TO BE IN THE WORLD & NOT OF IT.

When the King picked and appointed a Prime Minister after five days of a hung parliament I was delighted that Agathiyar's prophecy in the Nadi of a supporter many years back had materialized. I was worried that the predictions of his if and when they do not take place would place the Siddha in a bad light. Though I have heard many a politician seeking divine guidance from the Siddhas and the Nadi through devotees, I had once wondered if Agathiyar besides painting a picture of individuals' lives ever spoke about politics. When another senior devotee and I were summoned for a Nadi reading in the midst of a gathering at a temple in 2016 just days before our departure to India, while waiting I brought up this topic and we discussed it. To our surprise, Agathiyar mentioned politics and the state of affairs in the Nadi to us for the very first time, clearing the air. 

The Nadi that intrigued me and guided me from day one has been sidelined since the emergence of the Coronavirus in 2019. Henceforth, the Siddhas came through devotees to deliver messages. They began to speak about Nadi of a different kind, that which runs through another body that we carry with us too. The https://www.yogajournal.com/ describes it as follows.

The presence of these Nadis is felt these days in me. The tug and the pull and the subsequent pain and blocks that result are regular things these days. But by the grace of the Siddhas, they see to it that it does not permanently harm me. The purging of the excess in the three dosas too has subsided. The occasional churning in the abdomen and the more frequent spinning in the crown of my head continue. The occasional unobstructed flow in both nostrils brings an immediate calm and bliss within. There is total disinterest and disassociation from all things in these moments. I guess this is what is meant to be in the world and not of it.

TURNING POISON TO NECTAR

We read that in their bid to recover the Amirtham or divine nectar, the Asuras cooperated with the Devas, and took Mount Mandara, a spur of Mount Meru, as a churning stick and the snake known as Vasuki as the churning rope, churned the cosmic ocean. While the "stick" was steadied at the bottom of the ocean by Vishnu in his avatar or incarnation as the tortoise Kurma, Lord Shiva then consumed the poison which otherwise would have contaminated the Amirtham that lay in the depths of the cosmic ocean. In the Vishnu Purana, it is said that,

In the churning of the ocean many wonderful treasures that became the prototypes for their earthly and heavenly counterparts were brought up from the depths: 

(1) Chandra, the moon, 

(2) parijata, a beautiful and fragrant tree now planted in Indra’s heaven, 

(3) the four-tusked elephant Airavata, Indra’s mount, 

(4) Kamadhenu, the cow of plenty, 

(5) Madira, the goddess of wine, who became Varuni, the wife of Varuna, 

(6) Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling tree, 

(7) the apsaras (celestial dancers), 

(8) the celestial horse Uccaihshravas, 

(9) the goddess Lakshmi, who became Vishnu’s wife, 

(10) Panchajanya, Vishnu’s conch, 

(11) Vishnu’s mace and magic bow, 

(12) various gems, and 

(13–14) Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, rose up out of the waters carrying in his hands the supreme treasure, the amrita. 

(Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/churning-of-the-ocean-of-milk)

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudra_Manthana we learn further that, 

According to the quality of the treasures produced, they were claimed by Shiva, Vishnu, Maharishis, the devas, and the asuras. There were three categories of goddesses who emerged from the ocean; most lists include:

Lakshmi: the goddess of prosperity and wealth, who chose Vishnu as her eternal consort.

Apsaras: divine damsels like Rambha, Menaka, Punjisthala, and others, who chose the Gandharvas as their companions.

Varuni: the goddess of wine (sura) and the virgin daughter of Varuna, accepted by the devas. (Some interpretations believe her acceptance to be the etymology of devas being termed as suras and the daityas as asuras.)

Likewise, three types of supernatural animals appeared:

Kamadhenu or Surabhi: the wish-granting cow, taken by Brahma and given to the sages so that the ghee from her milk could be used for yajnas and similar rituals.

Airavata and several other elephants were taken by Indra.

Uchhaishravas: the divine seven-headed horse, given to Bali.

Three valuables were also produced:

Kaustubha: the most valuable Ratnam (divine jewel) in the universe, claimed by Vishnu.

Kalpavriksha: a divine wish-fulfilling and flowering tree with blossoms that never fade or wilt, taken to Indraloka by the devas.

Sharanga: a powerful bow, given to Vishnu.

Additionally produced were;

Chandra: a crescent, claimed by Shiva.

Dhanvantari: the "vaidya of the devas" with amrita, the nectar of immortality. (Sometimes considered as two separate Ratnas)

Halahala: the poison swallowed by Shiva.

This list varies from Purana to Purana and is also slightly different in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Lists are completed by adding the following ratnas:

Panchajanya: Vishnu's conch

Jyestha (Alakshmi): the goddess of misfortune

The umbrella taken by Varuna

The earrings given to Aditi by her son Indra

Nidradevi, goddess of sleep

Here is an interesting perspective of the peacock that Lord Murugan rides. 

The peacock is the mortal enemy of snakes, killing cobras with their talons. The main quality of the peacock is the transmutation of poison into amrita or nectar. This is tied to Lord Shiva getting a blue throat from taking the poison produced by the churning of the ocean; thus the transmutation of poison or venom by the peacock is said to produce the electric blue of its throat plumage and the wisdom eyes of its tail feathers. (http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Peacock)

When my daughter was concerned that during the times her children stayed over at their paternal grandmother's home, they could be fed non-vegetarian food, Agathiyar consoled and assured her that he would transform such food. Sri Raghavendra too is said to have transformed the meat offered to him by the ruling Nawab of the land where the saint placed his holy feet, into flower petals. 

Octavio Salvado describes it too at https://www.thepracticebali.com/2016/08/16/ride-peacock-octavio-salvado/

In the Yogic tradition, the Peacock symbolizes our own capacity to inwardly alchemize poison into nourishment, like the peacock does with the venom of the Cobra. In this way, the combination of Murugan and his prissy, yet very powerful bird presents us with a choice. No, it’s not the choice of fight or don’t fight. As the Bhagavad Gita assures us, life is a battlefield, hiding and shrinking away from living a life of meaning is not an option. Backing out of the confrontation is not the choice. We can’t control life. Believe me, I’ve tried. She’s relentless! And she knows that it’s her duty to prod us, lovingly (sometimes) and gifts us the opportunity to sharpen our tools. No, the choice is about how we manage ourselves in moments of confrontation and more interestingly, in times of outward defeat. Can we alchemize the situation so that it becomes nourishment? Do we lay down and die. Or do we transmute adversity into excellence, wisdom, humility, growth, and compassion? The struggle ‘is’ the nourishment, it’s built in. Every obstacle presents the opportunity to refine our authenticity, to deepen our Yoga, and become more of who we truly are.

Agathiyar has told me to stomach both the bodily pains and the troubles that come our way that is beyond our own doing. It is nourishment for the soul says Ramalinga Adigal too. The back pain went away unnoticed several days back just as it had come on. But my stomach keeps churning. I guess like in the Puranas maybe, just maybe, it is a similar scenario in real life too. 

Swami Muktananda in his "Kundalini - The Secret of Life", a Siddha Yoga Publication, published by the SYDA foundation, 1994, writes,

"She (kundalini) penetrates all 720 million nadis consumes all the old decaying fluids, then releases vital energy into them all. The nadis become filled with prana. It is only after the body has been purified that the shakti can work with full force. The basis of all disease and pain is the impurities that block the flow of prana in the nadis."

Likewise, could I safely deduce then that the chakras once activated and the Kundalini in arising consumes the toxin accumulated within the body for the last 63 years, clearing the path as it went to enable the river to flow unobstructed into the cosmic ocean where the lost Amirtham is recovered for good?

THE GOSPEL OF THE SIDDHAS

The Gods are known to give boons to their devotees. If we had read about this in the Puranas, Bhogar came on 11.3.2021 and invoked Lord Shiva to come before us. He asked Shiva to open the door for us.

சிவனே...உன் மக்களுக்காக வா...கதவைத் திற. 

Bhogar then asked us to ask Lord Shiva for any boon. We were tight-lipped until I told him we were pretty satisfied as he had given us all that we needed. I guess he too was happy that we had nothing to ask for. It only means that we are already in the state of being complete and entire, having everything that is needed or Puranam. 

Similarly, I was in a dilemma as to what to ask for when Agathiyar came several months prior to Lord Shiva's visit and turned to each of us gathered asking what we wanted. I had nothing to ask for but he waited patiently for my reply. As he kept waiting, not moving on, my brain worked in overdrive. I finally asked that I be born again and again and be given the privilege to serve him as I do now. He asked me back if that was what I wanted prompting me to pause and realize that it was not what was to be sought after. Later as I and Mahin discussed his visit over a telephone conversation, I told Mahin that maybe we ought to ask him for the state of Gnanam which was highly spoken about by Tavayogi although we never comprehended it. Tavayogi always lamented that people always either asked for riches and position or for their troubles and sufferings to go away, never at any instance did they ask for Gnanam. 

It happened that Agathiyar eavesdropped on our telephone conversation, for the next time he came, on 30.1.2020, he told me that I had asked for Gnanam. I was taken aback. He went on to elaborate on it. He said it was not something to be gifted but earned through our efforts. If I thought that that was "the" thing to ask, it was not to be so too. He came again on 16.3.2021 and told us that the yearning to join them and their company was the ultimate thing to ask for.

இவன் சரியாகக் கேட்டான். திருகுட்டத்தில் சேர வேண்டும் என்று.

When I report back to him that I have failed miserably in my efforts at meditation, "மனம் ஒடுங்க வில்லை", he tells me "நீ முயற்சிக்கின்ராய்", appreciating my effort. On 26.4.2021 when I told him I do not know how to repay his kindness, என்ன கைமாறு செய்வேன் அப்பா? he tells me that there is no need for that, "ஒன்றும் வேண்டாம்." After awakening the chakras in me, I asked him what I should do further and if there were any further practices that I needed to do, and he replied that there was nothing for me to do. The awakened energy or Sakti shall take care and govern all things henceforth.

