Although I was into Sariyai, taking after my parents, visiting temples, and praying to the many deities at my home altar, I only came to do rituals on my own after coming to the Siddha path. Agathiyar, in calling me to the worship of the Siddhas, in my Nadi reading in 2002, armed me with his painting and a booklet carrying the names of the Siddhas. He then sent Tavayogi over to our shores in 2005, where Tavayogi officially initiated me into doing rituals, such as lighting the sacred fire or Homam. I later guided my family after he asked that I bring them into the Siddha worship too. I began doing the ritual of libation or Abhisegam to Agathiyar's bronze statue, which Agathiyar had me commission and made in Swamimalai in 2010. Later, he sent many youths to watch and participate in our family puja beginning in 2013. Agathiyar came through the Nadi regularly to guide me, apart from Tavayogi, who would do the same through phone calls or whenever he visits Malaysia. If Agathiyar showed me to Tavayogi, Tavayogi asked me not to hold to him, instead showed me to Agathiyar. Tavayogi, who tells us that Agathiyar was God, Taniperung Kadavul, showed me Agathiyar as syllables of his Moola mantra written on paper when he initiated me and several others the first time, on his visit to Malaysia in 2005. After a Nadi reading, where Agathiyar sends me to receive another initiation from him, in private, it came as a "touch" on my shoulders. Tavayogi tells me that Agathiyar came as light the night I arrived at his ashram shortly after, asking what he was going to give me. Bringing me to the woods and jungles, he pointed me to Agathiyar as nature or Prapanjam, showering flower petals on us and coming as aromas. Bringing me to see the miracle where Agathiyar opens his left eye in the granite statue of him at Agasthiyampalli, as Agathiyar had promised in the Nadi, Tavayogi throws in a bonus when we are at Papanasam, where Agathiyar opens both his eyes to see us. Giving me another initiation as a bonus and a parting gift, he told me that Agathiyar was the breath or Vaasi. Agathiyar, who then comes as a bronze statue, an exact replica of his granite statue at Agasthiyampalli in 2010, opens his eyes in his statue in 2013.
Having his devotees bring my family and me to the Kallar hills in 2013, Tavayogi tells me that Agathiyar had come to him as light in the hills. Coming down the steps of the Nattatreeswarar temple in Erode, he tells me that both Agathiyar and Siva were one. Agathiyar, in asking me to let go of him too, asked, "How shall we become one?" He asked that I come to know the Soul or Atma and know Sivam.
I have come one full cycle. I started my journey as a spark, a soul from the source, according to Agathiyar, many crores of years ago, lived through many lives, including that of a Namboothiri priest in Kerala and a fruit seller in Papanasam, took up this body that my soul designed for its current purpose and soon went into hiding, only to have Agathiyar call it out and reveal its purpose through the Nadi and have Tavayogi come knocking on its door, and bringing it to familiar places reminding it of its past bond. Though Agathiyar knows me from the past, I have forgotten him. He had to come knocking on my door and bring me places to remind me of our bond. But the sad thing is that I have yet to know Agathiyar.
I do not know if he was for real. I do not know any "his"tory of his except for what has widely been spread by way of mouth, in the Siddha texts, in books, in research papers, in Nadis, in movies, etc., and the little preview he gave us in his Nadi reading.
Dr. Mandayam Kumar from the Siddha Medical Research Institute in Bangalore gives a short narrative about Agathiyar at http://www.tknsiddha.com/medicine/origin/ and in another article of his, "Siddha Agastya – Foremost of the Siddhas". The Dr mentions that it was possible to find out details about Agathiyar during the course of literary research on the Siddha medical sciences in a Tamil manuscript written on palm leaves about 3,000 years ago. The text attributed to Lord Muruga is titled "Prapancha Kaandam," and according to the Dr runs into several volumes. Agathiyar narrated the contents while his student Pulastyar recorded it.
Sage Agastya is stated to have been born nearly 5000 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga, at a place in Gujarat, as the son of Bhargava and Indumathi, who followed the traditional Pasupatha cult which was widely prevalent at that time.
