THONDU SEIVOM

Bala Chandran called me moments after his Nadi reading last night. Agathiyar had blessed him and his Thondu Seivom team for doing charity and asked that they do it regularly. It came as a surprise and was a blessing indeed and sort of approval and endorsement for Thondu Seivom and AVM, for we had planned and agreed to carry out the event on a monthly basis.

Agathiyar also spoke about Bala Chandran's trip to Kallar Ashram to participate in the annual Agathiyar Jayanthi and Guru Puja celebrations to be held on the 29th of December 2015.

TRANSMISSION OF GRACE FROM THE SIDDHAS

Srinath Raghavan has posted his personal account of his meeting with a master on fb in 3 parts. It was too good so I had to share it on Siddha Heartbeat. 

"I too want to walk the path of the Siddhas?" said someone.
He just smiled and thought, "Wish we all could, as it would lead us to the very source of our existence. Alas! The path chooses who walks over it and seldom the other way round..."
~ The path of the Siddha, is to experience Siva through Vasi!

I am strangely reminded of an incident which happened many years ago, when my search led to a quaint little place in the outskirts of Chennai, to a quaint but supremely beautiful Asharma of a great Siddha, by the name of Sadhananda Swamigal. The place was simply out of the world, with tall trees and wild flowers and shrubs all around and the Saint's final resting place nestled in between them. That was my first time, so I was a bit reluctant to explore.

When my cousin, who is also my Man Friday, reached the place, the gate was locked shut. Disappointed we were about to leave, when a very tall man, unkempt and rustic in appearance, came from the inside asking us to wait. He fastened his steps and opened the lock, allowing us into this most beautiful abode. No one else was there at that time, only animals and birds roaming and chirping in careless freedom. He welcomed us with great joy and happiness, as if we were long lost cousins. He spoke in a Tamil dialect that was real old and pure, making us to strain ourselves totally to understand his words. But his eyes were swimming in the ocean of yogic joy and of knowing something which we didn't know. If not for his deep experiential wisdom, we would have surely thought he had lost his mind or so. Such were our first impressions of Him.

We went around the huge sylvan grounds, he guiding us in every step, showing us the various places where spiritual history was once made by the Saint. He told us stories of how the Saint practiced an advanced form of yoga, called the Navakhanda Yoga, which was epic to even hear. What touched me the most was, when our Guide lovingly spoke to the trees and flowers, even while he was talking with us alternatively.

Then all three of us sat near the Saint's Jeeva Samadhi, which was very serene, deep and peaceful indeed. He later confessed that a few people come here on select days, to practice a rare form of yoga, which he thought I might benefit from and that I should visit again, after a few days to meet them. I humbly agreed and relented to his care and concern, as He made us eat our lunch even after our remonstrances, which he lovingly cooked for us, with his own long tawny hands. He served us with so much love and quantity that my cousin and I couldn't eat a morsel more. We were full of his food and of his love, for someone he had met for the first time, but made it feel as if we had known each other for many lifetimes. I did not care to ask his name, nor did he ask mine, but that day, I was touched by a mad Siddha's love.

I returned there as promised in a few days time and that's another blessed experience altogether. I remembered him today for no reason and express my silent gratitude to him through these heartfelt words.

Sri continues,

In continuation to my previous post on my visit to Sadanada Swamigal Ashrama in Chennai, I promised the kind Guide, of my return visit in a few days time. He too bade me like a brother does to another...with love!

A few weeks later, I returned there alone, without my cousin, who usually accompanies me on such spiritual escapades. It was destined to be that way, as he was caught up in some last minute commitments, so I made my way alone. I took a bus from where I was put up that time, changed two buses in between, caught hold of a local on a two wheeler, who was going the same way as me and then tread the last bit of the distance on foot to the remote Ashrama.

