Agathiyar came some days ago and told me to stop writing this blog. I figured out why he said that. What was to transpire after this, as I step into the next phase, is for my own consumption, as it might confuse the beginners for now, as the concept commonly held of God was about to change. The new seekers need to walk the journey first, as stated in his memo to us, and read on my 66th wedding day. But if these revelations were to stop with the coming of the end of this phase, we would deprive the readers of what was beyond and in store. Though they are to arrive there and find out for themselves, yet Ramalinga Adigal described the phases, revealing twenty-three stages and telling us that there was more that words could not describe. If I were to stop sharing what was to take place, it would be the missing pages of my spiritual diary and would amount to the missing years in my spiritual journey, just like the twelve missing years in Ramalinga Adigal's life and the missing years in the life of Jesus.
I see this as yet another test for me, just as the saint Ramanujam was forbidden by his guru Gosthipurna to share the mantra given to him with others, but the former defied his guru's instructions and shared the mantra standing atop the temple platform with all those passing and gathered. His guru later applauded him for his unselfish act. The story goes as follows.
The gracious Guru, seeing the sincerity and earnest of Ramanuja, now gave him the mantra, warning –
“Do not disclose the Mantra to anyone, else you shall suffer the agonies of Hell.”
“And what will happen to those who hear the Mantra, Sir,” asked Ramanuja innocently.
“Why, my son, the power of the Mantra would lead all those to salvation!”
His Guru, Gosthipurna, instructed him, “This is the param-pavan mantra; whoever merely listens to it is freed from all sinful reactions, and whoever chants it is certain to go to Vaikuntha at the time of death. This mantra is the purest of the purest and should not be revealed to anyone who’s not qualified to receive it. Therefore, you must refrain from sharing this with anybody else.”
“What is more desirable than thousands of people attaining to heaven even if I alone be damned,” thus thought the kind hearted Ramanuja, and climbing up the platform in a temple shouted – “Come, O my brothers, come! Listen to this Mantra that will open floodgates of liberation for you.”
And in front of all, he repeated the Mantra aloud.
Although he was instructed otherwise, when Ramanujacharya heard how this mantra bestows liberation and devotion unto the chanter, he climbed up on the tower of the Vishnu temple, promising everyone that he had a priceless jewel to give them.
As compassion for all the living entities swelled in his heart, he then proceeded to loudly chant the mantra given to him, with the desire to help liberate everyone from the pangs of life and death.
Upon seeing this, his enraged Guru cursed him to suffer in hell for countless lifetimes.
Sri Ramanujacharya humbly replied, “If an insignificant person like me has gone to hell, just so many others can obtain the shelter of Lord Narayana and thus freed from their suffering, I see no greater gain.”
His Guru was left greatly stunned and pleased with his disciple upon hearing this.
(Source: https://www.indiadivine.org/ and https://iskcondwarka.or)
Just as it was a test for him, I pray that Agathiyar forgive me too, for the revelations in recent days need to be shared.
A day earlier, Agathiyar had mentioned that he would come to give the details. He told me to be prepared. Coming as he had promised, he said I was to move towards "feeling" Sivam and know the Soul. This was the next phase that would bring me to different frontiers, he added. He then asked me how I saw Tavayogi, as in my outlook of him. I told him I saw him as Agathiyar. He asked me to live likewise. Today, I believe that Agathiyar and Tavayogi were the same person. Now I believe that Agathiyar, in coming through Tavayogi, taking the stage at numerous events, had shown and taught us all that was needed to save ourselves, others, and the world at large through his many talks on Vinai and Karma, and the grace of the Siddhas that could bring an end to all our sufferings. Then there were the rare words and statements uttered in passing and in the quiet moments between a guru and student that shed further light. Leading the way in carrying out the many rituals, he showed and introduced the ways and means to subdue the effects of Karma and appease Mother Earth. Giving us the Yogic techniques and practices that he showed by example, which Agathiyar later expounded as a treasure, he showed us the door within. In bringing us to understand him, Agathiyar, on his part, revealed what Pon Govindasamy had written, that Agathiyan was a state to be reached and not a name and form of individuals who lived in the way past and subsequently became a symbol of worship. To attain a similar state, one has to adopt the practices that the Siddhas have kept alive.
