GURU PURNIMA

According to Wikipedia,

The Guru Purnima celebration is marked by ritualistic respect to the guru, Guru Puja. The Guru Principle is said to be a thousand times more active on the day of Guru Purnima than on any other day.

In the yogic tradition, the day is celebrated as the occasion when Shiva became the first guru, as he began the transmission of yoga to the Saptarishis. The story goes that over 15,000 years ago, a yogi appeared in the upper regions of the Himalayas. Nobody knew what his origins were. But his presence was extraordinary, and people gathered. However, he exhibited no signs of life, but for the occasional tears of ecstasy that rolled down his face. People began to drift away, but seven men stayed on.

When he opened his eyes, they pleaded with him, wanting to experience whatever was happening to him. He dismissed them, but they persevered. Finally, he gave them a simple preparatory step and closed his eyes again. The seven men began to prepare.

Days rolled into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, but the yogi’s attention did not fall upon them again.

After 84 years of sadhana, on the summer solstice that marks the advent of Dakshinayana, the earth’s southern run, the yogi looked at them again. They had become shining receptacles, wonderfully receptive. He could not ignore them anymore.

On the very next full moon day, the yogi turned south and sat as a guru to these seven men. The Adiyogi (the first yogi) thus became the Adi Guru. Adiyogi expounded these mechanics of life for many years. The seven disciples became celebrated as the Saptarishis and took this knowledge across the world.

Guru Purnima is held sacred in the yogic tradition because the Adiyogi opened up the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously. The seven different aspects of yoga that were put in these seven individuals became the foundation for the seven basic forms of yoga, something that has still endured.

Many Hindus celebrate the day in honor of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions and a symbol of the Guru-shishya tradition. Vyasa was not only believed to have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, which ends on this day, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Veda Vyasa, did yeoman service to the cause of Vedic studies by gathering all the Vedic hymns extant during his times, dividing them into four parts based on their use in the sacrificial rites, and teaching them to his four chief disciples – Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu. He divided the Veda into four, namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. 

Vyasa also wrote the Mahabharatam, Shrimad Bhagwatam and the 18 Puranas. 

LIVE STREAMING OF SIDDHAS POOJA.

Screen grabs by Praba Shanmugam

On November 8, 2014 Stalin messaged me if I could "make arrangements to see Agathiyar's pooja live during important days (for all)."

I have been on Skype with Jnana Jyothiamma. Then when Valli from USA too wanted to watch, I had to arrange 2 laptops. 

So when Stalin asked I recalled that I had an account with http://www.ustream.tv/ but never actually got to stream before. 

So I did a trial run and reported back to Stalin, "Done Stalin. Posted the link on my blog. Tested it too. It works. Will try to come on air on Thursdays."

And so began a saga of streaming live Siddhas Pooja. Stalin without fail created digital posters announcing the dates of the pooja. 

Agathiyar surprisingly, spoke about the streaming in advance in the Nadi reading on September 21, 2014 (http://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2015/04/nadi-reading-no-48.html)

I wish to thank Stalin for doing a wonderful job, taking time from his busy schedule as a medical student, volunteering to create these wonderful masterpieces.

LIVING FULLY IN THE PRESENT PART 1

The following story is retold from a post at www.siddhayoga.org

This is a story of a seeker in search of a master who could show him the creator.

This seeker was always amazed by the beauty of the Himalayan range since young. Each time as he traveled through the Himalayas he was captivated by the sight he saw; the sun shining on the mountains that made them glow in the evening sun, as if made of gold. He was immensely taken aback by the sheer beauty of the mountains in the moments between day and night; indeed a true sight to behold. He stood in awe and beheld its beauty, for hours on end. Amazed by the beauty of creation, he yearned to meet its creator. And thus he went in search of a master who could show him the creator.

