotent, omnipresent. He is the Life of lives, the Thinker in the brain, the Feeler in the heart, the Seer in the eye, the Hearer in the ear, the Breather in the lungs and the Speaker in the tongue. He does everything through His Grace and remains an unattached Witness, far beyond the world of modes and dualities. He is as He is. Just as rays spread from the Sun and give light and warmth to the world, Grace radiates from the Divine and plays as the world. There is no language without the first vowel A; there is no world without God's Grace. He is the unique One; there is nothing to be compared with him. He has no birth, no death. His Grace descends into purified souls. Such souls, are lights that lead us godward."

"Embodied creatures have the taint of egoism, lust and delusion. They are tied to the results of good and bad acts. The mundane world emanates from the Divine Will and evolves from the lowest inertia to the highest superconsciousness according to the results of acts. The sower reaps the fruit of his seed. The field is as it is. Just like husk which covers rice, dirt which stains copper, salt which is in the sea water, the three stains of egoism, delusion and action are in the soul. These form an impression in the mind and the soul departs with it to another birth. Freedom means freedom from these triple stains."

"The body is the mechanism of the Mayashakti, the illusive Force of multiplicity. The Divine Grace, holds the Soul like a magnet which holds a piece of iron. The soul which is conscious of the Divine Grace, enjoys peace, bliss and freedom. The soul identifying itself with the mental-vital-material body suffers bondage and the pangs of birth and death. The mirror cannot reflect forms without light. The soul cannot act without Grace. The soul by the force of the Grace behind it, rules as a king over the body, with the mind, intellect, emotive mind and egoism as its ministers."

"Waking, dream, deep sleep, trance, supertrance are the five states of soul-consciousness. In the superconscious trance, the soul feels its identity with the Divine and attains divinity. The Jiva then enjoys Shivahood."

"The sun causes seasons, day and night; but it is quite separate from them. Even so Atman is separate from the mind and its modifications. The soul must feel this and be conscious of its eternal unity with the Divine. This conscious living in the Divine is Life Divine."

"The Divine Grace transforms life into love and love into bliss. That Grace descends in the form of Consciousness."

"The ordinary physical eye cannot see the Divine. The inner eye alone can subtly feel the Divine presence in the soul."

"The mind is internalised and concentrated in meditation, With unflagging patience, forbearance, faith and constancy the aspirant must practise meditation. Purity of the heart and one-pointed fixity of the mind enables meditation. As the soul detaches itself from mental modifications, it approaches the Divine Centre. Then Grace takes possession of the pure soul and reveals the Divine presence."

"The soul must become red-hot in the Divine flame. Then it becomes a shining gold and at last a crown of divinity."

"The first step is mental purification and concentrated devotion. The next is constant meditation and inner fixity. By this the soul feels its at-one-ment with the Divine, the Quintessence of its being. Then it sees the same Divine essence in the universe of beings. From self-consciousness, the soul widens into cosmic consciousness."

"Dear one, keep these in mind and renounce everything for the sake of Divinity. Take a pearl-diver's plunge into the heart. Be centre in and there is the Divine Light to lead you on. Go hence to Chidambaram: Meditate upon Lord Nataraja, the symbol of perfect Divine Truth. Worship Him daily, with songs and he will lead you on! Shivoham!"

The Divine Master, then initiated the faithful disciple in superconscious trance, poured his energy into him and watched his progress for a few days before he disappeared.

Thayumanavar received the words of the Guru with all the sincere devotion of a true seeker, expressing his deep gratitude in sublime verses. Then he went to Chidambaram.

At Chidambaram

The heart feels joyful as one thinks of Chidambaram, sanctified by holy saints. Thayumanavar stood there in the entrancing presence of Lord Nataraja. He was bathed in tears of emotion. He forgot himself in trance. He poured his heart's fervour into songs of sublime wisdom.

"There is no treasure higher than Thy Grace. I am full in Thy fullness. Thou art the Ocean into which countless religious streams empty themselves. O beginningless, endless Vastness, rare for the Vedas, rare for the different warring creeds, rare for thought and word, Thou art felt only in Silence. Hail Light, Hail Purity, Power that mover all beings! Every religion hails Thee as its God. Thou art beyond religious creeds that speak in terms of I and mine. Thou art known only when all these are silenced in the peace of trance. Having found Thee, one finds no more religious difference. For everything is Thy fullness and nothing exists without Thee. All differences in the world are born of the Ego 'I'."