Editing a video in which Tavayogi speaks at his event celebrating Agathiyar's Jayanthi I realized he had summarized the entire teachings, practices, methods, ways, path, and achievement of the Siddhas in a few words to the devotees gathered at his ashram grounds in 2005.

I guess I was born with a silver spoon. Although growing up with seven siblings in the sixties meant we did not have the luxury of three meals a day we never went hungry. The good Lord and my parents and later my older siblings took care of matters. The scholarship, the job, the motor, and later a car, the home, and the wife all fell into my lap. They were God-sent. We have two wonderful daughters and three grandchildren. 

The path of the Siddhas opened up before me. Inviting me to the path, Agathiyar provided me guidance through his Nadi, through two wonderful gurus, and now coming through his devotees. Walking the path of the Siddhas was not tough as Agathiyar, Supramania Swami and Tavayogi had gone through. I was blessed to have the Siddhas cushion my fall. 

So how do I repay them? I listen and follow their dictates. I carry out everything they say without question and without wanting to know the reasons behind these directives. That was the secret ingredient in my progress on the path. Among the many aspirants he sent over to my home Mahindren follows what is told by Agathiyar, to the extent that Agathiyar had him pull the brakes for he has only started a new family. Agathiyar told him to cool off and that he shall come to claim him in the future. I observe that my grandaughters will make good students too.

LET US CONNECT WITH THE PRAPANJAM @ 8pm TONIGHT (MST)

Reading Ramalinga Adigal's live history and his songs we tend to realize that he has even surpassed the Gods in the area of compassion. When the Hindu Gods took arms and defeated the evil forces that took hold of their devotees at some time later in their lives as told and retold in the Puranas, Ramalinga Adigal like Jesus never lifted a finger against his foes. Lord Muruga is known to have gone to war with Surapadma and his brothers Tarakasura and Simhamukha. But he did not vanquish them to rot in hell altogether but kept them among the Gods after they were defeated and pardoned. Surapadma was split into two halves, a peacock and the other a cock taking the peacock as his vehicle and the cock as his flag. Simhamukha was turned into Goddess Sakthi’s lion. Goddess Mahishasura Mardini took arms against Mahishasuran and defeated him. These devotees turned Asuras all turned evil after gaining boons from the Gods. This is where even the Devas and heavenly beings, and the greatest of saints and gurus tend to slip and fall if their ego, greed, and lust are not kept under check. 

Nowadays we have treats of a different kind unlike the ones in the Puranic times. The Prapanjam seems threatened.

The first time the Prapanjam was mentioned to us was in a Nadi reading on 27.8.2009. Agathiyar who gave me several yogic practices in the reading told me these practices would strengthen the state of Gnana in us further. As a result, the clarity and powerful thoughts would pave the way to lure the Prapanjam for sure.

பக்குவமாய் பயிற்சியும் செய்து வர பலப்படுமே ஞான நிலை பலவாறாக. பல்வாறாய் தெளிவு திடம் சிந்தை கீர்த்தி பிரபஞ்சம் வசிய நிலை திண்ணம் திண்ணம். 

Later on 17.10. 2010 Agathiyar told us that the Prapanjam was in him. Hence he shall present himself and grace us in whatever form we may worship him in.  

என்னுள் பிரபஞ்சம் உள்ளத்தப்ப. அவனியிலே எதை நினைத்து புசித்தாலும் அடுத்த கணம் அது வாய் மாறி ஆசி அதுவும் அளிப்பேன்.

Agathiyar who began to come through his devotees after the Nadi readers stopped coming over to Malaysia due to the pandemic, mentions that Ramalinga Adigal come into our midst on 21.2.2020 to bless us and helped us bring within us the energy that is dominant in Prapanjam. 

வள்ளல் பிரபஞ்சத்திடம் இருந்து சக்தியைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ள உதவினார்.

Agathiyar came again on 29.6.2020 and told us that he was the Prapanjam. He was us too. His powers were in us too. The moment we realize this truth we shall attain emancipation. 

நான் தான் பிரபஞ்சம். நான்தான் நீங்கள். என் சக்தி உங்களிடம் உள்ளது. எப்போது அதை உணர்விகளோ வீடு பேறு கிட்டும்.

Lord Shiva too came on 29.6.2020 and told us to give thanks to Agathiyar telling us that he was only there because Agathiyar was present. 

இவனுக்கு (அகத்தியர்) நன்றி சொல்லுங்கள். இவன் இங்கு வரவில்லை என்றால் நாங்கள் வந்து போகமாட்டோம்.

On 20.7.2020 Agathiyar again reveals that Ramalinga Adigal brought the Prapanjam within us.

வள்ளல் பிரபஞ்சத்தை தருவித்தார்.

On 30.11.2020 he says that he was all the deities put together. He was the Prapanjam. 

நானே அணைத்து தெய்வங்கள். நானே பிரபஞ்சம்.

I never doubted after I pondered over the story of Agathiyar's travels to the south to bring balance to the earth that was said to have tilted when all the Gods and Goddesses and heavenly bodies gathered for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy's wedding in Kailash. Logic tells us that only one who was equivalent to all the superpowers (and heavyweight) gathered at the wedding ceremony could bring a balance by standing at the other end. 

On 10.12.2020 Ramalinga Adigal asks us to bring the Prapanjam within us. The Prapanjam would serve us. It would come along. I guess this is what is meant by the Siddhis that the Siddhas are able to perform at will. He came down with such intense energy and laughter and became chanting the Arutperunjothi mantra, prompting us to do the same. He was totally and fully immersed in bliss throughout his stay where he could hardly hold his ground. He was elevating. We had to hold on to the devotee through whom he came within. He was constantly telling us to bring the Prapanjam within and that it would listen to us and accompany us.

பிரபஞ்சத்தை உள்ளுக்குள் செலுத்துங்கள். பிரபஞ்சம் உங்களுக்குக் கட்டுப்படும். துணை வரும்.

On 6.5.2021, Agathiyar spoke again on the Prapanjam making us understand that the doctor's role ends with the procedure done on their patients. Then Prapanjam takes over and begins healing the patients from within and without. He reassured my daughter that he shall stand by her and heal her eyes together with the Prapanjam. 

பிரபஞ்சம் உனக்கு உதவி புரியும். நானும் துணை இருப்பேன். 

He shows my daughter the way to tap into the Prapanjam and bring it within to heal her eyesight. Again he reiterates that it was he who sent both me and her for the procedures. 

உங்கள் இருவரையும் நான் தான் அங்கு அனுப்பி மேலும் சிகிச்சை அளித்தேன்.

Ramalinga Adigal came too to lead the way to show us the way to access and connect with the Prapanjam. He says that the Prapanjam shall assist us. He too would come to assist. 

உன் கைகளை உயர்த்தி பிரபஞ்சத்துடன் தொடர்பு கொள்க. பிரபஞ்சம் உனக்கு உதவி புரியும். நானும் துணை இருப்பேன்

We are indeed gifted to have these superpowers with us.

On 15.5.2021 Lord Shiva addressed our worry about seeing the numbers surging during the pandemic, saying we are the cause of it and Prapanjam used it for its purpose. Man now needs to join forces with the Prapanjam and use it as a force field or shield and engaged in cleaning the Prapanjam. When it's cleansed the world will be completely rid of the virus. He goes on to explain how it shall take place. "When engaged with the Prapanjam the vibration that takes place in you shall become atoms that cleanse the Prapanjam. The virus will be around till that day (till that is achieved fully). I, Shiva will join you in prayers to heal the Prapanjam. Whenever and wherever possible continue with this Homam. Those who can join do so (in lieu of the lockdown). Those who engage in this prayer will be safe. I have accepted your Puja. Share this with Shanmugam. Let it be known to all through his writings."

இந்த நோய் மனிதனால் உருவாக்கப் பட்டது. பிரபஞ்சம் அதனை உபயோகப் படுத்திக் கொண்டது. மனிதர்கள் பிரபஞ்சத்தோடு இணைந்து பிரபஞ்சத்தைக் கவசமாய் பயன்படுத்தி பிரபஞ்சத்தைச் சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும். பிரபஞ்சம் சுத்தம் அடையும் தருணம் இந்த நோய் முற்றிலும் குணமடையும். பிரபஞ்சத்தோடு இணையும்பொழுது உங்களில் ஏற்படும் அதிர்வுகள் அணுவாய் மாறிப் பிரபஞ்சத்தைத் தூய்மை செய்யும். அதுநாள் வரை இந்த நோய் நீண்டகாலம் இருக்கச் செய்யும். சிவன் நானும் உங்களோடு இணைந்து பிரார்த்தனைகளை முன்வேய்ப்பேன் பிரபஞ்சம் தூய்மை பெற. முடிந்தமட்டிலும் ஒவ்வொருவரும் இந்த ஹோமத்தைச் செய்து வாருங்கள். யாரெல்லாம் கலந்துகொள்ள முடியுமோ கலந்து கொள்ள தும். பூஜையில் இணைவோருக்கு இந்த நோய் பாதிக்காது. உங்களின் பூஜையை நான் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டேன். ஷண்முகனிடம் இவற்றைப் பகிர்ந்துகொள்ளுங்கள். எழுத்து வடிவில் உலக மக்களுக்குக் கொண்டு சேர்க்கத்தும்.

Shiva told us that among the many forms and names he was the Prapanjam too. He says that his energy is in us too. It makes sense now that he is asking us to enhance its power, the inherent energy of his in all of us to battle the pandemic as shown by Ramalinga Adigal. It looks like Shiva won't take up arms to battle the enemy as we have read in the Puranas and epics but we have to do it though he shall help us subtly. 