He was pointed to a master in the valley beyond the mountains. After having traveled far and for a long time, he finally stood at the doorway of the masters home - a small hut snuggled comfortably in the valley in the shadows of the Himalayan mountains. The seeker knocked the door to the master's hut. The door opened almost immediately and he was greeted personally by the master, as if the master was expecting his arrival.

The seeker told the master of his intention in coming over, "O Master, I have been searching for God for many years. I have traveled far and long. I yearn to know the truth. Please grant me enlightenment", and waited in anticipation.

The master replied that he shall give him initiation the next day and added that he (the seeker) will experience what he had set out to seek. The master then invited him to stay overnight.

The master's reply did not go well with the seeker who was already impatient and tired after all the years of traveling and seeking.

Reluctantly he sat at the corner watching the master begin his Sandhya or evening prayer. The master began to light up lamps, 108 in total, while chanting mantras. As darkness fell on the little hut tugged far away in the vast valley, hidden from sight and overshadowed by the majestic mountains of the Himalayas, the master's home took on a new glow. It lit up in luminosity from the many lamps being lighted, one at a time, patiently and with much care and attention by the master. As each lamp was lit, the seeker realized then that the glow of the mountains in the evening sun was not comparable at all to that of the lit lamps.

The seeker who was quite annoyed and sore that he was not initiated on arrival, watched from afar, not participating or assisting to light the lamps. He wondered why a realized soul would still want to do rituals, considering it a waste of time.

But the master went on lighting the remaining lamps, chanting all the while. He lighted each and every one of the lamps with love and attention. As he lit each lamp, it shone with all its brightness, putting to shame the rays of the evening sun. As the master completed lighting the last lamp and arose to leave, the seeker cornered him, asking, "What about my enlightenment?'

The master turned to him and replied the same, that he would be initiated the next morning. The seeker, now visibly agitated, continued to question the master, "Why do I need to wait all night? I did not come here to light lamps. I came here to know the truth!" The master replied calmly, "I have lit each and every lamp with love for God, with the light from my very heart. It is done out of love for God and I do it every evening. If you do not believe in this ritual, put out the flames before you go to bed. I will initiate you tomorrow." Saying thus, he left the prayer room. 

The seeker was plunged in deep thought; whether to do nothing and wait for dawn to break when he would be initiated by the master as promised or to put out the flame. Finally he decided to extinguish the flame. He took a deep breath and blew at the lamps. Sadly not a single lamp went out. He tried several times until he grew tired and out of breath. Now even more determined then ever to put out the flames, he began to fetch water in a bucket and tried to doze the flames, but to his disappointment, the lamps remained lighted. Drenched and exhausted from carrying the water from a nearby well several times, he gave up, seeing the flames burn even more brightly. Realizing that all the measures he took to extinguish the flame were in vain, and pointless, he stopped trying to extinguish the flames further, and finally surrendered. 

Just then the master entered the room reciting the morning prayer. The seeker suddenly realized that it was the moment of dawn and the break of light. He had schemed and worked all through the night to extinguish the flames. 

The exhausted seeker looked up at the master. Behold! He only saw light. There was no master, no hut, no mountain, and no seeker! Just "that"! He did not know how long this state lasted. Finally he heard the master utter, "That is the truth!" The seeker felt the master's gentle touch on his head. Immediately he experienced his being illumined by a thousand beams of golden light!

His journey had ended. He asked to stay and light the lamps with the master!

Sri Muthukumara Swamigal who has the Jeeva Nadha Brahma Suvadi, lights lamps every full moon at the Sri Shenbhaga Devi temple at Courtallam and provides a reading too.

A friend of mine from Slovenia shared a miracle that his French friend witnessed in Pondicherry. The Frenchman was taken by a local Indian to see a Swami. The Swami took them to a nearby hut and drew a chakra on the barren ground of the hut. He then started chanting as he threw flowers into the chakra. After some time to their amazement a Nadi materializes from within the chakra on the ground! The Nadi had messages for all three of them!

Thondu Seivom members will be lighting 108 lamps at Batu Caves this Sunday. 

