Faced with obstacles, problems, troubles, sufferings, pain, and misery, we turn to God for his Grace to remove the obstacles and clear the path; to end the troubles, sufferings, pain, and misery. Praise and worship the Siddhas were the call of the day to those who came seeking a solution to their life's problems, sufferings, misery, disease, and illness. This was the mantra of Tavayogi, Rengaraja Desigar, and many other saints on the Siddha path. From praying for selfish needs they were brought to think about the welfare of the family, friends and the guy next door. The seekers were brought to pray for others too, by way of joint prayers or Kutu Pratanai in small groups, expanding from thinking about the self to include others. Soon their prayer encompassed all of creation. They were told to pray for the well being of the Prapanjam or universe that included them too. Places of worship were set up for people to come together and congregate in a single prayer and worship and praise of the divine. A personal prayer at the altar in the prayer room of an individual grew to include the thought of another in group prayers and evolved further to coming together in prayer to all of creation in temples. Soon his heart and soul opened up to the sufferings of others and he ventures to bring relief to others too by providing aid, help, food and doing other acts of charity. He leaves the world a changed man, having contributed and done his small part to society and mankind. In the next birth, he is prepared to take on bigger challenges and responsibilities, coming with missions and specific tasks to uplift the souls of others too besides strengthening his soul. Gaining soul power he lends a hand in healing others, guiding them and leading them to the house of God. This is the true evolution of man. This process has been clearly listed by Agathiyar in the 5 tenets of mankind and his purpose in coming at the Tamil Sangam.
Besides taking the tool of prayers, we take on and make all the efforts to alleviate or come out of the predicament we are in. When disaster, sickness, war, etc strikes we take the tool of prayer and the hand of the divine to ask for forgiveness and his grace. If in the Puranas we were told of the existence of Asuras and the troubles and sufferings they brought on both the rishis and the commoner alike; history tells us that large numbers of humans were wiped out by cruel men taking the helm, for various reasons including killing those who were opposed to them or those who were learned or simply went about a bout of ethnic cleansing. Then there were nations that went to war. The site https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-wars-2031197 gives a comprehensive list of wars fought for various reasons beginning from 1300 till the present millennium. These wars catapulted the outbreak of infectious diseases as Máire A Connolly, David L Heymann wrote in https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(02)11807-1.pdf
The danger has taken a new face at this age. We are now currently faced with a terror that has gone beyond a single locality, and gone beyond borders, to encompass the whole world. The danger is intensified further as it is an invisible enemy that we are faced with. The Coronavirus or COVID-19 has taken us by surprise and taken a toll, taking lives, crippling businesses and livelihood, killing both individuals and the economy of nations. Never has mankind seen a pandemic of this proportion.
https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/32/5/684/665695 we learn about the emergence of diseases throughout history.
Evidence of smallpox is said to have been found in 3000-year-old Egyptian mummies. Hippocrates wrote about the spread of disease by means of airs, water, and places, and made an association between climate, diet, and living conditions. Investigators described miasmas or an unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor as the source of infections. Fracastoro discussed the germ theory in the 1500s and three routes of contagion were proposed - direct contact, fomites or objects or materials which are likely to carry infection and contagion from a distance (airborne). Epidemics of leprosy, plague, syphilis, smallpox, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid fever, and other infectious diseases were the norm.
Both identification of the diseases and the relevant measures were recommended and put into place to counter these outbreaks came into being soon.
The development of the microscope by Leeuwenhoek in the 1600s allowed scientists to visualize micro-organisms for the first time. The 1800s brought knowledge of the cultivation and identification of micro-organisms. Vaccines were developed and used which introduced specific methods to our storehouse of measures for control and prevention. Pasteurization was another important contribution to disease control. An appreciation of the environment and its relationship to infectious diseases resulted in implementation of broad control measures such as community sanitation, personal hygiene, and public health education. The importance of nutrition was appreciated for its impact on infectious diseases.
The 20th century brought chemotherapy and antibiotics into our infectious disease armamentarium. Greater dependency upon vaccination programmes and health education became important allies in our efforts at reducing the occurrence of infectious disease.
