When I look back at all the events that had taken place within a short span of some fifty years, I am amazed at how the divine has taken care, and guided me and all those close to me.
To a question as to why my father having dared to travel far to make a living, crossing countries and boundaries in the days of limited modes of transportation; having struggled with the alien languages, customs and traditions in these foreign lands namely Burma, Ceylon, and Singapore before settling down in then Malaya; marrying my mother, a local and begetting us siblings, Agathiyar answered so that we could be born in a land of milk and honey, in his terms, Bhoga Nadu or Sukra Bumi. I need to thank my father for his journey of courage on foot, horse cart and ship and his courage in leaving the comforts of his home for the uncertainties and the unknown so that we could have a better life.
Having built a simple yet comfortable life for himself, my father stretched out his arms to help the less fortunate who came in search of aid and help. Then all these changed when the war came. Life was tough during the war, I was told. When a string of bullets fired from a machine gun aboard a Japanese fighter plane missed my father's head by just a couple of inches, my father suddenly was reminded of the uncertainties of life. As he lay on the dirt road he froze in fear for his life clutching to two bags of currency that he had just withdrawn from the bank earlier. He came to realize that moment that the money in his hands would have been of no use to him had that bullets hit him. After that incident that changed his outlook of life he took to distributing and giving away his wealth and seek spiritual solace in an ashram in India. But the guru soon sent him back to Malaysia to fulfill his remaining responsibilities and duties towards the family. My biggest regret is not having documented the details of his spiritual endeavour. Due to the enormous charity and aid he did, his last moments in this mortal frame were mystical in nature. After having an hearty laugh watching that afternoon's matinee on television, he asked for coffee which itself was surprising since he always made his own coffee. When my mother came around with the coffee he was not to be seen in in his chair, in his usual corner. My mother found him seated cross legged in another corner of the living room. She noticed that he was seated in a Yogic pose, the padmasana. When she began to free his legs my father toppled over and rested his head on my mother's lap. He had left us. He did not suffer neither was he in any pain, something that we all would wish for too. I believe the divine and his guru was with him during his last moments.
Agathiyar says this relationship between a Siddha guru and the disciple does not come about all of a sudden but is carried on from the past. When a devotee of Agathiyar who had some medical issues saw the Jeeva Nadi read by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal in Malaysia last June, her guru of past birth pleaded with Agathiyar to help his child (the devotee). Most of the AVM family had been told of their past births too and how they had served Agathiyar. When a famed Nadi Nool Aasan passed away many years ago, Agathiyar revealed that his soul (Aasan) was meditating in Pothigai, and should not be disturbed by remembering him. Recently a very dear soul was taken away suddenly to his abode to be with him too. Agathiyar shelved all the plans he had for her seeing her extreme yearning to be with him. That is the magnitude of the guru and his hold on the disciple, crossing over several births.
Among the many wonderful souls who dropped by at AVM was a soul so dear to Agathiyar that he took her with him. Her devotion for Agathiyar knew no bounds. Agathiyar who came into her live and guided her every second, granted her wish and desire to eventually merge with him. He took hold of her hands in 2011, led her on a journey that was both mystifying and wonderful. Her affection to Agathiyar surpassed all other needs, wants and desires. Very few knew her; but she made an impact in the hearts of all those who came to know her. A true mother in every sense. He showed the world his magnificence working through her before he chose to take her with him. She shall live in our hearts forever.
To a question as to why my father having dared to travel far to make a living, crossing countries and boundaries in the days of limited modes of transportation; having struggled with the alien languages, customs and traditions in these foreign lands namely Burma, Ceylon, and Singapore before settling down in then Malaya; marrying my mother, a local and begetting us siblings, Agathiyar answered so that we could be born in a land of milk and honey, in his terms, Bhoga Nadu or Sukra Bumi. I need to thank my father for his journey of courage on foot, horse cart and ship and his courage in leaving the comforts of his home for the uncertainties and the unknown so that we could have a better life.