"This 'I' must be burnt away like a camphor hill in the flame of Thy Grace. Then nothing shall be left in me except Thyself. Thou hast made me realise that I am not the body, the senses, the mind, the intellect, the modes of nature, but that I am a crystal Consciousness."

"Thy Consciousness allows no more occasion for the insurgence of any other entity. It has left nothing behind. It has consumed all, as fire consumes camphor. There is neither knower nor known nor knowledge; the trinity of separateness is no more."

"Thee I love, In Thee I live and into Thee I disappear!
Hail, Truth-Light!
Hail Supreme Grace!"

Thayumanavar was steeped in trance for a month or two at Chidambaram and then went on a pilgrimage to Arunagiri, Kanchipuram, Tiruvotriyur, Tiruvarur, Madura and other places before he finally reached Rameshwaram.

Final Beatitude

The world's life depends upon rain. Rains failed and famine raged fearfully. Thayumanavar meditated before Lord Ramanatha at Rameshwaram for the good of the land. He looked up and prayed. "Pour down O Blessed heavens if it is true that God is one and His blissful path is path". Heavens heard his prayer. The clouds gathered; lightnings flashed; thunder roared; and rains poured and poured until the tanks were full and the fields were green and famine was no more. The Raja of Ramnad and his subjects worshipped the Sage and brought him to Ramnad in a palanquin. It is said he mobilised the Marava Chiefs to ward off foreign impacts.

Thayumanavar rejected all royal honours and preferred to spend his life in a garden hut in Lakshmipuram. Thayumanavar entered into deep trance. From that highest state of divinity, he poured out his spiritual intuitions in sublime verses. He wrote them on palm leaves. His disciples Arulayaya and Kodikkarai Jnani copied and sang them to the public.
The songs spread like wild fire.

The sage did not like publicity. He wrote in silence, lived in silence and steeped himself in Divine Silence. His mission was fulfilled. The purpose of his embodiment was over. He prayed for a strong body only for self realisation. He was now in perfect union with the Divine, immersed in That consciousness. The body was dead to him. So he willed to shed it off. He entered into his samadhi-room and closed the door, leaving a note outside on which these words were written:

"Dear friends, withdraw the mind from the senses and fix it in meditation. Control the thought-current. Find out the thought-centre and fix yourself there. Then you will be conscious of the Divine Self; you will see it dancing in ecstasy. Live in that delight. That Delight-Consciousness, is the God in you. He is in every heart. You need not go anywhere to find Him. Find your own core and feel Him there. Peace, bliss, felicity, health - everything is in you. Trust in the Divine in you. Entrust yourself to His Grace. Be as you are. Off with past impressions. He who lives from within an ingathered soul-life is a real Sage though he may be a householder. He who allows his mind to wander with the senses is an ignoramus, though he is learned. See as a witness, without the burden of seeing. See the world just as you see a drama. See without attachment, Look within. Look at the inner light unshaken by mental impressions. Then, floods of conscious bliss shall come pouring in and around you from all directions. This is the supreme Knowledge; realise! Aum Aum!"

The disciples read this with great joy and meditated before the door. There was no stir inside; it was very late for supper; Arulayya gently called, knocked; no response. He broke open the door. Ah, what did he see! The body lay there; the face was smiling as usual; but the Soul that was the real sage had flown away like a bird from its cage.

It was on a full moon day in the month of January 1742 that Thayumanavar entered the final beatitude. 15th January is this Saint's day. The disciples, the Rajah and the local worthies adorned the body, took it in procession, paid their last honours and buried it, singing his songs.

The real Thayumanavar, His Spirit, still endures and shall ever live in his soul-thrilling songs. Hail Thayumanavar!

We are indeed blessed to have stepped at this wonderful place of worship where the Holy feet of Sage Thayumanavar had walked its face. 

Kallar Agathiyar Kudamulukku Vizha

THE MYSTICAL WORLD OF THE SIDDHAS THROUGH THE EYES OF "AYYA"

The very first time I heard of the mystical relationship of "Ayya" and "Ma" was through Jnana Jothi Amma. She used to share her numerous adventures with both of them. Both Ayya and Ma had indicated to her that they would soon pass her on to Agathiyar. Then she came face to face with Agathiyar himself at Kallar ashram. She realised the relationship of Ayya and Agathiyar then.