Agathiyar was said to have been born about 4573 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga at a place in Gujarat, in the early hours of Tuesday, 14 February 7673 BC. Belonging to the early Aryan race, his father Bhargava was well-learned, while his mother Indumathi was from Punjab. They were both devotees of the Pasupatha order of Rishabha Muni.
Agathiyar had his early education in Gujarat. As his thirst for knowledge, in particular on philosophy, yoga, medicine, and astronomy, was immense, he traveled all over Kashmir, Tibet, China, Nepal, and Kailas in Manchuria. (Mount Kailas was deemed to be in Manchuria during that time). He became a disciple of Nandi and Dhanvantri. He then traveled towards the south to Cambodia and Malaya (present-day Malaysia). In Cambodia, he established the very first of his many educational institutions for the propagation of philosophy and science. After establishing a similar institution and hospital in Malaya, he crossed the sea to the continent of Kumari Kandam. During Agathiyar’s time, Kumari Kandam occupied a vast area extending from present-day Sri Lanka to the Antarctic. King Ravana, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, who ruled this continent, gave away a portion of his kingdom to Agathiyar to establish more institutions. The foremost of these institutions in this region was known as Arunodaya Giri or Meozone. Here Agathiyar practiced Yoga and taught it to his large following of disciples. Agathiyar then went back north to Malaya, where he was betrothed to the king’s daughter. (Pa. Kamalakannan in "Cittar Uruvil Shivaperuman", Vanathi Pathippakam, 2007, says Agathiyar married Yasomadhi from Cambodia. Among his children who ruled the land, Yasovarma became a famous ruler.)
He then ruled the kingdom of Vijayapuri. He returned to Kumari Kandam, where he met Lord Murugan in the form of Supramaniar at Trikona Malai (present-day Trincomalee). At the hill station called Kadari Kama or Kadhirgama, Lord Murugan imparted spiritual knowledge to Agathiyar.
Agathiyar could see impending calamities take place in the future during his meditation. As a result, he moved to the North Pole, considering it to be a safe place. This period of his move to the Arctic was said to coincide with the end of the Dwapara Yuga, placed at about 6580 BC. Just as he had seen an impending calamity and had decided to move north, a tremendous explosion on the planet Mars sends a piece of debris toward Earth. This impact caused a great deluge on Earth. Significant portions of Kumari Kandam submerged into the Indian Ocean. Continental drift then resulted in the present-day arrangement of this region. After the great flood, the Himalayan mountain range emerged in North India.
Amidst all these geographical changes, says the Dr, Agathiyar went seeking a place that would not be affected by future calamities. He located a mountain range in South India. This is the present-day Courtalam. This spot is said to be the safest place and free from any future catastrophes. Agathiyar met Lord Dhakshinamurthi, Shenbaga Devi, and Lord Murugan at Mahadeva Giri in Courtalam. This meeting also signified the commencement of the Kali Yuga. Other Siddhas then started coming to Mahadeva Giri. Lord Dhakshinamurthi revived the knowledge of the Vedas and instructed these Siddhas to propagate this knowledge in the appropriate manner and time for the benefit of humanity. The imparting of this knowledge was said to have taken place on the 21st day of the Tamil month of Kartigai, during the eleventh year, Eswara Samvatsara, of Kali Yuga. Agathiyar gave much importance to this day. All his dating was reckoned from this day.
After extensive discussions held in Alagan Kulam, the Siddhas recorded their knowledge on palm leaves and presented them to Lord Dhakshinamurthi for his perusal. This included the 64 kinds of learning, 18 Puranas, 96 tattvas, and 48 branches of scientific knowledge. Agathiyar, on the instruction of Lord Murugan, originated the Tamil language. The entire literature in Tamil came to be called "Siddhaveda". It was then translated into the four existing languages of that period, which were Sanskrit, Greek, Hebrew, and Chinese.