Having built a simple yet comfortable life for himself, my father stretched out his arms to help the less fortunate who came in search of aid and help. Then all these changed when the war came. Life was tough during the war, I was told. When a string of bullets fired from a machine gun aboard a Japanese fighter plane missed my father's head by just a couple of inches, my father suddenly was reminded of the uncertainties of life. As he lay on the dirt road he froze in fear for his life clutching to two bags of currency that he had just withdrawn from the bank earlier. He came to realize that moment that the money in his hands would have been of no use to him had that bullets hit him. After that incident that changed his outlook of life he took to distributing and giving away his wealth and seek spiritual solace in an ashram in India. But the guru soon sent him back to Malaysia to fulfill his remaining responsibilities and duties towards the family. My biggest regret is not having documented the details of his spiritual endeavour. Due to the enormous charity and aid he did, his last moments in this mortal frame were mystical in nature. After having an hearty laugh watching that afternoon's matinee on television, he asked for coffee which itself was surprising since he always made his own coffee. When my mother came around with the coffee he was not to be seen in in his chair, in his usual corner. My mother found him seated cross legged in another corner of the living room. She noticed that he was seated in a Yogic pose, the padmasana. When she began to free his legs my father toppled over and rested his head on my mother's lap. He had left us. He did not suffer neither was he in any pain, something that we all would wish for too. I believe the divine and his guru was with him during his last moments.
Agathiyar says this relationship between a Siddha guru and the disciple does not come about all of a sudden but is carried on from the past. When a devotee of Agathiyar who had some medical issues saw the Jeeva Nadi read by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal in Malaysia last June, her guru of past birth pleaded with Agathiyar to help his child (the devotee). Most of the AVM family had been told of their past births too and how they had served Agathiyar. When a famed Nadi Nool Aasan passed away many years ago, Agathiyar revealed that his soul (Aasan) was meditating in Pothigai, and should not be disturbed by remembering him. Recently a very dear soul was taken away suddenly to his abode to be with him too. Agathiyar shelved all the plans he had for her seeing her extreme yearning to be with him. That is the magnitude of the guru and his hold on the disciple, crossing over several births.
Among the many wonderful souls who dropped by at AVM was a soul so dear to Agathiyar that he took her with him. Her devotion for Agathiyar knew no bounds. Agathiyar who came into her live and guided her every second, granted her wish and desire to eventually merge with him. He took hold of her hands in 2011, led her on a journey that was both mystifying and wonderful. Her affection to Agathiyar surpassed all other needs, wants and desires. Very few knew her; but she made an impact in the hearts of all those who came to know her. A true mother in every sense. He showed the world his magnificence working through her before he chose to take her with him. She shall live in our hearts forever.
Jnana Jhothiamma merged at Agathiyar's feet on Tuesday 4 April, 2017 in Chennai. Her demise came as a shocking news to all of us. Although we knew that she was in solitude, performing tavam and preparing to merge with Erai, the news did break our hearts. The Siddhas have the ability to change the fate and destiny of sincere devotees and seekers, accordingly to their asking and reasonable desires. Devotees seeking material gains will have to be patient for the change to take place, at the right time and place. For those who seek the Holy Feet of Erai, the Siddhas expedite the process, sometimes almost immediately. Jnana Jhothiamma was one such soul who desired very much to reach the Holy Feet of Erai and Agathiyar granted her her wish. She was due to go to the USA and come over later to Malaysia this year, upon completion of her tavam, but Agathiyar rewrote her path.
We do not know what is in store around the corner, although it could be a much frequently travelled road. The water does not flow the same way twice; it meanders accordingly to the terrain and obstacles it confronts. There is never a similar moment. Every moment is special. Cherish each moment. The divine has taken care of us. The divine has been kind to us. Be grateful. Be grateful that you are still around to witness the moment. 