CONVOCATION AT KALLAR

My family and I graduated from Kallar! Yes, that is how I understand my recent trip to Kallar with my family.

After the family and I finished the weekly Thursday prayers or puja for Agathiyar and the Siddhas in our home yesterday, I realized suddenly the reason for us to go to Kallar recently.

It had been eight years since I went to Kallar and five years since we met Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. What made me go when I was adamant that I would not want to go anywhere? What made me change my mind, I used to ask myself?

After meeting Supramania Swami at Tiruvannamalai in 2003, meeting Tavayogi in Malaysia in 2005, having Agathiyar in the form of a bronze statue at my home since 2010, and having read Agathiyar's nadi 46 times between 2002 and 2013, I was completely satisfied. Even when Agathiyar asks me to come over to the Yercaud caves, Chidambaram Temple, Pothigai peak, and meet Rengaraja Desigar of Ongkarakudil, Dharmalinga Swamigal of Kollimalai, and Kundrakudi Adigal, I laid my foot down, telling Agathiyar enough was enough. I did not what to go anywhere anymore. I was satisfied to have him in my home and in my heart. What else need I seek, I ask myself? What else was there for me to see? If at all Agathiyar had to show me something, he can always show that in my home. If at all he wants to give me something he can pass it to me at my home. It was not arrogance on my part, but I had him with me. What else was I searching outside for? The search has to stop. And I duly told him my search had stopped and I am not moving anywhere.

The ever compassionate father heard my words and refrained from mentioning these places again. He never did ask me to go anywhere again in the Nadi. He never did ask me to meet anyone again.

We have been hearing that Tavayogi was not well and fit as before from devotees and aspirants returning from Kallar. Fearing for the worst, a disciple would naturally head for his gurus' abode to meet the guru, right? But even that thought or wish to see my guru at that moment did not arise.

When news of my first guru Supramania Swami's of Tiruvannamalai passing away reached us a day after his Samadhi in 2007, it did not disturb me the least, for, during his last remaining days, he told me that he had seen the Jyothi. I was very happy for him. So when he passed away, I was not the least sad. I called up Tavayogi and told him about Supramania Swami's demise and ask what I should do? Tavayogi told me nothing needs to be done, and added, "Pray for his soul, that it attains peace".

Then in August, I called Tavayogi as usual. Since both my children were at home this time, I passed the phone to them too. Surprisingly Tavayogi asks each and every one of us to come over to Kallar. That did the trick; that sent the ball rolling. I ask myself why he extended a personal invitation to each one of us.? Before this, he always asks me to come over. I always reply that I will, not wanting to offend him. I also told him that the next time I come to Kallar, it will be with my family. I had traveled to India earlier, alone both times, in 2003 and 2005.

We headed for the Immigration Department to renew my passport and get new ones for my wife and children. We applied for the Indian VISA. Agathiyar brings down the air ticket price, where we get a 50% discount off the normal price. Finally, we head for Kallar on 11 October 2013.

We went to Kallar for a short stint, 11 October 2013 to 15 October 2013, with no plans whatsoever. The main purpose in going was to meet Tavayogi and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyaar. Once there, the next day Tavayogi took us on his usual morning walks in Kallar. He brought us to Sri Sargurunathar's Ashram in Coonoor. He arranged for us to be taken to Ooty later that evening where we enjoyed ourselves. The following day he had Simbu and Prabha take us on a hiking trip up the hills and jungles of Kallar where Tavayogi had installed Agathiyar. Immediately after that, we made our way to the majestic Nattadreeswarar Temple in the middle of Kaveri river near Erode.

My wife even before we left for India had wanted Tavayogi to lead a prayer at Kallar. We mentioned this to Mataji. We picked up the garlands and other prayer stuff when returning from Ooty. I suppose Mataji must have mentioned this to Tavayogi for he prepared to conduct the prayers the next morning. As Tavayogi and Mataji were browsing over the Sidha songs that I had compiled, they complimented me on the effort. I added that this compilation was what we used to sing during prayers and added that my wife and children sing well. Immediately Tavayogi tells me, "Then they shall sing today". It was an honor for my family and me to sing the praise of Agathiyar and the Sidhas at Agathiyar's abode the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham at Kallar. Tavayogi started the prayer with a couple of songs and we continued.

To our surprise, Tavayogi arranged for another prayer the next day too and ask that we sing again. We were overwhelmed with the honor bestowed on us. We took it as a great appreciation and acknowledgment from the Guru.

I realize now that we went back for our graduation at Kallar. During the Kaanda Nadi reading the first time in 2002, Agathiyar asks to pray to the Sidhas. Since then my family and I have been worshipping the Sidhas. Then I meet Supramania Swami, and Tavayogi later. Tavayogi asks that we conduct a Homam in our home. Then Agathiyar joins us in the form of a bronze statue. Agathiyar through the Nadi asks that we conduct Abhisegam. Later Tavayogi during his visit to our home shows the finer points in performing the Homam. It is now 12 years since we came to Siddha worship. As if to acknowledge our involvement and commitment, Tavayogi at the end of the prayer surprises us by acknowledging our effort and blessing us. That was the greatest blessing one would want from a guru. All the hard work paid off. We had graduated from Sidha school.

When Tavayogi gave both my wife, myself and others Dheeksha while in Malaysia in 2005, he had reminded us not to reveal the Dheeksha mantra to anyone. As we were returning to Malaysia, to my surprise, he called me aside and read the same mantra from the SIDHAR PUJA VIDHI and ask to reveal and spread it. He also gave us a gift as an appreciation of our devotion on this path, I believe. It was a patharatchai or footwear and a vasikol or staff made from the stala vriksham or monumental tree at Kallar that was uprooted in a storm a couple of days before we arrived at Kallar. It was the greatest gift that one could imagine. My family and I came back with more determination and faith to continue to spread the words of the Sidhas. We came back with renewed energy.