We at AVM realised this too through several amazing moments.

Prior to leaving for India, Bala Chandran had asked for blessings from “Ayya” who came through a trance via his uncle. Ayya had given an elaborate account of what needed to be done and what to expect during this journey, especially in Palani. 

On returning back home after a memorable nine day spiritually uplifting experience, the boys were back at "Ayya's" doorstep to know if whatever instructions given by him before our departure to India last December were carried out to his expectation and satisfaction. Ayya reveals more than they expected.

Ayya by revealing certain mystical facts about the Siddhas has cleared the air on the ever mystical and ever mysterious nature of these Siddhas. Even before AVM family members began their spiritual tour of India last December, Ayya had called up several members of this entourage and through them reminded the rest to be mindful and recognise these Siddhas at those places that we would be visiting. He had gone on to guide us at each place of our visit revealing to us what was to take place there. He detailed each ritual we were to perform at these places. 

Ayya became a spokesperson for the Siddhas in informing us about them. Hence with this knowledge we set off on a beautiful journey to Mystical India. As promised we were showered with their grace beyond our expectations.  

In yesterday's revelation, first and foremost Ayya had asked that we do not question his instructions. He explains that we will come to know the reasons behind him asking us to carry out certain things. He adds that it would be unfruitful if he were to reveal the reasons for asking to do so. 

Bala Chandran asked Ayya to confirm whether the "lady" we saw at our very first stop, Sri Rangam temple, was indeed Agathiyar himself? Bala also asked who was the "lady" at Palani who insisted Bala to continue reading the names of the Siddhas (chanting the Siddhar Potri) although the temple aids were asking us to end the chant and leave the premises as it was closing time. Ayya tells us that it was indeed Agathiyar who took on the form of these ladies. 

To recap these wonderful moments, as we made our way out of Sri Rangam temple, an elderly "lady" looked us straight into our eyes and lifted both her arms seeking alms. I walked by her with Bala directly behind me. I mentioned to Bala that if we were to give her money, there would be many others crowding us as is the norm. But almost immediately I realised that we were within the temple perimeter and never had we seen people begging within the temple walls! So I returned to her and Bala taking cue knelt at her feet as instructed by Ayya. She began to bless Bala in a way that we had never seen before, calling the Gods, Devas and Devis from the heaven to shower their grace on him. All the rest of us were rooted in our places, witness to this amazing moment.

At Bhoganathar’s sannadhi, as we lined up in the outer corridor to enter his inner sanctum we noticed a “lady” meditating. Soon she was behind us in the inner chamber too chanting a hymn for Bhuvaneswary, an aspect of Vaalai Thaai. Bala tells me she had asked them to receive the kumkum that the young priest handed out. She then left the sannadhi hurriedly ahead of us. As at all other sannadhis, we needed to sing the Siddhar Potri or list of names of the Siddhas here too at Bhoganathar's sannadhi. We decided to re-enter Bhoganathar’s sannadhi and find a spot along the corridor to begin the chant. To our amazement the lady whom we thought had left, was back in the corridor with us. She sat beside Bala who had began to chant. 

It was closure time and the temple helpers hurried the devotees on. Soon they closed the grills to the sannadhi too. They signalled to us to end our chanting as it was time to close the sannadhi. Bala kept pleading for a few more moments through hand gestures. To our surprise the lady seated beside Bala motioned him to speed up the chant but not to stop. While the aids wanted us to end the chant she on the contrary asked Bala to continue chanting. 

Bala sped up the chanting. The rest of us who were following - chanting "Potri Potri" - too sped up, to the rhythm of Bala. As the aids were trying to get us to stop, I stood up just to satisfy them momentarily while the rest remained seated and continued chanting. Finally just as we ended the Potri the mysterious lady took off into Bhoganathar’s sannadhi. Bala and the rest of us prostrated to Bhoganathar before stepping into his sannadhi a second time. 

The lady was waiting for us to turn up. I was told she applied prasad to the forehead of the girls and Bala and wished them well, saying all shall be fine. The children remembered that she mentioned that, "This is the reason she came for!" Saying thus she sped off with a certain urgency.

