THE MULTIFACETED DEVOTEE

Prayers were conducted as usual at the Sri Raja Sakthi Nageshwary Amman Temple at Bangsar KL Eco City this morning. The Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) brought this event live on fb.

The libation for Agathiyar (abhisegam) and prayers (puja) are held on a regular basis every Thursday morning, on Full moon and New moon days, and during the Ahilyam star. Sri and Srimathi Krishna of AUM and Sri and Srimathi Balachander of AVM take the lead in conducting this puja with the temple priest in attendance.

The next puja is on 21 November 2016.

Besides conducting prayers and in rhythm with teachings of the Siddhas, that both Devotion and Charity should go hand in hand, Sri Krishna undertakes a monthly feeding session where food packets and clothings are distributed to the homeless, poor and hungry on the streets under a program, Pothigai Meals on Wheels.

Sri Krishna who has been ordained to help seekers and devotees of Agathiyar read the Olai Suvadi and bring them around to fulfill their atonements or Parikaram as mentioned in these Nadi, had started a service, AUM Holidays to aid and assist them.

Sri Krishna who was exposed to the Siddhas and their Nadi at a very young age, had tirelessly involved himself and his family bringing the teachings of the Siddhas to the public through many conventions, seminars and events including the World Conference of Siddha Philosophy and the Annual Guru Puja Vizha for Agathiyar.

Sri Krishna ever eager to seek divine blessings, goes in search and meets visiting saints too.

Besides that he inculcates moral and spiritual knowledge, sharing his vast knowledge and experience with young students. 

Here is one multifaceted devotee of Agathiyar who holds on to the beautiful principle "Realise, Accept and Surrender" in his life.

An Evening with Acharya Gurudasan

Acharya Gurudasan (Gowri R Varadhan) of India was introduced to AVM by Sri Balachander. Soon Acharya frequented AVM and we met him during all our activities outside AVM too. A beautiful bond took place between the AVM family and Acharya. He took the effort to put in place several weeks of Kriya Yoga lessons for AVM family members. He shared his vast knowledge with AVM family during the regular Satsangs. This weekend Acharya will leave for his homeland after serving 2 1/2 years in Malaysia. AVM takes this opportunity to thank Acharya Gurudasan for all his contribution towards AVM and society. We shall miss him very much. 

SOUP KITCHENS

A wonderful act of doing charity by groups of individuals was covered by BBC London news recently.

On the local front Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) hits the streets too to pass food parcels to the poor and starving. Sri Krishna heads the team. The next session is on 20 November 2016. Please feel free to participate in this noble act.

Agathiyar Puja @ Bangsar

Thavathiru Kumaran Swamigal from the Agathiyar Ashram and Thirukovil at the foothill of the Anuvavi Murugan Temple in Coimbatore has been keeping himself busy since his arrival in Malaysia recently. 

Thavathiru Kumara Swamigal (far right) with Sri Krishna's family

Besides conducting numerous rituals of lighting of sacrificial fires or Yagams at the homes of members of the Temple of Fine Arts in Kuala Lumpur of which he is closely associated, he found time to grace AVM recently. We were blessed to have him participate in out weekly Guru Naal puja on a recent Thursday.

Swamiji also found time to conduct a special puja and abhisegam or libation for Agathiyar at the Sri Raja Sakthi Nageshwary Amman Temple at Bangsar KL Eco City on 12 November 2016. Agathiyar from AVM was brought over to grace the puja too. It was a lovely evening where it suddenly showered heavily as if to bless the event, as the Yagam began. 108 herbs or muligai was placed in the Yagam and another 108 herbs were soaked overnight and used to bath Agathiyar.

108 Herbs soaked in water overnight ready to bath Agathiyar

AUM and AVM turned out a day before to clean the temple grounds and turned up early on the day of Puja to prepare for the evening puja. AVM is honored to be invited to bring Agathiyar over to the temple and participate in the Puja.

A Day Before.

The Day of Puja.

