Many truths have begun to dawn on our worship and the means and its tools. I shall list them as it comes to my mind. After observing how gravity makes our skin, muscles, and tissues sag with age, I began to figure out that the reason that Lord Muruga and the Siddhas could retain their youth was that they learned the art of defeating gravity. When a transformation takes place within us resulting from our practices in Sariyai, Kriyai, and Yogam, we reverse the said natural process by bringing in energy and prana through these practices and energizing the very cells, extending their life span that is said to vary according to their location and tasks. Soon man traverses time and space as did the Siddhas.
The difference between Vedanthins and Sidhanthins, what I came to realize, is in the approach to their body. When the former drops the body disregarding and giving it little attention, considering it as a bag of filth, the Siddhas walked the extra mile to take care of this body for they knew the way to bring the Gods whom many see as only residing in the temples, into this very body, transforming the very body into a temple and have God reside in it. From duality, we move into singularity or Yegan. From Dwaita we move to Advaita.
Closer to home we realize the significance of our practices handed down through tradition and time. Although many practices have evolved in a positive way we have equally created many monsters too having deviated from the truth and the path.
The architecture of the temple of days gone by itself aided us to achieve what we came for. For instance, as we arrive at the doorway of the temple and walls of the compound we leave the noise and the din that we traveled in and live with. As we pass through the numerous prakaram or walls we lose contact with the outside world slowly with only the sky and the earth that is in contact with us then. We leave all the small talk and thoughts behind as we cross the pedestal and go within the roofed temple structure where we touch only the earth as we have a roof over us now. We stand before our favorite deity who is not visible until a flame is lighted before them. Temples of days past were dimly lit for a reason. The devotee is not easily distracted by things and people around us, contrary to what we observe in bright light. The only moment he or she sees the image of that deity is when the flame is raised to show us the deity and never a moment sooner. Hence we would all be attentive and watchful waiting eagerly to see His or Her face.
Similarly, when Agathiyar comes he asks us to off the lights that run on electricity or battery leaving only the flame at the altar to shine. In this dim light, Agathiyar sees our Atma or soul. Author Betty J.Eadie in her books, "The Awakening Heart" and "Embraced by the Light", asks Lord Jesus what were the lights that she sees from heaven, flickering on the face of the earth. Thinking that it was the street lights and lights from housing estates, towns, and industries, the Lord replies that it was the light emitting from the souls. Recently I was surprised to see the whole sky filled with stars which are never visible these days. I remember laying on my mother's lap and gazing at the skies from our family home as a kid then. The reason I saw that number of stars that day and for several days that followed was that the majority of city dwellers had left for their hometowns and villages leaving the city empty during a recent festive season. Electricity consumption and usage were minimal during these days offering those who chose to stay back an opportunity to gaze at the night sky and its brilliance. Agathiyar had asked me to switch from metal to a clay lamp and light it many years ago. The lamp he said was akin to the gross body while the flame was to the soul. He would ask us to kindle the wick so that the flame burns brightly. Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai once told me that he shall come through this flame and watch me at my home in Malaysia.
What is the significance of offering prasad or food to deities? Many ask if God eats the food we give. Agathiyar had mentioned to the late Nadi Guru Hanumathdasan to visit a temple in north India where he shows proof of Lord Rama having eaten a portion of the offering. Agathiyar at AVM has asked that my wife serves him food daily too. What is food to him is medicine to us he says.
Why do we need to praise the Siddhas? This question was put to me once. The Siddhas of course do not need nor depend on us to worship and praise them. They are already fortified and bursting with energy. Agathiyar once in educating us on observing the ethics upon arrival at a Siddha samadhi, asked us rather bluntly who are we to energize them thinking that the rituals performed will make them a powerhouse. He says as it is they are already powerhouses having done years of tapas covering many births. We are not to carry out any rituals but rather sit in silence and tap the vibes and energy that prevails in these Siddha samadhis. So the Siddhas too do not need us to praise them. But in singing their songs of praise, something subtle takes place within us that paves the way for these divine energies to come within and transform our body, soul, and mind. It also brings down their grace that stands by us at every moment of our lives. For those who take up Yoga, it is of importance that they complete the two earlier initial stages of Sariyai and Kriya before venturing into Yoga. The grace of the Siddhas will see us through the successful completion of our Yoga practices without any hiccups or danger.
The benefit in singing their praises is definitely for us though Supramania Swami once told me to take up tavam so that his state shall be elevated with the prayers of the student. The ritual can also help save another's life or save them from a situation, as we came to realize. The Siddhas took to sit and light a Yagam to save Tavayogi when he was ill having heard our prayers. Performing a Yagam too has removed obstacles and brought couples into matrimony and saved another from the gallows.
Agathiyar in a Nadi reading listed the benefits of puja to me as I took on the journey as a freshie back in those days. He talks about the prayers conducted and their benefits. He reveals an extensive list of benefits attained from performing and conducting prayers. He reveals the reason he asks that I carry them out. Below are listed the benefits as Agathiyar revealed in the Nadi:
There are many in this world who utters my name (Agathiyar),
Prayers done truthfully (to Sidhas) shall gain many benefits,
Prayers shall bring much joy,
Prayers done moderately but splendidly and honestly, shall help protect the world,
Prayers done with fellow devotees will bring many benefits,
Many shall rise in stature and power,
Prayers will lead to a state of bliss,
Prayers done on full moon days shall strengthen the Jothi within,
Prayers will help remove doubts,
Through prayers, one shall attain godhead,
Strength, grace, and wealth shall be gained,
Stay on this path of devotion and family bond shall be strengthened,
All that is asked for shall be gained,
Prayers shall lead to meditation and charitable thoughts,
All ills shall be removed,
God shall listen to prayers,
Idiots shall become geniuses,
The benefits attained from prayers are indescribable for many changes shall take place.
When Tavayogi started me off with carrying out the fire ritual or homam in my home, I was not too keen but did carry it out as the guru ordained. Later Agathiyar comes to strengthen my hold on the need to do it. He says that I was not doing it for personal gains but for the good of the world around us. Only then could I put my heart and soul into the act as I was blessed to do my part for the larger world now. Only then did I realize the intent or purpose in living not for us but for others too. I remembered Tavayogi's reason to carry out the very first Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam that substituted the earlier annual fire ceremony in place during Agathiyar's Jayanthi celebrations. After the 2004 Tzunami took its toll on lives and properties, Tavayogi began to carry out the intense Yagam to please Mother Earth.
When Agathiyar asks that I spread his teachings through all available means and mediums, I continued writing the blog and uploading videos of events we carried out on YouTube. Though I had thought of pulling the shutters down on these many a times, readers would write to me in a timely manner telling me that they had benefited from reading the many posts. Agathiyar too would come in the Nadi asking me to continue adding that he would chip in on the contents. Now when I feel lost that Tavayogi is not here in person for me to share my experiences ad exchange notes with him, Agathiyar tells me over the weekend in the Jeeva Nadi reading read by visiting Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar from Kallar ashram, that he shall fill the gap and void. What else could one ask for?