When my daughter and I were having lunch moments ago at a restaurant run by a charitable organisation, a verbal argument between the workers that almost led to a physical fight erupted. Some of the customers hurriedly packed up and left. I wonder if they were volunteers who served the religious organisation or paid workers. Volunteers from the pool of seekers tend to observe the virtues taught by the masters and gurus. If someone is on the payroll, then there's not much to say. Charitable and religious organisations should look to their own followers to volunteer in such endeavours to safeguard their name and image. Similarly, I have always wondered if the gurus knew their students well enough before initiating them, for we see students tarnish the good name of both the establishments and the masters, often leaving their gurus because of disputes, belittling them, or washing dirty linens in public later, or forgetting these gurus and switching to another promising one, thinking that the pastures were greener on the other side. Then there are the masters and gurus too, who, by their acts and arrogance and egoistic behaviour, tarnish the lineage that they have come to belong to; some are implicated in misbehaviour, sexual misconduct, or crime.
Speaking to Balamurugan on another unrelated subject, I could see a tie with what he told me about accountability and responsibility in the corporate sector and these establishments too. This applies to the religious circle too. Coming from a Chartered Accountant himself, I understood the difference between the two. As a student or a follower in an ashram, or for that matter a staff in an organisation, we are only responsibility to see to the chores or tasks given, while the guru is accountable for everything at the ashram and, for that matter, a CEO is accountable for the whole company. We can wash our hands; the guru cannot. So can the staff, but not the CEO. We are only responsible, but he is accountable. We can leave at any moment. He cannot walk away.
Tavayogi's parting words to me over the phone from his hospital bed were that in the event he doesn't return to his Ashram, Mataji shall run the establishment. After Tavayogi's demise, Mataji Saroji Ammaiyar has taken the role of managing the Ashram, and she has done a pretty good job, amidst financial constraints, as the Ashram does not generate any income; it solely depends on the generosity of its devotees and visitors, which reminds me of a conversation I had with a colleague when I told her that I was going over to Kallar Ashram in 2005. Her immediate response was, "Everything is free then - lodging, food, etc". I had to remind her that they have to pay for the utility bills and upkeep and maintenance of the place, and for providing food during our stay. It is the small contributions that we make that cater to all the needs of others who visit the Ashram after us, just as someone had paid for my stay earlier.
Watching the videos as I began editing them to upload on YouTube after receiving the video footage from her some days ago, I should say that Mataji has outdone the guru in many ways, which is truly encouraging and makes us fellow followers on the path of the Siddhas proud. I am sure both Tavayogi and Agathiyar are proud of her too. I am glad that he handed it to her, for it is in safe hands. We at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) stand by her selfless contribution towards the upliftment of many who sought the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham until today.