Bhogar from China (Agathiyar in the Jeeva Nadi revelation to Hanumathdasan of Chennai says Bhogar was from Mongolia), Thaeraiyar from Malaya, Yugimuni from Kerala, Pulipani from Kantha Malai, and Pulastyar, and Kapiyar all served Agathiyar. A conference of Siddhas called Siddhar Sabai was held during the 53rd year, Siddharti Samvatsara, of Kali Yuga at Courtalam. An institution known as Siddhar Gnana Koodam was inaugurated by Lord Murugan and was headed by Agathiyar. Pulastyar and Kapiyar headed the literary section while Pulipani headed research. Thaeraiyar, an exponent in surgery, headed a medical research center established at Thorana Malai. Yugimuni, who was into herbal medicines, headed an Ayurvedic hospital at Paradesi Kundai. Bhogar, who was in charge of all scientific research, established an alchemy research center at Tiruparankundram. Pambatti headed a team researching venom at Marudamalai. After having established these institutions, Agathiyar again started on an extensive mission of propagating the wealth of knowledge gained by these Siddhas in Tibet, Manchuria, Egypt, Palestine, Rome, America, Africa, Malaya, and the Arab world.
After satisfactorily completing their mission of propagating the said teachings, the Siddhas went into samadhi, merging themselves into the cosmos. Supramaniar went into samadhi in Thorana Malai, Bhogar in Palani, Thaeraiyar, Pulipani, and Yugimuni in Kantha Malai, and Agathiyar himself chose to come back to Courtalam. He chose a spot called Dhashina Meru in the Pothigai hills. This spot is also the abode of Dhakshinamurthi.
P. Karthigayan, in his book "The History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", Notion Press, 2016, writes that Agathiyar had many mentors, including (Lord) Siva and (Lord) Kumaran, and an equal number of disciples. Agathiyar, in his search for knowledge, approached many people from various communities, finally picked up the yogic way, and excelled in it. On achieving the inner glow, he took on the name Agathiyar. P. Karthigayan lists out an extensive list of Agathiyar's contributions towards the community and humanity, hence receiving the famed title Gurumuni or great mentor. P. Karthigayan dates Agathiyar's achievements accordingly as pre- and post-Sanga period, whence the establishment of the Sangam or literary academia took place. If during his pre-Sanga days, he was into yogic practices, after the establishment of the Sanga, in his post-Sanga years, he concentrated on medicine and science. He established more Sangams and monasteries, pioneered and promoted the Tamil script and Tamil grammar, collected and compiled the works of the Siddhas and published them, streamlined the Siva faith, spread the Siddha Marga, and exposed the false teachings, in total bringing a Renaissance. His greatest achievement was his ability to live for four eons, at the time of mention in writing by Bhogar, and still lives among us in the present times. Agathiyar is said to have "given rise to 48 generations."
M. Govindan, in "Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga tradition", Kriya Yoga Publications, Quebec, Canada, 1991, details Agathiyar's journey as starting at Agastya Ashram near Nasik (Pancavati in ancient times), married King Vidarbha’s daughter Lobhamudra (mentioned in the Mahabharata), and met up with Rama. Then his pilgrimage takes him south, where he has a residence at Malakuta near Badami (ancient Vatapi Puram or Dakshina Kasi) in the northern part of present-day Karnataka. He then comes further south to the Pothigai Hills. He moves on to the Indonesian islands, the islands of Borneo, and takes up residence in Maha Malaya hill in Malaya Dvipa. He enters Siam (present-day Thailand) and Cambodia, where he marries Yasomadhi. They beget a young prince named Yasovarma. Agathiyar is reported to be living until the present day at Courtalam.
Pon. Govindaswamy, in his book, "Sirsabaiyum Porsabaiyum", Bharath Book Bureau, 1985, mentions that Agathiyar took birth as Valluvar and gave us the "Tirukural" besides other texts. He mentions that Agathiyar took birth as Ramalinga Adigal in the 19th century and gave us the "Tiruarutpa".