THUNAI NEE VARUVAAI AMMA

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE SIDDHAS PART 2

Srinath Raghavan was surprised to find a story he wrote in to a website some time back resurfaced again. His miracle story strengthens our faith on the Divine.

"Why Worry? All will be well." - Srinath Raghavan

Hi, My name is Srinath and Mumbai is my Karma Bhoomi. Born in Madurai, South India, Mumbai is my home, since the beginning of my 37 year old life. 2011 was a turning point in my life and my family's too. I had just landed up accepting an offer of a Regional Head of a Learning & Development firm; a designation, which had come after much effort and persistence; given to the fact that I had to take the long route of constant failures, so to experience success.

A few months into the role and calamity struck. my Father, a hardcore diabetic, had his first heart attack. It was the night of May 13th 2011, when he complained of acute shortness of breath and pain in the shoulders. Immediately we rushed him to the nearby hospital, in the hope that he will be fine soon. But as fate would have it, he was held back for almost a week, before his condition seriously deteriorated and the doctors gave up all hope. We had gone through many hard things in life, but that was the first time, I felt utterly helpless in my life. I remember him limp and lifeless on the hospital bed, with tubes running all through and over him, as he was kept painfully alive, because of a ventilator. The doctors asked me, as the eldest son in the family of four, to make a decision. The hospital expenses too were hitting the roof and we did not know what to do. And as luck would have it, my then boss, wasn't too happy about my absence and told me to report to work, at least partially.

Deep down in my heart, I was broken and I needed help and guidance from the Divine. In that moment of desperation and hopelessness, the messages from the Divine started. While I was sitting on the porch, shedding silent tears, I saw a man wearing a T-Shirt enter, with the words emblazoned "Why Worry? All will be well." That was the first sign of hope. I immediately left everything and everyone behind and rushed to the abode of my Gurudeva, Baba Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, a small village in the outskirts of the city, which held the mortal remains of the great Siddha. As I landed there, and stood in front of the Murti, words of praise, began to pour from my lips, that too in Marathi, a language I am least conversant in. The priest on duty, seeing me shed copious tears, came and handed to me a small bottle containing the Abhisheka Jala, sanctified water, and told me to administer it to my dad and reassured, "Why worry? All will be well." Those words hit me like a lighting from above, for I had seen it before somewhere. Tears stopped and a strange smile lit my face, as I knew deep within, my dad will be saved. I went back home, with renewed hope in my heart and the rest is history.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE SIDDHAS PART 1

"Alai meethu alaiyaaga thuyar vanthu serum pothu, "nee anjaathey" yenum kuralai sevi ketkuthey". Digital Photo by Bala Chandran Gunasekaran

Arunagirinathar wanting to end his life jumped off the temple tower at Thiruvannamalai. He was saved by ERAI.

Yogi Ramaiah, bed ridden and in a full cast, for 6 long years, decided to end his life by holding his breath. He was reminded that ERAI was there. Babaji told him, "Do not take your life! Give it to me!" Surprised and taken aback by the divine intervention, Ramaiah surrendered himself to Babaji.

To all those who went to Chitramuthu Adigal seeking solace from their sufferings, he gave them hope with the following words, "Do not worry? All shall be well"

Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal on the brink of ending his life at the railway tracks, was assured that ERAI was there. Now when people come to Tavayogi with problems, he says the same, "Do not fear. Agathiyar is there."

When my daughter broke her leg, Agathiyar came to her aid, reminding her that he was there. When my other daughter came down with Dengue fever, Agathiyar and Thirumular came to her aid. When I was subdued by the same fever a year later, Agathiyar came to my aid.

When Bala Chandran Gunasekaran's mother was not well, Agathiyar listening to Bala's prayer, came to her aid.

When a Chinese lady walked into Nadi Nool Aasan T.Ramesh's office for a solution to her problems, Agathiyar assured her that he was there.