Swamiji with devotees

A DEVOTEE'S HEART WARMING EXPERIENCE

Vijayalakshmi Amma had posted a wonderful article on her recent visit to Malaysia on fb some moments ago. We would love to share it with our readers.

This picture of Agastiar Ayya was taken by me when I had the golden opportunity to spend a night at Shanmugam Avadaiyappa's home at Kuala Lumpur, just 2 days before my departure to Chennai. 

I had gone to visit my brother Balachander Sundareswaran and my dear Sister in law Shanthi Balachander for a month. 

Agastiar gave me the opportunity to attend the Thursday Puja at Eco City that my brother along with Shri Krshna does every Thursdays at the Agastiar shrine. I would happily collect beautiful flowers from the plants and trees and make garlands for Agastiar which He would adorn happily. It only made Him look all the more beautiful. 

I also got to attend a few pujas for Agastiar at Shanmugam Ayya's home AVM. 

Then time flew and it was time for me to leave and due to Navaratri celebrations at my brother's home, he was unable to take me to Shanmugam Ayya's home to bid farewell to Agastiar. But Our Agastiar makes things possible as He is "Agathin Easan" or the lord of our hearts and he knew my heart was crying to come see Him. 

It so happened that Shanmugam Ayya along with his lovely wife Magesh came to visit my brother's home for Navaratri. As they were about to leave suddenly Shanmugam Ayya asked me, "Why don't you come along with us amma? Stay the night in our home and we shall perform a puja for Ayya the next day, and I myself will drop you back home?" 

This was something that took me aback and the moment I heard those words I ran and picked up a change of clothes and like a little child anxious to meet its mother I left with them. 

Shanmugam Ayya and Magesh are the most gracious hosts. We had a nice long conversation about Agastiar and all the strange happenings that they experience at AVM with all the different devotees of Agastiar. 

Time to go to bed and I was asked to sleep in the very Puja room along with Agastiar. I should say I was terrified as to me Agastiar always looked like a stern Master. Initially a bit terrified I was only chanting "Om Agateesaya Namaha" non stop and just looking into His face as the light from the deepam was making His face shine. I tried to see if He would open His eyes to look at me but that was not to be. I managed to sleep after a long time. 

Then in the morning as soon as I woke up, I took courage to snap a close up picture of him on my phone. Till now I had not looked at this pic. Just now as I was deleting some unwanted pics from the phone this pic caught my attention and as I gazed at it closely I realised how Agastiar's left eye was actually open. So He was looking at me after all. Such grace! 

I must thank Shanmugam Ayya and Magesh for having made this possible. Such wonderful gracious souls with whom I would like to incarnate in all future births so we can all be ever so devoted to Sage Agastiar in His worship. Such a beautiful experience. Thank you Ayya. Om Agateesaya Namaha.

MAHA VELVI YAGAM

A Special Maha Velvi Yagam with 108 herbs (108 Muligai Yagam) and libation with 108 herbs (108 Muligai Abhisegam) will be performed for Agathiyar at the KL Eco City Temple beginning from 4pm this evening. This puja will be led by Thavathiru Kumara Swamy from India.  

Swamy belongs to the 100 year old Sri Agathiyar Ashram and Thiru Kovil at Anuvavi Murugan Kovil Malai Adivaram, Periya Thadagam, Coimbatore. This puja is conducted with the intention of bringing good health and wealth to the devotees; removing one's karma and procuring blessings from the Siddhas. 

Swamy had participated in the weekly Guru Naal Puja on Thursday recently at AVM.

Agathiyar from AVM has been invited over to grace the prayers. We are blessed to participate in this rare puja where 108 herbs are soaked in water and the murthy is bath in this. 

This Puja is organized by Sri Krishna and family of Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) with assistance from Sri and Srimathi Balachander Aiya of AVM.

Please make yourself available.