Pon Govindasamy released many interesting information in his "Thiruchitrabalam Yendra Sirsabaiyum Porsabaiyum Avaniyin Antaranga Arul Arasu Chidambara Ragasiyam" and "Vallalarum Brahma Jnana Sangamum" published by Bharath Book Bureau, Chennai 1970.
He writes that in each Kalpa, the seven landmasses under the seven Manus appear and disappear one after the other. When the third land mass, Kumari Kandam, appeared, Erai sent Agathiyar, one of the seven Rishis, as its protector. Agathiyar learned the sciences from Lord Murugan at Pothigai. He mastered the five aspects of Erai that are creation, sustenance, destruction, veiling, and blessing, and also achieved all eight Siddhis. Hence, he stood as a Vignanakalar. Pon Govindasamy, in his "Vallalaarum Brahma Gnana Sangamum", Bharath Book Bureau, Chennai, explains the different states, including Vignanakalar.
Souls were categorized into three divisions, namely: Sakalar, Piralayaakalar, and Vignanakalar.
மக்களை சகலர், பிரளயாகலர், விஞ்ஞானகலர் என முப்பெரும் பிரிவுகளாக வகுக்கப் பெற்றுள்ளன.
Souls generally tied down to the three Malam, namely Aanavam, Kanmam, and Maayai, are called Sakalar. To these souls, God comes (through Piralayaakalar) in the human form to guide them to achieve the state of a Jeevanmukta.
ஆணவம், கன்மம், மாயை என்ற மும்மலங்களாலும் கட்டுப்பட்ட சீவன் முக்தர்கள் வரையிலுமான ஆன்மாக்கள் சகலர் எனப்படுவர்.
In dropping Maayai (but still retaining Kanmam and Aanavam), they evolve into Rishis and are known as Piralayaakalar. God comes as Shiva to the Piralayaakalar, who then educates the Sakalar.
மாயா மலம் நீங்கி ஆணவம், கன்மம் என்ற இருமலங்களுடன் மட்டும் கூடிய ரிஷிகள் பிரளயாகலர் ஆவர். பிரளயாகலருக்கு இறைவனே குருவடிவம் தாங்கி வந்து உபதேசித்தருள்வான். சகலருக்கு மகரிஷிகளை அதிட்டித்து நின்று உபதேசிப்பான்.
Pon Govindasamy reveals to us the Divine's plan in his "Vallalaarum Brahma Gnana Sangamum". He states that it is the mission of the Divine to save the souls that are riddled, locked, and chained by Aanavam, Kanmam, and Maayai and bring them back to his state of purity.
கட்டுப்பட்ட உயிர்களை தளை நீக்கி (ஆணவம், கன்மம், மாயை), தன்னைப்போல் அகண்டாகார பரிபூரண வஸ்துவாக மாற்றுவதே ஈஸ்வரனின் சங்கல்பம் ஆகும்.
கட்டுப்பட்ட உயிர்களை தளை நீக்கி (ஆணவம், கன்மம், மாயை), தன்னைப்போல் அகண்டாகார பரிபூரண வஸ்துவாக மாற்றுவதே ஈஸ்வரனின் சங்கல்பம் ஆகும்.
The Gurbani - Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS 1276 states that "Having eradicated Maya from within, by the Divine Grace, the mortal becomes established once again in the Divine Consciousness within." Hence, "Maya comes to serve them." (The Gurbani - Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS 1324).
Pon Govindasamy writes that Agathiyar, in this current era, was Brahma's representative at the "Antaranga Arul Aratsatchi" based at Chidambaram. He is tasked to look into the affairs pertaining to the portion of the Vedas known as Karma Kanda. To aid him in this task, he has Karma Devas known as Chitraguptas. Agathiyar goes through each individual's account of merits and demerits (Karma). Besides that, he is responsible for culture, Kriya, and Agamas. He oversees Sanatana Dharma. Through his thoughts, he drives the scientists and researchers to excel in their fields.
The Maha Rishis who had defeated Maayai and Kanmam but are restrained by Aanavam are called Vignanakalar. To these Maha Rishis, God comes within to teach. Their vibrations are one. With the descent of God, the Maha Rishis became one with God.
