THE JOURNEY - PART 9

Agathiyar who called me to the path through my first Nadi reading, and had me carry out remedies to counter my past Karma, sent me to my very first guru Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai and later sent Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar over, sent several youths to my home to join me and my family in Siddha puja, and had us carry out charity finally brought all these to a halt and had me go within. Having me let go of all my hold on my previous activities and associations, he told me that I have to forget, or rather let go of him too, for only then shall we be on, he added. I knew then that he was bringing me from Dvaita to Advaita. If my search stopped when I came to Tavayogi, in telling me that he was the Prapanjam, he asked that I connect with it for all our answers, henceforth. 

The first time the Prapanjam was mentioned to us was after Ramalinga Adigal came into our midst to bless us. We only knew later on 21.2.2020 from Agathiyar that Ramalinga Adigal had helped us bring within us the energy that is dominant in the Prapanjam. 

வள்ளல் பிரபஞ்சத்திடமிருந்து சக்தியைப் பெற்றுக்கொள்ள  உதவினார்.

On 20.7.20, Agathiyar again reveals that Ramalinga Adigal brought the Prapanjam within us.

வள்ளல் பிரபஞ்சத்தைத் தருவித்தார்.  

On 30.11.2020, Agathiyar reinforces in us that he is Prapanjam. 

நானே பிரபஞ்சம்

When Ramalinga Adigal came down on 10.12.2020 with full energy and laughter and began 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. 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 கட்டுப் படும். துணை வரும்.

That is when Agathiyar told us to pray to Lord Shiva that the lockdown shall be lifted and we could come together to celebrate his Jayanthi on Thaipusam. He said that he, too, would place a similar prayer to Shiva. 

பிரார்த்தனை வையுங்கள் ஈசனிடம். நானும் வைக்கிறேன். ஊர் அடங்கு விலகியதும் தைப்பூசம் அன்று அனைவரையும் அழைத்து எனக்கு விழா நடத்துங்கள்.

On 16.5.2021, Lord Shiva spoke that, "Man now needs to join forces with the Prapanjam and use it as a force field or shield and engage in cleansing it. When it's cleansed, the world will be completely rid of the virus. 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 weekly. Those who can join in (In view of the lockdown). Those engaged in this prayer will be safe. I have accepted your Puja. Share this with Shanmugam. Let it be known to all through his writings."

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 கொள்ளதும். பூஜையில் இணைவோருக்கு இந்த நோய் பாதிக்காது. உங்களின் பூஜையை நான் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டேன். ஷண்முகனிடம் இவற்றைப் பகிர்ந்துகொள்ளுங்கள். எழுத்து வடிவில் உலக மக்களுக்குக் கொண்டு சேர்க்கட்டும்.

When Lord Shiva, at the end of his address, asked that the message for the day be shared with me so that it shall be made known to all through this blog, ஷண்முகனிடம் இவற்றைப் பகிர்ந்துகொள்ளுங்கள். எழுத்து வடிவில் உலக மக்களுக்குக் கொண்டு சேர்க்கட்டும், it was indeed the greatest honor that a devotee of his could be rewarded with.

But the Siddhas never gave up encouraging me to speak and write about the path. On 18.5.2008, Patanjali asks that I spread the fame of the Siddhas.

சித்தர் புகழ் பரப்புவாயே 

Agathiyar had mentioned the same in the Nadi readings I had in 2009, 2010, and 2015.

எங்கள் புகழ் பரப்புவாயே. இந்தத் தேசத்தில் சப்தமின்றி அகத்தியரைப் பலருக்கு நீ காட்டினாய் அப்பா. நூதனமாகச் செயல் ஆற்ற உலகமெல்லாம் அறியும் வண்ணம் நல்வித தொகுப்புகளைத் தொடர்ந்து செய்வாய். 

When I decided to stop writing several times, it was either the readers, Tavayogi, or Agathiyar who stopped me from doing so. For instance, on 30.1.2020, he told me that some still need this sharing.

நீ பகர்வது இன்னும் சிலருக்குத் தேவைப் படுகிறது. 

Agathiyar mentioned the blog in December of 2020, saying that he shall speak our language and asked to read it as it's his opinion too. 

இனி இவன்மூலம் உங்கள் மொழியில் பேசுவேன். இவன் எழுத்துக்களைப் படியுங்கள். அவை என் கருத்து.

On 19.11.2020, he asked that I share my experiences. 

இவன் அனுபவத்தைப் பகிர்ந்து கொள்வான்.

Much earlier, when Lord Shiva came on 29.6.2020, he told us to give thanks to Agathiyar, telling us that he came and went because Agathiyar was present in my home.

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

At the height of the pandemic, Shiva told us that among the many forms and names, he was the Prapanjam too. He added that the day we realize this, we shall merge with him. He says that his energy is in us too. It makes sense now that he is asking us to enhance, as shown by Ramalinga Adigal, the inherent energy in all of us to battle the pandemic. 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. 

நான் ..... தான் தவயோகி, நான் தான் சுப்ரமணியன், நான் தான் சிவன், நான் தான் அகத்தியன், நான் தான் 18 பேர், நான் தான் அகிலம், நான் தான் குரு, நான் தான் பிரபஞ்சம், நான்தான் நீங்கள். என் சக்தி உங்களிடம் உள்ளது. எப்போது அதை  உணர்கின்றீர்களோ வீடு பேறு கிட்டும். என்னை வந்து அடைவீர்கள். 

He told us that since his "power" was in us all, to walk tall and to live with pride since Agathiyar lives in us.

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

THE JOURNEY - PART 8

From https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/article/health-a-holistic-perspective, we are told to head for the hospital in case of an emergency, just as Agathiyar told my daughter in the Nadi not to go for alternative treatment but to pursue the treatment at the general hospital for her fractured leg many years ago. But when she sought a clinic and was given a cream for the fungus growth between her toes, Agathiyar asked to discontinue the application and instead seek Siddha treatment with Dr.Krishnan, a Siddha physician, and later revealed further Siddha medicines and treatment in her Nadi. My wife was all the while directed by Agathiyar to the general hospital for all her ailments.

We are told to go for Ayurveda if we have time to recover. "Ayurveda therapy diagnoses, identifies, and heals medical problems that have set in. As it takes time to treat and heal, it is best that we come in for treatment at the onset of the disease or illness, or when it is mild or just evolving." 

"Ayurveda is more disease-oriented, whereas Siddha is more health-oriented." We read that "Siddha treatment has an additional component that of Sadhana or practice and Bhuta Suddhi." We are told that "it is simply about rejuvenation, strengthening the inner sources of the body and activating the body in a certain way." Basically, "it deals with the fundamental material of the body - the elements."