I am blessed that my wife and children are with me on this path. My daughter surprised me with her blog on Agathiyar. Here is the link http://myindianheartbeat.blogspot.com/

24 November 2013

I thought I would not have another Nadi reading again, but Nadi Guru Ramesh called me in today and read Agathiyar's Nadi. To our surprise, Agathiyar reveals about my recent pilgrimage to Kallar and all that took place. Amazing.

The journey continues .....

THE LIGHT FOLLOWS - AT THE NATTADREESWARAR TEMPLE, ERODE

On 13 October 2013, a Seth invited Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal to the Nattadreeswarar Temple in the middle of the Kaveri river at Kangayapalaiyam near Erode. As I was in Kallar visiting Tavayogi with my family, Tavayogi invited us to tag along.

Seth had a very good relationship with the priests at this temple and as a result, we had the opportunity to see Lord Shiva close-up, even after the temple was closed for the day. It was a unique experience for the family and me taking the coracle to cross the river to the temple. Another uniqueness in this temple was that Agathiyar was directly facing Lord Shiva in the inner sanctum. The Shivalingam is also unique as it was formed/made by Agathiyar out of the river sand from the Kaveri river. Lord Murugan had greeted Agathiyar on arrival here and is depicted with his right foot forward.

We were indeed blessed to be brought to this temple to have a darshan of Agathiyar, Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan too. We place on record our gratitude to Tavayogi and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar, the Seth from Erode, both the senior and junior priest at this temple, and the kind souls who rowed us over to the temple in the coracle.

Here are some photos were taken during my recent pilgrimage with the family to this temple accompanied by Tavayogi, Mataji, Seth and others from the Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Kallar.

Awaiting the coracle to take us across the Kaveri river

The Nattadreeswarar temple perched on the rocks in the middle of Kaveri river

A typical coracle that can sit 25 people

The majestic temple seen from the riverbank

A panoramic view of the river. All photos courtesy of Praba Shanmugam

The senior priest arrives from the temple

Alighting from the coracle on the opposite bank. The junior priests explained about the origin of the temple while traveling on the coracle.

The opposite bank has seen from the temple

Entrance to the temple

The beautiful sunset

A scene depicting Lord Muruga with his right foot forward greeting Agathiyar on arrival

The return journey back to the riverbank

On 24 October 2013 Jnana Jyothi Amma sent me the following message (I have edited it) on FB

"At about 10 am IST,  I got a call from a number ..... 111. I do not answer unknown numbers. I ignored it. Again I got the call from the same number twice. Then third time I picked up the call.  A boy's voice." 

"He said "Amma .... How is your leg pain?" 

"I asked him who he was and from where he was calling, to which he answered his name was Kandhan. I thought it was Kandhan Gurukal (of Panchesti Agathiyar Temple) and asked him from which number he is calling as the number seems to be different."

"He laughed. Moreover it sounded like a boy's tone." 

"These are the words he told me, "When are you coming to my temple?"

"I answered, thinking it was Kandhan Gurukal, that I couldn't come last week as I had gone over to Malaysia to participate in Agasthyar's pooje in my friends house." 

"He said, "I am aware of that and I gave you Darshan"

"OMG. This took me aback and before I could say anything, that lad continued thus, "You had come to Sangameshwarar Temple long back and done Tharpana at the Thriveni ... remember?" 

"I told him I do not remember that temple."

"He told me ..... Bhavani ....... with Maheswari."

"Still I could not recollect." 

"He gave me a number ...... a mobile number ..... told me his name was Saravana and asked me to call him NOW and told me that he wants me there and the call got cut. He also told me that the priests are returning soon and asked me to call NOW." 

"I called that number and a man picked up the call and I told him that somebody called me now and gave me this number and I do not know the person on the other side. Without a moment of hesitation he told me, "It must be Lord Murugan himself and told me that in this temple Murugan welcomes Agasthiyar and here he holds a parrot which is of great significance and that he would tell me when he meets me in person." 

"I asked him what is the name of this temple and what has it got to do with Thriveni."

"He told me this is Nattadresswarar Temple. I was taken aback and I told him last week my Swamji from Kallar, Tavayogi Thangarasan, had come over with his disciples. He told me he was the person who ferried the group across and told me to come over. He told me to be there by 8 am in the morning so that the Abhishekam could be done."

"I then recollected. Yes, Amma had told me to take Maheswari along with me and go to Thriveni temple, dip my whole body in the Sangamam, ..... Cauvery, Bavani and Amritha."

"Shan ..... This was 25 years back. I can recollect everything now ...... need to come out of this first .... sweet voice ... a teenager ... he called me Amma ..... which ..... I did not feel anything that time."

"Now on recollecting .... am chocked beyond limits .... I asked him his name .... he said Saravana .... the guy who ferried you people across ... All this happened between 10-10.30 am on 24 October 2013."

Jnana Jyothi Amma was contemplating on going to this temple later in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February of next year), but there was suddenly an urgency that she should be there for the Karthigai Deepam festival on 17 November 2013!

She messages me again on FB on 12 November 2013.

"Did you get the message what I typed a few minutes back, will be at Nattadresswarar temple on 17th. I called up the number what was given to me .. same person picked it up"

I asked, "Saravanan?"

