Agathiyar during his long walks covering the face of this earth had made and worshipped shivlingas in numerous places that later became temples with kings and philanthropist patronizing these places and helping to build temple structures around the samadhis and expanding the temple walls from time to time. One such memorable place that my family and I together with Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar of the Kallar Ashram and later with the AVM family visited, was the Nattadresswar Temple in the center of the Kaveri river at Kangayapalaiyam, Erode. Agathiyar is said to have made and shaped the highly delicate form of a Shivlinga at this temple out of river sand and worshipped it. To our surprise and joy, Agathiyar reveals that Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar was one of the many monks who attended the inauguration of the Shivlinga by Agathiyar in the past and that Sri Krishna of Pothihai Tharma Chakkram was her boatman then, who ferried her there.
A story is narrated in http://www.yourgoodtime.in/TemplesAndScience.aspx of the Nachiyar Temple, Narayur Nambi Perumal Temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, of how energized our temples are.
The Garuda, the vehicle or vahana of Lord Vishnu near the inner sanctum sanctorum at this temple, made of a huge granite stone 6 feet in height, is brought out during the annual Brahmotsavam festival. The miracle in this whole event is that, if only two people are required to lift the Garuda in the confines of this temple, as many as 64 people are required to carry it eventually at the peak of the occasion. It is very obvious that its weight keeps on increasing as it makes its way round the temple grounds. On returning it to its original spot the weight begins to decrease requiring only the original two to carry it.
We are all well aware of the episode about how Agathiyar had instructed Idumban to carry the Sivagiri and Saktigiri hills to the south. Idumban carried the hills easily, slung across his shoulders. Soon he needed to rests and laid the hills down. On recovering from his exhaustion he found that he could not lift nor move the hills.
When we brought our dear Agathiyar at AVM to Bala Aiya's home for a joint puja and prayer, Dyalen came forward to carry the 18 inch bronze statue from my car to the apartment. On receiving him he commented that Agathiyar was quite light unlike what he had had expected. Agathiyar was 18 kilograms in weight when he arrived from Swamimalai. Soon after our prayers, Dyalen volunteered to send him back to the car. Upon lifting Agathiyar, he gave a look that apparently made us all realize that Agathiyar was much heavier and did mention that later.
The Garuda, the vehicle or vahana of Lord Vishnu near the inner sanctum sanctorum at this temple, made of a huge granite stone 6 feet in height, is brought out during the annual Brahmotsavam festival. The miracle in this whole event is that, if only two people are required to lift the Garuda in the confines of this temple, as many as 64 people are required to carry it eventually at the peak of the occasion. It is very obvious that its weight keeps on increasing as it makes its way round the temple grounds. On returning it to its original spot the weight begins to decrease requiring only the original two to carry it.
We are all well aware of the episode about how Agathiyar had instructed Idumban to carry the Sivagiri and Saktigiri hills to the south. Idumban carried the hills easily, slung across his shoulders. Soon he needed to rests and laid the hills down. On recovering from his exhaustion he found that he could not lift nor move the hills.
When we brought our dear Agathiyar at AVM to Bala Aiya's home for a joint puja and prayer, Dyalen came forward to carry the 18 inch bronze statue from my car to the apartment. On receiving him he commented that Agathiyar was quite light unlike what he had had expected. Agathiyar was 18 kilograms in weight when he arrived from Swamimalai. Soon after our prayers, Dyalen volunteered to send him back to the car. Upon lifting Agathiyar, he gave a look that apparently made us all realize that Agathiyar was much heavier and did mention that later.
Similarly we brought Agathiyar to the Sri Mayuranathar, Pambam Swamigal Temple in Dengkil to celebrate a special Agathiyar Vizha, one quite similar to the annual Arunagiri Vizha that is hosted by the temple too in a big way. Bala Chandran, Sugumaran, Shanga and Dyalen took hold of the litter, the throne-like chair, with two long poles underneath the chair, ceremoniously carrying Agathiyar around the temple grounds. Before the start of the procession all was fine and our litter bearers easily held up Agathiyar with a single arm. But that was not the case to be when we began pulling out of the entrance tower into the temple grounds and around the temple and finally sat Agathiyar at the spot where the Yagna or Yaga Kundam was to be lighted. We could see that the four litter bearers were finding it difficult to continue carrying Agathiyar as he was gaining weight. They all attested to this unique phenomena that took place that day that we were all witness to.
Temples in ancient times were built around energy vortexes that comes about from the samadhi or presence of divine souls who walked this ground. The good that the soul did while alive continued as that particular aspect of the deity installed at these temples. Hence the reason for us to visit specific temples for our specific needs, as is recommended while doing our rounds carrying out remedies or parikaram.
Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal too went into samadhi, having merged with the Jothi and the Siddhas, and was laid to rest at his Kallar Ashram on 3rd July 2018. A Shivlinga was placed above his samadhi pit on 13 July 2018.
Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal too went into samadhi, having merged with the Jothi and the Siddhas, and was laid to rest at his Kallar Ashram on 3rd July 2018. A Shivlinga was placed above his samadhi pit on 13 July 2018.
Agathiyar in a Nadi reading for Surendaran has advised us at AVM on how to conduct ourselves at a samadhi of a saint. Agathiyar says as these samadhis were energy spots as a result of the saint due to his lifelong tapas having accumulated much energy and realizing that he could do more in the subtle and spirit form compared to being in the physical and mortal form, had chosen to go into samadhi. Hence there was no requirement on our part to energize the place by performing rituals and agamas. He has asked us to just sit in silence, contemplate on the Siddha present at the spot, imbibe and take in his energy within us. That would suffice.
On this auspicious day of Guru Purnima tomorrow, taking hold of the Siddha, be assured that we are in safe hands.
On this auspicious day of Guru Purnima tomorrow, taking hold of the Siddha, be assured that we are in safe hands.