Ayya sheds some light on this miraculous happening. He says that Agathiyar wanted to sit among us and listen to us chant the names of the Siddhas!

Ayya adds that he was extremely satisfied with us taking on this journey. He was happy to see us attain a state of joy and bliss at these sanctums. He accepted as kanikai or offering, our tears that welled in the eyes of all, as as we stood before him. 

Ayya gave Bala Chandran a new task of carefully bringing Agathiyar's favourite family to Kallar for this years Guru Puja, hence fulfilling the yearning that they had and satisfying their disappointment in not being able to visit Kallar ashram for the Vizha or celebrations last December.

Truly amazing!

A NOTE OF THANKS & GRATITUDE

This morning we received a call from the priest or Gurukal from the Sri Raja Sakti Nageswary Amman temple in Bangsar where resides Agathiyar, asking about my wife's health. He informed us that prayers were carried out for the quick recovery of my wife, with Balachander Aiya and Sri Krishna performing the weekly libation or Abhisegam to Agathiyar.

Thavathiru Kumarsamy Aiya from the Sri Agasthiyar Ashram at Anuvavi in Coimbatore, performed a puja for the fast recovery of my wife the moment he heard from Sri Krishna that she was hospitalised.

Sanjiv Malhotra from New Delhi messages me every alternate day enquiring about her condition. Local AVM family members call or message to know how she is doing. Many turned up at the hospital and later at our home to visit her. Srimathi Santhi Balachander, Srimathi Malathy Rajah and Srimathi Sri Devi Krishna took turns to cook food for her while at the hospital and upon arriving home. Srimathi Santhi Balachander volunteered to care for her throughout the night at the hospital for two consecutive nights. Srimathi Gayatri Kathiresan too stayed to look after her. 

Everyday Dr Lacumi from the hospital dropped in to look at her, assist and advise, and would brief us over the phone too, although my wife was not her patient. Dr Jana from a nearby hospital unit, too dropped in and continued monitoring her health through the phone. Dr Mrs Shanga from another hospital dropped in and brought some cheer to us too.

Many friends and relatives prayed for her fast recovery in their own way at their homes and in temples. 

My family and I are truly humbled by the extent of love and care showered by all these good folks that we met over these few years and have become part of our extended family. To all of them we bow our heads in gratitude and thank them multifold for all their prayers, assistance and moral support during this trying times.

Most of all a big thanks goes to our heavenly father, the most compassionate Agathiyar who has been with us like a shadow, caring for us and saving us at times of danger. No amount of gratitude or thanksgiving on our part can repay or balance the bountiful grace that he keeps showering on us. 

Our mantra for now and forever is "Thank You Agatheesa", "Thank You Agatheesa" and "Thank You Agatheesa".

HAVING THE SIDDHAS WITH US

Surendaran Selvaratnam asked me yesterday if by coming to the Siddha path one will have to go through many tests, trials and tribulations? 

Everyman has to go through all these sufferings at one stage in his life or another that usually corresponds with the transit of the planets. If someone on the Siddha path feels that he is suffering the most, it only means that his sufferings are been hastened and he is made to endure them within a very brief and short period. Rather than prolong his suffering over a long period but with less intensity, here the suffering is intense within a short span of time. 

Coming to the path of the Siddhas does not mean that all your sufferings will end. The obstacles will be there - but the Siddhas teach us how to overcome them. The pain is there - but they stand by us looking over our shoulders, often cushioning it. The dangers are there - but they shall save us from a worse fate. Problems are there - but they give us ideas to solve and come out of them. Troubles are there - but they give us the strength to face them.

My wife went through excruciating pain for 43 hours recently. On Sunday 8 January 2017, she woke up at 4am with acute stomach pain, asking me to take her to the nearest clinic for a jab. There is a 24 hour clinic just a kilometer away. But what do you know - surprisingly the clinic is closed! She then asked to be taken to another 24 hour clinic in the neighboring housing area. But good sense prevailed that day and I did not want to take a chance with this clinic either fearing that I would end up going in circles looking and hoping for a private clinic that was open at that early hour on a Sunday. Instead I decided to head for the emergency unit at the nearest hospital some 6.4 kilometers away.

She had to wait to be attended at the emergency unit but soon the doctors saw to her needs and administered a painkiller that she asked for. On first diagnosis the doctors suspected that she could have appendicitis that added on to her period pains. 