Yet again there was the same guy, who had welcomed us first, at the gate as if he was expecting me beforehand. I had not intimated my coming, as I hadn't taken the Ashram number in my last visit. He welcomed me with a big smile and also informed that the folks he had spoken about the last time, had already come and were sitting in meditation in a remote part of the grove. We made our way through an unbeaten path to his little abode where kept his meager belongings as he took care of the Ashrama as it's unofficial caretaker. He shared some episodes about his life with me, about his ailing mother and his siblings and also asked about mine. He offered me a strong cup of herbal tea, which zapped my senses so much that tears began to flow from my eyes.

A couple of hours thus passed by, getting to know each other at a spiritual level, when he saw a fleeting glimpse of two gentlemen, clad in pure white. His eyes brightened at the prospects of introducing me to them and told me to get up and caught hold of my hand and literally dragged me towards them. 

The duo were the most serene beings I had ever encountered in my life. One was elder and the other young, a lil' older than me possibly. The elder one saw me first and smiled becomingly. He took my hand in his and said those very first words, "So you have come to learn the Deathless Science?"

I was silent, for I did not know what to respond, as I was hearing those words for the very first time. I fumbled in my speech when he beckoned me to sit down. In the mean time, the younger one too joined us introducing himself and beseeching mine.

I admitted that I didn't know what to expect out of this visit, as I was told to come by the Guide to meet them without an agenda.

The elder with eyes full of compassion said, "Grace often descends unannounced!"

I agreed in all humility.

The Elder, to my sheer astonishment, began to recount many lesser known episodes of a great Siddha Master whom I loved and believed in. He said as a matter of fact, that my Master was a practitioner of this ancient Science and His own Master, was their Master too.

Tears welled up in my eyes at the mention of my dear Master's name, as the elder one observed, "Good! Tears are a sign of deep love for the Beloved..."

... to be continued.

Sri concludes his meeting with the master,

The concluding part...

The Elder Yogi, after recounting the lesser known episodes of a Siddha Master whom I adored asked me point blank, "Are you willing to walk on the path your Master?"

I was flummoxed at the directness of the Sage and I answered, "If he wills so, I shall in all sincerity..."

The Yogi seemed to be happy with the answer and he asked me one last question, which hit me hard in my gut, as I wasn't prepared for it. He looked at me with emotionless eyes and asked, "How much can you sacrifice to receive this ancient gift of the Siddhas?"

I did not know what to answer, but blurted out unknowingly, "Whatever you deem fit, please ask and I shall give it happily?"

The Elder smiled in satisfaction and asked me to remove my upper garment, which revealed my bare chest on which was wound the sacred thread, signifying my birth in the clan of the most ancient and learned ones, the scions of Brahma - The Brahmanas! When I was 16 or so, I was invested with the sacred thread and initiated into the most holy Gayatri Mantra. Since then not even a day was missed intentionally or otherwise, to perform my daily Vedic duties. Come rain or sunshine the Gayatri Mantra and Sandhyavandhana were dutifully performed to the last letter.

That day the elder asked me, "Remove your sacred thread and give it to me along with the fruits of the countless recitation of the Gayatri!"

My mind went blank with no thoughts or speculations about the nature of the deal. A smile passed on my lips as my hands reached for the sacred thread and respectfully removed it across my shoulders and offered it to the Elder as Dakshina.

He too accepted it with great care and respect and smiled saying, "You have passed the test. Welcome home brother!"

What transpired after that shall remain with me for now, as it's too personal and sacred to be revealed in public. However just to say that the transmission of grace of the Siddhas was complete.

After that I never went there, nor the call came to come again, for the Elder simply bid adieu saying, "My role is complete! Go fulfill yours now!"

Here ends the recollection, which was once a part of my spiritual memory, of which I seldom share with anyone; but an exception is made with this one for unknown reasons.

So be it.

Compassion leads to Kindness

LESSONS IN YOGA

Yesterday members of Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) had their very first Yoga lesson delivered by Sri Gowri R. Varadhan of Chennai. AVM expresses its heartfelt thanks to Sri Gowri for starting us off with an introduction to Kriga Yoga and both Sri & Srimathi S.Balachander for accommodating us in their home for the Yoga session and being a great host. 