Prolong suffering does bring man to end his life. But Erai comes in the nick of time to stop them and assure them that all shall be well, turning them into divine souls. They then become the messenger of Erai, thus saving more souls and bringing them to HIS fold.

When I read the Nadi for the very first time I was told to come into their fold. Similarly many of my friends at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia have taken Agathiyar's hand and have begun to walk the path of the Siddhas. Taking Agathiyar's hand and walking his path, rest assured that you are in good hands. 

Ramalinga Adigal assures us that Erai is there for us in the Arutpa hymn, அஞ்சாதே நெஞ்சே 

அஞ்சா தே நெஞ்சே அஞ்சா தே 

anjaathey nenje anjaathey

அஞ்சா தே நெஞ்சே அஞ்சா தே. 

anjaathey nenje anjaathey

வஞ்சமி லார்நாம் வருந்திடில் அப்போதே 

vanjamillaar naam varunthidil appothey

அஞ்சலென் பார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

anjalenbaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

துய்யர் அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதியார் நம்முடை 

thuiyar arutperum jyotiyaar nammudai

அய்யர் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aiyar etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

மண்ணில் நமையாண்ட வள்ளலார் நம்முடை 

mannil namai aanda vallalaar nammudai

அண்ணல் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

annal etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

இப்புவி யில்நம்மை ஏன்றுகொண் டாண்டநம் 

eppuviyil nammai yendrukondaanda nam

அப்பர் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

appar etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

சித்தர் எலாம்வல்ல தேவர் நமையாண்ட 

sittar yellam valla devar namai aanda

அத்தர் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

attar etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

சோதி அருட்பெருஞ் சோதியார் நம்முடை 

jyothi arutperum jyothiyaar nammudai

ஆதி இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aathi etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

தாண்டவ னார்என்னைத் தான்தடுத் தாட்கொண்ட 

thaandavanaar yennai thaan thadut thaatkonda

ஆண்டவ னார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aandavanaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

வன்பர் மனத்தை மதியா தவர்நம 

vanbar manatthai mathiyatavar nama

தன்பர் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

thanbar etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

தெருளுடை யார்எலாஞ் செய்யவல் லார்திரு 

theruludaiyaar yellam seiya vallaar thiru

அருளுடை யார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aruludaiyaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

நம்மை ஆட்கொள்ள நடம்புரி வார்நம 

nammai aatkolla nadampurivaar nama

தம்மை யினோடிதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

thammaiyinodu etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

தன்னைஒப் பார்சிற் சபைநடஞ் செய்கின்றார் 

thannai oppaar sirsabai nadan seikindraar 

அன்னைஒப் பார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

annai oppaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

பாடுகின் றார்க்கருட் பண்பினர் ஞானக்கூத் 

paadukindraarku arut panpinar jnana kut

தாடுகின் றார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

thaadukindraar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

காதரிப் பார்கட்குக் காட்டிக் கொடார்நம்மை 

kaataripaarkatku kaathikodaar nammai

ஆதரிப் பார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aatharipaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

நீளவல் லார்க்குமேல் நீளவல்லார் நம்மை 

neelavallaarkku mel neelavallaar nammai

ஆளவல் லார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aalavallaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

