ONGKARAKUDIL

Suren Selvaratnam recently concluded his short visit to India with blessings from Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongkarakudil, Thuraiyur. Suren is a frequent visitor at Ongkarakudil in Thuraiyur and their branch in Dengkil, Malaysia.

 

When material and literature on the Siddhas were scarce in the past, Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar was the only source one could turn too. His followers had established many centers affiliated to him in Malaysia back then. Just like others I too seek these centers hungry for any information, material or literature that I could lay my hands on. When I had the opportunity to go to India on my maiden journey in 2003 I included Thuraiyur in my itinerary.

I reproduce below my first notes and entry on my website indianheartbeat about my encounter and meeting with Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar on day 5 of my maiden pilgrimage to India.

I left for Turaiyur at 3.40 pm hoping to get a darshan and blessings of Rengaraaja Desigar Swamigal, founder and patron of the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, at Ongkara Kudil, Turaiyur. I specifically wanted to come here. I had high regards for the Swami as his Nadi revelations was published by his organization, carried praises for the Swami from the Siddhas. 

I reached his ashram at 5 pm. I was welcomed by Nadarajah. On hearing that I was from Malaysia he was overjoyed. He had very high respect for Malaysians. He said, “All these is only possible because of you Malaysians”, pointing to all the structures and facilities put up with donations from Malaysians. I enquired if I could see the Swami. I was told he would be coming in a short while for the evening prayers at 6.30 pm and that I could see him then. While I waited I was served tea. 

After a while Nadarajah, tells me Swami was coming over to meet a couple of businessmen. I was given the opportunity to meet the Swami after them. But before that Nadarajah personally took me around to view all the facilities that they had at the ashram which helps feed the poor. As he ended the tour of the office, kitchen, and stores and other related buildings, he gasped aloud to find that the two visitors had left. He hurried me along to a building, praying that Swami should still be around to see me. 

And there was Rengaraaja Desigar seated alone on the floor in one corner of a small room. There was an aid in attendance standing at the doorway to another room. I entered the room and prostrated in front of the Swami. Deva followed too. Nadarajah introduced me to Swami. Swami talked cheerfully about Kuala Lumpur and enquired from Deva about my arrangement to tour India. I never expected to have an audience with Swami one to one. 

I asked that he bless me. There was no response to my requests. Fearing he might not have heard me I repeated my request. Finally the Swami replied coming to Ongkara Kudil in itself was a blessing. I did not know how to receive his answer then. Nadarajah invited me to stay overnight but I had to turn it down because of prior arrangements to do parikaaram back at the Utamar temple. 

Upon returning back to Malaysia I narrated my visit to Ongkara Kudil and having the audience with Swami to the devotees at Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Dengkil and they were surprised that I was allowed to see Swami that easily and in private. I was told the organization had laid certain rules to restrict the inflow of devotees coming to see Swami, which was taking much of Swami’s time and hindering his meditation. Devotees were required to bring along fruits and flowers that were customary when visiting Swamis and cash of Rs1, 000. It did not occur to me to bring these offerings nor did Nadarajah enlighten me on the procedures. I suppose I was destined to meet the Swami. 

I told myself there could be many reasons for Swami not to bless me as did the other Gurus. I began to question myself if I was not worthy enough to receive his blessings. 

Will Zulkowsky in his book MEETINGS WITH YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR, published by Yogi Ramsuratkumar Bhavan, mentions a similar incident between Yogi Ramsuratkumar and a seeker.

We have the chance of witnessing some really interesting moments with Him (Yogi Ramsuratkumar).

For example, a young American man with a shaved head who had just come from seeing Anandamayee Ma, a famous North Indian Saint, appears one evening while we are sitting with Swami. He tells Swami that he has graduated summa cum laud, i.e. first in his class, from Harvard University and has completed three years at John Hopkins Medical School. As a result of his medical studies, he realizes that pain and suffering are everywhere and has come to India to find out what is the root cause of suffering before he goes out to practice medicine.

Swami first asks him what a dirty beggar like Him could possibly tell a Harvard grad. Swami listens nicely to the man for about two hours and then the man leaves.

A few minutes after the man leaves, Swami turns to us and says that "this beggar could do nothing for that man." 

About ten minutes later, Swami tells us that Anandamayee Ma had made a blessing over that man's head and that He did not want to disturb it.

After many years Agathiyar explains the circumstances surrounding my meeting the Swami and why he did not bless me then in a Nadi reading.

Ganesan Gunarajan of Malaysia too is a regular face at Ongkarakudil and Dengkil. Once he had prayed that Agathiyar provide him an opportunity to feed the poor in Malaysia just as is done at Ongarakudil. Miraculously Ganesan is approached by individuals who ask for food. These individuals were from various faiths and insisted on vegetarian food. Ganesan happily provided for them.