மாயையும், கன்மமும் நீங்கி ஆணவ மலத்தால் மட்டும் கட்டுப்பட்ட மகரிஷிகள் விஞ்ஞானகலராவார். விஞ்ஞானகலருக்கு இறைவன் உள் நின்றே உணர்த்துவன். இது இறைவன் உணர்வும் விஞ்ஞானகலர் உணர்வும் ஒன்றித்த நிலையாகும்.
Gordon Matthews, in his translation of Meykanda Devar’s "Shivagnana Botham," says the same too.
To Sakalar, souls immersed in all three impurities, God comes as a Guru of the human form; he imparts it, concealing himself as a Guru.
To Pralayakalar, souls affected only by Anava and Kanma, he comes as a Guru in Shiva’s form; he stands before them as a Guru imparts true knowledge.
To Vijnanakalar, souls carrying only Anava, he comes as the inner principle of the soul’s consciousness; he appears as true knowledge.
He explains this concept further.
By reason of the soul’s virtue in previous births, God, who has been immanent in the soul, making it known, now vouchsafes to take the form of a Guru, initiates the soul in the Saiva mysteries. The primal one himself teaches these souls as a Guru: for in the form of consciousness, he is in union (with him). When, because of the soul’s meritorious practices, the primal one enlightens the soul as a Guru.
Veeraswamy Krishnaraj, in his comprehension of Arulnandi Shivachariyar’s "Shivagnana Siddhiyar," says the same too.
Lord Shiva appears to Sakalar with Anava, Kanma, and Mayai Malams in human form as a Satguru.
To Pralayakalar with Anava and Kanma Malams, Lord Shiva appears as a divine God.
Those souls that are rising, Vijnanakalar - the highest class of souls among the three mentioned in "Shivagnana Siddhiyar" with only one impurity known as Anava Malam, do not need an external Guru to instruct them. Lord Shiva, by remaining inside them as the inner guide, rids them of the Anava Malam, bringing the merits and demerits to a resolution and conferring spiritual knowledge or divine grace known as Saktinipata, the descent of Sakti into the soul. Vijnanakalar receives Gnana from Lord Shiva himself as the incorporeal inner guide.
Pon. Govindasamy, in his "Vallalaarum Brahma Gnana Sangamum", Bharath Book Bureau, Chennai, maps the chain of evolution of souls. The souls that were once atoms took on the form of Bhuta, as in Pancha Bhutam or the five elements. Changing into minerals, they later took on the plant form. Leaving behind the forms of animals, they were reborn as humans. Finally, they find their way into becoming Jeevan Muktas. This is not something that happens coming from beyond and outside of the body, but is solely dependent on the maturity of the individual Soul or Jeeva. Thus, the journey is already charted for every one of us. It is just a matter of space-time before it is attained, or should I say, we are reduced to our original form, closing the cycle.
அணுக்களாகயிருந்த ஆன்மாக்கள், பூதவர்க்கங்களாக உருவெடுத்துப் பின் தாது வர்க்கங்களாக மாறி, பின் தாவர வர்கத்தையடைந்து, பின் விலங்கு வர்க்கத்தில் புகுந்து, பின் மானிட வர்க்கத்தில் ஜனனம் எடுத்து, இறுதியில் ஜீவன் முக்தர் வர்க்கத்தில் பரிபூரண தசையையடைகின்றன.
Agathiyar, in mentioning the Bhuta Ganangal to us, told us that when we fully understand ourselves and gain self-realization, when we understand the Ganangal or Bhuta Gnanangal, and come to finally realize that nothing is permanent, at that moment we shall enter and remain in the void of space (Vezhi Kadappathu), a state of Sunyam or void or silence that is the true state of Being or "Summa Erupathu".
"உன்னை நீ முழுதும் அறிந்து உன்னைச் சுற்றி இருக்கும் கணங்கள் அறிந்து எதுவும் நிலை அற்றது என்று நீ அறியும் அத்தருணம் வெளிக்குள் நீயே வெளி கடப்பாய். அத்தருணமே சும்மா இருப்பது."