She replies, "No, Senthil, the guy who ferried you across"

She continued on SKYPE to narrate to me the happening. She had called the number given to her earlier by the mysterious caller, the young boy. Amma sensed it was a different voice on the phone. She asks for Saravana but this time the man on the other end addresses himself as Senthil. Immediately he asks Jnana Jyothi Amma why she had not come over yet. The man continues. He lays out the plan. He tells Amma to make her way to a particular hotel once she was in Erode. Someone will take her to Kangayampalaiyam the next day where all arrangements have been made for her to participate in the Abhisekam. The caretakers of the temple will be attending the festivities. She can meet them. She can choose to follow the priests over to the mainland during lunch break or she can have her lunch at the temple. She can participate in the prayers later that evening before she is sent to the Erode bus stand to board the bus back. 

Amma and I were both amazed and puzzled. We could not make sense of the calls and the callers. It was all so mysterious.

Just before she leaves her home on the night before Deepam on 16 October 2013, Amma gives me a call to say she was leaving. The next day I receive a call from her. She tells me she was with Agathiyar and was talking to me from his Sanadhi at the Nattadresswarar Temple. She was alone with the senior priest at present after having participated in the Abhisekam earlier in the morning. 

On arrival back at home, she messages me on FB on 18 October 2013.

"End. Shan ..... back just now .. time 23.40 ... Monday. Had to postpone my ticket, as I just couldn't make it back the same day. Will either send you a detailed message/ mail or will get on SKYPE after a day or two. I need to take some rest. Lord Muruga gave me his Darshan. Our coolest daddy too."

After having a brief rest she messages me again on 20 October 2013 with this extraordinary spate of events that took place at the Nattadresswarar temple.

"Hello Shan, I have recouped only 50%. It'll take a week or so for me to get completely out from exhaustion. A very intense experience!"

"First let me put to rest the confusion what we had about the call, Saravana and Senthil"

"Saravana (guy who ferried you people across) is the eldest son of that elderly priest. He says that he did not speak to me on the number I called the first time (what was given to me through a phone call) as he said that was not his number. It's only the second time I called, just two days prior to my going over there he says he picked up my call and confirmed about the Abhishekams what I wanted to perform. When I showed him the number and time of the call, he just laughed and said, "It is Lord Murugan's game."

"There is no one by the name of Senthil at all. When I stressed that the second time I called it was a person Senthil who picked the call, he too stressed emphatically that it was he who spoke to me. Well, I call one number what was given to me and the person on the other end picks up the call on a totally different number!"

"All this conversation happened only after I crossed the river with the help of the coracle and reached the temple on the other side of the river."

"Now, you definitely would want to know what happened before and while crossing Cauvery  river. What a mighty name and a mighty river!"

She takes us back to the moment of arrival at Erode earlier.

"I reached Erode around 9 pm and to my astonishment I saw two people waiting for me at the destination. I could not get train reservations. They asked me if I was the person coming form Chennai and lived in USA and spell out my name and they introduced themselves as Mr.Chandrashekar, President of the Temple Committee and Mr.Gandhi, its Secretary. They had made reservations for me in a hotel close by and they accompanied me there and on leaving the hotel told me that the senior Gurukal would be accompanying me to the temple and asked me to be on the river bank the next day by 7 am."

"So the next day, I booked a cab and got dropped by the river bank. I saw a very senior priest and a lady standing there waiting for me. I wished him and we both got into the coracle and the lady left. Just as the coracle started moving, this senior Gurukal told me that he had been instructed by Lord Murugan the previous night that I would be coming over to perform some rituals and had also instructed him (in this old age) to accompany. After listening to what he had to say, I asked him, "Does Lord Murugan speak to you?" He further added that in his lifetime, this is the second time Lord Murugan spoke to him. The first time, he said was when his mother was very ill. That was a number of years back. He repeated that this was the second time. Other times he says that Lord Murugan speaks to him in "Gestures", but only twice he heard his voice. He said that Lord Murugan told him "My daughter will be coming over to his abode and that "She" (myself) had received Dheeksha from Agathiyar directly." My God! My heart jump started. I told him that on 20 October 2011, I got my Dheeksha from "Appa" (Agathiyar). He told me not to disclose this conversation to anyone over there."

"Now we reached the temple shore and we proceeded towards the temple. Immediately he beckoned two priests along with his son Saravana, gave them instructions to start the Abhishekam for Lord Murugan first , then Agathiyar and then Lord Shiva."

"It was at this juncture that the phone calls etc. conversation were discussed, when he told me his name was Saravana etc and all the conversation what I mentioned to you at the start of this mail."

"Since I was instructed to do these Abhishekam on my son's name, I gave them the necessary details like Gothram, Nakshatra and Rasi etc of my son and all the three Ahhishekam got over in an hour and a half."

"There were very few people in the temple and along with the priests and the two committee members, we all went downstairs where the Nivedhyams offered to the Gods were served as breakfast. After breakfast was over , the devotees who came left and only the priests and myself were there. This senior Gurukal told me that I can rest on a chair near Agathiyar, as, upstairs would be very calm and peaceful. So I went upstairs and you know where daddy's shrine is right? Just opposite to Lord Shiva's Sanctum."

"It was around 10.30 am and that was the time I called you up and told you that I am all alone with daddy once again with not a soul in sight. Picturesque landscape ... the mighty Cauvery flowing silently and the surrounding forests."

"After making the call to you, I thought I would close my eyes and sit as I was feeling very pleasant. Suddenly out of nowhere, a squirrel jumps on my lap and then jumps inside Agathiyar's Shrine. I was sitting just in front of daddy on a chair with closed eyes. Suddenly I heard a voice coming from inside Agathiyar's Shrine calling me "Magale Magale". Before I could open my eyes, I was instructed not to open. Agathiyar gave me some messages, which I will sending it to as a separate mail".

