"Ga - Ga Ma Ga Ma - Ri Ma Ga Ri - Sa Ni Ri Sa Pa Ma Ga Ma - Dha Ma Ga - Ri Sa Ni Ri Sa Ga Ma Sa Ni Sa - Dha Ni Ma Dha - Ga Ma Ri Ga Sa Ni Sa Dha Ni Sa Ni Sa Ma Ga Ga Ni Sa Pa Ma Ma Ga Sa Ni Sa Ga Ma Ga Ri Ni Dha Ma Ma Ga Ga Ma Ga - Ga Ga Ma Ri Ga Ni Ri Ni Ga - Ri Ma Ga Ri Sa Pa Ma Dha Ma Ni Dha Ni Ma Dha - Ga Ma Ri Ga Sa"
Sailing into the sixties can be a rough ride for some. Some need to continue working to sustain their existence. Some need to continue working because they claim that they would be bored doing nothing. For those who are bedridden and dependent on their family, out of love pray that they are taken away and end the families suffering too.
On the other hand many old people thrive and keep themselves occupied living off their earnings by engaging in sports that is not demanding on themselves and other pastimes including touring etc. Many still walk into their offices to deliver decisions. Our own former Prime Minister has made a comeback in Malaysian politics heading the country towards a new direction at his prime age of 93.
I am glad that Agathiyar has given me something to do and keep myself occupied after I opted for early retirement. He has given me an equally loving extended family of friends to work with in my retirement age. When I wrote about my back pain in my last post, the AVM family came all out to console me and aid me with advise, techniques and medicine. I was very taken aback by the love and concern of these lovely souls.
I replied to them candidly that give me another eight years and I shall tap dance with my granddaughter as this duo of Grandpa and Grandchild did.
Never in my dream did I envision my future in the company of Siddhas. The Siddhas are keeping me alive. Never was there a moment of boredom in these two and a half years of my retirement. Agathiyar keeps me occupied with simple chores each day. When there are big events to carry out he brings in the entire team to participate. Otherwise on days when there is nothing much to be done he sends in these lovely AVM members to chat. We have a good laugh and learn a thing or two from this small talk. Imagine our surprise and amazement when Surendran was told in the Nadi to go over to AVM often, to have a chat and a meal. When many had to perform all sorts of remedies and parikaram, Suren was given the most simplest and inexpensive task!
We come to learn that the ancient Indians had a concept of human life that was divided into four age-based life stages, namely Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciate). The elders had clearly defined these stages and society adhered to it strictly. I am told that our grannies and grandpas never let their children lay their hands on ancient scriptures chasing them away, saying that the time was not right, meaning that they were too young to indulge in such studies. There was a time for each goal in human life and it was clearly defined. Hence there was never any confusion in the early years of one's life and people came to terms and accepted decisions made in the later part of one's lives. The reverse is happening now bringing to a state of confusion and refusal to come to terms with life's dictates.
According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage), the goal of each period was the fulfillment and development of the individual. Having lived a fulfilling part of that lifespan one moves on to the next gracefully. There was no conflict of interest. One would have expired all that he had desired to do before moving on to the new responsibilities that awaited him in the next stage. Isn't that wonderful?
The final stage of Sannyasa is "marked by renunciation of material desires and prejudices, represented by a state of disinterest and detachment from material life, generally without any meaningful property or home (Ascetic), and focused on Moksha, peace and simple spiritual life."
This equates to surrender to the forces. Both surrender and sorry are two words most often used but never given its true weight-age.
Surrender according to dictionary.com means to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; in simple terms, it means, before surrender you are in charge, after surrender someone is in charge of you. If earlier your life was in your hands, now someone else is in control. He decides what is good for you. Just as the father gives the child full freedom to walk on his own without holding on to him, giving full freedom to explore but catches him just as he is about to fall, so does Erai look over our shoulders too. After submitting to him, our life is his to shape and build. All our liabilities is his too. But what we do is to say that we have surrendered but still desire for a particular outcome or result. We profess that we have surrendered but still keep moving the chess pieces.
If the saints, before they became engulfed in love for Erai, had a life for themselves, after the fire of devotion engulfed them they walked and talked Erai's mission. Erai is love. They thought, spoke, and lived a life of love - love for Erai and all of his creation. This love knew no bounds. This love was not partial. This love was not selective. This love drove them to carry out Erai's will.
But to maintain a certain order they did lay down certain rules though. Coming under the shadow of Erai is like cuddling up into the arms of one's mother, feeling safe and sound, not a worry in life. Although we need only ask and it shall be delivered, but the father knows when to let him have it. He only hands it to the child when the child knows how to handle it; only when the child has learnt to be responsible with the gift.
Agathiyar has asked us to carry on with our daily chores and responsibilities and allocate some time for devotion. Never has he asked any of us to leave the family to become a turavi. Erai has high regards for one who cares for the family and still manages to find time for worship to him and provide service to his subjects.