On 24.12.2021 we carried out a puja in conjunction with Agathiyar's Jayanthi that day. We lit the homam, and did abhisegam to Agathiyar's statue. While a devotee was dressing him up, I picked up Ramalinga Adigal's "Agaval" and begin to recite it. I could only recite until verse 305 "நாயினுங் கடையே னீயினு மிழிந்தேன் ஆயினு மருளிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி" when strong emotions came over me and I began to sob. I struggled to continue further but could not go beyond verse 336. I have been reading the Agaval solo and with my family numerous times but never could comprehend it. It was a mere song but a melodious one to me back then. But that day it  was different for I could feel the words reverb in me having me recall similar experiences. I stopped singing. To our amazement, Ramalinga Adigal picked up from where I stopped, through the devotee present. But the words were not that from the original "Arutpa" but were coined in real-time. Ramalinga Adigal composes a song of the cuff. As he took us by surprise, we could only record the later path of his song. It went as follows.

என்னுள்ளீல் நீ உன்னுள்ளில் நான் அதுவே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
போகமும் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி … நீ கடந்து அறிவே நீ அறியும்அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
எல்லாம் செய் சித்தம் சிவனடி சேரும் அதுவே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
ஆண்மையும் பெண்மையும் கலந்தன இறுதி வெளிப்படும் வெளிச்சமேஅருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
இவை எல்லாம் தாண்டிக் கடந்தபின் காண்பது அதுவே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
இளமையில் நீ செய்யும் யோகங்கள் யாவும் முதுமையில் சேர்ந்திடும்அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
ஜோதியுள் ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
குளிர்ந்தது ஜோதி
வெப்பமும் ஜோதி
நீயும் ஜோதி
நானும் ஜோதி
பிரபஞ்சம் முழுதும் ஜோதி
மின்மினி போல் மின்னும் ஜோதி
பரத்தில் இருக்கும் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
இப்பரதேசியில் காண்பதும் ஜோதி

Once more he tells us in these verses that the whole of Prapanjam was Light or Jothi.

In telling us that their powers were in us too and asking us to enhance them showing us the ways and the means too, they are making us superbeings too to help run the universe on their behalf. 

என் சக்தி உங்களிடம் உள்ளது. நிமிர்ந்து நடங்கள். பெருமையுடன் வாழுங்கள். அகத்தியன் உங்களில் வாழ்கின்றான்.

I now understand why Agathiyar said that we have to give power to the metal statue of his that he had us make in Swamimalai back then in 2009. He had us recite his name 100,000 times but we managed only 45,000. But the most gracious Siddha accepted our effort. Today he stands tall at AVM and grants our wishes. 

Agathiyar had been telling us that he was Prapanjam and that the Prapanjam was in him several times. Although he is Prapanjam and he can resolve all our worries, moving the chess pieces and realigning the course of events taking place and yet to take place, they want us, mankind to actively engage in bringing the desired positive changes as we are part of the Prapanjam too. He wants us to know our true nature and potential and not to forever depend on all things external. Rather than adorn a gauntlet as did Thanos in the Avenger series to wipe out half the population, in our case to heal the planet, they ask us to build the Prapanjam within to an extent where it keeps all diseases at bay. It is said that the villagers would be aware of the arrival of the Buddha even before his coming as his energy or aura was far-reaching. I guess he wants us to build our aura to that extent too to help wade off diseases and dangers. 

I understand that we are now called to connect with the Prapanjam. Once connected and as we tap into its energy and bring it within, the vibration that results in us generates atoms that shall then cleanse and rid it of the virus. We are to become channels and tap into the Prapanjam and pass it on to our surroundings. Before we can become transmitters of the Prapanjam we need to cleanse ourselves and our homes first. Before we can heal the Prapanjam we need to heal ourselves first. We need to prepare the vehicle for the transmission to take place. Hence the reason for Agathiyar to have us consume his Agathiyar Kuzhambu and other purgatives that purge the body of toxins and heal it. We see the need to conduct the Homam that connects us to the Prapanjam and energizes us through the external heat of the fire and heals us by inhalation of the herbs offered into the fire. At the same time we bring the offerings we place into the fire pit to reach far and beyond our surroundings, healing it too. We see the need for them to push us to do Yoga Asanas and Pranayama that besides healing body and mind, expand the lung's capacity to absorb more air and with it the life force Prana that can then be transmitted and shared with others. When this body that is the fortress is healed and fortified only then can we serve as channels to distribute the Prapanjam that has come within and in turn begin to energize others and our immediate surroundings, eventually healing the Prapanjam. By reaching out to the Prapanjam and bringing the body to the desired vibrational state and dispersing the charged atoms that build within us into our surroundings we bring about the healing of the Prapanjam. It is quite clear that God would not use his magic wand and make the virus or other dangers disappear overnight. Neither will he sweep the virus away. The Siddhas are not going to perform any miracle to bring everything back to normal. They want our active participation in reaching out to the Prapanjam for help. But the Prapanjam too shall not heal on its own but wants man to align with it and combat together the mutual enemy. 

If Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal had laid the bridge for us to reach out and connect with the Prapanjam in the past, if we had been put in touch with the Prapanjam and asked to work closely with it, Prapanjam came to address us through a devotee just days ago. The Prapanjam took the form of my wife in her dream. She was told to share it with us and every like-minded devotee concerned for the welfare of the earth. In the vision. In the dream, the devotee had approached Prapanjam who sat with our kids and grandchildren entertaining them. The devotee put forth her feelings of sadness seeing the calamity and natural disasters taking place and the emergence of the virus in various new forms and threatening and curtailing our freedom to move around freely again. Prapanjam tells her to ask likeminded devotees who cared for the wellbeing of the world and others to carry out the homam and chant the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra and Dhavantri mantra just like Lord Shiva had directed us at the beginning of the pandemic. Prapanjam asks that we fire the charcoal with dried cow dung. She asks to burn powdered dried neem leaves in this. 

Let us come together today Saturday 12 November 2022, at 8pm (Malaysian Standard Time), in lighting a homam (for those who are equipped with the tools to carry it out) or reciting both these mantras. Those who were shown the way to tap into the Prapanjam its pranic energy and shown the relevant techniques of pranayama to enhance it are asked to induce the said mantras and energize it further and return the renewed energy that has been provided by the Prapanjam back to it in the form of fire and smoke, cleansed and healed. We shall fortify ourselves with these mantras, engage with the Prapanjam, and send back the unified force to the Prapanjam to ward off the dangers. Our prayers shall be directed towards and for the betterment of the Prapanjam. If the Prapanjam lives we all live.

LET US COME TOGETHER IN PRAYER AGAIN

If during the onset of the pandemic in 2019/2020 we were asked to energize and give back to the Prapanjam in renewed form what we had taken from it, today we are asked to come together collectively and cleanse it again of all the debris that we have hurled onto it and to heal it - again. When the pandemic got out of hand and the numbers began to escalate again, Mahindren initiated the ritual of conducting a Homam telling me that if Tavayogi was around he would have done the same too. Taking the cue and suggestion that the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and Dhanvantri Mantra would be appropriate as the former removes fear and the latter acts as a shield, Mahindren set out to light the fire in his home with his family. Lord Shiva came immediately after the ritual and endorsed his act and answered our worries.

"மனிதர்கள் பிரபஞ்சத்தோடு இணைந்து பிரபஞ்சத்தைக் கவசமாய் பயன்படுத்தி பிரபஞ்சத்தைச் சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும். பிரபஞ்சம் சுத்தம் அடையும் தருணம் இந்த நோய் முற்றிலும் குணமடையும். பிரபஞ்சத்தோடு இணையும்பொழுது உங்களில் ஏற்படும் அதிர்வுகள் அணுவாய் மாறிப் பிரபஞ்சத்தைத் தூய்மை செய்யும். அதுநாள் வரை இந்த நோய் நீண்டகாலம் இருக்கச் செய்யும். சிவன் நானும் உங்களோடு இணைந்து பிரார்த்தனைகளை முன்வேய்ப்பேன் பிரபஞ்சம் தூய்மை பெற. முடிந்தமட்டிலும் ஒவ்வொருவரும் இந்த ஹோமத்தைச் வாரம் ஒரு நாள் செய்து வாருங்கள். யாரெல்லாம் கலந்துகொள்ள முடியுமோ கலந்து கொள்ளதும். பூஜையில் இணைவோருக்கு இந்த நோய் பாதிக்காது. உங்களின் பூஜையை நான் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டேன்."

Lord Shiva said man needed to join forces with the Prapanjam and use it as a force field or shield and engage in cleansing it. How is that possible? Ramalinga Adigal says the same too. He says, 'Bring the Prapanjam within you. It shall come within your control. It shall come along with you." (பிரபஞ்சத்தை உள்ளுக்குள் செலுத்துங்கள். பிரபஞ்சம் உங்களுக்குக் கட்டுப் படும். துணை வரும்). Annie Besant in her talks on "The Laws of the Higher Life", the Theosophical Publishing House, 1903, says "nature is conquered through his obedience." 

Lord Shiva explained further, "When engaged with the Prapanjam, the vibration that takes place in you shall become atoms that cleanse the Prapanjam. Use it as a force field or shield and engaged in cleansing the Prapanjam. When it's cleansed the world will be completely rid of the virus, though the virus will be around till that day (till that is achieved fully)."

So it was that we had to actively participate and do our part in cleansing the air and the Prapanjam. Lord Shiva told us that he too would join us in cleansing the Prapanjam. He asked that those who could join to carry out a homam and do it once a week. He said those who engage in this prayer shall be safe. He accepted Mahindren's Puja too. I was happy to receive messages from devotees of Agathiyar who took up the call by Lord Shiva to conduct the Homam in their homes. Suren, the blessed couple Sri Krishna, and Sri Dewi, and another blessed couple Balachander and Shanti took up the cue from Mahindran who had the thought of doing it in his home initially and that was endorsed by Shiva upon descending during the ritual. It is satisfying to learn that we too had a small role to play in praying for the pandemic to come to a close. 