But there are times when both sciences come together to heal. When my other daughter was admitted to the wards of the general hospital after she succumbed to dengue fever, and was given drips, Agathiyar revealed in the Nadi later that he came with Tirumular to increase her blood count and bring on a quick recovery. When I succumbed to extreme and excruciating pain in the lower back, relief came from a combination of therapies and treatments: the physiotherapists at the hospital gave me 5 exercises to do daily; Dr. Jana, a friend and devotee administered an injection in my lower back; Shangadasan, another friend and devotee taught me 5 exercises for the lower back that he used to train others at the gym. Then there was Agathiyar who prescribed Siddha herbs in my Nadi; Dhanvantri applied the sacred ashes that his devotees had brought me "coincidentally" from his temple in Chennai and "at the precise time"; and Lord Muruga who spoke through his Jeeva Nadi and coming through a devotee concurrently treated my back pain by stroking it with a bunch of peacock feathers and giving me a drink of water infused by the chanting of the Maha Mantra Arutperunjhoti by all those present. We came to realize then that science and Siddha medicine could complement each other too.

A cardiologist friend shared the following about the same time after reading this blog.

I am open to use other systems. My good friend is a homeopath and we use his services often. I have found profound effects for skin and joint problems. I only wish the practitioners of other systems don't have a prejudice against allopathy, and join hands for the common good. According to Indian traditional medicines (ayurveda and siddha), one can be healthy by balancing three life humors and seven body humors. Drugs that contain all six tastes can do this.

It is interesting to note that while speaking to a Chinese cook, she too advocated that I include vegetables and fruits of all six colors. 

Once in a six month, you need to subject you for body service. It means purgation, vomiting (vamanam) and sweating or sputum expectoration are the three procedures to balance vaatham (vata), pitham (pitta) and kapham respectively. This can be effectively done under ayurveda or siddha physicians. In ayurveda, they do it in panchakarma therapy. In siddha, it is done in two phases: Phase one is to balance three life forces by giving a single dose of Agathiyar kuzhambu (The formula of sage Agastya). This will cause vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, sputum expectoration, etc., according to the vitiate humor. This is a one day therapy and it has to be taken once in six months. Second phase is to balance seven body humors. This is done by taking Kaya kalpam drugs. Ancient Yogi especially Agastya muni and Dhanvantari consumed this Kaya kalpa therapy for long living.

THE JOURNEY - PART 7

Though the Soul is pure, it is covered and enveloped by the Ego that becomes tainted in the hands of Maya. Our upbringing and society, and its expectations on us and later fraud gurus, add to these illusions, and we become trapped in them. It then takes some effort and work to "purify" ourselves and regain the majesty of our Soul. All creation that comes as a result of the 96 Tattvas is tainted. Water can be contaminated. The air is polluted. The earth is littered and poisoned. What about ether? Your guess is as good as mine. As we read the following line from "Tales of Ancient India" that "nothing can defile fire and whatever is cast into it is made pure and clean," we have to agree that only fire, having consumed all, remains pure. The bronze statue of Agathiyar we have at AVM too was purified in the fire before its worship began. Similarly, a guru can burn one's Karma. But how many find their way to a genuine one? Then again, how many gurus would want to do that? We are told by Agathiyar that we can attempt to burn these Vasanas and Karma by lighting the Homa at home or participating in its bigger version, the Yagna in temples, offering them into the sacrificial fire. Another option to burn them to ashes is to engage in meditation. Yogananda Paramahansa states that the fire of meditation can burn our Karma. In doing austerities or Tapas, the internal heat that keeps us alive within is amplified and generated into the Tava Kanal, clearing and flushing the entire bodily systems of toxins accumulated and blockages built over time. While a confused mind is an indication of prevailing Karma, a healthy body and mind that arises out of this cleansing is indicative of Karma kept at bay. Similarly, many leave this world without even recognizing the soul within them. Their ego overshadows their soul and dictates to them, bringing them to pursue material riches and gains, competing with others, etc. But in those where their souls begin to tap on the door, it is ready to be awakened, and once we acknowledge it, it begins to determine our life. 

Just as a Siddha physician purifies the plants that he picks to prepare the herbal portion first, we begin on a journey of purification. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra defines such a journey. Agathiyar, in his Nadi reading for me, started me off with the basics of Yoga as follows:

Practice Thega Sudhi, and breathing techniques (Pranayama). Preferably, these practices should be enhanced through a guru. (soon Tavayogi came along to complete this lessons). Practice meditation daily. The disciple shall gain full concentration. The disciple needs to just concentrate on his meditation while the Siddhas shall take care of the disciple’s other needs. To enable advancement in the disciple’s practices and meditation, sit on a seat made of wood during meditation. Place a white cloth above it. Meditate for twelve minutes daily with eyes shut and the sight focused between the brows as you chant the Siddha’s names. The thinking ability shall improve by doing this practice. The temper shall be gone. The disciple shall receive great benefits. The health shall improve. The body shall become robust. The disciple shall gain the blessings of Siddhas, and elders who have attained Tavam and Sidhis. To progress further in the spiritual endeavors, meditate sitting on the Tharpai grass. The disciple shall gain clarity. The disciple shall see changes in himself during these stages of meditation and prayer. The disciple shall attain through this meditation, knowledge and speech attributes and other benefits. All efforts and practices shall not be in vain. The disciple shall achieve the highest meditation through the Siddha Margam.

A proper diet is to be adapted for the desired changes to take place.

Take natural foods. Take food devoid of salt, sweetness, sour and pungent. Consume pure food. When meditating, excessive heat would arise in the body of the disciple. Since heat shall increase hence there is a need to take only Sattvic foods to counter the heat. The disciple’s body shall generate heat due to yogic practices. Counter the heat by taking cooling stuff. 

This has to go hand in hand with worship of the Siddhas.

Do prayers and breathing exercises. Pray at the abodes and dwellings of Siddhas. The Siddhas are happy to see the disciple pray to them daily. The Siddhas shall accept the disciple's pilgrimage and prayers. Happiness shall prevail through daily prayers to Siddhas. The disciple needs to be steady in his or her mission even when confronted with people who shall shake their faith. Do not give heed to their words but carry on the prayers. There is much good in prayers. Do research, practices, prayers, and rituals to the utmost satisfaction without any error. All the disciple’s problems shall be relieved step by step through prayers. Recite the Maha Mantra – ARUTPERUNJHOTI. Besides the mantra ARUTPERUNJHOTI, let the names of the Siddhas be the Maha-Mantra for the disciple. Repeat it daily. The disciple shall get the blessings of gurus and the wise. Chant Lord Murugan’s name for it is LIGHT. Bliss and joy are acquired by saying the lord’s name. Continue saying it. The Siddhas too is in the form of light in this world. Continue prayers. Light up the home. Pray to LIGHT. The disciple shall see changes. Appease the planets. Perform prayers at temples. Garland the gods for then they shall be pleased. The disciple shall spread the Siddhas teachings through prayers and service. Stay on this path. Stick to what he or she is doing currently. Continue consistently with the spiritual practices that the disciple currently does. Do not get distracted. Do not give up on prayers. Worship Siddhas and attained much.

All these are intended to bring us to their state.