A gnani sitting in isolation, who might not have responsibilities can while his days in divine thoughts. But a householder has to bring food to the table, provide for the family, educate the children and do lots more for his family and society. He is preoccupied with the welfare of his family and work, be it toiling hard on the fields or making decisions in a company.
A gnani can choose to neglect his body but a house holder needs to be healthy to carry out his responsibilities. A gnani might not have need for money but a householder needs hard cash to even make purchases for his daily worship and rituals, especially living in the city.
As a householder seeking answers with a gnani we often return confused. The gnani advises from his state and perspective, himself often remaining in solitude and apart from society. Our lifestyle though is one of active association with society, school, politics, career etc. Who then do we look towards for advise? A householder who has successfully learnt to balance his outward life with spirituality could fill this gap and help lead us on. Here we can learn to lead a wholesome life incorporating the best of both worlds. Why go after a care free savior who regards the world as trouble and secludes himself and moves further and further into the woods only to cause him further trouble and disturb his space? Of what use is the discourse with him, which is often rare, when after having met him we have to return to society and go back to the same routine?
Take someone who can be an exemplary model and mentor who lives and strives in this world, the world of relationships and matter. I had such an enlightened soul as my first Guru in Supramania Swami of Thiruvannamalai. Outwardly he was an ordinary householder. But he brought out such amazing and magical moments from within when he mesmerized and froze me for five solid hours in the silent hours just before nightfall in his village home of Nachananthal a day after full moon and my Girivalam of the Holy mountain.
I can now equate this magical moment with Nakirar's asking of Lord Ganapathy in his Thiruagaval for a quiet space in the vicinity of his Guru where they could both engage in silent talk.
மோனா ஞான முழுதும் அளித்து சிற்பரிப் பூரண சிவத்தைக் காண நற்சிவ நிட்கள நாட்டமுந் தந்து குருவுஞ் சீடனுங் கூடிக் கலந்து இருவரும் ஒரு தனியிடந் தனிற் சேர்ந்து தானந்தமாகித் தற்பர வெளியில் ஆனந்த போத அறிவைக் கலந்து ஈசனிைணயடியிருத்தி மனத்தே நீயே நானாய் நானே நீயாய்க் காயா புரியைக் கனவெனவுணா்ந்து எல்லாமுன் செயலென்ேற உணர நல்லா உன்னருள் நாட்டந் தருவாய் காரண குருவே கற்பகத் களிேற வாரணமுகத்து வள்ளலே போற்றி
An astrologer by career, a profession asked to be taken up by his Guru Yogi Ramsuratkumar, he could read my past and future without asking for my birth details or the almanac. He brought his master to chant with us in my next visit, some four years after his guru went into samadhi! Agathiyar attested that Supramania Swami himself had attained samadhi and that he was laid to rest in the right spot.
Although a gnani might be able to guide in matters related to career and business if you want to learn to do business you go to one who owns a successful business and learn the tricks of the trade from him. The gnani can of course guide you to become another gnani - period. This way life will be simplified and our objectives clear.
And so it was that I was brought to Supramania Swami who lit the fire of devotion in me and later the divine sent Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal to nurture the flame.
When I went around making inquiries about the Siddha path in the beginning of my search, many gave me a nasty look and a negative review of the path. "What! the Siddha path? The Siddhas will confuse you", one said. In their eagerness to jump into spirituality many shunned their family and responsibilities towards them. Some having had nasty experiences bad mouth the path. Others distanced themselves, claiming that the path took them away from a good life, broke their marriages, split the family due to differences in ideology and beliefs, and brought a good career to an end. They claimed that instead of gaining some good, it gave them lots of trouble. I thought to myself that this could not be true. There has to be a reason why Agathiyar told me to worship the Siddhas. I believed that the path was not at fault but their mentors having misunderstood the workings of the Siddhas, propagated the false teachings.
I took the bait rather then keep away, not listening to others and their bitter experiences but instead to experience life with the Siddhas. That is when Tavayogi dropped by in Malaysia. A bond grew between us. I stayed through thick and thin with Tavayogi, although he faced many challenges. I soon realized that the spiritual and religious side of life was equally saddled with the same problems we faced in this material world. Jealousy, competition, back stabbing, treason, sabotage and all other negativeness survived in this religious spiritual society too. There are many out there I soon learnt, who derived immense joy in the defeat and fall of others. I learnt to tread carefully, watching my back and was careful with whom I associated. But I think I failed - to watch my aging back!
While traveling this path there were indeed countless moments of bliss. But as the world exist in duality, day and night, good and bad, calm and furious, saintly and beastly, the divine did bring into our lives individuals who could destabilize any well running organization. Having gone around creating much trouble for spiritual establishments and its heads they stood at the doorway of Kallar Ashram and AVM too. They came to explore and shop for the ware we had to sell. They would begin talking ill of their former establishment and its head. I used to wonder how long would it take for them to talk ill of us to others. Sadly though, rather then focus on their needs of the day which should be their soul search, disillusioned and sidetracked, they were focused on the daily running of the organization and its programs. They chose to look for the minute black dot in the large white space, looking for nitty things to expose and highlight. Then there are others who try to sabotage the plans and events just because they have had a clash, trying to convince others not to work in tandem with these establishments, trying their best to poison our minds.