SRI MAYURANATHAR THIRUKALYANA VAIBAVAM

Agathiyar Puja @ AVM

IN TUNE WITH MOTHER NATURE

Watch in 4K to take on Nature's immense beauty. If the video is lagging view using IE.

TAKE YOUR PICK

When Bala Chandran Gunasekaran went for a Nadi reading Agathiyar told him to carry on and focus on helping the unfortunate and let others build temples when he enquired about a temple in his vicinity that was about to see a refurbishment. This was also what Bala loved doing having started his Thondu Seivom movement, gathering his past schoolmates and other friends together to provide assistance to the needy. Sri Krishna and his wife were directed by Agathiyar to help those seeking to perform atonements or parikarams. This dynamic duo with their children love doing it. Master Gowri Varadhan, now Acharya Gurudasan, too was blessed to carry on teaching Babaji's Kriya Yoga in a reading from the Jeeva Nadi. Yuvaraj was instructed to teach the martial arts while Master Arunan was asked to teach Varmam by Agathiyar. Khru Pedro was blessed by Agathiyar to continue teaching Muay Thai, all in their respective Nadi readings. These came to them easy as they were already exponents in their respective fields and they loved what they were doing. I was asked to perform rituals, that initially I frowned upon, but later loved doing and attend to both blogging and vlogging, that I loved very much. Here we realize that no two person end up doing the same thing. Each is assigned a particular task; but are all brought together for a common purpose, that of propagating the Siddha teachings. 

When Agathiyar asked me to do rituals he told me that it was for the good of humanity and all of Erai's creation. The Siddhas have tirelessly dedicated themselves to bringing joy and peace to mankind, teaching him to life in harmony with nature, reminding him that nature and he can never be separated. By laying down rules of sacrifice, man gradually learnt to regard himself as part of a whole and that they were all dependent on each other. This understanding was required for him to further himself on the path to Sanyas. Man owes pretty much to nature that had protected and nourished him. Man is not an isolated creature but is dependent on nature. Cooperating with nature results in a steady evolution of all of Erai's creation. The scriptures have designated several duties to mankind towards working towards achieving unity with the cosmos or prapanjam. 

Yogis like Ramsuratkumar and Bhagawan Nithyananda at their deathbed consoled their followers that they could indeed work better in their subtle and astral forms after leaving the physical body, bringing good to humanity and all over a larger space and span. The most compassionate Siddhas, although in their Jhoti form, lend a hand to all those who come seeking them.  

As Hans-Ulrich Rieker states in his HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA OF SVATMARAMA, the Aquarian Press 1992, (Rieker, Hatha Yoga Pradipika Of Svatmarama, 1992), “Since there is a path to liberation, there also must exist the means to pursue it to the end. And all the means that we require to reach our ultimate goal, however high it may be, lie within us. The problem is only how to release them.”, the Siddhas have shown these means towards liberation. The Siddhas had taken birth as humans and eventually through research into the mysteries of the body and soul, evolved themselves into the ultimate. The Siddhas strived to achieve Godhead or Erai as they name it, by means of performing austerities together with living a life of discipline. They had searched the nooks and corners of this universe for Erai and finally realized Erai in them. Towards this, they perfected means to enable the body to remain alive for generations and eons and to this date are believed to be living amongst us. They then taught their disciples this path. Together they then laid them out in writings for the future generations to cherish and follow. It is wonderful indeed of the Siddhas that they had documented every finding and discovery and till this day guide humans through their writings and the Nadi. Having achieved deathlessness, they render their knowledge to humanity encouraging them to follow suit.

However, since not everybody can realize Erai in them immediately, as each person is an individual soul having gained experiences through several births and advancing spiritually at their own pace, and understanding this, the Siddhas drafted four stages on the path of the soul’s evolution. Therefore, the Siddhas paved the path where one would have to go through the four divisions of Yoga towards realizing Erai in a systematic way. They are namely: Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Jnanam. Man confirms to any one of this path according to his temperament and nature; beliefs and thoughts; and upbringing and faith.