"There were many rituals going on throughout morning with deep Aradhanas being conducted a number of times. Beautiful sight and I felt very blessed. Sitting in the abode of Lord Murugan and Lord Shiva with Agathiyar, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Amma all around me. I felt that this Jenmam (birth) was over for me that day."

"Around 4 pm, I saw a huge congregation of people coming upstairs and preparations were starting for a massive Yagam a short distance away from Agathiyar's Sanctum. Shan you know the location what I'm meaning, Agathiyar faces Lord Shiva, two different shrines facing each other."

"I asked Saravana the significance of this massive Yagna. He said that every Kartigai Deepam, they conduct this Yagam, when all the temple committee members, the owners/builder of this temple are the only ones allowed and the name of this Homam is "Asthra Homam."

"He said this was done annually on every Deepam day. Agathiyar had instructed the great grand father of the person who built this temple, or rather renovated this temple that this Homan should be done on Karthiga Deepam Day."

"I'll now tell you a brief history what was narrated to me later by SK Mayilswamy's grandson, Sarath, a cute lad of 15 years and looks exactly like Lord Muruga. He too had many a tales to tell me which will follow eventually in my writings to you separately."

"SK Mayilswamy (SKM) is a leading cattle fodder businessman in Erode. His great great grandfather was the one who cut and carved the rocks and built a small temple and on the instructions of Agathiyar. Nattadreeswarar Temple ..... name means Lord Shiva's temple in the middle of the Cauvery river. This is the only Lord Shiva Temple in the world where the temple is built right in the middle of a river. Originally this entire premise where the current temple now stands was one huge rock. A huge massive rock in the middle of the river."

"Agathiyar had made a Shivalinga using the sand from the river bed and had installed in this place and was worshiping this Linga. This was three Yugas back. Agathiyar gave instructions to SKM'S great great granfather to build the temple structure. He built the current structure of Lord Shiva, renovated later by SKM'S grandfather. SKM  built the current structure."

"Just behind Lord Shiva's Shrine, there are three idols of Lord Balaji and his consorts made of juices extracted from herbs including extracts from the Aathi tree, treated and made into these idols. Everyday these idols are cleaned with oils that has been extracted form the Aathi tree, which is in the temple premises for more than 3000 years."

"A few steps if you proceed towards the left from Lord Shiva's shrine, you can see a flight of steps leading down. At the basement of these steps is a huge rock, where Agathiyar had sat and meditated to attain the Siddhi "Mahima" in order to help him balance the earth on the south side of India as instructed by Lord Shiva."

"SKM while renovating the temple, did not cut down this rock as this was the place where Agathiyar had meditated but SKM had instead built a huge room surrounding it. Both of us, Sarath and myself meditated there for a while. No one is allowed to go to this room downstairs near the rock."

"Long before Agathiyar came here, Lord Muruga had been here doing Tavam."

"The Yagam started around 4.30 pm and about 30 people were there, which included SKM and his family members, including his grandchildren and the temple committee members and two ministers. It was an intense and massive Yagam and I have never heard nor seen one of this magnitude and intensity. It was performed by Saravana Gurukal."

"The Yagam got over around 6.30 pm and was followed by Abhishekams to Lord Murugan, Goddess Amma and Lord Shivan. That day was also the birthday of SKM's grandson Sarath, He has immense grace and the blessings of God."

"It was during the end of Lord Murugan's Abhishekam that Lord Murugan gave me his "Kazchi" It is not a Darshan he gave me. It was his Kazchi. The Effulgence was BLINDING and I almost fainted. It was just a few seconds and the Effulgence disappeared. This Kazchi was right inside his "Karuvarai" and on top of his head."

"I couldn't stand nor even see anything clearly after that. Everything looked glazed. But somehow, along with the ladies, managed to light the 1008 Deepams which was the custom, before the main Deepam was lit at the Temple Gopuram."

"What a magnificent sight to behold! The air was filled with the chants of Aum Nama Shivaya ... Hara Hara Mahadeva. This locale, the abode of the Gods ... glimmering with the Deepam Lights and the Beaming Gopuram with the Jyothi."

"In the stillness of the night, the only sounds heard were the high pitched tones of the people praising the Lord ... Nattat Ayya ... Nattat Ayya ... Arunachala Ayya ... Aum Nama Shivaya."

"The flow seems endless .... keeps going on and on ... let me pen down a few more things, as the memories are slowly fading ..."

"Sarath had also been instructed to do four Abhishekams that day, as it was Astham Nakshatra that day and was his birth star too. Likewise I was also instructed to perform the Abhishekams that day as it was mine and also my son's birth star that day. What a blessing on a Purnima Karthiga Deepam day!"

"Never in my life had I witnessed eight Abhishekams and a massive Yagam, all in one day. Four Abishekams of mine in the morning and four Abishekams of Sarath's in the evening. After the Lighting of the Deepams and the day's last pooja and prayer/chants to Lord Shiva got over, it was almost 8 pm. I was exhausted beyond limits. Downstairs I saw all the people gathering around the senior priest as he was giving some Upadesam and all of us were ushered for the Annadhanam. I begged apology from the senior priest that I feel very exhausted and that I would not be able to stay any longer to partake the food as I wanted to return to my hotel room to rest. He understood my condition and immediately ordered some food and sweet meat to be packed and requested Selvaraj Gurukal, an Assistant to Saravana Gurukal to accompany me in the coracle to the other side of the river. I sought his blessings and told him that I feel highly honored to be a part of all the heavenly rituals that I could participate today and also thanked him immensely for having taken the pains to wait for me in the morning and to help me cross over."

