Armed with the tools gifted by our gurus we traveled the path of Sariyai and Kriyai the last 18 years. Taking notes of the precious guidance they gave that came in handy we walked the long path, slowly step by step, with the aid of the tools and the guidance as the torch. Often lacking in confidence and determination, when standing at the brink of giving up, the saintly angels or Siddhas came to our rescue, saving the moment and encouraging us on. From Sariyai and Kriyai they have brought us to Yogam and Jnanam officially.
Both to fulfill and identify our standing, they gave labels to our spiritual standing. To inform others of the location of my home, I named it Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM), taking the name of the very first spot Tavayogi settled to build himself a shed after traveling the length and breadth of India roaming as a mendicant. Agathiyar endorsed it feeling comfortable with my selection of a name for his residence.
He began to send potential devotees whom he identified through their Nadi readings to AVM beginning 2011, to watch and learn the worship of the Siddhas. Others came after seeing my website Indian Heartbeat that is now defunct and reading this blog to enquire more about the Siddhas and their worship. Slowly the numbers increased and we began to engage aggressively in both rituals and charity. For the purpose of coordinating our programs and activities, we started a group Amudha Surabhi (AS).
After years of worship to Agathiyar and the Siddhas, what was always a brief darshan of his during the puja sessions became longer sessions of stay at AVM. He chose to continue his tavam in this venue. He turned the place into Gnanakottam. In 2018 Lord Muruga pleased with our efforts, honored us through a Nadi reading, by upgrading AVM to Agathiyar Tapovanam Malaysia (ATM) in view of an increase in terms of the number of devotees congregating and growth in its programs. He was talking about the need to move house, moving to a bigger facility to accommodate the changes to come. But having seen all that has taken place in many of the Ashrams, Peedhams, societies, and associations, my family and I were very reluctant to make the move. We felt comfortable in our small home that had accommodated as many as fifty people. We chose to remain silent and not initiate any thought or action towards it.
Since we did not respond to his desire, Lord Muruga sent Agathiyar to convince us, knowing pretty well that we follow everything said by Agathiyar. Agathiyar came in an individual in the midst of our celebration for him at a temple. When he pointed to me that the venue was small for whatever they had in mind, I remained silent. After a moment, he asks if I shall no do it. I maintained silence. Then he said that he shall do it. I thanked him and moved away. Minutes later when my wife stood in front of him, he brought up the subject to her and informed her of the grace period in which their desires would take shape and materialize. We left it to them to carry out as they please. When almost nearing the specified period asked for, and there was no concrete existence of a new venue, we were wondering if the deal was on or not. Agathiyar then calls me in for a reading and states that we need not move. As I was not sure if this was final or if the subject will emerge later in the future, as this episode of building a temple was mentioned since my very first Nadi reading in 2002, I was skeptical. Then he comes through another on another day and tells me that they had tested me if I had desired to fall for the offer. I guess I passed the test. And I guess it is back to Gnanakottam for us.
Having seen their presence in many ways in our homes and the places we went, we kept asking ourselves what did we do to deserve their grace. Tavayogi once passed a remark of joy, saying that Agathiyar had come to stay with us easily while he had to go in search of him taking the long walk throughout India. Similarly, Ramalinga Adigal told my 3-year-old granddaughter happily, that she had come to Agathiyar at such a tender age while he had to perform extreme tapas for 12 long years before he could reach Agathiyar's feet.
When Tavayogi who wanted to go into samadhi after traveling throughout India and staying in Sathuragiri finally for 8 years, was pointed to Agathiyar Vanam at the foothills of the Kallar hills for that purpose, suddenly his plans we derailed by Agathiyar asking him to preach the path of the Siddhas in Malaysia and India. That is how I came to meet him in Malaysia in 2005. Soon he engaged in pursuing his desire to build a temple cum ashram for Agathiyar. I asked him why he wanted to continue when he was always advocating that we should move from Bhakti and come into Jnana. He answered it was not for him but for the public. When somebody has done much for us and we feel indebted to them, there is a saying that we can build a temple for them, meaning that they had attained the divine status of God. Similarly, these days seeing the amount of love, kindness, and care he showers on us, the amount of attention and guidance he provides, we are beginning to accept that we should build a temple for him.
Today we officially enter Yogam and Jnanam having successfully sailed through Sariyai and Kriyai. Gnanakottam will host Yoga lessons and sit in meditation under the guidance of Agathiyar, Ramalinga Adigal and Tavayogi through their selected choice of hosts.
Welcome to Gnanakottam.