If Lord Shiva came to endorse through the act of Mahindren back then, the Prapanjam took a form in a vision to a devotee in the early morning hours today and gave a message to carry out a similar prayer and ritual. In the vision the devotee had approached Ma who sat with our kids and grandchildren attending to their needs joyously. The devotee put before Ma her feelings of sadness seeing the calamity and natural disasters taking place and the virus that we thought had subsided taking various new forms and threatening us again curtailing our freedom to move around freely again. Ma tells her to ask likeminded devotees who cared for the wellbeing of the world and others to carry out the homam and chant the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra and Dhavantri mantra just like Lord Shiva had directed us at the beginning of the pandemic. Ma seemed concerned with children though and asked that we take extra care of them making sure we give them nutritious food and milk with a pinch of turmeric. She asks that we fire the charcoal with dried cow dung. She asks to burn powdered dried neem leaves in this. If both Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came to help us reach out to the Prapanjam in the past, today we are overjoyed that the Prapanjam has come to address us through this devotee. 

When the pandemic stepped in and froze all the outdoor activities including puja at temples and charity that we were happily carrying out back then, we were left with home puja and yoga practices done on our own. But we are glad that the Siddhas had pushed us hard to learn both as today we are well equipped with both the knowledge and the skills in doing Siddha puja and doing yoga. Both these now have become tools in our hands. Lord Shiva in asking us to do these rituals ended the long gap of a year and a half of abstaining from rituals as directed by Agathiyar. But as they told us when the need arises, we could engage in rituals, we were summoned to bring back the rituals the times of Covid-19. Prapanjam now tells us the same that though she was pretty aware that we are engaged in going within having abstained from rituals, she requests us to take up arms to battle yet another round of danger. 

We are glad that Tavayogi had initiated us to carry out homam in our homes. Although I reluctantly carried it out in the beginning for, I did not favor rituals, Agathiyar came later and pointed out that it was not for personal gains but for the wellbeing of the Prapanjam. Only then did I carry it out wholeheartedly. Agathiyar came later to tell me that he was the Prapanjam and that the Prapanjam was in him too. 

Today I was overjoyed that Prapanjam that took the form of my wife in the devotee's vison had asked her to relay the message to me to get the ball rolling. Let us come together this Saturday at 8pm in lighting a homam, for those who are equipped with the tools to carry it out or reciting both these mantras. We shall engage with the Prapanjam, fortify ourselves and send back the unified force to the Prapanjam to ward off the dangers. 

Our prayers shall be directed towards and for the betterment of the Prapanjam. Those who were shown the way to tap into the Prapanjam its pranic energy and shown the relevant techniques of pranayama to enhance it, shall induce the said mantras and energize it further, and return the renewed energy what has been provided by the Prapanjam back to it in the form of fire and smoke, cleansed and healed. 

THE THREE PHASES

Just as we have eight phases of the moon, G. Valmikanathan in his book "Makers of Indian Literature - Ramalingam", published by Sahitya Akademi (e-book at http://www.vallalar.org) traces Ramalinga Adigal’s journey on the Pathway to God dividing it into three phases, namely Journey on the purgative way, Journey on the illuminative way, and Journey on the unitive way.

1. The purgative way is that part of the long path which, one treads towards the Godhead, and in which one purges oneself of all desires and attachments, of all imperfections, of all acts of commission and omission of shortcomings in renunciation, of shortcomings in the total love of God in the passion for the apprehension of the Godhead.

2. The illuminative way is that part of the path, which comes after the purgative way, and in which one gains illumination, knowledge, and gnosis.

3. The unitive way is that part of the pathway in which the pilgrim marches on with buoyant and joyous steps, filled with hope and freed from doubt or misconception. The journey is characterized by a sense of urgency. The pilgrim, in this part of his journey, begins to walk fast, then breaks into a loping trot, finally, gallops on with increasing tempo towards the beckoning smile and the outstretched arms, and is soon locked in an eternal embrace with the beloved, the eternal being, the Godhead, the ground of all being. The journey on the unitive way is composed of several factors of experience. Recollection and quiet, contemplation, ecstasy and rapture, dark night of the soul, and unitive life.

I guess we too have come some distance walking the above-mentioned paths with the grace of the divine. But this path was not one that we chose. It was offered to us. We took it up. Soon the path opened up; the doors opened up; we saw the light at the end of the path. But as Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal said we need to travel further to reach it. If I could summarize the journey through visuals and songs it would be as follows. 

THE SIDDHA WAY

I think I have come to understand the Siddha way in reaching emancipation or liberation. Let us first look at the general scenario where one has no knowledge of the existence of the Siddhas. He goes to the temples to pray. Then he takes an interest to learn Yoga. He seeks out a Yoga master and enrolls for lessons. He follows what is taught. He might also seek a spiritual master or follow another who frequents one. He might stay or leave. If he stays, he follows what is taught. He then begins to worship his master. When the masters pass away, he is left in the lurch not knowing what to do further. He goes back to his old ways.

For some whose prayers seem not to be heard nor answered, they land themselves coming to the Siddhas and the Nadi for answers.

The next scenario is where one comes to know of the existence of Siddhas. He gets a calling to read the Nadi. He is told of his karma. He acts accordingly to what is said in it. He is shown a master in the way of the Siddhas or finds one. He follows what is taught. He begins to experience these teachings. The practices taught when done diligently brings on changes and a transformation within. In the event the master passes away the Siddhas continue to aid in directing him. He is never abandoned. The Siddhas who initially brought his problems to the attention of God, eventually bring him to realize God.

In the former scenario though the aspirant and seeker places his efforts in its entirety, he does not see results and is disillusioned. I too did not see the results of all my Yoga practice and Puja, reading from books and carrying them out in the initial years. I did not see the results as my karma stood in my way. For others who placed effort they might face trouble in their ventures and health though I was spared both. 

In the latter scenario the initial step is to have a Nadi reading to ascertain the extent of our karma and its effects on our present lives. Remedies are provided, not to escape from its effects but to soften it. Many leave at this stage only to turn up again for another reading when trouble brews. To those who are genuinely kindled to know further about the Siddhas and their mystical Nadi, they are shown to the recitation of their names and their puja. To those who are steadfast in the ways of the Siddhas they are shown a master who begins to guide them. Soon the master steps aside and prepares us to communicate directly with the Siddhas. After his demise we are not lost as we carry on what was taught and shown earlier. The Siddhas guide us further in the absence of the master. We begin to have conversations with the Siddhas.

To summarize the Siddha way, it begins with faith in their existence. It starts with our surrender to them. It begins with shedding of our ego and claiming and holding on to their feet. They then bring on the grace of God. With their grace anything is possible and can be achieved. Though we might try and place concerted effort towards reaching higher goals in the spiritual realm, it is only with their grace that the doors shall open wide. Grace is the only element or component that can bring on change and transformation in us. Grace comes with worship or puja to the Siddhas. They in turn lead us to God. They place a nice word to him. We are accepted into their fold. The formula then is: Worship of Siddhas = removal of karma + an appointment with God = Receiving the Grace of God = Attaining the state of Liberation.

And so, the divine energies came through a devotee last night to treat my aching back after the former pain came back during the hours of my attempt to sit in meditation earlier in the morning. They gave me a thorough body massage "breaking a few bones" and releasing the wind or Vata, phlegm or Kapha and bile or Pita. It was sufficient that they took note of my agony and gave me first aid. I continue to carry out the other treatments and remedies they gave me in the past. All shall be well as it has always been.

FINDING BLISS IN PAIN

Just as I began to come out of my meditative pose this morning and as I stretched my left leg, I felt a nerve pull that rekindled the lower back pain in me. I cannot sit up straight right now. But I have to write, right? I am writing while in pain. But the pain is also blissful. How do we reckon that? Agathiyar said the same too. Already as it is my body was expelling phlegm. Wind and bile too is expelled now. Even in these moments of agony the blossoming of the petals in the crown of my head goes on bringing a chillness.

When someone messaged me asking if Agathiyar could relieve his toothache I told him not to pull him to our level to sort our problems. He could extract his tooth or do a root canal procedure. A pain that originates in the physical body can be attended through allopathic means. 

So is it right for me to seek Agathiyars touch and bring relief to my pain? I guess so for this journey is not one that I desired nor chose but as in the dream that chases us the journey picked me. Agathiyar extended an invitation to the path. I took it up. He gave me the practices. I practiced them diligently. When these practices brought on internal changes the medical doctors and tests could not reveal any problems as the transformation was in the subtle bodies though its effects are felt in the physical. Hence it is only right that the guru comes to assist. As Agathiyar said earlier as Tavayogi initiated me into these practices, he should be here to heal me. But since Agathiyar called him to assist him in his realm with his work Agathiyar himself had come to treat me. Agathiyar healing me with his touch that day reminds me of John healing Paul's severe bladder infection by touching him in the movie The Green Mile.

Henry Wei in his book "The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu, Synergy Books International, quotes Rabindranath Tagore on this mystic union, as "The Paramatman, the supreme soul, has himself chosen this soul of ours as his bride and the marriage has been completed." Ramalinga Adigal composes a beautiful song of how his Lord had told him to prepare for this bridal marriage or mystic union an hour before the event takes place. 

I remember the last time the pain came on me in 2018 Lord Murugan in the Nadi reading claimed that he had to bring it on so that I sit in one place. Another senior devotee when he tripped and fell at his home and had injured his shoulder, Agathiyar admitted that he had pushed him down so that he would stay home. The Siddhas can be quite aggressive in their ways to those whose time is running out, I guess. He is 66 while I am 63. I guess they mean business. They want us to attain a state that has been envisioned for us before it is too late. I guess it is a dream of theirs. As it is we are already late as Agathiyar echoes Tavayogi's statement that any bodily transformation has to be completed before 60 years of age. To the youngsters in our team, he gave them leeway to leave everything for the moment and attend to their family and careers telling us that they shall come back again. 