I wonder if they had not gained even a single good while associating with these masters and their peers? I wonder why they harbored so much animosity having being sheltered, fed and cared for, by the establishments in all those years they were with them? How can someone talk ill of a place that had taken us in in our times of trouble or during your search? Don't they have even an iota of the sense of gratefulness for all that they have taken? I for one would be grateful to the ashram for feeding me, giving me a place to lodge throughout my stay there. The least they could do was to forgive and forget and move on with their lives if these association had failed or did not benefit them.
Karna stayed with Duryodhana and his siblings fighting Duryodhana's war just for the sole reason that Duryodhana had taken him in his times of distress, given him a kingdom to rule, thus bringing him a status in his life. Karna is one character in the Mahabharata war that we should emulate for staying faithful and giving to others till the end of his days. When Krishna comes in disguise to test him if he still upheld his principles even at the time of nearing death, Karna tells him he has nothing to offer except his merits gained from giving his wealth and possessions to all those who came seeking. He fills his palms with his blood that is oozing out from the wound where lay stuck an arrow, and lets it drip into Krishna's open and outreached palms. We have much to learn on what we ought to emulate and what to drop through reading this great epic the Mahabharata.
All these incidences gave me a rude shock and jolted me from an otherwise wonderful spiritual journey although Tavayogi had forewarned me of such menaces.
Ramalinga Adigal stood as a seven year old at present day Arulmigu Muthukumarasamy Temple or Kandhakottam in Chennai asking in prayer that Lord Muruga keep the negative forces at bay. This compilation of 31 verses came to be known as Kandhakotta Deivamani Maalai. Adigal had his fair share of troubles too from several quarters out to tarnish his credibility and name, in his later years, but he came through unscathed.
A number of the Nayanmars and Arunagiri too had to face their adversaries in the prime of their lives. But Erai was always at their side. Erai lives where truth survives.
These days I continue to pray that the divine keeps them away from us although we have come unscathed thanks to the ever protective Siddhas.
I choose to see the good in others. We can have differences in opinions within the establishment but we need to bear in mind that we are working towards a common objective and not to satisfy our individual appetite and ego.
It is all falling into place. Life's game is slowly being made known. As after several attempts at it, the gamer eventually learns to maneuver the moves in a role playing game, similarly after several births he becomes an adept at exploring the wilderness of Erai's world. Instinct tells him either to venture further or to pull out. Experience shows him what to expect and lays ahead. A glimpse of what is in store is given by Erai. This is where the Nadi serves the purpose. Giving a glimpse of life, at times charting the path. The decision is ours to either walk the path, stay put or retreat, or choose to walk an entirely different path.
Let us lead a quality life. Let us help others lead a quality life too. This would suffice for now. There is joy in a full day of activity. Then there is joy in rewinding for the day, abstaining from doing anything for some time and just sitting quiet. Let us take the middle way for now.
I walked by a blind without a thought of my blessings in having eyesight.
I walked by a beggar without giving him a second look, without stopping to ask what he wanted.
I walked by an orphan without wondering about the dangers he would face alone in the city.
I walked by a cripple without the thought how is he going to feed himself.
I shut out their world from mine.
My world was comfy, with my needs taken care of. I did not miss a meal. I had all the comforts of life. I had a steady income. I had no need to look towards another for handouts. This was how I spent my forty odd years unperturbed by reality out there.
A major catastrophe was only another news to me. It did not affect me in any way. A loss in another family did not touch me. This was me before I came to the Siddha path. Agathiyar worked on my heart, entering my heart and enlarging it, mellowing it. Besides instilling devotion he instilled compassion too. Bringing great souls together he forged an understanding. My soul connected with them. They in turn touched my soul. The soul began to feel the hurt of others. The soul began to feel the pain of others. The soul began to feel the suffering of others.
He made us extend help to others. He made us relieve others pain. He made us address others issues. He made us live for others too. He brought these like minded souls together to sing his praise and do his asking, serving humanity and healing mother nature.
We are glad that we have a purpose in life now that goes beyond our self centered-ness.
This family of good souls is an asset. I was jumping around with my granddaughter breaking bubbles blown by my daughter when immediately I felt a discomfort in my lower back. The pain rose later in the evening when I was driving my daughter to her college. Three days later as I was crossing the street in the midst of purchasing prayer items for my Thursday puja, I sneezed. An excruciating pain shot through my lower back, groin, buttocks and down my right leg as if the lightning had struck in the skies and showered and discharged to the ground. I was grounded and paralyzed for a moment there, smack right in the middle of the road while holding on to my purchases in both my arms. I headed straight home, driving in pain, ignoring the other purchases yet to be done.
It has been two weeks now and I am recovering slowly. I am glad though that I did not succumb to this pain during the lighting of the lamps fest recently. My mobility was limited by the pain, something that took me by surprise the first time in 2011 and again in 2016 and came again as just a mild pain a few months ago. The very first time I was overpowered by the pain was when I coughed out sputum.
I had to request Balamurugan Aiya to come over and have a look. He came with his full set of kit ready to work on my varma points and giving me a good massage. He came again and brought some more relieve. I am blessed to have him and Master Arunan and Master Uva who had treated me previously. The AVM family has Dr Janar who makes himself available anytime of the day to answer our queries on health and medicine. I had Yuvarani to advise me on the medication too. Today I could drive again and made my way to the local pharmacy.
If I was a gnani I could take on the pain submitting and accepting karma and holding on to the concept of non interference, lay in bed letting nature heal itself. But I have my family dependent on me, and have chores to do, hence I need to be on my feet fast. I have no option but to pop a couple of pain killers and go about my routine. I need to recover fast. This is where the gnani and I part.
With Agathiyar's grace I shall recover soon. Meanwhile my wife does not allow me to play with bubbles now and has asked me to go sit quietly in the corner.
When you come visit me next time around, find me sitting in a corner - staring into the skies. It would be a welcomed change.
Life teaches us many things. Each of us leaves this world richer. We gather experiences. We take on new thoughts dropping the old. We take on new desires shedding the old. We take on new opinions dropping the old. We take on a new coat of skin shedding the old. Our priorities change in life. Our perspective of life and its problems changes with time. No amount of bookish knowledge can replace experience. Experience sinks into the heart. It makes us weep if it hurts or brings extreme joy if it is memorable.
The challenges changes in intensity as our roles change. A care free individual has to take on new responsibilities when married. A whole new world is in store as he steps into parenthood. The child begins to teach him to care, be patient, to serve. He takes on new attributes dropping the old. He begins to fit into a new role. These newly acquired experiences help us make new choices in life.
Life is full of choices. We can decide how our life should be. Walking the path I realized that there is always two ways or approach to all matters. For instance you can lend a hand to someone and help change his fate, buy him food and appease his hunger, safe a man from jumping of the bridge and more. Or you can walk away doing nothing about it claiming that he deserves it and its his karma.
You can either regard this body as a temple and bring the divine to live within. Or you can regard this body as filth and never care for it, turning towards the thought of the divine elsewhere.
The paths are laid ahead. It is left to us to make a choice. The choice is ours. Which path would you chose?
I for one am beginning to see the truth and a purpose in the former. We come with our baggage of sins, but we are provided numerous avenues for us to lift ourselves from this sea of karma. There is no way we can change the past but there is a sure way to make our own future. Along the way we take the hand of the divine to help remove the obstacles.
Imagine if the doctors did not attempt to revive a patient leaving it to his karma. Imagine if the fire fighter did not dose the flames leaving it to the occupant's karma. Imagine if the learned kept their knowledge to themselves. Imagine if the scientists kept their findings secret.
We are here to discover and share our discovery with others. Similarly the saints discovered a whole new world and understanding and shared it with others bringing the light into our lives. Would you want to share your joy?
Serve others and you shall derive joy. Help others and you shall derive joy. Teach others and you shall derive joy. Heal another and you shall derive joy. Guide another and you shall derive joy.
Just as we put out a prayer to the divine to heal us, stop the sufferings and pain, to break and clear the obstacles, and change our fate - it is only fair that we work to bring a change in the lives of others too. One must understand that the divine helps those who help others.
We did not take this birth to live for ourselves, appease our needs and satisfy our desires. We are here to help others. It is said that the Siddhas appealed to Erai that they be given the gift of helping mankind to bring them to his kingdom, to help them to settle their scores, and to change their fate and destiny in some cases. Similarly should not we ask the divine to bring us opportunities to help another live a better life?
A parent takes on many responsibilities. It is said that the child's karma does not affect a child till he attains puberty. The parents take on his karma till then. When the child begins to know the difference between good and bad actions and voluntarily performs them does he begin to accumulate fresh karma.
We are here to bring change to our karma, fate and destiny and not to live it out as destined. The poor have to come out of the rut. The bad have to turn a new leaf. The ignorant has to gain knowledge. The sick has to recover. The struggle to survive has to go on. We have to move up the ladder, not go down or remain on the rung.
To know the traits of doing business one needs to join as an apprentice to a successful businessman. To turn a new leaf one has to associate with good people and leave his previous alliance. To gain knowledge in a particular field one must learn under a proficient teacher. To recover from an illness one needs to seek a qualified medical practitioner. So too to learn about Erai, one needs to seek those who have been to his kingdom and back.
The saints chose only to speak about the joy derived from seeing the divine, although they have had to go through a maze of troubles in reaching the destination, for it is considered permanent and ever lasting.
Many a saint has revealed this joy and emancipation. So have the other saints left a note about their experiences by way of divine songs. Listening to Ramalinga Adigal's "Thiruarutpa" brings us to experience this state of bliss. Reading the Arutpa brings immense joy to the soul. These songs bring instant upliftment and hope to a downtrodden and hurt soul. The saint brings Erai's kingdom right to our doorstep. He opens the latches to each door and shows us vividly the many faces of divinity.
The following scene from the movie "Lucy" in a way comes close to depict the final state of Adigalar.
From Pothigai and his abodes and temples he came to reside in his bronze image at AVM. Revealing his image as that of a state of bliss on seeing both Lord Shiva and Parvathi in their marital attire, he told us that he does take on the form of any deity we choose to see. Although availing himself in this statue, he told us that he was the Prapanjam too. What is out their is also within this statue and within us too. Today he tells us that the Aganda Deepam is he; worship of the Deepam is worship of him. He told us besides lighting the Deepam externally, he reminded us to light it internally.
The transition he brought in us has been subtle. Making us perform rituals he gave us a purpose in life. If before that we worshiped and prayed for our well being, by bringing us to light the Homa he made us think of the welfare and good of all others too. This simple ritual was for the good of the Prapanjam he said. This was a way for us to give back to Prapanjam from which we had taken much over the years.
He brought us through the stages of Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and we now await for his grace to grant us Gnanam. These lines from the tracks in Raagawave Production/ AVM's "Agathiyar Geetham" depicts and brings out these various states in walking the path.
அறியா பயணம் தொடர்ந்தோமே நாம் இங்கே
அழியா நிலை பெற்றோமே
மௌன ஞானம் நீயும் அளிக்க
கருணை விழி நீ திறக்க
என்ன தவமோ என்ன வரமோ
உனது பதம் சரண் அடைய ... ஈசா அகத்தீசா தரிசனம் நீ தந்தாய்
போற்றிட போற்றிட துன்பங்கள் விழகிட
போற்றிட போற்றிட நோய் விலக
போற்றிட போற்றிட துயர் மறைய ... அருள் பொழிவாய் குருவே
குரு நான் என்று அறிமுகம் செய்தவர்
ஊழ்வினையை அறிய செய்தாய்
யாகம் அதில் சுடர் ஒளியாய்
வினையாவும் நீயே ஏற்றாய்
ஞானம் அது வழங்கிட வந்தவர்
ஞான கோட்டம் வந்தமர்ந்தாய்
அன்னம் இட அமுத சுரபியாய்
பசியாவும் தீர்த்தாய்
இவ் வாழ்வின் பயன் கண்டோம்
இனி ஏது துயரம் அப்பா
உந்தன் நாமம் இங்கு சொல்ல சொல்ல
மனம் சாந்தம் நிரம்பி இங்கு வழியுதே
அட உன்மேலே ஆசை அப்பா
என் மெய் எல்லாம் குளிர்ந்ததப்பா
மதி நிறைந்து ஒளிர்ந்ததப்பா ... நீயே பரமானந்தம்
ஓர் மகனாய் உன்னிடம் வந்தேன்
சாலோக்கிய நிலை அறிந்தேன்
சரியை பின் கிரியை உணர்ந்தேன்
சாமீப்பியமாக நின்றாய்
யோகத்தால் அமுதம் பரவிட
சாரூப்பிய படி அடைந்தேன்
ஞானத்தின் கதவு திறந்திட இனி
சாயுச்சியம் எந்நாளோ
இந்நிலையை நான் அடைய
சற்குருவாய் வந்தாய் அப்பா
உன்தன் அழகை இங்கு ரசிக்க ரசிக்க
மனம் பரவசமாகி மகிழுதே
அட உன்மேலே ஆசை அப்பா
என் மெய் எல்லாம் குளிர்ந்ததப்பா
மதி நிறைந்து ஒளிர்ந்ததப்பா ... நீயே பரமானந்தம்
உத்தமனாய் வாழ்வதற்கு
சரியை கிரியை யோக ஞான
பாதைகளை அமைத்து தந்த
வழி காட்டி நீரே ... தலை வணங்கினேனே
மொட்சமது புரிவதற்க்கு பெறுவதற்க்கு அருள்வதற்க்கு
சூட்சுமத்தை தெரிவித்த வழி காட்டி நீரே ... தலை வணங்கினேனே
Agathiyar had asked me to worship Lord Ganapathy, Lord Siva, the Siddhas and him when I read the Nadi the first time in 2002. Nadi Nool Aasan Sentilkumar led me on the worship for the Siddhas passing me a booklet carrying a compilation of the names of the Siddhas. This was the beginning of my worship to the divine, inclusive of the Siddhas now.
Even before this reading I was asked to worship the divine by Dr Krishnan, astrologer and Siddha practitioner in 1996. Much can be achieved through worship he said.
I had worshiped hard in my bachelor days waking up at dawn and singing the praises of Erai to my hearts content and to the delight of my roommate Francis Xavier Alexander. I did the same at dusk.
But then all these stopped for a reason known only to the lord. After an absence of 14 years I was initiated back on track through the Vasudeva mantra.
After Agathiyar asked me to worship the Siddhas I seeked out several establishments that were related to the worship of Agathiyar and the Siddhas. The one that stood foremost in my mind was Ongarakudil and its branch in Malaysia at Dengkil. I used to see their volunteers collecting donations on the streets to feed the poor in India. I picked up books and VCD's on talks by Tavathiru Rengaraja Desigar. He too spoke only about worship asking his followers to continuously chant the names of the Siddhas, saying that it was sufficient. He did not teach pranayama, asanas, yoga, meditation and the rest but encouraged all to feed the unfortunate. He said that the Siddhas would come within and lead the breath without our effort which was off course safe.
When I visited my first guru Supramania Swami of Thiruvannamalai in 2005, he invited me to pray with him. He took his rosary out and chanted his guru's name. It went, "Yogi Ramsuratkumara, Yogi Ramsuratkumara, Yogi Ramsuratkumara Jayagururaya". I followed suite. To my amazement, his master joined us in chanting - after he had gone into Samadhi in 20 February 2001!
When I met Tavayogi in 2005 he asked that we chant the names of the Siddhas. When he instructed me to perform the Homa in my home some years later he asked that I recite their names as I lit the fire.
Along the way Agathiyar spelt out the benefits of worship.
Ramalinga Adigal too sings about how worship to the divine brought benefits and quick progress in him.
திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்
கைவிட மாட்டான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே கனக சபையான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பொய்விடச் செய்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பூசை பலித்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
தூக்கம் தொலைத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே துன்பம் தவிர்த்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே ஏக்கம் கெடுத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே ஏம சபையான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
பொன்னடி தந்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பொன்னம் பலத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே இன்னல் அறுத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே என்னுள் அமர்ந்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
அச்சம் தவிர்த்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே அம்பல வாணன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே இச்சை அளித்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே இன்பம் கொடுத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
என் உயிர் காத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே இன்பம் பலித்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே பொன் உருத் தந்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பொற்சபை அப்பன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
சிவமாக்கிக்கொண்டான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே சிற்றம் பலத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே நவநோக் களித்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே நான் அவன் ஆனேன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
நாத முடியான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே ஞானசபையான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பாத மளித்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பலித்தது பூசை என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
தெள்ளமு தானான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே சிற்சபை அப்பன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே உள்ளம் உவந்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே உள்ள துரைத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
என்னறி வானான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே எல்லாம் செய் வல்லான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே செந்நிலை தந்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே சிற்சபை அப்பன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
இறவாமை ஈந்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே எண்ணம் பலித்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே திறமே அளித்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே சிற்றம் பலத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
கரவு தவிர்ந்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே கருணை கிடைத்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே இரவு விடிந்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே எண்ணம் பலித்ததென்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
எல்லாம் செய் வல்லான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே எல்லார்க்கும் நல்லான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே எல்லாம் உடையான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே எல்லாமும் ஆனான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
கருணா நிதியர் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே கடவுள் அவனே என்று ஊதூது சங்கே அருள்நா டகத்தான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே அம்பலச் சோதி என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
தன்னிகர் இல்லான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே தலைவன் அவனே என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பொன்னியல் வண்ணன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே பொதுநடம் செய்வான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
ஆனந்த நாதன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே அருளுடை அப்பன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே தானந்தம் இல்லான் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே தத்துவச் சோதி என்று ஊதூது சங்கே.
பொய்விட் டகன்றேன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே புண்ணியன் ஆனேன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே மெய்தொட்டு நின்றேன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே மேல்வெளி கண்டேன் என்று ஊதூது சங்கே
Today if I am alone and as I begin the worship the song or mantra refuses to come forth forcing me to keep quiet. There falls a sense of calmness, bliss and joy just in sitting alone silently in the presence of my lord.
Agathiyar in the Nadi asked those who came by to AVM to light a lamp and put forth their wishes. Some who could not come would ask us over the phone to place a lamp on their behalf. When AVM family members had their family members warded I would light a lamp too. When my wife and children were hospitalize, I would perform a homa asking that the divine take care of them well. When my guru was warded I performed a homa asking that he be spared. The prayers of all AVM family was answered when Agathiyar told us that the Siddhas listening to our prayers had performed a yagam so that Tavayogi could live. He survived to return to his ashram. The next time Tavayogi was warded he called me to say that Mataji will take charge of the ashram giving me the cue that he was living his mortal frame.
But things have change now.
When my wife was about to be taken into the Operation Theater (OT) some time back, I as usual stood before him to ask in prayer that he take care of her. Surprisingly he shut me up. Even before I could complete my request he replied that she was his daughter and he shall take care of things. This did not surprise me for previously Agathiyar had helped mend my daughter's broken leg; Agathiyar and Thirumular had help increased the platelet level when my daughter came down with the dengue fever; Agathiyar had given confidence to my wife and explained the whole procedure that was to take place at the OT saying that he will be at her side.
Each time before an event hosted by AVM began, it is my nature to put a prayer asking that the event be a success without any hiccups. So when we gathered before Lord Ganapathy on the eve of the event, lighting of the 108 ghee lamps, I as usual began my prayer. But the words refused to come out. I was lost for vocabulary. My mind went blank. Similarly When I tried to put forth the prayer at Lord Sri Mayuranathar and Pamban Swami and again at Mother Goddess Ambal's Sannadhi I was lost for words. I figured that as it was their event there was no need on my part to ask and worry about it. The divine will take care of the event. True enough the event went well and beyond our expectations for they had a hand in it through out. It was their show. I have since stopped asking in prayer if the directive came from them.
Coming to us as a bronze statue he asked us to give it life by chanting his name 100,000 times. Giving us numerous mantras, breathing and meditation techniques, he guided us on food intake too. He was quick to give us relief from our ailments by suggesting medicines and procedures. He ran through our past and suggested ways to rid of obstacles and suffering. He saved lives, giving them an extension to serve him better. He soon brought us to include the worship of Valai and his Guru Lord Muruga. He brought us to worship Lord Shiva. Today he has progressively brought us to the worship of Jhothi or the Light.
We are grateful to him for being with us throughout this journey. All that was asked of us was to worship. We have seen the efficacy of worship and prayers. Join us in worship and prayer, for oneself and the rest of the world.
Dr Janar who lent his voice in a track for Agathiyar Geetham Audio Album, followed a medical team into the interiors of Sabah bordering Kalimantan for the second time to serve those who needed medical attention.
Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Gnanam are paths to achieve oneness with Erai. Anubhuthi means becoming IT through divine experiences. Seeing Erai as an external force that created us and the world of beings, and worshiping towards it is Sariyai. This is a venture to find and define Erai externally. To think of Erai as external from one is Sariyai. Erai is visited at his abode the temple. This is the first step. It is required, for how else would you show Erai, a complex concept, to a child if not through the means of defining it externally, bringing the concept of the divine to the understanding of a child who is captivated by her toys, and mesmerized in her world of imagination and child play for hours on hand?
Asking Erai to guide us is the next stage, that of Kriya. Here a bond is created as a result of having worshiped him for years through Sariyai. Erai then leaves his abode and begins to walk along with us.
Trying to unite with Erai is the path of Yoga.
If the first three stages involve our commitment and effort, the fourth stage of Gnana sets in by the grace of Erai.
Man needs to become divine in nature for a start. This is where all the scriptures come in handy showing him the right and the wrong. He begins to sympathize for the misfortunes of others. Compassion for others arise. With compassion love builds. He attains the nature of the divine living as a tool of the divine executing the dictates of Erai. When eventually the divine considers taking him into his arms, he leaves the mortal frame happily and willingly for the abode of the divine.
The saints have devise a simple way for the common folk to start on this journey. The path of devotion or bakthi takes one a long way. Erai joins us along the way, leading us forward.
Bhakti easily brings one to the state of experiencing Erai. The fruiting of Bakthi is Gnana. The Bhakti that flowers in one's heart blooms and expands in multifold and engulfs the individual completely opening a portal for the divine to come within to stay. When Bhakti blooms, becoming a fruit and ripening into Gnana, divine experiences are tasted, which brings forth the state of Mukthi.
Ramalinga Adigal's Arutpa defines the experience of the saint walking the path from external worship of Erai with form to internal worship and worship of the light or Jhothi. He reveals his wonderful experiences and divine knowledge in the 1596 lines of which the last few lines from 1401 to 1596 are given below.
Erai who came to us as Agathiyar has brought us to the threshold of the worship of Light or Jhothi. He equates himself with the Jhothi. We at AVM have been uplifted to yet another stage in this path. We are blessed indeed.
My late father realized that money could not save him, when a Japanese fighter plane opened fire on civilians in the streets in Ipoh, Malaysia. As he was a money lender by profession, he had just withdrawn two bags of cash from the bank when the japs machined gunned, missing him by inches as he lay frozen down on the ground. His life changed after that terrifying incident. He enrolled in an ashram in India serving the Guru. After some time the Guru sent him back, asking him to fulfill his responsibilities to his family first.
Pattinathar, a merchant who was trading with other countries, was left a note, by his son who had just arrived back home from a long, risky trading mission. Reading the note, Pattinathar realized all the wealth would not follow him to his grave. The note read, "Kathatra usiyum vaaraathu kadai vazhikke", even a broken and useless needle would not accompany you in your last journey towards death. He left his successful trade and treasures and became a hermit.
Pattiragiriyaar, a king, seeing Pattinathar's intense and unruffled faith and devotion even after being accused of theft in his palace and put to torture, joined him later seeking solace and peace at the feet of his Guru.
Siddhartha shed his princely robes after seeing his subjects suffer in pain and agony, seeking the reason for old age and suffering. He became enlightened. He became Gautama Buddha.
Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigalar left his successful mill business to his family voluntarily as promised, to become a mendicant. His search and interest in the Siddhas in his early years, had brought him to several levels of intense experiences that he vowed to return to the path later at 50 years of age. He started the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham at Kallar, India and subsequently brought the teachings of the Siddhas to us in Malaysia.
Sri Rama willingly took on the life of a traveling monk undertaking vanavasam, leaving his princely life, as a result of manipulation by certain quarters in the palace. His travels brought him fame and honor. The epic story Ramayana is based on him.
Similarly each of us has a turning point in life where we are made aware of the divine that moves us all. The real search begins then as Tavayogi says. The search brings us to the right people at the right time who lend a hand to us, uplifting us to the next stage. These are the gurus. Taking this torch in his hand the aspirant travels the path carefully, bringing his ego to the ground. He replaces his ego with the will of Erai. He then lives for Erai and his purpose. He becomes an apostle of Erai.
He then takes those who are willing to walk the path on a journey of discovery. The aspirants now discover for themselves the truth. The truth is not told or revealed by another but is discovered by the seeker. The truth is revealed from one's own experience. The saints have sung anubhuthis, personal records of their experiences. These songs would give an idea of what to expect traveling the path to Erai's kingdom.
Arunagiri who was so engrossed in the pleasures of life was saved by Lord Murugan. He took upon himself to sing the praises of the Lord. Hence come about a string of hymns that became known as Thirupugal.
My idea of coming into spirituality was to know my creator; come face to face with this intelligence that takes care of us and provided us with all the essentials, taking into consideration all the minutest details, so that we could live a wonderful and purposeful life.
I wanted to explore the realm of the Gods first hand and not through the ocean of spiritual and religious materials available, be it through books, spiritual talks or hearsay.
I wanted to see the divine through my own eyes and not through another's.
I wanted to partake the peace and bliss that is said to be derived and was much talked about and said to be within us.
I wanted to explore the mysteries that is associated with walking this path.
And with that expectation did I begin walking this path.
Understanding my yearning the Divine came to my aid and guided me well, providing me well, and blessing me with all his compassion and grace.
Coming to the religious and spiritual side of life, I came with great expectation that I would soon be in the company of great humanitarian souls, rich with high values and virtues, and full of compassion and love. I found them. I found them in the AVM family.
Traveling this road I met numerous strangers whom I began to see as angels in disguise. Soon we became a family. They became my extended family - AVM.
We at AVM have just one thought and that is to carry out the dictates of the Siddhas and leave the rests to them to take care. Taking this stand, we soon saw that the Divine was visibly guiding us through this journey and subtly working on strengthening our soul and spirit (Atma Balam) too.
When it comes to the Siddhas it is always a day of celebrations, invoking them, feeling their presence among us and receiving their blessings. You have to be here to understand it all.
Although there is much to understand and the journey is long, we are in no hurry to reach the finish line. Let us walk the path, taking in the sights and smell of nature around us, occasionally stopping for a rest and continuing the journey.
It is true that love binds any relationship. We see love flourish in AVM. We are bath in love and laughter.
Although life deals a blow at times, the love for Agathiyar helps us retain our sanity.
Although life reveals the dark side of others, the love for Agathiyar makes us accept and move on with our lifes.
The love for Agathiyar overrides and overshadows everything else.
We are glad we took the bait, Agathiyar's invitation to the path.
I have stepped into my sixties. My AVM family surprised me with a cake that they arranged for me to cut during the recent 108 Nei Deepam Yetrum Vizha or Lighting of 108 Ghee Lamps event at the Sri Mayuranathar Alayam, Srimath Pamban Swamigal Thirukovil.
I was surprised further when Thiru and Thirumathy Maheswaran fetched Thava Thiru Kumara Swamy Aiya from the Agathiyar Ashram in Anuvavi, Tamil Nadu, India, who was bound for Penang to conduct his regular Free Ayurvedic and Holistic Therapy Service, from the airport to the temple to lead us on with the prayers and bless all those present. Swamiji is a regular among Malaysian's bringing his knowledge of Siddha and Ayurveda, rituals and Siddha prayers to our shores.
Then we had Thiru Subramaniam Purushothman Aiya come out off his retirement to render several soul stirring devotional songs at the temple with a guest singer, Thiru Babu Loganathan, son of the late playback singer Trichy Loganathan.
Thiru Babu Loganathan (left) and Thiru Supramaniam Purushothman Aiya
To top it all up we had a gentlemen drop by the temple and roped us all in on his tree sapling planting campaign, his 1208th event in temple grounds.
The grand finale was when the divine told us to worship the Aganda Deepam which he said was equivalent to worshiping him, reminding us of Ramalinga Adigal's last message to his followers before shutting the door to his room in Sitthivalagam in 1874, only to be seen again in the mortal frame in 1902 when he came back to give darshan to his foremost disciple Kalpattu Aiya and subsequently placed him in Samadhi after Kalpattu Aiya upon seeing him merged with him.
What else can someone ask for as a birthday present? Thank you Lord. Thank you AVM family.