The four paths to Sivahood or Godhead or Erai are revealed in verses 270 to 274 of the SHIVAGNANA SIDDHIYAR SUPAKKAM.

If you prefer to sweep and clean the temple grounds; make garlands to decorate the Lord; cook for and serve both the Lord and his devotees; chant the glories of the Lord; light the sacred lamps; tend to the gardens and flower beds; serve the visiting devotees of the Lord and attend to their needs, you would qualify to be on the path of Sariyai or Taatamaargam. By serving thus, you live in the world of the Lord. This first path is also known as the path of the servant.

If you prefer to offer flowers, incense, the sacred lamp, and articles for the ritual ablution of the idol; offer food to the Lord; perform purification and offer a seat for the deity; invoke the Lord by bringing life into the idol; invite the deity; worship with pure devotion; eulogize the Lord with love and all these offerings; light and keep alive the sacrificial fire; and if you prefer to perform all these rituals on a daily basis, you shall abide close to the Lord. This ritual worship of the Lord, that of Kriyai or Sarputramaargam, is known as the path of the son.

If you prefer to control your senses; regulate your breath; realize the essence of the six Adhara Kundalini Chakras; worship the presiding deities of each Chakra; ascending to Brahmarandhra and induce the lotus bud to blossom; stimulate the sun Mandala there and absorb the resulting ambrosia throughout the body; worship and meditate on the effulgent Lord; and observe the Ashtanga Yogam, you get the form of the Lord. This third path, Yogam or Sagamaargam where you attain the form of the Lord is known as the path of companionship.

If you prefer to read the sacred text and scriptures; elucidate all and reject the falsehood as untruth; accumulate knowledge of the Lord; and merge with the Lord without any differentiation among knowledge, knower and the object of knowledge, you qualify on this path that acquires greatness and attains Godhead. This final path, Jnanam or Sanmaargam is known as the true path.

Now take your pick. 

AGATHIYAR PUJA

A special prayer or Puja including libation or Abhisegam for Agathiyar and the ritual of lighting a sacrificial fire or Yagam will be held at the Sri Raja Sakthy Nageshwary Amman Temple in Eco City KL, Kampong Haji Abdullah Hukum, Kuala Lumpur this weekend, 12 November 2016 beginning at 4 pm. 

Devotees are invited to witness this Puja where the bathing ceremony or libation to Agathiyar will be done with 108 herbs followed by feeding the sacrificial fire with these said herbs. 

This event is organized by the Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) (Malaysia Agathiyar Universal Mission- MAUMO on fb).

Thavathiru Kumara Swamigal from the Sri Agathiyar Ashram, Anuvavi Malai Adivaram in Kovai will grace the Puja. (Kumar Agathiyarashram on fb)

"SIVAVAKKIYAM" BOOK RELEASE

Readers in and around Chennai can drop in on a book launch program tomorrow evening. The book entitled "Sivavakkiyam", is jointly written by Prof Dr. TN Ganapathy and Dr. Gita Anand.

Dr Gita Anand's further works are available at https://www.scribd.com/user/199052719/Geetha-Anand, http://lyricsoftheliberated.blogspot.my/, http://agatthiyarjnanam.blogspot.my/

A TRUE GNANI

If he had earlier listed out in his Manumurai Kanda Vasagam his possible past actions that could have constituted as sins and a reason to be born again and again, Ramalinga Adigal in his Muraiyeedu (Thiruarutpa), most modestly sings that he does not know a thing. In a society that claims it knows all, here is a saint who admits to the Lord that he knows not and yearns for his grace.

