I went for my Covid-19 vaccination yesterday. It was held at an assembly hall in a local university where my daughter studied near our home. I and the rest of the senior citizens were given red carpet treatment with students and volunteers ushering us all the way. I thank all those who are involved in seeing the smooth execution of this process and ensuring herd immunity is achieved.
In the event, there is a delay in a procedure or treatment that is beyond our doing although we have arrived early, I believe that the divine has a say and has a hand in it. For instance, my appointment to receive the Covid-19 vaccine was at 12noon. I arrived much earlier than usual. But I was given the vaccine at precisely 1.58pm. I understood that it had to be administered at precisely that moment in time. Similarly, I went early for my dental appointment at 2pm some time back. Another patient arrived accompanied by his son. Soon another lady brought in her father. But the dentist called for both of them first before seeing me last. I took it that the divine wanted her to see me at 4pm at that particular moment in time. When Jnana Jothiamma had a particular Nadi reading among the numerous she had, Agathiyar halted the reading breaking it up into 5 sessions. He asked the Nadi reader to read each at a particular Hora or time. (Read further at https://www.prokerala.com/astrology/hora.php)
When we talk about surrender to the divine, what is asked of us is to surrender our desires, wishes, and will and take on the desires, wishes and will of the divine. But many understand it otherwise. There was a disciple of a living guru in Malaysia who told me that she doesn't lock her car and home telling me her guru shall take care. I thought to myself that these are basic safety precautions that one takes to protect his property from theft. And her guru is not a security guard who keeps tabs on her home. A staunch devotee of Agathiyar invited AVM Agathiyar over to his home and the family performed a Homam and Abhisegam to Agathiyar. Several days later thieves broke into his home during the time the family left their home to have lunch outside. The thieves carted away their cash, jewelry, and their second car. Their relatives who attended the puja started asking how could Agathiyar allow this, especially after having honored him in their home? How do we answer them? We must understand that we still have to do our part. Similarly, we cannot possibly ignore the well-being of our family and not go to work expecting the divine to feed them. Let us be practical.
This attitude of shifting our responsibilities to the divine is rampant and prevalent in our circle. Can we expect Agathiyar to save us if we do not adhere to the SOP's listed during these times of the pandemic? Agathiyar told us to observe and follow the rules laid down. He will make sure that we are safe. And so to top up the protective gear that the SOP's provide Lord Shiva asked us to recite the Maha Mrithyunjaya Mantra that removes the fear of death and the unknown and the previous vasanas that come forth as our fears in us, bringing calm, peace, and acceptance to us in these uncertain times. Lord Shiva then gives us the Dhanvantri Mantra too as an added protection shield that tops up our immunity and keeps illness at bay, and heal the sick. If at all we succumb to the virus even after taking all these precautions then we have to switch to the acceptance mode and only then surrender unto him, that he knows best.
There is another sector of devotees who listen but hesitate to follow. Here thoughts and confusion stand in their way of receiving the goodness that the divine provides. They delay what is told or given and decide only later to proceed. Agathiyar tells us that குறித்த நேரத்தில் செய்யும் அனைத்தும் ஜெயம் telling us that the timely execution of all tasks shall bring success. Not a minute earlier nor later. By the time the message sinks into them or they brood over the advice or fail to take up the invitation, seconds tick way. When they finally decide to follow the planets might not be favorable, the agents of the divine stationed to aid us might have left, the resources might not be available. It is of utmost importance that we do not delay the asking of Agathiyar for he has arranged for everything to happen precisely at that moment and his way.
When a doctor is recommended for a particular ailment based on the success rate of the case history of his patients, one should visit him immediately. Not visit him later for another ailment. Things then do go wrong since both the timing and the reason have changed. The formula, treatment, or medicine does not work then. Similarly, if the medicine is given it needs to be taken immediately. Not waiting to collect it on a day and waiting again to know the instructions to take it and finally taking it another day. Time has lapsed.
I was one for adhering and keeping time. My family circle and friends know that I am punctual. I expect others too. Working with the military throughout my career taught me this life-saving need to keep time. Imagine if the soldiers were to assemble late upon the call to battle. We civilians were always undisciplined and turn up late. So during the years of our worship of the Siddhas at AVM, we adhered strictly to time. Soon the Siddhas came to take control of the timings, bringing the prayers earlier or bringing urgency to it.
In this path of the Siddhas, discipline is of utmost importance too. Adhering to advice, directive, instructions, and keeping time, and keeping up the given practice too are crucial for us to develop further. Many drop out or remain behind because of indiscipline. Tavayogi has expounded the need for discipline too in his speeches. A man who is discipline shall achieve much in life.