She was warded and further scans and X-ray were done that afternoon and the following day. After 43 hours she was taken to the operating theater where upon further deliberation on table, her appendix was removed. 

She returned home last Saturday, after a weeks stay and observation at the hospital. 

A couple of doctor friends in the AVM family shared many facts about what she went through that made us realise how fortunate we were. 

Balachander Aiya too shared our view that miraculously this incident happened after I had returned from India and not earlier. We dread to think what she would have done in my absence. 

Miraculously the 24 hour clinic was closed that morning which forced us to seek treatment at the government hospital.

By some good sense that prevailed that day, we had miraculously sought the hospital rather than sought treatment at other stand alone clinics, avoiding wasting precious time looking for one that was open.

We had miraculously brought her to the hospital in the nick of time and she was placed under their care assuring us of her safety.

What easily could take some four days wait to get into the operating theatre, miraculously took only 43 hours.

While on table, miraculously the medical team decided to minimise intrusion and she came home intact, except minus an appendix.

Finally it is a blessing that I am retired now and am able to look after her 24/7.

It is pretty obvious that Agathiyar stood by us and looked after her safety throughout the whole ordeal in a short span of time, a week, although it was both painful physically and emotionally for all of us. He had the best doctors and staff to attend to her throughout her stay.  

AVM family came together again to provide unconditional support and assistance to my family and me. We are blessed indeed. Thank you all!

AGATHIYAR VIZHA @ THE SRI AGASTHIYAR KUMBAMUNIVAR SANNATHI, KUMBAKONAM

There are many temples that are special and close to my heart in India. The Sri Agasthiyar Kumbamunivar Sannathi in Kumbakonam is one of them. The reason being AVM Agathiyar was brought to the Adhi Kumbeswarar temple for puja from Swamimalai before he crossed the seas to Malaysia. This was one of many requirements from Agathiyar before he set foot at AVM.

Many temples for Agathiyar held the Jayanthi and Guru puja celebrations for Agathiyar recently on 18 December 2016. The Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Kallar, the Sri Agasthiyar Ashram in Anuvavi, AVM in Malaysia, and the Sri Agasthiyar Kumbamunivar Sannathi in Kumbakonam were some.

When AVM members came to the Sri Agasthiyar Kumbamunivar Sannathi in Kumbakonam while on a nine day spiritual yatra, we chanced 'or was it ordained' to meet Sri Sankar at this temple grounds. He informed us of the celebrations that were to take place on 18 December and invited us over. So did Thavathiru Kumarsamy Aiya of the Sri Agasthiyar Ashram in Anuvavi through his many phone calls to us. But we were already engaged to be at the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Kallar for its inauguration of their new Ashram/Meditation complexes and the Guru Puja.

I personally had the opportunity to participate in the puja at the Sri Agasthiyar Ashram in Anuvavi through the kindness and generosity of Mr and Mrs Maheswaran in the morning followed by a similar puja at Kallar Ashram in the afternoon. But we all missed the Guru Puja at the Sri Agasthiyar Kumbamunivar Sannathi in Kumbakonam. Nevertheless Sri Sankar posted several photos of the puja to us. 

The Sri Agasthiyar Kumbamunivar Sannathi in Kumbakonam

"WHEN A SAINT LEAVES HIS BODY, THE TEMPLE BECOMES HIS BODY"

Srinatha Raghavan posted the following piece on fb some moments ago.

The Master's Ashram would be buzzing with activity, with hordes of people coming from far off places, just to have a glimpse of the Master.

The Master would seldom give any lectures or talks, but He would simply sit and stare into oblivion. At times He would laugh for no reason or cry like a child missing its Mom. He taught nothing and asked nothing from his followers either. Yet thousands would flock to the Master's abode, like iron filings attracted to the Magnet.

Years later the Master gave up his body and to the surprise of the Ashram authorities, even more people came to the Master's abode, despite his mortal absence. One of the Authorities casually said to another devotee, who was the Master's loyal aide when he was alive, "I don't understand why so many people come here, even after the Master's disappearance?"

The Devotee smiled and inquired, "Do you really think the Master has gone away. Feel the walls and the pathways and every other thing that is, and you'll know that it's infused with the touch of the Master's invisible presence."