Siddha Margam is THE path. Live your life as the Siddhas do. The disciple shall live like Sivam too. Miracles would take place. Miracles and visions shall take place at the abodes, caves, and Samadhis of Siddhas. The Siddhas shall give visions and conduct miracles JUST for their disciples. The Siddhas shall appear to the disciple. The Siddhas shall perform miracles. The disciple shall live like a Siddha in this world. God shall live in the disciple. The disciple becomes a true friend and is highly regarded by the Siddhas. The Siddhas shall love the disciple as much as the disciple loves them. The Siddhas shall test the loyalty of their disciples. Family members and others shall benefit from the disciple's association with the Siddhas. The family and others too shall have the blessings of Siddhas. The Siddhas shall grace their presence in the disciple's home. The Siddhas are greatly moved by the devotion of the disciples. Never miss the worship of Siddhas at home. Invite Siddhas to the home. Make them a part of the family too. Then great saints shall live with the disciple. The Siddhas are established in the home of disciples. When the Siddhas live with the disciple, he or she has no need to spend his life at an ashram. Siddhas and yogis shall visit the disciple’s home. The Siddhas shall care for the disciple and his family. The Siddhas shall not let down the disciples. When confronted with danger call out to the Siddhas and they shall protect. The disciple needs to establish himself firmly in the path of the Siddhas. The disciple shall witness miracles happen every day. Let God's name flow through the breath of the disciple. The disciple shall become one with the Siddhas. The Siddhas shall show the disciple the path. Siddhas shall live in the disciple. Admire the sages and decorate the Siddhas in the heart's eye. The Siddhas too shall decorate the disciple similarly. The Siddhas shall witness the disciple do Tavam and prayers. Let the thoughts revolve around the Siddhas. Be faithful to this path. The disciple’s aspirations shall be realized. The disciple’s asking shall be granted. The Siddhas shall provide the disciple the knowledge to spell away ignorance. The Siddhas shall be present in the disciple’s thoughts, word, and deed. The disciple shall realize joy and bliss each day. Let the thoughts be centered on Siddhas day and night. Once a disciple comes to this Margam, others around him too shall follow the disciple on this path. The disciple shall attain a sweet voice, youth, and clarity of thought through prayers to Siddhas. Follow the advice and guidance of Siddhas. The Siddhas shall send their messengers to deliver their word to their disciples. Follow the path of Siddhas and all the disciple’s wishes shall come true. The disciple shall see much progress come his way. All the disciple’s efforts will pay off. The disciple shall realize the reason for his birth. Research into the reason for taking birth. Let the Siddhas show the disciple his path. The Siddhas shall be a companion. Just as the parent takes care of the child, the Siddhas shall take care of the disciple. Live with pride that you, a disciple of the Siddhas, have chosen to follow the path of the sidhas. Receive the advice of Siddhas with devotion. Spread the Siddha teachings. 

THE JOURNEY - PART 6

With the coming of the pandemic, the Nadi readers left for their homeland, and there was a pause in the readings. But Agathiyar chose to come to us speaking through devotees during the post-pandemic era. These were the times when he showered words of wisdom or Gnana and educated us on many things. The Siddhas have proved that it is possible to transform this meaty gross body into a body of light. The body that is regarded as Asudha Deham is first turned into a pure or Sudha Deham. Agathiyar spelled out the various stages. All this is only possible with our concerted efforts in following the directives and through the grace of the divine. With commitment together with a concerted effort on our part, the blessings and grace of the divine are bestowed through Puja or prayers of the Siddhas, gurus, and masters who have attained the same. With the coming of a guru or Upagurus guiding us with Yoga Asana and Pranayama, changes both physical and subtle begin to take place within us. As Tavayogi says, our effort can only bring us to reach the Svadistana Chakra. Soon, the rest of the Chakras will be cleared by the very energy that has awakened in us. These shall bring forth an imbalance to the body and its related systems, which appear as pain and discomfort. But by the guru's grace, it soon subsides. He steps in to continue his work of transforming our body. With the descent of Jothi, the Asudha Deham is slowly purged or rid of diseases of the body or உடல் பிணி;  discharges from the body or உடல் மாசு; and waste or toxins from the body or உடல் கழிவு. Along with consuming purgatives and Kaya Kalpa herbs, the body or Asudha Deham thoroughly purifies and is strengthened. A Sudha deham is then achieved, void of all physical impurities. 

Then the process continues where we arrive at the Pranava Deham and finally the Oli Deham or body of Light. Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal point us to Yoga as a tool to bring about this transition and transformation of the Sudha Deham into a Pranava Deham. Coming to watch the breath as we go within, the breath that initially traveled far begins to tap the door at the Ajna Chakra. Soon it is stilled. With the impurities gone, and the breath stilled, the mind then settles. The door opens, and the veil that hindered and kept us away from the truth is drawn aside. Jothi Darisanam, or sighting of the Light, is seen within. The body is released from the shackles of its own limitations and begins to shine in its luminosity. 

The Mantra initiation that Tavayogi gave connected me with Agathiyar. The rituals that Tavayogi showed me served to clear my homes for the arrival of the Gods and Goddesses and the Siddhas and saints. The recitation of the names of the Siddhas paved the way for them to visit us, bridging the two realms, heaven and earth. The Homam opened up a portal, bridging our plane and dimension with the realm of the Siddhas. The Yoga practice that Tavayogi gave me served to rid the body of toxins accumulated over the years, bringing a sluggish body into top form. The respiratory system was strengthened. The energy channels were activated from their sleep and rejuvenated. It cleared the way for the divine energy dormant in all of us to awaken and travel its way naturally, clearing all blockages along its way, by its own force. The intense heat or Tava Kanal that was generated as a result of regular Puja, performing rituals, conducting Homam or lighting the sacred fire, and the touch, look, or presence of the guru, and adopting the practice given during initiation and the Yogic exercises combined and initiated this movement and sustained it till the second Chakra. Henceforth, the divine and its energy took charge. Excessive discomfort and extreme and acute pain were experienced as blockages were cleared. The three Dosas went haywire. The herbs that Agathiyar recommended aided in stabilizing the 3 Doshas. It was frightening and worrying at times, but with faith in the guru and assurance given by him and knowing well that his ever-watchful eyes are watching me, I came through the ordeal well. All these were only revealed to me after having gone through the ordeal for some 2 1/2 years. Agathiyar asked me to drop all forms of Yogic practice in 2011. He started me back on the practice after 8 years in 2019. But this time around, he left it to me to figure out the parts or portions of the Asana and Pranayama practice that Tavayogi taught, which would be suitable to carry out. Besides that, he had me consume his Agathiyar Kuzhambu, a purgative, from a Siddha physician that did "wonders" in expelling the three Dosas, Kapha, Pitta, and Vata that were in excess. Mucus and phlegm were expelled from the respiratory system through the nose, throat, and mouth. Toxins from the solid organs, namely the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, and the hollow organs that make up the GI tract were expelled through vomit. In defecating, all food residues and the excess wind were expelled. All three Dosas expelled simultaneously. Later, he gave another simple but equally effective formula to prepare by myself and drink to detoxify further. They are still working on me, trying to bring the said transformation within. I am still throwing up and discharging the three Dosas Kapha, Pitta, and Vata, and the rest of the accumulated waste and toxins, but without the need to take purgatives or other laxatives. It seems to happen on its own and at regular times now. Agathiyar says that the Kundalini has arisen in a good manner since then, and that I needed to strengthen and fortify my body further, and had the Siddha physician prepare Kaya Kalpa medicine to consume. 