As we are told that "But we are now aware that emerging and re-emerging infections have become a significant worldwide problem", to add to this we are now facing a virus and danger like never before. The effects this pandemic that raised its hood in December of last year and spread like wildfire, if not immediate, within months to reach all corners of the world, has had on us has caused us much concern. As countries are seen desperately trying to battle, this outbreak, bringing all available resources and aid together and seeing cooperation extended among nations in fighting a common enemy, trying to contain it and flatten the curve, the economies are on the verge of going down, plunging nations throughout the world into another bout of recession.
We grieve together with the families of those who became victims, within days, or almost instantaneously, of being merely in close proximity with those who carried the virus. We might be next in line if we are not careful and don't take the necessary measures to keep it at bay. We salute the front-liners who have been giving their best, including many of whom are family, relatives, and friends of ours. We pray for the well being of these front-liners who give their time and life to save others.
We do not know how long people can have their spirits up looking towards miracle cures and an end to the pandemic when they can get back to life as usual. Besides bringing a lockdown on our movements, bringing a halt to all our daily chores outside the home and limiting our activities in public, it has brought places of worship, the very institutions that keep over spirits up, to close its doors to the public too. We are now left to conduct prayers both for the family and the universe, in the safety of our own homes. It is during these moments that we realized that we are at an advantage as we are equipped with the knowledge of rituals and are prepared to rise to this occasion in prayers. From day one we never advocated the idea of coming together in prayer once a week at an establishment or venue and leave to mind our business till we meet again the following week as was the norm when I came to this path. In AVM we encouraged the seekers to come over, watch, participate, learn and carry out the prayers and rituals in their homes breaking their dependency on socializing. There were, of course, certain exceptions when we came together to carry out events on a bigger scale like the Annual Jayanthi celebrations and the feeding programs. Those who came, saw and conquered the knowledge, skill, wisdom of these pujas and went on to carry it out in their homes with their families and friends. Today these few sit before Agathiyar, in prayer, in their own homes, seeking for his guidance, grace, and quick recovery to the situation on hand, as since the places of worship have been shut down to the public. The knowledge and courage to perform these rites were instilled in us by Tavayogi. These days we carry out the Siddha puja during house warming and other auspicious events without the need to engage others as mediums. Just as a sadhu who has cut all forms of attachment to the world and worldly things, still has the welfare of the people in his heart, puts forth a prayer to the cosmos to help heal the world and all in it, without moving from his place of meditation or coming out of meditation, we need to extend these prayers from within the four walls of our rooms, pleading the divine to interfere and put an end to this pandemic. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi brings solace and courage to face this devastating turn of events in her address to the public via a video from her at her ashram in Kollam.
We grieve together with the families of those who became victims, within days, or almost instantaneously, of being merely in close proximity with those who carried the virus. We might be next in line if we are not careful and don't take the necessary measures to keep it at bay. We salute the front-liners who have been giving their best, including many of whom are family, relatives, and friends of ours. We pray for the well being of these front-liners who give their time and life to save others.
We do not know how long people can have their spirits up looking towards miracle cures and an end to the pandemic when they can get back to life as usual. Besides bringing a lockdown on our movements, bringing a halt to all our daily chores outside the home and limiting our activities in public, it has brought places of worship, the very institutions that keep over spirits up, to close its doors to the public too. We are now left to conduct prayers both for the family and the universe, in the safety of our own homes. It is during these moments that we realized that we are at an advantage as we are equipped with the knowledge of rituals and are prepared to rise to this occasion in prayers. From day one we never advocated the idea of coming together in prayer once a week at an establishment or venue and leave to mind our business till we meet again the following week as was the norm when I came to this path. In AVM we encouraged the seekers to come over, watch, participate, learn and carry out the prayers and rituals in their homes breaking their dependency on socializing. There were, of course, certain exceptions when we came together to carry out events on a bigger scale like the Annual Jayanthi celebrations and the feeding programs. Those who came, saw and conquered the knowledge, skill, wisdom of these pujas and went on to carry it out in their homes with their families and friends. Today these few sit before Agathiyar, in prayer, in their own homes, seeking for his guidance, grace, and quick recovery to the situation on hand, as since the places of worship have been shut down to the public. The knowledge and courage to perform these rites were instilled in us by Tavayogi. These days we carry out the Siddha puja during house warming and other auspicious events without the need to engage others as mediums. Just as a sadhu who has cut all forms of attachment to the world and worldly things, still has the welfare of the people in his heart, puts forth a prayer to the cosmos to help heal the world and all in it, without moving from his place of meditation or coming out of meditation, we need to extend these prayers from within the four walls of our rooms, pleading the divine to interfere and put an end to this pandemic. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi brings solace and courage to face this devastating turn of events in her address to the public via a video from her at her ashram in Kollam.