"This was his reply, "I came to the temple early today as it was Karthigai Deepam. He quickly added with a smile, "Maybe Agathiyar came with you".

"He blessed me and these were his parting words to me, "You can come here anytime you want. This is your home. Your father is here."

"I realize everything around us is "MAYA'... the Unreal. The Siddhas come to us and move with us in a parallel world. There is nothing outside of you. All is within you, "Agathin Ulle Eesan."

"So, Mr. Chandrashekar, the President of the committee came along with me helping me to walk and in a moment Selvaraj Gurukal got the food and some fruits and came along with us. All I knew was I just entered the coracle and lay down as I felt extremely sick. After a couple of minutes, Selvaraj Gurukal woke me up and helped me to get out of the coracle and helped me to my car."

"All through the crossing of the river, I felt my head was placed on the lap of a woman. On alighting, I asked Selvaraj Gurukal where was the lady who was travelling with us. He replied that there was no lady who came along with us. He said, "Amma, only three of us were there. Me, you and the ferry man".

This morning I called up Selvaraj Gurukal to thank him for all the services he rendered to me during my trip there. His reply was thus, "Amma I was serving Lord Shiva, Lord Murugan, Agathiyar and Goddess Ambal. I see all of them in you. Please come back again."

"I asked him if the senior Gurukal accompanied me in the morning. He said I came alone. I further asked him, "But inside the temple he was giving you all the instructions for the pooja?"

"He replied, "Yes Guruswamy was giving us the instructions, but you entered the temple alone."

"Now who was the senior priest who came along with me in the morning? Who was the lady who was standing with him and she did not enter the coracle?"

"I cried to my heart's content and thanked Agathiyar, Lord Murugan, Lord Shiva and Goddess Amma for bestowing me with their grace and helping me to or rather inviting me to be in their abode and to be with / among them."

"With utmost humility and with knees bend, I bow to the Great Cosmic and Celestial Powers, without their Grace, I could not and would not have been where I am today."

"Salutations and prostrations to my dearest daddy Agathiyar who had been been and is still a guiding force, guiding and protecting me all the way with his presence."

"Arul Gnana Jyotheye Agathin Jyothi Thani Perum Kadavule Agatheesar Aavaar"

To be continued ....

APH PLAYER

Listen to Songs and Speeches at SIDDHA HEARTBEAT

PHOTO ALBUM - INSTALLATION OF AGATHIYAR AT KALLAR

I saw the photo of Agathiyar at Kallar posted on Thiru Velayudham Karthikeyan's blog SITHTHAN ARUL today http://siththanarul.blogspot.com/2013/11/blog-post_20.html and thought I should share more photos uploaded by a devotee on Flickr.

The installation of Agathiyar at the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/50976763@N08/

View Agathiyar in the hills of Kallar now called Mulasthaanam and other photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/agathiyar/

YOGANANDA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI

The copy that I was given

A beautiful and rare painting of Lord Shiva that I received from Segaran

For those who have read Yogananda Paramahansa's AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI, would acknowledge that this book is to be treasured. I too hold this book close to my heart for various reasons. This book introduced to me the role and necessity of a Guru on an aspirant's spiritual journey. The numerous encounters Yogananda had with the spiritual masters was an interesting read and an eye-opener.

This book is a must-read for those seeking or in search of a Guru and also for those who already are under the tutelage of a Guru.

In 1994, Segaran from my office was leaving his job as he had opted to become a monk in the ashram set up by Paramahansa Yogananda in Ranchi, India. As a parting gift, he gave me a magnificent painting of Lord Shiva, a copy of this book and a piece of advice, “People here at the office shall dump all kinds of work to you. Do not refuse to accept if you have the time, the energy and the know-how.” I kept the painting of Lord Shiva at my altar. I cherished the Autobiography having read it numerous times. I adopted Segaran’s parting words and as a result, I began to learn new things and soon became an asset to my department. 

I read and cherished AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI very much. I wished I could meet Gurus similar to those mentioned in the book. I was yearning for an experience similar to what Yogananda had. Then one day I searched for the book but could not find it. I never found it again. 

When Gopal from my office was transferred out, I had personally lent him a hand in clearing and carting away his personal belongings. We made sure nothing personal of his was left behind. Then one day as I passed his former cubicle, still left vacant, I thought I saw a book lying on his former table. There was a copy of AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI on the table! I had been given a replacement copy – mysteriously! 

For those who have yet to read this amazing book, Ananda and Crystal Clarity Publishers have made available online the complete first edition of Paramhansa Yogananda's AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI at http://www.crystalclarity.com/yogananda/index.php

MIRACLE AT TIRUVANNAMALAI

Mathi Vanan has posted the above video clip of an interview with the sadhu who invited and accompanied Jnana Jyothi Amma (Molly Menon) to Vallalar's temple in Tiruvannamalai on the last leg of the Annadhaanam on 11.10.13.

The sadhu recalls the day's events when he met Jnana Jyothi Amma as she was distributing food. Amma had earlier started the Annadhanam by serving a sadhu adorned in 1000 pieces of rudraksha around his neck who appeared mysteriously at the Parasakthi Temple on the Girivalam Path.

Later she moved along the Girivalam path towards Ner Annamalai when she spotted the sadhu (in the interview) who invited her into Valalalar's temple and opened up doors that were closed.

Here a miracle takes place quite similar to what Amma witnessed in Kalyana Theertam. The following photos will tell the story.