My intention in sharing these experiences is not to claim to be a self-made guru. These are not teachings but my experience garnished with Agathiyar's words and essence. When a thought or subject comes to mind, I immediately take note of it, for if I leave it for another moment, it leaves me for good, just as fast as it comes. I am always amazed that even the choice of words and sentences comes dictated. Later, I sit at my laptop to gather the references in support of the subject and format the piece before posting it. I rush to Agathiyar and thank him for a wonderful post. Upon publishing the post, I go back to read and reread it. It is information for me too. It is knowledge to me too. Never was there a day when I had to think hard about what to write next. Whenever someone comes around or speaks to me on the phone, or when I am engaged in a talk with my family, an interesting subject crops up that drives me to write on it further. This is how Agathiyar has been sustaining me and this blog with all these writings. He has told me numerous times to keep writing. I take it as my duty to share the experiences and the learning we go through as we walk together with Agathiyar so that it might ignite and feed the flame in others too. It is of no use to see the candle burn completely in giving light to others. It would be useful to light numerous other candles before it sheds its form instead.  

THE JOURNEY - PART 5

With puja to the Siddhas and practice of Yoga over the years, my heart began to mellow, and I began to weep and sob and go into sudden outbursts of laughter and cries numerous times for no reason. It was not that I wanted to cry, but it happened spontaneously. The cry came from within without my control or me initiating it, especially during temple visits and while conducting prayers and Bhajans. I used to automatically perform certain gestures too. Surprisingly, these involuntary movements never attracted the attention of the public, as it was as if a veil was drawn to shut me out from others. There were numerous instances like at the Tiruvanaikaval temple in Trichy; at the Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram; when I was with my family at the Sivasubramaniam Alayam, Kampung Kepayang; when my family and I had prayed at the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Penang, and stepped out, and a man pointed us to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, atop the hill where its temple tower was visible from where we stood; when Tavayogi pointed me to a pair of wooden sandals or Padhugai, a representation of the feet of the guru Agathiyar at a local Peedham in Batu Caves; as I got down on my knees in front of him, and he simultaneously went into a state of laughter and cry too at another Peedham in Gombak; as I stood with my family at the Sri Jeganathar Sivalayam in Tapah; when I was in the presence of Supramania Swami in his village home and as he revealed about me without charting my horoscope; and during each Nadi reading I had. I would shed tears of gratitude to Agathiyar and the Siddhas. 

These moments of joy and bliss continued when the AVM family went on a tour of spiritual places in Malaysia. I found myself crying in joy at Lord Murugan's Sannadhi at the Sivasubramaniam Alayam, Kampung Kepayang again. Revisiting Tiruvanaikaval again, this time with my family and Jnana Jhotiamma in 2013, I was again overcome by an emotional outbreak of crying and joy. I lay on the floor of the temple, the body twitching involuntarily, not in pain but in joy. It was as if all the nerves were tugged, pulled, and stretched, from top to toe, quite like the tensioning of steel bars in the beams. But it was never hurtful, but rather pleasant. In 2016, as the AVM family made its way to join the festivities for Agathiyar's Guru Puja at Kallar, we stopped over at the Mayuranathar temple in Mayiladuturai. As we sat in the presence of Lord Dhakshanamurthy, Lord Ganesha, and Kuthambai Siddhar, I was overcome by a profuse energy that went through me and left me crying in joy. It refused to settle for a long time. Later, I was overcome by emotion sitting at the Sundarananthar Vallabha Siddhar Sannadhi at the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple, Madurai, while the rest of the AVM family recited the names of the Siddhas. The pinnacle of this show of energies was when my family and I were led by the temple priest of the Sri Siva Shanmugar Temple in Sungai Siput, into the deeper recesses of the cave, and shown the spot my Paramaguru and Tavayogi's guru, Chitramuthu Adigal, had meditated. I was physically thrown off my feet as I went into a spin and lost my balance, and landed on my back in a depression amidst the boulders. But I came out unscathed and laughing. 

At home, I had collapsed a couple of times, upon waking up to go to the toilet. I picked myself up each time. Then when I dropped onto the floor, outside the toilet, it scared the wits of my family members who were awakened by the sound of my fall. They stood watching in terror as my body twisted, writhing like a snake in pain. But it was joyful and pleasurable the same. Later, Agathiyar came and told me that when the Kundalini arises, it would exhibit the movements of a snake. He acknowledged that it was indeed blissful. I soon learned that when certain energies begin to traverse through our body as a result of the Yoga practices, various behaviors and feelings could arise: negativity and anger; laughter or crying; etc., all happening spontaneously. The pent-up anger and emotions are expelled from the system, too. 

My stools changed in appearance and texture each time I excreted, at times rubbery, and sometimes oily; at other times as pebbles; or forming thin strips like DNA; sometimes light and floating, and at other times dark and sinking. Sorry to mention this here, but since our excretion shows the state of our health, and the stool was a way to identify illness and the state of our being and insides in the days of the past, both by medical and Siddha practitioners. The senses were enhanced, sharpened, and refined. We breathe through our skin, through each and every pore. The ear picks up even the finest sounds. The eyes regain their clarity. The nose picks up the smell, aroma, and stench too. The taste buds become refined.

After 18 years, Agathiyar spoke about Gnana to us in 2020. In sharing a story of a Yogi, he explained that a single flame that is lit and burning by itself is not an extraordinary feat, but to light up the next lamp beside it is something to be looked upon with high regard. Similarly, a true Gnani will want to ignite the spark of devotion and Gnanam in his disciple so that he too could glow with all the luminosity. Just as a miner shifts through the earth in the hope of seeing a tiny sparkle in the soil that would be of value, the Gnani seeks the face of the earth vetting through the millions of people looking for a potential candidate who will listen to them and uphold their teachings, eventually becoming one of them. The Siddhas mention this lineage as "வாழையடி வாழை என வந்த திருக்கூட்டம்", "Valaiyadi Valaiyaaga Vantha Thiru Kuttam".

THE JOURNEY - PART 4

All external worship and rituals are tied to internal transformations. For instance, when Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal come, they keep reminding us to kindle the light or jhoti from the oil lamp that we burn externally and at the same time ask that we kindle the light or Jhoti that burns within too. Karma too has an external means of eradication and an equally effective internal means. Agathiyar says we can burn our Karma away by conducting a Yagam or Homam, the ritual of lighting the sacrificial fire.