From a report on the Global Economic Effects of COVID-19 at https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R46270.pdf we are given an overview of the matter on hand.
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) first declared COVID-19 a world health emergency in January 2020, the virus has been detected in over 150 countries and all U.S. states. The infection has sickened more than 490,000 people, with thousands of fatalities. More than 80 countries have closed their borders to arrivals from countries with infections, ordered businesses to close, and instructed their populations to self-quarantine.
Central banks have engaged in a series of interventions in financial markets and national governments are announcing spending initiatives to stimulate their economies. On March 11, the WHO announced that the outbreak was officially a pandemic, the highest level of a health emergency. It has become clear that the outbreak is negatively impacting global economic growth. The global pandemic is affecting a broad swath of international economic and trade activities, from tourism, medical supplies, and other global value chains, consumer electronics, and financial markets to energy, food, and a range of social activities, to name a few.
But we cannot fail to notice the changes that came on as a result of this outbreak. The society which was moving towards cashlessness in a rather sluggish way now has become a cashless society almost overnight. There was a time when the government was contemplating to restrict the entry of single-driver cars into the city and began encouraging the public to carpool to reduce congestion on the road, these days we are told to drive alone on almost deserted streets. The homeless have now been driven into shelters and their welfare cared for. Animals are moving freely into cities we are told. Carbon emission has dropped and the skies have cleared as a result of fewer vehicles on the road and industries seizing operations. There is a significant increase in usage of home energy though.
The spreading virus has caused a dip in global greenhouse gas emissions. Reasons include a temporary blow to industrial activitiesa, falling demand for oil and a decline in air travel. History suggests that global disasters, particularly those with major effects on the economy, tend to drive a temporary decline in carbon emissions. The 2008 recession, for instance, was accompanied by a temporary dip in global carbon emissions.(Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-affecting-co2-emissions/)Who can comprehend the divine play or lila? We could never fathom, much less comprehend, the workings of nature and the hand behind it?
The divine although did not give an indication of the impending nature of the danger that would come our way, had through Lord Muruga indicated that the need to go within was near, in a Nadi reading in January 2018. But as it was addressed to me I took it that his instructions were for an individual. Later in October of 2018, he tells me the reoccurrence of the back pain was in a way to get me to reduce my outside activities, only told to take care of the crucial activities and the essentials. I reduced my participation in handing out groceries and food to the needy then. Besides taking lots of rest, I was told to wind down and go within. In September of 2019 Agathiyar too indicates the need for me to wind down too and go within and take up Yogam, that I was asked to suspend by Agathiyar after I hurt my back. Moving me away from external puja he asked me to begin internal puja. In November 2019 Ramalinga Adigal came to convey the message, to hold on to Agathiyar, as we have made substantial progress on his path. He tells us to continue on his path and not to let go of his feet. A month later Agathiyar comes in the Nadi asking us to revisit and reread the explanations of Tavayogi in his books on the philosophy behind the 96 Tattvas that govern the body or the Udal Kuru Tatvam. He then asked that we sit and watch the breath in meditation. In January of this year, Agathiyar comes to explain the reason and the need to go within. There was now an urgency and need to come out of matters related to the ways of the world and get to know the soul matter, moving from the external to the internal. He went on to show the way to free oneself from the shackles of material bonding, which he acknowledged as impossible to attain as we are stuck in the matters of the world. To aid letting go of our hold on the lures and pleasures of the world, he asks me to stop unnecessary travelings. He asks to meditate daily in front of him, follow the Yogic cleansing techniques adapted for the respiratory system that helps to ensure and facilitate the unobstructed flow of prana that drives the breath. The Nadi Suddhi as taught by Tavayogi helps clear the airways. Adding on to the opening practice of Nadi Suddhi and its benefits in clearing blockages and restrictions, the airway that was once a single lane road, expands into a freeway that can now cater for the increase in the volume of air taken in and with it, the increase in life energy or prana. The breath moves freely and fully when with the forceful inhalation and exhalation of the breath, hindrances or blockages if any are cleared almost instantaneously. Another technique of taking deep breaths and expelling the breath while sticking the tongue out helps expel kabam or phlegm. Agathiyar says that when a feeling of coolness sets in, just continue to sit in silence. Be calm and at peace. Watch the breath. The breath will eventually come to touch gently the Suzhumunai or Sushumna after having traveled and traversing all the lower chakras.
