Just returned from a puja, the fourth in a row that came by after Lord Murugan conveyed Tavayogi's wish to see each home turn into Agathiyar Vanam. This time it was in the home of the devoted couple Sri Krishna and Sri Deviy. Today I saw for myself what Agathiyar had always mentioned about linking with the Prapanjam. When I complained to him about the din and noise from my neighbors at odd hours of the night and predawn, Ramalinga Adigal told me that it was to be endured and an experience and a lesson and learning on the path to Gnanam. Agathiyar too told me that even if I was to run away and retire in the deep woods there are what he terms as "Puluruvi" or irritations of other kinds there. As we live in the society, we have to bear with it. I used to wonder how Supramania Swami could sit in meditation with the din and noise coming from an automobile workshop that sprouted overnight next to his kudil in Tiruvannamalai. He told my colleague who was visiting him back then that it does not disturb him. This is exactly what Agathiyar told me too that when we link with the Prapanjam nothing matters, we are not irritated by noise and others. Today Agathiyar showed me by example. As the Homam that was lit during the puja died down and we ended the puja just as Agathiyar had told us earlier that it was an indication that the puja was accepted and not to fan it further or attempt to keep it alive, we all rushed out for cover or rather for a breath of fresh air as the smoke was thick and dense causing us to tear and cough. But Agathiyar who had come within a devotee sat throughout this, proving to us that once we engage with the Prapanjam nothing shall bother us.
In consoling a devotee who had lost her father who was dear to us too, Agathiyar asked her to move on with her life. Every moment she thinks about him her health would deteriorate further. He has obviously taken birth again hence the need to let go.
This reminds me of how Agathiyar had told the family of a famed Jeeva Nadi reader from Chennai to not to think about him and carry out the rituals. But as we are caught in society they carried on. Agathiyar told a close aid of the deceased that the soul was meditating in the hills of Pothigai and hence was not to be disturbed. The soul would then be caught between returning or to further its journey.
Anyway, Agathiyar adds that he was living in her as she was a piece of her father. Agathiyar had earlier told us through a memo from a devotee that both our parents have contributed towards both our being and wellbeing.
பஞ்சபூதம் ஆகிய நீர், நிலம், ஆகாயம், காற்று, நெருப்பு அனைத்தும் தாய் தந்தையின் உடலிலிருந்தே எடுக்கப்பட்டு சிசுவின் உடலைப் பிறப்பிக்கின்றது.
The Pindam made of the elements derived from the Pancha Maha Bhutam in specific proportion takes a form that begins to reside in the womb. The five elements are taken from each parent's body to shape the body of the fetus. Agathiyar gives us the breakdown.
நிலத்தின் அளவு - 1/3
One portion of earth from the female and three portions from the male
நீரின் அளவு – 4/3
Four portions of water from the female and three from the male
நெருப்பின் அளவு – 5/6
Five portions of fire from the female and six from the male
காற்றின் அளவு – 8/2
Eight portions of air from the female and two from the male and finally
ஆகாயத்தின் அளவு – 1/8
One portion of Ether from the female and eight from the male go towards making a healthy constitution.
இவ்வாறு அதற்கென்று அளவுகள் பிரம்மதேவரால் கணக்கிட்டு உடலை உருவாக்கப்படுகிறது.
Since this proportion is regulated by Lord Brahma, hence we know him as the creator of lives.
Agathiyar reveals that when the Udal takes a form, that is a composite of the five tattvas, and again returns back to these tattvas, the Uyir meanwhile merges in the Atma and reaches Agathiyan as Jothi. When he says we shall reach him it has to be taken that we come to a realization that he and we are one.
உடல் என்பது பஞ்ச பூதங்களில் உரு பெற்று மீண்டும் பஞ்ச பூதங்களிடம் சென்று விட்டால் உயிராகியது ஆன்மா வோடு கலந்து ஜோதிநிலையில் எம்மை வந்து அடையும். உடல் கூறு தத்துவமும் இதையே உமக்கு உணர்த்தும்.
Agathiyar shared his sadness that we are seeing a rise in illnesses. When I asked him the reason, he listed a few. The fast and furious nature of our current lifestyles, not giving due respect and refusing to pay attention to this sacred body that is capable of doing wonders and attaining higher reaches of spiritual evolution, and the diet that we consume.
He had told us earlier that this human birth is to be considered rare. We can only rid the karma that we had gathered throughout the numerous births by taking a human birth. We can never be assured that we shall take another human birth. Hence having taken one we are asked to fulfill its purpose. We are to seek Atma Vidutalai or release. Hence, we were not given this birth to live a mundane human life or to waste it by our lack of attention to it.
மனித பிறவி என்பது அபூர்வமானது. அது கிடைத்தது உங்களின் மனித வாழ்க்கையை வாழ்வதற்கு அல்ல. கோடான கோடி பிறவியில் நீங்கள் செய்த கர்மவினை மனிதபிறவி எடுக்கும்போது மட்டுமே கழிக்க முடியும். இப்பிறவியில் மனிதானாய் பிறந்தவன் மற்றொரு பிறவியில் மனிதனாய் பிறப்பான் என்பது ஊர்ஜிதமல்ல. எடுத்தபோதே அதனை நிறைவேற்றிக் கொள்ளுங்கள். ஆன்ம விடுதலை நோக்கிச் செல்லுங்கள் இல்லறவாழ்க்கை எப்போதுமே சுகமாய் இருக்கும்.
In telling us that he had arrived from Pothigai to be present with us during today's puja, he asked me a riddle; If he was at Pothigai hills and if the hills were him, what was he then? Luckily my otherwise murky mind was alert this time around and I answered - the Prapanjam. He gave me the kudos.
It is all within us. What we have receive all this while is akin to fertilizers to help us grow spiritually. The tools and methods, the techniques and practice all help heighten our senses to receive the divine grace. Once the divine grace comes within it shall elevate us without any further effort on our part.
First, we need to drop the baggage of karma that we bring along with us with each birth. Then we need to drop the knowledge acquired from bookish readings. Then we have to drop the tools, method and the way too. The sequence can vary from person to person, but we all have to learn to let go. The Siddhas have invested heavily on us Agathiyar told my wife. Hence the need to be alert that we do not slip and fall. Even standing at the peak we need to be aware of Maya and her delusions. It is an ever-going battle with the dark forces. They are needed too for how else would we realize light? From duality he moves into the state of Yegan or singularity. The man who survives the onslaught of the evil forces will come to terms with them too. He is at peace with himself and the world around him. I wish I could reach that state.