இன்புடை யார்நம் இதயத் தமர்ந்தபே 

enpudaiyaar nam ethaiyatthu amarntha per

ரன்புடை யார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

anbudaiyaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

உபய பதத்தைநம் உச்சிமேற் சூட்டிய 

ubaya pathatthai nam uchimel suttiya

அபயர் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

abayar etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

வேண்டுகொண் டார்என்னை மேல்நிலைக் கேற்றியே 

vendukondaar yennai melnilaikku yetriye

ஆண்டுகொண் டார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

aandukondaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

எச்சம்பெ றேல்மக னேஎன்றென் னுள்உற்ற 

yecham perel magane yendrennul uttra

அச்சம் தவிர்த்தவர் அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

atcham thavirthavar ambalathil erukkindraar anjaathey

நமுதன் முதற்பல நன்மையு மாம்ஞான 

namuthan muthal pala nanmaiyummaam jnana

அமுதர் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

amuthar etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

செடிகள் தவிர்த்தருட் செல்வ மளிக்கின்ற 

sedigaltavirtharul selvamalikkindra

அடிகள் இதோதிரு வம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

adigal etho thiru ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

விரசுல கெல்லாம் விரித்தைந் தொழில்தரும் 

virasulakellaam viritthaintholil tharum

அரசுடை யார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் அஞ்சா தே 

arasudaiyaar etho ambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

செறிவுடை யார்உளத் தேநடஞ் செய்கின்ற 

seriyudaiyaar ullathey nadan seikindra

அறிவுரு வார்இதோ அம்பலத் திருக்கின்றார் 

arivuruvaar etho thiruambalathil irukkindraar anjaathey

அஞ்சா தே நெஞ்சே அஞ்சா தே 

anjaathey nenje anjaathey

அஞ்சா தே நெஞ்சே அஞ்சா தே

anjaathey nenje anjaathey

(Source of Tamil Lyrics: http://www.thiruarutpa.org/)

SWAMIMALAI

Agathiyar reveals the significance and auspiciousness of Swamimalai in a recent Jeeva Nadi reading.

AGATHIYAR'S ADVICE

Agathiyar has been guiding many through the Nadi readings. For first time seekers he ask that they conduct atonements or parikaram to rid them of their past karmas. Once these are completed, he guides seekers further, advising, recommending, and in some cases directing and instructing them.

Similarly Agathiyar has advised my family and me on all facets of life through the numerous Nadi readings.

When my daughter seeked out Agathiyar for her health problems, Agathiyar besides mentioning other remedies, advised her to rinse her mouth with sesame oil. On searching the net, we realized that this age old practise was adopted in India since time immemorial. It is called Oil Pulling in modern times. From http://jezebel.com/the-oil-pulling-health-craze-works-just-not-in-the-w-1538252677 it is written that "When we improve oral health, we improve so many other things in the body". It is also mentioned in the post that "Oil pulling is a folk remedy that originated in India (and appears in an early text of Ayurvedic medicine, aka traditional Indian medicine, which is considered alternative medicine, the Charaka Samhita.)" It did address my daughters "irregular menstrual cycles" as listed as part of the benefits attained by doing this practice at http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/10-health-benefits-oil-pulling.html

Agathiyar also told her to soak her feet and hands in rock salt solution, a technique to "cleanse our subtle system".

When Agathiyar told her to consume sesame seeds in any form, after she fractured her leg, we went back to Mr Google. We discovered that sesame seed has a high content of calcium, a much needed component in healing bones. The zinc in sesame seeds promotes bone health too.

When I had sinus congestion and antibiotics did not bring relief, my pharmacists recommended the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Starter Kit, a modern day neti pot and salt (USP grade [purity level 99% or higher] sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate mixture to be dissolved in warm water) to help flush the sinuses  I was relieved immediately. I have since recommended many on the benefits of doing nasal cleaning too. See http://empoweredsustenance.com/himalayan-salt-benefits/

When I had to endure body pains for a long time, I seeked medical advice. But nothing was found to be wrong with me. I then seeked Agathiyar for an explanation. Agathiyar explained that after adhering to a strict regime of consuming satvic food and putting into practice various asanas and pranayama techniques, these had brought about significant changes in the energy level in my body resulting in the appearance of the aforesaid discomfort and ailment. Agathiyar instructed that I stop all forms of regime immediately. He asked that I consume Tripala in any form to bring back balance to the three Doshas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  Agathiyar too asked that I consume Amla or Nellikai (Indian Gooseberry) in any form. These brought relieve and cure.

When Surendaran Selvaratnam went for a Nadi reading a couple of days ago, he too was advised to stop performing all severe forms of tapas or austerities immediately. 