Agathiyar told me although I had consumed Agathiyar Kuzhambu from Siddha Vaidyar Arivan, that had expelled the toxins and brought a balance to the three dosas, there was yet more filth in my system and put me on a daily regime of taking a milder version of the purgative that he taught me to prepare myself, specifically reminding me, knowing that I was ever overzealous in sharing all things on this blog, it was only to be taken by me and not to be shared. Taking a single dosage of Agathiyar Kuzhambu sent me reeling to the toilet and bathroom. Taken upon waking up, it did its wonders beginning midday and lasted till evening. I purged and vomited numerous times. The Dosas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha were expelled from vis the rectum, from the deep recesses of the stomach, and through the nostrils. But it felt good after the thorough cleansing was done. But the daily dosage of medicine was a bitter pill to swallow. If only Agathiyar had allowed me to take "A Spoonful of Sugar" to "help the medicine go down" as in the lyric of the song "A Spoonful of Sugar" from Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins" composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. But it was not to be. I had to strictly adhere to the formula and drink it. I managed to drink it for a period of 40 odd days, skipping the days when I was away from home to attend to others matters or was too traumatized and left drinking it.
Agathiyar then brought me to sleep in his prayer room. He also told me not to go into total isolation yet as there was a need to share more with some seekers. He shall advise accordingly. So my time these days are well spent in the company of Agathiyar day and night, with food on the table, prepared with love and on time and according to my asking. My taste buds were off and going haywire. Food that is tasty at one moment tastes bitter when taken at another moment.
The divine although did not give an indication of the impending nature of the danger that would come our way, when Agathiyar came in December of 2019, he replied to a question where a devotee asked why her family members kept falling ill often? Agathiyar answered that a clean house ushers good health. He asked her to clear all the trash that they have accumulated over the years. What was an instruction to an individual then, is today seen in a massive clean up, sanitation and disinfecting of roads, streets, schools, mosques, apartments, homes, malls, playgrounds and other public places as an attempt to stop the coronavirus from spreading. Sadly the virus that has come into the open has sent us into hiding.
Agathiyar told me although I had consumed Agathiyar Kuzhambu from Siddha Vaidyar Arivan, that had expelled the toxins and brought a balance to the three dosas, there was yet more filth in my system and put me on a daily regime of taking a milder version of the purgative that he taught me to prepare myself, specifically reminding me, knowing that I was ever overzealous in sharing all things on this blog, it was only to be taken by me and not to be shared. Taking a single dosage of Agathiyar Kuzhambu sent me reeling to the toilet and bathroom. Taken upon waking up, it did its wonders beginning midday and lasted till evening. I purged and vomited numerous times. The Dosas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha were expelled from vis the rectum, from the deep recesses of the stomach, and through the nostrils. But it felt good after the thorough cleansing was done. But the daily dosage of medicine was a bitter pill to swallow. If only Agathiyar had allowed me to take "A Spoonful of Sugar" to "help the medicine go down" as in the lyric of the song "A Spoonful of Sugar" from Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins" composed by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. But it was not to be. I had to strictly adhere to the formula and drink it. I managed to drink it for a period of 40 odd days, skipping the days when I was away from home to attend to others matters or was too traumatized and left drinking it.
Agathiyar then brought me to sleep in his prayer room. He also told me not to go into total isolation yet as there was a need to share more with some seekers. He shall advise accordingly. So my time these days are well spent in the company of Agathiyar day and night, with food on the table, prepared with love and on time and according to my asking. My taste buds were off and going haywire. Food that is tasty at one moment tastes bitter when taken at another moment.
The divine although did not give an indication of the impending nature of the danger that would come our way, when Agathiyar came in December of 2019, he replied to a question where a devotee asked why her family members kept falling ill often? Agathiyar answered that a clean house ushers good health. He asked her to clear all the trash that they have accumulated over the years. What was an instruction to an individual then, is today seen in a massive clean up, sanitation and disinfecting of roads, streets, schools, mosques, apartments, homes, malls, playgrounds and other public places as an attempt to stop the coronavirus from spreading. Sadly the virus that has come into the open has sent us into hiding.