Then the pandemic came and we all were forced to stay indoors, which provided us time and space to carry out these puja, rituals, and yogic practices in the confines of our home with only the family. What Tavayogi taught us, the worship of Siddhas, the ritual of lighting the fire pit or Homam, and the Yoga techniques have come in handy in keeping us company as we are forced to stay indoors. Agathiyar had already told me to go within very much earlier, even before the lockdown, asking me to leave the house only if very crucial. He initiated us in taking tulasi or basil leaves with lukewarm water. He asks us to revisit certain Pranayama exercises taught by Tavayogi, asking us to spit out the sputum that comes with it. But he never indicated to us the pandemic that was to follow. Agathiyar asked me to seclude myself, camp overnight in his room, and go within. He taught me certain pranayama techniques and asked me to observe the breath. My days and nights were spent with him. I was asked not to leave the home unless very critical. During this period, the hearing, the sight, the smell, the taste buds, and the touch were all equally amplified or improved. As my eyesight improved, I had to make a new pair of glasses with a prescription power of 175 on my right and 150 on my left, a vast contrast from what was 525 and 475, respectively, in the '80s.

Our body is the biggest miracle that is so close to us that we often miss acknowledging. We are neither grateful nor treat it with respect and gratitude. We treat it as a vehicle to ferry our soul and dump it when it doesn't serve our purpose anymore. The Siddha, on the contrary, takes special care of it, bringing it with him as he leaves the physical world. The body can rejuvenate and heal itself by taking good care of it and, of course, with some assistance from certain food intakes and supplements that are known to the Siddhas. It is said that if one lives till 120, they might see new teeth grow. It is said that the cells are replaced every seven years, becoming practically a new person because, in that time, every cell in our body has been replaced by a new cell. I am growing black hair at my age of 66 now. 

Agathiyar explained that the internal journey of going within will eventually, through our efforts and the grace of the divine, bring us to stand at the doorway of the seventh Chakra, where we will come to realize and understand the reason we are here. True to his words, I stand today at this doorway to know, learn, and venture on a new adventure into new frontiers and uncharted territories. As I was thinking about going into self-imposed exile, Agathiyar told me that it was not time yet to do so, for there was more that he would reveal and for me to share. Although Agathiyar had revealed the 5 tenets of taking birth as a human at the Tamil Sangam in the past, outlining man's general purpose and contribution, by going within each individual comes to know his specific mission. What would be my mission? 

If previous astrologers had charted my horoscope based on my date and time of birth, when I went for my very first Nadi reading in 2002, Agathiyar plotted an entirely different placement of the Ascendant star or Lagna and the rest of the planets. After the initial prayer to Lord Vinayaga, Agathiyar described the nature of my thumbprint, stated the sign of the zodiac rising at birth or Ascendant or Lagna, Rasi, and my planetary positions precise to the very instant of my birth that day. What came as a surprise was that Agathiyar mentioned my Lagna as Tula. Cross-referencing with an old horoscope drawn up by AM Turaisamy Aiya in 1983, he wrote my (Utaya) Lagna as Kadagam too in the planetary chart, but had noted the Lagna as Tula in the Navamsa chart. Dr. Krishnan, too, had determined it as Kadagam later in 1996.  

I came to find out later, in the 31 May 2012 posting of the blog Siththan Arul, that if the planets Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars are known to retrograde, Agathiyar surprises us saying that the Lagna or time of birth too could do so in some cases. If this happens, the predictions do not take place. As the Lagna had retrograded, I understood the reason for all the past predictions not to have taken place. Much later in 2018, Lord Muruga, coming in a Nadi reading, said that he had changed my fate that instant.

In December of 2019, Agathiyar asked me to hold my breath in Kumbhaka for the very first time for the duration of the Diksa mantra. He asks to observe the breath. He asked to learn about the composition of the physical body or உடல் கூறு தத்துவங்கள் that Tavayogi had written about in his books first. Then in January of 2020, he told me to start back the Yoga techniques that we learned from Tavayogi, which were placed on hold by Agathiyar after the onset of my back pain.

On 15 May 2020, Ramalinga Adigal asked if I was experiencing the changes taking place within me after putting into practice all that was told to me. I shared my experiences, and he seemed pleased and endorsed them. He asked to continue doing them. He spoke about the need to place concerted efforts in my practice. 

Dr. Geeta Anand, in her blog http://agatthiyarjnanam.blogspot.com/, says that "the Siddhas did not settle for Moksha after death. They use their body as a Moksha Sadhana, attaining it while alive. They manipulated the chemistry in the gross or material body or Sthula deham, defeating the five types of modifications that it is fated to go through, namely: aging, getting white hair, diminishing sight, disease, and death. They turned it into a Yoga Sareeram or Deham or Siddha Deham that is not shackled to a particular place, time, or situation using Deha Siddhi or lighting the fire of Kundalini. When Kundalini unfolds from its dormant state and ascends through the Chakras, it starts absorbing the element that each Chakra represents. Thus, it absorbs the twenty-four principles into itself. When it reaches the Ajna Chakra, the yogi’s body becomes a Siddha Deham, merging the Siva and Sakti principle present in the Sahasrara and Muladhar, respectively. Not satisfied with their achievement of attaining a Siddha Deham, the Siddhas ventured to turn it into a Pranava Deham or Mandira Meni or Mantra Deham. When the aspirant practices breath regulation, he changes the direction of the breath and makes it flow through the Sushumna instead of the Ida and Pingala, thus bringing the left and the right part of the body into equilibrium. This is called the union of Siva and Sakti, or Samarasam. Then the sound OM occurs within the yogi’s body, and his Siddha Deham becomes a Pranava Deham or Oomai Deham or the silent body. Now not contented by being a Jivan Mukta, having attained liberation while still in the bodily form they strive to gain an Effulgent body or Divya Deham, or Chinmayam, or Baindhava Sareeram, or Kailaya Deham or Jnana Deham, thence attaining Para Mukthi, where they go beyond time and remain as an embodiment of Sivam, merging in the supreme space or Vetta Vezhi or Sorgaloka Vezhi, glistening and glowing. This is also called Apancheekaranam or reverse manifestation."

Phew! What a journey. Just reading about it is mindboggling. Can we ever achieve these states? 

THE JOURNEY - PART 3

Dr Krishnan, a friend, Siddha physician, and astrologer, told me in the nineties, after looking at my horoscope, that I shall write extensively, which was not my cup of tea back then. Agathiyar, later in a Nadi reading, my twelfth, on 17.2.2007, said the same. Bhirugumunivar, in my 15th Nadi reading on 10.3.2007, gave some tips on performing prayers and the kind of food to consume. And they all spoke about the benefits of doing Puja and charity. Agathiyar mentions in my 26th Nadi reading on 25.4.2008 that I had received a treasure from Tavayogi by way of Asanas and Pranayama that he taught me and a handful of others. Watching Tavayogi do them back then, I was surprised by the volume of air that he could take in and belt out, compared to the shallow breathing of ours. After some time of practice, I too could do it and began to see its effects. I saw the increase in the capacity of my lungs to take in a larger volume of air than usual and subsequently take in a larger quantity of Prana that brought me to a heightened state where I feared my body would explode. It was beautiful, though. I was told to stop the practice when I succumbed to a severe backache back in 2010 by Agathiyar. In March 2020, he asked me to resume doing it. After 12 years, Agathiyar brings us back to revisit these techniques, asking both me and the others who frequent my Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) to put them into practice. Agathiyar reiterates again that these practices are a treasure. 