Ananda Jyothiamma's health too has been regularly monitored personally by Agathiyar who has advised her on taking numerous Siddha preparations and medicines under his watchful eyes while performing tapas in seclusion and in his custody.

A devotee who frequented AVM, once told me he was undergoing ailments and pain result of certain practices and techniques. I told him to go back to his Guru or master. He told me his Guru himself was not in the state of mind to help him!

I received an email many years ago from someone in New Delhi. He was suffering from energy blockages. His many masters could not help him. After 8 years I emailed him again asking if he had recovered. The poor soul was still suffering!

Another person ended up at AVM to narrate his problem. His master had purposely placed a block in his practice! As a result he was suffering too. 

I realized there is a need for a Guru, who not only initiates a student into a practice, but also brings to a stop that very practice once it has served its purpose. A Guru should also monitor the progress of his student and advise accordingly. The Guru too should have the knowledge to heal or clear blockages in the physical and psychic bodies and obstacles on the path of the student.

With Guru Purnima around the corner, lets pay gratitude to our Gurus who have been a beacon to us.

Additional resources: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-super-health-benefits-of-sesame-seeds.html#ixzz3h31WZuDh, http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3070/2

THAVATHIRU RENGARAJA DESIGAR SWAMIGAL - A GNANI WITH A BIG HEART

When Agathiyar asked me to come to his path after I read my Kaanda Nadi for the very first time in 2002, Nadi Nool Aasan Senthilkumar handed me Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar Swamigal's compilation of Siddha names in booklet form, while Sivabalan handed me a picture of Agathiyar. Sentilkumar also handed me a leaflet from Thaai Veedu Thangarasan making known his intention to build a temple for Agathiyar at Kallar. 

Senthilkumar called me over later to perform a Siddha puja at Sivabalan's premises where he stayed and provided his services. I was initiated into prayers to Agathiyar and the Siddhas that day. 

I began to search for material and people associated with Agathiyar. 

This brought me to the Malaysia Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Kurukula Eyakam at Kampung Laksamana in Batu Caves and the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Dengkil. 

I met Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar Swamigal at Ongkarakudil in 2003. Although I was in India to perform and fulfill my atonement or parikaram, I wanted very much to go over to Ongkarakudil and meet the Swami. I arrived at the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Thuraiyur at 5 in the evening. Sri Nadaraja told me I could meet the Swami at 6.30pm when he comes out of his austerity or tavam and participates in the evening prayers, blessing all those present, then. 

Meanwhile Nadaraja served me tea and placed all their mission's publications before me. as I was browsing through these, he came over and told me that a couple of men will arrive shortly from Bombay to see the Swami regarding providing a Solar system for the temple/ashram complex, and added that I could then see the Swami once they left. I was overjoyed for the offer and thanked him. 

Before I met the Swami, Nadaraja told me that he had to take me around the complex to show me the extend and amount of contributions and the nature of work the Sangam was involved in. I was told that this was a directive from the Swami to all those visiting the Sangam. 

Nadaraja took some time to show me around the premises pointing out to me all the services they were providing, altogether forgetting about bringing me to see the Swami early. When he suddenly realized the fact, he hurried me along praying that the Swami should not have returned to his room. 

I was fortunate to find the Swami still seated on the floor, in a corner of the room, while an aid waited on him at the door to another room. His guests had returned.

Nadaraja introduced me to the Swami. Deva, who was tasked to drive me around by the local tour agent, and I fell inches away from his feet. The Swami entertained us. After a while we took leave, thanking him for seeing us.

On my last leg of my maiden pilgrimage, I met my very first Guru Supramania Swami at Thiruvannamalai. 

Subsequently I met Thaai Veedu Thangarasan or Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal in Malaysia in 2005. 

Then on 19 August 2008, 5 years after my visit to Ongkarakudil, I was surprised with a Nadi reading where Agathiyar mentions the greatness of Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar Swamigal.