Like others, I am caught in the mess of my own making. Agathiyar has and is trying his level best to bring me out of this mess beyond the state of Sakalar. In mapping the path and the journey, he had me stop all reading and discussion, hence clearing this vessel, and had me stay away from home and temple puja for some 13 years, only to bring me and fill me with the knowledge known to the Siddhas through my very first Nadi reading in 2002. With the coming of my gurus, in the physical form, Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram, they filled me in further and enlightened me with the former showing me guru Bakti or devotion, and the latter showing me Seva or service. Picking up all the methods and practices given, through the experiences gained and lessons learned, I came to know that the Siddha path was simple by nature. A simple act of calling out their names catches and brings the attention of the Siddhas to fall on us. A simple act of performing libation or Abhisegam on their idols cools them down and pleases them. A simple act of performing the Homam goes a long way in bridging both worlds, ours and that of the Siddhas, bringing them down to sit among us. Simple means to tackle past Karma are given to us. Karma has either to be lived and experienced or exhausted by going on pilgrimages or burnt through rituals, or taken on by one's guru if he is willing. The Siddhas, through Tavayogi, had given us all the tools needed to take our lives into our own hands and resolve all our problems amicably, without the need to seek elsewhere. Why go through pain and suffering when the Siddhas have given us the means to subdue their effects? In performing Parikarams or remedies given to dilute and dissolve our past Karma, simply by going on these said pilgrimages and taking part in the rituals during puja, giving donations, and being kind and helpful to others, besides upholding the truth and all other high virtues, half the battle is won. With the grace of the divine, we beat the rest. The guru can take it on, too, if he is willing.
Agathiyar, who blessed my home with his arrival, became pretty comfortable with the name we gave it, Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM), taking after the hill where Tavayogi chose to pitch his hut, upon arriving from Sathuragiri, as dictated by Agathiyar to him. Later, in the Nadi, Agathiyar tagged my home as Gnana Kottam, while Lord Muruga renamed it as Agathiyar Tapovanam. My humble home, which took on these roles, has now come to evolve into a place of meditation and one of sitting in silence. The past days and weeks have been sheer bliss for no particular reason. Everything settled on its own. Peace and calm are felt. Silence and tranquility are sensed even amidst the noise and din in the neighborhood. This, I suppose, is our true nature. But sadly, we have covered ourselves with layers and layers of clothing that, with time, become painful and laborious to shed. After teaching me to let go of forms and names, Agathiyar, several days back, extolled that the next phase is one of "feeling" and "experiencing" Sivam or the vibration and knowing the Atma, as well.
In bringing us together in puja after a lapse of some 5 years, last Sunday, 26th October 2025, asking us to carry out Sariyai and Kriyai, Agathiyar endorsed our desire to have the kids shower him by the act of performing the Abhisegam while the adults lit the Homam and chanted the Dhanvatri mantra in view of the current spell of influenza that was going around, concurrently. He led the day's puja further by leading some into Yoga, correcting the breathing of some devotees by asking them to perform Nadi Suddhi or Alternate Breathing, and had some others join him in meditation. It was truly an amazing day and one that will be remembered. A newly arrived couple has this to say about AVM and that day.
I never thought I would be able to sit in Agathiyar’s presence ever. I want to meditate in your place again if I get the chance. We were just there to find one Avadaiyappa to say hello, but were instead blessed with a beautiful opportunity to sit and meditate. It’s not every day one gets a chance to sit with a master, and he gave us all an opportunity on that day. Very few spaces I have visited have the level of consecration that your place has. You have done wonderfully in cultivating such an atmosphere, and through sheer devotion, you have enticed him to sit in your lovely home. Rituals are great tools to benefit everyone and are great, but the atmosphere created in your space to allow one to go within is priceless. The last time I came to your place, I was surprised. I thought I had gone in for about 10-15 minutes. Only on the drive back, Shalini told me that I had been in there for close to an hour. That itself is a miracle. It’s a blessing to meditate in the space you have created, sir. Really. It’s out of this world.
As famed musician AR Rahman says, all praise goes to Him, indeed, we are only mere tools in his hands doing what is tasked to us. In sharing them in writing, I begin to understand better what is said. It is not me preaching, but I am learning at the same time with fellow readers.