G. Valmikanathan in his book "Makers of Indian Literature - Ramalingam", published by Sahitya Akademi (e-book at http://www.vallalar.org) mentions,

"The unitive way is that part of the pathway in which the pilgrim marches on with buoyant and joyous steps, filled with hope and freed from doubt or misconception. The journey is characterized by a sense of urgency. The pilgrim, in this part of his journey, begins to walk fast, then breaks into a loping trot, finally, gallops on with increasing tempo towards the beckoning smile and the outstretched arms, and is soon locked in an eternal embrace with the beloved, the eternal being, the Godhead, the ground of all being. The journey on the unitive way is composed of several factors of experience. Recollection and quiet, contemplation, ecstasy and rapture, dark night of the soul, and unitive life."

Ramalinga Adigal has put down his experiences in transforming his body in the numerous songs of his compiled as the Thiruarutpa for us to compare and understand the process. Marshall Govindan in his book “Babaji and the 18 Siddhars Kriya Yoga Tradition” (Govindan, Marshall, Babaji and the Eighteen Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition, 1991, Kriya Yoga Publications (Reg), 196 Mountain Road, P.O.Box 90, Eastman, Quebec, Canada, JOE 1PO, reproduced with permission via e-mail), writes on this transformation. 

"Ramalinga described several successive transformations: 

The transformation of the mortal human body into the perfect body (suddha deham), achieved by universal spiritual communion and devotion to god; 

The transformation of perfect body (sudha deham) into the body of grace and light (pranava deham); 

In addition, the transformation into the body of wisdom (Gnana deham) and into the body of god supreme.

In many verses (in the Thiru Arutpa) Ramalinga sings of how his ‘impure body’ of ‘impure elements’ was transformed into a pure body of pure elements, called a golden body of immeasurable carats (swarna deham). 

He sings that one has to think incessantly, until he feels and melts with love for God. In such a melting mood one bursts into tears and sings praise of God and soothing warmth is produced in the aspirant. When this universal love and sacred warmth develops, the body as well as the soul became prepared for the descent of the grace, in the form of light. When this occurs, the material body of impure elements is transformed into a ‘body of pure light’, emitting a golden hue."

So this transformation and change takes place entirely due to their grace.

"The ultimate and greatest transformation in human evolution: a transmutation into the godhead, which he referred to as merging with the body of supreme wisdom-the body of God supreme (Gnana deham).

In the foreword to “An Introduction to the Philosophy of Saint Ramalingam” Dr., Rao Saheb K. Kothandapani Pillai BA writes,

"The body is deprived of all its dross or impurities and made pure, fit for divine absorption (sudha deham). These are the practical transformation, which came over the body of the Swami stage by stage on the way to union with the absolute. Not only did he preach this science of deathlessness (sudha sanmarga) but actually attained this deathless state. None of the four saints, [Appar, Sundarar, Thirugnanasambanthar, and Manickavasagar] dropped their bodies on the earth nor was buried or burnt. They bodily vanished into the ether or into the lord divine. Conquest of death by imbibing supreme grace is the quintessence of his philosophy. These transformations occur in the body of the aspirant according to the intensity of spiritual warmth produced in him. The more he ascended in his holy pursuit the more was the descent of divinity in him."

Swami Saravanananda, translates the “Arutperunjhoti Agaval” in his publication by the Ramalinga Mission, Madras. 

"The skin has become supple; nerves function intermittently; bones have become soft and the tendons have lost their grip over the muscles; blood has congealed and semen has condensed into a solid ball; petals of the brain blossom and elixir fills up the body system; face glows and breath becomes peaceful; hairs rise on end and tears well up; mouth utters the name of the lord and the sound of OM pours into the ears; body becomes cooled and hands rise up in salutations; mind ripens and melts and wisdom fills up the mental frame; the ever pervading feeling has come to stay; egoism vanishes and the soul attains bliss; impurities get destroyed and purity alone remains; illusory tendency vanishes and a longing for god’s grace swells up…"

From http://www.ramalinga.com, we read the same.

"Describing in exquisite way the phases of the transformation of his body, Ramalinga says that dermis and epidermis have become extremely soft; all the nerves, muscles and tendons have slackened little by little; the bones, membranes and cartilages have become very flexible; the blood has coagulated; the semen has concentrated being solidified; the brain and all its parts have been opened like a bud. All over the body an Elixir flows; the face glistens; the respiration is smooth and refreshing; from the tear glands abundant tears sprout; the mouth is half-opened tremulous, and the ears are filled of sweet melodies. The entire body is refreshed and all its visible parts flourish in ecstasy. The heart swells palpitating Love. The ego vanishes, as the emotional and mental defects. A tender, loving and compassionate quietude dominates the entire organism. The ardent desire to receive the divine Grace overflows. The Supreme Love fills the body, which is the temple of the divine Life."

Swami Saravanananda writes about these astounding bodily changes further.

"At whatever age the aspirant gains illumination or the effulgence enters in him or emanates from within, some remarkable changes take place in the body-frame. The Divine Light seems to change the very cell of the body, with the result, that they seem to function in the opposite direction." 

"With the descent of sufficient Divine Light the psychic head begins to emerge. According to Vallalar, this psychic head (a crown or diadem of light) is made up of a special and highly refined type of brain called Omkar brain. As soon as it emerges, it draws more cosmic light; the more the light the greater the growth of the psychic head. With the advent of psychic head, more and more changes take place in the already purified body."

"The cells and thence the whole body begins to transcend the limits imposed on them by impure Maya (the grosser principle of nature) and try to break one more of its veils. The cells undergo alternate condensation and expansion for an unspecified period and the body slowly emerges out of its bondage and begins to grow. This expanding and ever prospering body, is called the subtle body or the body of Omkar or Pranava body." 

"With this perfection comes perfect knowledge. He (Vallalar) also seemed to have been bestowed with the third eye, after his body had attained perfection. This third eye enabled him to gain knowledge of the whole universe and all the individual beings contained in it. He assets that his knowledge penetrated and pervaded layer upon layer of the varied types of universes. With the functioning of the third eye, the transformation of the Pranava body is completed and the next and final stage of transformation into the Gnostic body (Gnana deham) starts."

"The transformation of the Pranava body into a Gnostic body begins with the functioning of the third eye. With the advent of this eye, the body sheds whatever subtle impurities it possesses; consequently, it becomes nearly invisible. The third eye enabled Vallalar to have tier upon tier of divine experiences. Slowly his body through the intensity of concentration of the mind begins to generate the flame of lapses, popularly known as psychic heat. Slowly the quantity of psychic heat is increased due to intense meditation and concentration on the universal effulgence. The extreme heat generated in the body produces smoke at first; this smoke gathers up in volume and escapes through the junction of the parietal bones of the skull (Brahma Randhra). During this period, the body and mind undergoes untold stress. Vallalar often mentions about the sufferings that he had undergone since he was twelve years old. The psychic smoke clears off and enhanced illumination results. This light (Tegas) is also called as the aura or nimbus. 

From http://www.ramalinga.com we read about the finale.

"... the full Union with God in body and soul (deathless body) takes place when the Highest Lord accepts the absolute surrender of the disciple. These great saints saw a Column of Light rising above the Sahasrara up to the Divinity. The Column of Light starts to be formed in the states previous to the full Realization of Golden Body. In one who realizes the Golden Deathless Body an indissoluble bond is established with the Divinity through this Column of Light. Till this moment, one must make an effort ascending to the Divinity, later having to descend again to the physical level, nevertheless on having been settled the Column of Light one does not need to continue doing this effort, but from this time the Divinity descends on oneself. The one in whom the Column of Light is settled enjoy the continual experience on the Divinity, who, on having descended, resides in one's own Heart (as shining Sun) and fills with Himself the whole Being gradually, even the physical body (which, cell by cell, is completely transmuted up to becoming divine)."

"At first the above-mentioned experience has not the same intensity all the time. Moved by His great Compassion, God takes the maximum care of the possible after effect in the physical body and that's why He is alternating the intensity to manifest Himself as Divine Light. Sometimes His resplendence is very soft whereas in other occasions It becomes the most intense, seeming that one is going to be melted in It. This experience on God fills the Self with Divine Love and Compassion, which overflow from the Heart as a river flowing endlessly towards the other beings."

"Little by little, God is increasing by degrees the intensity of Light and one is becoming accustomed to it, until the time comes when God manifests Himself wholly. Then the Column of Light shines from beginning to end with Its entire splendor. It isn’t visible, except in very rare occasions. This Column of Light is truly the embodied Divine Jothi, which burns constantly so that the Divine Light radiates coming to all the beings. This is the Full God's Manifestation in the Earth." 

"There was no longer the body, no longer any sensation; there was only a Column of Light rising from the place where is ordinarily the base of the body up to the place where is ordinarily the head, to form there a disk of Light like that of the moon; then from there the Column went on rising up to very far above the head to break into an immense Sun, dazzling and multi-colored, from which fell a rain of Golden Light covering the whole earth. Then slowly the Column of Light descended forming an oval of living Light, awakening and setting in motion, each in a particular way, according to a special mode of vibration, the centers which were above the head, at the place of the head, the throat, the heart, in the middle of the belly, at the base of the spine and still lower. At the height of the knees, the ascending and the descending currents joined together, and the circulation thus became in a way uninterrupted enveloping the whole being in an immense oval of living Light."

How wonderful it feels just reading these accounts. Imagine the state of Ramalinga Adigal going through it. Just as we are able to compare notes with the saint I guess the reason Agathiyar asked me to share the internal changes in me is to share notes with readers who are experiencing a similar passage. 

