In calling me to worship the Siddhas through my Nadi reading in 2002, which I did immediately and carried out diligently, Agathiyar brought me to two wonderful gurus in 2003 and 2005, and brought the entire pantheon of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and the Siddhas into my home with his coming as a bronze statue in 2010. Subsequently, he brought several youths to my home, which took on the name Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM). Along with participating in my home pujas, which we executed together, we brought these pujas into the homes of other devotees and the temple corridors. Through our charity arm, Amudha Surabhi (AS), we brought charity into the children's homes, old folks' homes, the poor and unfortunate, and the streets. A friend then asked me why we need to praise the Siddhas? To all those who came before Tavayogi and poured their hearts out, he would listen and, finding a tiny space of pause during these outpourings, would simply say and imply that all their sufferings and misery were due to Vinai or past Karma. If they paused then and were interested to know further, on the means to overcome or subdue its effects, only then shall he open up and mention the Siddhas and their ability to guide us safely and away from the hold of Karma on us. He would then go on and ask that they praise the Siddhas. போற்றினால் உனது வினை அகலும் அப்பா.
Man, since discovering fire, has lit the fire throughout the ages to keep himself warm, keep away wild animals, and to cook his food. When did he start to worship fire? What is the significance of Light and lighting a lamp?
Supramania Swami was visibly disturbed when the flame from the oil lamp at his altar went out while I was with him back then in 2005. I asked myself what the big deal was, for we could always light it again. I did not understand its significance back then.
The deity, Karupanasamy, after stumbling upon my colleague's cousin and taking a ride in him, asked my colleague to give him a ride back to his home, apparently pointing to the flame in a far-off temple, which stood out as a beacon to head towards.
Supramania Swami, wanting to forever have a view of the Holy hill Arunachala from his kudil, had left an opening and a window in his kudil that we built for him. But surprisingly, he had the opening closed with a gunny sack when I visited him again in 2005. Upon enquiring, he told me that he could not see the Holy hill, as it was fiery. He could see Siddhas and Rishis go about their work on the hill.
A flame is lit atop Tiruvannamalai hill during Karthigai Deepam.
Devotees carry lit candles at the annual Saint Anne's feast in Bukit Mertajam, which I was privileged to attend many years back with a colleague and his family.
What then is the significance of lighting a light or a flame? Just as the airport runways are lit to aid the plane in landing, we come across many signages, beacons, and lighthouses while finding our way back home.
Betty J Eadie recalls Christ showing her around heaven after she came back from a coma, in her book "Embraced by the Light". Writing about her near-death experience, she says that she watched the world from the heavens. She saw beacons of light shoot up into the sky. Some were broad and large, while others were akin to penlights and mere sparks. These were supposedly the prayers emitted by individuals. She saw angels rushing to answer these prayers, responding to the brighter lights or prayers first. Insincere prayers were not heard, while those in dire straits and immediate need of help are responded to immediately. Jesus explains to her that a mother's prayers are seen as light beams on the face of the earth from heaven. She was also told that there is no greater prayer than that of a mother for her children. These were the purest of prayers with no self-interest in them. The mother gives herself to the children; hence, her prayers are intense. The mother's prayer is always heard.
Betty J Eadie, in revealing the secrets and mysteries of life in her book, adds that whatever we become here is meaningless unless it has brought benefit to others. In serving others, we grow spiritually. She understood the earth to be a place where we are schooled. If Betty says that we are here to school, Neale Donald Walsch, in his series of books, "Conversation with God" and "Awaken the Species," says that we are already well equipped with sufficient knowledge and have only to apply it here, giving life a purpose and making it holy.
Betty has several pieces of advice for us, too. She reminds us that in praying for someone at his deathbed, one should ask for God's will to be done, rather than insist on our desire, otherwise we could end up frustrating and or delaying the transition that the person was undertaking. Avoid a conflict from arising at these times. It would help to just let the soul go. She adds that God, who is fully able to see the past and future, knows best. The outcome is always perfect, although we see it otherwise. Then she says that there was no need to repeat a prayer or requests. With a single prayer said, then comes faith and lots of patience. Pray for whatever you desire and let go. Let God do his will. If and when his will becomes ours too, we see the prayer answered. Finally, she reminds us not to forget to thank him when he has granted our wishes. Betty says it beautifully, "In humility, we must ask, and in gratitude, we must receive." Prayers bring God to us. With constant prayers, we will come to know that he lives among us.