In my 27th Nadi reading 27 by Pathanjali on 18.5.2008, he spoke about Puja, meditation (Tavam), and Yoga (Yogam), and how it could overcome one's Karma. He revealed his Yoga. He asked me to continue the Asana and Pranayama practices and prayers too. He advised me on the kind of food to consume. He asked that I stay on this path. He instructed me to spread the teachings of the Siddhas. 

Agathiyar in my 30th Nadi reading on 30.9.2008, revealed the significance of breath and declared that both Lord Vinayagar and Gautama Buddha are exponents in Pranayama.

In the 31st Nadi reading 31 on 8.12.2008, Agathiyar reveals that he had directed Mr Sundara Arumugam to provide the space to house him in the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Mritiga Brindavanam Kinta that Mr Arumugam was building for Sri Raghavendra Swami in Ipoh. But over the years, I guess he got fond of us and stayed in our home, for he had another devotee purchase and place his statue at the Brindavanam. Agathiyar stayed put and is with his other half, Lobama, in my home.

On 8.1.2009, in my 32nd Nadi reading, Agathiyar mentioned that since I had the desire to set up a Peedham for him (on the onset of his request in my very first reading in 2002), he had set the ball rolling. He gave specific instructions on the process and procedure to have his statue made. It had to be in the image that of Agathiyar at Agasthiyampalli in Vedharanyam. He specified how, where, and when his statue should be made and mentioned the rituals that needed to be done before he goes to the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Mrithiga Brindavan Kinta. He also says that he will be at my home before he is moved to Ipoh. He also instructs me to accept donations from devotees towards the cost of making his statue and building his Peedham. He reveals that he shall fulfill the prayers of devotees who seek him out for assistance. All they needed to do was light up a lamp.

In the 33rd Nadi reading 33 on 27.8.2009, and the 38 on 12.7.2010, Agathiyar asked that I stay on his path and spread his teachings through all available means and mediums. He reveals a breathing technique and again in the 37th Nadi reading on 3.4.2010. 

In the 39th Nadi reading on 9.8.2010, Agathiyar said that he shall open his eyes in his statue and create other miracles too. This he performed many years on in 2013.

When the pain came on in the lower back, Agathiyar in the 43rd Nadi reading on  26.11.2011, recommended a couple of Siddha medicines and advocated certain prayers. In the next reading on 16.1.2012, he instructed certain practices and recommended certain Siddha medicines.

Agathiyar in the 45th Nadi reading on 26.4.2012, countered all the negative attacks in social media on the Nadi being manipulated by Nadi readers taking our thumbprint and drawing out our horoscope and gathering information from us through the questions they place before us and arriving at a bogus Nadi reading by providing a Nadi reading for my wife without having her present nor asking for her thumbprint. Even the Nadi reader was equally surprised and astonished. Going in purportedly for a reading for me after being called over, Agathiyar reveals my wife's Nadi. 

In the next Nadi Reading on 15.2.2013, Agathiyar hints that I do not need to consult the Nadi anymore. What we did not know then was that he would come to address us personally through his devotees in the future. 

Between the years 2014 and 2016, Agathiyar in the Nadi readings spoke about the lifestreams of the Puja from AVM that I had started doing, on the requests of Jnana Jhothiamma who wanted to follow it from the USA. He spoke about my blog and my YouTube channel. He spoke about how Siddha Heartbeat has served in bringing many the knowledge of the Siddhas. He spoke about my intent in taking early retirement and acknowledged that this was the right move.

These sharings are not to boost my ego or to make an impression or a statement that I and all those who came along with me on this journey are special in the eyes of the divine. We are neither special nor are we the apple of the eye of Agathiyar. He loves everyone equally. It is just that we came to him earlier. Others will come to him in good time. The idea of sharing them is to make known to readers how simple it is to get the grace of the Siddhas by way of worship to them. What was required of us was just attending to their worship; they took care of the rest, including our inner spiritual development and advancement, and the family too. One's experience will kindle another to travel the way. That is all we are doing here. To make progress, each one has to put in the effort. The Siddhas promised a better future and a silver lining, both in the materialistic and spiritual world and sense. 

THE JOURNEY - PART 2 - INTERNAL

Bringing me on his path, after I took up his call, Agathiyar has carefully charted the ways and means for me to tread the path, leaving a milestone at every mile of our journey, waiting there for me to catch up on him and encouraging and continuing me on yet another phase of the journey. Before engaging in the worship of the Siddhas, engaging in all the pranayama techniques and cleansing regimes, Agathiyar had mysteriously passed the Vasudeva mantra to me through my nephew Thayalan Arumugam. R Venu Gopalan writes in his book, "The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini", that 

The Vishnu Granthi adds obstructions for the Sadhaka, keeping one under the wraps of attachment and bondage, leading to the process of selfishness and supra ego. Hence, the Vasudeva mantra is recited for balancing the Vishnu Granthi. The Nadis of the heart Chakra are cleansed, and it balances the heart Chakra. Continuous practice of meditation on this mantra helps purify the thinking process too. It also helps in dissolving all the past Karmic deeds for a better future. 

Agathiyar, giving his very first instruction in Yoga through the Nadi, asks that I do Nadi Suddhi. Swami Vivekananda, speaking about this practice of Nadi Suddhi or purification of the nerves, quotes from the Shvetashvatara Upanishad.

Nerve currents will have to be displaced and given a new channel. New sorts of vibration will begin, the whole constitution will be remodeled, as it were. First, the nerves are to be purified, then comes the power to practise pranayama. Stopping the right nostril with the thumb, through the left nostril fill in air, according to capacity; then, without any interval, throw the air out throught the right nostril, closing the left. Again inhaling through the right nostril eject through the left, according to capacity; practising this three or four times at four hours of the day, before dawn, during midday, in the evening, and at midnight, in 15 days or a month purity of the nerves is attained; then begins pranayama.  

In giving me Agathiyar's Teecha or Diksha Mantra, Tavayogi brought the desired transformation in me, without my knowledge. It worked internally, bringing changes in my physical body too, working on the Asudha Deham to become a Sudha Deham, and hopefully shall move on to become Pranava Deham and attain the desired Oli Deham. Agathiyar wishes us to go through this transformation that had taken place in many saints of the past. How compassionate of him to desire that we too should relive these transformations. All he wants of us is to realize our divinity, and he is on hand to help us realize it. Frank Alexander, in his book "In the Hours of Meditation", Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, 1993, explains the Guru-discipline principle lovely.

More and more does the personality of the disciple merge in the Guru nature while all the time the Guru's personality is seen to merge more and more into that of which even his body had been a manifestation. Then the sublimest oneness is attained. The waters of the dual personalities of Guru and disciple become the ocean of the infinite Brahman.