A prayer at Easanya Lingam and Supramania Swami's Samadhi before the start of the Annadhaanam

At Supramania Swami's Samadhi

The sadhu who appears to partake the food at the Parasakthi Temple

With the sadhu in the clip

With another sadhu who was a look-alike of Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar

With another sadhu who was a look-alike of Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar

At Shiva's sanadhi

At Shiva's sanadhi

At Shiva's sanadhi

Amma with the sadhu in the video clip

Amma with the sadhu and Supramania Swami's wife

The miracle takes place

The snake as mentioned in the clip

APH PUBLICATIONS 36 - AGATHIYAR (TAMIL)

Read about AGATHIYAR at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168052/Agathiyar

Agathiyar by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

THE FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE ON SIDDHA PHILOSOPHY

Read the news coverage on THE FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE ON SIDDHA PHILOSOPHY held in Malaysia at http://www.scribd.com/doc/93483102/In-the-News-Tamil

Listen to an interview given by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal & Ooran Adigal to a local radio station minutes after their arrival in Malaysia to officiate the First World Conference on Sidha Philosophy.

In the News (Tamil) by shanmugam avadaiyappa

THE SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE ON SIDDHA PHILOSOPHY

View photos taken at the WORLD CONFERENCE ON SIDDHA PHILOSOPHY held at Chennai at http://www.scribd.com/doc/93482129/2nd-World-Conference-on-Siddha-Philosophy-Chennai

2nd World Conference on Siddha Philosophy, Chennai by shanmugam avadaiyappa

PHOTO ALBUM 2 - AGATHIYAR JAYANTHI & GURU PUJA CELEBRATIONS 2010

View more photos taken during the Agathiyar Jayanthi & Guru Puja 2010 at http://www.scribd.com/doc/93479650/108-Sarva-Dosa-Nivarana-Maha-Yagam-Part-2

108 Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam Part 2 by shanmugam avadaiyappa

PHOTO ALBUM 1 - AGATHIYAR JAYANTHI & GURU PUJA CELEBRATIONS 2010

View photos taken during the Agathiyar Jayanthi & GuruPuja celebrations at Kallar at http://www.scribd.com/doc/93478876/108-Sarva-Dosa-Nivarana-Maha-Yagam-at-the-Sri-Agathiyar-Gnana-Peedham-Thirukovil-Kallar

108 Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam at the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil, Kallar by shanmugam avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 35 - SIDHARGAL VALANGIYA ERAI PAADALGAL (TAMIL)

Read SIDHARGAL VALANGIYA ERAI PAADALGAL at http://www.scribd.com/doc/138314866/Sidhargal-Valangiya-Erai-Paadal-Tamil-with-transliteration-in-English

Sidhargal Valangiya Erai Paadal (Tamil) with transliteration in English by shanmugam avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 34 - ATMA VILAKAM (TAMIL)

Read Tavayogi's ATMA VILAKAM at http://www.scribd.com/doc/184595441/Atma-Vilakam

Atma Vilakam by shanmugam avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 33 - SONGS IN PRAISE OF SIDHAS

Read SIDHAR POTRI PAADAL at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149167961/Sidhar-Potri-Paadal-Songs-in-Praise-of-the-Sidhas-Tamil

Sidhar Potri Paadal - Songs in Praise of the Sidhas (Tamil) by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 32 - END OF THE PATH

Read about THE END OF THE PATH at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149167967/The-Sidhas-Book-4-The-End-of-the-Path

The Sidhas - Book 4 - The End of the Path by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 31 - THE SIDHAS

Read about THE SIDHAS at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168001/The-Sidhas

The Sidhas by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 30 - YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR

Read about YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168007/Yogi-Ramsuratkumar

Yogi Ramsuratkumar by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 29 - BEING GRATEFUL

When Suren came back to Malaysia after a short stint in Perth, Australia, the first thing he asked me after all the formalities were whether I had written another book. I replied that I did not write any in his absence although I had posted an observation on my blog AGATHIYAN recently (http://www.tavayogi.webs.com).

I had received an e-mail where a newfound friend wanted to know why the Agathiyar mantra I had received from Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil in Kallar, Coimbatore which I had mentioned in one of my books was different from the one he had received from a Siddha in Coimbatore.

Agathiyar had revealed another mantra of his to be chanted and shared with others too in the last Nadi reading of his Aasi Kaandam lately. I also came to know Maran’s brother had received a similar mantra from Agathiyar through the Nadi but this time with a slight variation. My nephew Thayalan calls me up to enquire why there was a variation in the mantra and which was he to follow.

This question from my nephew and the e-mail from my new found friend made me recall a story I had read some time back. The story goes as follows:

A young monk after years of tutelage under his master finally was told by his master that he (the young monk) needed to leave the monastery to get to see the rest of the world and to preach the teachings he had acquired as a monk. Upon reaching the foothill, the young monk came across an old man chanting on a riverbank. The old man was chanting the mantra he (the monk) had mastered at the monastery but with a variation. So he apprehended the old man telling him that he was going about the wrong way of reciting the mantra and taught the old man what he had learned at the monastery. The old man listened attentively. The young monk was proud that he had passed on what he was taught and that he had found his first candidate to whom he had started to preach.

Now the young lad had to hire a boatman to take him across the river to the nearby village where he could continue preaching. About halfway through the journey across the river, the young monk noticed that the boatman had gone all pale and was looking over his (the monk) shoulder with his mouth wide open. The young monk turned around. What he saw shocked him too. The old man that he had met at the shores was now standing beside the boat. He was standing on the surface of the water. The old man approached the lad and whispered to him that he had forgotten the mantra he was taught and requested that the lad repeat it. The young lad held the old man’s hand and asked that he pardon him for being egoistic and begged to follow the old man back and be taken in as his disciple.