The Devotee understood that it's the Master's body that was no more; but the Master's soul was, is and will be an Eternal Presence.

So when you visit a Ascended Master's Earthly abode, know this for sure, that even if you no longer see them with your mortal eyes, they very well see and hear you (and if you're duly prepared, they will communicate with you too).

"When a saint leaves his body, the temple becomes his body" - Neem Karoli Baba from "Miracle of Love"

SIDDHAR GAYATHRI

AMAZING AGATHIYAR PART 3

Just as he stabilized the earth, for devotees who approach him for his guidance, Agathiyar very carefully balances their merits and demerits (karma). He very carefully and diligently removes the knot that we have created for ourselves. To effect something in our life, he has to move another as it is all related. Hence the need to remain patient and wait, if necessary, to bring this change and fulfil one's desires. If only we could appreciate what he is doing for us and show some gratefulness!

Pon Govindasamy released many interesting information in his "Thiruchitrabalam Yendra Sirsabaiyum Porsabaiyum Avaniyin Antaranga Arul Arasu Chidambara Ragasiyam" and "Vallalarum Brahma Jnana Sangamum" published by Bharath Book Bureau Chennai 1970.

In each kalpa the seven land mass under seven manus appear and disappear one after the other. When the third land mass Kumari Kandam appeared, Erai sent Agathiyar, one of the seven Rishis, as its protector. Agathiyar learnt the sciences from Lord Murugan at Pothigai. He mastered the five aspects of Erai that is creation, sustenance, destruction, veiling and blessing and also achieved all eight siddhis. Hence he stood as a Vignana Kalar.

Pon Govindasamy writes that Agathiyar in this current era was Brahma's representative at the Antaranga Arul Aratsatchi based at Chidambaram. He is tasked to look into the affairs pertaining to the portion of the Vedhas known as Karma Kanda. Besides that he is responsible for culture, kriya, and agamas. He oversees Sanatana Dharma. Through his thoughts he drives the scientist and researchers to excel in their fields respectively.

Agathiyar goes through each individual's account of merits and demerits (karma). To aid him in this task he has Karma Devas known as Chitraguptas.

Agathiyar who is author of several publications, set up many Ashrams from Pothigai till the Himalayas. In his Agathiyar Karpa Theechai, it is written that Shiva and Parvathi named him Thakshanamurthy. He took on the form of Thiruvalluvar and later that of Ramalinga Adigal too.

AMAZING AGATHIYAR PART 2

It is said that Agathiyar was summoned by Lord Shiva and sent to the south to balance the earth that had tilted as a result of all the Gods, Goddesses, Devas, and Devis converging at mount Himalayas to witness the marriage of the Lord to Parvathi. When I was with Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal at Agasthiyampalli in 2005, the "temple priest" pointed us to the very spot where Agathiyar had placed his thumb on the ground to set the earth right. 

Logic would tell us that to create a balance both sides need to be equally weighted. So one can deduce the magnanimity and greatness of Agathiyar through this simple episode. I choose to see Agathiyar as equivalent to all who had gathered there at the wedding reception. In the last Nadi reading Agathiyar says that he sits at AVM representing Lord Shiva and Parvathi in their moment of matrimony. Blessed are we to hear this revelation. 

During our recent travels in India which culminated in us taking part in the four day celebrations for Agathiyar at Kallar Ashram, AVM family was intoxicated with miracles upon miracles at almost every temple, cave and samadhi that we went to.  

As Siddha Heartbeat carries the tag, "Taking the First Step into the Mysterious & Mystical World of the Siddhas" and an opener "Step in to Believe in the Mysterious Workings of the Siddhas", and another slogan from Agathiyar that when translated goes as, "While man says that he only believes when it happens (an event or something); the Siddhas on contrary say that if man believes, it happens", this blog loves to carry amusing and amazing miracles, the very binding agent or cement that bonds the faith and belief of man with Erai.

Speaking about miracles is important as it can bring many closer to the perception of Erai and the creator. By personally experiencing these miracles that go beyond logical thought patterns, they are captivated and indulge themselves to learn more about the creators of these miracles. Hence their journey towards the mysterious and mystical world of the Siddhas begins. They step in with belief on the mysterious workings of the Siddhas. Hence as the Siddhas say, "If man believes, it happens", everything is possible. 