மருந்தறியேன் மணிஅறியேன் மந்திரம்ஒன் றறியேன் 

மதிஅறியேன் விதிஅறியேன் வாழ்க்கைநிலை அறியேன் 

திருந்தறியேன் திருவருளின் செயலறியேன் அறந்தான் 

செய்தறியேன் மனமடங்கும் திறத்தினில்ஓர் இடத்தே 

இருந்தறியேன் அறிந்தோரை ஏத்திடவும் அறியேன் 

எந்தைபிரான் மணிமன்றம் எய்தஅறி வேனோ 

இருந்ததிசை சொலஅறியேன் எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

அகங்காரக் கொடுங்கிழங்கை அகழ்ந்தெறிய அறியேன் 

அறிவறிந்த அந்தணர்பால் செறியும்நெறி அறியேன் 

நகங்கானம் உறுதவர்போல் நலம்புரிந்தும் அறியேன் 

நச்சுமரக் கனிபோல இச்சைகனிந் துழல்வேன் 

மகங்காணும் புலவரெலாம் வந்துதொழ நடிக்கும் 

மணிமன்றந் தனைஅடையும் வழியும்அறி வேனோ 

இகங்காணத் திரிகின்றேன் எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே.

கற்குமுறை கற்றறியேன் கற்பனகற் றறிந்த 

கருத்தர்திருக் கூட்டத்தில் களித்திருக்க அறியேன் 

நிற்குநிலை நின்றறியேன் நின்றாரின் நடித்தேன் 

நெடுங்காமப் பெருங்கடலை நீந்தும்வகை அறியேன் 

சிற்குணமா மணிமன்றில் திருநடனம் புரியும் 

திருவடிஎன் சென்னிமிசைச் சேர்க்கஅறி வேனோ 

இற்குணஞ்செய் துழல்கின்றேன் எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

தேகமுறு பூதநிலைத் திறம்சிறிதும் அறியேன் 

சித்தாந்த நிலைஅறியேன் சித்தநிலைஅறியேன் 

யோகமுறு நிலைசிறிதும் உணர்ந்தறியேன் சிறியேன் 

உலகநடை யிடைக்கிடந்தே உழைப்பாரில் கடையேன் 

ஆகமுறு திருநீற்றின் ஒளிவிளங்க அசைந்தே 

அம்பலத்தில் ஆடுகின்ற அடியைஅறி வேனோ 

ஏகஅனு பவம்அறியேன் எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே.

