It is when times are bad that it is all the more essential for us to carry out a puja. It is when someone is warded or sick that we should take on this tool to bring on the grace of the divine, besides the blessings of loved ones who attend the puja. It is when trouble creates chaos in the home that we should conduct a puja.
When I reminded a devotee to carry out puja in his house and have him call us over too, he gave multiple reasons from relationship troubles to having a sick dad to nurse. I told him that this gives him all the more reasons to carry out one. In carrying it out we seek that relationships mend and the sick are cured. When Tavayogi was initially warded and operated on, Agathiyar told us that the Siddhas gathered together to conduct a Yagam so that he shall survive the ordeal and return alive to his ashram. Our prayers were answered he said. It gave him time to settle all outstanding issues and once he handed over the management of the ashram and his Jeeva Nadi to Mataji, he left his mortal frame a year later.
All those who came with problems, illness, and suffering were always told to carry out a Siddha puja by Tavayogi and Mataji. A government servant who was suspended and his passport withheld though could not go over to Kallar ashram to participate in the Yagam was instead pointed to AVM. We carried out a smaller version of the Yagam known as Homam. His case was dropped and he was reinstated in his job. Another man who had loaned his car to friends found himself in trouble with the authorities as the car was used to push drugs. His wife who took an immediate flight to Kallar ashram participated in the Yagam. Her husband was released shortly. When my wife and children were warded in the past I would find time to return home and conduct the Homam. They all returned home safe.
Puja to the Siddhas paves the way for the bridge to drop and links both our worlds. They help us with our past karma showing us the means and ways to erase it, with Yagam and Homam as one of the tools, besides going on pilgrimages and carrying out remedies and doing charity. The Siddhas visit our homes and eventually reside in them. Soon they come to reside within us. They then show us the way to salvation.
Similarly, at other times when all things are fine, we still need to carry out puja to pay gratitude and thanksgiving to the divine for caring for us. When puja is done in our homes and others are invited to participate, we end up offering food to them. Here we are given an opportunity to feed others. This is a means to gain the blessings of all those gathered that shall equip us with more merits to either fight our battle or top up the existing store of merits.
When a Yagam or Homam is conducted a multitude of dried roots, bark, wood, dried flowers, and fruits that has their origin in the element of earth are placed in the sacrificial fire pit. While the element of fire consumes it and ash results another portion is let off into the air as the smoke which we then inhale. The element of space and wind tattva carries it along. The essential oils and other components tend to heal us and the Prapanjam. At other times these herbs are infused in the element of water and drank.
Coming over during the puja conducted at yet another devotee's home recently, Agathiyar told me this was just the beginning when I asked him if he was satisfied and if Tavayogi's wish to see each home turn into Agathiyar Vanam was fulfilled. Well, it is a good start I suppose to better things to come.