Agathiyar and Tavayogi walked me through Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam, and Gnanam. Tavayogi introduced me to doing charity and feeding the hungry at his ashram in India. He showed me the abodes of the Siddhas, bringing me to the temples, jungles, and caves, giving me first-hand experience of the life of a Siddha. Moving me away from Sariyai or temple worship, they then brought me to the next stage, to having me engage and conduct worship of the Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu Pantheon personally through rituals like libation and Homam, and the many other rituals that came along with the worship of the Siddhas. Besides undertaking these Kriyas, Tavayogi taught me several Yoga Asanas and Pranayama techniques too, bringing me to go through a series of changes in me that were targeted to help me step into and have an insight into the next stage or phase, which was Gnanam. Through his many short and brief observations and statements that he would utter as he walked by or walked with us, he brought me insights into the mysteries of the world of the Siddhas, something that has only begun to dawn upon me now in the present moment.

We see a similar reference to this journey that begins in the external and ends with an internal transformation. Patanjali's "Ashtaanga Yogam" or the eight limbs of yoga, defines Yamam (abstinences), Niyamam (observances), Asanam (postures), Pranayamam (breathing), Pratyaharam (withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dyanam (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption), that brings the practitioner from the outer to the inner realms.

Ramalinga Adigal had drawn up clearly the many milestones one has to encounter and move on, continuing the journey that brings one to the much-anticipated destination and kingdom of God.

When we undergo these changes, it is not always a smooth process as we come to learn together. I succumbed to extreme lower back pain beginning in 2010 for some 2 1/2 years. Agathiyar came through the Nadi and advised me on caring for my back, recommending specific herbs to be taken. When the pain recurred in 2016, Tavayogi passed me a herbal preparation to soothe the pain. When it still persisted, Dhavanthiri came through a devotee and applied the sacred ash from his temple in Chennai and advised me on other measures to be taken. When the pain struck again, in 2018, Lord Muruga came through a devotee and the Nadi simultaneously to heal my back for good with his peacock feathers and the chanting of the Arutperunjhoti Mantra. Agathiyar asked that I resume several of the Pranayama techniques that Tavayogi had taught me, which he hinted that I should know for myself. 

Having come to surrender to Agathiyar, he began to chart both the external journey and internal too, bringing me within henceforth. Agathiyar, in preparing me to go with, gave me his Agathiyar Kuzhambu prepared by Siddha practitioner Ariwananthen Aiya to consume, which he said would first cleanse and help regulate the three Dosas, Vata, Kapha, and Pitta, and strengthen the physical form that had seen a dip later. Further to placing me in isolation, Agathiyar had me carry out a daily cleansing regimen by taking a "magic portion".

Geetha Anand writes in her blog http://agatthiyarjnanam.blogspot.my/ that 

The Siddhas did not believe in attaining Moksha after death. There is no guarantee that one will actually achieve it either! They believe that the body should be used properly as a Moksha Sadhana.

So they paid attention and worked on their body as they did on the soul and spirit. Thus, the Siddha, instead of fighting the body and its natural tendencies, transforms it using the same principles into a supreme vehicle that carries them towards liberation. Besides working on the physical body, Agathiyar brings us to work within the Chakras too. Bringing me to the path after his calling that came through my first Nadi reading, Agathiyar first and foremost called upon me to pray to Lord Ganesa the reason being that Ganesa and Vallabai (Vallabah Ganesa) at Muladhara, are known to remove the prevalent existing blocks so that one could progress without hindrances and delays. I then arrived at Svathisthana, where creativity arises in leaps and bounds. With blessings from Brahma and Saraswathi, my desire to fill the wide gap prevalent then, in the nonavailability of literature on the Siddhas, was fulfilled when I compiled the songs of their praises, began to write on my journey, and began to draw out a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for our simple home rituals. Arriving at Manipuragam, I was able to sustain all my endeavors by the grace of Thirumaal and Laxmi. When I then arrived at Anagatham, I was gifted with endurance, a much-needed element to travel farther on this path, by Rudra and Rudri, besides Rudra defeating the fear of death and other fears and burning past Karma and bringing on a deeper understanding of the mystery that lies ahead. What lay ahead at Visukthi was that Maheswaran and Maheswari waited to pick me up from the gloom and frustration that would fall upon all travellers traveling this path. I believe that I have arrived at Agnai now, the spot where silence or mounam dwells. At Ajna, both Sadasivan and Manonmani are known to grant one the fruits of Yoga. Mounam, the state of silence, too, sets in without effort. I believe I have seen and been through what P. Karthigayan has described relating these experiences with the Chakras as above. 

What then lies ahead? From here, one travels on to the Kesari Margam, to the cosmos and back, writes P. Karthigayan in his well-researched book "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", Notion Press, 2016. 

The mystical flight and inner journey to countless universes start here. Moving further up, or rather within, Dyanam and Samadhi bring one to be receptive to the spirituality of oneself, the Siddha, and their wisdom. Going within and with internal worship, Dyanam on the six vital points helps one arrive at Samadhi. Engrossed in a state of continuous bliss, the body goes into a state of Samadhi while the spirit attains Mukti. One attains the powers of the creator. All of the cosmos becomes a teacher. He will come to know that he is one with the matrix or Prapanjam. He who has reached this state is a Gnani.

THE JOURNEY - PART 1 - EXTERNAL

If I started documenting my external journey, beginning with my maiden trip to India and back in 2003, after meeting my gurus, I have written much about them too. Agathiyar has now bid me to share the internal journey and its transformation in body and mind with readers. So where do I start?

For a start, my grandchildren saw the obvious change in me. Turning 66 this year, I am starting to grow new black hair, replacing the white hair that comes with age. I am at peace with myself, though news of man's stupidity, greed, and arrogance disturbs this serene peace at times. 

Let me walk you through my life after coming to the Siddhas.