DREAMS

In an Omeleto short film titled "You Never Truly Lived" we are told that contrary to us chasing dreams the dreams chase us. I guess he is right for when I went to see my Nadi reading the very first time in 2002, Agathiyar asks me to come to the worship of the Siddhas. Besides that, he told me to build a temple for him. Though I was pretty excited at having given the privilege, Sivabalan who was accompanying me with the reading told me not to get too excited for Agathiyar had mentioned it to fifty others. He should know for he had brought in the Nadi reader from India. Although I scouted around to see if there was a possibility to house Agathiyar in existing temples, the management turned me down. Seeing my disappointment I guess Agathiyar had me prepare his bronze statue in 2019 to be placed in the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Miruthiga Brindavanam Kinta. But he changed his mind later and decided to stay put in my home and named it Agathiyar Vanam (AVM). I let go of the thought eventually only to be reminded in 2018 again by Lord Murugan in his Nadi. But I was never moved to act this time for I was comfortable carry out puja in the confines of my home where many were shown to my house by Agathiyar in their Nadi readings. Many others came by too knowing Agathiyar was there. Lord Murugan then coaxed Agathiyar to come through an elderly man in the midst of us carrying out puja for Agathiyar at Carey Island. I wasn't keen even then. Finally coming later in a Nadi reading Agathiyar told me that he had tested me. He dropped asking me. Maybe that was a dream that followed me through the many births. Maybe that was my purpose to be here. But I made a choice. 

Today he tells me to write. I guess this is a purpose given by him, another dream that has chased me I guess. This I accepted since it only involves me and my time. I need not worry about sustaining the temple and sourcing for finances to upkeep the rituals and maintain the structure, keep people coming and feeding the devotees etc, as many managements are finding it rather difficult these days to sustain. Many that started as one man's dream has either winded up its operations or died a natural death. I guess if it is the will of the divine, he shall see through its existence. 

Even the puja and gatherings in my home was brought to a standstill by Agathiyar telling us to move on into going within. It is now a solo journey. That is how Agathiyar makes changes to our journey in a timely manner. In going within I had to go through a series of internal changes that came by as a result of the several yogic practices and herbal preparations he gave. The body had to be purified right till the very cells, of the dosas or impurities that are prevalent in the elements that maketh the body and the food and drinks we took all these years. Fearing if it was a medical problem that had cropped up, he came to allay the fear in us. He showed me a glimpse of death and allay the fear of death too. In reassuring me he tells me that he has much that I need to do. I guess now I have to fulfill his dreams. 

SURVIVING THE ODDS

It is nice to listen to success stories once in a while having heard only grievances of others all these whiles. Last night I met a man who shared his success story. He had left the banking job and took up mobile cleaning services responding to calls. Initially personally cleaning homes and toilets today he has some 400 people doing the job for him. From individuals homes he moved to service commercial and office buildings cleaning both the insides and outsides.

Before meeting him at the engagement function, I met another man from a foreign land. He has settled comfortably in Malaysia taking on tailoring though he had studied electronic. He shared pictures of his happy family who have all made name for themselves too here. When the pandemic affected his trade like many others as there were no events and functions held due to the numerous lockdowns his knowledge in repairing Pc's and laptops came handy as career people and students alike began to repair and upgrade their machines as the former were forced to work online and the latter schooled from home online too.

The regime and discipline in acquiring and accomplishing material gains and standing in the material and religious world is missing when we come to the spiritual world or arrive to know the Spirit (Soul or Atma). Agathiyar had led us through a set of regimes and expected us to practice and uphold it with discipline. Many never started or those who started gave up. To those few who held fast, he had them drop it too after he was satisfied of their achievements. He had them move on to other things never allowing them to be trapped or caught in time or a past era. He was futuristic driving us on to explore the mysteries that abound beyond our senses and the world we know. They led us on explorations, initially external and these days it is internal. He asks that I share them with readers too. I am glad to be his tool. 

If only we knew the inside story or the tale behind the veil. The Siddhas know and we do not know. If only we knew and realized that the chances of surviving any situation is slim and yet we survived it, we would forever be grateful to the divine. Life is full of risks right from inception to death, but we never realize. We take things for granted. We demand for a place and a right to things. We feed the ego daily. If only we realize that we live because the divine has chosen to shower its grace on us, we shall settle in to live peacefully. 

BE BOLD TO MAKE A CHANGE

Watching the movie "Dhanusu Raasi Neyargale" I saw much resemblance with the lead character. I was so into astrology back then that I learned to chart my horoscope. I went into numerology and went looking for gemstones to wear. I was damn superstitious too. Imagine I had left my bachelor home to attend a wedding of a very close friend when a cat crossed my path. I drove back home immediately. That was how ignorant I was back then. When some sense dawned on me in later years I asked myself if I would have turned back if the cat had crossed while I was on my way to my own wedding. How stupid could I be. 

Those were the days where I read much about religion, tradition and custom and was steeped in its believes. But that is how people have held a hold on us all this while. Even as recent as a few years back, I was told by a temple priest that Gods dwell in the temples only certain hours. Hence, we were asked to carry out our charity aid during those hours when the temple is open so that they shall know what we are doing. How ridiculous I thought to myself. God who is beyond space and time has been trapped in a time warp by man. The all-prevailing energy that is God has been confined and locked up in shrines and temples by tradition. God who is in both you and me has now been locked up within these four walls. God who exists in all things has been confined to man-made objects and structures. If the heart and the breath that is Uyir that beats 24/7 and the spinning or rather blossoming effect that is felt in the crown of my head is felt even as I ease myself, I wonder how God has been brought to the state of a white-collar worker.

Have we ever wondered why we tend to automatically close our eyes when in a state of pleasure or profound bliss, be it in partaking good food, listening to soul stirring music, standing in prayer before our favorite deities or even in engaging in sex with our partner? We are automatically brought to the abode of the divine who dwells within in these moments. A friend who visited the Lord at Thirupathy up close, closed his eyes standing before him. This was made possible by an Indian friend in the security forces in India who used his contacts to help him get a clear view of the Lord. But my friend was jolted out of his brief moment of ecstasy and communion with the Lord by a blow on his back from his friend. He had given the blow as he was disappointed that my friend had shut his eyes the moment, he lay his eyes on the Lord as he had taken the trouble to bring him just meters away from the Lord to watch the Lord's beauty.

God has very much become part and parcel of me these days. Nay he was there all along. It is just that I have come to realize it after ignorance left me. The Siddhas came to break this ignorance. The Siddhas broke my hold on these beliefs. These Siddhas were radicals who advocated social changes. I understand now why Bharathi threw caste and religion out.  I understand now why Ramalinga Adigal who came before him too threw them aside. Only then did he see the Jothi he says.

Just as the Siddhas removed our ignorance, we are glad that we released the Siddhas from the time warp and from the pages of the books and poems. The Siddhas who were trapped in the leaves of these pages and occasionally became the subject of curiosity and study of many have been given a new leaf. They now live among us.

KUNDALINI

SHOW THEM THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL DEAR LORD

A girl who was referred to us by a relative of hers from India brought her parents and younger sister over to my home in the days when we carried out puja in the past, seeking some solace and a betterment. She gave me a call this morning after a long time. She tells me that her father had passed away since then. She has managed to bring her debts down having repaid them partially. But matrimony it seems was not in her stars. She was in tears as to why the Gods did not take pity on her as she has been asking daily for forgiveness for her past deeds and karma. I could only console her by telling her that like her a couple of devotees had managed to clear their debts, the former entirely and the latter half the outstanding amount and seem to see brighter days ahead. I told her she too shall see bright days ahead. I did not wish to prolong the talk about karma and the knocking she was getting all these years for I too carry my baggage of karma and seek Agathiyar to help me unload it. The Siddhas and the Mahaans can talk about it for they stand above the law of cause and effect. Tavayogi too was not spared as Agathiyar revealed to me. Everyone taking a body shall carry some karma for it is the cause of birth. Only the Avatar is spared. There are many souls like her yearning for the day when all their troubles are washed away. Only the Lord has the answers. 

Surprisingly Agathiyar ended the call having the conversation break. I guess he had me hear sufficient for him to act on since he had told me to be his ears. 

CONTENTMENT

When Goddess Ma came and told me that the vessel or kamandalam of water that she held in her hands was that from the Ganges that flowed from the tresses of Lord Shiva and was gifted to me I told her I could connect with Ramalinga Adigal's song "Arutprakasa Maalai" where the saint sings 100 stanzas ending with how the Lord came in the wee early morning hours walking the distance till his feet became red and sore and knocked his door to pass something in his hands. To this Ma said it was given because I had no expectations. Earlier when Ramalinga Adigal came on 14.5.2020 he too had mentioned "Whenever you say it is enough you shall tend to gain more." Ramalinga Adigal says it beautifully "போதும் என்ற மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து. நீ போதும் என்று சொல்லும் நிலை உன்னை அறியாமல் நீ பெற்றுக்கொண்டுதான் இருக்கிறாய்."

I guess contentment is the key factor here. Being contented brings on a sense of satisfaction. Being satisfied would mean our efforts would come to a stop. Surrender then surfaces. With total surrender, we then see through their play. I guess this is Summa Eruppathu or remaining still. Being contented with the life given, we are then used for their purpose if the need arises. No karma becomes attached to these actions then. If we do move it is because of them.

Tavayogi was one such candidate whose life took a change after he surrendered to Agathiyar. My brother interviewed him for the English daily THE NEW STRAITS TIMES, MALAYSIA where he was working when Tavayogi came to town in 2005.

June 16, 2005, The Cittar Balance by A. KATHIRASEN

They are the Cittars, who gave the world Siddha medicine, and their teachings revolve around the mind, the breath, and ethical living. A. KATHIRASEN catches up with Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal, a follower of the Cittar philosophy.