When the south tip had raised after all the Gods and Goddesses, Devas and Devis, Siddhas, Rishis, Munis, and many more deities and divinities gathered at Kailash to witness Lord Shiva's marriage to Goddess Parvathi, Agathiyar was sent to the south to bring about a balance. Pon. Govindaswamy, in his book, "Vallalarum Bramagnana Sangamum", Bharath Book Bureau, calls this event where the earth tilted a Mystical Occult Event. This event is mentioned by Tirumular in his Tirumanthiram.
Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar, in his book, "Potrinal Unathu Vinai Agalum Appa", explains further the process through which Agathiyar attained the highest state, that of becoming one with Erai or God. I shall run through a translation of his writing, originally in Tamil, briefly.
This state was granted to Agathiyar by his Guru Supramaniar (Lord Muruga) because Agathiyar had provided the space, shelter, and all comforts for Supramaniar to carry on with his penances (tapas) and austerities (tavam) in a past birth. Agathiyar was 60 years of age then when Supramaniar attained the body of Light through his tapas, thanks to Agathiyar looking after all of Supramaniar's needs. Supramaniar promised Agathiyar that they shall meet in a subsequent birth and that he shall return the favor. Agathiyar mentions that he learned the Siddha way from Supramaniar. Supramaniar granted Agathiyar the body of Light or Jhothi Nilai in a subsequent birth as an appreciation of Agathiyar's service rendered to him and for helping Supramaniar himself achieve his desire in attaining the Jhothi Nilai. In that birth, Agathiyar traveled in vain in search of his ideal guru. As foretold in the earlier birth, Agathiyar eventually met Supramaniar at Kodaikanal, where Supramaniar made him recall the past and, as promised in return for all his services in the past birth, blessed Agathiyar and taught him secrets of attaining the state of Erai. This reminds us of how Mahavatar Babaji came for Lahiri Mahasaya to redeem him, showing him his past belongings to trigger his memory of his forgotten past.
Agathiyar began by performing puja to Supramaniar. By way of devotion to Supramaniar, he began to realize that he had had the greatest gift, which was the human birth, which comes by very rarely. Through Supramaniar, he came to know himself and the divinity that resided in the physical body. He understood the very Nature that brought him forth and resided within him. With Supramaniar's guidance and blessings, Agathiyar relished the ambrosia or nectar that came about through his tapas. This removed the seven veils to reveal the Jhothi in him, hence attaining the body of Light. With this came Bliss, Siddhis, and the state of Deathless-ness. Agathiyar attained the five natures or Tanmai of Erai, namely Creation, Sustenance, Destruction, Veiling, and Showering Grace. Supramaniar granted Agathiyar the title Gurumuni and Kumbamuni and sent him off to spread the Siddha way extensively all over the globe, bringing many into his fold. All the Siddhas soon looked upon Agathiyar as their Guru.
We learn from Vashisht Vaid's blog https://holysageagathiyar.com/ that at the Tamil Sangam, Agathiyar presented before the assembly of Gods and Goddesses, the Sages, Siddhas, Rishis, and Munis, the Five Tenets that defined man's purpose in taking birth.
There you have it, the many stories and versions of the origin and travels of Agathiyar according to ancient scrolls, masters, and scholars.
Then, when curiosity took hold of us and we wanted to know from the horse's mouth, Suren placed the question before the grandmaster himself in 2017. Agathiyar has never spilled the beans about his origin to us, until that moment of "confrontation". Although he asked of what use was it to us, the most compassionate and loving father shared a tiny weeny bit with us. The story goes as follows.
Agathiyar, in his very first mortal birth, had the vision of Kailash at a very young age of 10. After having the vision, he took up extreme tapas (tavam), including breath control. With the holy feet of the Sadguru forever in his thought, he reached a state of Nirmala at Kailash. Upon receiving theecha from Lord Kailai Shiva, he was blessed to be born a Siddha. It was a mystical birth. Agathiyar adds that it was not necessary to delve into the source and the details (Rishimulam Nadhimulam Ariyalaagaathu).