COMPASSION AND AID SURFACES IN THE FACE OF A DISASTER

In the face of disaster humanity and compassion comes to the aid. This we see among the folks of Chennai and India in the recent floods that has crippled the city. Malaysians too have come forward to help out. AVM will join this noble effort by forwarding cash to #Siddharth while clothings through the Malaysian Hindu Sangam and the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

PUTTING WORDS INTO ACTION PART 3

Malaysians can now contribute towards a good course in helping those caught in the flood waters in Chennai. Lets do over bit for humanity.

CHENNAI RELIEF FUND

Vanakam.

The city of Chennai and the neighbouring districts are facing the worst flood in 100 years. Thousands of people are severely affected and are in dire need for food and basic amenities.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam with the support of the High Commission of India in Malaysia will launch the Chennai Flood Relief as follow:

Date : 5 December 2015

Time : 10am

Venue : Malaysia Hindu Sangam, No.67, Jalan PJS 1/48, Taman Petaling Utama 7, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

We kindly request you or your organization to donate liberally for the above cause. Payment by cash/cheque, can be made at our office. You may also bank into Malaysia Hindu Sangam special account: CIMB 80-0016118- 2 and send us the payment slip via email (info@hindusangam.org.my or Whatssapp to 012-4338664). You can also make donation in kind such as clothing (sarees, sarongs, casual wear, and children’s dress), towels, blankets, mats and dry food items (rice, dhall, milk powder, and biscuits). For more info, please call 03-7784 7304 or 012-4338664.

Thank you.

"The poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the afflicted — let these be your God. Know that services to these alone is the highest religion." - Swami Vivekananda

Yours in service ,

Sri Kasi Datuk RS. MOHAN SHAN PMW., JMW.,AMK., BKM., PJK

National President

Malaysia Hindu Sangam

An NGO has come forward too.

Hi, we from The People's Foundation launched Chennai Relief centre in Brickfields to collect as many contributions that we can to be sent to our friends and family back in India.

We are in need of cash donations and items as:
1. Milk Powder
2. Diapers
3. Can foods
4. Sanitary pads
5. Milo
6. Dry food Items
7. Blankets
8. Mosquito repellent
9. Daily basic need item
*strictly no maggie products

Funds can be donated through our auditing NGO at:
Pertubuhan Belia Solidariti Bersaudara
Bank : Hong Leong Bank
Account num :21600017492

The collection is at :
Ammas Spicy Kitchen
No:76,Jln Berhala,50470 Brickfields. 

We are targeting to send it over to Chennai by 12-14 Dec 2015 .
Contact person :
Darshini 0173673490
Mdm Mag 0162675969

Others too are coordinating assistance towards the flood victims.

Dear friends,well wishers and great souls. Again we are pleading all of you to help us to help those stranded and badly affected in Chennai Flood. They need our help to back to their routine life. Thank you in advance for all your contributions. We named this mission as CHENNAI FLOOD RELIEF TEAM (CFRT).

MALAYSIAN INDIAN EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION ASSOCIATION (MIETA)
CIMB Account No: 0125-0006595-05-8
For those who bank in fund in MIETA account,please retain the bank deposit slip and whatsapp our National Treasurer, Padma Narayanan
+60 19-727 6207
Or Chairman, Elangovan Annamalai
+6017-8711724
Please write your name and mobile number on the bank in slip before whatsapp to us.
Please whatsapp your name, contact number and address for us to send you official receipt.

For those who wish to contribute in items, please send your contributions (items) to our respective collection centres as below. Please contact the collection centres' person in charge before sending. Thank you.

Items we need :
1.Bottled drinking water
2. Rice
3. Cooking oil
4. Flour
5. Sugar/salt
6. Clothing
- Cotton Sarees
- Lungi
- Vesthi
7. Blankets
8. Basic medications
9. Dry foods
- Biscuits
- Cup noodles. Etc
10. Sanitation items
- Soap bars/washing powder
- Baby diapers
- Ladies sanitary pads
- Antiseptic cream/solution

Collection center address :

1. Arivu (+60 14-929 4038) - Puchong, Shah Alam, Subang, Cyberjaya
ADD: PUSAT TUISYEN BESTARI ILMU
No.31A & 31B Jalan Intan, Taman Puchong Intan, Puchong

2. Premaa (+6016-330 1494) - Banting, Dengkil, Putrajaya, Nilai
ADD: Premaa : No 37, Jalan Mentari 1B/12, Bandar Mahkota, 42700 Banting.