He was the owner of a factory making singlets, a successful businessman but at the age of 50 he gave it all up, including his wife and three children, and began a new life as a thuravi, a wandering monk. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Tamil Nadu, India, wanted to stay far away from people and work on his spiritual growth. So he selected a hill deep in the jungle in Kallaru and built a hut for his home and meditation.

Having studied the works of the scientist-mystics known as the Cittars from his early years, he decided to follow their ways. He practiced the techniques taught by the Cittars and meditated. Adigal renounced family life and all worldly attachments at the age of 50 and became a ‘thuravi’. 

The Cittars (also pronounced Siddhas) are realised souls who lived simple lives. They believed that man was essentially immortal. Apart from teaching the art of living a balanced life, the Cittars devised methods to stimulate cell regeneration so that one could remain young.

The traditional Siddha medicinal system, now gaining in popularity in Malaysia, was evolved by the Cittars who had written treatises about diseases and their cures long before the advent of modern medicine. Many of the poems and songs of the Cittars are shrouded in secret codes that only initiates can comprehend.

Although there have been many Cittars, 18 are particularly revered and Agathiar is the most famous of them. He was the foremost disciple of the first Cittar, Subramaniar.

“Historians give various dates as to when the Cittars lived,” Adigal says, seated in front of large pictures of Subramaniar, Agathiar and Ramalinga Swamigal at the Sri Agathiar Gyana Peedam in Batu Caves.

Adigal, 78, was making his second visit to Malaysia, this time to launch the Sri Agathiar Gyana Peedam, a centre dedicated to the service of mankind, in Batu Caves.

Agathiar, also spelt Agastya, is one of India’s most famous Cittars. There are accounts of him having travelled to Southeast Asia in the hoary past.

“Some of the very old stories mention the Cittars. Agathiar, for instance, is found in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

“But don’t assume that the Cittars are dead and gone.

“They are very much present. I have had many amazing experiences that I can’t talk about, but believe me, they live. But not necessarily in bodily form.”

Legends abound about Cittars who evaporated into thin air or travelled to places such as China and the Middle East where they taught the locals there.

The Cittars teach how man can become a divine being. They set out certain techniques, the most basic and effective of which is Astanga Yoga which is often associated with the Cittar Patanjali.

Astanga Yoga, or eight-limbed yoga, teaches man how to live life, starting from body and ethical discipline to tuning and sharpening the mind to harmonising body and mind to seeing the sacred in everything.

“The Cittars say through yoga we can live well. The secret is in learning to live in balance.

“We must sharpen the mind so that the mind will help us rather than hinder us,” he says as he brushes upwards his grey moustache with the back of his right hand.

Born in Tiruppur, Adigal prepared his wife and children for his new life. He left only after providing for their needs. His family members visit him now and then.

“A few become thuravi like me but the Cittars say you can lead a good life with the family.

“The secret is to live in the world, enjoying things without becoming attached to them. Like the lotus which is not made wet by the water.

Astanga Yoga, he says, helps achieve this.

“Yogasana, makes the body strong and supple and pranayama (yogic breathing) helps keep the internal organs clean and healthy.

“Other aspects of Astanga Yoga help purify the mind and sharpen the intellect.”

Adigal says in the old days kings and governments gave priority to emotional, intellectual and spiritual development. Today, everyone is concerned with material development, about economic figures and forecasts.

“In the past, they used histories, poems and stories such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Harichandra Puraanam to teach: men were to live like Rama while women were to emulate Sita.

Everyone was to uphold honesty and integrity like Harichandra. This went deep into the people’s minds and a society of disciplined and virtuous people developed.

“A man’s word was his bond. They learnt not to be slaves to their desires. They learnt contentment.

“Today, things have changed.

“Governments stress the economy. Have we got a growing economy? How many millionaires have we created? Did we send satellites into space? Will people praise us?

“There is no effort to develop the mind, to sharpen the intellect. No effort to teach the art of thinking, the art of life.”

The world will be a better place if emphasis is also given to strengthening the mind, Adigal adds.

So why or how did Adigal, a hermit who has no money or property, first come to Malaysia 18 months ago.

Some inner stirring prompted him to ask a friend who was going to Malaysia to get him a ticket too. Some of his friends came up with the airfare and money for the trip.

“I don’t know what made me do it,” says Adigal, who holds a Masters degree in Tamil Literature from the Annamalai University, with a twinkle in his eyes.

“I just felt an urge to come here and I came.”

It was a brief visit and he did not expect to return. But recently, several Malaysian devotees of the sage Agathiar sought out Adigal on the hill in the jungle and persuaded him to make a second visit to launch the centre in Batu Caves.

“Now, I have so many children here. Malaysians are so caring. Everywhere I go they give me food.

“In fact, they give me too much food. I am afraid that I might get used to the food and comfort here,” he laughs.

The sprightly Adigal is used to living on leaves and fruits he gathers from the jungle, and sometimes the rice and food that devotees bring to him.

He says: “You don’t know how lucky you are. There are many where I come from who are in desperate need of food.”

Despite his life of solitude on the hill, Adigal is involved with a group of hill tribe people who later settled in the area.

He could not remain aloof, looking at the plight of the hill tribe people. Assisted by two disciples, he helps provide food and gives the children school uniform and books, with money provided by devotees.

“I never intended to get involved in society. That was why I went to stay in the jungle,” he says with a pensive look.

“But my guru Agathiar has other plans for me. And that is also why I think, I was made to come to Malaysia.” 

Saying this he ends his interview.

While others need to toil and work their way up the spiritual ladder Agathiyar has made it easy for us to accomplish and come to the state that everyone unknowingly seeks - the state of peace within and without. From Sariyai or simply put visiting the temples, he brought us to engage actively in Kriya, or the rituals that were once the domain of the priestly lot. He then came down as a friend in need, and soon moved house taking up residence in our home and hearts. He came down from his Godly state and moved in with us, walking with us, eating with us, sleeping with us. His touch slowly changed us and bestowed us with wonderful thoughts and things. He revealed his 5 tenets that summed up the purpose of coming here ending all the years of speculation, assumption, and false notions. He offered to bring us to greater heights in the public arena, but we chose to refuse the gifts fearing that fame and power would corrupt us too. Today he stands among us instead, leading us to greater heights - within. Even if we failed to touch, achieve or reach the measure or yardstick that he has placed for us, we shall not despair but remain contented. 

I shared from https://www.intuitiveflow.com/spiritual-development/ the following and commented on these stages of Avastha on 16 July 2020. 

1. In Arambha Avastha "They start experiencing Prana moving throughout their body and their senses of perception are enhanced."

2. In Ghata Avastha "The seed is decaying. It is a time of change and disruption. The yogi/ni is experiencing some resistance and pain whether is mental, physical or emotional. Their whole foundation is shaken or even collapsing as they are shaken to the core mentally and emotionally. The life that they have been living has outgrown its form. They go through a psychic death so that life force energy can be released in a new form." True to these words Agathiyar told me that I had stagnated at Svadisthana and came to give certain techniques to rise up further. Similarly, he gave others certain practices and techniques too. We are seeing a sudden urgency as Agathiyar takes the whip and disciplines us, hastening us, and asking us to show some seriousness in our practices.

3. In Paricaya Avastha we are told that "The seed is now germinating. There is a release of tension and uncertainty. Profound changes and new qualities are emerging. It is a time of deliverance. It is the beginning of a new path. Resistance is dispersed and rectification is happening naturally and easily." We have to wait and see these changes take place as we settle and promise to diligently follow Agathiyar's instructions on the Yogic practices.

4. Nispatti Avastha is where "The blossoming occurs. A new life begins filled with contentment and harmony. The yogi/ni is detached and the Sukha and Duhkha don’t affect them anymore. The yogi/ni submits to the will from above. They are no longer bound by old patterns and attain freedom and liberation." Again we need to wait and see if we qualify and blossom into this state.

Two years later we believe we have arrived there. 

STAYING ALIVE

In the movie, "Thalaivi" which portrays the life story of a former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, a trainee doctor who is assigned to administer and take care of her after her accident, asks permission to leave she is told, "Give me the injection and go." She replies with respect that "An overdose of steroids will create problems in your spinal cord and there will be complications and you shall gain weight. It could be life-threatening."

"Do as you are told," says the minister. "Don't lecture me on its side effects. You are just a trainee doctor. Why are you bothered anyway with what happens to me? What do you care what happens to me?"

When she is asked why she cares so much whether she lives or not, the trainee doctor replies that she should live, and should live long to continue her service to the people of the state. "You got to stay alive. You got to stay alive for us." 

The young doctor replies politely that "Your victory becomes every woman's victory. You saved millions of children of Tamil Nadu from hunger and gave them an education. I am one of them. My education and my life, everything is your gift. I remember even today the day your car stopped at the railway gate. You asked "Didn't you go to school" and I replied that "If I go to school I will starve to death. By selling peanuts I can at least make some money."

The trainee doctor says that "You got to stay alive. You got to stay alive for us". She asks the minister to sleep for at least an hour and takes leave.

I was moved to watch this scene days ago although I had seen the movie several times. 

Agathiyar too slogs to keep us alive although we have thrown caution to the wind and are set to destroy this body that houses the divine by our ways and desires and in seeking pleasures of the senses. He wants to keep us alive to do his work. Thus with a healthy body, the Siddhas through us then work towards carrying out the given mission for the spiritual advancement and good of humanity.

In helping me overcome the fear of death recently, he had my body paralyzed from the neck below momentarily. It felt like dead wood. I was asking if this is how the body becomes upon death. Death is another doorway to another journey says Agathiyar. One who faces death boldly is indeed a Siddha he says. மரணபயம் வேண்டாம்.  மரணம் ஒன்றும் அல்ல. மற்றொரு பயணத்தின் கதவு.  எவன் ஒருவன் மரணத்தை அன்போடு வரவேற்கின்றானோ அவன் சித்தன் ஆகின்றான். 