வேதாந்த நிலைநாடி விரைந்துமுயன் றறியேன் 

மெய்வகையும் கைவகையும் செய்வகையும் அறியேன் 

நாதாந்தத் திருவீதி நடந்திடுதற் கறியேன் 

நான்ஆர்என் றறியேன்எங் கோன்ஆர்என் றறியேன் 

போதாந்தத் திருநாடு புகஅறியேன் ஞான 

பூரணா காயம்எனும் பொதுவைஅறி வேனோ 

ஏதாந்தீ யேன்சரிதம் எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

கலைமுடிவு கண்டறியேன் கரணமெலாம் அடக்கும் 

கதிஅறியேன் கதிஅறிந்த கருத்தர்களை அறியேன் 

கொலைபுலைகள் விடுத்தறியேன் கோபமறுத் தறியேன் 

கொடுங்காமக் கடல்கடக்கும் குறிப்பறியேன் குணமாம் 

மலைமிசைநின் றிடஅறியேன் ஞானநடம் புரியும் 

மணிமன்றந் தனைஅடையும் வழியும்அறி வேனோ 

இலைஎனும்பொய் உலகினிடை எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

சாதிமதம் சமயம்எனும் சங்கடம்விட் டறியேன் 

சாத்திரச்சே றாடுகின்ற சஞ்சலம்விட் டறியேன் 

ஆதிஅந்த நிலையறியேன் அலைஅறியாக் கடல்போல் 

ஆனந்தப் பெரும்போகத் தமர்ந்திடவும் அறியேன் 

நீதிநெறி நடந்தறியேன் சோதிமணிப் பொதுவில் 

நிருத்தமிடும் ஒருத்தர்திருக் கருத்தைஅறி வேனோ 

ஏதிலர்சார் உலகினிடை எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

சாகாத தலைஅறியேன் வேகாத காலின் 

தரம்அறியேன் போகாத தண்­ரை அறியேன் 

ஆகாய நிலைஅறியேன் மாகாய நிலையும் 

அறியேன்மெய்ந் நெறிதனைஓர் அணுஅளவும் அறியேன் 

மாகாத லுடையபெருந் திருவாளர் வழுத்தும் 

மணிமன்றந் தனைஅடையும் வழியும்அறி வேனோ 

ஏகாய200 உலகினிடை எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

தத்துவம்என் வசமாகத் தான்செலுத்த அறியேன் 

சாகாத கல்விகற்கும் தரஞ்சிறிதும் அறியேன் 

அத்தநிலை சத்தநிலை அறியேன்மெய் அறிவை 

அறியேன்மெய் அறிந்தடங்கும் அறிஞரையும் அறியேன் 

சுத்தசிவ சன்மார்க்கத் திருப்பொதுவி னிடத்தே 

தூயநடம் புரிகின்ற ஞாயமறி வேனோ 

எத்துணையும் குணமறியேன் எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

வரைஅபர மார்க்கமொடு பரமார்க்கம் அறியேன் 

மரணபயம் தவிர்த்திடுஞ்சன் மார்க்கமதை அறியேன் 

திரையறுதண் கடலறியேன் அக்கடலைக் கடைந்தே 

தெள்ளமுதம் உணவறியேன் சினமடக்க அறியேன் 

உரைஉணர்வு கடந்ததிரு மணிமன்றந் தனிலே 

ஒருமைநடம் புரிகின்றார் பெருமைஅறி வேனோ 

இரையுறுபொய் உலகினிடை எங்ஙனம்நான் புகுவேன் 

யார்க்குரைப்பேன் என்னசெய்வேன் ஏதும்அறிந் திலனே. 

Marunthariyeen maniariyeen manthiramon rariyeen
mathiariyeen vithiariyeen vaazkkain-ilai ariyeen
thirunthariyeen thiruvarulin seyalariyeen aranthaan
seythariyeen manamatangkum thiraththiniloor itaththee
irunthariyeen arinthoorai eeththitavum ariyeen
enthaipiraan manimanram eythaari veenoo
irunthathisai solaariyeen engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Akangkaarak kotungkizangkai akazntheriya ariyeen
arivarintha anthanarpaal seriyumn-eri ariyeen
n-akangkaanam uruthavarpool n-alampurinthum ariyeen
n-assumarak kanipoola issaikanin- thuzalveen
makangkaanum pulavarelaam vanthuthoza n-atikkum
manimanran- thanaiataiyum vaziyumari veenoo
ikangkaanath thirikinreen engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Karkumurai karrariyeen karpanakar rarintha
karuththarthiruk kuuttaththil kaliththirukka ariyeen
n-irkun-ilai n-inrariyeen n-inraarin n-atiththeen
n-etungkaamap perungkatalai n-iinthumvakai ariyeen
sirkunamaa manimanril thirun-atanam puriyum
thiruvatien sennimisais seerkkaari veenoo
irkunanjsey thuzalkinreen engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Theekamuru puuthan-ilaith thiramsirithum ariyeen
siththaantha n-ilaiariyeen siththan-ilaiariyeen
yookamuru n-ilaisirithum unarnthariyeen siriyeen
ulakan-atai yitaikkitanthee uzaippaaril kataiyeen
aakamuru thirun-iirrin olivilangka asainthee
ampalaththil aatukinra atiyaiari veenoo
eekaanu pavamariyeen engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee.

Veethaantha n-ilain-aati virainthumuyan rariyeen
meyvakaiyum kaivakaiyum seyvakaiyum ariyeen
n-aathaanthath thiruviithi n-atanthituthar kariyeen
n-aanaaren rariyeeneng koonaaren rariyeen
poothaanthath thirun-aatu pukaariyeen njaana
puuranaa kaayamenum pothuvaiari veenoo
eethaanthii yeensaritham engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Kalaimutivu kantariyeen karanamelaam atakkum
kathiariyeen kathiarintha karuththarkalai ariyeen
kolaipulaikal vituththariyeen koopamaruth thariyeen
kotungkaamak katalkatakkum kurippariyeen kunamaam
malaimisain-in ritaariyeen njaanan-atam puriyum
manimanran- thanaiataiyum vaziyumari veenoo
ilaienumpoy ulakinitai engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee.