Suren’s question has prompted me to write again.

Read about BEING GRATEFUL at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168049/Being-Grateful

Being Grateful by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 28 - FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MASTERS

The first encounters of gurus with their masters had always amazed me. These precious and prized moments where the guru identifies the disciple and the disciple makes the decision of accepting the teachings of the guru is always exciting to read again and again. Here in this book entitled ‘FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MASTERS’ I have compiled these sacred moments when the master meets the disciple and vice versa. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the publishers whose works I have quoted and reproduced. It brings me great joy to start this journey with the story of Swami Sivananda who served in Malaya as a doctor prior to becoming a mendicant, and end it with me meeting my guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal who was directed to preach the path of the Siddhas in Malaysia.

Read about the FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MASTERS at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168760/First-Encounters-With-the-Masters

First Encounters With the Masters by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 27 - AANANDHA KALIPPU (TAMIL)

Read ANANDHA KALIPU at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168779/Anandha-Kalipu

Anandha Kalipu by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATION 26 - PRAISE TO ARUTPERUNJHOTI

Read about ARUTPERUNJHOTI VAZHIPAADU at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168792/Arutperunjhoti-Vazhipaadu

Arutperunjhoti Vazhipaadu by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 25 - MILESTONE ON THE PATH OF THE SIDHAS

I started frequenting temples as a bachelor and used to pray rigorously at home in the wee hours of the morning. Then all this came to an abrupt stop. After a lapse of fourteen years (1988 to 2002), I was introduced to the Siddhas through the reading of the Nadi or writings on palm leaf by the Siddhas. It amazes me even now to think about how my life took a turnaround after I saw the Nadi. Since then Agathiyar has guided me through these Nadi readings. 

Agathiyar, through my nephew, started me back on the path of worship in 2001. The Nadi showed me the path of the Sidhas in 2002. Supramania Swami of Thiruvanamalai aroused me from my sleep (of ignorance) in 2003. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal nurtured me further. 

Agathiyar had revealed through the Nadi my past karma so as to make me aware of the consequences of my action. He pointed out ways and means to soften the hold of karma. He showed me the path of the Siddhas in 2002, which I had a choice either to follow or ignore. He introduced me to Tavayogi in 2005. He had lots of advice for me to strengthen my weaknesses and become a better person. He motivated me. He delivered mantras and practices in the Nadi. 

Agathiyar has also come to my home in the form of a bronze statue. He has asked that rituals be conducted. He has asked that homage be paid to deities. He has asked that yogic asanas and pranayama exercises be continued. He has asked to continue chanting mantras. He has asked that meditation be pursued. 

I have held fast to the Nadi and it has worked out for me. There were instances where what was said in the Nadi did not materialize because I had not put in the effort towards it. And at other times it did not work out since I had surrendered to my guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. 

Just as there are milestones along a road, I am blessed the Siddhas have provided milestones too on their path – eight in number to date. I share the bliss that I have attained in the worship of Sidhas with you through my writings. 

The Sidhas have seen God. We seek the Sidhas aid in wanting to see God too. By their grace, we shall realize God.

Read about MILESTONE ON THE PATH OF THE SIDHAS at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168815/Milestone-on-the-Path-of-the-Sidhas

Milestone on the Path of the Sidhas by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 24 - BENEFITS OF PRAYER (TAMIL)

Read PUJAIYIN PALAN at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168827/Pujaiyin-Palan

Pujaiyin Palan by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 23 - AGATHIYAR & THE SIDHAS

Read about AGATHIYAR at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168906/Seeking-the-Sidhas-Part-1-Agathiyar

Seeking the Sidhas - Part 1 - Agathiyar by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 22 - AGASTHIYAR SATAKAM (TAMIL)

Read Kunangkudi Maastaan's AGASTHIYAR SATAKAM at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149168981/Agasthiyar-Satakam-Tamil

Agasthiyar Satakam (Tamil) by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa

APH PUBLICATIONS 21 - AGATHIYAR PUSAI (TAMIL)

I was introduced to the Sidha Margam when I went to read the Kaanda Nadi in 2002. Nadi Guru Senthilkumar from Avinasi was in Malaysia then. He passed by a small booklet Sidhargal Potri Thoguppu by the Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur, carrying all the names of the Sidhas. Sivabalan who had brought in Sentilkumar gave me a painting of Agathiyar at the same moment. Senthilkumar performed the prayer to Agathiyar and the Sidhas and started me off on a journey of sheer amazement. 

My first venture into and attempt at writing was when I compiled the Sidha hymns that I had been singing during prayers into a book of praise to Sidhas, SIDHARGAL POTRI THOGUPPU. The hymns were from various sources: Thavathiru Rangaraja Desigar of the Sri Agathiyar Sanmaarga Sangam, Ongarakudil, Turaiyur, Tamilnadu, India; Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigalaar of the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil in Kallar, Kovai, Tamilnadu, India; and other publishers and publications. As I came across more hymns I included them too and the volume later expanded to become AGATHIYAR PUSAI or THE COMPLETE BOOK OF PRAISE TO AGATHIYAR that you now hold in your hands. This compilation of hymns is targeted for the non-Tamil speaking devotees so that they too can participate in singing the praise of the Sidhas by following the transliteration given and partake the bliss that is derived in singing the praise of Agathiyar and the Sidhas. These hymns are applicable to other deities too with the mere replacement of their names or namam as I have done in certain hymns (the substitute names are in brackets). 

It has been a mere ten years since I came to the path of the Siddhas. I consider myself still new to this path and still investigating it. I am grateful to the following people who had directly or indirectly helped me on this journey of sheer amazement. 