Agathiyar says that he has much for me to do hence I need to stay hale and healthy. For now, he wants me to continue writing. He wants me to write about the internal changes taking place instead of writing about his fame. He asks me to experience it first and he shall clarify later. There is nothing beyond gaining these experiences he says. 

உன்னில் இருந்து நான் காரியங்கள் செய்வதற்கு இன்னும் நிறைய இருக்கிறது. எனது பெருமை போதும். இனி உன் எழுத்துக்கள் உடல் மாற்றங்கள் உடல் அனுபவம் பற்றியதாக இருக்கட்டும். ஜோதியினை வழிபட்டால் அதில் இணைய வேண்டும் என்றால் உடலில் எவ்வித மாற்றங்கள் ஏற்படும் என்று உன் வாசகர்களுக்குத் தெரிய படுத்து. அனுபவமே உனக்கு அறிவு. அனுபவத்தைத் தாண்டி ஒன்றுமே இல்லை. உனது அனுபவம் எனது அறிவு. நீ அனுபவம் கொண்டுவா, பின்னர் உரைக்கிறேன். 

Indeed we understand now why Ramalinga Adigal put down his experiences in words so that others can compare notes and verify the sanctity of their experiences too. For instance, in his song கண்புருவப் பூட்டு, he says that the Devas and Trinity speak about him. 

"சிற்சபையும் பொற்சபையும் சொந்தமென தாச்சு
தேவர்களும் மூவர்களும் பேசுவதென் பேச்சு
இற்சமய வாழ்வில்எனக் கென்னைஇனி ஏச்சு
என்பிறப்புத் துன்பமெலாம் இன்றோடே போச்சு."

Goddess Ma in coming to us several days back told us the same that just as we constantly speak about the Siddhas, they too often speak about us. 

Lord Muruga too when he came to heal me in 2018 told me not to invite death. When a sudden sneeze that came on as I was crossing the street one day in 2016, brought back the pain I suffered in 2010, 2011, and 2012 in the lower back and my legs, Lord Muruga reminded me through a Nadi reading for a friend, "Do not invite Death!" Although his words were harsh I knew he meant well and out of concern for me. He told me not to invite Yama, the Lord of Death, willingly. I took it as a reminder to care for the body well and to live life to the fullest. He recommended a Siddha medicine to take internally and an ointment for external use in his Nadi. Agathiyar on his part suggested another five. I was blessed to have Siddha practitioner and guru of Arulguru Aghathiyar Arulsithar Peedam in Bandar Botanic, Klang, prepare these in the strictest manner and according to the Siddha text and have Suren delivered to me during that period of my immobility and forced solitude. 

Lord Muruga stresses the need to maintain the physical body and extend its battery life by connecting with the life force and charging it frequently. Hence the need to do rituals, tapas, Yogasanas, and meditation arises, which energizes the body which then heals from within and is kept in top form to perform the work of the Siddhas.

The Siddhas have given us all the means and mechanisms to live longer and keep Yama at bay. Their priority was to upkeep, maintain and sustain the body, in the peak of health; to ensure only enriching experiences were recorded onto the soul; eventually, merge the spirit within with the source. They remind us of how sacred this birth is and that given a wonderful body that performs with exact precision, we ought not to bring it to fall in disgrace succumbing to illness and disease. 

LIVING IN THEIR SHADOWS

As I had written earlier that I had phlegm built up excessively in me since 8.9.2022 after my train journey back from my wife's hometown, and I knew it as a continuous process of expelling the excesses in the three dosas, Vata, Kapha, and Pita, seeing my plight, Goddess Ma collected the Holy waters of the Ganges that streams from the tresses of Lord Shiva, into Agathiyar's kamandalam, or drinking vessel, and added a pinch of the sacred ash, and had me drink it telling me that it shall rid and purge the remaining dosas, a devotee passed me an herbal preparation of the herb Solanum Trilobatum or Thuthuvalai that removes "difficulty in breathing, sinus, chest congestion, and other respiratory problems." Just as many strangers knocked on the door of Jnana Jothiamma's apartment in Chennai and passed her herbal preparations and gifts, this devotee too passed me the sacred ash too that came from Chidambaram to be used with water to emulate Shiva's Ganga waters and to be taken. Goddess Ma told me she was there to deliver Agathiyar's appreciation for our services and to bring forth Lord Shiva's Ganges water that flows from his tresses. I saw a similarity with Ramalinga Adigal's song "Arutpirakasa Maalai" where he sings of how Lord Shiva as Nadarajah came in the wee early morning hours walking the distance till his feet became red and sore just to deliver something rare in his hands in the confines of his home. Though I cannot remember or trace the source I came to understand later that it was Agathiyar who had come with two sweets (laddu that signified Jnana) and handed them to Ramalinga Adigal.

Yesterday as I flipped through the pages of the book "Sittar Meiporul", authored by V. Balaramaiah, I was surprised by the following paragraph.

There is a door where if it is opened ambrosia or the pure Ganges water drips and fills the entire body. In writing on the 10 Deeksha, Balaramaiah says, this Holy water sets the stage for one to arrive at the body that surpasses the 5 elements. 

அமுதம் சிதாகாசத்தில் அமைந்துள்ளது. இதையே பிரம்மரந்திர மென்றும் சொல்லுவார். இந்த சிதாகாசத்திற்கு ஒரு வாயிற் கதவு உண்டு. இதற்கு ஒரு பூட்டு உண்டு. இதைத் திறந்த நிமிடமே சுத்த கங்கை என்னும் அமுது சொட்ட ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. 

வள்ளலார் உண்ட அமுதமே சுத்த கெங்கை. இதுவே அமிர்த ரசம். இதுவே பகீரதன் வெகு பிரயாசையுடன் சிவன் முடியிலிருந்து இறக்கிய கெங்கை. சிதாகாசத்திலிருந்து சொட்டும் இந்தக் கங்கையே மரணமிலாப் பெரு வாழ்வுக்கு நம்மை உய்ப் பிக்கும். பாபங்களெல்லாம் போக்கும்.

இந்தப் பஞ்ச பூதங்களுக்கும் அப்பாற்பட்ட ஞானியினுடைய தேகம் சித்திய டையும் காலத்தில் ஏற்படும் மாறுபாடுகளைத் தசதீட்சை என்று சொல்வார். இந்த தீட்சை முன்குறிப்பிட்ட அமுதமென்ற சிவ நீரைப் பருகுவதால் உண்டாகக் கூடியது 

Know that the first three Deeksha has taken place subtly when toxins are rid from the skin pores as sweat; excess Vata, Kapha, and Pita are eradicated; and old tissues and cells are rid of. In the fourth Deeksha the skin is shed as in the snake. Jnana Jothiamma tells me that seven layers of skin are shed. 

Annie Besant in her talks on "The Laws of the Higher Life", the Theosophical Publishing House, 1903, says that "Here we see a consciousness that shapes bodies according to its needs, gradually refining them and bringing them under the control of the higher." 

In her book "Avatara-s", The Theosophical Publishing House, 2002, she writes,

"... inasmuch as the body is an instrument we have to use, a certain treatment of the body is necessary so that we may turn our footsteps in the direction of the Path. The body alone will never take us to the heights we aspire to, yet to neglect it will make it impossible for us to attempt those heights at all. ... The body needs to be refined, to be improved, to be molded into such a form, and made of such constituents as may best fit it to be the instrument on the physical plane for man's highest purposes."

"... the purification of the dense body then, consists in a process of deliberate selection of the particles permitted to compose it; the man will take into it the way of food the purest constituents he can obtain, rejecting the impure and the gross."

For those intending to do so, Besant allays the fear and regrets at having sent in gross impure food, telling us that, "... by natural change the particles built into it in the days of his careless living will gradually pass away, at least within seven years - although the process may be considerably hastened."

Jnana Jothiamma too was asked to endure the intense pain that came with these bodily transformations since the body had to expel all the tissues and cells that came to be as a result of eating meat during all her years of living in ignorance. Agathiyar in consoling Jnana Jothiamma and asking her to bear the pain and suffering told her that the cleansing had to be expedited and that her meat intake of the past sixty years that went on to compose her body had to be expelled. She had to go through a grueling cleansing process where for instance she vomited 32 times a day. She told me one had to shed seven layers of skin too. She told me that I would not possibly endure the process. It is said that their bodies would undergo severe changes and would be hideous to look at during this period of transformation. I had wondered if this is the reason the saints went into hiding some as many as twelve years before reappearing in society, having undergone a massive transformation, thus avoiding being ridiculed and made fun of by society. But I was surprised to see the cold and wet feeling come on in the crown of my head even when I took to task my neighbor's kids for making a din late at night. If that is the case one then need not go into hiding but came to have this bliss right in the midst of the marketplace. I guess this feeling is here to stay in all circumstances. Is this the everlasting bliss that Tavayogi asks us to seek rather than the momentary bliss that comes on due to the senses and external causes from time to time?

This Holy water reminds me of how Agathiyar had me consume his Agathiyar Kuzhambu, a herbal preparation prepared by Siddha physician Thiru Arivan, and had me prepare and place the water outdoors till 5pm and to have me drink it when I woke up to go to the loo in the middle of the night and finish it upon waking up the next day. The former was to be taken six months once while the latter was daily. But I only managed to take the latter for 51 days before giving it up. Both these were done to bring a balance to the three dosas and expel the excesses.

We are indeed blessed that we did not go through the amount of pain that Agathiyar, Tavayogi, and Jnana Jothiamma went through. As the devotee who shared the same experiences mentioned, what appeared as mere words in books are being experienced these days by their grace. The words of Ramalinga Adigal which are also God's words are being realized in the self these days by their grace.