Saathimatham samayamenum sangkatamvit tariyeen
saaththirassee raatukinra sanjsalamvit tariyeen
aathiantha n-ilaiyariyeen alaiariyaak katalpool
aananthap perumpookath thamarnthitavum ariyeen
n-iithin-eri n-atanthariyeen soothimanip pothuvil
n-iruththamitum oruththarthiruk karuththaiari veenoo
eethilarsaar ulakinitai engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Saakaatha thalaiariyeen veekaatha kaalin
tharamariyeen pookaatha than­rai ariyeen
aakaaya n-ilaiariyeen maakaaya n-ilaiyum
ariyeenmeyn- n-erithanaioor anualavum ariyeen
maakaatha lutaiyaperun- thiruvaalar vazuththum
manimanran- thanaiataiyum vaziyumari veenoo
eekaaya200 ulakinitai engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Thaththuvamen vasamaakath thaanseluththa ariyeen
saakaatha kalvikarkum tharanjsirithum ariyeen
aththan-ilai saththan-ilai ariyeenmey arivai
ariyeenmey arinthatangkum arinjaraiyum ariyeen
suththasiva sanmaarkkath thiruppothuvi nitaththee
thuuyan-atam purikinra njaayamari veenoo
eththunaiyum kunamariyeen engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Varaiapara maarkkamotu paramaarkkam ariyeen
maranapayam thavirththitunjsan maarkkamathai ariyeen
thiraiyaruthan katalariyeen akkatalaik katainthee
thellamutham unavariyeen sinamatakka ariyeen
uraiunarvu katanthathiru manimanran- thanilee
orumain-atam purikinraar perumaiari veenoo
iraiyurupoy ulakinitai engnganamn-aan pukuveen
yaarkkuraippeen ennaseyveen eethumarin- thilanee. 

Source: http://www.thiruarutpa.org/thirumurai/v/T241/tm/muraiyiitu and http://www.thiruarutpa.org/thirumurai/v/T241/romanized1/muraiyiitu

Manumurai Kanda Vasagam by kamaraj8@rediffmail.com on Scribd

GATHERING HERBS AND TWIGS

In lieu of the upcoming 14th Guru Puja and Agathiyar Jayanthi celebrations in Kallar Ashram beginning 15 December 2016 till 18 December 2016, the second round of collection of herbs and twigs to be offered in the sacrificial fire or Yagam will commence on November 12 and 13. Devotees interested to join in collecting these herbs should meet up at 9am at Kallar Ashram. This team led by Dr Ram Subramanian will head for Othimalai and its foothills. 

Below are photos taken during the earlier gathering on 9th and 16th of October at the hills of Kallar. 

MERITS IN BEING A HOUSEHOLDER

When people come to know that I had retired ahead of my retirement age, they always ask me, "So are you working?", implying if I had another job, and when I reply, "No", the next question fired at me is, "So now, how do you kill time?"

In "The Four Ashramas: The Yogic Stages of Life & What They Can Teach Us, by Jake at 

http://www.thelivingyogablog.com/four-ashramas-yogic-stages-life-can-teach-us/, he summarizes the perception of the general public on retirement perfectly,

Finally, we often see retirement as a sad inevitability – an unfortunate ending that is to be held off as long as possible. And, when that day does finally come, we see it as a source of great sorrow and likely to strip us of both our identity and our usefulness.

True enough, looking around us, it is indeed sad to see folks feeling lost and lonely as they grow old.

When Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal visited my home for the very first time, upon accepting my invitation to have lunch, he read out a poem from his compilation of Siddha Potri, exalting the greatness of feeding a turavi or mendicant. Many merits are derived in ushering these Sadhus into the homes and seeing to their needs. Later he reminded me that it was not enough that I came into the path of the Siddhas, but that I had to bring my family in too. In all the Nadi readings for AVM family members Agathiyar too has said that they shall excel in the Siddha path while remaining as a householder.

The role of the householder is extolled in the scriptures, comparing them with air that is of utmost importance to stay alive. In Sanatana Dharma there is seen "a systematic and orderly arrangement" in living one's life, vis four ashramas namely brahmacarin; grhastha; vanaprastha; and samnyasin. The grhastha or householder is from where the other three ashramas spring from. 

"As all creatures live supported by air, so the other orders exist supported by the householder. Of all these, by the precepts of the Veda-sruti, the householder is called the best; he verily supports the other three. As all streams and rivers flow to rest in the ocean, so all the ashramas flow to rest in the householder" 

There are activities designed for each period of life, divided into four major segments or stages, each extending 21 years (or 25 according to others). 

Manu who wrote the laws for living a rightful life has stated that man should pass through each stage progressively before moving on the next. After acquiring knowledge and education at a young age he lands himself a job and begins to acquire wealth. This wealth is then distributed and upon fulfilling his responsibilities he seeks fulfillment for his soul as an ascetic. He performs rituals and sacrifices and eventually drops even that when he enters the last stage living the life of a samnyasin.

Everything was laid out perfect where "this succession was regarded as very important for the development of the jivatman." After having studied, having offspring, and having performed sacrifices he then steps on the road to moksa. Very rarely do we come across one who skips any of these stages. If he does skip, its because he would then have fully paid his debts to society in previous births.

The householder is required to accumulate wealth, distributing it fairly and forever required to be hospitable to others. He enjoys the wealth and luxury but is always required to give alms.

Upon begetting grandchildren, he then moves on to become a vanaprastha, where he is now dutiful towards the well being of the world. This was mentioned by Agathiyar in Tavayogi's daughter's Nadi where the most compassionate father consoles her when she was rather sad that he father had chosen to leave all behind and become a turavi or monk. Agathiyar mentioned that Tavayogi, who had fulfilled his responsibilities to his family, had a bigger role to play now, one that was for the good of the world.

When I dragged my feet  initially in conducting the homam and abhisegam on the directive of Tavayogi and Agathiyar respectively, for the sole reason that I did not want to end up being a priest, Agathiyar explained to me that I was not doing it for myself but for the well-being of the world and all of humanity.

Similarly man at the vanaprastha stage has a new purpose now. "His duty to the world is now to help it by prayer and sacrifice, and he is accordingly to continue to offer the five daily sacrifices, together with the agnihotra, the new moon and full moon sacrifices."

This simple ascetic life leads him to the last stage, that of the samnyasin - one who has renounced everything and living in solitude and meditation.

"Rejoicing in the supreme Self, sitting indifferently, refraining from sensual delights, with himself for his only friend, let him wander here on earth, aiming at liberation"

Resting in Brahman, he reaches Brahman.

"So wisely did the ancient ones mark out the road along which a man should tread, that any man who takes this plan of life, divided into four stages, will find his outgoing and in-drawing energies rightly balanced. First, the student stage, properly lived and worthily carried out; then the householder stage, with all its busy activity in every direction of worldly business; then the gradual withdrawal from activity, the turning inward, the life of comparative seclusion, of prayer and of meditation, of the giving of wise counsel to the younger generation engaged in worldly activities; and then, the life of complete renunciation."

Hence, "Such was the four ashramas laid out for mankind to achieve the highest end - the helping on of the worlds, and the cooperating with Isvara in his benevolent administration, and his guidance of evolution - verifying in its fullest sense the dictum of Manu."

Reference: Sanatana Dharma by Annie Besant and Bhagavan Das, The Theosophical Publishing House.