3. Diccam (+6017-212 1410) - Sri Petaling,Bukit Jalil,Sri Kembangan,Serdang & Sungai Besi
ADD: 12 Jalan Wan Empok 2,Bandar Baru Sri Petaling , 57000 KL

4. Chitra ( +6012-290 1496) - Klang
ADD: No95,-1 Jalan Mahogani 5/ks7 Bandar Bonatic 41200 Klang, Selangor

5. Murugan (+60 19-387 1820) - Ampang
ADD: Address : No 1 Jalan Memanda 7/1, Ampang Triangle, Off Jalan Ampang, 68000 Ampang Selangor (Next to Ampang Point Shopping Mall, Above Perodua showroom)

ON FATE, DESTINY, KARMA & LOA

I was asked the following question: "People do talk about law of attraction....if you think positively....positive things will happen.....if you think negatively....negative things will happen...But then, whatever happen is something pre-decided by Him right? Then whats the role of this positive thinking?"

LOA will help beginning from this moment on. So does all the good thoughts and deeds you do from this moment forward. But you still have to answer for your past deeds in this life and your immediate past life. What about the rests of the 7 births (or innumerable births according to some texts) you had taken? Then you are also answerable for your parents deeds too. Then you are also answerable for their parents and ancestors actions too. All these karma has to be shouldered by you. You are answerable for your actions; you are answerable for your parents actions; and you are answerable for your ancestors actions. Multiply these karma by the 7 past births that you had taken. Its mind boggling and scary, right? Similarly your prodigy will be answerable for your actions; your parents actions and the rests of your ancestors actions too.

The total sum of these karma has resulted in your birth in the first place. It has helped decide the family you will be born in; the color of your skin; it has decided your physical built and form, and mental thoughts; the faith and belief that you shall inherit by way of your parents; the country and region and your surroundings too; all  without your knowledge, without you even agreeing to it or having a choice about it.

All these happens because of a law put into place by Erai - the law of cause and effect or Karma.

That is the amount of baggage we have brought with us to this world to be relieved off our shoulders. The Siddhas tell us that the only way to reduce this baggage of karma is to increase good karma, so that the ratio between good and bad would be balanced out and eventually the positive karma will offset the negative karma  and the negative eventually becoming negligible or very minute. This is where we are asked to have good thoughts and do good deeds to pave a new path devoid of new negative karma, although we will still have to handle the past karma that has taken form and shape in this present life. 

Knowing this truth the Siddhas have gifted us the path of Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Gnanam. While treading this paths we will accumulate positive merits that would help offset the negative karma, and put an end to this cycle of birth and death.

Yes LOA will help provided one is void of any previous and existing karma, otherwise these karma will taint and modify the present outcome of our actions. These can be in the form of delays, frustration, confusion, enemies, disease, sickness, suffering, hard life, poverty, injuries, etc. Yes fate and destiny is in our hands provided we have exhausted all previous karma. Then we begin to shape our lives, otherwise we are subjected to karma and its repercussions.

PUTTING WORDS INTO ACTION PART 2

It is wonderful indeed to see people come together to help each other in these trying times. We at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) and Siddha Heartbeat (SH) will continue to pray for the rains to stop and the flood waters to reside. We shall continue to pray for your safety too. Stay strong people of Chennai. This too will come to end.

THE HINDU has posted a wonderful news Flood of kindness as the skies open up at http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/chennai-residents-lend-a-helping-hand-in-the-rain/article7940986.ece covering how the City opened its doors; Help that came from New York; how the Fishermen sailed in to help; Restaurants springing into action; and many more voices of concern.

