Kandasamy Gurukal, the high priest at the Arulmigu Ananda Valli Ambigai Sametha Agatheeswarar Temple at Panchesti sent in these photos of Agathiyar and Bhairavar through WhatsApp yesterday. A prayer was conducted to commemorate 10 years of installation of the small temple for Agathiyar and Bhairavar.
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| Lord Bhairavar |
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| Agathiyar with Lobha Ma |
Agathiyar reveals in the Jeeva Nadi about this temple.
When the Jeeva Nadi Guru, one day, requested Agathiyar to reveal about any of the numerous temples associated with him (Agathiyar), Agathiyar immediately chose to speak about his temple at Panchesti.
At one time in the past, when Agathiyar was in deep meditation, an Arakan (Asura) with his family fell at his feet. Surprised to find an Asura at his feet, Agathiyar through his wisdom eye, comes to know about him. He was Sukethu. Although born as an Asura, he was honest. He had to take birth as an Arakan due to his past karma. He used to worship Lord Shiva all the time. As a result the other Asuras gave him a lot of problems and disturbed his family and him. Agathiyar wanted very much to save Sukethu and his family and gave it much thought.
Agathiyar realized that conducting a yagam or lighting the sacrificial fire was the only way to remove his Dosa and confer on him the state of Mukthi. Agathiyar decided to conduct 5 kinds of yagam, namely : Deva yagam, Brahma yagam, Bhoota yagam, Pithur yagam, Maanuda yagam.
Agathiyar also knew that the rest of the Asuras will not allow this yagam to be carried out. While figuring a way out, Agathiyar receives a pleasant visit from Goddess Umaiyaal.
Goddess Umaiyaal told Agathiyar that she had heard about Agathiyar's yagam from Lord Shiva but had not had the opportunity to witness one. She asked that Agathiyar allow her to witness this yagam.
Agathiyar explains to Goddess Umaiyaal that all this while he had been conducting yagam for the Devas and his disciples to remove their Dosa. Now he is about to carry out a Panja yagam, for the very first time, for the sake of Sukethu and his family. Agathiyar gives Goddess Umaiyaal the privilege to choose the spot where this yagam shall be held. Agathiyar requests that Goddess Umaiyaal should ensure no harm comes from the Asuras during the duration of the yagam. Agathiyar also requests that Lord Shiva should take form and appear in the yagam.
Agathiyar also told Goddess Umaiyaal that on completion of the Panja yagam he will continue with the Sathru Samhaara yagam on Lord Murugan's instruction and supervision. "The Sathru Samhaara yagam too will be conducted for the very first time", added Agathiyar. "This yagam would help lessen the troubles of man who has to face jealousy, objection, and torture."
Goddess Umaiyaal blessed Agathiyar and named the place where these yagams were to be conducted by Agathiyar to be known as Panchesthi. Agathiyar on his part told Goddess Umaiyaal that from that day forth she will be known as Anandhavalli Thaayaar.
Just as foreseen, the Asuras came to cause trouble and stop Agathiyar's yagam, but Goddess Umaiyaal destroyed them all. Agathiyar victoriously completed the Panja yagam and the Sathru Samhaara yagam. Sukethu and his family members attained release from their curse.
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| Photo courtesy of Sailal Hiralalji Jedhiya |
To ensure their safe journey to and fro from Sathuragiri, Agathiyar arranges for Sattaimuni and Ramadevar to accompany these devotees.
Agathiyar was himself surprised to find Lord Brahma appear to initiate the Fire ritual with the famous sloga SUKLAM BARATARAM of Lord Vinayagar.
Besides Brahma, Agathiyar says, the Yagam was graced by Lord Vinayagar, Lord Murugan and the Devas and all the 18 Siddhas.
Agathiyar reveals another surprise. Lord Shiva had appeared in his Vishwarupa form in the early morning hours. Agathiyar reminds us that Sathuragiri was the place where Lord Shiva had taken that majestic form to destroy the Arakkar through the means of his third eye. This episode happened some 4,000 years ago at Sathuragiri. Hence from that moment on these Arakkar did not move into Sathuragiri again. Agathiyar adds that these Arakkar are present in all the hills. These Arakkar will try their level best to distract and divert the attention of aspirants and those on the spiritual path. But Agathiyar says let it be, the Arakkar are carrying out their job. He says their nuisance at Sathuragiri ended 3247 years ago, after a particular Yagam conducted some 3247 years ago at Sathuragiri by Kagabujandar.
After that particular Yagam conducted some 3247 years ago at Sathuragiri by Kagabujandar, Agathiyar too conducted the same Yagam some 1857 years ago. All the Munis, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu participated.
727 years ago when a similar Yagam was conducted, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu did not participate. The Siddhas conducted the Yagam. All the Devas and Asuras were present.
Agathiyar reveals to the Jeeva Nadi Guru that after all these years this rare Yagam was now been conducted by them at Sathuragiri, under the governance and supervision of Agathiyar.
The ever compassionate Agathiyar, called these devotees over to Sathuragiri for the sole purpose of removing their Karma (Dosa) gathered over the past three births, and wrongs done knowingly or unknowingly in recent times. Those who have gained Agnidevan's blessings are rid of ill effects (Thetthu) and no sins (Pavam) shall befall them for the next 12 years.
For those devotees who appreciated this Yagam, Agathiyar promised to gift them by indicating the Taila Kinaru or Oil Well, where just a drop of that oil smeared on the body shall gift the person to live 400 years.
For those devotees who appreciated this Yagam, Agathiyar promised to gift them by indicating the Taila Kinaru or Oil Well, where just a drop of that oil smeared on the body shall gift the person to live 400 years.
Upon successfully conducting the Yagam and returning home Agathiyar mentions in the Jeeva Nadi that Siddha Ramadevar and Sattaimuni accompanied the entourage of 50 people to Sathuragiri on his command. Agathiyar mentions that Bhogar and Sattaimuni too had apart to play. Sattaimuni had hugged and ushered the devotees personally, the very moment they arrived at Sathuragiri unaware to these devotees. Agathiyar reveals that Bhogar came running asking if he could assist in the Yagam. Agathiyar asked that Bhogar bless all those who came at the instruction of Agathiyar to Sathuragiri with a good life. Agathiyar reminds us that they were fortunate and it was an honor that a Siddha was on hand to greet and lead them and cared for their safety. These were events not visible to the public, adds Agathiyar.
Agathiyar most graciously reveals that he shall conduct another Yagam witnessed by Lord Brahma for those who were invited but missed out, in the near future.
Source: Translated from Velayudham Karthikeyan's Siththan Arul. Photos courtesy of Kandasamy Gurukal. Paintings courtesy of Saravanan Palanisamy and Sitthan Arul.