The movie Dr Strange from Marvel Studios was an eye opener towards this phenomena. I can attest to it that that is what happened at Palani, my favourite portal and twilight zone! The walls and floors of Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy sannadhi and that of Bhoganathar's samadhi, nay the very space itself was altered in all my three visits there! 

If I thought it only happened in Palani, the Siddhas shook me again by presenting me two entirely different visions at Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple too on two different visits!

Balamurugan after listening to all of us who returned from the visit, said that the difference between his visit and ours was that we chose to see all as a miracle! He was equally amazed! Who would not be, when doors to temples that are closed are opened on our arrival and those that were to be closed stayed open till we had had our darshan!

AMAZING AGATHIYAR PART 1

It is amazing how Agathiyar gives us or hands out bits of pieces of the puzzle one at a time for us to complete the puzzle. Although he has the blueprint he only shares one thing at a time, dealing from moment to moment. That is how he has been revealing things to us too. 

He expects us to follow his directives. Satisfied with us, he adds on more task, only that much which we can shoulder and not any more, for the moment. At times he replaces a particular puzzle piece with another. At other times he removes it entirely. Hence devotees of Agathiyar have to walk his path carefully. But the most compassionate father forgives all eventually. 

Agathiyar is a true guru who has moulded and shaped many to the status of a guru too sometimes at par with him. 

Life becomes blissful after his arrival. 

The only mantra right now for us is the mantra of appreciation and gratefulness - "Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa!" One cannot repay his kindness. When man refuses to forgive another, the most compassionate father forgives us. He sets us on the right path reminding us often not to stray. But even that he regards as a necessary experience for us. He takes us back into his folds. He refines us. He polishes us. He makes us fit to take on the task he has in store for us. He makes us missionaries of his church. He sets us on a venture getting us to aid in his mission and fulfilling his wishes. He oversees our accomplishments. He honors us. He gives us our dues by rewarding us with gifts. But the idea here is to refute all that he gives. He will keep on giving. Refuse to accept. He will give further. Say no to that too. Eventually he will have nothing else to give but to give himself. Mission accomplished!

K.R. Sivakanthan composed a beautiful prayer for Poondi Mahan in his book, "Sitthargal Thathuvamum Yoga Neri Muraikalum, Poondi Mahan Varalaaru" by Kazhaga Publications, 2003,

ஞானம் வேண்டேன் 

நல் வேதம் வேண்டேன் 

சூரியக்கலை வேண்டேன் 

சந்திரக்கலை வேண்டேன் 

சுழிமுனை வேண்டேன் 

அட்டமா சித்தி வேண்டேன் 

ஆறு ஆதாரம் வேண்டேன் 

அதற்கு மேலும் வேண்டேன் 

நின் பாதாரவிந்தம் வேண்டும் 

நின் கருணை வேண்டும் 

நின் பாதாரவிந்தம் மறவா மனம் வேண்டும் 

பூண்டி ஈசா சரணம் சரணம் சரணம்

I ask not Jnana

I ask not the Vedhas

I ask not Suriyakalai

I ask not Chandirakalai

I ask not Suzhimunai

I ask not the 8 Siddhis

I ask not the  Adharam

I ask not beyond that

I seek you Holy Feet

I seek your compassion

I seek a heart that never fails to remember your Holy Feet

Poondi Esa Saranam! Saranam! Saranam!

The path to Godhead can be divided into three stages. For instance G. Valmikanathan in his book MAKERS OF INDIAN LITERATURE-RAMALINGAM, published by Sahitya Akademi (ebook at http://www.vallalar.org) traces Ramalinga Adigal’s journey on the Pathway to God dividing it into three portions, 

1. Journey on the purgative way,

2. Journey on the illuminative way,

3. Journey on the unitive way.

Valmikanathan explains each step wonderfully:

1. ‘The purgative way is that part of the long path which, one treads towards the godhead and in which one purges oneself of all desires and attachments, of all imperfections, of all acts of commission and omission of shortcomings in renunciation, of shortcomings in the total love of god in the passion for the apprehension of the godhead.’

2. ‘The illuminative way is that part of the path, which comes after the purgative way, and in which one gains illumination, knowledge, and gnosis.’