See http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/and-still-waters-run-deep/article7941941.ece

Ravi Chandran shared this lovely true story on fb. 

நன்றி பாராட்டுவோம்..ரதிமீனா பேருந்து நிர்வாகத்திற்க்கு. 

நேற்றைய (1.12.15) கனமழையின் காரணமாக சென்னையில் இருந்து மற்ற ஊர்களுக்கு புறப்பட்ட அனைத்து பேருந்துகளும் சென்னையில் கோயம்பேடு Busstand ல் நிருத்தப்பட்டன, ஆனால் சுமார் 25 சென்னை to சிதம்பரம் செல்லும் பயணிகள் சென்னை கோயம்பேட்டில் உள்ள ரதிமீனா அலுவலகத்தை அணுகி குழந்தைகளுடன் சிதம்பரம் வரை செல்லவேண்டும் பேருந்து ஒன்றை அனுப்ப இயலுமா என கெஞ்சி கேட்ட போது ரதிமீனா அலுவலகத்தில் உள்ளவர்கள் நிர்வாகத்தை தொடர்பு கொண்டு அனுமதி பெற்று பேருந்து ஒன்றை இயக்க ஓத்துக்கொன்டனர்.

மாலை 04.00 மணிக்கு அனைத்து பயனிகளுடன் புறப்பட்ட பேருந்து ECR சாலையில் புறப்பட்டது பின்னர் மகாபலிபுரம் சாலையில் தண்ணீர் அதிகமாக செல்வதாக கூறி மகாபலிபுரத்தில் இருந்து பேருந்துகள் அனைத்தும் திண்டிவனம் to செங்கல்பட்டு சாலைக்கு திருப்பி விடப்பட்டது. பின்னர் பேருந்து செங்கல்பட்டு சென்று அங்கிருந்து திண்டிவனம் சென்றடைந்த போது இரவு 10.00 மணி ஆகிவிட்டது. இதற்கிடையில் பேருந்தில் இருந்த மாற்று ஓட்டுனர் சீனிவாசன் மற்றொரு நபர் பயனிகள், குழந்தைகளுக்கு தேவையான சிறு சிறு உதவிகளை ஒரு மணி நேரத்திற்க்கு ஒருமுறை பணிவுடன் கேட்டு செய்து கொடுத்தனர். திண்டிவனத்தில் ஒரு Hotel ல் இரவு 10. 00 மணிக்கு நின்ற பேருந்து அனைத்து பயணிகளுக்கும் இலவச உணவும், குழந்தைகளுக்கு பால் உள்ளிட்ட பெருட்கள் அனைத்தும் இலவசமாக கொடுத்தனர்.

பின்னர் புறப்பட்ட பேருந்து திண்டிவனம், பாண்டிச்சேரி, கடலூர் வழியாக சிதம்பரம் வந்தடைந்த போது இரவு 01.00 மணி ஆகிவிட்டது. சென்னையில் இருந்து சிதம்பரம் சென்றடைய முடியுமா என பயந்து கொன்டிருந்த பயணிகளை ஒரு பேருந்து நிர்வாகம் பயணத்தில் கவனித்து கொண்டவிதம் வார்த்தைகளால் சொல்ல இயலாது. சென்னை to சிதம்பரம் சென்றடைய பயணம் ஒன்பது மணி நேரம் ஆனது. சிதம்பரம் சென்றபோது பேருந்து கட்டணத்தை உயர்த்தி கேட்பார்கள் என நினைத்தோம் ஆனால் அதற்க்கும் இடம் கொடுக்க வில்லை. பயணிகள் கேட்டுகொண்டதற்கினங்க மனித நேயத்துடன் பேருந்தை மழை வெள்ளத்திலும் இயக்க அனுமதித்த நிர்வாகத்தையும்... மனிதாபிமானதாக நடந்து கொன்ட பேருந்து ஓட்டுநர் சீனிவாசன் உள்ளிட்ட ஊழியர்களை ...மனதார பாராட்டுவோம். ...இவன். S.R.Ravi. Hotel Thillai ganesh Chidambaram.