When clients of Dr. Krishnan told me that his predictions based on the astrological charts came true, I was puzzled why none of his predictions for me materialized. Not that it bothered me, but I was curious to know why a reading by a well-renowned astrologer like Dr. Krishnan did not go well with me. So one fine day in 1996, I asked the Dr. if at all there was a possibility that whatever he predicted would not materialize. He answered, “Yes, there is a possibility it won't materialize if you have a curse.” “And how would we know if someone had cursed us?” I asked. “Could you tell me if I am cursed, from reading my charts?” I continued. Dr. Krishnan explained to me that it was not possible to know if a curse had befallen someone from reading the astrological charts and that the only way to find out was through consulting the Nadi. That was the first time I heard about the Nadi and the Siddhas. However, back at that time, neither did I give much serious thought to the Nadi, nor did I know of any Nadi reader in Malaysia. Neither had I any intention to go and seek the Nadi in India. Eventually, I forgot about it until my colleague and friend Muralitharan Saminathan talked about his experience reading the Nadi (in 2000) to me in 2002. I recalled Dr. Krishnan’s words then. He arranged for me to have a reading at Shivabalan’s home, where he brought in the Nadi readers from India and housed them. Agathiyar revealed my past life and my past Karma through the Nadi. I was asked to perform atonements or Parikaram at temples for the past Karma and asked to make a pilgrimage to India. I did as told. After that, there was no turning back. It amazes me even now to think about how my life took a turnaround after I saw the Nadi eventually in 2002. The Nadi showed me the path I was to take - the path of the Siddhas. I made a pilgrimage to India in 2003, performing atonements or Parikaram as per the Nadi, thus burning the Karma that was a result of past desires and deeds. Subsequently, I had the blessings of two wonderful Gurus. My seeking to know the future of my second daughter brought me to Supramania Swami in Tiruvannamalai, who was an astrologer too. Just before leaving for India, my wife reminded me that we had not charted our daughter’s future and asked that I seek an astrologer in India. When I had completed my last leg of pilgrimage and worship performing the Girivalam of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, I asked Deivanthiran, my appointed chauffeur, from the tourist agency, who was from Chennai, if he knew any astrologer in Chennai. He told me he had an uncle in a village eight kilometers from Tiruvannamalai and that he was an astrologer too. I was driven over to Nachananthal to meet Supramania Swami. Later, Swami and I started on a venture to build a temple, only to drop it while in construction, after a Siddha intervened. After two years under the tutelage and guidance of Supramania Swami, I met Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil, Kallar, Kovai, Tamilnadu in Malaysia in 2005. I made another pilgrimage to India the same year on the instructions of Agathiyar and at the invitation of Tavayogi. I was shown the life of a Siddha. I was taken on early morning walks; we bathed in the nearby stream that had its source in the mineral and herb-rich mountains of Ooty; I was shown how to conduct prayers to the Siddhas; I was given an opportunity to do charity and feed the poor, and was given an initiation. I was blessed to be taken on a pilgrimage by Tavayogi to Siddha samadhis, caves and temples which included Agathiyar’s temple at Agasthiyampalli, and at Courtalam and his cave in the nearby hills and at the Agathiyar Fall in the Pothigai hills; Karuvurar’s temple at the Breehadeshwarar temple in Tanjore; Punakeeswarar’s Samadhi at Chennimalai, and Sivavakiyar’s Samadhi at Sivanmalai, both in Kovai; Konganar’s cave at the hills of Uthiyore in Kanganam, Kovai; Ramalinga Adigal’s cave and Dhakshanamurthi’s cave also in the hills of Courtalam, and Bhogar’s Samadhi at Palani.

Subsequently, I had a series of Aasi Nadi readings in which several Siddhas came to guide me further. Then Agathiyar chose to come to my home in the form of a bronze statue in January of 2010. I started performing rituals, namely libation or Abhisegam, on the instructions of Agathiyar and lighting the sacrificial fire or Homam on the instructions of Tavayogi.

If Mr.Sethu at my office introduced me to Ramalinga Adigal by passing me several audio cassettes of the saint's songs that captivated me upon hearing them, Tavayogi introduced us to Jeganatha Swami, who was a disciple of Ramalinga Adigal and a Paramaguru of Tavayogi and his Samadhi temple on our shores. 

This is hold I came into their fold too. The Siddhas, having experimented on themselves, have proved that we need not shed our bodies at the end of their lifespan. Siddhas are believed to be alive in their Samadhis even today. So, should we not walk the Path of the Siddhas who knew the secret and had transformed themselves to live forever?

Agathiyar started us with external worship, a much-needed stepping stone for this age, to remain dedicated to the cause and focused, to discipline and strengthen the faith, and slowly brought us to the fringe of meditation. Among the many rituals, Agathiyar brought us to specifically conduct the Homam, a smaller version of the Yagna, telling us that the remaining unexhausted desires will eventually be burnt by the regular act of performing the lighting of the sacrificial fires. He convinced me, who was doing it with a heavy heart and fear, as this ritual was the domain of Purohits and temple priests, Agathiyar told me that I was not doing it for myself but for the good of the entire cosmos or Prapanjam. Paramahansa Yogananda, in his "God Talks With Arjuna - The Bhagavad Gita", published by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, 2002, while relating external worship and rituals to inner development and growth of the soul, says the act of performing the Yagna is equivalent to merging with the fire (light). "This act of withdrawing life from the body and uniting that energy with the light of God (as performed by the Nayanmars and saints of the past) is symbolically shown in the burning of clarified butter or ghee in the sacrificial fire, that of uniting life energy with cosmic energy." "This is the highest yagna," he says, "the real fire rite," he writes, "casting the little flame of life into the great divine fire, burning all human desire in the divine desire for God." 

It is interesting to note that Agathiyar too in asking me to conduct libation or Abhisegam to his bronze statue that he instructed me to be made at Swamimalai in my Nadi reading in 2009, upon arrival at my home in 2010, told me to give it life and he added that he would walk in me while my soul shall momentarily be housed in his statue. 

Agathiyar tells us that Dana of the highest order, besides serving others and feeding the hungry, is to spread the word of the guru and God whom he addresses as Erai. We were told that showing the way of the guru and standing by it supersedes all other acts of Dharma. I guess this blog, which is intended to spread the teachings of the guru and the Siddhas, fulfills this order, for he has me keep on writing it. 

GO WITHIN

In having me do nothing, Agathiyar has given me time to reflect on myself, my past, and my deeds, and given me time to make good and right the wrong here itself without having to take another birth to correct them. He is getting me to tie the loose ends and not leave any unfinished work. However, I try, and I do not find anything left hanging that needed to be taken care of. 

He is giving me all the time to watch nature and connect with it. When I shed tears watching others go hungry, suffer, and in pain and agony, I know it to be a sign of compassion arising within me. I know that I have begun to connect with other souls.

Many come to me in their moments of struggle with their lives for a solution, but only give me half the story or picture. How can I help them when I only have a few pieces of the puzzle to go by? This is exactly what happens when they go to others too, including the Siddhas. They choose to hide their faults, or stupidity, or error, or mistakes, or greed that have led them to their present state. They should be brave enough to own up to their mistakes and take responsibility for them. Agathiyar, in revealing my past karma, told me to own up to it and gave me remedies to soften its harsh effects. He reminded me to walk with caution and not add on to them in this life. He also told me that some of the things I did were not of my choice, but to have me experience them too, though they were shameful in nature. He told me to forgive myself and others, and he shall forgive me. He never spoke about karma again. Once I came under their shadow, or rather, I came to him, he swept them all under the carpet. Only then can we chart a new course together, he said. He spoke about positive things and a bright future. 

Nobody shares the good times they have had or the huge chunks of profit they made, but when sorrow and sufferings rain on them, they seek answers and reasons for the mess that they are in.

As I was drafting this piece, a reader messaged me the following,

I have answers but now..I think they are tutored answers...something that I heard or read at some point of time. Something which has been fed by external sources. The answers are not from within.

I replied to him that that was true and that we have to reach out to the cosmos by going within. She has all the answers in her bosom. We just have to milk it, and we will be fed with Gnana or divine wisdom that transcends the mind and logical thinking.