Born as a Siddha now and moving in the jungles, sustaining only on fruits, his thoughts were fixed on Erai. He soon had the vision and grace of Goddess Vana Kali. Continuing with his seeking and search for realization and further severe tavam, in Pothigai, Agathiyar came to know about the medicinal benefits of various herbs and plants. Lord Kailai Shiva showed himself in a vision and conferred on him the names Gurumuni, Kudamuni, and Kumbamuni. Though he had merged with Erai, Agathiyar stayed on at Pothigai upon Lord Kailai Shiva's directive. Time went by as Agathiyar went without food, remained in silence, stayed in the state of Vasi, adhered to the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, and performed extreme tapas for the rest of the Yuga. He gained the Siddhi to travel through the air. Having achieved so much, yet Lord Kailai Shiva told Agathiyar that there was something that he had failed to accomplish and do. When Agathiyar asked for further clarification, Lord Kailai Shiva laughed and looked him in the eye, and said, "Although you are an embodiment of Jnana, and those who hold on to your feet shall never face any disappointments, Gurumuni, you do not have a companion as I do." Agathiyar was taken aback. He came to know that the Lord intended to get him engaged to the very representation of Mother Kaveri, and Kaberan's daughter, Lobamutrai. Hence, in this Kali Yuga, his energy that was of Shiv Sakthi came to reside at Kalyana Theertam with the intention of blessing all those who saw him and Lobha Ma as a personification of Shiv Sakthi.
If we have all these great stories to go by, Agathiyar went beyond paper and pen, scriptures and texts, and he went beyond speaking through Nadis, coming into our humble homes and into his devotees, living and dining with us as family, conversing with us, and enjoying the songs that we play. We are blessed to be personally touched by him. His touch has done wonders that words cannot describe. One has to travel his path to know him. Mere research and talk about him only inflates our ego and distances us. One has to take up his course for all of mankind alike, as he had revealed at the Tamil Sangam.
1. Man has to first and foremost understand his purpose in taking birth.
2. With his purpose known then, he should come to thank the divine creator or energy that brought forth his birth (through consultation with the lunar forefathers and their angelic hierarchies that co-exist with us down here).
3. We then thank all the caretakers, both seen and unseen, in the present and the past.
4. There arises then an obligation on our part to "dutifully aid and help, the ongoing evolution of all co-existing human beings."
5. The final task is to extend this aid and help towards "the ongoing evolution of all co-existing beings and entities, existing upon the lower levels of the evolutionary ladder, dutifully supporting the manifested matrix or Prapanjam."
(Summarized from Vashisht Vaid's post on his blog https://holysageagathiyar.com/ )
Rather than investigate his origins and delve into it, Agathiyar walks us on his path and mission instead. One has to course through his teachings, not in the classrooms or in present times online courses, but walk the talk and see his presence everywhere in the good, bad, and ugly too. These experiences bring us closer to knowing the man.
Agathiyar asked that we let go, even him, to know him. We have to step out of Dvaita into Advaita to become one with him, the Yegan.
He asks us to know the Tatvas to come to know the soul or JeevAtma or the Pasu that "currently operates within, and navigates the 24 Ashuddha Tattwas."
One then has to carefully tread the path the Soul brings us to, just as Lord Muruga came to warn us, as "it is operating within the Guna field of Prakriti Maya."
He is then a Jeevan Mukta, a liberated soul.
"This is what Saiva Siddhantam means when it speaks of liberation not as an escape from the world but as a transformation of one's relationship to it. The cosmos remains. Its order remains. Its instruments of karma — the Navagrahas, the Nakshatras, the turning of Dashas — remain. What does not remain is the misidentification of the soul with its Prarabdha. And in that dissolution, which is the work of Grace alone, the planets that once signified bondage become, as Sambandar sang without hesitation, pure good — Nanmayae." (Source: Siva Thondan)
Finally, "arriving at the summit — the five Suddha Tattwas, the level of Shiva's own nature," we shall know Sivam.