• My parents, Avadaiyappa Chettiar and Valliammai and my siblings; 
• My wife a devout devotee of Agathiyar who serves the sage unselfishly; 
• My elder daughter who held steadfast faith in Agathiyar during trying times; 
• My younger daughter who was the reason for me to come to the Siddha path due to her connections with Agathiyar in her last birth; 
• Kannan of Kelana Computer Service Centre in Klang for providing me the Sakthi Tamil Font free of charge that has aided me in compiling this and other works in Tamil; 
• Dr. Krishnan, friend, Siddha practitioner, and astrologer who made me aware of the existence of the Nadi; 
• My colleague Muralitharan Saminathan who spoke about his experience reading the Nadi and pointed me to Sivabalan; 
• Sivabalan of the Agathiyan Shelter in Malaysia who had brought in the Nadi Guru Senthilkumar from India; 
• Nadi Guru Senthilkumar of Avinasi who spent much time in locating my relevant Nadi and who started me off on the path of the Siddha with prayers to the Siddhas; 
• Nadi Guru T. Ramesh of the Sri Agastiar Sugar Nadi Jothida Nilaiyam who has faithfully been delivering Agathiyar’s message for me forty four times; 
• Thavathiru Rangaraja Desiga Swamigal of the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam at Ongkarakudil, in Turaiyur, Tamilnadu who has been doing service to mankind by feeding the poor with contributions from his followers and who has been doing tavam for a long time now for the wellbeing of mankind;
• Supramania Swami of Thiruvanamalai, my first guru, who revealed my mission and began working on me; 
• Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil in Kallar who took me in as a disciple and molded me further; 
• And finally to the almighty Lord who chooses to shower his grace on this person and send his missionaries – Agathiyar, Ramalinga Adigal, Jeganathar, and the Siddhas, to save him from plunging further into ignorance. 

I would also like to thank all the authors and publishers from whose works I have sourced this compilation.

• Anubhava Vilakka Pathirikaigal - Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur – 2000 
• Sugamaana Vaasiye Agatheesaraagum - Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur – 2003 
• Sidhargal Potri Thoguppu - Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur - 2001 
• Thirumula Devar Agatheesarai PuganthuSuvadi Moolam Aruliya Arutkavigal – Arul Gnana Aran Sirappu – Agathiyarin Arul Mooppu by Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur 
• Maagaan Pulipaani Sidhar Aasi Kaandam – Gnanigal Suvadi Moolam Aruliya Arul Vaakku - Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur - 2003 
• Gnanigal Aruliya Dhinasari Paaraayana Nool - Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, Turaiyur - 2001 
• Vallalaarum Brahma Gnana Sangamum - Pon Govindaswami, Bharath Book Biro, Chennai – 1985 
• Thirumanthiram by Thirumular - Kaasi Thirumadam, Thirupananthaal – 2000 
• Thirupugal Malar Maalai by Arunagiri Nathar - Giri Trading, Chennai – 2006 
• Dhinasari Paaraayana Thiru Arutpa - Vallalaar Mandram, Sungai Petani, Malaysia – 1988 
• Thiru Arutpa by Ramalinga Adigal - Ooran Adigal & Samara Sanmaarga Araichi Nilaiyam, Vadalur -1989 
• Sidhargal Narpathenmar Periya Gnana Kovai - Thamarai Noolagam, Chennai - 1995 
• Thiruvalluvar Gnana Vethiyaan by Thiruvalluvar - Thamarai Noolagam, Chennai - 1999 
• Sidhargal Potri Thoguppu - Agatheesar Sanmaarga Thirusabai, Thirupur 
• Sidhar Vallamai Audio CD - Rajkumar Swamigal & Sai Audio, Chennai 
• Kaala Gnanam - Rajkumar Swamigal – 2001 
• Guru Pujai - Veeramanidaasan Swamigal & Arulmigu Amman Pathipagam, Chennai -2005 
• Sathiya Sidhargal - Vempathur Krishnan & Alangaar Publication – 1999 
• Yugangal Kadanthu Vaalum Unnatha Kalai – K.Venkatraman & Vaanathi Pathipagam – 2007 
• Manumurai Kanda Vaasagam Thiru Arutpa Urai Nadai Paguthi by Ramalinga Adigal - Thiru Arutprakaasa Vallalaar Deiva Nilaiyam, Vadalur – 2000 
• Sidhargal Thathuvamum Yoga Neri Muraigalum Poondi Mahaan Varalaaru - K.R.Sivakanthan & Kalaga Veliyeedu – 2003 
• Thiruvaasagam by Manickavasagar – Thiruvaavaduthurai Aadeenam – 1994 
• Pathinathar Paadalgal - Manivaasagar Pathipagam – 1993 
• Sidhargal Kanda Aavigal Virathum Mooligai Ragasiyangal – Jegaathaa 
• Agathiyar Gnana Valikaathi Nool – V.M.Jayapalan & Sri Agathiyar Universal Trusts, Bangalore 
• Sri Sri Agathiyar Upasana Sruthi – Sri Sri Agathiyar Upasana Sabha, Saavakkathu Paalaiyam 
• Nakkira Devar Aruli Seitha Vinayagar Thiru Agaval 
• Sri Sri Agathiyar Upasana Shruthi 
• Sithargalukku Oru Samarpanam 
• Kunangkudi Masthan Sahib Avargal Aruliya Agasthiyar Satagam
• Agathiyar Perumaanin Pusai Muraigal - 
• Agathiyar Gayathri Manthiram 

View AGATHIYAR PUSAI at http://www.scribd.com/doc/149169018/Agathiyar-Pusai

Agathiyar Pusai by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa