My very first Nadi reading in 2002, brought me to have a conversation with Agathiyar, though it was one-way. Agathiyar spoke through the Nadi in Tamil that was out of use in present times, that was read and retold to me with explanations in simple basic day to day spoken Tamil, by trained professionals in their field. In the chapters of the Kaanda Nadi that I was advised to read by the Nadi reader Sentilkumar and another from the Gnana Kaandam that was suggested I read too, by Sivabalan who brought the reader in from India, Agathiyar spoke about me and my past birth, and the reason to take this birth. Knowing the reason and the causes he then listed out the panacea to soften if not entirely remove the imprints of my past actions that if left to germinate will determine my fate further. Agathiyar gave me an opportunity to rewrite my fate and together create a new destiny that day. But I had yet to know the man who addressed me in the Nadi, who knew me only too well that he could talk about my future, the present, and my past and even my past births. He told me to come back for another reading some three years later. I guess he wanted to see if I followed whatever he had mentioned in the reading first.
I took heed of his advice and began working on the parikaram or remedies listed to be carried out in Malaysia and worked on my itinerary to carrying out the rest in India soon. It was only when I went for my very first Nadi reading, and when I was called to come to the path of his, the Siddha path, and after I took up his call that the interest to know about Agathiyar, the author of the said Nadi and the said path grew in me. While waiting to travel to India, I scouted around the existing establishments in the name of Agathiyar to get to know the man. But no one could show me to Agathiyar. They only showed me to their gurus and their activities and accomplishments. I continued on my lone and solo prayers in my home worshipping the Siddhas taking cue from watching Sentilkumar do a prayer Nadikku Dhanam or paying homage to the Nadi that was read to us, in my favour and on my behalf. With the small booklet from which he recited the names of the Siddhas that he passed on to me and the painting of Agathiyar that I bought from Sivabalan, my journey on the path of the Siddhas began with worship to them.
Several months after my first reading I stepped on the Indian soil, the birthplace of my father and our ancestors, for the very first time. Prior to seeing the Nadi, I had neither idea nor intention to go to India. I planned to go in December 2003 for the Kartigai Deepam festival but opted to go earlier. I finally left for India on 31 August 2003. I was to conduct atonement or parikaaram at Utamar Temple, Palur Sani Temple, and Tiru Aanaikaval Temple, all in Trichi. Besides that, I was asked to worship at the five elemental temples of Shiva, namely Kalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Egambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tillai Nadaraja Temple in Chidambaram, and Tiru Aanaikaval Temple in Trichi (already mentioned). I was also instructed to worship at Palani Murugan and Bhogar’s Temple. I was to circumambulate (girivalam) the sacred hill of Tiruvannamalai during a full moon.
I could see his invisible hand and his magic in all thing beginning with switching the driver. Devendran told me later that another driver Raji was to fetch and accompany me throughout my journey in India but he had taken ill suddenly. I came to realize later that the switch was all for a purpose, for I was destined to meet my Guru and Devendran was to take me to meet him later. Dhaksanamurthi, my travel agent in Malaysia, was waiting for my arrival at the Sindoori Hotel in Chennai. He told me Vinayagar Chathurthi, the day I traveled to India, was an auspicious day to travel, as it was customary for Indians to plan travel on this day. Although I did not have any atonement to be done at Tirumalai Vengadesa Temple in Tirupathi, Andra Pradesh, Dhaksanamurthi had included it in the itinerary. Paying my respects to the Lord at Tirupathy, and stopping over to carry out my first parikaram at Kalahasteeswarer Temple in Kalahasti, I retreated for the night in a hotel in town. That night at the hotel, I suddenly felt alone. Here was I heeding Agathiyar’s words (in the Nadi). I had made this long pilgrimage, alone. But where was he? I was also disturbed. Had I to pay at each temple for entrance fees, parking fees, fees for special queues, etc.? Why did we need to pay to see the Gods, I questioned myself? Only then did I realize how easy it was to pray at the temples in Malaysia. It was absolutely free of charge. I was beginning to wonder whether this was how it was going to be for the rest of my journey? The thought did disturb me.
The next day, 2 September 2003, I visited the Kalahasteeswarer Temple again, this time alone. I was there from 6 am to 8 am not because I wanted but was detoured by an invisible hand. I came round the temple complex several times trying to look for the exit. After each unintended circumambulation of the temple complex, I end up at the only doorway which I told myself was not the one that I had entered through. Questioning the security guard he told me that this was the only doorway that served both as the entrance and the exit door to the temple complex. As I stepped out into the open, I realized I had indeed entered through this entrance and that I was disorientated and could not find my bearings back there. I wonder why the good Lord of Kalahasti got me to circumambulate him many times before letting me off?
Arriving at Tiritani, I was soon to find out at the end of my journey that my Guru was born on this temple grounds. At the Egambareswarar Temple, another of the Pancha Stalam that I was directed to perform parikaram, as the main sanctum was packed with people witnessing a ‘private prayer’ and as the atmosphere was extremely noisy, I decided to move away to see if I could do my parikaram elsewhere. As I came around the temple complex, I stopped at the entrance to a large chamber on my left, to take a look. I saw a huge and majestic statue of Lord Nadaraja within looking down on me. A young priest who stood at its entrance quickly ushered me into the chamber. He walked briskly ahead of me and lighted the camphor. As I stepped inside this magnificent chamber, I felt I had stepped into another world and plane; another space and time; an entirely different atmosphere, an entirely new feeling, something I had never felt before overcame me. I could feel a strong vibration come over me. Was I being shown a small sample of the bliss that is often mentioned by the Yogis and Gurus I wondered later? I stood in front of Lord Nadaraja, at close proximity, amazed, astonished and emotionally shaken up, tears pouring down the cheeks, and eventually, I broke into a loud cry as the young priest continued his chant as he showed the sacred flame or arati. I had my Lord all to myself at that moment. Everything else stood still! Eventually, I became composed, thanked the priest and made my way out of that mesmerizing and eccentric chamber of Lord Nadaraja. Further down the corridor, an elderly couple invited me to sit and watch with them the bathing ritual or Abhisegam to Goddess Kaali. I sat with them to witness a private prayer or puja to Maa Kaali. I stayed long enough to witness Abhisegam performed on Lord Egambareswarar too.
Arriving at Tiritani, I was soon to find out at the end of my journey that my Guru was born on this temple grounds. At the Egambareswarar Temple, another of the Pancha Stalam that I was directed to perform parikaram, as the main sanctum was packed with people witnessing a ‘private prayer’ and as the atmosphere was extremely noisy, I decided to move away to see if I could do my parikaram elsewhere. As I came around the temple complex, I stopped at the entrance to a large chamber on my left, to take a look. I saw a huge and majestic statue of Lord Nadaraja within looking down on me. A young priest who stood at its entrance quickly ushered me into the chamber. He walked briskly ahead of me and lighted the camphor. As I stepped inside this magnificent chamber, I felt I had stepped into another world and plane; another space and time; an entirely different atmosphere, an entirely new feeling, something I had never felt before overcame me. I could feel a strong vibration come over me. Was I being shown a small sample of the bliss that is often mentioned by the Yogis and Gurus I wondered later? I stood in front of Lord Nadaraja, at close proximity, amazed, astonished and emotionally shaken up, tears pouring down the cheeks, and eventually, I broke into a loud cry as the young priest continued his chant as he showed the sacred flame or arati. I had my Lord all to myself at that moment. Everything else stood still! Eventually, I became composed, thanked the priest and made my way out of that mesmerizing and eccentric chamber of Lord Nadaraja. Further down the corridor, an elderly couple invited me to sit and watch with them the bathing ritual or Abhisegam to Goddess Kaali. I sat with them to witness a private prayer or puja to Maa Kaali. I stayed long enough to witness Abhisegam performed on Lord Egambareswarar too.
Wednesday, 3 September, we left for Melmaruvathur Athi Parasakthi temple. Dhaksanamurthi included this temple in my tour since he had helped build this temple as a student in India. I arrived at the Sathya Gnana Sabai at Vadalore later, a place I had very much wanted to come to, after reading about its founder saint and Siddha, Ramalinga Adigal. But I was disappointed by the turn of events or rather it was uneventful in a sense. The priest came in at 11.45 am after a long wait. He opened a door to let himself inside and did not come out for a while. Then he emerged to open the huge timber door to the sanctum to expose a black curtain drawn closed. As the flame from the camphor was shown to this curtain, devotees gathered quickly to witness this brief ceremony. Some of them chanted the “Arutperunjhoti Mantra”. That was that. It was all over within minutes. There was neither interaction nor eye contact between the priest and the devotees. I whispered to a devotee Janaki Amma, who was singing the praises of the Lord from the Thiruarutpa by Ramalinga Adigal, that I intended to make a donation and she brought me to the administrative office. I was disappointed with the attitude of the official at the office. As we left the temple grounds, people crowded around the car asking for alms. I was again disappointed with the management and sad on seeing the fate of these people. I had so many questions go on in my mind as to why poverty was not eradicated; people were still seeking alms, and people were still left hungry. After so many years of existence of the Sathya Gnana Sabai, their fate had not changed.
I moved on to Sidhivalagam Thirumaligai in Mettukuppam. I stopped at Bhuvanagiri, the birthplace of Swami Raghavendra as my brother-in-law and sister who were staunched devotees of his, requested I try to visit the Swami’s home which was now a shrine. Unfortunately, the building was closed for renovation. Nevertheless, I managed to steal a peek of the image of the Swami through the grilled doorway.
I moved on to Sidhivalagam Thirumaligai in Mettukuppam. I stopped at Bhuvanagiri, the birthplace of Swami Raghavendra as my brother-in-law and sister who were staunched devotees of his, requested I try to visit the Swami’s home which was now a shrine. Unfortunately, the building was closed for renovation. Nevertheless, I managed to steal a peek of the image of the Swami through the grilled doorway.
Arriving in Chidambaram, as the Tillai Nadaraja temple was closed for the afternoon, we adjourned to the Tillai Kali Temple, which was some distance away. On my return to Malaysia, I read in the net that one should visit the Kali Temple first before Tillai Nadaraja Temple which I had exactly done although unknowingly. Although I was disappointed at the behavior and attitude of the priests, with no other option, I conducted the prayers at the Adi Lingam sanctum as I had to offer a prayer here according to the Nadi.
Sentilkumar, recommended that I include the Tiruvenkadu Temple in my tour of temples and instructed me on the Kriya to perform at this temple.
I arrived at the Suryanar Temple in Mayil Aduthurai in the scorching heat of the day, at exactly 12 noon. I had been advised against giving alms to the poor on this pilgrimage by my brother who had the bitter experience of having to ward off large groups of beggars who turned up once they see a foreigner or visitor giving donations. Shivabalan had particularly mentioned to me to be wary of beggars in the guise of sadhus especially at this temple. True enough there were many kavi or safron clothed men sitting at the entrance to the temple asking for alms. I made my way hastily into the temple grounds. After offering my prayers, and taking heed of their advice, I left the grounds of the temple hurriedly as the sand was burning my feet. A woman came after me calling out to me and asking for alms. She was followed by a disfigured man struggling to catch up with us. This couple, as if reading my mind, told me, “There are only two of us - please donate”. True enough no one was around on the immediate grounds of the temple. I dipped my hands into my pockets and handed whatever cash I had then to the woman who happily went away with her partner. Who could they possibly be?
We continued to Utamar Temple. Devendran went in to look for any priests who could assist in doing the attonement or parikaram at this temple as Agathiyar in the Nadi only mentioned that I donate to three Brahmin priests at this temple. Then as if God sent, Devendran appears with a priest willing to guide us at this temple and also to take us to the Tiru Anaikaval Shiva Temple too. The priest advised that we get to Tiru Aanaikaval Temple first, and fast too before, they closed for the lunch break, and to come back to Utamar Temple in the evening for the atonement here.
It was 12 noon as we arrived at Tiru Anaikaval Temple. The priest from Utamar Temple who volunteered to guide us, advised me on the purchases to be made. To my surprise, he used his contacts at the temple to open doors that were already closed. He had Lord Vinayagar’s chambers opened for me. He called out to an elderly priest who was seated among others taking a break, and requested with a note of authority that he was to conduct the prayers at the main inner sanctum! I had the privilege to enter the main sanctum and be shown the Shivalingam which was partially submerged in water. After the elderly priest conducted the prayers, I fell at his feet for his blessing. As I picked myself up, I saw the priest from Utamar Temple, the temple caretaker, and Devendran too, picking themselves up, having followed my gesture in paying respects to him. The priest from Utamar Temple insisted the elderly priest should conduct the prayers at the Lord Dhaksanamurthi sanctum too. After the elderly priest left, I broke down at Lord Dhakshanamurthi’s sanctum. I cried for all the blessings that I had been shown until then. I suppose I must have cried aloud to the amazement of my newfound friends, for the caretaker of the temple tried to console me. I heard the priest from Utamar Temple say, “Let Him Be, Let Him Cry.” After a while, I picked myself up and we adjourned to feed the poor, a cow, and an elephant on the advice of the priest from Utamar Temple. I was literally pushed or shoved from one shrine to another, by this wonderful group of people, the elderly priest, the priests from Utamar Temple, the temple caretaker and Devendran, performing each prayer to the utmost satisfaction. Returning back to Utamar temple now, the priest whom we picked up at Utamar Temple insisted that I dropped him off at a location that he chose, telling us that he had errands to run. After dropping him off at his chosen spot, and handing him the first of three offerings I had to give away at Utamar Temple we drove off. I chanced to look back to realize that we had dropped him off at a Hanuman temple! Why there I wondered?
I did not see him at Utamar Temple that evening when I was there completing the rest of my atonement! Why did he get down at the Hanuman temple? Who did come in the guise of the priest and showed me around? Was it Siddha Hanuman who accompanied me at Tiru Aanaikaval and with that much speed and velocity practically shoving me from one shrine to another? Who else but the son of Vayu could perform such a feat!
As I arrived to get a Darshan and blessings of Rengaraja Desiga Swamigal, founder, and patron of the Sri Agathiar Sanmaarga Sangam, at Ongarakudil, Turaiyur, I was warmly ushered by the late Nadarajah. I had wanted to come here since I learned the worship of the Siddhas from the many literature and videos produced by this society, that I purchased from the local affiliate of theirs in Dengkil, Malaysia. I inquired if I could see the Swami. I was told he would be coming in a short while for the evening prayers at 6.30 pm and that I could see him then. While I waited, I was served tea. After a while, Nadaraja, told me Swami was coming down to meet a couple of businesspeople. I would be able to meet the Swami after they left. However, before I met Swami, Nadaraja showed me around the complex and briefed me about the extent of their services to humanity, as instructed by the Swami to all visitors. As he ended the tour of the office, kitchen, and stores and other related buildings, he gasped aloud to find that the two visitors had left as their car that they had traveled in was not there. He hurried me along to a building, praying that Swami should still be around to see me. To our joy, there was Swami seated alone on the floor in one corner of that small room. There was an aid standing at the doorway to another room. I entered the room and prostrated in front of Swami. Devendran followed too. Nadaraja introduced me to Swami. Swami talked cheerfully about Kuala Lumpur and enquired from Devendran about my arrangement to tour India.
I never expected to have an audience with Swami one to one. I asked that he bless me. He did not reply. Nadaraja motioned me to speak louder, as he was short of hearing. Fearing he might not have heard me, I asked again. There was no reply. I asked him thrice. Finally, he replied that coming to Ongarakudil in itself was a blessing. I felt disappointed in his answer. I did not know how to receive his answer then. I told myself there could be many reasons for Swami not to bless me as did the other Gurus. I began to question myself if I was not worthy enough to receive his blessings. I had high regards for the Swami as his Nadi revelations, published by his organization, carried praises for the Swami from the Siddhas. He was said to be the Avatar of Ramalinga Adigal. He is said to be Lord Muruga and God reincarnated.
As Sri Ranganatha's main sanctum was just as crowded as Tirupathi and as I could not enter, I spent some time at the shrine for the Goddess where prayers were going on too. As I was about to get into the car and drive away from Sri Rangam a holy man of medium height with a long white beard and long hair that was tied up neatly and dressed in a clean white vesti, suddenly stood beside me as if materializing from out of nowhere. He was fair, merry, and cheerful too. He started blessing me, “You shall be fine”, speaking very fine English and Tamil. I bent to touch his feet, asked if he had eaten, and gave him a token before I bid farewell to him. Who could this be?
At the Rock Fort where the Uchipillaiyaar Temple and Tayumana Swami Temple were located, the electricity supply was interrupted in certain portions of this Rock Fort Temple but I did not mind because it was an unusual experience, praying and moving around in the dark.
I left for Palani a day earlier than scheduled. After praying at Tiru Avinankudi temple at the base of the hill, I started for the hill temple. After having taken only a few steps, I could not move my legs anymore. They were frozen. They were extremely heavy as if rooted to the ground. I forced myself to no avail. I had to use my hands to lift my legs and place them down, a step at a time. The heart was pumping hard. I was gasping for air. I had an adrenalin rush then. It made my heart beat faster, increasing blood flow to the brain and muscles, and stimulating the body to make sugar to use for fuel. I pushed myself determined to scale the hill. I had to break the climb though, stopping every few minutes. I eventually reached the top of the hill. On reaching the top, I was dizzy, drenched with sweat, the throat parched and dry, and I had to look for a place to drop my heavy and now exhausted torso. I just dropped my belongings and leaned against the wall of one of the stalls that were lined up. As I sat there, I was sweating profusely on the verge of fainting. The throat was extremely parched and dry. As I opened my eyes all was bright and white. I could hear the crowd and saw only silhouettes of people moving around. What had happened back then? I had no problem climbing the 272 steps at Batu Caves. Neither did I have a problem climbing the numerous steps in the Gua Tempurung Caves back home prior to this trip. So why did I have a tough time climbing Palani Hill?
Having regained my composure after some time, I stood up to continued to Palani Murugan’s chambers. All I remember after that moment of exhaustion is that I stood in line to have the Darshan of Lord Murugan. I do not remember seeing Lord Murugan. I cannot recount seeing the face or image of Lord Murugan here then and also on my second trip in 2005 and again in 2016.
Coming to my senses I followed the crowd ahead of me, leaving the Lord’s chambers. As I stepped out of the chamber onto a corridor I then came upon another room immediately to my right and behind Lord Murugan's chamber. As I took a look inside, I saw four Brahmin priests in attendance. There was no one else in the room. Neither was there anyone ahead of me or behind me in the corridor. I enquired if it was Siddha Bhogar’s Samadhi and they nodded. I entered and stood in prayer while one of the priests showed the flame or arati. One of the priests, a young man, reached out for a tumbler on top of a closet in the room and handed it to me saying it was Abhisegam milk. I just took it in my hands and drank the milk. As I realized that I was the only one then in this chamber, I took the opportunity to sit for a while finding a place near the exit to the room. Upon opening my eyes, the priest who gave me the milk, held out some flowers and vibhuti in his hand. I took leave thanking him silently. Now, where did all the people in front of me and those behind me go? I came out of Siddha Bhogar’s chamber in a daze, not comprehending what had just happened back there. I walked and walked and kept walking around the temple grounds, still in a daze, but with a heart that was full, brimming with joy. Later on 19 August 2005, Agathiyar reveals what took place at Palani in the Nadi!
8 September 2003, I had a day without any activity as we had covered all the places as planned. Therefore, Devendran suggested I visit my late father’s village Kilsevalpatti in Putukkottai - Shivagangai district. I found myself stepping on the ground where my father was born and grew up. Unfortunately, there was a funeral of a cousin of mine that day and I just enquired from an elderly relative about my father, his home and relatives before leaving. For some reason I was not allowed to mend or meet up with my relatives in India.
According to the Nadi, I was to circumambulate the Arunachala hill on a full moon night. 9 September 2003, was a day of Girivalam. I joined the long queue to get another Darshan of the Lord before embarking on the Girivalam at 9.40 pm, and completing it at 6.30 am on 10 September. As I was told in the Nadi that I would meet up with my Guru in an unexpected way and in an unexpected place soon, I was hoping to come face to face with him on my pilgrimage of India. As it did not take place earlier, I thought I would meet my Guru at this holy event. When I did not meet him, I consoled myself that it may be another moment and another place or maybe back in Malaysia.
Just before I left Malaysia for India, my wife reminded me that we had not consulted an astrologer on the astrological chart for our second daughter. Since I was going to India, she asked me to look into it. Since I had the rest of the day to myself, I asked if Devendran knew any astrologer. He tells me his uncle was an astrologer and that he was staying nearby. Here is the reason for the switch in the driver fits in. I seized the opportunity to meet his uncle Supramania Swami and have my daughter's future forecast. We drove eight kilometers out of Tiruvannamalai to a small village Nachaananthal, to meet Devendran’s uncle. What I did not know then was that seeing Supramania Swami over an astrological chart was only a reason for me to meet my Guru in waiting.
As we drove up to his village home, a fragile old man walked up to our car. Devendran introduced me as a tourist from Malaysia who was there for his (my) daughter’s astrological chart reading. I mentioned my name to him but he just turned around and led us into his home and to his prayer room. He lighted the camphor and blessed me. He had Devendran place his deerskin on the floor outside his home. Had his son Ramajayam bring out all the almanacs or panjangam. I prepared myself to listen to the astrological revelation of my daughter’s future. However, what he did was to talk about my future and me.
He mentioned that he had been going around Mount Tiruvannamalai on full moon days, for the past thirty years now, but could not do it the night before due to ill health. The miracle was that even though he was ill and unable to go on Girivalam that night, as I was destined to meet him, I was brought to his place of residence.
He mentioned his masters. He had had five of them. They were his own father, Jayaraman Pillai, Pundi Mahan (Atru Swami), Sathanandha Swami of Salem (author of the Kandarguru Kavasam), Kolli Malai Swami and Yogi Ramsuratkumar (Visiri Swami).
I was blessed to receive Guru Upadesam and a teecha Mantra to be recited. He asked that I chant the Mantra for half an hour each day reminding me, “Just as a silversmith polishes his wares we too shall slowly work on it till we achieve it.”
As we sat together in the open air in that small home in a village known as Nachaananthal, oblivious to what was happening around us and the surrounding; unaware that many curious neighbors and kids had dropped by to view this ‘rare visitor’ from Malaysia, Supramania Swami revealed new happenings that were about to take place in my life. He could tell a number of intimate things about the life and mission I was to face. As he was narrating, I could not help but break down. I cried like a child. I cried for blessings I had received from God until that very moment. I realized how much God loved me then. As I kept on crying, Supramania Swami surprised me further with more predictions. I cried aloud again.
When Devendran did mention to Swami that it took me nine hours compared to three hours for others to go around mount Tiruvannamalai, Swami replied, “Of course it would take that long for he (referring to me) had been stopping over at all the places of worship and ashrams.” Now how did he know that?
“Take him back with you”, was his parting words to me referring to Lord Annamalaiyar. As we left his home, he stood there, hands together in prayer for me. He was praying for my safe journey. I in return stood there with my palms in prayer to him too, not knowing what was appropriate for the moment. We left him as night fell over this small village known as Nachaananthal, having spent five blissful hours in his presence that day! Having completed my parikaram successfully with Agathiyar sending his proxies to facilitate my travels and the many agamas or rituals that I was supposed to carry out, he finally brought me to my very first Guru Supramania Swami.
Thursday, 11 September, 6.30 am I walked to Annamalaiyar Temple to have his Darshan again. There was no crowd that morning. I took my time to pray and look around. As I came around the temple grounds, a woman was standing alone against the wall opposite Lord Egambareswarar’s sanctum. She indicated by hand gestures that she was hungry. I reached for my pocket and gave her money. Something prompted me to fall at her feet. As no one actually begs within the temple compound, I wondered who it was?
We went over to Ramana Maharishi’s ashram and Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s Samadhi. I realized that I had to meet his disciple Supramania Swami first before coming to him. On my Girivalam the night before, I returned to the original path after failing to find the Yogi's Samadhi in the dark, although many along the way pointed me directions. I went over to Kuberan Lingam at 11.30 pm as Supramania Swami instructed and left for Chennai to return home. I had planned to see a few more temples in Chennai but it was not important anymore. After Tiruvannamalai and the Darshan of Supramania Swami, nothing was important anymore.