3. ‘The unitive way is that part of the pathway in which the pilgrim marches on with buoyant and joyous steps, filled with hope and freed from doubt or misconception. The journey is characterized by a sense of urgency. The pilgrim, in this part of his journey, begins to walk fast, then breaks into a loping trot, finally, gallops on with increasing tempo towards the beckoning smile and the outstretched arms, and is soon locked in an eternal embrace with the beloved, the eternal being, the godhead, the ground of all being. The journey on the unitive way is composed of several factors of experience. Recollection and quiet, contemplation, ecstasy and rapture, dark night of the soul, and unitive life.’

Valmikanathan compares the experiences gained or endured in each of these stages,

‘Of these three sections of the pathway, the first is painful and dolorous; the second a strange mixture of sorrow and joy, the joy increasing in intensity as ignorance is slowly replaced by illumination; and the last section of sheer delight, of mounting bliss.’

Ramalinga Adigal's outpourings as a result of his immense experiences while on the path to Godhead have been compiled as the Thiru Arutpa. When one reads these songs one would realize the amount of gratitude Adigal had poured forth to Erai or Arutperunjhoti Andavar as he chose to name it.

Saravanan Palanisamy, who provided the wonderful illustrations to accompany the wonderful stories on https://siththanarul.blogspot.my, recorded his gratefulness after coming to the worship of Agathiyar and the Siddhas, in the form of a poetry, akin to the style recognized in Nadi readings, one day while driving from work.

Once ignorant of the ways of puja, I came to be shown the way
Place the image of the Siddhas and light an oil lamp
Chant the names of the Siddhas wholeheartedly
Joy shall you derive,

Continue this and you shall witness miracles take place
The magnificent Yagam becomes simple to do
The sacrificial fire shall burn all karma
This has been promised by Kumbha Muni,

Worship the Siddhas to achieve success in devotion
Devotion is the door to the fort of Yoga and Jnana
Through persistent devotion derive Yoga and Jnana
Thus spake Mulan, whose words shall not fail.

Being Grateful by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa on Scribd

AGATHIYAR AT AVM

When I read the Nadi for the very first time in 2002, Agathiyar asked me to come to his marga or path. Later in 2009 he directs me, again through the Nadi, to have his image in bronze made and worshipped at my home before he moves to the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Mrithiga Brindavan in Ipoh which was in the preliminary process of procuring a state land back then.

Agathiyar stipulated that his image should be a replica of the granite murthy at Agasthiyampalli, Vedharanyam. Although he gave me other specific instructions too like: the component; his height; the place he was to be cast that was Swamimalai; the period that the work should start; and the rituals to be adhered before he finally sets foot on our shores, but surprisingly neither did he mention why we should follow his image as in Agasthiyampalli and not any other temple; nor did he mention why he was to be cast in Swamimalai and not somewhere else.

I got to fulfill his wish and his idol was delivered on 2 January 2010. Over the years of worship to Agathiyar at AVM, he became fond of us I guess as one fine day he revealed the reasons why he decided not to move to the Brindavan but instead stay put at AVM.

In the latest Nadi reading for Surendaran Selvaratnam just days after the Kallar Vizha, Agathiyar answers the first question - why a replica of him at Agasthiyampalli!

As we made his statue in Swamimalai on his directive, the second question - why Swamimalai - was answered through a Nadi reading for Jnana Jyothi Amma some time back. Agathiyar revealed why the statues made in Swamimalai are revered and held in high esteem.

Listen to a compilation of these various Nadi readings, beginning from the blessings, from the very start of AVM Agathiyar taking shape till the last reading.

Agathiyar says Swamimalai is the place to come to rid of man's daily problems and worries. His atma will be purified here. Agathiyar's statues from the banks of Cauvery in Tanjai (Swamimalai), with the blessings and wishes of Lord Muruga from Swamimalai, will reach far and wide. This is the wish of Lobhama too. 

Agathiyar will perform miracles in and through this murthy, one of it being, opening his eyes to see his devotees. This murthy will find its way into the hearts of devotees. This miracle will forever be remembered.

Agathiyar's murthy at AVM is that of Agathiyar in a blissful state, similar to that at the time of receiving both Lord Shiva and Parvathi's darshan of their wedding, given at Agasthiyampalli. Although he sits alone in tapas at AVM, Agathiyar says that he represents Shiva and Parvathi. Devotees will be overjoyed and in tears on seeing him.